By Lydia Browne
As was once said by American Journalist Mary Schmich, “The movies we love and admire are to some extent a function of who we are when we see them.” While we change and grow, the movies we watched and loved remain the same. Now, we look back on those movies and both remember why we loved them and discover new things that we had not noticed when we watched them before. This is something that we have the opportunity to do as some of our favorite movies reach important milestones in the closing months of 2023. As we look back, we realize that things were different when these films came out. Often we do not remember certain parts of movies that we rewatch, yet they have not changed. We have. That said, these milestones are also an opportunity to revisit classic movies, appreciate their art, and get lost in their entertaining stories. Here is a list of a few movies with end-of-the-year milestones.
Frozen (November 27, 2013)—10 Years Ago
It’s hard to believe that this movie came out ten years ago. Frozen was a huge success when it came out in 2013, grossing $1.285 billion at the worldwide box office. One could hardly go anywhere without hearing the songs or seeing the characters from the movie. This Disney animated film instantly became a favorite for countless families. The movie follows the adventures of two royal sisters—Elsa and Anna—one with magical powers and the other without, and the friends Anna makes on a journey to find her sister: a mountain man named Kristoff, his reindeer Sven, and a loveable snowman named Olaf. It is because of its beloved characters, music and plot that this movie made its way into the hearts of many.
Bolt (November 21, 2008)—15 Years Ago
Bolt is another beloved Disney animated movie that celebrates a milestone this year. The movie follows the story of a dog who had been a part of an action TV show all his life, leading him to believe that he had superpowers like the character he played. He faces adventure and an epiphany when he is separated from the life he knew and must find his way home with the help of an alley cat and a hamster. The film was well received when it was released, making $310 million worldwide.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (December 16, 2003)—20 Years Ago
Multitudes of LOTR fans are horrified to be reminded that the last installment of this highly esteemed trilogy came out 20 years ago. Based on the last book of J.R.R. Tolkein’s greatly revered book series, the movie follows the end of hobbits Frodo and Sam’s long and arduous journey to destroy the One Ring and defeat the Dark Lord Sauron. Meanwhile, Aragon and Co. are in the midst of a final battle against the forces of evil. This amazing finale was the highest grossing of the three movies, making over 1.1 billion U.S. dollars worldwide. Be sure to make time for a Lord of the Rings movie marathon in honor of this important milestone.
You’ve Got Mail (December 18, 1998)—25 Years Ago
This romantic comedy was the third movie that paired actors Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, continuing their success as an on-screen couple after their roles in Sleepless in Seattle. This film tells the sweet love story of the owner of a bookstore chain and the owner of a small independent book shop. The two fall in love online, not realizing that one is trying to put the other out of business. The movie was a success when it was released, making 250.8 million at the box office.
Superman (December 15, 1978)—45 Years Ago
This movie is a delightful mix of superhero action and ‘70s quirky humor. It tells the story of the origins of the DC Comics superhero, Superman, as the young alien crashes on Earth, sent by his father from the distant planet of Krypton. When he grows up, he moves to the city and becomes entangled with villain Lex Luthor and also falls in love with his coworker, reporter Lois Lane. The movie was the second-highest-grossing release of 1978, earning $300 million worldwide. Three sequels would follow. 45 years later, we gladly revisit the movie that first made us “believe a man can fly.”
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (November 20, 1973)—50 Years Ago
This treasured holiday classic celebrates 50 years of a Thanksgiving tradition. This television special has been played in people’s homes for numerous Novembers over the years. It follows the predicaments that good ol’ Charlie Brown gets himself into during the holiday, as well as the rest of Charles Schulz’s Peanuts gang. For many, Thanksgiving isn’t the same without watching this nostalgic special.
The Sting (December 25, 1973)—50 Years Ago
This movie was and still is a definite masterpiece. It tells the story of the perfect crime and the ultimate con, as two grifters band together to swindle a big time crime boss. With a complicated plan and talented group of cons, the con men—played by the immensely dynamic pair of Paul Newman and Robert Redford— jump into a high-stakes game. The movie was a huge success when it first came out, making over $160 million and winning seven Oscars, including Best Picture. This is absolutely a must-watch in celebration of its 50th anniversary.
The Sword in the Stone (December 25, 1963)—60 Years Ago
Yet another well-loved Disney animated classic approaches an important milestone this year. The Sword in the Stone is filled with entrancing bright colors and beautiful art, as well as a wonderful story. It depicts the origin of a mythological hero. We meet a scrawny young orphan called Wart, who meets and befriends a wise wizard named Merlin. Through his guidance, Wart will become the legendary King Arthur. The movie made $22.2 million at the box office. This is definitely one of Disney’s less well known films, but is and should be appreciated for its many endearing qualities.
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