* * *
* * *
The following is a list of the top ten animated movies I loved as a kid. I picked them based on both how much I enjoyed them, and how much they influenced me as a grew up. So, without further ado, let's get to the list! :D
* * *
Number 10:
The Swan Princess
An adaptation of Swan Lake by Warner Bros., the animated fairy tale really went for the Disney-feel. Though perhaps not a memorable as the mainstream Disney movies, I really enjoyed this as a kid. I enjoyed the parts with Prince Derek and his quest more than I did the parts with Odette- but her designs in the montage song during their childhood gave me inspiration for a few characters later on in life.
An adaptation of Swan Lake by Warner Bros., the animated fairy tale really went for the Disney-feel. Though perhaps not a memorable as the mainstream Disney movies, I really enjoyed this as a kid. I enjoyed the parts with Prince Derek and his quest more than I did the parts with Odette- but her designs in the montage song during their childhood gave me inspiration for a few characters later on in life.
Number 9:
Fievel Goes West
I never knew this was a sequel until I was much older, but as a young kid I loved this movie! And, since my dad recorded the audio onto a cassette tape for me to listen to at night, this is one where even now, when I watch it, I know just about every sound before it comes. Fievel Goes West continues the tale of Fivol, a brave and enthusiastic little Russian mouse whose family emigrates to America.
I never knew this was a sequel until I was much older, but as a young kid I loved this movie! And, since my dad recorded the audio onto a cassette tape for me to listen to at night, this is one where even now, when I watch it, I know just about every sound before it comes. Fievel Goes West continues the tale of Fivol, a brave and enthusiastic little Russian mouse whose family emigrates to America.
Number 8:
The Secret of NIMH
I didn't see this one until I was a little older, but I think I was still in my early teens when I did. Definitely still young enough to get a little bit of a crush on the character Justin.
Based loosely on the book Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, the movie tells the story of Mrs. Brisby, a mouse and a recently widowed mother of three, and her quest to save her ailing youngest son. Desperate to move her house before it is tilled up in the spring, she goes to the mysterious Rats of NIMH for help, and finds herself in an even deeper struggle than she realized.
I didn't see this one until I was a little older, but I think I was still in my early teens when I did. Definitely still young enough to get a little bit of a crush on the character Justin.
Based loosely on the book Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, the movie tells the story of Mrs. Brisby, a mouse and a recently widowed mother of three, and her quest to save her ailing youngest son. Desperate to move her house before it is tilled up in the spring, she goes to the mysterious Rats of NIMH for help, and finds herself in an even deeper struggle than she realized.
Number 7:
Robin Hood
Yet another movie where I had a crush on one of the central characters, Disney's Robin Hood remains one of my favorite adaptations of the Robin Hood legend to this day.
Yet another movie where I had a crush on one of the central characters, Disney's Robin Hood remains one of my favorite adaptations of the Robin Hood legend to this day.
Number 6:
Beauty and the Beast
Of all the Disney princesses, Belle (with her bookishness and long brown hair) was the one I really identified with as a kid. Well, her and Pocahontas, but my parents had mixed feelings about having Pocahontas in the house, so although I saw it once when I was little, I didn't really become familiar with it until later. But Beauty and the Beast was one I immensely enjoyed, and certain parts really influenced my writing and story ideas. In particular, the scene where Belle defends herself from the wolves with a stick in the snowy wood is probably what first got me thinking about the story of a female swordmaiden, which would later become the plot of Quest for the Ivory Sword.
(Ha! If only I'd seen this movie when I was younger... the fun I could have had pretending to be Kayley!)
Of all the Disney princesses, Belle (with her bookishness and long brown hair) was the one I really identified with as a kid. Well, her and Pocahontas, but my parents had mixed feelings about having Pocahontas in the house, so although I saw it once when I was little, I didn't really become familiar with it until later. But Beauty and the Beast was one I immensely enjoyed, and certain parts really influenced my writing and story ideas. In particular, the scene where Belle defends herself from the wolves with a stick in the snowy wood is probably what first got me thinking about the story of a female swordmaiden, which would later become the plot of Quest for the Ivory Sword.
(Ha! If only I'd seen this movie when I was younger... the fun I could have had pretending to be Kayley!)
Number 5:
The Great Mouse Detective
Before I discovered my love for Sherlock Holmes, there was this- the mouse version of the Greatest Detective. (If your noticing a theme here of movies featuring mice as main characters... so am I. Where did we get all of these? Geez!)
Although it's never been the most popular of the Disney movies, (and probably for good reason) I still love this movie. Basil, the main character, along with his relationship with his archnemesis Ratigan, is what makes it work.
Before I discovered my love for Sherlock Holmes, there was this- the mouse version of the Greatest Detective. (If your noticing a theme here of movies featuring mice as main characters... so am I. Where did we get all of these? Geez!)
Although it's never been the most popular of the Disney movies, (and probably for good reason) I still love this movie. Basil, the main character, along with his relationship with his archnemesis Ratigan, is what makes it work.
Number 4:
Peter Pan
I can't think of any lasting reason why this one should be in my Top 10, other than it was just a tremendously fun movie to watch as a kid. (Okay, fine, and I had a crush on Peter Pan.) The brilliant colors, the thrilling adventure, the happy ending, all makes for a great kid's film. And Captain Hook and his hilarious- and disastrous- encounters with the Crocodile still get me laughing almost hysterically sometimes.
I can't think of any lasting reason why this one should be in my Top 10, other than it was just a tremendously fun movie to watch as a kid. (Okay, fine, and I had a crush on Peter Pan.) The brilliant colors, the thrilling adventure, the happy ending, all makes for a great kid's film. And Captain Hook and his hilarious- and disastrous- encounters with the Crocodile still get me laughing almost hysterically sometimes.
Number 3:
The Fox and the Hound
This movie is probably the reason my favorite animal has always been a red fox. Todd, a young fox adopted by a lonely farm woman, makes an unexpected friend out of a hound puppy named Copper. Their friendship is put to the test when they reach adulthood, especially when Copper's master vows revenge on Todd, no matter what the cost.
Apparently this is based (very loosely) on a book, which I now want to read as soon as I find a copy.
This movie is probably the reason my favorite animal has always been a red fox. Todd, a young fox adopted by a lonely farm woman, makes an unexpected friend out of a hound puppy named Copper. Their friendship is put to the test when they reach adulthood, especially when Copper's master vows revenge on Todd, no matter what the cost.
Apparently this is based (very loosely) on a book, which I now want to read as soon as I find a copy.
Number 2:
The Prince of Egypt
Not only one of my favorite animated films to this day, but also one of the most beautifully animated films ever in my opinion, this film take second place on my list for only one reason- the nostalgic sentiment attached to Number 1.
A surprisingly respectful adaptation of the Exodus story, The Prince of Egypt has its flaws, but is overall a great movie. In particular, I love the burning bush scene and the parting of the Red Sea. The music is awesome, and the songs are great fun to sing. I re-watch this one fairly often now that it's on Netflix, and I really should get a DVD copy.
And now, before we get to Number 1, here are some
Not only one of my favorite animated films to this day, but also one of the most beautifully animated films ever in my opinion, this film take second place on my list for only one reason- the nostalgic sentiment attached to Number 1.
A surprisingly respectful adaptation of the Exodus story, The Prince of Egypt has its flaws, but is overall a great movie. In particular, I love the burning bush scene and the parting of the Red Sea. The music is awesome, and the songs are great fun to sing. I re-watch this one fairly often now that it's on Netflix, and I really should get a DVD copy.
And now, before we get to Number 1, here are some
Honorable Mentions:
Willie the Sparrow
Thumbelina
The Little Mermaid
.
.
.
.
.
.
Number 1:
The Land Before Time
This movie has a dark grit to it that we will probably never see in a kid's movie again. But for all that, this story of a group of young dinosaurs and their perilous journey to reunite with their families touched me from an early age and has remained my favorite animated movie even in my adult years. And yes, I did have a crush on Little Foot, the main character, but that wasn't exactly what stayed with me. The beautiful animation, for one, is hard to forget. And somehow the movie managed to cover several of the stages of grief without bogging itself down too much. The characters' friendships with one another are really fun to see, and when they overcome the odds, it's so satisfying. Little Foot's complicated relationship with Cera reminded me a lot of a... sort-of friendship I had with another girl when I was probably between six and eight. They way that they get kid's dynamics with each other so accurate is impressive to me.
Anyway, this one goes down as one of my favorite moves EVER, animated or not. I've never seen most of the sequels, because I can't imagine they're nearly as good. Or at least not in the same way the original is good. But this is one I'll introduce to my kids someday for sure!
* * *
This movie has a dark grit to it that we will probably never see in a kid's movie again. But for all that, this story of a group of young dinosaurs and their perilous journey to reunite with their families touched me from an early age and has remained my favorite animated movie even in my adult years. And yes, I did have a crush on Little Foot, the main character, but that wasn't exactly what stayed with me. The beautiful animation, for one, is hard to forget. And somehow the movie managed to cover several of the stages of grief without bogging itself down too much. The characters' friendships with one another are really fun to see, and when they overcome the odds, it's so satisfying. Little Foot's complicated relationship with Cera reminded me a lot of a... sort-of friendship I had with another girl when I was probably between six and eight. They way that they get kid's dynamics with each other so accurate is impressive to me.
Anyway, this one goes down as one of my favorite moves EVER, animated or not. I've never seen most of the sequels, because I can't imagine they're nearly as good. Or at least not in the same way the original is good. But this is one I'll introduce to my kids someday for sure!
* * *
And there you have it, my top ten favorite animated movies from my childhood. I hope you enjoyed the list! What are some of your favorite animated movies? Let me know in the comments. Have a great day!
-Emmarayn Redding
I'm noticing a theme with a lot of these movies . . .
ReplyDeleteAlso, I recognize almost all of these and it makes me happy! I loved the Land Before Time too, though I actually preferred the spinoffs to the original. Beauty and the Beast is still one of my favorites. And I didn't actually watch NIMH until I was a preteen, or thereabouts, but I really enjoyed that one too. (Book was still better, though.)
I agree, the book is better. But the movie is so different that I can pretty much appreciate them for separate things. I should re-read that book, though! It's been way too long. :)
ReplyDelete