Before I even begin the list, I’ve got to tell you about Steven Spielberg’s Amazing Stories from 1985-86. You can purchase these (45, 23-minute episodes, 2 seasons) for $20 each (digital) season. Seriously, I still remember some of these stories to this day. “The Mission” teaches the (fantasy) power of imagination. But, if you just want the best of them all, you can try these out for $2 apiece. “Mummy Daddy” still makes me laugh. And then there is “Family Dog,” the only animated episode of them all. What a hoot! Like all episodic series, some are better than others (most are rated PG). And I just “put my money where my mouth is” and bought both seasons. [Also note, these are only available in SD, which means that the pixilation and screen size is from 1985 television, but it views just fine. But it’s the story that counts!] Okay. Now “on with the show” (as they used to say!)
The Sting – I’ve mentioned this movie before and will say again, this PG offering is something close to perfection.
That Thing You Do (Tom Hanks, writer, director) is a fun, nostalgic, jazz-filled, great-casted, energetic, wonderful sense of Americana. Highly recommended.
Home Alone – nothing beats the original kid-versus-robbers story! The ingenious contraptions to stifle the bad guys are as fun as the pratfalls the stuntpeople perform! Love it still!
Home AloneSimon Birch – I have never heard a theological word used so often in a movie! “Things happen for a reason” has never been better portrayed. And the boy believes in God!
Something Wicked This Way Comes – from the master storyteller (Ray Bradbury). Yes folks, there is “wickedness” in the world. The idea sounds vaguely familiar.
Willow – A favorite for our kids back in the day. Fantastic stories – real or imagined – always depend on ethical boundaries.
The Chronicles of Narnia – I love the animated Narnia better, but this is good. You can find the 1979 version for free on YouTube here.
The Elephant Man – How do we treat those different from us? Do we know the person apart from their looks? Brilliant performances by John Hurt and Anthony Hopkins.
The Hunt for Red October – Sean Connery in the brilliant adaptation of the book.
Shrek – A quest, a princess, an ogre, a land grab, a dragon. I vote for the donkey every time. 😊
Invincible – dreams do come true, based on a real-life tale of an improbable addition to the Philadelphia Eagles. This one will make you smile whether you’re from Philly or not!
Field of Dreams – Cornfields come to life in more ways than one. Dreams can come true. You don’t have to love baseball to love this movie if for no other reason than you get to see James Earl Jones.
The Sandlot – Neighborhood boys play baseball. Sound exciting? You have NO idea!
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark – this one got me into the movies in 1981.
The Princess Bride – Fred Savage is sick so his grandfather Peter Falk reads him a bedtime story. You don’t remember it?! It’s “inconceivable!” If you don’t want to watch sword fights, bog beasts, and true love, just skip it. But you’ll be sorry!
Rear Window – How can a movie be so exciting when the main character is in a wheelchair? Only because of Jimmy Steward, Grace Kelly, and Perry Mason (I mean Raymond Burr 😊)
Secondhand Lions – A wonderful “who really loves ya’” movie. What boy wouldn’t want to be raised by these two uncles? [And watch out for the bad “truth” theology.]
Turner & Hooch – Tom Hanks and a dog’s slobber star in this dog-lovers classic.
Big – Haven’t we all wished to be someone else? Relive your childhood with Tom Hanks. [My favorite bit: playing chopsticks.]
BigA League of Their Own – Based on the true-life story of a woman’s baseball league during World War II. I say, if you can catch a ball without a glove, you can be on my team any day.
Sleepless in Seattle – The all-time favorite romance dramedy (and watch for my favorite part when the guys get fake-teared up about the movie The Dirty Dozen!)
Hachi – OK, it’s rated “G” but come on! It’s about a dog’s loyalty! Bring Kleenex.
The Sound of Music – Julie Andrews. The Alps. Little kids singing. World War II. The Nazis. And don’t forget the nuns! Great music, script, and acting.
PLUS, Kid’s Movies (PG) I love as an adult (all because of Pixar) You Can Look These Up On Your Own (if you’re a parent or grandparent, you probably already own them and for good reason!) Toy Story (1-4), Wall E, Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, Inside Out, How to Train Your Dragon, Ratatouille, The Incredibles, Despicable Me (and its spin offs), Up
PLUS, PLUS A couple of sit-coms (two are mentioned in the June 6th TNT) Abbott Elementary, The Neighborhood, and The Middle
PLUS, PLUS, PLUS Here are Ranker’s rankings with some I saw and said, “How could I have forgotten that one?” But hey. I gave you the link! Check out all your favorites.
[Part Two Next Week – the best PG-13 movies!]
And check out my book on movies When the Lights Go Down: Movie Review as Christian Practice
Support MarkEckel.com (here). Find the MarkEckel.com YouTube Channel (here). Mark is President of The Comenius Institute (website). Dr. Eckel spends time with Christian young people in public university (1 minute video), teaching at Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis, and interprets culture from a Christian vantage point (1 minute video). Consider becoming a Comenius patron (here).
Pictures: Robin Eckel, Snappy Goat