As a film enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the silver screen world, I can confidently say that the movies you’ve mentioned are absolute gems. Each one tells a unique story, filled with adventure, friendship, and a dash of tear-jerking moments.
If you and your young Viking companions have completed the entire “How to Train Your Dragon” series, it’s quite possible that you were immersed in the magical world, shed tears at various points during the final chapter, and now find yourself yearning for more adventures involving a boy and his dragon. Since you’ve likely explored one of DreamWorks’ finest franchises and among the greatest animated films ever made, where can you go next? Believe it or not, there are numerous options available, some of which offer equally epic dragon experiences!
This isn’t the first movie featuring a connection between humans and mythical creatures; long before Berk Island became famous, there were other family films with a similar storyline. These movies often revolved around the main character overcoming his apprehensions to form a close bond with an unlikely companion in a heartwarming buddy flick that rivals or even surpasses the popular dragon trilogy. Once your family has mastered dragon training, consider checking out these additional films about giant creatures, strange beings requiring assistance, and other magical adventures.
The Iron Giant
In another perspective, “The Iron Giant” (1999), directed by Brad Bird and based on Ted Hughes’ short story “The Iron Man,” presents a poignant question: what if a machine had feelings? The movie, featuring a stellar voice cast including Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick Jr., and Vin Diesel, is set during the Cold War era. It tells the story of a boy named Hogarth who develops an unlikely friendship with a massive alien robot, initially designed for warfare, but yearns for peace instead.
In Bird’s first movie as director, we have an equally charming tale about a boy encountering a creature from another realm and trying his best to conceal it from those who might be frightened or harmful towards his newfound friend. The beautiful retro animation and design of the giant are skillfully combined with Diesel’s distinctive growl, creating a title character with a vocabulary slightly larger than Groot’s and infusing the story with even more warmth than Hughes’ original narrative.
Teaching the valuable lesson of looking past the surface level of someone and getting into the nuts and bolts of the person, “The Iron Giant” hammers home the message that you are who you choose to be. The result leads to one of the best “Superman” endings that doesn’t have a Kryptonian in sight. Give this one a watch and then put it back together to start all over again.
Pete’s Dragon
In an exceptional rarity for Disney history, as one of the scant good live-action adaptations of an enduring classic, “Pete’s Dragon” is the work of David Lowery, who skillfully reimagines the popular tale of a boy and his dragon. The result is one of the finest Disney films ever created. This contemporary retelling was first shown in 1977, and the updated story follows a wild child who finds refuge under the care of a real-life dragon named Elliot after becoming an orphan.
In a thrilling tale, Bryce Dallas Howard, Wes Bentley, and Robert Redford find themselves immersed in an adventure guided by Oakes Fegley as Pete, a companion to what could arguably be one of the most attractive dragons ever. Soft and cuddly, this family-friendly movie offers a captivating creature feature that surprisingly improves upon its predecessor in remarkable ways.
Additionally, placing the story in 1977 lends the movie a nostalgic charm similar to other films on this list. The movie carries an Amblin-like ambiance that adds a touch of warmth and sweetness, making it feel unique compared to Disney’s remakes. Despite Disney’s trend of remaking classics, “Pete’s Dragon” stands independently and flies high.
Flight of the Navigator
The 1986 film “Flight of the Navigator,” directed by Randal Kleiser, bears a resemblance to “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.” It remains a standout ’80s movie about a boy embarking on an extraordinary journey, who incidentally befriends a spaceship in the process. The film presents one of the kindest tales involving alien abduction. Twelve-year-old David Freeman (played by Joey Cramer), falls in 1978 and wakes up eight years later without any signs of aging. It is discovered that during this period, he was taken aboard an alien spacecraft, which he names “Max” (voiced by Paul Reubens, credited as Paul Mall in the movie). This spaceship transported him 560 light years away to an alien world, along with other specimens.
Featuring stunning interior sets by Max and an excellent score by Alan Silvestri, ‘Flight of the Navigator’ may not be at the top of the family movie list, but it’s worth more than just a passing glance as a cult favorite. Interestingly, Bryce Dallas Howard was recently announced to direct a remake, so it could be an exciting opportunity to catch this charming sci-fi tale before it undergoes a contemporary refresh and perhaps welcomes directors like Taika Waititi or Matt Berry, who might bid farewell to a new navigator.
Free Willy
During the ’90s, it seemed like every movie character, whether a child or their relative, formed a bond with some sort of animal. This resulted in numerous comedic situations or even antagonists trying to capture the friendly pet that had been adopted by our protagonist. In the film “Free Willy,” for instance, the character Jesse (played by Jason James Richter) develops a relationship with a killer whale named Willy. The movie proved to be incredibly popular in 1993, earning a spot among the top box-office hits of the year, although it was outperformed slightly by “A Few Good Men.” It appears that even killer whales aren’t immune to the concept of truth!
As a nostalgic film enthusiast, I can’t help but reminisce about the heartwarming tale of a troubled boy named me who found purpose in an unexpected friendship with a captive orca whale named Willy. After a series of mishaps that landed him in trouble, I decided to turn over a new leaf and clean up my act, all while trying to avoid juvenile hall.
Dragonheart
Toothless might well be a cool dragon, but he might struggle to hold a flame against one that sounds like James Bond. A buddy movie that breathes fire, “Dragonheart” stars Dennis Quaid as a former knight-turned dragon hunter Bowen, who cuts a deal with the last of the creatures to keep business going. Sean Connery voices Draco and brings the charm and swagger to the mythical beast like no one else could, while David Thewlis dons a shocking wig and is clearly angry about it as the cruel King Einon out to get our leading pair.
In the series of films that followed, but didn’t quite capture the essence of the first, Dragonheart features an impressive score composed by Randy Edelman. Alongside Quaid, Thlewis, and Connery, Pete Postlethwaite delivers a heartwarming performance as Brother Gilbert, a monk poet documenting the adventures of the film’s protagonist. Dina Meyer also stars as a local driven by personal vengeance. If you enjoy swordplay and shield-swinging action, this is definitely worth watching, and remember to keep the Old Code in mind throughout!
The Fox and the Hound
Similar to numerous films on this list, “The Fox and the Hound” is known for triggering tears but oh, what an emotional ride it offers! Propelled by an unusual friendship, this 1981 animated film directed by Ted Berman, Richard Rich, and Art Stevens takes us back to a time in Disney’s history that today’s children can only imagine experiencing.
This animated movie centers around a character named Tod, a fox voiced by both Keith Mitchell and Mickey Rooney, and Copper, a hunting dog portrayed by Corey Feldman and Kurt Russell. The film is filled with the emotional depth and captivating appeal that defines classic Disney productions. Additionally, it played a significant role in shaping the careers of budding animators such as Tim Burton, Brad Bird, and John Lasseter from “Toy Story,” who contributed to the creation of this visually stunning story.
This film on our list resonates uniquely due to its characters hailing from opposing neighborhoods. Brimming with scenes that may stir your deepest emotions, “The Fox and the Hound” serves as a child-friendly version of “Enemy Mine.” We challenge you not to shed tears when Tweed watches Tod shrink in her rearview mirror.
E.T. the Extra Terrestrial
It’s tough to imagine a film about a child creating a new best friend without Steven Spielberg’s remarkable science fiction classic, “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial.” This movie, much like many others in Spielberg’s impressive collection, is filled with indelible scenes that resonate deeply for both parents and children, enhanced by the spine-tingling music of John Williams that makes you feel a boy could actually fly a bike while an alien was riding along.
Henry Thomas’ portrayal of Elliot could be one of the most remarkable acting feats by a child actor in history. Facing the challenges of his parents’ divorce, this young character finds solace in the embrace of an alien creature with disproportionately long arms (and short legs), who yearns to make contact with its homeworld.
From a young cast bursting with talent (Drew Barrymore as Gertie is one of the greats), this is an essential viewing for kids. If you’re going to follow up one of the greatest animated films ever made, you might as well do it with what might be one of the best movies ever made even if tears might be shed in the process. Hey, sobbing at a pruned up alien dying and then coming back to life is all part of growing up.
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2024-09-25 15:00