100 Best Movies to Bring Back Childhood Nostalgia

With the sudden excess of spare time most of us have on our hands now, it can be hard to find some new material to watch.
However, why look for something new when you could achieve hours of amusement from childhood classics? In compiling a list crammed with options for absolutely everyone, my fellow isolated sixth years have proven that if naming our favourite children’s films was a Leaving Cert subject, we would all be headed to Harvard!
So, whether you’re interested in a tear jerker or a comedy, Missy.ie has a list of childhood nostalgia movies to watch.
25 Films Based on Books
This is my personal favourite genre of film. They might not always live up to the books they are based on, but there are undoubtedly some brilliant classics around…
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
- Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events
- The Harry Potter Series
- Pollyanna
- The Tale of Desperaux
- Bridge to Terabithia
- Paddington
- The Princess Diaries
- Matilda
- Alice in Wonderland
- The Wizard of Oz
- Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
- The Cat in the Hat
- Dr Seuss’ The Lorax
- How to Train Your Dragon
- Little Women
- Journey to the Centre of the Earth
- Jumanji
- Ramona and Beezus
- Forrest Gump
- 101 Dalmations
- Mary Poppins
- Peter Pan
- Coraline
25 Non-Animated Films
Whether it’s a musical, a mystery or a melodrama, there are some brilliantly acted films out there guaranteed to bring back childhood memories.
- Nanny McPhee
- Night at the Museum
- Cheaper by the Dozen
- The Sound of Music
- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
- Spy Kids
- Hannah Montana
- Alvin and the Chipmunks
- Camp Rock
- High School musical
- The Goonies
- The Pacifier
- The Muppets
- Richie Rich
- Tooth
- The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl
- Madeline
- Annie
- Enchanted
- Like Mike
- Aliens in the attic
- The Karate Kid
- Mrs Doubtfire
- Bedknobs and Broomsticks
- The Parent Trap
25 Animated Films
Children’s cartoons should never be overlooked. There are plenty of classics out there guaranteed to leave you wiping away tears of emotion, be it of laughter or sorrow.
- Up
- Ratatouille
- Robots
- Open Season
- Shrek
- Despicable Me
- Flushed Away
- Over the Hedge
- Happy Feet
- Monsters vs Aliens
- Bolt
- Toy story
- Nemo
- Gnomeo and Juliet
- Yogi Bear
- Rio
- Madagascar
- Ice Age
- Monsters, Inc.
- The Incredibles
- Cars
- WALL-E
- Tangled
- Scooby Doo
- Meet the Robinsons
15 Animal Themed Films
They say not to work with animals or kids but children’s films involving our furry friends are definite wins in my book.
- Dr Doolittle
- Charlotte’s Web
- Marley and Me
- Stuart Little
- Marmaduke
- We Bought a Zoo
- Beethoven
- Babe
- Lion King
- Jungle Book
- Dolphin Tale
- Hotel for Dogs
- Life of Pi
- Because of Winn Dixie
- Bambi
10 Festive Films
Let’s be honest, I have absolutely no idea what day of the week it is currently, never mind the season. I think in the circumstances we can allow this particular genre a small section!
- Hocus Pocus
- Frankenweenie
- Double Double Toil and Trouble
- Goosebumps
- Hop
- A Christmas Carol
- The Grinch
- Arthur Christmas
- Elf
- Home Alone
Most of your favourite childhood movies are available on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ and SKY TV/NOW TV.
What are your favourite childhood nostalgia movies to watch?