My BIG list of Movies to see before visiting Universal!

[Magpie]

Actually, we've already seen a lot of these, but I decided to try to make as comprehensive a list as I could - including a few comic strip collections.

All of you Universal veterans - thank you so much for your help in compiling this list, and please, please tell me if I've left anything out!

STUFF TO SEE AND READ
Before Visiting Universal


Movies and TV


An American Tail
An American Tail: Fievel Goes West

Back to the Future
Back to the Future, Part II
Back to the Future, Part III

Beetlejuice

The Blues Brothers
The Best of the Blues Brothers

Captain America: A Classic Serial (1944)

The Best of Dudley Do-Right, Vol. 1 (1960s)

ET, the Extra-Terrestrial

Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (Marilyn Monroe)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (part 1 – to be released)

The Hulk (2007, Eric Bana)
The Incredible Hulk (2008, Edward Norton)

I Love Lucy (Second Season – Lucy has a baby!)

Jaws

Jimmy Neutron – Boy Genius

Jurassic Park
The Lost World – Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park III

Men in Black
Men in Black II


The Mummy
The Mummy Returns
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

Popeye the Sailor Man (1930’s)

Shrek
Shrek 2
Shrek the Third
Shrek the Halls
Shrek Forever After (to be released)
Scared Shrekless (to be released)

The Simpsons (on TV every Sunday night!)

The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958)

Spider Man
Spiderman 2
Spiderman 3

Terminator
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines

Twister: Ride It Out

Vintage Horror:
The Wolf Man (1941)
Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)
Frankenstein (1931)
Dracula (1931)
Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
The Mummy (1932)

Woody Woodpecker Favorites (1940s)

X-Men
X-2 – X-Men United
X-Men – The Last Stand
X-Men Origins: Wolverine


Collections to Rent from the Library:


Beetle Bailey
Hagar the Horrible
Krazy Kat
The Family Circus
Blondie
The Seuss Books (esp. The Cat in the Hat)
Curious George

We watched Terminator last night and it was a very educational experience for the kids. "Wow Mom, you really used to dress like that? REALLY?"

 

[Metro West]

Sounds like you have everything covered!

 

[poeticdiabetic]

I was kinda thinking the same thing about movie-watching. My kids saw just about everything needed in order to get the stories for the rides. All things except Harry Potter, that is.

So we thought perhaps that we should watch it, but we think it's kind of a stupid story with very little redeeming value (that which we can stay awake on.) Oh, and I apologize for those HP-lovers out there, but it's just our opinion.

At first, we thought that we should rent the first movie and try to get the basic story line. But I don't know if it's necessary in order to enjoy a thrill ride.

 

[Magpie]

I was kinda thinking the same thing about movie-watching. My kids saw just about everything needed in order to get the stories for the rides. All things except Harry Potter, that is.

So we thought perhaps that we should watch it, but we think it's kind of a stupid story with very little redeeming value (that which we can stay awake on.) Oh, and I apologize for those HP-lovers out there, but it's just our opinion.

At first, we thought that we should rent the first movie and try to get the basic story line. But I don't know if it's necessary in order to enjoy a thrill ride.

Well... I can see having issues with the quality of the descriptive writing in the books which can be argued is not of the highest caliber. But the plot itself moves along quite nicely - nothing you'd have trouble staying awake for, unless fantasy is really, really not your cup of tea.

Normally I wouldn't recommend anyone watch a film that they're already decided to dislike (based on media reports, I suppose?)... but you're apparently planning to tour the park and ride the Forbidden Journey ride.

So I think it's up to you. Watch the films/read the books if you want some background information. Or don't and just try to figure things out as you go along. Without knowing exactly what you find "stupid and of little redeeming value" about the story, I can't say which is your best choice.

Me, I had similar feelings about the Twilight series, but I made sure to read it myself so I could talk to my daughter about how "stalking is not sexy", and "obsession is not love". My daughter liked the first book, but then decided the later books were kind of icky and stopped reading.

 

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

I find the closer you get to vacation time the more universal movies they show. Just this weekend they had shrek 2 and 3 on. If you don't have a big library that has them or you plain don't have them then I suggest checking the television schedules and set reminders to watch.

One of the movies you did not mention was Beethoven's(sp.) Big Break. Alot of the set and out door shots were shot at universal orlando. Check it out and see how many scenes you can recognize. We were there when they were filming way cool. Saw one of the actors and a few of the canine actors as well.

Another one to look for is one of the Bring It On Movies. I think it is the third or fourth one. It is has a large chunk filmed at universal and universal citywalk. So see if you can recognize different areas of universal as well.

If I can think of any others I'll be sure to post.

Kimberly

 

[ckay87]

I don't see Curious George and....is Back to the Future relevant any longer?

 

[MarilIncredible]

They still had the DeLorian and the Train from BTTF when I was there in December 09.

 

[Magpie]

I don't see Curious George and....is Back to the Future relevant any longer?

I'll add in the Curious George books, thanks!

And I've heard rumours Doc is still occasionally seen wandering around Universal...? I kept that one in mostly because I loved the movie and think the kids should see it, even if there's no ride anymore.

 

[Dollyrar]

You forgot Jaws-The Revenge!

 

[Magpie]

I find the closer you get to vacation time the more universal movies they show. Just this weekend they had shrek 2 and 3 on. If you don't have a big library that has them or you plain don't have them then I suggest checking the television schedules and set reminders to watch.

One of the movies you did not mention was Beethoven's(sp.) Big Break. Alot of the set and out door shots were shot at universal orlando. Check it out and see how many scenes you can recognize. We were there when they were filming way cool. Saw one of the actors and a few of the canine actors as well.

Another one to look for is one of the Bring It On Movies. I think it is the third or fourth one. It is has a large chunk filmed at universal and universal citywalk. So see if you can recognize different areas of universal as well.

If I can think of any others I'll be sure to post.

Kimberly

Thanks! I'll check out Beethoven's Big Break. I hadn't thought of looking for movies that were actually filmed at Universal, as well!

 

[Magpie]

You forgot Jaws-The Revenge!

Hey, I'm still pretending that movie never happened!

Just like Highlander II: The Sickening. "I'm Connor MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod. I was banished from the Planet Zeist 500 years ago... and I cannot die!"

Or Star Trek V, the Final Frontier! Ouch.

 

[AlexJB]

makes such a different when you know the films - many times I've been the one who hasn't been clued up!