The weird thing about '90s movies is that you don't have to be a '90s kid for them to define your childhood. Films like Home Alone and The Beauty and the Beast aren't just '90s classics, but children's classics, too, that have become cultural staples. Seriously, when's the last time you invited someone over and didn't sing "Be Our Guest" when they arrived? (You can admit it. It's fine.) So, when looking for '90s movies that make you miss your childhood, one happily doesn't have to look very far.
For '90s kids, just about any movie made in the '90s will make you miss your childhood. Even ones you weren't allowed to watch, like Jurassic Park or American Pie, remind you of how you snuck around with your friends and watched them in secret. To this day, every time I even think about There's Something About Mary, I get that thrill of doing something wrong. That said, most of the movies that make me miss my childhood are ones that make me miss how I felt watching those movies. I miss thinking, for example, that being left Home Alone would have been fun as opposed to terrifying, or that maybe I would wake up one day with a friendly ghost living next door. Whatever it was, '90s movies had a special way of making us dream. And so, in that spirit, here are 23 '90s movies that will make you miss your childhood.
1. Mrs. Doubtfire
The most heartwarming thing about watching Mrs. Doubtfire as an adult is realizing that the things that made you laugh as a kid can still make you laugh today. Also: Robin Williams.
2. The Lion King
Remember how much you used to sob when Scar killed Mufasa and Simba thought it was his fault and — hold on a minute, I've got to go cry for a month.
3. Home Alone
What was once your greatest fantasy is now your worst nightmare.
4. Toy Story
Toy Story gave playing with toys an entirely new meaning. And, no, not in a creepy way.
5. Matilda
Matilda is such a childhood classic, I recently ate chocolate cake and couldn't help but pretend I had stolen it from Trunchbull. True story.
6. Hook
The movie that taught us all that childhood never really has to end as long as you can create magically delicious food from your imagination. (Also, again: Robin Williams.)
7. Casper
Fair warning: watching Casper might make you realize the tragic nature of children's stories instead of just make you miss your childhood.
8. Mulan
Mulan is a childhood delight, but it's also a great pick-me-up for anyone feeling boxed in by society's sexist demands and gender roles.
9. Aladdin
Watch Aladdin and remember a time you were able to see Jasmine's decision to go on a magic carpet ride as romantic and not a one way ticket to being killed.
10. The Parent Trap
Oreos and peanut butter for everyone, right?
11. Men In Black
Men in Black was the coolest thing in the world in the '90s.
12. The Witches
Remember when The Witches was the most terrifying thing you'd ever seen? What's that? It still is? Cool.
13. A Little Princess
We can overlook the weird colonialism stuff for the sweet, girl power stuff, right?
14. The Iron Giant
The movie you forget that you loved, but still gives you the feels.
15. Fern Gully
Recapture the magic of nature with this one. Trust me, believing in fairies will make all hikes a bit more fun.
16. Fly Away Home
When geese seemed like the coolest pets ever.
17. It Takes Two
There's really nothing like watching Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen doing the old twin switcheroo to make you feel like a kid again.
18. Space Jam
Well, if Space Jam isn't on your list of movies you loved as a kid, I don't even know what to say.
19. Hocus Pocus
A Halloween without Hocus Pocus is like a childhood without joy.
20. The Mighty Ducks
Want to relive your first crushes? Put on The Mighty Ducks and let your pre-teen hormones take the wheel.
21. My Girl
No matter how old you get, My Girl will never not make you want to cry like a baby.
22. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie
Remember when this was cool? OK, it's still pretty cool.
23. Sister Act
Sister Act might not be the first movie that comes to mind when planning a '90s marathon, but it really should be.
In conclusion, I call on the power of the sloth to morph you all into couch-loving movie marathoners of the '90s.
Images: Buena Vista Pictures; Giphy (22); crowdpleasah/tumblr
