These 11 Family Movies Are Way Underrated
It's been 20 years since "Babe: Pig in the City" was released, where it was met with little box office success. In the two decades since, this sequel to the Oscar-nominated "Babe" has gathered a much-deserved cult following. Time to give this sequel (and other family film follow-ups) a second chance!
'Babe: Pig in the City' (1998)
Audiences didn't know what to make of Babe once the little pig left the farm. But over the last 20 years, this sequel has gotten the love it deserves. The original song "That'll Do" was nominated for Best Song at the Oscars, btw.
'Back to the Future Part III' (1990)
The third journey in the DeLorean doesn't get as much love as the first two, but Doc and Marty in the Old West is well worth saddling up for.
'Fantasia 2000' (2000)
This worthy follow-up to the original 1940 Disney classic features gorgeous 2D animation and stunning sequences set to Beethoven and Gershwin. And, if also includes the famous sequence from the first film, “The Sorcerer's Apprentice,” with Mickey Mouse fighting evil those evil enchanted brooms, for nostalgia's sake.
'The Great Muppet Caper' (1981)
The Muppets' second film is not just a fun heist movie, it also features Miss Piggy and Kermit dancing a la Fred and Ginger. And hey, it's also got some great humans in it, including Charles Grodin competing with Kermit for Miss Piggy. Jim Henson himself directed.
'Addams Family Values' (1993)
Joan Cusack steals the sequel as Debbie, the Addams's new (very murderous) nanny. (Baby Addams has a mustache like Daddy Gomez, of course.) She immediately sets her sights on Fester (Christopher Lloyd), planning to bump him off like her previous husbands. Oh, and Wednesday and Pugsley's adventures at (the horror!) summer camp are another highlight.
'An American Tail: Fievel Goes West' (1991)
The lovable immigrant mouse trades his newsboy cap for a 10-milliliter hat as he seeks his fortune on the vanishing frontier. Not as beloved (or scary) as the original “American Tail,” but it is also not without its charms. One of those is that the film's voice cast includes Jimmy Stewart in what would be his final film role.
'The Rescuers Down Under' (1990)
Disney's first sequel (a mix of CG animation and traditional cell) was completely overshadowed by more beloved animated films “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast,” released the year before and after. Here, the heroic mice travel to Australia to save a boy kidnapped by a poacher (George C. Scott). It's a fun excuse for them to run into koalas, kangaroos, mice and a dashing kangaroo mouse!
'A Very Brady Sequel' (1996)
Carol (Shelley Long)'s first husband (Tim Matheson) reappears, which means that if she's not married to Mike, Greg and Marcia are free to be a hot couple? Oh, and Jan has an imaginary boyfriend. What's not to love about the second Brady go-round?
'Nanny McPhee Returns' (2010)
Despite charming critics and earning $93 million, the second installment was considered an "underperfomer" here in the States, so -- unfortunately -- we'll likely never see a third installment.
'Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2' (2008)
The sisterhood reunites after their first year of college. There's romance, drama, a trip to Greece, and a realization that friendship is more important than a magical article of clothing.
'Rugrats in Paris: The Movie' (2000)
If you see only one family movie that has a wedding in Notre Dame Cathedral being crashed by kids riding a giant robot, make it this one.