5 Movies You Must See Before You Grow Up

We see things differently as children, from the classics that our parents showed us to the new films that we just kept rewatching until the tape was ruined. These films influence our entire lives, our tastes as we grow up and even more. We remember sitting down and staring at the TV for hours, in awe of the cinematic landscapes put before is. These must-see-movies are just a few of what’s on offer, to catch up on films you might not have seen, or films for your children!

The Neverending Story

Loosely based on the novel bearing the same name, The Neverending Story is based around the fantasy kingdom of Fantasia, which also features a classic heroes journey. We follow Bastian, a bookish 10-year-old boy as he gets transported into a kingdom wherein he must team up with Atreyu in order to save the kingdom from a force only known as “The Nothing”. The Neverending Story might feel a little bit outdated for newer viewers, however the masterful storytelling in addition to a soulful story for people of all ages to enjoy.

Star Wars: A New Hope

At this point, if you’ve somehow missed out on watching Star Wars then this is the best place to start. The iconic Luke Skywalker is a farm-boy living on the desert planet of Tatooine, with big dreams of leaving the farm to become a fighter pilot. However, his life gets turned on its head as he encounters a droid named R2-D2, who carries a message for a mysterious hermit. This now legendary story is a tale of classic Good VS Evil, and is the beginning of a 40 year legacy of the series. There’s so much to say about Star Wars, but if you’ve never seen it, then it’s probably time to hop onboard with this epic galactic saga that has enchanted millions worldwide.

Spirited Away

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki and beautifully animated by Studio Ghibli, Spirited Away at its core is all about greed and learning to overcome hardship in the face of impossible odds. The story is centred around Chihiro, a 10-year-old Girl who quickly becomes trapped in a Spirit World. With gorgeous visuals and otherworldly creatures populating the entire world, you’ll be hooked onto an unforgettable ride as Chihiro attempts to understand and navigate the Spirit World, meeting all kinds of people and creatures – both friendly and malevolent alike.

Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory

Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (Not to be confused with 2005’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) is a classic film that’s about a humble child, coming from a poor family discovering a chocolate factory with an eccentric owner- Willy Wonka. With whimsical visuals and a limitless amount of charm, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is another movie with oodles of charm and has an utterly unforgettable story.

Matilda

Like Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, Matilda is also based on a book by author Roald Dahl. In Matilda, we see a bright 6-year-old girl become increasingly frustrated with her parents and family, who mocks her love of books, learning and reading. However, a power within her awakens, and Matilda suddenly has telekinetic powers. This story is often dark, but featuring a charming soundtrack, characters as well as incredible performances, Matilda is a movie that you definitely don’t want to miss out on.