Category: #dreamworks

15 Family Friendly Fall Movies

Fall has arrived with all her splendor, which means the arrival of other good things like fuzzy socks, pumpkin-laden desserts, and cozy family movie nights.

This is my favorite season, fall always feels like a new beginning to me, cool winds blowing in possibility, color, and hope. I love enjoying that theme in the movies I watch this season, so here’s a list of family movie night ideas featuring cozy fall movies.

1. Invisible Sister (2015)

This science fiction Original Disney Channel movie has the perfect fall flavor and is an excellent choice for a Halloween family movie. Two sisters are forced to face their differences and repair their relationship when one accidentally turns the other invisible.

This movie is a different take on the popular vs outcast storyline, and I found it quite refreshing. Sometimes we decide people are more negative about us than they really are. This movie confronts those mindsets and shows the healing of a sister relationship in an engaging and funny way.

Ages: 4+

Scare/intensity: 2/10

Talking points: loving each other despite differences, assumption vs communication, not basing your identity on what others think or do, sibling relationships are precious

2. Air Bud (1997)

I’m a 90s kid, and 90s movies capture the essence of fall like no other decade. Something about the color tones, music, and abundance of denim and scrunchies just screams fall, and it doesn’t get more iconic than the classic Air Bud film that kicked off the beloved franchise about a dog who loves his people and playing sports.

This movie started it all (for sure, my childhood crush on Golden Retrievers and Kevin Zegers). It’s just brimming with nostalgia, and the ending is triumphant and beautiful.

Ages: 4+

Scare/intensity: 3/10 (a dog is endangered, a coach mistreats a child on his team before he is interrupted, a dog is abused by his owner)

Talking points: building trust, responsibility, valuing people and animals, perseverance

3. It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (1966)

A fall classic for families, the story of the Great Pumpkin is one you should see at least once, but like any Peanuts classic, it’s worthy of an annual rewatch. The shorter runtime also makes for a quicker view that can fit into a school night before the kids’ bedtime.

Ages: 2+

Scare/intensity: 1/10

Talking points: respect for others

4. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)

This is an annual rewatch in my home, and every year I look forward to seeing Snoopy get into a fistfight with a feisty lawn chair. The soft colors, delightful soundtrack, and hilarious Thanksgiving meal of pretzels, toast, and popcorn just make you happy to be alive. It’s a kid-friendly fall classic and a wonderful addition to your fall traditions.

Ages: 2+

Scare/intensity: 1/10

Talking points: gratitude, good manners, be wary of folding lawn chairs

5. The Peanuts Movie (2015)

If you are a fan of the Peanuts comics, this movie is everything your heart ever needed. The Peanuts Movie is soft, engaging, and has a killer soundtrack including some dance-worthy tunes by Meghan Trainor. It gives Charlie Brown the triumph you have been waiting your whole life to see. Plus, Snoopy’s battle against the dastardly Red Baron is splashed all throughout a delightful story of Charlie Brown being Charlie Brown. This is the perfect movie for a cozy fall evening (just be prepared to get up and dance on a few scenes).

Ages: 2+

Scare/intensity: 3/10

Talking points: honesty, respect for others, believing in yourself, perseverance, character matters

6. Pooh’s Grand Adventure (1997)

This was the movie I watched on my ninth birthday, and it made my whole family laugh out loud. I loved Winnie the Pooh as a kid, but when I revisited this movie almost 20 years later, I realized it was just as delightful as I remembered, and I actually laughed at more lines and moments as an adult than I did as a child.

The soft color pallet, charming storyline, and hilarious lines by Pooh’s friends make this one of the best fall movies for families.

Ages: 2+

Scare/intensity: 3/10

Talking points: friends are worth taking risks for, you can still be brave even when you are afraid, teamwork and friendship can get you through anything

7. Christopher Robin (2018)

As a self-avowed Winnie the Pooh fan, I was entirely delighted with how beautiful this movie is (Ewan McGregor and Hayley Atwell on the same screen!). The concept of losing the innocence, belief, and courage of childhood as you grow up is a painful reality we can all relate to; so, it’s healing to watch an adult Christopher Robin rediscover the magic of the 100 Acre Wood, Pooh and his friends, and his own life. I wouldn’t say this movie is strictly a fall movie, but it’s all about family and embracing the future you want, and that just feels like home, family, and fall to me.

Bring tissues, prepare to laugh and cry, this family movie night idea is one you won’t regret.

Ages: 4+

Scare/intensity: 3/10

Talking points: time with your loved ones is the most important thing, don’t stop believing, always remember who you are, joy and imagination belong to everyone

8. 101 Dalmations (1996)

Yep, another 90s movie, I’m telling you, 90s is the king of fall. 101 Dalmatians is one of my favorite classic Disney films, and this live-action version is almost beat for beat the same as the original, with Glenn Close playing a very convincing Cruella De Vil. The humor between Roger and Anita is highlighted a bit more, and the dozens and dozens of Dalmatian puppies just makes my heart happy. Puppies, London, and a classic story make this a top fall movie to watch with your children.

Ages: 4+

Scare/intensity: 4/10

Talking points: protecting animals, sticking together as a family, love can grow as your family grows

9. Anne of Green Gables (1985)

Prince Edward Island. Green Gables. Gilbert Blythe. Iconic, spectacular, warm, hilarious, and heartwarming are only a few words that can begin to describe how precious this classic is. I have read the entire Anne of Green Gables book series by L. M. Montgomery more than once, and this version of Anne Shirley’s story is without a doubt the best available on screen.

While many seasons are shown in this series, it often returns to fall and fall in Prince Edward Island is something spectacular. Like me, Anne feels hope and possibility in the fall, and many life-changing events happen to her during the season.

This classic is a must-watch fall movie for the whole family (and educational since it’s made from a book).

Ages: 6+

Scare/intensity: 4/10 (a child is yelled at or grabbed by the arm, a child is sick, a child becomes intoxicated by accident, a beloved family member dies)

Talking points: what makes a family, using your imagination is beautiful, think before you act, home is where your heart is

10. Anne of Avonlea (1987)

A continuation of Anne Shirley’s story, this one shows us Anne going off to teach at a high-brow girls’ school, and it is most distinctly fall for a large portion of the movie. If you loved the first installment of this series, then you will love the sequel.

The final scene of this film is one of the most beautiful moments in the whole series, and yes, it takes place in fall.

Ages: 6+

Scare/intensity: 3/10

Talking points: what is true love, who we are matters more than how much money we have, kindness can change people

11. Homeward Bound (1993)

Five-year-old me is still recovering from watching this classic. If you were to ask a whole generation what one of their most traumatic childhood moments was, they would immediately show you the scene of Shadow in the mud pit. That being said, the triumph of watching Shadow limp into the yard to return to his beloved boy is a top millennial moment.

This film is sweet as we watch humans and animals become a blended family, go on a great adventure, and find each other again.

Ages: 4+

Scare/intensity: 5/10 (animals are endangered, a child is lost)

Talking points: blended families are beautiful, never give up on those you love, home is where your people are

12. Jumanji (1995)

90s again, not sorry. The original Jumanji film starring Robin Williams is a must watch fall movie for the whole family. The zany/creepy storyline, delightful set, and always-stunning performance by Williams is a treat, and sets you up to enjoy the modern Jumanji installments even more.

Ages: 5+

Scare/intensity: 6/10

Talking points: think before you act, never give up on the people you love, family is more important than anything else

13. Penelope (2006)

This slightly darker but rich “modern” fairytale is unusual, and spectacular. After a tragedy, a family line is cursed, and a little girl is born with a pig snout. In her journey to find true love, she discovers the beauty and cruelty of the world, and in the process, she discovers herself.

This is not a movie I would turn small children loose on, it’s too complex and heavy for that, but older kids and teens can enjoy the rich themes of identity, hope, and unconditional love this movie offers. The story ends on Halloween night, making it a perfect Halloween family movie.

Ages: 10+

Scare/intensity: 6/10 (references to suicide, a scene of a witch cursing a family line, some passionate kissing)

Talking points: all people are of equal value, loving yourself is important, your identity cannot be based on what others think or say about you, true love is about a heart connection, life is too wonderful to miss

14. Little Women (1994)

I’ve read the American classic by Louisa May Alcott so many times I have parts memorized. I have enjoyed multiple adaptations of Little Women on screen, but I have to say this version is the best if you want the story closest to the book that captures the heart and beauty of the March sisters’ story. You will laugh, cry, and feel. This is a great discussion starter movie to share with your children about home, family, and dreams.

Ages: 7+

Scare/intensity: 5/10 (family members are sick, a beloved family member dies, a child falls into an icy pond)

Talking points: change is hard but good, it’s important to know who we are, love and family will get you through pain and hardship, your story matters and means something

15. The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014)

This is one of my favorite movies. It’s very food-centric, which is why I have chosen it as a fall movie for families as food is a big part of our traditions this season. This is a beautiful story of family, cultural differences, enjoying the moment, and remembering who you are. The scenery, soundtrack, performances, and food (did I mention the food?) will linger even after you have finished watching.

Ages: 7+

Scare/intensity: 7/10 (a parent dies in a fire, a person burns their hands, graffiti is painted on a family’s wall)

Talking points: we can carry who we are wherever we go, we all have something unique to contribute, two cultures can blend to create something new, home is where your heart is

…..

May you enjoy many cozy movie nights with these family movie night ideas. Happy Fall!

How to Train Your Dragon 3: The Hidden World

*Major Spoilers ahead*

Fellow Dragon Riders…that was utterly magnificent.

What a beautiful, beautiful story. The animation was breathtaking, the music reached my soul, and the characters. Our precious, beautiful, real characters.

I was shocked by how deep this beautiful story was.

The Hidden World somehow managed to teach us about the 2 sides of love. Letting go…and committing. 

Commitment…

Hiccup has chosen to commit to holding on to Toothless over and over again. He’s fought against his natural instincts, his culture, and even the death of his own father in order to stay true to his best friend. He changed his culture to make room for Toothless. And Toothless has returned the favor every time. He’s saved Hiccup from death and even reordered the entire dragon social structure (his culture) by challenging the alpha in order to protect his best friend.

hiccup and toothless challenge the alpha.gif

Letting Go…

When Toothless discovered the new love of his life, the Light Fury, Hiccup let him go for the evening to be with her, a first for them. The truth is, he did not know the full meaning of this choice. If he could see into the future he may not have been brave enough to let Toothless go. How true to life that is, sometimes we open the door for these massive and often upsetting life changes without even realizing what we are getting into. Hiccup was opening the door to let his best friend and ally go, but he did it because he loves him.

The Hidden World showed the need that arises sometimes to let those we love go in order to reach their full potential and thrive. But at the same time, with Hiccup and Astrid’s love story, it showed us the value and need to commit.

hiccstrid

Hiccup and Astrid have been an incredible pairing since their first flight together. Their strengths and weaknesses complement each other beautifully. It’s clear that they make a mighty leadership team.

Up to this point, they have remained merely a boyfriend and girlfriend. And that was enough for the context of that time. But today is a new day.

Hiccup has been a chief for a year, and it’s clear that he’s still very green in this position. He’s doing his absolute best, but he’s literally flying by the seat of his pants. Yet another new threat emerges, and Hiccup reacts. He must protect his own people, but he is also torn because he feels the need to protect the dragons as well.

Astrid is still operating as an encouraging and playful girlfriend. She’ll tease him, give him a good kiss, and then fly off into the sunset again. She supports him in public sometimes, but she does so sitting down. I am speaking literally, watch the movie again.

We aren’t ready for marriage.

astrid and hiccup, the hidden world

I love the role of the mentors in this movie. Gober is not always to be taken seriously, but his comments to Hiccup and Astrid about the need for them to commit to each other so that they may lead their people with strength are words of wisdom.

hiccup and his mother

Valka’s words of wisdom blew me away.

He thinks he has to lead alone just because his father did.

Valka looks to Astrid, who is still hanging back while she watches Hiccup in emotional agony, struggling with the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Go, he’ll listen to you.

In the darling flashbacks with tiny Hiccup and his father, we see that there was more to Hiccup and Stoick’s relationship than just the dysfunction we were introduced into in the first film. Stoick was a kind and tender father who was doing his utmost to lead his people and make the world safe for his beloved son.

stoick and little hiccup

And Stoick bore it alone. The scene of Hiccup walking down the stairs at night to find his mighty and strong father crying by the fire was so important.

Stoick did not have his queen. He did not have his better half, his light, his partner. He needed Valka. What might have happened if Valka had stayed? It’s possible she could have changed the culture before Hiccup ever had to. It’s possible Stoick and Hiccup may have never fallen out of understanding with each other. Stoick would likely even still be alive.

Valka knows all of this now. She now knows the weight and value of the position and place she gave up at Stoick’s side. She has the humility to accept her failure in that regard, but rather than sinking into the shame of that failure, she instead uses it to teach Astrid (the new generation) how to live better.

hiccstrid hidden world

Valka shows Astrid the value and honor of her position at Hiccup’s side. She makes Astrid aware that the need to commit fully to Hiccup isn’t just a future joy, it’s a necessity for Hiccup, for Astrid, and for the future of their people.

Hiccup cannot do this alone. And so Astrid takes up the challenge. She soothes his hurting heart, gives him encouragement, fights at his side, and puts everything that is overwhelming him into perspective. She shows him how to fly on his own two feet…thus replacing Toothless as the most important person in Hiccup’s world. 

toothless and light fury

There were so many mirrored moments from the first HTTYD movie in Hidden World. When Toothless has his first meeting of romance with the Light Fury, I was heavily reminded of the first scene where Toothless and Hiccup bonded.

Taming Toothless

This concept of discovering each other. Toothless regurgitates the fish that Hiccup brought him as a peace offering to share with his strange, two-legged friend. Toothless coaches Hiccup in what he wants him to do. Hiccup barely gets the fish down and then gives a large smile…that Toothless then attempts to copy.

smiling toothless

And my favorite, Hiccup draws his new friend. And Toothless copies.

In this scene, Hiccup teaches Toothless to be a person. Toothless is already deeply curious, intelligent, and noble. But the more time he spends as a part of Hiccup’s world the more person-like he is.

Enter, the Light Fury. She is beauty and grace itself, and she is all dragon.

Toothless has spent so much time with Hiccup that he is a bit lost on the traditional dance of the Furies and what he must do to impress his new lady love. He continues to look to his human friend for guidance, for just like Hiccup, Toothless has yet to learn to fly on his own.

Every scene with the Light Fury was so, instinctive. It was quiet, and yet it spoke volumes. This beautiful girl taught Toothless how to be a dragon again…and like Astrid for Hiccup, she replaces Hiccup as the most important person in Toothless’s life.

toothless and his queen

When Hiccup goes looking for his friend in the hidden world he finds Toothless seated as king of the dragons. He is comfortable, regal, at home. The look on Hiccup’s face is utter devastation. But it’s not just the crushing realization that he is going to have to lose his best friend, he is also overwhelmed with inadequacy.

He does not know how to be what his people need without Toothless. They have always relied on each other to fly. Toothless changed everything for him. Now he is beset on every front with enemies, questions, and problems, and his friend has found his place in the world apart from Hiccup.

Hiccup feels so small.

Whew. Did anyone else take that moment in the gut? This entire movie I was nodding my head. YES! Oh yes, I have felt this in my soul. I know what he feels.

The true conflict in this movie did not revolve around the villain, he merely put a face to a much bigger problem that brought the true struggle into the light. Hiccup and Toothless can no longer thrive together in the way they have up to this point. In order to truly grow, they must go their separate ways.

grimmel

Grimmel represented the problem that was going to continue to plague Hiccup and Toothless. Evil people coming after the dragons, and by extension, the Berkians. As chief of his people, Hiccup could not in good conscience keep endangering them. As alpha of the dragons, Toothless had to protect his people.

True leadership is not about control, it is more often about sacrifice and servanthood. Both Hiccup and Toothless had to give up being together as friends in order to do what was best for their own people, and for each other.

It hurt. It hurt a lot. The five-year-old child sitting 3 seats away from me in the theater was sobbing and I started tearing up on her behalf. I know, Baby. I KNOW! This hurts! This growing, changing, letting go, it hurts.

And yet…

Hiccup came into his own. His new partner, his lifelong partner, Astrid, stepped in beside him and gave him the courage to fly on his own. And he did. And he won.

hiccup flying on his own

Toothless and he fought together to save each other and their people. And then they said goodbye.

Another beautiful mirrored scene. When Hiccup awoke from the victory of his first battle where he and Toothless fought The Green Death, he was walking wounded. He was missing a leg. This represents his need for support. He almost falls to the ground when Toothless jumps in and holds him up. They have held each other up for years.

hiccup holding onto toothless

This time Hiccup is down a leg his new support steps in to hold him up, Astrid. She is his future.

astrid ive got you

Oh the symbolism. I love it!

hiccup saying goodbye

It hurts, but it is also so beautiful. It is so real. This is what love does. Love commits, love lets go. Love commits to doing what is best for the other one, and sometimes that means letting go.

Hiccup let go. His people were safe. He marries the love of his life and you know they will lead their people into a glorious future. He becomes a father, a tender, loving father by the looks of it. And he never stops being Toothless’ friend. I so deeply enjoyed the intimate scene at the end where Hiccup and Astrid take their children to go meet the dragons. We end on all of our favorite people (and dragons) flying together in the future they all fought to win.

I ended this movie with hope and joy. Yes, there is sadness, but there is also joy. So much joy. What a gift. What a gift.

I hope you enjoyed this movie as much as I did. Even if it hurt, I hope your heart was ministered to as well. There is so much truth and life to be gleaned here. I feel very blessed.

And yes…there are dragons.

How to Train Your Dragon: What Hiccup and Toothless Mean to Me

Netflix: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Frozen II

How to Train Your Dragon: What Hiccup and Toothless Mean to Me

…I looked at him, and I saw myself.

I know this is what Hiccup felt when he saw Toothless, but it’s an apt description for how I felt as well. I looked at Hiccup, and I saw myself.

15-16 years old, same age as Hiccup, I was at the beginning of a pretty horrible 5-6 years. I was sitting on my bed checking out this movie, How To Train Your Dragon, that everyone seemed so excited about. If I liked it, I’d show my family.

And I saw him. I saw a boy, an adorable boy. A boy who felt out of place in his world that only valued things he was not able to achieve. He didn’t know who to be, how to be. He was lost.

baby hiccup

But I also saw what lay beneath the surface, hidden below the aching loneliness and insecurity. A deep gentleness, his art speaks of that. A thinker, a planner, an inventer. And a friend.

The key to why How to Train Your Dragon is so special is not because there are dragons. Not because of the animation (which is breathtaking). Not because of the voice cast. Not even because of the amazing music. Music that I have listened to over and over again, sometimes during the hardest or emptiest moments of my life because it gave me hope and courage.

No, the key to How To Train Your Dragon is relationship.

That is the sole foundation, the common thread, the stone upon which the story is built.

Fierce Toothless

How to Train Your Dragon is the story of a remarkable friendship that not only shapes two remarkable individuals but also changes the course of the world’s history.

I felt like I was drinking from the fountain of youth during the scene where Hiccup and Toothless first bond. The colors, the movement, the soul! The connection of two characters who find not only belonging with one another but healing as well. It was so beautiful it made my heart thirst.

I was in tears when Toothless and Hiccup flew for the first time. Yes, of course, the music is triumphant, but they are free. So free. Out there in that wild wind and ever-changing and alive sky. That moment captured things in my heart that had been burning for as long as I could remember.

At that time in my life, like Hiccup, I wanted to run away. I felt trapped by my circumstances, by the strife in my family, by my own body as crushing anxiety caused terrifying symptoms to exhibit themselves. School became this heavy burden that I felt inadequate to bear. I wanted to leave, to find purpose and adventure somewhere else!

That was 6 years ago. In the time in between, somewhat like Hiccup, I have lost a parent through a divorce and the climax of decades of pain. I’ve had my world turned on its ear countless times. I’ve had to grow from child to woman under some very difficult circumstances.

And yet…I’ve learned to soar.

Flying Toothless

I always wanted to be free. As a child and teenager, I used to have these dreams where I found a stretch of rolling green hills. I knew that those hills ran on and on and on, into the wide open space of the West, into mountains and big skies. In the dreams, I would take off running into that world, nothing but me and miles of freedom. I could leave my problems behind me.

Running away. It would have been easy for Hiccup to jump onto Toothless’ back and take off into the sunset, never to return. He could have become a dragon-person like his mother, living apart from the human world. It was too hard to bring change, too hard to go against the grain. Too hard.

Hiccup does consider running away, but he is halted by the future love of his life, Astrid (a love story that deserves more attention on another day). Astrid has a way of calling the man out of Hiccup when no one else can. Not just the Man, the Chief.

hiccstrid

For that is who Hiccup is meant to be, he is meant to be a chief. A king, a leader, a pillar of strength for his people. This is who he is destined to be. Who people need him to be. 

Valka (Hiccup’s mother) had a very similar heart to her son, but she lacked his courage and determination. She lacked his hope. Valka never chose to return to her family and village, thus robbing them of the life and change she could have brought.

I had/have people who needed me to. I too have a destiny. And that destiny does not come in the solitude of those rolling green hills of my dreams. Hiccup finds freedom right where he is at, and because he stays and steps into the responsibility of who he was made to be…

…he changes the world forever.

hiccup haddock III

I did too. I stayed. It felt like death sometimes, but I stayed. No, I hadn’t actually been planning on hopping on a plane to run away, but I was toying with the idea of running away in my heart. Checking out. Leaving it all behind to set off on a “grand adventure”.

Oh, what I would have missed. I might have missed changing the world forever. 

I’m free now. I have found the freedom I was looking for in the Heart of My King, My Abba Father. This thirst for the wild, alive skies? The rolling green hills? The adventures? He put those things inside of me, and now I know I do not have to run away to find them, I just have to run to Him.

I also found myself, in Him, in His freedom, in my relationship with Jesus and the relationships I built, I found me.

I’m a lot like Hiccup. I’m a peacemaker, a strategist, a warrior, an artist, a thinker, a friend…and a leader who thrives on connection.

Hiccup is the kind of leader that I aspire to be. He does not lead out of a desire for control, he leads to make a difference. People are drawn to Hiccup because he lifts them up, he brings fresh ideas and purpose to the table, and he draws the best out of everyone around him. Hiccup is a redeemer, he gives second chances and forgiveness willingly.

hiccup a warrior

We get to observe this type of leadership more so in Dragons: Race to the Edge the series on Netflix that takes place between HTTYD 1 and HTTYD 2. If you have not watched this series, I highly recommend it. It’s in this series that we watch Hiccup go from being a boy to becoming a man. A king!

You have the heart of a chief, and the soul of a dragon.

His mother is right. Hiccup is a noble leader with a fierce and gentle heart. It’s a long and often painful road that leads him to become who he was meant to be. I can relate to that. If I had known what my life held for me I don’t know if I would have gotten in line. 😉

But I’m here now. I’m me. And I wouldn’t have gotten this far if it hadn’t been for the relationships and connections that upheld me to this point…just like Hiccup and Toothless.

Hiccup and Toothless were two broken people who needed each other to fly. The strength of their friendship as they walked through those hard years together is what enables both of them to walk their own respective paths when the time comes.

God is everything to me. He’s the air I breathe, the dreams I have, the plans I make, the colors I love, the gifts I carry, the bright future I walk into. My mom and siblings have stuck by me through thick and thin, and we have held each other up in the dark of night and the light of day. I have a wonderful group of friends who I have laughed and cried with over the years. My circle is ever expanding, my ability to influence for truth and love is ever-growing.

I love my life. I love my story, even the ugly parts. Because the person I was destined to be is beautiful and I am going to change this world.

Taming Toothless

Hiccup and Toothless began their story together as youths, but they part ways as kings.

I feel as if I have grown up with Hiccup. I have been inspired and encouraged by this oh-so-human character and his oh-so-human best friend and the story of them facing life together. Like Hiccup and Toothless, I began this story as a youth, I am parting from this story as a queen.

However, unlike Hiccup and Toothless, my story is just beginning.

My relationship and connection with this story, with these characters has changed me. I am so sad to be saying goodbye, but I am so grateful for the journey. How To Train Your Dragon was and still is a powerful influence for good in my life.

One last battle. One last journey. A friendship to last a lifetime. See you at the movies.

hiccup and toothless, kings