While some of these are more suited to older kids, this list offers something for everyone — even grownups. Check it out and tell me if I am missing one of your favorites. I have added my own at the end!
10. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. The standard-bearer, really. We feel rather strongly that no list of kids’ movies or TV shows should be without at least one Peanuts reference. Since this may be the very best from a list of wonderful shows and movies, it’s a no-brainer.
9. The Corpse Bride. The first of Tim Burton’s animated masterpieces to appear here (not to mention one live-action classic), it’s a more obvious pick. But, excellent as it is, it still doesn’t hold a candle to the other choice, which, incidentally, tops this list.
8. Monster House. One of Robert Zemeckis’ motion-capture animated projects, it’s partly scary, mostly fun. Good, old fashioned, seat of the pants fun, and there’s nothing wrong with that, is there?
7. Something Wicked This Way Comes. A cultish pick, perhaps, but when’s the last time you saw this lesser-known ’80s gem? Jason Robards and Jonathan Pryce headline a film we have always described using only two words: “Creep City.”
6. Beetlejuice. The only reason this brilliant piece of Tim Burton’s brain isn’t higher on the list is because it’s more of a comedy and isn’t terribly scary (until the very end, of course). Still, so good, so entertaining, and such a tour de force by Michael Keaton, it’s a sure thing for this list.
5. The Goonies. Anyone born since 1966 surely understands why this movie is on this list, but just in case, we’ll bring up the concept of kid power, the fantastic cast of child stars like Corey Haim and Corey Feldman (and future adult stars like Josh Brolin, because you forgot he was in it, didn’t you?), and the magical treasure hunt, not to mention the devious villains who were — surprise! — genuinely scary for kids when the film was released almost 25 years ago.
4. The Lost Boys. Way before Twilight, the first vampire movie any member of Generation X will really identify with, if not actually remember. Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Patric, the Coreys again, it’s smart, it’s funny, it’s genuinely scary and, again, teenage vampires. What else do you need?
3. Monsters, Inc. Silly, charming, hilarious, heart-warming and, yes, at times a bit of an edge-of-your-seat experience. Not the very best Pixar movie, but still awfully good. Plus, it features the voices of Billy Crystal and John Goodman.
2. Gremlins. The rules were simple: don’t get them wet, don’t feed them after midnight, and don’t expose them to bright light. But what did these guys do? Well, you already know, don’t you? Of course you do. And none of us will EVER be the same …
1. Nightmare Before Christmas. This is so off the charts amazing as to be in a class in and of itself. If you haven’t seen it lately or, for that matter, ever, we beseech you — no, we beg you — to see this little slice of heaven. As much as we enjoy Tim Burton’s work, he has never done anything as front to back awesome as this animated classic. The tops.
Elizabeth’s personal favorite:
This is an oldie but a goodie! Super silly and tons of fun! You have never seen SJP like this! Happy Halloween!
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