whimsical backdrop

Movies with whimsical vibe

221. 21 Jump Street

21 Jump Street
Action Comedy Crime Parody Undercover Sting Crime
7.2
20121h 49minUnited States
Director: Phil Lord

Overview

When cops Schmidt and Jenko join the secret Jump Street unit, they use their youthful appearances to go undercover as high school students. They trade in their guns and badges for backpacks, and set out to shut down a dangerous drug ring. But, as time goes on, Schmidt and Jenko discover that high school is nothing like it was just a few years earlier -- and, what's more, they must again confront the teenage terror and anxiety they thought they had left behind.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Identity conflict through deception, Authority vs improvisation, Drug trade exposure, Peer pressure drives disguise, Youth culture tension

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

222. The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!

The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!
Animation Adventure Family Comedy Family Animation
6.7
20121h 28minUnited Kingdom
Director: Peter Lord

Overview

The enthusiastic Pirate Captain, along with his rag-tag crew, sets out to beat his bitter rivals. The chaotic adventure takes them from exotic shores to Victorian London, and from a haplessly smitten scientist to a diabolical queen.

Themes

Deception and disguise, Power and authority, Exploitation of wildlife, Rivalry and prize politics, Exile and reintegration, Spectacle over merit

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

223. Arthur Christmas

Arthur Christmas
Drama Animation Family Comedy Family Animation
7.1
20111h 37minUnited Kingdom, United States
Director: Sarah Smith

Overview

For hundreds of years, the Claus family has delegated the title "Santa" to a chosen few of its members, which can be passed down upon retirement. Each Christmas, Santa and his vast army of highly trained elves produce gifts and distribute them around the world in a one-night high-tech operation. However, when one of 600 million children to receive a gift from Santa on Christmas Eve is missed, it is deemed ‘acceptable’ to all but one—Arthur Claus, the current Santa’s misfit son deemed ineligible for the title, who executes an unauthorised rookie mission to get the last present halfway around the globe before dawn on Christmas morning.

Themes

Intergenerational conflict, Tradition vs modernization, Error tolerance in service, Family pressure and responsibility, Hereditary duty vs merit, Technology vs magic

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

224. Puss in Boots

Puss in Boots
Animation Family Fantasy Adventure Comedy
6.6
20111h 30minUnited States
Director: Chris Miller

Overview

Long before he even met Shrek, the notorious fighter, lover and outlaw Puss in Boots becomes a hero when he sets off on an adventure with the tough and street smart Kitty Softpaws and the mastermind Humpty Dumpty to save his town. This is the true story of The Cat, The Myth, The Legend... The Boots.

Themes

Wealth as lure, Loyalty under pressure, Betrayal and alliance, Revenge as motive, Deception within alliances, Fugitive status and public gaze

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
HBO Max
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

225. The Smurfs

The Smurfs
Animation Family Adventure Comedy Fantasy
5.4
20111h 43minUnited States, Belgium
Director: Raja Gosnell

Overview

When the evil wizard Gargamel chases the tiny blue Smurfs out of their village, they tumble from their magical world and into ours -- in fact, smack dab in the middle of Central Park. Just three apples high and stuck in the Big Apple, the Smurfs must find a way to get back to their village before Gargamel tracks them down.

Themes

Power and vulnerability, Trust across strangers, Magic as power, Vortex driven transit, Displacement under blue moon, Cat and mouse pursuit

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

226. Kung Fu Panda 2

Kung Fu Panda 2
Animation Family Comedy Family Animation Buddy Comedy
7.3
20111h 31minUnited States
Director: Jennifer Yuh Nelson

Overview

Po and his friends fight to stop a peacock villain from conquering China with a deadly new weapon, but first the Dragon Warrior must come to terms with his past.

Themes

Power and responsibility, Teamwork under pressure, Mentors and doubt, Heritage and destiny, Belief over fear, Past betrayal and trust

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
HBO Max
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

227. Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh
Animation Family Comedy Adventure Family Animation
7.1
20111h 3minUnited States
Director: Don Hall

Overview

During an ordinary day in Hundred Acre Wood, Winnie the Pooh sets out to find some honey. Misinterpreting a note from Christopher Robin, Owl convinces Pooh, Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet, Kanga, Roo, and Eeyore that their young friend has been captured by a creature named "Backson" and they set out to rescue him.

Themes

Group solidarity under pressure, Honey as motivation, Note misread, Small acts of bravery, Playful collaboration, Uncertainty and fear

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

228. Hop

Hop
Animation Comedy Family Holiday Family Family Animation
5.4
20111h 35minUnited States
Director: Tim Hill

Overview

E.B., the Easter Bunny's teenage son, heads to Hollywood, determined to become a drummer in a rock 'n' roll band. In L.A., he's taken in by Fred after the out-of-work slacker hits E.B. with his car.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Rebellion and power, Belonging and otherness, Deception and identity, Ambition vs duty, Leadership and legitimacy, Fame vs responsibility

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

229. Gnomeo & Juliet

Gnomeo & Juliet
Animation Family Family Animation Holiday Family
5.9
20111h 24minUnited Kingdom, United States
Director: Kelly Asbury

Overview

A version of Shakespeare's play, set in the world of warring indoor and outdoor gnomes. Garden gnomes Gnomeo and Juliet have as many obstacles to overcome as their quasi namesakes when they are caught up in a feud between neighbors. But with plastic pink flamingos and lawnmower races in the mix, can this young couple find lasting happiness?

Themes

Forbidden love, Alliances across divides, Community reconciliation, Defiance of authority, Rival garden feud, Transformation of environment

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

230. Romantics Anonymous

Romantics Anonymous
Drama Comedy Romance Romantic Comedy Awkward Comedy
6.9
20101h 20minBelgium, France
Director: Jean-Pierre Améris

Overview

What happens when a man and a woman share a common passion? They fall in love. And this is what happens to Jean-René, the boss of a small chocolate factory, and Angélique, a gifted chocolate maker he has just hired. What occurs when a highly emotional man meets a highly emotional woman? They fall in love, and this is what occurs to Jean-René and Angélique who share the same handicap. But being pathologically timid does not make things easy for them. So whether they will manage to get together, join their solitudes and live happily ever after is a guessing matter.

Themes

Collaboration under pressure, Craft as lifeblood, Social anxiety and romance, Fear of intimacy, Support networks and growth

Available on

Amazon Video
Plex Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.