22 Kids Movies That Defined Every '90s Childhood

    The movies that raised us.

    Jenna Guillaume
    by Jenna Guillaume

    BuzzFeed Contributor

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    1. My Girl

    Vada cries as she looks at Thomas J in his coffin
    Columbia

    A heartwarming story of a young girl with an intense fear of death and her best friend who supports her in every way...until he dies. I'm not saying the trauma from this movie is a direct cause of bees dying, but I'm not NOT saying that. 

    Childhood-defining moment: "He can't see without his glasses!"

    2. Hook

    The Lost Boys point at Rufio as Peter stares at him
    Tri-Star Pictures

    It turns out Peter Pan is just as magical when he's grown up — especially when he's played by Robin Williams. 

    Childhood-defining moment: The entrance of Ru-fi-ooooooooooooooo.

    3. Toy Story

    Buzz holds onto Woody as they "fly" in the sky
    Disney-Pixar

    The movie that convinced you your toys had a way more exciting life than you ever could. 

    Childhood-defining moment: Woody and Buzz's whole friendship.

    4. Free Willy

    Willy the whale leaps over a smiling Jesse
    Warner Bros

    Who didn't want to save a whale from captivity, like Jesse? Every dolphin girl suddenly became a whale girl after this movie. 

    Childhood-defining moment: When Jesse helps Willy leap to freedom. 

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    5. Matilda

    Matilda stares ahead while Lavendar shields her eyes
    Sony

    A lonely, magical, book-loving girl finds friends in a hopeless place and gets adopted by her favorite teacher, the much-loved Miss Honey. Matilda was living the dream.

    Childhood-defining moment: The cake-eating scene.

    6. Hocus Pocus

    The Sanderson sisters stand in front of their house looking angry and perlexed
    Disney

    The movie that taught you to fear witches, talk to cats, and avoid lighting black candles if you're a virgin. 

    Childhood-defining moment: When the witches suck the life out of Emily. Scarring. 

    7. The Mighty Ducks

    Coach Bombay talks to three of the Mighty Ducks in full gear
    Disney

    Who knew ice hockey was so interesting? At least, it was with this rag-tag bunch of players. 

    Childhood-defining moment: The Flying V!

    8. Casper

    Casper and Kat press their faces together while dancing
    Amblin

    Never has living in a haunted house looked so fun as it was with Casper and his three annoying but weirdly charming uncles. 

    Childhood-defining moment: "Can I keep you?"

    9. The Lion King

    Simba lies next to a dead Mufasa
    Disney

    There's no doubt this is one of Disney's greatest movies of all time. It's Hamlet with lions — what's not to love? 

    Childhood-defining moment: Mufasa's death. :(

    10. Jumanji

    Alan and Sarah huddle with Judy and Peter on the ground, looking at something in fear
    Sony

    A board game with deadly consequences IS fun, actually. At least, to watch other people suffer through it. Especially when the characters are as endearing as they are in this movie — the original, and the best. 

    Childhood-defining moment: The terrifying stampede. 

    11. Now and Then

    Samantha, Roberta, and Teenie stand in bushes smiling while holding clothes
    New Line Cinema

    A group of girls growing up in the '60s felt so distant in a delightful way as a '90s kid. The actual movie release date is now further in the past than its setting was when it was released. Sorry you feel old now.

    Childhood-defining moment: The skinny-dipping scene. 

    12. The Secret Garden

    Mary looks at a crow while standing in a frost-covered garden
    Warner Bros

    This movie is perhaps almost solely responsible for millennials' plant obsession. It's proof that gardens are healing!

    Childhood-defining moment: The kids frolicking in the garden like a ye olde dream. 

    13. The Sandlot

    Benny frowns at Smalls
    20th Century Fox

    Another rag-tag group of kids playing sport — this time baseball — The Sandlot is full of iconic moments and lines. "You're killing me, Smalls!"

    Childhood-defining moment: The kids trying to get their ball back from the Beast.

    14. Home Alone

    Kevin screams with his hands on either side of his face
    20th Century Fox

    Being left alone at the holidays as a kid is either nightmare fuel or a dream come true, depending on your perspective. For Kevin, a small evil genius, it's kind of both. 

    Childhood-defining moment: The Home Alone Scream™️, of course.

    15. Babe

    Babe the pig looks up towards the camera
    Universal

    A pig who thinks he's a sheepdog and made half of '90s kids at least think about going vegetarian. 

    Childhood-defining moment: "That'll do, Pig. That'll do."

    16. Beauty and the Beast

    Belle looks in awe at the library
    Disney

    A bookworm meets a hairy bad boi and thinks she can reform him. Tale as old as time...

    Childhood-defining moment: THE LIBRARY.

    17. The Little Rascals

    Porky and Buckwheat stand on a wooden platform and look up
    Universal

    Most of the humor might have gone over your head as a kid, but all the slapstick comedy definitely made you laugh.

    Childhood-defining moment:  Say it with me now: "Dear Darla, I hate your stinkin' guts. You make me vomit. You're scum between my toes! Love, Alfalfa."

    18. Space Jam

    Bugs Bunny kisses Michael Jordan in front of an animated background
    Warner Bros

    How to make even non-sporty kids interested in a basketball movie: Make it about aliens and Looney Tunes. It helps to add a transcendent star like Michael Jordan.

    Childhood-defining moment: Bugs and Michael kissing.

    19. Aladdin

    The Genie holds up three fingers while six paler versions of himself stand in the background, smiling
    Disney

    Robin Williams dominated the childhoods of '90s kids, but there's no doubt his most iconic role is probably the Genie in Aladdin. He was the highlight in what was already a damn great Disney movie. 

    Childhood-defining moment: Every single scene the Genie was in. 

    20. A Little Princess

    Sara wears an elaborate white hat, a white coat, and a gold locket, and stares upwards at something
    Warner Bros

    The Secret Garden's slightly lesser known cousin, with a riches-to-rags-to-riches story that made you believe in the power of optimism.

    Childhood-defining moment: ALL girls are princesses!

    21. George of the Jungle

    A shirtless, glistening George stands in a living room with a dazed look on his face and a hand on his head
    Disney

    Brendan Fraser made a whole career out of "beautiful himbo in fish-out-of-water scenario" roles in the '90s, but George of the Jungle is perhaps his most memorable. 

    Childhood-defining moment: George's abs. That is all.

    22. Anastasia

    Anastasia and Dimitri wear torn clothes and stand close together on a boat, smiling at each other, with Dimitri's hand around Anastasia's waist
    20th Century Fox

    This movie was definitely responsible for your obsession with a) Russian history; b) enemies-to-lovers romance; c) John Cusack's voice; or d) all of the above. 

    Childhood-defining moment: Realising it wasn't actually made by Disney and Anastasia was not in fact a Disney princess.

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