In the wake of the release of THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY, here is a list of MOVIEGUIDE®’s 10 favorite fantasy movies. Some of them are intended for older children or teenagers and adults.
10. THE LION KING
Quality: * * * * Acceptability: +2
1994 A magnificent example of Disney animation, THE LION KING is an heroic tale of good versus evil which purposely embodies many Christian allegorical elements, according to producer Don Hahn, a committed Christian.
9. THE PURPLE ROSE OF CAIRO
Quality: * * * * Acceptability: +1
1985 Woody Allen’s 1985 fantasy, THE PURPLE ROSE OF CAIRO, shows that God can speak through unbelievers.
8. TOY STORY TRILOGY
Quality: * * * * Acceptability: +3
1995, 1999 and 2010 This beautiful series of movies about Woody the cowboy, Buzz Lightyear and their friends is hugely entertaining, morally uplifting and, at times, powerfully redemptive.
7. THE DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER
Quality: * * * * Acceptability: +3
1941 This classic is a sometimes comedic, but always authentic, portrayal of the devil and his schemes.
6. THE WIZARD OF OZ
Quality: * * * * Acceptability: +1
1939 Despite some confusion over witches, this classic Hollywood take on L. Frank Baum’s beloved book features a tremendous performance by Judy Garland as Dorothy, who desperately wants to get back to her Christian guardian, Aunt Em, in Kansas.
5. SCROOGE
Quality: * * * * Acceptability: +3
1951 Starring Alastair Sim, this well-crafted and faithful version of Dickens’ classic is so good it can be watched year round. Sim does a marvelous job of bringing Scrooge to life in this heartwarming classic. Furthermore, Tiny Tim is adorable, and the Cratchit family is absolutely heartwarming and tear-jerking.
4. THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
Quality: * * * * Acceptability: +1
2005 THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, based on C. S. Lewis’s popular Christian fable, tells the story of four English children, who enter the land of Narnia, where they meet Aslan, the son of the Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea, who rescues the land from the evil White Witch. Despite some minor changes from the book, THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE retains most of its Christian focus and is tremendously exciting, thrilling and redemptive.
3. THE LORD OF THE RINGS Trilogy
Quality: * * * * Acceptability: -1
2001, 2002, 2003 The greatest, most redemptive fantasy epic ever written, about Frodo, Gandalf, Aragorn, and the Fellowship of the Ring, becomes the greatest, most redemptive fantasy epic ever filmed. A spectacular, singular achievement in filmmaking. THE RETURN OF THE KING is particularly great, despite a lengthy epilogue sequence.
2. FINDING NEMO
Quality: * * * * Acceptability: +4
2003 Our favorite animated movie from Pixar, a very funny, inspiring story about the depths of a father’s love for his child.
1. IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
Quality: * * * * Acceptability: +3
1946 Jimmy Stewart plays the beleaguered but good-hearted George Bailey, who finds out what life would be like if he’d never been born. A very slight caution is urged because of the false angelology, although the movie is number one on our list because of its emotive revelation of man’s relationship to God, who answers our prayers.
Some other favorite fantasy movies: Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, BAMBI, THE SECRET OF KELLS, THE SONG OF THE SOUTH, TANGLED, STUART LITTLE 2, THE LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS: THE OWLS OF GA’HOOLE, THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER, Disney’s SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARVES, Disney’s PINOCCHIO, THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE MUPPETS, CHARLOTTE’S WEB, WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY with Gene Wilder, RATATOUILLE, Disney’s MONSTERS INC. (movies that seem more reality based, more science fiction oriented, or more comedic are not included).
