Alice Through The Looking Glass may not be getting critics supremely high off caterpillar smoke (neither did the Tim Burton-directed original), but don’t let that stop you from having a lauded fantasy movie weekend with your family: simply check out this gallery list of 24 Certified Fresh PG and below fantasy classics and modern hits!
Critics Consensus: “As lovely to behold as it is engrossing to watch, The Jungle Book is the rare remake that actually improves upon its predecessors — all while setting a new standard for CGI.”
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
Year: 1982
Tomatometer: 98%
Critics Consensus: “Playing as both an exciting sci-fi adventure and a remarkable portrait of childhood, Steven Spielberg’s touching tale of a homesick alien remains a piece of movie magic for young and old.”
Enchanted
Year: 2007
Tomatometer: 93%
Critics Consensus: “A smart re-imagining of fairy tale tropes that’s sure to delight children and adults, Enchanted features witty dialogue, sharp animation, and a star turn by Amy Adams.”
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Year: 1984
Tomatometer: 85%
Critics Consensus: “It may be too ‘dark’ for some, but Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom remains an ingenious adventure spectacle that showcases one of Hollywood’s finest filmmaking teams in vintage form.”
Star Wars
Year: 1977
Tomatometer: 94%
Critics Consensus: “A legendarily expansive and ambitious start to the sci-fi saga, George Lucas opened our eyes to the possibilities of blockbuster filmmaking and things have never been the same.”
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Year: 2001
Tomatometer: 85%
Critics Consensus: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone adapts its source material faithfully while condensing the novel’s overstuffed narrative into an involving — and often downright exciting — big-screen magical caper.”
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
Year: 2005
Tomatometer: 76%
Critics Consensus: “With first-rate special effects and compelling storytelling, this adaptation stays faithful to its source material and will please moviegoers of all ages.”
The Princess Bride
Year: 1987
Tomatometer: 97%
Critics Consensus: “A delightfully postmodern fairy tale, The Princess Bride is a deft, intelligent mix of swashbuckling, romance, and comedy that takes an age-old damsel-in-distress story and makes it fresh.”
The Wizard of Oz
Year: 1939
Tomatometer: 99%
Critics Consensus: “An absolute masterpiece whose groundbreaking visuals and deft storytelling are still every bit as resonant, The Wizard of Oz is a must-see film for young and old.”
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Year: 1988
Tomatometer: 97%
Critics Consensus: “Who Framed Roger Rabbit is an innovative and entertaining film that features a groundbreaking mix of live action and animation, with a touching and original story to boot.”
Zathura
Year: 2005
Tomatometer: 75%
Critics Consensus: “Dazzling special effects for the kids + well-crafted storytelling for the ‘rents = cinematic satisfaction for the whole family.”
Babe
Year: 1995
Tomatometer: 97%
Critics Consensus: “The rare family-friendly feature with a heart as big as its special effects budget, Babe offers timeless entertainment for viewers of all ages.”
Bridge to Terabithia
Year: 2007
Tomatometer: 85%
Critics Consensus: “Bridge to Terabithia is a faithful adaptation of a beloved children’s novel and a powerful portrayal of love, loss, and imagination through children’s eyes.”
Cinderella
Year: 2015
Tomatometer: 84%
Critics Consensus: “Refreshingly traditional in a revisionist era, Kenneth Branagh’s Cinderella proves Disney hasn’t lost any of its old-fashioned magic.”
Elf
Year: 2003
Tomatometer: 84%
Critics Consensus: “A movie full of Yuletide cheer, Elf is a spirited, good-natured family comedy, and it benefits greatly from Will Ferrell’s funny and charming performance as one of Santa’s biggest helpers.”
Paddington
Year: 2015
Tomatometer: 98%
Critics Consensus: “Paddington brings a beloved children’s character into the 21st century without sacrificing his essential charm, delivering a family-friendly adventure as irresistibly cuddly as its star.”
Mary Poppins
Year: 1964
Tomatometer: 100%
Critics Consensus: “A lavish modern fairy tale celebrated for its amazing special effects, catchy songs, and Julie Andrews’s legendary performance in the title role.”
Peter Pan
Year: 2003
Tomatometer: 77%
Critics Consensus: “Solid if far from definitive, this version of Peter Pan is visually impressive, psychologically complex and faithful to its original source.”
Goosebumps
Year: 2015
Tomatometer: 77%
Critics Consensus: “Goosebumps boasts more than enough of its spooky source material’s kid-friendly charm to make up for some slightly scattershot humor and a hurried pace.”
Hugo
Year: 2011
Tomatometer: 94%
Critics Consensus: “Hugo is an extravagant, elegant fantasy with an innocence lacking in many modern kids’ movies, and one that emanates an unabashed love for the magic of cinema.”
James and the Giant Peach
Year: 1996
Tomatometer: 93%
Critics Consensus: “The arresting and dynamic visuals, offbeat details and light-as-air storytelling make James and the Giant Peach solid family entertainment.”
Big
Year: 1988
Tomatometer: 97%
Critics Consensus: “Refreshingly sweet and undeniably funny, Big is a showcase for Tom Hanks, who dives into his role and infuses it with charm and surprising poignancy.”
The Secret of Roan Inish
Year: 1995
Tomatometer: 98%
Critics Consensus: “The Secret of Roan Inish is a gentle fairy tale filled with optimism that’s suitable for the whole family.”
Jason and the Argonauts
Year: 1963
Tomatometer: 93%
Critics Consensus: “Don Chaffey’s Jason and the Argonauts is an outlandish, transportive piece of nostalgia whose real star is the masterful stop-motion animation work of Ray Harryhausen.”
