whimsical backdrop

Movies with whimsical vibe

261. Enchanted

Enchanted
Comedy Family Fantasy Romance Romantic Comedy
7.1
20071h 47minUnited States
Director: Kevin Lima

Overview

The beautiful princess Giselle is banished by an evil queen from her magical, musical animated land and finds herself in the gritty reality of the streets of modern-day Manhattan. Shocked by this strange new environment that doesn't operate on a "happily ever after" basis, Giselle is now adrift in a chaotic world badly in need of enchantment. But when Giselle begins to fall in love with a charmingly flawed divorce lawyer who has come to her aid - even though she is already promised to a perfect fairy tale prince back home - she has to wonder: Can a storybook view of romance survive in the real world?

Themes

Deception and disguise, Power and control, True love vs reality, City vs fairy tale clash, Family protection, Transformation and adaptation

Available on

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

262. Penelope

Penelope
Fantasy Comedy Romance Fantasy Romance High-Concept Comedy
6.7
20071h 43minUnited Kingdom, United States
Director: Mark Palansky

Overview

Forlorn heiress Penelope Wilhern is cursed, and the only way out is to fall in love with someone of suitable stock. But how can she find her soulmate when she's sequestered inside her family's estate with only her parents to keep her company? This untraditional fairy tale is about a girl who bucks convention to create her own happy ending.

Themes

Appearance vs identity, Public spectacle and tabloids, Forced marriage expectations, Self empowerment and autonomy, Class constraints and blue bloods, Transformation and self acceptance

Available on

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

263. Lars and the Real Girl

Lars and the Real Girl
Comedy Drama Romance Romantic Comedy Relationship Drama
7.3
20071h 47minUnited States
Director: Craig Gillespie

Overview

Lars finally finds a ‘girlfriend’ who makes him feel safe, seen, and alive—only she’s a life-size plastic doll. His family and town play along to protect his fragile heart. But when real connections start knocking, will Lars cling to the love that saved him or risk shattering his illusion to truly live?

Themes

Loneliness under community gaze, Stigma around mental illness, Delusion as coping mechanism, Doll as social catalyst, Rituals of social inclusion, Family distance and care

Available on

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

264. Stardust

Stardust
Adventure Fantasy Romance Family Quest Fantasy
7.6
20072h 7minIceland, United Kingdom
Director: Matthew Vaughn

Overview

In a countryside town bordering on a magical land, a young man makes a promise to his beloved that he'll retrieve a fallen star by venturing into the magical realm. His journey takes him into a world beyond his wildest dreams and reveals his true identity.

Themes

Family secrets, Love as catalyst, Boundary crossing pressures, Immortality obsession, Royal succession pressures, Mentor through danger

Available on

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

265. Shrek the Third

Shrek the Third
Fantasy Adventure Animation Comedy Family
6.1
20071h 33minUnited States
Director: Chris Miller

Overview

The King of Far Far Away has died and Shrek and Fiona are to become King & Queen. However, Shrek wants to return to his cozy swamp and live in peace and quiet, so when he finds out there is another heir to the throne, they set off to bring him back to rule the kingdom.

Themes

Duty versus desire, Legacy leadership pressure, Outsider acceptance, Fear of parenthood, Betrayal dynamics, Teamwork under threat

Available on

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

266. Meet the Robinsons

Meet the Robinsons
Animation Comedy Family Family Animation Parent-Child Family
6.8
20071h 35minUnited States
Director: Stephen J. Anderson

Overview

Lewis, a brilliant young inventor, is keen on creating a time machine to find his mother, who abandoned him in an orphanage. Things take a turn when he meets Wilbur Robinson and his family.

Themes

Adoption and family identity, Trust and deception, Belonging across timelines, Technological ambition vs duty, Self-discovery through mentorship, Found family through invention

Available on

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

267. Bridge to Terabithia

Bridge to Terabithia
Adventure Drama Family Coming-of-Age Adventure Family Drama
7.2
20071h 35minUnited States
Director: Gábor Csupó

Overview

Jesse Aarons trained all summer to become the fastest runner in school. So he's very upset when newcomer Leslie Burke outruns him and everyone else. Despite this and other differences including that she's rich, he's poor, she's a city girl, and he's a country boy the two become fast friends. Together they create Terabithia, a land of monsters, trolls, ogres, and giants where they rule as king and queen.

Themes

Outsider friendship, Bullying dynamics, Economic disparity, Sibling bonds, Memory and loss, Imagination as refuge

Available on

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

268. Cinderella III: A Twist in Time

Cinderella III: A Twist in Time
Animation Romance Family Fantasy Family Animation
6.0
20071h 14minUnited States
Director: Frank Nissen

Overview

When Lady Tremaine steals the Fairy Godmother's wand and changes history, it's up to Cinderella to restore the timeline and reclaim her prince.

Themes

Deception and loyalty, Memory as catalyst, Power within family, Belonging vs duty, Time manipulation ethics

Available on

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

269. Night at the Museum

Night at the Museum
Action Adventure Comedy Family Fantasy
6.5
20061h 48minUnited States, United Kingdom
Director: Shawn Levy

Overview

Chaos reigns at the natural history museum when night watchman Larry Daley accidentally stirs up an ancient curse, awakening Attila the Hun, an army of gladiators, a Tyrannosaurus rex and other exhibits.

Themes

Trust under scrutiny, Second chances at work, Work-family balance, Living exhibits under pressure, Collective action and cohesion, Heritage versus modernization

Available on

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

270. The Holiday

The Holiday
Comedy Romance Romantic Comedy
7.0
20062h 16minUnited States
Director: Nancy Meyers

Overview

Two heartbroken women arrange a simple home swap to escape their exes over Christmas, but falling for the charming locals turns a temporary holiday into a ticking clock on the love stories they never planned to start.

Themes

Christmas party pressure, Terminal illness pressure, House swapping dynamics, Holiday romance tensions, Christmas romance dynamics, Country house dynamics

Available on

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