Behold, another theme I don’t feel very comfortable with because I had to Google my way to my last recommendation. The reason being, I didn’t really realise that it was based on toys, but I’m glad I did some research because it made my list so much better.
1. THE LEGO MOVIE, 2014
First movie that I wanted to recommend was of course The Lego Movie, because it’s obviously the best choice for this list. Filled with humour, great character twists and some awesome visuals, The Lego Movie is probably one of the best movies out there that is based on toys. And it seemed to have started a trend of toy-movies, but I don’t think any of them will come close to The Lego Movie.
2. TOY STORY, 1995
Another obvious pick is the standout animated movie from the 90’s, Toy Story which features various classic toys that have been brought to life. In the following years, Toy Story has had two follow ups and a third one coming up in 2019. I have yet to watch the third movie, which got great feedback, but I feel like the whole series deserves a marathon in the upcoming months.
3. MARS ATTACKS!, 1996
Oh the 90’s, those were the good old times of fun movies! Mars Attacks! is one of those movies that stays with you for years, and I was surprised to find out that it was based on toys! Tim Burton directed this movie, back when he was still creating unique movies, and it has a very impressive cast including Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito, Glenn Close, Michael J. Fox and Natalie Portman.
THIS SERIES IS CREATED BY WANDERING THROUGH THE SHELVES
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Mars Attacks! is inspired! I likewise didn’t realize it was based on toys. I don’t know that I’d watch it again anytime soon but it was a fun movie with some great performances. Loved Glenn Close as the First Lady.
Haven’t seen The Lego Movie and I think I’m one of the few people who absolutely hated Toy Story…but I did. I’ve even tried to give it another chance a couple of times but never make it past the first 10 minutes.
God I struggled this week! I almost skipped entirely when the only movie I could think of was that abomination that is the Robin Williams movie “Toys” , which I expected to see turn up but so far have not, but after poking around and approaching it sideways AND cheating on my last I finally came up with three.
Babes in Toyland aka March of the Wooden Soldiers (1934)-In Toyland Stannie Dum (Stan Laurel) and Ollie Dee (Oliver Hardy), live in a shoe along with Mother Peep, Bo Peep, a mouse resembling Mickey Mouse (actually played by a live monkey in a costume), and many other children. The evil Silas Barnaby who wants to marry Bo Peep holds the mortgage on the shoe. Barnaby offers the old woman an ultimatum – unless Bo Peep agrees to marry him he will foreclose on the shoe. Widow Peep refuses, but is worried about where she’ll get the money to pay the mortgage. Ollie and Stannie scheme to get the money including making wooden soldiers for Santa but bungle that (building 100 wooden soldiers at six feet tall, instead of 600 soldiers at one foot tall). After many false starts and chicanery happiness prevails.
Pinocchio (1940)-Toymaker Gepetto carves an almost lifelike marionette who he names Pinocchio. Lonely he wishes that Pinocchio was a real boy. Overheard by a fairy who grants his wish and assigns Jiminy Cricket to watch over Pinocchio on his quest, the two start on a journey that will lead to him becoming that real boy. Classic Disney with many great songs including When You Wish Upon a Star.
Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)-This is a cheat since it is a TV special but at least it’s seasonally appropriate! Narrated perfectly by Burl Ives as Sam the Snowman this tells the story of poor Rudolph who is born with a bright red nose making him an outcast, all of the other reindeer use to laugh and call him names…they’d never let poor Rudolph play in ANY reindeer games! Feeling isolated he runs off to the woods and meets elf Hermey, a frustrated wannabe dentist, and the two forge a friendship but run afoul of the Abominable Snow Monster. On the run they meet prospector Yukon Cornelius and the three flee to the Island of Misfit Toys. Returning home later they find Rudolph’s family threatened by the Abominable Snow Monster but manage to save the day until a blizzard blows into town causing Santa to consider cancelling Christmas. But wait! Santa goes to him and says “Rudolph with your nose so bright…won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?” “Then how the reindeer loved him! As they shouted out with glee “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, You’ll go down in history” As an added bonus all the Misfit Toys at last find happy homes!!
I’m curious why you hate Toy Story. Are there like reasons, or what is the first thing that bothers you, for instance? Because I can’t really wrap my head around hating it but I guess that’s normal. Though I never use the word “hate” per say, I just dislike movies. Because hate is so .. strong.. and I think I view movies differently every time, so I’d rather dislike a movie, than hate it, so I can maybe change my mind.
Great list! I was actually really fond of the An American Girl movies, specifically the one with Abigail Breslin. And The Lego Movie was a huge surprise for me. I legitimately thought it wasn’t going to be any good, and now it’s one of my favorite movies.
At first, I was hesitant to watch The Lego Movie too, because the trailer didn’t really do it for me, but the movie was fun and well made!
I had no idea Mars Attacks was based on toys, that’s really interesting. I also picked Lego Movie because it’s amazing.
You weren’t the only one, it was a surprise for many, including me, but I’m glad I stumbled onto it!
I love Mars Attacks and had no clue it was based on toys either. It’s really funny and I sometimes call my brother and just make the noise of the martians. I picked Toy Story as well and enjoyed it. I haven’t seen The Lego movie and have no real desire to see it even though i heard good things about it
I need to rewatch Mars Attacks! like asap! I remember it enough to know that I really liked it, but I know I will love it for the nostalgia even more, if I watched it now.
I think many picked Toy Story, it’s like the most popular and well known movies, and it’s worth the recommendations.
Mars Attacks was based on toys?? Bizarre! What the hell kinda toys were they? That film scares me – those aliens will kill everything.
It’s based on a trading cards game, so I mean, sort of a toy in a way, at least it was categorised as such on Wikipedia. The artwork of the aliens is exactly how the aliens look in the movies though, so that’s interesting.
I LOVE Lego Movie and the Toy Story trilogy, great picks!
Thank you!
I didn’t know Mars Attacks was based on toys. Those aliens are so creepy I wonder what kind of kid would play with them. Anyway, the film was fun. I also picked Toy Story and The Lego Movie, I absolutely love them!
The aliens were on the original trading card game, and I guess they were visually appealing enough for the movie to take that same design and use it in the movie. A little creepy to play with indeed, but I think just perfect.
I need to revisit Mars Attacks, because I remember it being glorious in my youth!
Same! Like, I need to see it again, to remind myself the specific jokes, because I just remember how much fun it was!
Nice picks! I never knew Mars Attacks! was based on toys. That’s one of my family’s favorites, so is Toy Story. Lego Movie is on a list of movies to watch in 2017. The Batman Lego movie looks hysterical.
It’s actually based on playing cards or something, but I mean, that’s a toy too apparently since it’s classified like that on Wikipedia.
I had no idea Mars Attacks! was based on actual toys. Thanks for the education. I love the other two picks, of course.
Toy Story is one of my all time favorite movies, although I actually prefer the sequel for some reason. I have yet to watch Mars Attack’s, but it seems to be full of a talented cast. The Lego movie is also one of the greatest kids movies ever made. Anyone interested can find my review of it here: https://criticoptimist.com/2017/03/12/the-lego-movie/
I don’t think I even remember Toy Story 2.. it’s a shame though, it’s a really nice series and I hear the later movies are just as great but I haven’t seen those.