7 movies from the 90s and 2000s that instantly transport millennials back in time

Ever put on an old movie and feel like you've been transported straight back to your childhood?

I had this experience just last week. I was scrolling through Youtube, bored and looking for something to watch, when I stumbled across The Lion King. Within minutes of hearing "Circle of Life," I was a kid again, sitting cross-legged on the living room carpet with a bowl of cereal.

It got me thinking about all those films that have this magical ability to take us millennials right back to simpler times. You know, when our biggest worry was whether we'd finish our homework before our favorite TV show came on.

Today, I'm sharing seven movies that do exactly that. These aren't just films we watched—they're time machines wrapped in nostalgia.

Let's dive in.

1. The Lion King (1994)

I already mentioned this one, and I think it deserves its spot at the top.

This movie wasn't just a film for us millennials—it was an event. I don't think there was a dry eye in the house when Mufasa died. Even thinking about it now gives me chills.

The soundtrack alone is enough to transport you back. "Hakuna Matata," "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," those songs weren't just catchy; they became part of our childhood vocabulary. I can't tell you how many times my friends and I would run around the playground singing at the top of our lungs.

And let's be real, this movie taught us about life, death, responsibility, and growing up in ways that we didn't even realize at the time. Pretty heavy stuff for a Disney movie about talking animals.

2. Home Alone (1990)

Okay, so technically this one came out just before the 90s kicked into full gear, but it defined the decade for so many of us.

Every Christmas, without fail, Home Alone would be on TV. And every single time, I'd watch it like it was the first time. The brilliance of Kevin McCallister booby-trapping his house never got old.

I'll admit, as a kid, I definitely tried to recreate some of those traps. Nothing too crazy—just strategic placement of toys on the stairs and that sort of thing. My parents were not amused.

But beyond the slapstick comedy, there was something comforting about this movie. It captured that feeling of imagination and resourcefulness that we all had as kids. Plus, it made us realize that maybe being left home alone wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

3. Matilda (1996)

If you were a bookish kid like me, Matilda was your movie.

I remember watching this and wishing so badly that I could move things with my mind. I'd sit in class, staring at my pencil, trying to make it roll across my desk. Spoiler alert: it never worked.

But Matilda was more than just a story about a girl with telekinetic powers. It was about finding your place in the world when you feel different, standing up to bullies, and the power of kindness and intelligence.

The relationship between Matilda and Miss Honey hit different when you're a kid who feels misunderstood. It showed us that family isn't always the people you're born to—sometimes it's the people who see you for who you really are.

4. The Parent Trap (1998)

This movie had everything: summer camp adventures, elaborate schemes, a cool vineyard in California, and London. As a kid, the idea of having an identical twin you'd never met felt like the ultimate fantasy.

What made The Parent Trap special was how it captured that innocent belief that kids could fix everything if they just tried hard enough. Sure, in reality, their parents probably needed therapy more than they needed their kids' matchmaking, but hey, it worked in the movie.

5. Finding Nemo (2003)

By the early 2000s, Pixar had already proven they could make us cry (thanks, Toy Story 2), but Finding Nemo took it to another level.

This movie was different from the others on this list because many of us were a bit older when it came out. But it still transported us back to childhood, reminding us of what it felt like to get separated from our parents at the grocery store or theme park—that moment of panic followed by the overwhelming relief of being found.

Plus, it made every aquarium visit infinitely more exciting. We'd all be looking for Nemo in the tanks.

6. Shrek (2001)

Who knew an ogre living in a swamp would become one of the most beloved characters of our generation?

Shrek was revolutionary because it took all those fairy tale tropes we'd grown up with and completely flipped them. The princess wasn't helpless, the prince was the villain, and the hero was literally green and lived in a swamp. It was brilliant.

But what really made Shrek special was the humor. There were jokes for kids, sure, but there were also tons of references and jokes that went completely over our heads as children. Watching it now as an adult, you catch all these layers you missed before.

And the soundtrack? Smash Mouth's "All Star" is forever linked to this movie. You literally cannot hear that song without thinking of Shrek.

7. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)

I had to include this one.

When Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone hit cinemas, it was more than just a movie premiere—it was a cultural phenomenon. For many of us millennials, we'd already fallen in love with the books, and seeing Hogwarts come to life on the big screen was magical in every sense of the word.

I was about the same age as Harry when the first movie came out, so growing up alongside him and his friends made the series feel even more personal. We were navigating our own challenges while watching Harry face down Voldemort.

The sorting ceremony, the Quidditch matches, the friendships—it all resonated so deeply. And let's be honest, we all spent way too much time debating which Hogwarts house we'd be sorted into.

This movie (and the ones that followed) gave us an entire world to escape into. And whenever I rewatch it now, I'm instantly that kid again, sitting in the cinema, completely mesmerized.

The bottom line

These movies are more than just entertainment—they're touchstones of our childhood.

They remind us of a time when life felt simpler, when our biggest concerns were making it through school and what game we'd play after dinner. They capture the innocence, wonder, and pure imagination of being a kid in the 90s and early 2000s.

Sure, we can't go back in time. But we can press play on any of these films and get pretty close.

What about you? Which movies instantly transport you back to your childhood? I'd love to hear your favorites.