Childhood Neighborhood
Ash's Childhood All-Time Movies (Top 10)
Honorable Mention Films
The Little Rascals
The Sandlot
The Mighty Ducks
Hook
10. E.T.
One of the only O.G. Universal rides to still stand tall today, this movie is not only a classic & Icon...it's etched in human history. Steven Spielberg brought us some of the best films known to man and likely owns half of Universal Studios based on how many of his films have become awesome attractions at their many theme parks. Henry Thomas and Drew Barrymore were the adorable tots born from this film and are still going strong today with their incredible careers. Henry Thomas shows up in practically every Mike Flanagan project and it is amazing to see the difference in tones he's adopted over the years.
9. The Dark Crystal
Jim Henson owns my childhood and heart if you haven't noticed his presence sprinkled through-out my blog. There are some creatives who are just one-of-a-kind in what they do and who inspire others to be great and do great things; That was Jim. He will return on this list but The Dark Crystal was one of his child-hood wonders and many puppeteer masterworks. The style and craftsmanship that went into this film just screamed 'Childhood Nightmare & Enchantment' two words you never thought would work well together but for some reason they do in this film as well as my number 2 pick of his.
8. The Neverending Story
Another mystical masterpiece of film art, this was the story of a child who was reading all of his life events as if it were pages in a novel. With no lack of enchanting creatures and perilous adventure, this movie made you want to track down whatever breed that drogon (dog and dragon hybrid I created) was and find out if he really can fly you into all the corners of your wildest imagination.
7. Kindergarten Cop
Sadly I can't write my absolute favorite line from this film as my opener because it's completely inappropriate, even for me. Just know when you see a tiny boy stand up and tell you about the male and female anatomy that is the line I'm referring to. Also when you see a little girl in suspenders who 'Has to go real bad' just think of me, or pour out a cartoon of milk in my absence. I was obsessed with this movie as a kid and this was not a role one would expect Arnold to have taken at the height of his career but us 90's babies are so glad he did. Everything you thought could never work in a film (giant bodybuilder and 5 year olds) worked beautifully and created one of our favorite childhood films, like ever.
6. Matilda
Yes, I admit, in one of my former lives I was Matilda or Lavender or maybe the chick with the pigtails who loved pink and just dove off into a field of sunflowers. This film made every child fear chocolate cake and gave birth to the word/place "Chokey". Mara Wilson in her prime will return on this list as she was unknowingly a huge part of my childhood with her insane talent at such a young age. The ever so clever Matilda is a childhood dreamscape.
5. Sister Act 1 & 2
Nothing you can say can tear me away from these movies....and top 5 is a pretty high praise for this holy homage. Whoopi delivers a great nun performance in both these films and the soundtrack from both of these films may have been just as great/epic as the films themselves. The second one is even better than the first and Lauren Hill's vocals in that film was the reason I even attempted to sing a tune for the first time ever in my life.
4. Problem Child 1 & 2
Want to know what was better than junior (the spawn of Lucifer) terrorizing people in the 90's? The answer is Trixie and her M80 joining the fun and making even his life a complete nightmare. As much as I adored the first Problem Child when I saw it, yet again we had a film from my childhood with an even better sequel than the iconic original. Junior and Kevin McCallister (Home Alone) should have created the tiny terror club for boys in the 90s because i'm sure it would have been just as entertaining to watch as those films were.
3. Jumanji
Jumanji is back in the Entertainment Elite street lineup for good reasoning....it's (one of) the GOATS of it's time! Even still today, this movie based off the childhood board game holds it's weight in gold and the lead actor holds both the #3 & #1 spot in this list. Robin Williams & the entire cast of this movie was etched in history when this movie came out and I think me and my brother wore out the VHS when it released. Kristen Dunst was also a grand standout at such a young age and this film truly never made you want to play a board game ever again.
2. Labyrinth
I must give my cousin credit where credit is due....this was one of the most magical movies of not just my childhood but all time. If you watch the Jim Henson documentary this film supposedly flopped in the theaters when it came out but did it really? More than just 'Was the film profitable' this film was 'Unforgettable' when it comes to childhood wonder and imagination. David Bowie was the perfect choice to lead the rock and roll feel/vocals of this film and Jennifer Connelly brought the flair and teenage angst that made this one of the most magical films in history.
1. Mrs. Doubtfire
Coming in strong at #1 Mr Robin Williams is back but this time he's playing our favorite trans grandma who brings all the feels to this role. Mara Wilson is also back on this list and having these two among all the other cast members made this THE best film of my childhood. I could watch this movie back to back and not get sick of it, as Robin just did something for our childhood memories that we can't even begin to pay him back for. Anyone of the best childhood films you can think of involved Robin Williams and most of them are nestled in this list but there's plenty more to explore out there.