The Top Ten Best Stand-Alone Films

On March 31, 2025 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

On this day in 2000, The Road to El Dorado made its official debut. While the movie didn’t meet or exceed DreamWorks’ expectations, it certainly found an audience, which stuck with the film for all these years. I once heard The Road to El Dorado was intended to be the first story in a trilogy. But fate decided it worked better as a stand-alone picture. This caused me to think about the other stand-alone movies I’ve come to love. So, in honor of The Road to El Dorado’s 25^th anniversary, I have compiled a list of what I believe are the top ten best stand-alone films! For my list, the criteria for a stand-alone film is not only a title that didn’t receive a sequel, but also isn’t affiliated with a series/franchise. If I covered a film on 18 Cinema Lane, I will provide a link to that article or review in this list. Each title will be presented in order of release year and each choice is based on my opinion.

*The Road to El Dorado* poster created by Dreamworks Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, and DreamWorks Distribution

**1. Singin in the Rain (1952)**

I start my list with a classic I was introduced to because of my blog. Now that I have finally seen Singin in the Rain, I have an understanding and appreciation for why the movie is so beloved. Gene Kelly’s iconic musical number, “Singin in the Rain”, should provide enough explanation for why you should check the film out! The number itself feels immersive, as it takes place within the story’s context. Gene adds uniqueness to the number by jumping and splashing in puddles. “Singin in the Rain” successfully represents the spirit of the film, while also delivering the message of seeing the good in a not-so-good situation. That number is just one reason why Singin in the Rain is a solid musical!

Watching ‘Singin in the Rain’ for the First Time

**2. Ben-Hur (1959)**

If you’re going to watch any classics, you have to see 1959’s Ben-Hur! Though the three-hour run-time can seem intimidating, that time flew by for me, as I was so engrossed in the story. The emotional intensity of Charlton Heston’s, Stephen Boyd’s, and Haya Harareet’s performance complimented the scope of the overall film. Ben-Hur contains other likable qualities as well, from the magnificent sets/scenery to the interesting cinematography. How Christianity/faith was incorporated into the story sets the 1959 production apart from other “sword and sandal” pictures. Those who celebrate Easter may find Ben-Hur an appropriate seasonal title.

Take 3: Ben-Hur (1959) Review + 60 Follower Thank You

**3. To Kill a Mockingbird (1963)**

While the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, received a sequel, the film adaptation did not. The 1963 movie presents one of the few times where, in my opinion, the film was better than its source material. Getting straight to the point a lot sooner was a main focus for the creative team. The film’s visual nature worked in the favor of certain elements from the book. Showing suspenseful moments from the source material makes those moments seem real, as well as intensifies uncertainty. Leaving out scenes that feel like padding helps the movie maintain a steadier pace.

Take 3: To Kill a Mockingbird Review

**4. The Boy Who Could Fly (1986)**

When I first saw The Boy Who Could Fly, it subverted my expectations. That’s because the 1986 picture aged surprisingly well! Through Milly and Eric’s friendship, the script shows how people with Autism can create and maintain meaningful relationships. Helping someone with Autism based on their personal preferences and accommodations may have seemed ahead of its time back in the mid to late ‘80s. Timeless messages and themes make up one of the reasons why I love the 1986 film. Showing compassion for others, dealing with grief, and understanding people’s differences take center stage.

Take 3: The Boy Who Could Fly Review (PB & J Double Feature Part 2)

**5. The Bodyguard (1992)**

In 2022, I wrote an editorial explaining why The Bodyguard held up thirty years later. Because I love the 1992 film, finding explanations wasn’t difficult. “The kitchen scene” is, in my opinion, the best scene from any action movie. One reason why is how the kitchen’s smaller space is seen by the actors as a challenge instead of a hindrance. What also worked in The Bodyguard’s favor was Whitney Houston’s portrayal of Rachel Marron. Throughout the story, Whitney realistically showcases emotions and expressions. This helped Rachel become a multi-layered character.

I Will Always Love You: ‘The Bodyguard’ at 30

*The Boy Who Could Fly* poster created by Lorimar Motion Pictures and 20th Century Fox. Image found at https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090768/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0.

**6. Swept from the Sea (1998)**

Swept from the Sea was one of the earliest hidden gems I discovered in 2019. It’s a movie that’s so great, I just had to include it on this list. There are so many things to like about Swept from the Sea. From Vincent Perez’s captivating performance to the beautiful scenery, the film’s components came together to create an endearing and emotional presentation! The 1998 film is a character-driven story, relying on on-screen chemistry in order to work. Because of Vincent Perez’s and Rachel Weisz’s differing acting styles, the on-screen chemistry between Yanko and Amy was very sweet and genuine.

Take 3: Swept from the Sea Review (A Month Without the Code — #8)

**7. Phantom of the Megaplex (2000)**

This is another movie I just had to include on my list. But this time, it’s because Phantom of the Megaplex is also celebrating its 25^th anniversary this year! The Disney Channel picture showed that the movie-going experience can be fun. As I explained in my editorial celebrating the film’s 20^th anniversary, the made-for-TV movie also serves as a time capsule of how the cinema operated in the beginning of the millennium. Phantom of the Megaplex even shows how movies can influence our lives. Though I’m not sure if that aspect of the story was intentional, it makes the 2000 title, somewhat, thought-provoking.

‘Phantom of the Megaplex’ at 20: A Reflection on the Movie-Going Experience

**8. I Am David (2004)**

I Am David was the biggest pleasant surprise of 2024. It became the year’s best movie in March and stayed number one until the very end! What set I Am David apart was the film’s genuine emotion and sincerity. This was seen and felt through every aspect of the production. The 2004 movie emphasized visual depth. Achieved by exploring light and darkness, as well as showcasing Europe’s natural landscape, the creative team used the visual nature of film to their project’s advantage. Two effective plot twists are another reason why I liked I Am David. Their delivery in the story was well-written.

Take 3: I Am David Review (Double Feature: 2004 Edition Part 1)

**9. From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)**

This 2011 presentation is one of Studio Ghibli’s stronger projects. A reason is one of the overarching themes; honoring the past. The film intelligently and creatively shows its audience how important history is in our lives and our world. Whether referencing the 1964 Olympics or focusing on the characters’ relationships, the theme of honoring the past acts as an umbrella sheltering Poppy Hill and its surrounding areas. Studio Ghibli’s signature colorful palette is consistently on display in the 2011 film. The strong understanding for how and when to use color makes scenes look like priceless pieces of art! Personally, I think movies like From Up on Poppy Hill present an argument why 2-D animation still has its time and place.

Take 3: From Up on Poppy Hill Review + 200 Follower Thank You

**10. The Wild Robot (2024)**

I think it’s fitting to close this list with a DreamWorks movie, as a DreamWorks movie is the reason why I created this list in the first place. Though this was a recent watch for me, The Wild Robot is, so far, the best film I’ve seen this year! The animation itself is absolutely gorgeous! Sometimes, scenes look like paintings and other times, they look like priceless photographs. I was not expecting the story to contain as much emotional depth as it did. An abundance of good messages and themes add a sense of timelessness to the production. Though it’s unknown right now if The Wild Robot will gain an audience like The Road to El Dorado has, I can confidently say it was a really good movie!

*Phantom of the Megaplex* poster created by the Walt Disney Company and Disney Channel. © Disney•Pixar. All rights reserved. Disney XD© Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

‘Phantom of the Megaplex’ at 20: A Reflection on the Movie-Going Experience

On November 25, 2020 By 18cinemalane4 Comments

Anyone who knows me would know that one of my favorite movies is the Disney Channel film, Phantom of the Megaplex. In fact, this movie has had a great influence on my life, as it showed me that the world of film and the movie-going experience could be fun. Because its milestone 20^th birthday was on November 10^th, I decided to use my entry for my blogathon, A Blogathon to be Thankful For, to celebrate this special occasion. A lot has changed since 2000, especially the movie-going experience. With that said, this editorial will highlight how different a trip to the theater is now compared to its depiction in Phantom of the Megaplex. The actual birthday itself looked very different than expected, due to the months-long Coronavirus pandemic. For the sake of this editorial, I will be discussing today’s theater-going experience as if 2020 were a typical year. Also, all of the photos are screenshots I took, unless stated otherwise.

Purchasing a Ticket

In Phantom of the Megaplex, Karen, the younger sister of the film’s protagonist, Pete, plans on arriving at the theater at 7:30 in order to catch a 7:50 showing of a movie called ‘University of Death’. When she and her younger brother, Brian, get to the theater, they are stuck waiting in a long line. This is the result of Movie Mason, a patron of the theater, spending more time persuading guests to see better films than taking their tickets. Fortunately, Karen isn’t late to her film. But, when she meets her friend outside the auditorium’s door, Karen and her friend briefly discuss the idea of their other friend saving seats for them. The example I just described shows how movie-goers in 2000 used to arrive much earlier than their movie’s run-time to not only purchase a ticket, but to also claim their seat of choice. In addition, movie-goers arrived early to the theater to avoid any unexpected hiccups like the one I mentioned. Twenty years later, it’s still encouraged to show up early to the theater so you’re not late to your film. However, buying tickets and choosing seats are not an issue like they were before. Thanks to the internet, movie-goers can purchase their tickets on their local theater’s website or from a third-party site like Fandango or Atom Tickets. Movie-goers are given an opportunity to reserve their seats as well. Had the story of Phantom of the Megaplex taken place now, all Karen and Brian would have to do is show an employee their pre-paid, printed out ticket and avoid a line like the one Movie Mason created.

The line on the left gives viewers an idea of how long Karen and Brian’s line was. They could have been walking up the stairs on the right with their pre-paid, printed out ticket if this movie was released in 2020.

When movie-goers purchase their tickets online, they will see an image like this screenshot when choosing their seats. Image found at https://giftofocpd.wordpress.com/2012/07/10/theatre-seat-selection/.

Auditorium Chairs

Several scenes in Phantom of the Megaplex show the auditoriums inside the theater. All of the chairs featured are covered in a red material with a folding seat. Theater-goers in 2000 would have this style of chair as their only option. But since then, more cinemas have adopted recliners. There are even theaters that have chosen other forms of seating, such as couches and lounge chairs. However, if you would like to sit in a theater chair from twenty years ago, there is one theater chain that has put these chairs to good use. Two Emagine theaters in Minnesota offer “retro seating”. According to the theater’s website, these are “retro auditoriums that don’t feature recliners, but have throwback seats with throwback prices”.

The Cotton Hills Megaplex is filled with red covered chairs with folding seats like the ones pictured above.

Red leather recliners from Marcus Theatres are just one example of how cinemas have evolved their seating options. Image found at https://journalstar.com/business/local/marcus-to-remodel-the-grand-add-recliners-to-all-auditoriums/article_ff46f554-0eeb-56ec-a153-2a8d79e00f71.html

While I wasn’t able to find an official photo of Emagine’s Retro Seating, I did find this picture from one of the theater’s auditoriums, which gives movie-goers an idea of the type of chairs found in this particular screening room. Image found at https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g43333-d8360379-i207947595-Monticello_15_Theatre-Monticello_Minnesota.html

Bars

Because Phantom of the Megaplex is a family friendly film, bars would not be found at the cinema. However, theaters have added bars to their facilities within the past two decades. One example is AMC Theaters’ MacGuffins Bar. AMC’s official website states “the term “macguffin,” coined by Alfred Hitchcock, refers to a plot device that propels a movie forward”. The website, Run Pee (a site that informs audience members of the best times to take bathroom breaks during a movie), shares that MacGuffins Bar sometimes correlates drinks with the movies shown at the theater. One example is “a dino-themed bevvie when Jurassic World 2 was showing”.

This advertisement from MacGuffins Bar & Lounge takes advantage of *Wonder Woman*‘s 2017 release with an exclusive drink inspired by the movie. Image found at https://www.scoopnest.com/user/AMCTheatres/873698822307708929-wonderful-flavor-order-our-wonderwoman-themed-macguffins-drink-39gauntlet39-this-weekend

Movie’s Poster at the Door

Throughout the Cotton Hills Megaplex, the theater where Phantom of the Megaplex takes place, a movie’s poster is located in front of the auditorium the movie will be playing. In a scene where the “Phantom” causes mischief, a poster for a movie titled ‘Glimpses of Genevieve’ is located right next to the theater’s twenty third auditorium. The film’s title is also electronically shown above the poster. Personally, I have never seen this particular set-up at any theater I’ve attended. Also, theaters today will either not have any indicator (besides the ticket itself) of what movie is playing in the auditorium or the film’s title will be electronically shown above the auditorium’s door. The poster itself will be located in another area of the theater, such as near the main entrance.

This image shows the poster for ‘Glimpses of Genevieve’ sitting right in front of Cotton Hills Megaplex’s twenty third auditorium.

My screenshot features an entrance to a cinema’s auditorium showing 2020’s *Tenet*. At this specific cinema, the film’s title is above the door.

Cinema Sitter

One of the characters in Phantom of the Megaplex is a “cinema sitter”, an elderly woman who walks around the premises and makes sure the theater’s patrons are on their best behavior. Her role is similar to that of a hall monitor, reprimanding guests who wander the halls of the Cotton Hills Megaplex. This is another concept that I have never seen or heard of at any theater I’ve attended. I’m also not aware of “cinema sitters” being an official component of movie theaters prior to the release of Phantom of the Megaplex. The only thing closest to a “cinema sitter” in real life is Harkins Theatres’ PlayCenter. This space, located in select Harkins Theatres, is dedicated to looking after children while their parents are seeing a movie. The PlayCenter itself would be compared to a typical day care center, a place where children can be occupied while their parents are away. According to the official Harkins Theatres website, “PlayCenter staff members are trained professionals who work exclusively in the PlayCenter. They are background checked and fingerprinted.”

This photo of Harkins Theatres PlayCenter looks very similar to what people would expect a typical daycare center to look like. Image found at https://www.lblittles.com/cerritos-harkins-family-theater/

Payphones

A row of payphones can be occasionally seen throughout Phantom of the Megaplex. From Pete calling his mom to one of Pete’s co-workers, Lacy, putting a phone back in the payphone holder, these payphones are used to scare Julie, Pete’s mom, and George, Julie’s boyfriend, into going to the cinema to check on Julie’s children. While I’m not denying the existence of payphones in movie theaters, I personally don’t remember seeing payphones in the cinema. Since the film’s release, cellphones, particularly the smart phone variety, have become more common in society. This modern advancement has ultimately led payphones to become more obsolete.

Can you spot the payphone in this theater lobby?

The Projection Booth

The projection booth in Phantom of the Megaplex is operated by Merle, the head projectionist at the Cotton Hills Megaplex. When Pete and Brian ask Merle to resolve one of the “Phantom’s” shenanigans, Merle inspects the projector equipment to show Pete and Brian what likely happened. He even pulls a piece of film strip, proving that the movie itself had not been tampered with. In 2000, movie theaters were not utilizing digital cinema like they are today. Instead of using a digitized film reel or hard drives and internet links, theaters used film reels with strips of film. The closest thing to “state of the art” film projection cinemas had in 2000 was IMAX. Today, theaters are developing their own versions of this projecting concept. One example is Cinemark XD, found at Cinemark Theatres. According to the official website, Cinemark XD uses a “state-of-the-art projector capable of 35 trillion colors”.

In this scene, Merle pulls at a piece of film strip to show how it is perfectly intact.

A typical projection booth at a digital cinema. Notice how the film strips are missing? Image found at https://library.creativecow.net/articles/lasson_russell/digital_cinema.php

Computer chips, known to theaters as cinema chips, are replacing film strips in many cinemas. Image found at https://library.creativecow.net/articles/lasson_russell/digital_cinema.php

Spoilers

In an effort to figure out the “Phantom’s” next scheme, Brian visits a movie spoiler website to discover the plot of an upcoming movie called “Midnight Mayhem”. The idea of spoilers has not changed in twenty years. However, the reveal of movie details has expanded beyond websites devoted to the concept. Spoilers can be found everywhere. Social media platforms have been avoided when big blockbusters are released. Warnings for spoilers can be featured toward the beginning of film reviews. Causal word of mouth may slip a major plot point into the conversation. With recent technological progress and the ability to connect with people from across the globe, it has actually become harder to prevent surprises in movies from being spoiled.

Conclusion

Change is inevitable, especially when it comes to the movie-going experience. Through the lens of film, we are given an opportunity to glimpse the past, even if it is only for a few hours. Phantom of the Megaplex captures how the cinema operated in the beginning of the millennium. It serves as a time capsule for those who remember that specific place in time. The movie is also a reminder of how far cinematic technology and the cinema itself has come. As of November 2020, it is unclear to determine what the landscape of movie theaters will look like by the time Phantom of the Megaplex turns twenty-five. While technology in film has made tremendous strides, there is still a lot that can be done. But will there be a facility to showcase these discoveries? There is no straightforward answer that can be given right now. However, we can still celebrate a movie’s milestone birthday through home entertainment and the internet. Like Movie Mason once said, “tell my theater that even when I’m not here, its magic is never far from my heart”.