While children’sfantasymovies are usually characterized by their happy endings and light themes, revisiting these projects as an adult can provide new insight into the deeper messages. More often than not,the nostalgic aspects of kids' movies hit harder for older viewerssince these narratives are reminiscent of a time gone by. The ephemeral nature of childhood and the unexpected difficulties of adulthood are brought into sharp perspective through the lens of a story meant to entice and enchant young audiences. Occasionally, Easter eggs meant for adults provide a fun hidden layer of meaning for returning viewers to enjoy.
These films come from many different eras and niches, with somefantasy movie box office flopsdeveloping into cult classics over time, especially with adults rewatching these projects.Understanding the context and setting of these films is a large part of what makes them special for adults,as these parts of the stories can sometimes go over kids' heads. However, the drive to revisit these movies as an adult starts in childhood, as their impact and emotional power transcends age groups, providing something for all viewers to enjoy.
Peter Pan
Cast
Peter Pan (2003) is an adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s classic tale directed by P.J. Hogan. Jeremy Sumpter stars as Peter Pan, who whisks Wendy Darling, played by Rachel Hurd-Wood, and her brothers to the enchanted world of Neverland. Jason Isaacs portrays the dual roles of Mr. Darling and the malevolent Captain Hook. This film showcases the adventures and conflicts in a land where children never grow up.
The source material forPeter Panis already infused with nostalgia and the familiar feeling of longing for one’s childhood.However, even as the 2003 iteration hits all the same beats as the older animated Disney film and the many other adaptations, it’s one of the most fresh takes on the story while still adhering to the central messages. Additionally, first love is a huge part ofPeter Pan’s story. The doomed romance between Peter and Wendy is one that adults can look at with empathy and regret, remembering their first pangs of young love.
The real beauty ofPeter Panis how instantly it transports the viewer back into the thick of childhood and the desperate fear of growing up.
The magic of this version ofPeter Panisn’t lost on children,as the vivid colors and fun practical effects make for an immersive experience. However, looking at the cohesive aesthetic with a more discerning eye allows for even more appreciation for the technical aspects of the film. Of course, this is a benefit of revisiting beloved childhood classics, but the real beauty ofPeter Panis how instantly it transports the viewer back into the thick of childhood and the desperate fear of growing up.
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Jumanji
Jumanji is an action-adventure comedy film by director Joe Johnston and starring Robin Williams. Two orphan siblings move into a home occupied by the former Parrish family, whose son disappeared years ago. When the two start playing a mysterious board game known as “Jumanji,” they unknowingly release the missing Alan Parrish later, along with various other jungle-themed dangers that can only be stopped if they finish the game.
The original 1995Jumanjiwouldn’t be nearly as well remembered without the seminal performance by Robin Williams, who plays the grown-up version of Alan. To this day,Jumanjiis surprisingly scary and emotionally resonant, as the effects of the game pose a real danger, with the characters' lives on the line.Witnessing Alan trapped inside Jumanji for decades and forced to survive in isolation is an intense plot device,and the situation’s gravity only becomes clearer as audiences age.
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Alan’s fate is genuinely scary and robs him of his life,an experience with consequences that would terrify anyone, no matter how old they are. While he eventually gets his life back, the parallel universes and diverted timelines are heady and complex subject matter that pushes the boundary of what children might understand. However, this hasn’t stoppedJumanjifrom continuing on as a beloved franchise. TheupcomingJumanji 4is confirmedand will continue the story of the spinoff characters, including Dwayne Johnson.
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The Neverending Story
Based on the German novel of the same name, The NeverEnding Story centers on Bastian Bux, a young boy who finds a book about a fantasy world called Fantasia, and becomes inexplicably connected to the book’s plot as he begins to read it. Barret Oliver stars as Bastian, with Noah Hathaway, Tami Stronach, and Alan Oppenheimer as part of the main cast.
The protagonist ofThe NeverEnding Story, Bastian, will tug at the heartstrings of anyone who has ever felt out of place in childhood or grappled with big feelings at a young age. As time passes, the connection the viewer feels with Bastian and their empathy for him only grows asThe NeverEnding Storygrapples directly with grief and loss.Both Bastian, as the reader of the story and the characters within it, experience the death of a loved one and must carry on in the face of even greater threats to the universe.
From the perspective of age, the audience can see how these losses are part of life and that Bastian is able to persevere thanks to his belief in himself and the realization that everyone is creating their own story.
This comes through in the unforgettable death of the beloved horse, Artax, who perishes in the Swamps of Sadness, a moment few viewers easily recover from. However, from the perspective of age, the audience can see how these losses are part of life and that Bastian is able to persevere thanks to his belief in himself and the realization that everyone is creating their own story. This sense of agency andpower over one’s destiny, even as events unfold out of Bastian’s control, is a meaningful message for adultswho might relate to Bastian even more.
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The Sword in the Stone
Disney’s animated classic The Sword in the Stone spins a new take on the tale of King Arthur of Camelot’s origins as a humble squire named Wart who wishes to become the Once and Future King. Though many have tried and failed, Wart, with the help of the all-powerful (but bumbling) magician Merlin, will embark on a quest to pull the sword form the stone and lead his country to a prosperous future.
One of thebest fantasy movies of the 1960s,The Sword in the Stone, is loosely based on the first part of T.H. White’s seminal novel,The Once and Future King.The film chronicles the less frequently discussed early years of Arthurbefore he knew his fate as king. This involves Merlin teaching him important lessons that will make him a great leader. Seeing Arthur as a boy and knowing who he will become is very emotionally impactful, even within the musical comedy lens that Disney utilizes.
WhileThe Sword in the Stonemight not capture the attention of younger audiences as much as some of the more classic Disney animated fairy tales,adults can appreciate its style and influence with new eyes.The aesthetics and the more experimental tone of the movie make it stand out against the other Disney offerings of the time, thanks to its darker and more transgressive nature. The characterization of Merlin and his quirky, humorous affectations likely served as inspiration for later great wizards in movies like Dumbledore and Gandalf.
The Sword in the Stone (1960)
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Legend
Legend, released in 1985, is a fantasy film set in a mythical forest where a mystical forest dweller, chosen by fate, embarks on a heroic quest to rescue Princess Lili and thwart the evil Lord of Darkness, preventing the world from succumbing to an eternal ice age.
It likely wouldn’t mean much to children thatLegendfeatures the work of a young Tom Cruise, Tim Curry, and was directed by Ridley Scott.However, these pieces of trivia might be the perfect encouragement to draw adults back to the 1986Legendor even discover it for the first time. Of all the great fantasy movies of the 1980s,Legendis too often overlooked, which is surprising considering how star-studded the cast is and how Curry creates such a terrifying villain in his work as Darkness.
Though Scott made his name on works of sci-fi,Legendproves that he understands how to realize a fantasy world with gorgeous precision, which any adult would appreciate.
However, there’s more toLegendthan the actors and performances, even if these are some of the best parts of the movie. The love story between Jack and Lili, the two young protagonists, is so innocent and genuine thatit’s almost impossible not to root for these kids to save the world and live happily ever after.Additionally, though Scott made his name on works of sci-fi,Legendproves that he understands how to realize a fantasy world with gorgeous precision, which any adult would appreciate.
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The Secret of Kells
The Secret of Kells is an animated fantasy film that follows the young Brendan, who lives in a remote medieval outpost. This visually stunning tale explores his journey to help complete the magical Book of Kells, encountering mythical creatures and overcoming challenges along the way, blending history and folklore in a captivating narrative.
Animated movies with a connection to folklore become all the more intriguing to audiences as they grow up,as the source material behind fantasy projects is just as interesting as the films themselves. The creative team behindThe Secret of Kellshas produced some of the most beautiful and innovative animated features of the past few years, producing bothSong of the SeaandWolfwalkersin the years followingThe Secret of Kells. All in conversation with Irish folklore and legends, these movies stand out among the traditional fairy tales typically brought to life on screen.
Not only isThe Secret of Kellsvisually astounding, butthe story tackles serious subjects like war, the preservation of knowledge, and struggling to be understood and accepted by one’s family.All of these aspects of the story only grow clearer to older audiences, as do the motivations of both the young protagonist Brendan, and his well-meaning uncle, Abbot Cellach, who only wants to protect his family and home. Though it’s easy to solely root for Brendan as a child, the fear and anxiety that drive Cellach become more obvious with age.
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Where the Wild Things Are
In this adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s beloved children’s book, a young boy named Max sails away from home and discovers a wondrous land of creatures known as “Wild Things,” who name Max their new king.
It’s astounding that Spike Jonze was able to mine the short but classic children’s book of the same name by Maurice Sendak and create the vividly realized 2009Where the Wild Things Are. For viewers who grew up reading the book, the way the Wild Things are designed and brought to life is perfect, balancing the otherworldly aspects of the monsters with the realism of the story. Additionally,Jonze leans into the conflict between Max and his mother, tackling the tough transition to adolescenceand how this takes a toll on both parents and children.
WatchingWhere the Wild Things Areas an adult doesn’t simply make the viewer automatically side with Max’s mother.
However, watchingWhere the Wild Things Areas an adult doesn’t simply make the viewer automatically side with Max’s mother. On the contrary, the audience is able to see how hurt they both are and how they’re each doing their best with the emotional tools available to them.It’s in the disconnect between their levels of communication that the conflict arises,and this is the real tragedy. ThoughWhere the Wild Things Arereceived mixed reviews, it’s likely on its way to becoming a cult classic as the years progress.
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Spirited Away
Spirited Away, a masterpiece by Hayao Miyazaki, is an animated fantasy film that follows the enchanting journey of a young girl named Chihiro. Trapped in a mystical world after her parents are transformed into pigs, Chihiro must navigate a realm filled with spirits and peculiar creatures to save her family.
Spirited Awayis arguably the best Studio Ghibli movie ever made and has long been considered simply an amazing fantasy movie, regardless of its intention for children. The director,Hayao Miyazaki, has consistently pushed viewers to engage with complex themes of coming-of-age, pacifism, and the intersection between childhood and living through warin much of his work. ThoughSpirited Awaydoesn’t directly address war, it still sees Chihiro’s childhood disrupted through displacement and forces her to navigate an unknown world without the safety of a parental figure.
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As a child, it’s easy to be swept up in the magical and visual spellbinding world ofSpirited Away. While this doesn’t fade with time,it’s easier to recognize the grief that Chihiro is feeling long before she’s transported to the spirit worldand why she’s able to find herself and her parents by the end of the film. The idea that part of her identity can be taken from her and potentially lost forever is a serious threat and one that will ring true for adults.
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Maleficent
A live-action reimagining of the fairytale of Sleeping Beauty, Maleficent follows the titular fairy witch (Angelina Jolie) in a dark fantasy origin story. After falling in love with a human, Maleficent is betrayed when he steals her wings. Swearing revenge, she curses his infant daughter, Princess Aurora, leading to a retelling of the beloved fairytale from an alternate perspective.
Maleficentis one of the more engaging and effective live-action iterations of Disney movies,as it brings a new spin and perspective on the traditional tale ofSleeping Beauty. Angelina Jolie is excellent as the titular fairy who starts the movie perfectly happy to play the villain after all the betrayal and persecution that she’s faced at the hands of humanity. However,Maleficentquickly turns into a tale of motherhood and forgiveness, as Maleficent finds herself loving the young Aurora as a daughter even if she doesn’t want to.
Maleficentexplores how easy it is to misinterpret the intentions of the so-called villain and how it’s often the people in power who get to spin these narratives to make themselves look better.
Whilethis encourages older viewers to identify with Maleficent,especially if they’re parents, it’s not just her relationship with Aurora that will affect audiences.Maleficentexplores how easy it is to misinterpret the intentions of the so-called villain and how it’s often the people in power who get to spin these narratives to make themselves look better. This nuance and the unfairness of Malefient’s situation are not lost on older viewers.
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The Iron Giant
Set in 1957 Maine against the backdrop of the Cold War, The Iron Giant follows Hogarth Hughes, a young boy who finds an alien robot crashlanded in the woods outside his hometown. Determining that the robot is friendly, Hogarth quickly becomes its protector against forces in the US Army who wish to use the robot for their own means. Eli Marienthal voices Hogarth, with a further cast that includes Vin Diesel, Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick Jr., and Christopher McDonald.
The Iron Giantis always discussed in the ranking of the greatest children’s movies of all time. Famous for its heart-wrenching final scene and emotionally resonant message,The Iron Giantis afantasyfilm for everyone, regardless of age. Hogarth, the protagonist, is the curious and brave child that every young person dreams of being, but he’s also equally relatable, as he feels out of place in school and life, finding solace with the Giant. Despite being an anthropomorphic robot,the Giant is a complex character that the audience grows to love as much as Hogarth does.
Though the emotion comes through with younger audiences, the gravity of the Giant’s sacrifice and Hogarth’s isolation come through with adults with even more nuance.Set against the paranoia of the Cold War, adults take in this context and are able to empathize with the adultswith Hogarth’s life as they attempt to keep him safe, even if it’s in misguided ways. While the relationship between Hogarth and the Giant is the most compelling, as an adult, audiences can see how the other character dynamics work to build the film’s impact.
