The List - Part II: Kid Flicks

It's been two years, but today I'll continue my list of favorites by genre. For all you kids at heart... To reintroduce my reasoning behind the selections - #1 I have to have wanted to watch the film within the past 12 months (even if I didn't have the opportunity), and #2 - it has to have resonated with me on some emotional level that still affects me as an adult. I'm going to try to keep it strictly kid-based, which is why some titles won't appear such as ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING, which I will eventually place under "comedy" because adults love it just as much. An American Tail (1987) - A young mouse en route from Russia to America becomes separated from his family. On his journey to reunite with them he finds the courage to become himself and all the wonderful things America has to offer. Babe (1995) - More or less a rip-off of Charlotte's Web, this finds a pigs singing talents saving him from the slaughterhouse. The Black Stallion (1979) - After surviving a shipwreck, a young boy befriends a horse and the two become unlikely companions on their "deserted" island. The Brave Little Toaster (1987) - A little toaster and his home appliance friends try to find their owner in the big city after fearing they've been abandoned in the family's cabin. Beauty and the Beast (1991) - A man turned into a beast by a witch must earn the love of a beautiful woman in order to return to his human self. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (1984) - An every day mom becomes determined to take a grungy group of poverty stricken and neglected kids and change the community's views on them by readying them for the annual Christmas pageant. Charlotte's Web (1973) - The original cartoon version finds a spider trying to keep Wilbur, her pig of a best friend, from being taken to the slaughter house. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) - Bullied boy tries to learn, then convey to his peers the true meaning of Christmas. Child of Glass (1978) - Boy befriends the ghost of a little girl who was murdered for her doll which contained a load of diamonds. (*May be frightening at times for little kids.) The Electric Grandmother (1982) - After their mother passes away, three children are given the opportunity to physically design a robotic grandmother to care for them. Escape to Witch Mountain (1975) - Two children with supernatural powers try to find their origins and family before they are kidnapped and exploited by the government. Finding Nemo (2004) - A father and his fishy son try to find each other and learn courage and that you should explore the world on their journey. Freaky Friday (1976) - Teenage girl and her mother don't see eye-to-eye until their souls are switched into each other's bodies and forced to see what each other endures on a daily basis. Freaky Friday (2003) - Ditto...and one of the few remakes I genuinely enjoy as much as the original. Garfield's Halloween (1985) - Sunday comics fat cat and his best friend dog embark on a mission to collect as much candy as possible, only to become lost and mixed up with a group of treasure-seeking ghost pirates. (*Has moments that may be too intense for little ones.) The Halloween That Almost Wasn't (1979) - When Dracula realizes that his scary counterparts like the Wicked Witch, Frankenstain, the Wolf Man and others have lost their oomph and are no longer scaring children, he give them an ultimatum - regain your wickedness or Halloween will be canceled forever. It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966) - Linus goes in search of the mythic Great Pumpkin - a stand in clone of Santa. The Land Before Time (1988) - Group of young dinosaurs escape their destroyed land after they're orphaned and must try to find a new home. The Little Mermaid (1989) - Teenage mermaid gets her wish to explore the world when she makes a pact with an evil sea witch to grow legs and live among humans. Mary Poppins (1964) - A magical nanny teaches her charges to love and enjoy life. The Muppet Movie (1979) - Kermit and his co-horts travel across the nation to Hollywood seeking fame and fortune... teaching everyone they meet to always chase their dreams and believe in their own talents. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) - The Muppets comically take on all the characters of the famous Dickens' story "A Christmas Carol." Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (1975) - After a donkey is booted into the wilderness because he is considered deformed and useless because of his extremely long ears, he is unexpectedly chosen to carry the pregnant Mary to Bethlehem and proves his worth to the world. (At the age of 3, this was the first time I was made aware that your mother could die.) Pete's Dragon (1977) - A young boy tries to convince a town that his imaginary friend - a dragon - is causing all the havoc in the peaceful community. Rikki Tiki Tavi (1975) - A mongoose is saved from drowning by a family in the south African jungle. As thanks, he becomes their protector when two deadly cobras try to murder the family. Toy Story trilogy (1995, 1999, 2010) - A group of toys learn a series of life lessons about love, friendship, respect and loyalty. T'was the Night Before Christmas (1976) - A family of mice try to figure out why Santa refuses to deliver the goods on Christmas Eve, only to discover it's due to one of their own. Watership Down (1978) - A warren of rabbits embark on a journey to find a new home for their family when humans destroy their existing home. *May be too intense for younger children as it depicts scenes of gory death and suffering. The Wizard of Oz (1939) - Simple girl from Kansas lands in colorful land of Oz where she finds her own courage, brain and heart. Ziggy's Gift (1982) - Sunday comics character comes to life as a quiet soul who wants nothing more than to give to those in need as he unknowingly comes in control of a magical pot as a street corner santa.