You might remember our recent post on the best ‘80s kids’ movies, and now it is finally time for the movies from the decade that’s the most nostalgic by far. Oh yes, we’re about to drag you back to the time when you yourself were a kid, and life seemed like one big adventure movie where magical realism was something you believed in deeply. Enough with the teasing, though, and let us present you with our list of the best ‘90s kids’ movies ever. And if you aren’t feeling any nostalgia by now, you will soon.
We have no doubt that you’ve already seen the kids' movies that are on top of our list, but why not revisit them or show them to your own kids? There’s The Lion King if you want to see them shedding tears, and there’s Jumanji if you think they are sleeping too well at night. Then there’s Matilda - probably the loveliest movie of all time, and there’s Mulan for an introduction to foreign cultures. All in all, these ‘90s kids’ movies are as diverse as the decade was itself, but they all bear that feel-good notion about them. We know that you’re not a kid anymore, but don’t we all deserve some cheerfulness in our lives?
Okay, so let’s check which family-friendly movies made it onto our list. Just a few scrolls down, you’ll meet our submissions and if you do not agree with our positioning, be sure to vote for the adorable movies that you think deserve it. Then, after you are done dispersing your votes, drop this article to anyone who’d love to share this sweet nostalgic feeling with you!
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#1 The Lion King
Raise your hand if you've not shed a tear while watching the 1994 animated musical drama The Lion King as a kid. If you haven't, then there's probably something very, very wrong with you. In all seriousness, though, however many controversies follow this animated flick, it's still one of the best Disney movies, hands down. From the catchy tunes in the background and the foreground to loveable and diverse characters, The Lion King has all the ingredients to make it a timeless classic.
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#2 Home Alone
If there ever was a childhood staple movie, Home Alone is it. Call it distasteful for adult bashing or stretched-thin; Home Alone is a truly iconic film of the '90s. To us die-hard fans, the gags are hilarious, the premise is unexpected (how is it possible to forget your own child?), and Macaulay Culkin is adorable beyond words.
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#3 Aladdin
1992's Aladdin, an animated musical fantasy comedy, made it into the pages of the history books not only because of its undeniable entertainment value but also by becoming the highest-grossing Disney movie of the time. Based on an Arabic folk tale of the same name from One Thousand And One Nights, the story brings us back to a time when genie inhabited lamps were a thing and when a street urchin could pretend to be a wealthy prince and marry the beautiful princess in the end. The story is thrilling, the characters are scene-stealing, the music is memorable, and the animation style is impeccable. What's not to love about Aladdin!
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#4 Mrs. Doubtfire
There are very few actors as widely beloved as the late Robin Williams. Every movie he starred in warmed audiences' hearts and made them laugh, creating a wholesome movie-watching experience. Such is the case with Mrs. Doubtfire, too, a goofy, lighthearted movie that, in the end, touches you profoundly. And, you might not know this, but a sequel to Mrs. Doubtfire was under work. Sadly, the idea was dropped right after the untimely death of everyone's favorite Williams.
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#5 Toy Story
We think Toy Story is absolutely worthy of being on top of our list of the best ‘90s kids’ movies ever. Not only is it one of the most impactful animated movies, but it's also probably the only film with a cast member that went on a real space mission. Well, okay, not really a cast member, but a figurine of Buzz Lightyear taken on a Space Shuttle mission STS-124 in 2008 that was used for experiments in zero-g. Still quite an impressive achievement, I might say!
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#6 Jumanji
Jumanji is a 1995 fantasy adventure movie starring everyone's favorite Robin Williams. And while you did already know that, you might not know that the Jumanji movie is based on a picture book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg. If you need your memory refreshed, the story here centers around a board game that's undoubtedly more thrilling than Monopoly. It's a supernatural game that releases jungle-based hazards upon its player with each step they make. There's havoc, there are chilling adventures, but everything ends well for our heroes in the end. The movie's success later spawned a full-blown franchise, with plenty of films to follow up and one pretty creepy animated series.
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#7 Beauty And The Beast
1991's Beauty And The Beast, an animated musical romantic fantasy film, as with most Disney movies, is based on an existent fairy tale. In this case, it’s the one by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, who wrote this Stockholm syndrome exposé way back in 1756. However, if you do not wish to associate Beauty And The Beast with any syndromes, then let's agree that the story is about a love that conquers all, one that doesn't care about the beauty of the outside but rather the beauty within. And while it isn't such a tear-jerker as The Lion King, Beauty And The Beast, however, is probably one of the most elegant and romantic Disney movies.
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#8 Matilda
1996's Matilda, a fantasy comedy film, is probably the loveliest, most heartwarming movie of the decade. Based on the book by the legendary writer Roald Dahl, it follows the story of a girl, Matilda, who's a real genius and has just a slither of psychic powers. She's misunderstood and mistreated by her parents, and the school's principal is one tyrannic overlord. Thankfully, there's also a teacher who loves Matilda, and the story, ultimately, ends in the most beautiful way. It's a smart movie made very believable by great acting, a tight plot, and a pace that's just right.
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#9 Hocus Pocus
Is it really Halloween without revisiting this 1993 classic? We genuinely doubt so, and if you still haven't seen Hocus Pocus, then you've missed the most important part of your childhood. There's a comedic trio of villainous witches (Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler, and Kathy Najimy) that should've been long dead but are resurrected by a teenager right on the brink of Halloween. It's a cauldron of fun and a mixture of great acting that created a real cult classic to be revisited every spookiest night of the year.
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#10 Mulan
1998's Mulan is one of those rare Disney movies that were not based on an existent tale but rather employed an original script. To make it authentic, a number of artistic supervisors visited various places in China where they found their inspiration for the story of Mulan, a misfit tomboy ready to guard her family's honor at whatever cost. The movie's vibrant characters, impeccable voice acting, and the story itself made Mulan into a hugely successful feature that every ‘90s kid has watched and loved.
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#11 Casper
I think we can all agree that 1995's Casper was beyond adorable and entertaining, but wait until you hear its official genre description. It turns out that our beloved Casper is categorized as a supernatural dark fantasy comedy-drama film, and here we thought it was just your regular kids' movie. So, yes, it is much darker than the cartoons of Casper The Friendly Ghost before it, talking about Casper's tragic backstory, but we would still name it a perfectly kid-friendly movie for the whole family's fun.
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#12 Space Jam
Although we've seen plenty of films with sports stars trying to enter the world of acting, and many of them failing, 1996's Space Jam is a rare exception to the rule. Here, we see THE Michael Jordan acting his heart out next to animated characters from the Looney Tunes universe, and it is so much fun! Jordan plays a fictionalized version of himself in Space Jam, and in this reality, he has to play a basketball game against earth-invading aliens. His team is Looney Tunes, and do they win? Sure, you must remember that!
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#13 Hook
Hook is a 1991 fantasy swashbuckler (basically meaning 'pirate') adventure film by Steven Spielberg, starring Dustin Hoffman and Robin Williams. From Peter Pan's most boring incarnation as an office worker to a welcome back to Neverland, this movie never ceases to deliver us adventure, thrilling misfortunes that our heroes have to overcome, and a moral that's relatable to us all. Although the critics had some harsh words directed at the plot and the tone of the movie, it nevertheless became a cult classic that we just love to watch over and over again.
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#14 The Sandlot
A coming-of-age sports comedy that's so nostalgic it'll make you cry-laugh? Yes, it's The Sandlot in its full glory. As with most movies on our list, this comedy film found itself out of favor with the critics, but who are they to judge a comedy, right? And if one Sandlot just doesn't cut it for you - there are two sequels to this 1993 gem.
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#15 Toy Story 2
A sequel to the 1995 Toy Story, it opened to wild box office success, and just as its predecessor did, it gained a rare 100% rating on the website Rotten Tomatoes. But, if not for Galyn Susman, Toy Story 2 might've perished without us ever seeing it. See, in 1998, two years into making this animated film, one of the animators accidentally deleted all the material created up to date. But thanks to Galyn, who was working from home while taking care of her newborn baby, backup files were kept, and the production moved on.
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#16 Home Alone 2: Lost In New York
Home Alone 2: Lost In New York is, of course, a sequel to the original and was released two years after (in 1992) the massive success of its predecessor. Here, we once again get to meet the McCallister family, gladly, Macaulay Culkin too, as they once again fail to keep the right count of their kids. This time it's set in New York, which in its own right is a scary city, all the more if you're young Kevin all lost and alone. And if this sequel may lack in originality, it makes up in abundant holiday cheer and Macaulay's adorable acting.
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#17 The Parent Trap
The Parent trap, an adaptation of Erich Kästner's 1949 German novel Lottie and Lisa (Das doppelte Lottchen), stars Lindsay Lohan as both of the twins in her debut role. The twins, Hallie Parker and Annie James, are separated at birth but meet at a summer camp years later. Though immediately disliking each other, the girls figure out their family ties and come up with a plan to get their parents back together. Their plan is not without mischief and roadblocks, but it's all the more fun for us, the viewers!
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#20 A Goofy Movie
1995's A Goofy Movie star is none other than Goofy himself. And with Goofy as the main man, you just know that the adventures about to unfold will be kooky, wacky, and loads of fun! The movie centers around Goofy and his son Max who's now in high school. Since Goofy is a good dad wishing to strengthen the father-and-son relationship, he takes Max for a bonding session. It turns out it's a fishing trip he had in mind and one that's very misguided yet hilariously fun for us to watch.
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