The Films That Defined My Love of Movies at 11–12 (And Still Hold Up Today)

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There’s a certain age, around 11 or 12, where going to the cinema feels like a major event. Not just something to do, but something you build up to, talk about for days, and remember for years afterwards.

For me, that time is tied to a handful of films that still stand out today. Not just because of what they were, but because of when I saw them.

I can still picture it clearly, standing in the queue at the sweet counter, convinced I was going to miss the start of the film. Even though we were always there early, at least 20 minutes before the cartoon started, it never felt early enough.

At that age, you’re not analysing films, you’re just experiencing them.

And somehow, those experiences stick.


Blu-ray copies of Innerspace, The Princess Bride and Willow laid out together, three 1980s films that helped shape my love of movies.

I had all of these movies before on DVD but sold them when things were tough. I continue to buy movies on Blu Ray these days but only when I really want them or I get a good deal. 

⭐ The Foundation – Star Wars at Home

Before all of these, there was Star Wars.

That was my ultimate home movie. The one that was always there, always rewatchable, and probably the first time I realised films could create entire worlds you could get lost in.

It wasn’t tied to a single cinema trip like the others. It lived in the background, part of everyday life, something you could dip in and out of. But it laid the groundwork.

Looking back, it probably set the stage for everything that followed.

Years later, I’d come to appreciate a different kind of cinema energy in directors like Tony Scott, or darker directions in fantasy like Underworld, but these were the films that first made the big screen feel magical to me.

🎬 The Cinema Films That Left a Mark

These are the ones that imprinted themselves properly. The ones I went to see in the cinema, at just the right age for it to matter.

Inner Space (1987)

A mix of sci-fi, comedy and adventure, Inner Space follows a test pilot who is miniaturised and accidentally injected into an unsuspecting shop assistant. What unfolds is a chaotic, inventive journey as he tries to get back out while being pursued by those who want the technology for themselves.

This one stayed with me. I picked it up on Blu-ray years later, and it genuinely transported me back. Not just to the film, but to the feeling of watching it for the first time. That doesn’t happen often.

Willow (1988)

A full-scale fantasy adventure, Willow tells the story of a reluctant farmer drawn into a dangerous quest to protect a child destined to overthrow an evil queen.

This felt big at the time. Proper escapism. A world you could get lost in, characters that stuck, and a story that felt like it mattered. Watching it again now, it still holds that sense of scale.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

The original and, in my view, still the only real one. Four turtles trained in ninjutsu take on crime in New York, blending action, humour and just enough grit to make it feel grounded.

This wasn’t just a film, it was a moment. Everyone knew it, everyone talked about it, and seeing it in the cinema made it feel even bigger.

I’ve watched thousands of films over the years. Plenty before these, and countless after. But these three stick in my mind more than most.

I think it comes down to that exact age, and the fact that I saw them in the cinema. That combination seems to leave a permanent mark.

📺 The Films That Took Over at Home

Not every film from that time was seen on the big screen, but some became just as important once they made their way into the house.

Batteries Not Included (1987)

A quieter, more emotional film about a group of tenants facing eviction who are helped by small, mysterious alien machines.

This is one of those films that stays with you without you fully realising why. It’s warm, a bit different, and very easy to go back to.

The Princess Bride (1987)

A mix of fantasy, romance, comedy and adventure, The Princess Bride is the story of a farm boy turned hero trying to rescue his true love.

Endlessly quotable and incredibly rewatchable. This is the kind of film that worked just as well, if not better, at home where you could watch it again and again.

🔗 A Different Kind of Cinema Experience

I’ve written before about what going to the cinema felt like back then, the build-up, the anticipation, and the sense that it was something special. Looking back, these films are tied directly to that feeling.

💭 Final Thoughts

Looking back now, I do wonder:

Did these films grow my love of movies… or were they the catalyst for the collector I eventually became?

Maybe it’s a bit of both.

What I do know is that films experienced at that age hit differently. You’re not overthinking them, you’re just along for the ride, and somehow that makes them stick.

Even now, watching some of these again, especially on Blu-ray, brings a lot of that feeling back.

And that’s not something streaming quite manages to replicate.

Thanks for Reading,

David  

💬 Have a thought on this? Please leave a comment below, I’d love to hear your take.

🎬 Worth Owning (Affiliate Links)

Those cinema trips stuck with me for a reason. If you ever feel like revisiting them, or seeing them for the first time, these are the versions I’d recommend.

The links below are my Amazon affiliate links.

Inner Space (1987)
Amazon UK   |  Amazon Ireland  *not currently available on Amazon Ireland

Willow (1988)
Amazon UK  |  Amazon Ireland

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
Amazon UK  |  Amazon Ireland  *linked to category page for box sets, Amazon Ireland

Batteries Not Included (1987)
Amazon UK  |  Amazon Ireland

The Princess Bride (1987)
Amazon UK  |  Amazon Ireland

Affiliate links – I may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you

More Titles for You to Read:

A Film I Didn’t Appreciate Until I Watched It on Blu-ray: Black Hawk Down

From Camp Crusader to Dark Knight – How Batman Grew Up

Is 4K Blu-ray Worth the Hype or Should You Stick with Blu-ray?

About the Author

I’m David Condon, a movie enthusiast from Tralee, Co. Kerry. I’ve been collecting DVDs and Blu-rays for years, and along the way my shelves have become a mix of favourites, hidden gems, and titles I occasionally decide to resell.

I’m not a professional critic, just someone who enjoys good films, well-made discs, and the odd rant about the quirks of collecting. This blog is where I share my thoughts, opinions, reviews, and experiences as a fan.

💬 Note from the Author
This blog is a hobby project where I write about DVDs, Blu-rays, and the ups and downs of being a collector. If you enjoyed this post, you might also like my other writing:

If you’d like to support the blog, you can do so through the Buy Me a Coffee button below. It helps keep this little side project alive — thank you!


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Original content © Phoenix DVD Blog — Written by David Condon. Please credit and link if shared.



Location: Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry, V92 W2H4, Ireland

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