Editor's Pick: 40 of the best movies on Stan Australia

Homegrown streaming service Stan has thousands of hours of content to watch; it's almost a little overwhelming. If you don't know where to start and you're in the mood for a movie, we're here to help. Here's our list of the best films currently streaming on Stan. 

Heathers

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Kate's comment: It’s the 80s dark comedy you didn’t know you needed in your life. Get me a scrunchie, stat!

Kate's rating:

What do you do with the three popular girls who tyrannise your school and make everyone’s life miserable? You kill them, duh!

Veronica (Winona Ryder) is in the popular clique with the three mean girls, Heather, Heather and Heather. But when mysterious bad boy JD (Christian Slater) comes along threatening the status quo, the high school hierarchy gets a big shake-up. It’s the perfect antidote to cheesy teen high school romcoms, and has since had a musical theatre makeover, too! -Kate Reynolds

A Clockwork Orange

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Kate's comment: Can we condition people into good citizens? More importantly, should we?

Kate's rating:

Droogs, assemble for Stanley Kubrick’s confronting and controversial adaptation of the Anthony Burgess’ novel of the same name. Alex is a charming but deeply disturbed teenager who roams the streets with his friends committing crimes - many of them incredibly severe. When eventually caught, he is exposed to a new and experimental rehabilitation technique, which renders him unable to commit violence - even in the act of self-defence. Alex is released back into the world where his treatment is at the centre of a political controversy, especially when Alex is attacked and left for dead. 

A Clockwork Orange was initially banned upon release, thanks to its depictions of graphic violence (they truly are horrendous) and subsequent copycat crimes. It’s since gained a cult following and has been praised for its masterful directing techniques and themes of morality and psychology. But consider this a content warning; it’s hard going at times. -Kate Reynolds

Available on Stan from October 8.

Scott Pilgrim vs the World

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Alex's analysis: A quirky action rom-com with endless amounts of visual flair.

Alex's rating:

Scott Pilgrim vs the World is your typical romance story: boy meets girl, boy falls in love, boy has to defeat girl's seven evil exes. What could be more relatable? Based on the comics by Bryan Lee O'Malley and directed by Edgar Wright of Shaun of the Dead fame, Scott Pilgrim vs the World is a laugh-out-loud-funny visual extravaganza packed with geeky references. But for all the pomp, Scott Pilgrim handles a simple theme well: everyone has baggage - Alex Choros

The Princess Bride

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Anula's notions: Inconceivably entertaining

Anula's rating:

Don’t let the name fool you, this isn’t a kissing movie. The Princess Bride gained a cult following thanks to an exquisite cast and an unpredictable script. Sure on the surface a story about long lost love, pirates, a prince, and a princess may seem formulaic but this is anything but. This film takes those tropes, flips them on their head and sends them to the pit of despair. - Anula Wiwatowska

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Searching For Sugar Man

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Kate's comment: The best documentary about a musician you’ve never heard of.

Kate's rating:

Searching for Sugar Man is based on the incredible true story of American 70s musician Sixto Rodriguez, who struggled to make his musical mark in the States, and then just seemed to disappear. He was rumoured to be dead. Meanwhile in South Africa, his popularity skyrocketed.

Searching For Sugar Man is the story of two diehard fans who embark on a journey to find out the truth about Rodriguez once and for all. -Kate Reynolds

Tickled

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Alex's analysis: One of the zaniest "true crime" docos you'll watch.

Alex's rating:

Tickled starts out light hearted enough, ostensibly about "competitive endurance tickling". However, when New Zealand journo David Farrier tried to cover the "sport" for television news, things start getting weird. The less you know going in, the wilder the ride - Alex Choros

Galaxy Quest

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Anula's notions: Ever wondered how sci-fi actors would actually go if their adventures were in reality? Now you don't have to.

Anula's rating:

Seriously if you haven't seen Galaxy Quest you really should. A stellar comedic cast of Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver and Alan Rickman play actors in a cult sci-fi TV series. As the remnants of their fandom wane and relationships turn sour, it turns out an alien race has been watching all along. An alien race who doesn't understand that the TV show is fiction and have come across the galaxy to beg these 'heroes' to save them. Now these washed up actors are left to save a world when they couldn't even save their show - Anula Wiwatowska

50/50

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Anula's notions: 50% comedy / 50% tragedy

Anula's rating:

27 year old Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is timid and reserved, while his best friend Kyle (Seth Rogan) is the complete opposite. When Adam is diagnosed with spinal cancer and given a 50% chance of survival Kyle tries to keep his spirits up while his love life, mental, and physical health fall apart around him. 

Tackling friendship and mortality isn’t exactly light humour, but Rogan and Levitt put on stellar performances that only make you cry the correct amount.

Inglourious Basterds

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Jacqui's gist: One of the most satisfying World War II movies ever made. 

Jacqui's rating:

In one of Quentin Tarantino's finest features, Brad Pitt leads a team of guerrilla soldiers behind enemy lines during World War II. Their one mission: to kill Nazis. Or more specifically, to terrify Nazis by brutally killing as many as possible. The "Basterds" are good at what they do and eventually graduate from persecuting Hitler's troops to coming after the man himself. Revenge has never been so sweet - Jacqui Dent

Brooklyn

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Jacqui's gist: Saoirse Ronan is captivating in this beautiful drama with a whole lot of heart.

Jacqui's rating:

Don't read any blurbs about Brooklyn. They make the story sound boring and maybe in different hands it would be, except that it's superbly acted, skilfully written, beautifully shot and will just generally tug at your heart strings with a power that few movies manage to achieve. If that's not enough to convince you, factor into your decision the fantastic '50s fashion - Jacqui Dent

Hail Satan?

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Alex's analysis: 2019's feel good movie of the year was somehow a documentary about The Satanic Temple.

Alex's rating:

"Wholesome" and "Satanic" might not be two words you normally see in the same sentence, but Hail Satan? proves they should be together more often. The doco offers a surprising insight into the Satanic Temple; despite the ominous association, the grassroots organisation cares more about social justice, egalitarianism, and religious freedom than making any sort of offering to the dark lord. One of the organisation's chapters even adopted a highway. 

Hail Satan? is a must watch movie that will challenge your preconceived notions and offer plenty of laughs as it follows a cast of misunderstood outsiders, striving for positive societal change - Alex Choros

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Pitch Perfect

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Anula's notions: It's acca-awesome.

Anula's rating:

You acca-believe it's worth spending 90 minutes of your life watching this movie. Check out every female stereotype, hilariously over exaggerated, and crammed together as an acapella singing sensation. Oh and Rebel Wilson is there. Get set on your couch for some horizontal running - Anula Wiwatowska

In Bruges

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Jacqui's gist: Two Irish hitmen hide out in an idyllic Belgian holiday town, and the result is chaos.

Jacqui's rating:

Usually when a movie walks the line between comedy and drama, it's possible to err definitively on one side or the other. It's either a dramedy, or it's a comedy with some bits that aren't so funny. With In Bruges, it's impossible to choose. This is one of those rare movies that manages simultaneously to be moving and hilarious. But the jokes don't cheapen the feels, and the feels don't take away from the laugh-out-loud jokes. In Bruges was brought into the world by writer/director Martin McDonaugh. He's famous for the Oscar-nominated Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri, but I'd argue In Bruges is better. At the very least, it's not a movie you're likely to forget - Jacqui Dent

Parasite

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Alex's analysis: A genre-blending masterpiece big on laughs, thrills, and social commentary.

Alex's rating:

The less you know going into Parasite, the better. The only thing you really need to know is that it's good. Really good. Like, the first non-English-film-to-take-home-Best-Picture-at-the-Oscars-good. But if you really want to know more, Parasite is a genre-blending tale of a family working hard to make ends meet. Blurring the lines between black comedy, heist, and thriller, Parasite follows the Kims, as they infiltrate the lives of a wealthy-yet-gullible household in pursuit of a better life - Alex Choros

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Legally Blonde

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Anula's notions: I was the little blonde girl growing up, who was told by my year 6 teacher that I wasn't smart enough to be a writer (take that Miss Margo). Elle Woods's level of spite was (and still is) my guiding light.

Anula's rating:

It was rare in the early 00's to see a strong, female protaganist who wasn't driven by her desire to "get the guy." And yet, out of what seems like your run of the mill redemption arc, comes the story of a strong woman, defying stereotypes, creating genuine friendships, and dismissing the perception that women can't be intelligent, kick-arse and wear pink at the same time. Elle Woods begins her journey at Harvard Law for a man, and in the process finds out that she is capable of greatness on her own - Anula Wiwatowska

The Great Escape

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Anula's notions: A refreshingly light WWII flick detailing the largest prisoner-of-war breakout ever.

Anula's rating:

In my family, along with almost every other Eastern European expat, WWII films tend to strike  chord. The Great Escape was a staple in my household growing up, it follows the planning and execution of the biggest escape attempt made during the Nazi occupation. The story writes as a huge f*** you to the Nazis, with dry humour nestling so beautifully in contrast to the tragic adversity. While you're likely to get some laughs, be ready for feels because stoicism can only go so far - Anula Wiwatowska

Suffragette

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Jacqui's gist: A powerful reminder of the struggles and sacrifices that were made to win rights we now take for granted.

Jacqui's rating:

In 1912 London, working class mother Maud Watts joins the suffragettes, a group of female activists fighting what seems like an impossible battle for women's right to vote. Her story paints a powerful picture of the struggles women faced at work, at home and in the community, living in a society in which they had no political voice. It also brings home the unimaginable sacrifices women made in order to win their right to equality. An inspiring and moving story that you'll find hard to forget - Jacqui Dent

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Hot Fuzz

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Jacqui's gist: British humour at its best - Hot Fuzz is Simon Pegg and Nick Frost's comedy take on the cop movie.

Jacqui's rating:

When London's best cop Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) is transferred to the sleepy town of Sandford, he doesn't expect to see a lot of action. He's wrong. 

Brought to you by the team behind Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz is more than just a spoof, it's a genuinely thrilling ride complete with mystery, murder and the mother of all action show-downs. It's co-written and directed by Edgar Wright who's known for his comic-book style directing, clever dialogue and innovative take on genres. Wright, Pegg and Frost are all movie nerds and Hot Fuzz is full of homage and cameos (including Peter Jackson and Cate Blanchett) that film buffs will love spotting. Even if you don't like cop movies, you'll love Hot Fuzz - Jacqui Dent

Lost Highway

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Alex's analysis: A surreal neo-noir with a killer soundtrack 

Alex's rating:

As with most of David Lynch works (Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet, et al), Lost Highway starts simple enough. Fred, a LA saxophonists, starts receiving mysterious video tapes of him and his wife, which ultimately lead to him being convicted of murder. Lynch's avant-garde tendencies quickly reveal themselves when Fred is inexplicably replaced by a young mechanic while on death row. Lost Highway is anything but straightforward, but is a must see for anyone interested in surreal storytelling. You just might need to watch it twice - Alex Choros

John Wick

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Tara’s take: A fast-paced revenge film that’s seriously fun to watch - except when the dog dies. ??

Tara's rating:

Perfect and pure human angel Keanu Reeves is John Wick - also known as ‘Baba Yaga’, a legendary hit-man who retired from the murder-for-hire game to settle down and get married. But after his wife dies of illness and his puppy is killed by Russian mobsters, Wick goes straight-up beast mode in his quest for vengeance. John Wick is an excellent return to action form for Matrix star Keanu, and a future neo-noir classic - but you’ll have to pick up the sequel to see just exactly how the titular Wick can kill three men in a bar with only a pencil.

The Mummy

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Jacqui's gist: Brendan Fraser alone should be enough to sell you on this movie. The action, laughs and horror capers are just an amazing added bonus.

Jacqui's rating:

If you haven't watched The Mummy yet, you've got to get onto that. It's got Brendan Fraser. It's got Rachel Weisz. It's got monsters, adventure, a villain who looks exactly like the main guy from Aqua, and more sharp lines than you can shake a stick at. Sure, it may be light on historical or even biological accuracy. But if you're the type of person who'd choose flesh-eating scarab beetles over 'reality', this movie is for you - Jacqui Dent

The Cabin in the Woods

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Alex's analysis: The kind of movie M. Night Shyamalan wishes he could make. 

Alex's rating:

What starts as a stereotypical slasher film slowly unravels into something far more bizarre. The Cabin in the Woods might not be super scary, but this Joss Whedon co-written horror is certainly one of the genre's more unique entries - Alex Choros

Mean Girls

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Jacqui's gist: Fourteen years on, Tina Fey's teen comedy has become "one of the most referenced cultural products of all time online," according to The Guardian. That is so fetch.

Jacqui's rating:  

If you're one of the millions of people who love Mean Girls, you don't need me to tell you why it's awesome. Just know that you can relive the magic now on Stan. If you haven't seen Mean Girls yet, you need to get onto that. It's a ridiculously smart and funny exploration of toxic social cliques in high school. More importantly, it will help you understand all the memes and GIFs that have been going over your head for years. This is unapologetically a movie for teen girls but if you're not one, still watch it, because who says teen girl issues aren't important? - Jacqui Dent

Mad Max: Fury Road

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Joe's judgement: Easily the weirdest, most enthralling road trip of all time.

Joe's rating:

I'll admit it: I'm not a huge Mad Max fan, though I appreciate that the original movies introduce a grim, fascinating world. Fury Road takes all of these great ideas and uses them to springboard into a wild, original story which is far better than anything else in the series. What's incredible about Fury Road is how much of the movie is one giant car chase. If I have one complaint it's how unused Tom Hardy is in the role of Max. He does well in the role of the strong, silent type, but he's too good an actor to have him doing so little - Joe Hanlon

Let the Right One In

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Alex's analysis: Eat your heart out Twilight, this is how you do vampire romance.

Alex's rating:

Oddly heart-warming yet creepy and unnerving, Let the Right One In effortlessly juggles romance and horror. This critically acclaimed Swedish masterpieces balances brutal violence with the burgeoning relationship of a 12-year-old boy and a child vampire. A true work of art - Alex Choros

Army of Darkness

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Tara's take: The ultimate horror-comedy cult classic. Shop smart, shop S-Mart!

Tara's rating:

If not for Sam Raimi’s iconic Evil Dead series, many horror comedy films may have never existed. Army of Darkness is the third film in the trilogy; bypassing the all-out violence of the original for ramped-up comedy and unforgettable one-liners, this cult classic sees demon-killing antihero Ash stranded in Medieval England, low on gas and surrounded by the dead - Tara Donnelly

Kill List

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Brodie’s blurb: Your average, everyday hitman thriller until it's absolutely not.

Brodie's rating:

The less said about the plot for Kill List, the better.

Ben Wheatley’s (Sightseers) thriller is not for the faint of heart and ends up somewhere you will not see coming. It starts out as a fairly run-of-the-mill crime flick with some family drama thrown in, but as you edge your way to the movie’s thrilling climax, things take a hard-left into a completely different territory - Brodie Fogg (Reviews Australia)

Super 8

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Alex's analysis: A nostalgic sci-fi adventure that's big on charm

Alex's rating:

After a young group of friends witness a catastrophic train crash, unusual disappearances and inexplicable events disturb a small Ohio town. While Super 8 may be a touch too dark for small children, J. J. Abrams' homage to the likes of E.T. and The Goonies backs up its wistful sci-fi nostalgia with a hell of a lot of charm. It's cut from a similar cloth to Stranger Things, and it's the perfect flick to watch while you wait for the next season - Alex Choros 

Sicario

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Jacqui's gist: An FBI agent gets in way over her head with the war on drugs in this tense and chilling action thriller.

Jacqui's rating:

Part action, part crime, part thriller, Sicario is a hard movie to classify. But whatever box you want to put it in, you can't deny it's arresting viewing. Emily Blunt stars as FBI agent Kate Macer who joins a CIA task-force to take down the leader of one of Mexico's infamous drug cartels. But her ethics are challenged when her smug and creepy bosses push the operation past the bounds of the law. Sicario's action scenes are more understated than your typical shoot-fest but this is a movie that'll haunt you long after the final shots are fired - Jacqui Dent

The Death of Stalin

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Brodie’s blurb: Iannucci manages to give Stalin's inner circle the office sitcom treatment.

Brodie's rating:

Armando Iannucci (Veep, In The Loop) hits it out the park again with this satirical retelling of Stalin’s last days. Come for the premise and Iannucci’s razor-sharp dialogue, stay for the truly hilarious performances of Steve Buscemi and Jason Isaacs. - Brodie Fogg (Reviews Australia)

Looper

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Alex's analysis: Time travel done right. 

Alex's rating:

Before Rian Johnson directed Star Wars: The Last Jedi, he cut his teeth on Looper. The film is a mind-bending time travel thriller where Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a hitman tasked with killing marks from the future. His next target: his older self (Bruce Willis). Embracing paradoxes that would cause lesser films to unravel, Looper is a smart, satisfying sci-fi jaunt - Alex Choros

The Silence of the Lambs

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Tara's take: One of the best and most-awarded films of the 1990s, The Silence of the Lambs is truly unforgettable. 

Tara's rating:

If you haven’t already steeled yourself to sit through this terrifying classic, now is the time. Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster both received Oscars for their performances in this adaptation of Thomas Harris’ 1988 acclaimed novel, a chilling look at the relationship between cannibalistic serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lector and FBI agent Clarice Starling. When Starling requests the assistance of the imprisoned Lector in tracking down another, as-yet uncaptured murderer, she finds herself trapped in a twisted ‘quid pro quo’ deal: information in exchange for emotional trauma. With brilliant performances, an outstanding script, and a near-constant state of suspense, The Silence of the Lambs is a must-see masterpiece - Tara Donnelly 

Life of Crime

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Jacqui's gist: The right movie for anyone who loves a good kidnapping-gone-wrong.

Jacqui's rating:

Two career criminals ransom the unhappy wife of a real estate developer, hoping to get rich quick. But complications arise when the husband decides he doesn't want her back. Life of Crime is whip smart, super funny and, in my opinion, thoroughly underrated. It's perfectly plotted, full of charm and surprises and should delight anyone who enjoys crime caper in the vein of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels - Jacqui Dent

Silver Linings Playbook

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Jacqui's gist: Jam-packed with incredible performances, Silver Linings Playbook is a totally off-the-wall comedy drama about learning to function within dysfunction.

Jacqui's rating:

After his release from psychiatric hospital, Pat Solanto (Bradley Cooper) makes a deal with his erratic neighbour Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence): he will be her partner in a dance competition if she will help him get in contact with his estranged ex-wife. Pat and Tiffany are like dynamite together - and not always in a good way. But there's something about their volatile relationship that works and as the dance competition draws closer they both start to have doubts as to whether Pat still wants to be with his ex-wife. Silver Linings Playbook is a delightfully frenetic and ultimately uplifting story about surviving and thriving with mental illness - Jacqui Dent

The Neon Demon

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Alex's analysis: You'll either find it hauntingly surreal or unnecessarily pretentious, but The Neon Demon is - at the very least - a feast for the eyes. As disturbing as it is stylish. 

Alex's rating:

The Neon Demon is sensory cinema at its best. Narrative beats play second fiddle to overarching theme in the film's surreal take on an aspiring model seeking stardom in LA. Some might be be put off by a thin narrative and characters, but the film is a masterclass in cinematography, editing, and sound design. While The Neon Demon can be a somewhat obtuse psychological slow burn, it's backed up some truly shocking gross out moments. Whether you love it or hate it, The Neon Demon sure is an experience - Alex Choros

Scream

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Alex's analysis: This self-aware slasher expertly subverts the horror genre without sacrificing scares.

Alex's rating:  

Directed by horror master Wes Craven, Scream skewers and subverts horror tropes and clichés while still being a thrilling slasher in itself. Set in a small Californian town, high school student Sidney Prescot becomes the target of a horror-loving serial killer. To survive, Sidney and her friends turn to the "rules" of the genre. While Scream is a little tame by modern standards, this sinister satire is a must-watch for any horror fan - Alex Choros

Batman and Robin

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Kate's comment: Sometimes very bad, is actually very, very good.

Kate's rating:  

Our favourite dynamic duo are reunited again, as George Clooney this time dons the Bat-mask for the 1997 action flick Batman and Robin. They must battle The Terminator - oh wait, no, Dr Freeze and Poison Ivy, and do so in ludicrous rubber costumes.

Let me be very clear. This is the deep-fried Mars Bar of movies. You know it’s not good for you, in fact, it’s downright terrible, but when savoured occasionally, the sickly sweet taste is just delightful. Go on, give yourself a bit of brain-candy. - Kate Reynolds

Spy Kids

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Alex's analysis: James Bond by way of Willy Wonka. 

Alex's rating:

Spy Kids is Desperado and From Dusk til Dawn filmmaker Robert Rodriguez's first attempt at trading in ultraviolence for a family friendly flick, and somehow, he nailed it. While it looks a little worse for wear thanks to dated special effects, Spy Kids is still a charming, inventive romp that's bound to please - Alex Choros 

How to Train Your Dragon

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Jacqui's gist: Toothless the Dragon is the real star of this movie. And I suppose the humans are okay too.

Jacqui's rating:

There's usually something kind of corny about dragons. I've never much liked them but I love the dragons in this movie. The animators of How to Train Your Dragon have brought a lifelike authenticity to these fantasy creatures that is rarely seen in film. You will come out of this movie in love with Toothless the Dragon and inspired by his Viking friends. Beyond the captivating creatures, How to Train Your Dragon is a funny and thoughtful story about learning to see a friend where others see a fearsome beast - Jacqui Dent 

Stardust

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Tara's take: A magical adventure-romance for the whole family. 

Tara's rating:

If you’re looking for a family-friendly flick that isn’t Dreamworks or Pixar, you can’t go wrong with this adventure-packed fairy tale based on Neil Gaiman’s novel. Love-lorn Tristan goes in search of falling star, which so happens to come in the form of immortal princess Yvaine (Claire Danes). Unfortunately for Tristan, fallen stars are in high demand, and the pair find themselves on the run from princes, pirates and a trio of very nasty witches. Featuring scene-stealing performances from Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert De Niro, Stardust is fun for all ages, and a delightful modern successor to classic fantasies such as The Princess Bride, Labyrinth or Legend - Tara Donnelly