12 Throwback Movies That Still Hold Meaning 20 Years Later
There’s nothing like scrolling through the TV Guide at night and seeing a movie is on that you loved as a kid. Truth be told, when this happens to me, I most likely will end up putting it on and watching it before bed. They may technically be “children’s movies” but some of them still make me laugh like they did when I was little or pull at my heartstrings when things get rough for the characters. So take a minute, get your nostalgia on, and scroll through the 12 movies listed below that you may have forgotten about but will definitely remember. Maybe even watch some of the videos and re-live the warmth that these characters embodied through their humor and their hearts. No matter how old I get, these movies still hold the ability to move me.
1. Monster’s Inc. (2001)
In my opinion, one of the most creative children’s movies is none other than Monsters Inc. Sully and Mike’s hilarious banter throughout the duration of the film is bound to crack you up. Then Boo comes along, sparking a fatherly love in Sully’s heart while wooing every viewer. Not to mention, Mike’s positive stream of positivity and gratitude, even when he gets gypped in every Monster’s Inc. advertisement, is inspiring and contagious. An all around great film, check out the ending scene below that will bring up all your forgotten feels.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_u5JHRUXX0
2. The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
An underrated movie that still never fails to make me laugh is The Emperor’s New Groove. Kronk’s tenderness, Yzma’s diabolical plans, Kuzco’s cockiness, Pacha’s bluntness, and many others in between, the whole crew makes for a great film. Their dynamic evokes non-stop laughter, all while being entangled in a certain sweetness that for sure made me list this as one of my faves. Check out some of the funniest scenes below:
3. Finding Nemo (2003)
Finding Nemo, a Pixar classic, is one that’ll put you through a whirlwind of emotions. Whether it’s laughing at Dory’s jokes, rooting for Nemo, feeling sad for Marlin, etc. this movie will make you laugh like no tomorrow while drawing out your empathetic side. Fictional or not, we were on this journey with them, okay! Watch the funny scene below, bringing you back to the adventure:
4. A Bug’s Life (1998)
A movie that often gets left behind is A Bug’s Life. Remember Flik and the gang? They rose to the challenge of changing the lives of bugs that were oppressed by the grasshoppers. With many hilarious bits woven in, this movie imparts a beautiful message about unity and equality. Watch the movie’s “bloopers” below for a good laugh:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j1m2wwdcVA
5. The Incredibles (2004)
The Incredibles was the superhero movie that tied many witty cracks into an overarching theme about family and being there for one another. The scene below is from the start of the movie when Dash gets in trouble at school. His teacher is a trip!
6. Shrek (2001)
Shrek and Donkey’s relationship in ‘Shrek‘ is filled with sarcasm and wise cracks in the beginning. But quite a few chuckles later, at the end of the movie, they’ve become buddies and won over your heart. Watch this scene below when they were welcomed to Farquad’s castle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKTd-N4djSY
7. Brother Bear (2003)
Another movie that will have you tearing up at the end is Brother Bear. A great story about loss, love, and friendship, this movie will have you laughing at one moment and saying “aw” at the next. Watch this sweet scene below from the end of the movie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDc-w6_ZkDE
8. Lilo & Stitch (2002)
A tale of unlikely friends, Lilo & Stitch is bound to win you over from the beginning. Lilo’s melodramatic personality and Stitch’s literal out-of-this-world weirdness is a combo to make you laugh out loud. But the bond that grows between them is what makes this film even sweeter. Watch in the clip below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U0xGBNl2fE
9. The Rugrats Movie (1998)
A major throwback, The Rugrats Movie is a surefire way to spark some nostalgia. Despite their age, these toddlers were hilarious in their time and deeply explored the theme of friendship. Watch below how Tommy goes from sweet to savage to sweet once more with his little brother. This one definitely will tug at your heart:
10. Toy Story (1995)
Another classic Pixar film is Toy Story. Filled with the childhood enchantment of talking toys who go on adventures, this animated movie will rope you in, connecting you to its characters through both their comical and heartfelt moments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blwzc3zisRg
11. Ice Age (2002)
Who could forget Scrat? This famous squirrel from the movie Ice Age left us excited for the movie after reels of laughter and smiles. With its hilarious gaggle of prehistoric animals, this movie certainly gave some good chuckles while pulling hard on the feelers. Re-live this awkwardly cute squirrel’s debut moment below:
12. The Wild Thornberrys (2002)
One that seriously flies under the radar is The Wild Thornberrys Movie. Blossomed from their late 90’s TV Show, this film is one that will make you laugh from it’s strange cast of characters but feel deeply for them as well. Skip to 2:10 of this clip to really dig into your emotions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JMmTTq1dZk
Comment below some of your favorite childhood movies and throwback scenes!
