The Rescuers

An adaptation of Diana Wynne Jones’s fantasy novel of the same name, the Oscar-nominated Howl’s Moving Castle is a pitch-perfect fairy tale about aging and war, set in a dazzling steampunk world. When young hatmaker Sophie is transformed into a 90-year-old woman by the vengeful Witch of the Waste, she seeks to break the curse with the help of the enigmatic wizard Howl, the fire demon Calcifer, and the magical moving castle they inhabit.

A witch film like few others, Kiki’s Delivery Service is a warm-hearted story that follows a girl entering adulthood and discovering her capabilities, while, refreshingly, refusing romance as a central plot device. Following tradition, on the night of the full moon after she turns 13, Kiki must take flight on her broom and leave her family behind to start a new life in the charming port city of Koriko, where she will learn to use her powers. With a wise-cracking black cat named Jiji by her side, enterprising Kiki quickly becomes a local phenomenon as she strives to find her community and herself.

Accessible screening

Disney produced this initial chapter of its Witch Mountain series during its Dark Age. It follows two orphaned siblings, Tony and Tia, who possess mysterious psychic powers; Tony can move objects with his harmonica, while Tia can communicate telepathically and manifest premonition. When the evil, wealthy Aristotle Bolt, and his employee, Lucas Deranian, learn about these enigmatic traits, they plan a wicked scheme to kidnap the siblings. Against the lush greenery of valleys and beautiful ocean, Tony and Tia’s dangerous escape from Bolt turns into a charming, endearing adventure when Jason O’Day, a widower camper, joins them in search of a place indicated on a map hidden in Tia’s star case, an item she carries with her at all times.

Accessible screening

This second Muppets feature film casts Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear, and the Great Gonzo as intrepid journalists on location in London to interview fashion icon Lady Holiday about the recent theft of her jewels. Hired as Holiday’s secretary is aspiring model Miss Piggy, who poses as her boss when Kermit arrives. Mistaken identities, espionage, and hijinks abound in this kooky escapade that features cameos from comedy greats Charles Grodin, John Cleese, and international raconteur Peter Ustinov. The film received an Academy Award nomination for Music (Original Song) for the delightful “The First Time It Happens.”

This darkly comedic adaptation of the popular Parker Brothers board game takes a page from the spate of Agatha Christie book-to-screen projects of the 1970s. Convening a murderer’s row of ’80s comedic actors, this cult-favorite whodunit may have been considered middling upon its release but soon found its adoring audience on home video and through revival screenings. This DCP from Paramount features all three endings shown sequentially, as they were presented during television broadcasts of the film and as featured on home video releases.

A mouse living in the cellar of Sherlock Holmes’s house is himself a brilliant detective in this mystery inspired by the Basil of Baker Street books by Eve Titus and Paul Galdone. Four directors collaborated on this charming animated feature, including Disney veteran Burny Mattinson and the team of John Musker and Ron Clements (The Little Mermaid, 1989, Aladdin, 1992), while Vincent Price loaned his unmistakable voice to the evil Professor Ratigan. The lighthearted score was composed by four-time Oscar winner Henry Mancini, his first for an animated feature.

Accessible screening

Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins), a private eye in 1930s Los Angeles, gets an unexpected client—Roger Rabbit, a cartoon film star. Director Robert Zemeckis’s witty comedy-mystery is a dazzling mix of live-action and animation, incorporating beloved cartoon characters from Disney and other studios. Nominated for its art direction, cinematography, and sound, it won for its film editing, sound effects editing, and visual effects. Richard Williams also received a Special Achievement Award from the Academy for his animation direction. 

The first motion picture produced by Nickelodeon is also Bronwen Hughes’s feature film directorial debut, starring Michelle Trachtenberg as a 12-year-old Harriet Welsch, who devotes her time spying on everyone and recording her discreet detective work in a “PRIVATE” notebook. When those secrets get exposed, Harriet finds her entire class against her, including her two best friends. This sweet drama boldly and candidly surveys the bittersweet pre-teen years as an exploration of self, complementing the confusion that marks this transitional phase with Harriet’s unapologetic, cheeky spirit, letting her fight her own battles and attain redemption.

Accessible screening

Emma Roberts steps into the role of Nancy Drew in this contemporary adaptation of the iconic teen detective. When Nancy’s father (Tate Donovan) gets a job that moves them to Los Angeles, he encourages her to behave like an average teenager and refrain from sleuthing. Unable to refrain from her passion, Nancy dives into a famous cold case involving the death of a movie star. The subject of hundreds of novels, and numerous film, television and video game adaptations, the character of Nancy Drew has been inspiring young women since the 1930s.

Accessible screening