7 Heart-warming animated movies to watch this Holy Week
Coco (2017)
Above For families, try watching 'Coco' (2017) this Holy Week
While not a religious film, Coco explores themes of family legacy, remembrance, and the afterlife—beautiful ideas to contemplate during Holy Week. Rise of the Guardians (2012)
Above 'Rise of the Guardians' (2012) is a good animated movie for Holy Week
This DreamWorks film brings together mythical figures like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and more, to protect the innocence and wonder of children. At its heart, it's a story about believing in things unseen: faith, hope, and the light we carry inside us.
Related : Karmic ties, soulmates, and more: How do you know if you've found 'The One'? Stephanie Zubiri answers The Prince of Egypt (1998)
Above Don't know what to watch this Holy Week? Try 'The Prince of Egypt' (1998)
This animated movie tells the biblical story of Moses—a journey from exile to deliverance. Hans Zimmer's powerful score, paired with dramatic visuals, makes this one of the most unforgettable biblical adaptations ever made. Up (2009)
Above The opening of 'Up', an animated movie recommendation this Holy Week
More than a fun adventure, Up teaches us a thing or two about grief, moving on, and finding new purpose at any age. Deeply touching and unexpectedly spiritual, this movie is both a relaxing and soul-stirring watch for Holy Week.
See also : Holy Week 2025: Here are 5 churches and sanctuaries that tell a story The Little Prince (2015)
Above 'The Little Prince' (2015) is among our animated movie recommendations for Holy Week
This beautifully animated adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's classic explores themes of innocence, wonder, and seeing with the heart. Spirited Away (2001)
Above 'Spirited Away' is also among our movie recommendations for Holy Week
Spirited Away (2001) is one of Studio Ghibli's most beloved films and is an excellent choice for Holy Week viewing due to its deep spiritual and emotional themes. While not explicitly religious, its exploration of self-discovery, redemption, and the journey of finding one's true purpose makes it incredibly fitting for this reflective season.
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Tatler Asia
a day ago
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Movie review: the new ‘How to Train Your Dragon' is a rare remake that earns its wings
Beloved animated classic 'How to Train Your Dragon' returns with fresh wings and a grounded emotional core What does it mean to remake a story that already works? In a film scene awash with cinematic recycling, the live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon is both a burden and a blessing. Burden, because audiences know it by heart; blessing, because it was a story worth remembering in the first place. This new version rises not through spectacle alone or strict loyalty, but through its re-learning of the story's emotional grain: fear, kinship and the clumsy, courageous process of becoming. DreamWorks has not historically been a purveyor of live-action nostalgia. That ground has long been trodden by Disney, whose recent photorealistic remakes ( The Lion King, Lilo & Stitch ) have sometimes mistaken sheen for soul. But here, with How to Train Your Dragon , the studio shows a rare thing in the world of legacy IP: restraint. And that's largely thanks to the return of Dean DeBlois, whose hand ensures the remake moves not by corporate momentum, but by a genuine return to form. More from Tatler: 7 Filipino mythical creatures we want to see in DreamWorks' upcoming 'Forgotten Island' Above Mason Thames as Hiccup and Gerard Butler as Stoick in 'How to Train Your Dragon' (2025) (Photo: DreamWorks) We are, broadly, in familiar territory. Berk remains a fog-draped island of dragon-fearing Vikings; Hiccup is still the awkward heir with a misfit heart; and Toothless, the wounded Night Fury, is once again both terrifying and tender. But there is a difference in texture. Mason Thames plays Hiccup with less ironic distance than Jay Baruchel's original voice turn, leaning instead into earnestness (sometimes wide-eyed, sometimes bone-tired). Gerard Butler, reprising his role as Stoick the Vast, gives a performance that is physically imposing as it is emotionally weathered, a father trying and often failing to understand a son he's afraid to lose. Above Mason Thames as Hiccup with Toothless during their first flight (Photo: DreamWorks) This remake is not interested in subverting its own legend. It recreates many of the original's most iconic scenes: the fish-sharing moment, the wordless bonding sequences, the soaring flight through the clouds—but filters them through a more human lens. Visually, it is sumptuous. Cinematographer Bill Pope captures Berk not as a cartoon world inflated to IMAX size, but as a harsh, wind-carved land dotted with firelight and fog. When Hiccup and Toothless finally take flight, the result is nothing but awe, a physical and emotional lightness that is earned. Above Toothless in the 2025 live remake of 'How to Train Your Dragon' (Photo: DreamWorks) Crucially, the dragons still feel like dragons. Unlike the CGI dead eyes of The Lion King , these creatures straddle the line between believability and myth. Toothless, in particular, retains just enough of his animated expressiveness to remain emotionally legible; a marvel, somewhere between a panther, a cat and a curious child. Not everything translates cleanly. The slapstick humour that worked in the animated version sometimes lands with an awkward thud in live-action form. There's a stiffness to some of the early scenes, as if the film is still adjusting to its own new skin. And viewers who grew up with the 2010 version may find themselves caught in a kind of vertigo: this is both the film they know and not, and its closeness can be mildly disconcerting. See more: From controller to screen: 5 TV shows adapted from video games to watch Above Mason Thames as Hiccup and Nico Parker as Astrid in 'How to Train Your Dragon' (2025) (Photo: DreamWorks) But as it settles in, the film begins to do something rather beautiful. Astrid, portrayed by Nico Parker, goes beyond being a romantic interest; this time, she is more natural, a co-conspirator. The dynamic between Hiccup and Stoick, always the emotional axis of the story, feels more bruised and lived-in now. There's real friction, and real grace, in their reconciliation. And that's the win of this remake: it doesn't chase reinvention for its own sake. Instead, it treats the original story as a myth worth retelling. What the live-action of How to Train Your Dragon offers is novelty and clarity. It reminds us why we were drawn to this world in the first place. Above Mason Thames as Hiccup with Toothless (Photo: DreamWorks) Above Toothless in the 2025 live remake of 'How to Train Your Dragon' (Photo: DreamWorks) By the final act, when dragons and Vikings fight not against each other but for each other, the film achieves that rare thing in blockbuster cinema: sincerity without sentimentality. It's no surprise a sequel is already in the works. If future instalments follow this same compass (careful craft, emotional precision and a bit of wind under the wings), they might just chart a new course through old skies. NOW READ Filipino-Americans Nicole Scherzinger, Darren Criss and Marco Paguia win big at the 2025 Tony Awards 'Ballerina' is a feisty and rough-edged extension of the beautifully brutal John Wick universe What began as a disguise became Vice Ganda's most authentic self
Tatler Asia
26-05-2025
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From Barbie to Labubu: a history of iconic collectable dolls that shaped generations
2. Raggedy Ann Above Raggedy Ann (Photo: Prisencolinensinainciusol / Wikimedia Commons) Created by Johnny Gruelle, Raggedy Ann was less about fashion and more about values. Barbie wasn't the first feminist doll icon, after all. Raggedy Ann promoted kindness, loyalty and resilience. She debuted in 1915 and came with her own series of wholesome, sometimes gently preachy books. Her popularity endured for nearly a century thanks to her unthreatening design and 'let's talk about our feelings' energy. While they don't command toy shelves anymore, Raggedy Ann's impact is still hand-stitched into the fabric of American nostalgia. 3. Barbie (1959) Above Barbie is probably the most famous of all iconic collectable dolls. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons) Barbie has been a teenage fashion model, a surgeon, an astronaut and President. She's worn plastic heels and cultural expectations in equal measure. Since 1959, she's embodied both empowerment and controversy—a dream girl and a feminist battlefield in six-inch platforms. She's still selling faster than you can say 'Dreamhouse', thanks to that Greta Gerwig film. 4. Trolls (1959) Above Trolls (Photo: Meg Jenson / Unsplash) Originally carved by a Danish woodcutter as a lucky charm, Troll dolls exploded into global fame in the 1960s and again in the '90s. They had a kind of kitschy renaissance with neon hair and jewel belly buttons. Equal parts adorable and creepy, these stubby-limbed creatures captured hearts with their chaotic charm and 'so-ugly-it's-cute' energy. Today, they're back with a glitter-soaked vengeance thanks to DreamWorks' musical franchise, but vintage collectors still seek the classic, beady-eyed originals with hair like a windstorm in Ibiza. 5. Blythe Dolls (1972) Above Blythe Dolls (Photo: Kathy B / Wikimedia Commons) Launched in 1972 and relaunched in the 2000s, Blythe dolls were initially considered too weird. They have oversized heads, colour-changing eyes and an eerie stare, but the art and fashion world fell hard for these iconic collectable dolls. These days, they're styled like miniature Vogue editorials and sold for thousands. Think of them as the Anna Wintour of dolls—intimidating but iconic. 6. Cabbage Patch Kids (1982) Before there were TikTok drops and sneaker raffles, there were toy store stampedes for Cabbage Patch Kids. Debuting in the early 1980s with their soft cloth bodies, pudgy faces and adoption certificates, these iconic collectable dolls ignited an unmatched consumer craze. Every child wanted their own oddly adorable baby with a unique name and birth story. Part wholesome, part headline-making mania, Cabbage Patch Kids weren't just a toy; they were a social phenomenon. 7. American Girl Dolls (1986) These 18-inch iconic collectable dolls brought context to the playroom. With detailed historical backstories and accessory sets that cost more than your rent, American Girl Dolls taught kids about abolition, immigration, war and suffrage, one embroidered bonnet at a time. They're now as beloved by grown women on eBay as they once were by nine-year-olds in prairie dresses. 8. Bratz (2001) Bratz dolls burst onto the scene in the early 2000s like a glitter bomb with attitude—huge heads, heavy makeup and a wardrobe straight off a Y2K music video. They were the antithesis of Barbie: unapologetically edgy, ethnically diverse and dressed for the club at age 13. Bratz threw traditional beauty out the window and replaced it with street style and smudged eyeliner. Though these iconic collectable dolls were accused of being 'bad influences', they're now embraced by fashion kids and drag queens alike. 9. Sonny Angel (2005) If Kewpie had a trendy Gen Z nibling, it'd be Sonny Angel. These tiny, wide-eyed baby boys wear nothing but elaborate headgear: strawberries, hamburgers, snowmen—you name it. Designed in Japan by Toru Soeya, they were made to 'bring healing' and quickly became surprise must-haves. Sonny Angels are now a collectable phenomenon and a favourite among aesthetic girlies who like their serotonin in miniature form. 10. Monster High (2010) If Bratz were the rebel teens of the doll world, Monster High was their gothic, undead cousin who listened to My Chemical Romance and drank iced lattes in a haunted cafeteria. Launched in 2010, Monster High reimagined the children of classic monsters—Draculaura, Frankie Stein and Clawdeen Wolf—as stylish, self-aware high schoolers navigating teen life with fangs, bolts and killer heels. Every doll had a backstory, a punny name and a look that was equal parts horror movie and haute couture. It was the first mainstream doll line to centre freakiness as fabulousness—and kids ate it up. 11. Noodoll (2009) Born in London with Taiwanese roots, Noodolls are kawaii-style plushies with names like Ricecarrot and Ricemonster. They're the therapy plushies of the design world. Now regaining momentum after the Labubu brouhaha, Noodolls are a soft power staple for millennials who grew up and now need something soft to cry into at their WFH desk. 12. Labubu (2015) Part goblin, part woodland spirit, Labubu was created by Hong Kong-based artist Kasing Lung and produced by POP MART. With snaggle teeth, devilish eyes and twisted whimsy, Labubu dolls look like they've crawled out of a haunted Lisa Frank sketchbook, and Gen Z is obsessed. Ultra-coveted and often sold out, these iconic collectable dolls have become part of the new wave of 'designer toys' that blur the line between doll and fine art. See more: The rise of Labubu: Why are people obsessed with this plush toy accessory?
Tatler Asia
15-05-2025
- Tatler Asia
7 Heart-warming animated movies to watch this Holy Week
Coco (2017) Above For families, try watching 'Coco' (2017) this Holy Week While not a religious film, Coco explores themes of family legacy, remembrance, and the afterlife—beautiful ideas to contemplate during Holy Week. Rise of the Guardians (2012) Above 'Rise of the Guardians' (2012) is a good animated movie for Holy Week This DreamWorks film brings together mythical figures like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and more, to protect the innocence and wonder of children. At its heart, it's a story about believing in things unseen: faith, hope, and the light we carry inside us. Related : Karmic ties, soulmates, and more: How do you know if you've found 'The One'? Stephanie Zubiri answers The Prince of Egypt (1998) Above Don't know what to watch this Holy Week? Try 'The Prince of Egypt' (1998) This animated movie tells the biblical story of Moses—a journey from exile to deliverance. Hans Zimmer's powerful score, paired with dramatic visuals, makes this one of the most unforgettable biblical adaptations ever made. Up (2009) Above The opening of 'Up', an animated movie recommendation this Holy Week More than a fun adventure, Up teaches us a thing or two about grief, moving on, and finding new purpose at any age. Deeply touching and unexpectedly spiritual, this movie is both a relaxing and soul-stirring watch for Holy Week. See also : Holy Week 2025: Here are 5 churches and sanctuaries that tell a story The Little Prince (2015) Above 'The Little Prince' (2015) is among our animated movie recommendations for Holy Week This beautifully animated adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's classic explores themes of innocence, wonder, and seeing with the heart. Spirited Away (2001) Above 'Spirited Away' is also among our movie recommendations for Holy Week Spirited Away (2001) is one of Studio Ghibli's most beloved films and is an excellent choice for Holy Week viewing due to its deep spiritual and emotional themes. While not explicitly religious, its exploration of self-discovery, redemption, and the journey of finding one's true purpose makes it incredibly fitting for this reflective season. NOW READ 6 must-watch Studio Ghibli movies: 'Spirited Away', 'My Neighbor Totoro' and more What Studio Ghibli's founder thinks of all your AI-generated cartoon photos Fibre artist Aze Ong's 'Kaloob' explores spirituality in art that binds a community
