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A whimsical movie brings to life a world of fantasy and imagination with an offbeat charm. Artistically inspired films combine visual beauty with magical storytelling in these delightful stories that will surely lift your spirits.
1. The Song of the Sea
Based on Gaelic folklore, this enchanting animated movie tells the story of Saoirse (pronounced Ser-sha), a little girl who can turn into a seal. She goes on an adventure with her brother to save the spirit world and other magical beings like her. The two siblings uncover the secret’s of their past as they journey through a world of magic in this hand-drawn masterpiece.
2. My Neighbor Totoro
While basically any Studio Ghibli movie could qualify for this list, the heartwarming story follows Satsuke and Mei, two young sisters who discover mystical forest creatures living in the backyard of their new home in the countryside. While their mother recovers in the hospital, the girls learn the meaning of family and what really matters in life. The film also has a powerful ecological theme exploring the healing powers of nature.
3. Fantastic Mr. Fox
Mr. and Mrs. Fox live an idyllic life with their son, but soon the animal instincts of Mr. Fox get the best of him. He returns to his former bad habits of robbing chickens before finding himself up against the three evil farmers, Boggis, Bunce and Bean, putting his family and the entire animal community in danger. Puppets and stop-motion animation in Wes Anderson’s distinct aesthetic style bring to life the book by beloved British author, Roald Dahl. If the soundtrack alone doesn’t make you smile, the humor in this movie certainly will.
4. Hook
For any '90s kid, childhood wouldn’t have been complete without Rufio and Robin Williams playing a grown-up Peter Pan. After Captain Hook kidnaps Pan’s kids, Peter must go back and realize his past, reclaim his youthful spirit, and challenge his old enemy. This fantasy adventure brings out the inner child in everyone in this iconic performance by Robin Williams.
5. Mary Poppins
After yet another caretaker has quit, the Banks family must hire a new nanny to look after their mischievous children. On a windy day, a magical nanny flies with her umbrella from the London skies and into their home. She takes the children on an adventure, which in the end, brings the family closer together. Practically perfect as Mary Poppins, Julie Andrews hits every note in songs like A Spoonful of Sugar and Super‐cali‐fragi‐listic‐expi‐ali‐docious. This classic movie captures the imagination of adults and children alike.
6. Big Fish
In this feel-good movie, director, Tim Burton, creates a fantastic visual style while telling the touching story of a man reconnecting with his father. William Bloom, played by Ewan McGregor, returns home after a long estrangement to visit his dying father. In an attempt to learn the truth about the man before time runs out, William goes on a journey to set apart fact from fiction. The tall-tale blurs reality and fantasy while a son learns to love and understand his father in a way he never could before.
