Part 9 includes an array of films that focus on characters that are growing up, whether they’re 16 going on 17, swinging their way to manhood, or just hoping that the odds are in their favor.
81. The Sound of Music (1965)
Forbidden love and some kids with real moxie, singing our feelings and running from Nazis, uptight old fathers who refuse to sing, these are a few of The Sound of Music’s favorite things. This movie presents all of these things and more in a fun package, but it also poses hard topics, like losing loved ones and wartime, in a way that’s accessible to a younger audience. The general tone, however, is one of optimism, with show-stopping tunes accompanying charming dance numbers. Fraulein Maria leads this tonal charge, infecting a hard-lined family with her sense of joy and wonder. Though a sprawling epic, The Sound of Music is more interested in developing our characters over the passage of time than the events that occur during that span. Cheerful, grand, and full of hope, The Sound of Music is a pitch-perfect classic.
82. Spider-Man (2002)
Playing to the strengths of its main character and source material, Spider-Man is the first comic book movie to successfully blend genres, giving us equally captivating superhero thrills and coming-of-age drama. Awkward Peter Parker gains mysterious power eerily similar to that of a spider, turning his life upside down as he attempts to balance his personal life with his mission to stop the nefarious Green Goblin. This action-packed trend setter is full of great moments that have seeped their way into pop culture, from Peter’s first swing, to the upside down kiss, to “with great power comes great responsibility.” This zany, over-the-top, and charming origin story swings high above the New York skyline and into our hearts.
83. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Of the 8 Spider-Man movies that have been made so far, who would have guessed that the cream of the crop would be an animated flick that’s a meta examination of the character himself? Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse follows teen Miles Morales as he gains his spidey-powers, teams up with Spider-pals from other dimensions, and tries to stop a hoard of super-villains who threaten to tear the fabric of his world apart. Boasting an animation style that had never been seen before, Spider-Verse leaps off the screen like panels of a comic book, leaving us in awe of scenes ranging from stunning action to teen melodrama. Miles is perhaps the best and most relatable Spider-Man yet, and the journey that he and the other Spider-peeps take brims with excitement and creativity. If there is a hidden gem to be found in the age of comic book movies, Spider-Verse is it.
84. Spirited Away (2001)
The magnum opus of perhaps the greatest animation director of all time, Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away is the version of Alice in Wonderland you never knew you wanted. When young Chihiro’s parents disappear in an abandoned amusement park, she encounters a community of spirits that show themselves as the sun sets. Chihiro then embarks on a quest to blend into this supernatural world long enough to find her parents and go home. Perhaps the most visually imaginative movie ever made, Spirited Away sucks you into its foreign world with a litany of wacky characters and a surprisingly tame and pensive tone. This movie is packed with story, visuals and themes that will make you want to watch it over and over again.
85. The Sting (1973)
Pioneer of the modern heist film, The Sting brings all of the charm, class, and coolness that we associate with the popular subgenre. Seasoned con man Henry (Paul Newman) and hot shot Johnny (Robert Redford) team up to fool a prominent mob boss and pull off the ultimate con. Newman and Redford’s chemistry is dynamite, adding its own intrigue and energy to the film. The story is also wildly entertaining, with shocks, twists, and thrills alike. Though not a thematically deep film, The Sting doesn’t need to be, relying on its suave characters and engrossing story that boasts a 3rd act that will have you on the edge of your seat.
86. Sunset Boulevard (1950)
A film-noir that shows you the big death in the first scene, Sunset Boulevard is a subversive study of the perils of fame and fortune. When Joe Gills (William Holden) finds himself in a financial pinch, he stumbles upon former actress Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson), and the 2 form an unhealthy relationship based on greed and pride. Though it crafts an entertaining narrative, this is a character study through and through, examining the regret of missed opportunities, the destructive power of the lust for wealth and recognition, and the toll that both of these vices put on the mind. Witty, engaging, and didactic, Sunset Boulevard will make you look at the world of moviemaking in an entirely new light.
87. Taken (2008)
No dad is cooler or more frightening than Liam Neeson in 2008’s Taken. Retired military operative Bryan Mills (Neeson) permits his daughter to go on a trip to Europe, but with serious reservations. When his worst fears are realized and his daughter gets abducted, Mills jumps back into the game and fights his way through an entire crime ring in search of her. The impressive action is full of well-choreographed set pieces and real emotion, as Neeson pulls off both simultaneously to great effect. The emotional set up is adequate, but it’s Neeson’s performance that sells us on the father’s unstoppable desire to save his only child. Fun, fierce, and full of the feels, Taken takes a B-movie premise and elevates it to one of the best action movies of all time.
88. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
Very few movie adaptations of best-selling novels do its source material justice, but To Kill a Mockingbird nearly reaches the high mark set by its predecessor. Set in Depression-era Alabama, we see this story unfold through the eyes of young Scout as she and her young brother witness their father Atticus (Gregory Peck) fight prejudice in the judicial system, and the 2 children overcome prejudice of their own. Peck gives one of the best performances of all time as the kind and stoic lawyer, injecting the film with a strong sense of what is right, but also presenting a vulnerable figure whose plight demands our sympathy. Unassuming yet undeniably captivating, To Kill a Mockingbird is the slice of 1930s life that will gladly be enjoyed for generations to come.
89. Toy Story (1995)
The first animated movie to be generated entirely by computers, Toy Story proves that sometimes, you do get it right the first time. When Andy gets a cool new space toy called Buzz Lightyear, Cowboy Woody finds himself left in the toy bin, prompting a desperate attempt to win back Andy’s attention and reclaim his spot as favorite toy. An animated movie has never assembled such a lineup of likable characters, from Woody and Buzz, to Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, to the paranoid Rex, to the loyal Slinky, just to name a few. The themes of the movie are also surprisingly adult, dealing with the loss of meaning in life and the acceptance of new people and new self-significance. Bursting with hilarious banter and toy-centric adventure, falling in love with Toy Story is no-assembly required.
90. Franchise Spotlight: The Hunger Games
“[Hope] is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective. A lot of hope is dangerous.” President Snow, The Hunger Games
With the rise of young adult novels in the early 2000s and 2010s, movie adaptations were sure to come, and they did, much to the chagrin of movie fans. Now that Twilight, Divergent, and other YA series have received the movie franchise treatment, most of which audiences did not care for, a stigma around the genre has developed, claiming that these movies can only be enjoyed by the young or simple-minded. The Hunger Games shot through all of these criticisms like an arrow from Katniss’s quiver.
Many questioned if a Hunger Games adaptation would work at all, given that the source material includes an event where 2 dozen adolescents fight to the death, and its core audience may not accept the gore of an R rating. But the filmmakers did a brilliant job in this regard, relying on tension instead of bloodshed and implying the vast majority of extreme violence, only showing it when absolutely necessary. This tempered approach ended up playing to the movies’ advantage, making the gruesome death of a beloved character all the more devastating. Through these bloody games, the films conquer themes of classism, PTSD, and the true power of the people. Most mature movies handle same subject matter with much less poignancy, but these movies are just for teenage girls, right? *buzz*
Nearly the entire series comes from the perspective of young warrior Katniss, so without the perfect lead actress, the franchise might have faltered, but thankfully they entrusted Jennifer Lawrence with this massive undertaking, now an international star, but relative unknown back in 2012. She, along with talented youngsters and seasoned vets, brought the books’ world of Panem to life in an unforgettable tale of injustice and bravery. Filled with charming characters, gripping storytelling, and indelible themes of courage and hope, this franchise is for anyone who appreciates a well-told story. Don’t let the YA stigma stop you from enjoying one of the best movie series ever conceived.
Watch Order: The Hunger Games, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2
What did you think of Part 9? Let me know in the comments below, and be on the lookout for the 10th and final installment tomorrow!
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