Makin' a List of Holiday Movies

The Top Ten Family Fantasy Flicks

By Kim Morgan, Fandango Film Commentator

With The Golden Compass set to lure young and old to theaters, fantasy films are, for the moment, hot. However, fantasies with a broad appeal for both adults and the older kids have always been popular.

The Chronicles of Narnia, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the latest Harry Potter installments all proved darker than typical kiddie fare with parents wondering if they’d have to stay up all night with Suzie frightened by creatures like the Oompa Loompas. So in the spirit of the new darker children and fantasy films, I’m offering a list of ten family fantasy films, ranging from all ages to seriously requiring adult supervision. Some are a little more adult, some a lot (like The City of Lost Children) and some perfect for older kids. Read on, fantasize and reminisce—some of these may be your own childhood favorites.

10. The Secret Garden (1993)

Frances Hodgson Burnett wrote the story (her books, including A Little Princess and Little Lord Fauntleroy are still recommended for kids) from which this lovely film was adapted. A lonely girl reeling after her parent’s death is sent to her uncle’s estate in England where she discovers a mystical secret garden. She, along with a cousin she never knew, set to bring it back to life. The story may sound rather dry, but it’s filled with wonder, kindness and some very adult fears and anxiety.

9. Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1974)

Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka.
© Paramount Pictures

Though Tim Burton re-made this bizarre-o cult film with Johnny Depp, its Gene Wilder’s Willy Wonka that’s remained my favorite. Adapted from Roald Dahl’s popular children’s story, the picture features poor Charlie winning the golden ticket to eccentric, some would say, deranged, chocolatier Willy Wonka’s factory. Charlie, along with four other “lucky” ones, tour the fabulous factory spying the creepy Oompa Loompas and all sorts of fantastical elements that make Wonka so unique. But horrible events happen to the children -- or rather, the spoiled children (which excludes Charlie) -- and as much as this may disturb adults, older kids love watching the come-uppance. A terrific look at the dual side of creativity (it’s not without a dark side), featuring a twinkling, upsetting yet oddly lovable performance by Gene Wilder, Willy Wonka has not endured this long without reason.

8. The Witches (1990)

An overlooked mini-masterwork, The Witches is fun, scary, sad and well, scary. Directed by Nicolas Roeg, the guy who made both the infinitely more adult The Man who Fell to Earth and Don’t Look Now, this film features a nine-year-old boy who finds himself stuck smack in the middle of a witches’ convention. The High Witch (played by a deliciously evil Anjelica Huston) reveals her master plan to turn all children into furry little animals. With the help of his grandmother, who just happens to be a good witch (phew—thanks grandma), they battle the dark ones’ nefarious plans. Filled with top-notch special effects, impressive, scene-chewing acting and creative use of mice, The Witches (adapted from Roald Dahl’s classic children’s story) is wonderfully dark and frighteningly fun.

7. Labyrinth (1986)

David Bowie in Labyrinth.
© Columbia Tristar

Why does every man under the age of 35 have a crush on Jennifer Connelly? The answer is one word—Labyrinth. A film in which a teenage Connelly must rescue her baby brother from, yes goblins. Labyrinth provided every future tech-nerd with their future nerd dreamgirl. But putting the Connelly crush aside (we’re all grown up now), Labyrinth, directed by Muppet master Jim Henson, is one fantastic journey in which all kinds of remarkable creatures befriend young Connelly while she works her way through an other-worldly realm. Kids enjoy the animals and suspense (she must solve the Labyrinth to save her brother) while adults appreciate the complex story and intriguing performance by David Bowie as the Goblin King.

6. A Little Princess (1995)

Before the lusty adventures of Y Tu Mama Tambien and before he directed one of the Harry Potter franchise films, director Alfonso Cuaron took a stab at this classic story adapted from Frances Hodgson Burnett’s children’s book. Made in 1939 with Shirley Temple as the titular Princess, Cuaron’s version is the better of the two with gorgeous cinematography, notable performances and a lack of saccharine sentiment.

The story, though not as fantastical as others on this list, concerns young Sara, a girl who moves to New York to be educated by a stern headmistress at a boarding school. When her father is reported dead and her fortunes are apparently gone, Sara, once lavished with luxury, is turned into a servant, suffering mistreatment by the school officials. What marks Princess so memorable is how Sara is saddened yet undaunted by her new position, not only making the best of it but cleverly criticizing the school. They never break her spirit. Inspiring for kids and adults.

5. The Princess Bride (1987)

Rob Reiner’s wonderfully screwball fairy tale is perfect for the entire family. Sophisticated enough for adults to understand the picture’s good-hearted irony and satire, it’s also loads of fun, filled with hilarious characters, action and a touching love story. Based on William Goldman’s novel, the film has Princes Buttercup (a young Robin Wright Penn) in search of her beloved, Westley (Cary Elwes) as she works around the evil doers in the mythical kingdom of Florin. Irreverent adventure abounds with now legendary performances by Christopher Guest, Andre the Giant, Mandy Patinkin and Wallace Shawn, who taught many a kid the word “inconceivable.”

4. The City of Lost Children (1995)

If you’ve never seen The City of Lost Children, proceed with caution—it’s not specifically a family picture. Weird, avant garde and oddly beautiful (Jean Paul Gaultier designed the film’s costumes), the film (directed by Amelie’s Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro) has a scary inventor kidnapping children with the goal to steal their dreams. Sounds a bit like Nightmare on Elm Street and, in many ways, it’s even freakier with one-eyed creatures called Cyclops to nab the children. Have I sold it for the kids yet? OK, so it is pretty adult. But younger, imaginative teens who’re tired of The Dark Crystal will find much to love especially in the character of Ron Perlman who attempts to rescue the lost children with a motley crew of cute orphans.

3. The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001)

Do I need to even explain these three great movies directed by Kong’s Peter Jackson? Well, let’s see, there’s this hobbit named Frodo Baggins who inherits a mysterious ring from his uncle Bilbo and embarks on a journey to Mt. Doom where he must destroy it and…oh come on! You all know this series. And so do your kids.

2. Edward Scissorhands (1990)

I can be a tough audience member when it comes to movies— but Tim Burton’s classic was the one movie that made me completely lose control while watching it as a youngster. So much so that my mother, annoyed, told me to calm myself down. She actually exclaimed, “It’s only a movie!” while I was blubbering something about Edward having to retreat back into the castle, alone and friendless and without Winona Ryder.

But there’s more to Edward Scissorhands than the copious tears I and many other viewers shed. The story of a boy with scissors for hands (Johnny Depp), left alone after the death of his sweet but loony scientist creator (Vincent Price in his last role—now that makes me cry when I watch it), offers a colorful, yet darkly complicated view of brotherly love. How a community (in this case, ticky tacky suburbia) can embrace the different and then cast it out. Visually stunning, Burton’s fantasy mixes puffy pastels with ominous gothic imagery culminating in the emotional scene in which Edward makes an Ice Angel. And yes, it’s deeply touching. And did I mention it was sad?

1. The Wizard of Oz (1939)

You might be surprised to find The Wizard of Oz at the top of this list but, are you really? Think back when you first watched it. You were blown away. Not only were you taken with the travail’s dream warrior Dorothy (Judy Garland) and her little dog too (Toto), but you were awe struck by the brilliantly vibrant colors and the characters of The Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion. And of course the Wicked Witch of the West! All green face and cackling. The terror! No matter how many times you’ve seen Star Wars or The Lord of the Rings you’re still wowed by the tornado, the house landing on the Witch and oh lord, the flying monkeys (are they not one of the scariest creatures ever created?) And who can forget “Over the Rainbow?” It was perfect in 1939 and it’s perfect today.

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