Children's Films to Rent With Amazing Adventures
Travel to Fantasy Worlds in these Children's Classic Movies
May 6, 2009
For the creative moviemaker, incredible adventures can lie anywhere – from the pages of a fantasy book to the miniature world in your own backyard. Here are two such sci fi videos and fantasy films to rent that can send you on an adventure from the comfort of your living room.
The NeverEnding Story (1984)
German author Michael Ende’s bestselling fantasy novel gets the big screen treatment in this classic children’s movie that’s become one of the best DVDs to rent for young fantasy fans.
When young Bastian Bux hides from some bullies in a bookstore, he discovers The NeverEnding Story, a fantastic book about Atreyu, a boy warrior searching the land of Fantasia for a cure that will heal Fantasia’s Childlike Empress and save his world from the Nothing – a representation of mankind’s despair and loss of dreams. As Bastian reads, however, he feels reality and fantasy merge and realizes he is becoming part of the story.
Virtually all the creatures Bastian reads about – from the giant Rockbiter to the luckdragon Falkor – are created with puppets and models rather than computer generated imagery, and enjoy a fairytale like charm not found in many modern children's films. Much of the movie’s awe also comes from the stirring score composed by Klaus Doldinger and a catchy theme song performed by English singer/songwriter Limahl.
Like many movies based on books, The NeverEnding Story movie deviates from Ende’s story and actually only covers half the events of the fantasy novel (although a lackluster sequel, The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter, did base its story on the novel’s later events). Other filmmakers tried continuing the story with a third film, an animated series, and even a live action miniseries that completely revamped the story.
For most fans though, the original The NeverEnding Story movie, and fantasy novel, are the true children's classics, earning the movie a top spot on the list of films to rent for fantasy lovers.
Honey I Shrunk the Kids (1989)
Most movies with safari adventures are set in Africa. But for the kids in this Disney movie, a safari adventure lies in their backyard.
When absent-minded inventor Wayne Szalinski (Rick Moranis) builds a shrinking ray, he unknowingly shrinks not only his son and teenage daughter but also two of his neighbor’s kids. After being accidentally thrown away, the kids escape and enter their backyard – now a vast jungle full of giant ants, humongous Oatmeal Creme Pies, killer lawnmowers, and a LEGO brick big enough to provide shelter during the kids’ trek back to the house.
A lot of the humor from this movie comes from Moranis, who quickly learns what happened to his kids and suspends himself in a sling over his backyard trying to locate the shrunken heroes. The special effects are also great – especially in scenes where the kids get to ride a friendly ant who aids them on their wilderness adventure, or soar through the air on a crazy bee.
Wayne Szalinski and his inventions returned in other Disney movies, including 1992’s Honey, I Blew Up the Kid (which co-starred a young Kerri Russell) and Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves (1997). In 1997, the Szalinski family also starred in the Disney television show, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show, while in 1994, the Disneyland ride, Honey, I Shrunk the Audience, let Disneyland tourists experience shrinking thanks to a 3-D movie and wind and water effects.
Want to see other lists of Disney children's classic movies, sci fi videos, and fantasy films to rent that take kids on incredible adventures? Read Popular Children's Movies to Rent, Summer Movies to Rent on DVD, and Children’s Movies to Rent for Sci Fi Fans.
