Growing up can be an exciting, albeit frustrating, process. With so much change happening, childhood makes for the perfect age range to fashion movies out of. The drama children have to face as they grow, from first crushes to friendship problems to joining sports teams, may not be the most exciting fare for some, but it cannot be denied that they are all deeply relatable topics to watch.
This is why movies about childhood can evoke such a clear sense of nostalgia. As a child, people watch these movies and learn from or relate to them. Then, as they grow older, they’re able to look back and laugh at the memories the movies bring to mind. But, of course, some movies are better than others, better made, acted, etc. Then, there are some movies about childhood that are absolutely the most nostalgic of the bunch and should immediately be at the top of everyone’s watchlists.
The Little Rascals Is Silly but Charming
This silly, nostalgic comedy focuses on very young children and the lessons they begin to learn as they grow. Released in 1994, The Little Rascals depicts a group of close friends aged 4 to 9. However, when Alfalfa falls for Darla, the notorious group of “women-hating” friends sabotage their relationship, leading to their iconic clubhouse burning down and the need to win a go-kart race to fix it.
It’s a movie with little logic or reason, but that’s why it makes so much sense. These small children don’t know what they’re doing, but they learn, and although the film highlights the importance of friendship, it’s also clear that friendships grow and evolve over time. It additionally evokes nostalgia for the days of play where kids weren’t staring at screens and, instead, made clubhouses and secret handshakes.
My Girl Is Deeply Emotional
My Girl is a very specific type of movie about childhood. Released in 1991, the story follows Vada as she navigates complicated feelings surrounding her father’s work at a morgue, her own life, and the burgeoning friendship she has with Thomas J. Sennett (played by Macaulay Culkin). It is a deeply emotional movie that evokes quite a bit of nostalgia for the feelings of first love, but also focuses on death after Thomas is killed by bees and Vada sees him in his coffin (a famous scene).
The expression “to handle things with kid gloves” conveys the idea that kids cannot be exposed to certain things in life as adults can. But, often, they are anyway. This movie shows that, and actually depicts Vada’s relationship with death in a truly realistic way all throughout the story. The weight of grief is different for children, but it should not be avoided. My Girl shows exactly that and how important it is to have supportive adults.
The Mighty Ducks Shows What Sports Movies Should Be About
Sports movies aren’t just for adults — they’re for impressionable children too! The Mighty Ducks was released in 1992 and told the story of Gordon (played by Emilio Estevez), an adult coach taking on the challenge of leading a ragtag bunch of aspiring hockey players. But the children are the heart of the story, and their journey from a team without a rink or skill to the playoff winners is inspiring to both children and adults.
This movie contains sports tropes that seem more common in recent years but felt completely fresh at its release (and are, luckily, still nostalgic to this day). It highlights the importance of hard work, teamwork, and being true to yourself. The Mighty Ducks is actually most impactful for showing children that winning isn’t what matters, and that the love of the sport and respect for your teammates is what should be the biggest priority.
Bridge to Terabithia Broke Viewer’s Hearts
Some people may have forcibly made themselves forget this movie to guard their hearts, but it cannot be denied that Bridge to Terabitihia has, and still has, a lasting impact on allwho watch it. Released in 2007, the movie follows the new friendship of Jess and Leslie and how they create the fantasy world of Terabithia. And, as any former viewer knows, the movie ends with a death that shocks both the characters and the audience to their cores.
Even though this movie has such an ending, it doesn’t mean it’s not worth seeking out. Movies about childhood are often lighter in tone, but Bridge to Terabithia shows that children grieve too. It also shows how important creativity is, especially at the pre-teen age Jess and Leslie are at, when playing in imaginary worlds seems like it’s too young an activity for them. It’s not, and their shared imagination is at the core of their friendship and is what Jess will look back on fondly as he gets older without Leslie.
Matilda Is the Heroine Everyone Wanted To Be
Sometimes a movie comes around that is just so magical, it feels like a modern-day fairytale (or something out of a Ghibli movie). Matilda is that movie. It features a kind girl who gets lost in books and has secret powers that help defeat a cruel schoolmaster. Despite its surprisingly dark themes, the movie is awash in warm light and focuses on little details of childhood that some may have forgotten about.
Released in 1996, Matilda is remembered for its small bits of comedy and quotable lines, including her little moments of revenge against her family. But it also shows children that taking a stand for what’s right is always the best thing to do, and that people can be strong on their own, but even stronger together as a unit. It also instills the idea that some children need to be seen for who they are, and be met where they’re at, rather than lumping similar ages all together as one.
The Sandlot Is Far Too Quotable
There are two main takeaways that children took from The Sandlot. One, the desire to quote Patrick Renna Ham as much as possible because he was clearly the comedic force behind the whole movie. Two, a very large crush on Mike Vitar’s Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez. Released in 1993, this movie came out at a time when home video was becoming popular, and, as such, it was a favorite pass-around among children of the time. Today, it remains a nostalgic childhood gem due to its comedy, quotable lines, and surprisingly sweet and mature moments.
Following the shy new boy in town, who quickly finds a group of friends through baseball, this band of lovable kids gets up to all sorts of trouble and eventually embarks on a rescue mission to retrieve a baseball stolen by a dog. Like many childhood movies, the theme of innocent friendship runs throughout the story, but it’s strengthened by an undercurrent of universal connection. All of this is shown against the background of an old-fashioned American summer, which takes viewers back to a romanticized time when kids had more freedom and less structure.
Stand By Me Is an Underrated Masterpiece
Released in 1986, Stand By Me features many famous (young) faces like River Phoenix, Kiefer Sutherland, and Wil Wheaton, but it’s oddly not a movie that is widely discussed. It’s a nostalgic film many adults remember having an impact on them, but it’s also one they’re not rushing to rewatch or introduce to their friends or children. The reason has nothing to do with the movie’s quality, but rather with the emotions it provokes.
Stand By Me follows a close group of childhood friends, all with their own issues in life, who venture out into the woods to find the missing dead body of a boy in order to gain local fame. The plot in and of itself is a tad morbid. It shows the truth of how pain can start in childhood, and how friends can find comfort in each other despite it all. This is why the movie is remembered nostalgically and is perhaps one of the greatest, realistic childhood movies of all time.
The Goonies Deserves Its Icon Status
A true classic, The Goonies has launched hundreds of memes, ranks among the most quoted movies of its generation, and showcases the young talent of actors who would go on to become some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Looking back on The Goonies is fascinating because, yes, that is Samwise Gamgee, Thanos, and the guy from Everything Everywhere All At Once who won an Oscar (also Short Round from the Indiana Jones franchise), they’re just young here!
Set in Astoria, Oregon, this movie was released in 1985 and follows a group of kids who go on an adventure to find treasure to prevent them from having to move away. There’s mystery, adventure, action, comedy, and enough kid shenanigans to make viewers think back on their own childhoods. The Goonies shows the true, innocent joy of childhood friendships, as well as the innate loyalty they inspire. Overall, it is a perfect, nostalgic watch about childhood with surprisingly thoughtful themes.