whimsical backdrop

Movies with whimsical vibe

311. Shrek 2

Shrek 2
Animation Family Comedy Fantasy Adventure
7.4
20041h 32minUnited States
Director: Conrad Vernon

Overview

Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey set off to Far, Far Away to meet Fiona's mother and father, the Queen and King. But not everyone is happily ever after, as Shrek and the King find it difficult to get along. But when the Fairy Godmother discovers that Fiona has married Shrek instead of her son Prince Charming as King Harold had promised, she plots to destroy their marriage and replace the ogre with her son Charming.

Themes

Deception and disguise, Parental expectations, Power through marriage, Appearance vs acceptance, In-law tensions, Ballroom politics

Available on

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

312. Ella Enchanted

Ella Enchanted
Family Fantasy Comedy Quest Fantasy Holiday Family
6.3
20041h 36minIreland, United Kingdom
Director: Tommy O'Haver

Overview

Ella lives in a magical world in which each child, at the moment of their birth, is given a virtuous "gift" from a fairy godmother. Ella's so-called gift, however, is obedience. This birthright proves itself to be quite the curse once Ella finds herself in the hands of several unscrupulous characters whom she quite literally cannot disobey. Determined to gain control of her life and decisions, Ella sets off on a journey to find her fairy godmother who she hopes will lift the curse. The path, however, isn't easy -- Ella must outwit a slew of unpleasant obstacles including ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, elves and Prince Charmont's evil uncle, who wants to take over the crown and rule the kingdom.

Themes

Power manipulation, Obedience through magic, Inequality through law, Oppression of elves and giants, Romance under constraint, Alliances across groups

Available on

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

313. Peter Pan

Peter Pan
Adventure Fantasy Family Adventure Epic Swashbuckling Fantasy
6.8
20031h 53minUnited Kingdom, United States
Director: P.J. Hogan

Overview

In stifling Edwardian London, Wendy Darling mesmerizes her brothers every night with bedtime tales of swordplay, swashbuckling and the fearsome Captain Hook. But the children become the heroes of an even greater story, when Peter Pan flies into their nursery one night and leads them over moonlit rooftops through a galaxy of stars and to the lush jungles of Neverland.

Themes

Deception and trust, Power and manipulation, Flying as liberation, Storytelling as identity, Family role renegotiation, Belonging beyond home

Available on

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

314. Big Fish

Big Fish
Adventure Fantasy Drama Adventure Epic Narrative Fantasy
8.0
20032h 5minUnited States
Director: Tim Burton

Overview

Throughout his life Edward Bloom has always been a man of big appetites, enormous passions and tall tales. In his later years, he remains a huge mystery to his son, William. Now, to get to know the real man, Will begins piecing together a true picture of his father from flashbacks of his amazing adventures.

Themes

Tall tales vs reality, Parent-child relationship, Aging and illness, Magical realism in life, Fame from storytelling, Love and commitment

Available on

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

315. Elf

Elf
Comedy Family Fantasy Christmas Family Buddy Comedy
7.1
20031h 37minUnited States
Director: Jon Favreau

Overview

When young Buddy falls into Santa's gift sack on Christmas Eve, he's transported back to the North Pole and raised as a toy-making elf by Santa's helpers. But as he grows into adulthood, he can't shake the nagging feeling that he doesn't belong. Buddy vows to visit Manhattan and find his real dad, a workaholic.

Themes

Adoption and belonging, Work pressure and parenting, Festive optimism vs stress, Family bonds beyond blood, Romance across difference, Identity through upbringing

Available on

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

316. Barbie of Swan Lake

Barbie of Swan Lake
Animation Family Family Animation Animal Companion Family
6.5
20031h 23minCanada, United States
Director: Owen Hurley

Overview

Barbie as Odette, the young daughter of a baker, follows a unicorn into the Enchanted Forest and is transformed into a swan by an evil wizard intent on defeating the Fairy Queen.

Themes

Duty vs desire, Arranged marriage pressure, Transformation and identity, Magic versus agency, Courage under peril, True love power

Available on

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

317. Secondhand Lions

Secondhand Lions
Family Comedy Parent-Child Family Awkward Comedy
7.5
20031h 51minUnited States
Director: Tim McCanlies

Overview

The comedic adventures of an introverted boy left on the doorstep of a pair of reluctant, eccentric great-uncles, whose exotic remembrances stir the boy's spirit and re-ignite the men's lives.

Themes

Wealth as lure, Deception and loyalty, Intergenerational mentorship, Coming of age pressure, Family isolation vs attachment, Legacy and memory

Available on

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

318. Love Me If You Dare

Love Me If You Dare
Drama Comedy Romance Bittersweet Romance Parody
7.5
20031h 33minBelgium, France
Director: Yann Samuell

Overview

As adults, best friends Julien and Sophie continue the odd game they started as children -- a fearless competition to outdo one another with daring and outrageous stunts. While they often act out to relieve one another's pain, their game might be a way to avoid the fact that they are truly meant for one another.

Themes

Loyalty under strain, Forbidden romance, Deception in love, Obsessive dares, Competition as bond, Wealth disparity

Available on

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

319. Stitch! The Movie

Stitch! The Movie
Comedy Adventure Family Animation Science Fiction
6.2
20031h 3minUnited States
Director: Bobs Gannaway

Overview

The continuing adventures of Lilo, a little Hawaiian girl, and Stitch, the galaxy's most-wanted extraterrestrial. Stitch, Pleakley, and Dr. Jumba are all part of the household now, but what Lilo and Stitch don't know is that Dr. Jumba brought his other alien "experiments" to Hawaiʻi as well.

Themes

Found family dynamics, Belonging and otherness, Unauthorized experimentation, Loyalties and betrayals, Responsibility of science, Adaptation and acceptance

Available on

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

320. Finding Nemo

Finding Nemo
Animation Family Family Animation Animal Companion Family
8.2
20031h 40minUnited States
Director: Andrew Stanton

Overview

Nemo, an adventurous young clownfish, is unexpectedly taken from his Great Barrier Reef home to a dentist's office aquarium. It's up to his worrisome father Marlin and a friendly but forgetful fish Dory to bring Nemo home -- meeting vegetarian sharks, surfer dude turtles, hypnotic jellyfish, hungry seagulls, and more along the way.

Themes

Parent child relationship under pressure, Great barrier reef journey, Short-term memory loss, Fish tank captivity, Teamwork and trust, Harbor escape tension

Available on

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