By: Ellie Simmers ~ Assistant News Editor
As the semester ramps up, I often find myself juggling a whirlwind of classwork, extracurriculars, and social commitments, leaving little time to unwind.
But when I do get a moment to breathe, there’s nothing better than rewatching the movies that shaped my childhood.
These films don’t just bring back a sense of nostalgia—they offer the same comfort and joy they once did, while also reminding me of the timeless magic of great storytelling.
Here are four of my favorite childhood comfort films:
- Ratatouille (2007)
As children, we all had our favorite Disney movies that we never got tired of rewatching.
My older sister was partial to Aladdin. My boyfriend loved The Princess and the Frog.
For me, it was Ratatouille. There is something about the film that, even at the ripe age of 20, still makes me fall in love with the world a little bit, even if it’s a world where rats and humans coexist.
Ratatouille follows Remy, a rat who dreams of becoming a world-famous chef. Remy teams up with a clumsy kitchen worker named Linguini. Together, they navigate the high-stakes world of Parisian cuisine, with Remy secretly guiding Linguini in the kitchen.
This film has everything a viewer could want in a comfort movie: talking French rats, an amazing score, beautiful animation, characters named after food, suspense, comedy, tragedy, and romance.
On a more serious note, this is a fantastic movie for anyone, regardless of age, to turn to when feeling overwhelmed by life or uncertain about themselves.
When I am having a hard day, sometimes seeing a rat follow his dreams is just what I need to follow mine.
- Barbie & the Diamond Castle (2008)
If there were one item I would use to encapsulate my childhood, it would be a Barbie. At the height of my collection, I owned easily over 100 Barbie dolls.
On top of my impressive collection, I was and remain a massive fan of the Barbie movies. I could never possibly pick a favorite, but Barbie & the Diamond Castle is the one I watched the most.
Barbie & the Diamond Castle follows Liana and Alexa, two best friends sent on a magical adventure after discovering a mysterious mirror. The girls face challenges, make new friends, and ultimately learn the power of friendship and music as they fight to save it.
One of my favorite things about this film, which draws me back to it so often, is the soundtrack. “We’re Gonna Find It,” “Connected,” “Believe,” and “Two Voices, One Song ” are some of the best original songs written for a movie.
Aside from the film’s fantastic score, Barbie & the Diamond Castle is one I return to often, mainly because it reminds me of my sister.
One of the most complex parts of being away from home and in college is not being with my family, especially my older sister, Blair.
The most challenging part of coming to school hours away from home is that I cannot see my family regularly, especially my older sister, Blair.
When I watch this movie, I am taken back to dancing around my living room with her, singing along to one of the songs in the film.
As Alexa and Liana sing in “Two Voices, One Song,” “Wherever you go in this world, I’ll come along.”
- The Rescuers (1977)
While Ratatouille is my favorite Disney film, The Rescuers is a close second.
While it is an older film, released in 1977, it has not gotten the recognition it deserves. The themes may be darker than most Disney films, but I think it makes it more enjoyable to watch as an adult.
The film follows two mice, Bianca and Bernard, who work for the Rescue Aid Society. They are sent on a mission to help rescue a little girl named Penny, who has been kidnapped by Madam Medusa and taken to a Louisiana swamp to help her abductor with nefarious deeds.
One of the things that makes The Rescuers stand out is its atmosphere. The murky swamp setting, paired with its eerie animation, helps to create a sense of tension and adventure that isn’t often seen in Disney films.
Madam Medusa is also an underrated Disney villain, she’s unhinged in a way that makes her entertaining and genuinely creepy.
Beyond its darker tone, this movie has a lot of heart. Bianca and Bernard have such a fun dynamic, and Penny’s story makes you root for her.
One of the main reasons I return to The Rescuers as much as I do is my memories of watching the film with my dad. I can’t say we watched this film frequently, but I have a weirdly vivid memory of sitting down and watching it with him when I was little.
Looking back, I can’t help but wonder if movies like The Rescuers or The Great Mouse Detective played a role in shaping the crime and detective stories my dad and I love watching today.
Either way, The Rescuers remains a film I always return to. I wish it received the love it deserves. It is worth a watch (or a rewatch!).
- The Tale of Despereaux (2008)
Unintentionally, I have chosen three rodent-led films to put on this list, but there are a surprising amount of rodent-centered children’s movies, especially in the mid to late 2000s.
Much like The Rescuers, this film is often overlooked, mainly due to its slightly darker storylines, but it was a favorite in my house growing up.
The film follows Despereaux, a mouse with abnormally large ears and an even bigger heart, who is braver than the rest of his kind.
When he befriends Princess Pea, a lonely royal whose kingdom has been shrouded in grief since the queen’s untimely death, Despereaux is cast out for breaking the rules of Mousekind.
Meanwhile, a rat named Roscuro, an outcast, struggles with his role in the kingdom’s sorrow.
As their stories intertwine with a servant girl longing for a better life, Despereaux embarks on a journey to restore light and joy to the princess and the entire kingdom.
One of the things that still stands out to me about this film is the animation. The best way to describe it is Renaissance painting-esque, with a muted, painterly design that gives the film a storybook-like feel.
It’s not as flashy or expressive as other movies during this time, but I think the chosen animation style better reflects the story’s more serious and profound aspects.
Despite its somewhat darker themes for a children’s film, The Tale of Despereaux is a story about the power of hope, kindness, and courage—something that I know, even as a 20-year-old, I could use a reminder of every once in a while.
Check out my LetterBoxd account (@elliegsim) for past recommendations and what I am watching now!
