As kids, many of us looked to fairytales to find an escape. We all loved the idea of watching our wildest dreams come true, paired with the idea of being young, and everything seemed possible. There is a fairytale out there for everyone, but one of the stories many kids clung to had to do with a certain set of Lost Boys and a mythical place called Neverland. The story of Peter Pan and Wendy is one we are all too familiar with. However, in the world of film, this story has been told many times.

The premise surrounding Peter Pan and Tinker Bell coming in the nighttime, providing a sprinkle of pixie dust, and taking a flight to Neverland does not seem to get old. Even the prospect of facing Captain Hook sounds like a blast no matter how many ways the film industry tries to spin it! There have been many spinoffs and retellings of this classic tale, but luckily for you, we have narrowed it down to the best of the best. Here is our ranking of the best live-action and animated Peter Pan movies that you should check out!

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7 Pan (2015)

     Berlanti Productions

2015’s Pan is one of the more recent adaptations of the Peter Pan tale. Levi Miller plays the young Peter, an orphan in London that finds himself landing in Neverland. The young boy, with the help of friends, goes on this thrilling journey to save Neverland from Blackbeard, a pirate played by Hugh Jackman. Although this movie received missed reactions from audiences, it is definitely worth a watch if you are a fan of the Peter Pan story.

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6 Return to Neverland (2002)

     Walt Disney Pictures

It’s sometimes a rarity that we see sequels to classics make a list like this. However, how could we leave out 2002’s Peter Pan 2: Return To Neverland? Wendy is now a grown-up with her own child named Jane. Well, let’s just say that Jane pushes the tales of Peter Pan aside even after her mother’s accounts. Captain Hook tries to use Jane to get to Peter Pan, and we watch Peter, Tinker Bell, and the Lost Boys help her escape. However, she needs to believe in their magic to fly, and they are tasked with convincing her. If you were a fan of the original animated Peter Pan film, trust us when we say that the sequel is worth your time.

5 Hook (1991)

     Amblin Entertainment

Steven Spielberg directed the 1991 movie Hook starring Dustin Hoffman and Robin Williams. The story follows Captain Hook (Hoffman) after he kidnaps Peter Banning’s (Williams) children. With the threat looming large, Banning is forced to return to his old life as Peter Pan. He returns to Neverland to come face to face with Hook. Any project created by Spielberg will receive notoriety and Hook, although not the massive record-breaking blockbuster, has easily become a fan favorite. And, in terms of Peter Pan movies, this interesting story is one to watch.

4 Peter Pan (2003)

     Universal Pictures

For 90s kids and kids who grew up in the early 2000s, the 2003 live-action Peter Pan was the one to beat. The story is one we know all too well: Peter, a magical boy from Neverland who does not age, comes to the Darling siblings and takes them to Neverland. However, they get kidnapped by Captain Hook and Peter has to save them and help them return home. The movie stars Jeremy Sumpter as Peter Pan, Rachel Hurd-Wood as Wendy Darling, and Ludivine Sagnier as Tinker Bell.

3 Finding Neverland (2004)

     FilmColony

Just wait until you hear about this star-studded cast. 2004 gave the memorable biographical fantasy film Finding Neverland. This movie stars Johnny Depp as J.M. Barrie, the Scottish writer who created the story of Peter Pan. Finding Neverland chronicles parts of Barrie’s life. Depp stars alongside Kate Winslet, Freddie Highmore, and Dustin Hoffman.

2 Peter Pan (1953)

This one is truly an unparalleled classic. Disney has been able to capture magic and wonder in children’s entertainment that makes it last through generations. When we think about Peter Pan, we typically think about the animated Disney film from 1953. This Peter Pan film highlights the classic story of Peter and Wendy flying off to Neverland with the help of Tinker Bell’s sprinkle of pixie dust. It is a tale as old as time and is a staple for any child who grew up on Disney films. Although the company continues to pump out incredible animated movies, there is something about the classics that holds a special place in our hearts.

1 Peter Pan (1924)

     Paramount Pictures

This story started somewhere and for Peter Pan, the 1924 film was it. This live-action fantasy adventure silent film shows our Peter Pan taking the Darling children on a trip to Never-Never Land. This film, like many of the ones on this list, is able to capture the magic of youth and the beauty that exists in being a child. This play-to-film adaptation was the first takeoff for the story of Peter Pan in the film and TV industry. As a franchise, Peter Pan has cemented its place in history, and it is important to acknowledge the impact that this movie had in presenting this story to audiences.