10 Children's Fantasy Movies That Just Hit Different As An Adult

10 Children’s Fantasy Movies That Just Hit Different As An Adult


While children’s fantasy movies 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 viewers since 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 some fantasy movie box office flops developing 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.


10 Peter Pan (2003)

Directed by P.J. Hogan

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.

Director
P.J. Hogan

Release Date
December 25, 2003

Writers
J.M. Barrie , P.J. Hogan , Michael Goldenberg

Cast
Jeremy Sumpter , Jason Isaacs , Olivia Williams , Lynn Redgrave , Rachel Hurd-Wood , Richard Briers , Geoffrey Palmer , Harry Newell

Runtime
113 Minutes


The source material for Peter Pan is 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 of Peter 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 of
Peter Pan
is how instantly it transports the viewer back into the thick of childhood and the desperate fear of growing up.

The magic of this version of Peter Pan isn’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 of Peter Pan is how instantly it transports the viewer back into the thick of childhood and the desperate fear of growing up.


Title

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score

Peter Pan (2003)

77%

74%

9 Jumanji (1995)

Directed by Joe Johnston

The original 1995 Jumanji wouldn’t be nearly as well remembered without the seminal performance by Robin Williams, who plays the grown-up version of Alan. To this day, Jumanji is 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.


Jumanji (original), The NeverEnding Story, & Enchanted characters

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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 stopped Jumanji from continuing on as a beloved franchise. The upcoming Jumanji 4 is confirmed and will continue the story of the spinoff characters, including Dwayne Johnson.


Title

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score

Jumanji (1995)

52%

63%

8 The NeverEnding Story (1984)

Directed by Wolfgang Petersen

The protagonist of The 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 as The NeverEnding Story grapples 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 and power over one’s destiny, even as events unfold out of Bastian’s control, is a meaningful message for adults who might relate to Bastian even more.

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Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score

The NeverEnding Story (1984)

84%

81%


7 The Sword In The Stone (1963)

Directed by Wolfgang Reitherman, Clyde Geronimi, & David Hand

One of the best 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 Arthur before 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.


While The Sword in the Stone might 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.

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Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score

The Sword in the Stone (1960)

66%

73%

6 Legend (1985)

Directed by Ridley Scott


It likely wouldn’t mean much to children that Legend features 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 1986 Legend or even discover it for the first time. Of all the great fantasy movies of the 1980s, Legend is 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,
Legend
proves that he understands how to realize a fantasy world with gorgeous precision, which any adult would appreciate.

However, there’s more to Legend than 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 that it’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, Legend proves that he understands how to realize a fantasy world with gorgeous precision, which any adult would appreciate.


Title

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score

Legend (1986)

41%

73%

5 The Secret Of Kells (2009)

Directed by Tomm Moore & Nora Twomey

The Secret of Kells - Poster

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.

Director
Tomm Moore , Nora Twomey

Release Date
December 4, 2009

Writers
Fabrice Ziolkowski

Cast
Evan McGuire , Christen Mooney , Brendan Gleeson , Mick Lally , Liam Hourican , Paul Tylak , Michael McGrath , Paul Young , Nora Twomey

Runtime
78 Minutes

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 behind The Secret of Kells has produced some of the most beautiful and innovative animated features of the past few years, producing both Song of the Sea and Wolfwalkers in the years following The 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 is The Secret of Kells visually astounding, but the 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.

Title

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score

The Secret of Kells (2009)

90%

85%


4 Where The Wild Things Are (2009)

Directed by Spike Jonze

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 2009 Where 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 adolescence and how this takes a toll on both parents and children.

Watching
Where the Wild Things Are
as an adult doesn’t simply make the viewer automatically side with Max’s mother.


However, watching Where the Wild Things Are as 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. Though Where the Wild Things Are received mixed reviews, it’s likely on its way to becoming a cult classic as the years progress.

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Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score

Where the Wild Things Are (2009)

73%

57%


3 Spirited Away (2001)

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki

Spirited Away is 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 war in much of his work. Though Spirited Away doesn’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.

The Dark Crystal (1982) and Pan's Labyrinth (2006) imagery

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As a child, it’s easy to be swept up in the magical and visual spellbinding world of Spirited 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 world and 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.

Title

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score

Spirited Away (2001)

96%

96%

2 Maleficent (2014)

Directed by Robert Stromberg


Maleficent is 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 of Sleeping 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, Maleficent quickly 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.

Maleficent
explores 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.


While this encourages older viewers to identify with Maleficent, especially if they’re parents, it’s not just her relationship with Aurora that will affect audiences. Maleficent explores 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.

Title

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score

Maleficent (2014)

54%

70%

1 The Iron Giant (1999)

Directed by Brad Bird


The Iron Giant is 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 Giant is a fantasy film 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 adults with 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.


Title

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score

The Iron Giant (1999)

96%

90%

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