Movies You Didn’t Know You Needed to Watch

There are some movies that everyone is aware they need to see if they haven’t already. From historic classics like The Wizard of Oz and Casablanca, to blockbuster legends like Star Wars and Jurassic Park, to the recent hits like The Lord of the Rings and The Avengers, these movies are instantly recognized and hugely popular. Again, you know these movies are worth seeing. But in the over one hundred years of cinema there are some gems that have remained hidden behind the ones that everyone talks about- the movies you didn’t know you need to watch.

Today on The Morning Thing, guest hosts Wesley Boston and Nay-Nay Parker shared some of their favorites but lesser known films. They have compiled a list of suggestions that you can add to your summer family movie nights, making sure to include several options that the kids will be sure to enjoy as well. We’ve listed these films below in order of release date. If you want more info the IMDB links for all the movies have been included, as well as Focus on the Family’s Plugged In review when available to give extra info about content.

 

Seven Chances (1925)

A silent comedy starring legend Buster Keaton, Seven Chances tells the story of a young man who will only inherit the $7 million left to him in his grandfather’s will if he gets married by the end of the day. (Learn more at IMDB)

 

Captain Blood (1935)

A classic Errol Flynn swashbuckling epic, Captain Blood is the tale of Peter Blood, an English Doctor wrongfully accused of treason who is sold into slavery, eventually escaping to become a pirate. (Learn more at IMDB)

 

The Pagemaster (1994)

Macaulay Culkin stars in this mix of live action and animation about a cowardly boy swept away into a world of books, meeting some of the most famous literary characters in his journey to return home. (Learn more at IMDB)

 

Muppet Treasure Island (1996)

A hilarious, zany comedy, this retelling of the classic Robert Louis Stevenson tale brings Tim Curry into the mix with all your favorite Muppet characters as they sail across the sea in search of buried treasure. (Learn more at IMDB)

 

The Miracle Maker (2000)

The Miracle Maker tells the story of Jesus through Claymation (with a little traditional animation mixed in). The familiar story is seen in a new light, with a phenomenal performance from Ralph Fiennes as Jesus. (Learn more at IMDB)

 

Valiant (2005)

Ewan McGregor voices a pint-sized pigeon who wants to aid the Allies in World War 2, undertaking a dangerous mission to deliver  a secret message in this animated feature. (Learn more at Plugged In and IMDB)

Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)

Another claymation feature, Wallace and Gromit tells the story of a cheese-loving inventor and his loyal dog as they run a pest control service tasked with bringing in a monster rabbit that is wreaking havoc on the local produce. (Learn more at Plugged In and IMDB)

 

We Bought a Zoo (2011)

Based on a true story and starring Matt Damon, We Bought a Zoo tells the story of a widower who moves his family in hopes of a new start- and ends up buying a house with a wildlife park attached. Content heads up- this is a PG film but there is some language used (Learn more at Plugged In and IMDB)