Growing up with the rise of technology, I was carelessly wedged between the popularity of cellphones like Nokia and the release of Finding Nemo. But despite decisively detesting said movie as a child, I found safety in the films that flickered across the screen.

Movies on the television—something I often sat too close to while hearing the familiar “You’ll go blind!” warning every time—became my friend, guiding me through tales like a wise godmother; and in this review, I’ll be revisiting the three movies that molded the shell of who I am, for better or worse.

1. Literally every Scooby Doo movie possible

Searching through the treacherous maze of a movie cabinet, I stumbled upon seven Scooby Doo movies within the first two minutes.

My obsession was that severe.

Saying that Scooby Doo was a part of my daily routine as a kid would be an understatement; every day, I would devour an episode of Scooby Doo like it was a forbidden dessert. After collectively watching almost every episode throughout my childhood, I moved onto bigger and better things: the movies.

With topics from jungle adventures to Hollywood life, each movie called out to my energetic mind that often tried to solve the mystery along with it. The cartoons came to life on screen, each movie making me feel like I was sleuthing right along with them.

The dynamic of the Scooby Doo characters in the Mystery Machine hooked me; each character had his or her own personality with Fred being obsessed with traps, Velma being the bookworm, and the rest of the “gang” balancing each other out like magnet charges.

Weekend mornings consisted of these movies and I enjoying the leisurely days, lacking any responsibilities. Out of all my memories, my fondest reside in Scooby Doo movie marathons, and the best, in particular, was a sick-day marathon. I watched hours upon hours of Scooby Doo and counted the number of licks it took to get to the middle of a Tootsie Pop—it was a little over one thousand—all while digesting the underlying themes.

Appearing to be simple cartoons, these shows and movies introduced intrigue to me, tying me into the plot through simple yet amusing jokes, and as I’ve matured, I’ve realized the place in my heart they have.

2. Looney Tunes Back in Action

Frankly, I don’t know how this movie became such a staple to eight-year-old me, but for four phenomenal years straight, I watched it nonstop during the debilitating sixteen-hour drive down to South Carolina.

Combining live action with cartoon drawings of Looney Tunes classics like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Tweety Bird, this movie was comedy gold in my young eyes. Wise jokes and childish fighting mixed to create a faultless comedic mixture.

In this movie, Daffy Duck throws a forcible fit—something I related to too strongly as a child with a flair for the dramatic—about his salary in movies, and he embarks on a journey to Las Vegas.

Spoiler alert: nothing goes right.

This journey plays into every cliche with every road bump imaginable and is despised on Rotten Tomatoes, but it is sacred to my youthful heart. Constant laughs filled the car rides, shaping my humor while entrancing my mind from that dreadfully lengthy car ride. It’s a movie that today I can still watch, whether out of nostalgia or a genuine love that’s been curated throughout the years.

3. Lilo and Stitch

Stitch didn’t quite make sense to me as a kid, but it didn’t stop my love for him.

The movies, four in total, had loosened DVD cases when I was a young kid, signifying being used to the continuous opening and closing like a door to creativity. When the disc was slid into the player and the memorable movie company introduction scenes played, the movie commanded me to sit still, something that I was undoubtedly horrendous at.

Following the life of Lilo when she discovers Stitch, an alien experiment, the movies encapsulate her life in Hawaii as she shows Stitch what life is about and what love is.

The themes of Lilo and Stitch still move to the front of my brain from time to time; any mention of “Ohana,” and the infamous quote repeated by Lilo begs to be spoken aloud with conviction. “Ohana means family, and family means nobody is left behind.”

Endearingly, Ohana is what has resonated with me. Lilo struggles with her sister raising her, but in typical Disney fashion, they come together with Stitch as one united family, bursting with joy. And as a kid, I could feel that joy.

Unlike other Disney movies, the characters in Lilo and Stitch are realistic; I could connect to Lilo, finding comfort in our similar ages.

With the best songs included in the movie, characters that felt like people, and a plot that warmed my heart, this movie shaped me in a nurturing way, and I am not ashamed to admit that I am constantly rewatching it.