9. Explorers
Starring a young Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix, this is a wonderful movie suitable for all the family. In feel it is a close relation to ET and Flight of The Navigator and it has its own low key charm. Directed by Joe Dante, who has so many awesome films to his name he deserves his own list (watch this space), a hospital wing named after him and probably the chance to be president of the USA. It has effects by Industry Light and Magic and conjures a great atmosphere really involving you from the start. The idea of taking part of an abandoned fairground ride and turning it into a spaceship is a hugely appealing one. This is at the heart of all childrens delight in play and tunes into every childs fantasy that ultimately their make believe can come true if they believe in it enough. I was especially taken with this idea when I was young and that is why I still love this movie as well as others like it. Viewed today, it is still magical and has that sense of wonder at the adventures that can be had just with good friends and a collection of spare parts. This is a great little film, that stands alongside Dantes other work and is a real gem well worth unearthing.