This is probably the hardest task to date. My mind has been blown - but I think I'm going to follow suit with Stephie and I'll make the question more specific to my favourite Disney film, and that's an easy vote for Lilo & Stitch.
But as I typed easy, Easy A also popped into my head and I totally see the hero's journey throughout that straight away.
My absolute favourite movie is Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame! It's probably a weird choice, by I just love it - the songs, the stunning animation, the dark twisty plot that you only really understand once you're an adult - and yes, I am a very committed Disney fan (and proud of it).
For years, Labyrinth was my favourite film, which absolutely follows this arc with the teenage girl wishing her little brother gone and then having to go on a journey to rescue him from the Goblin King and learn about what is really important in life along the way.
This is a very hard task for me as I enjoy watching a series compared to singular movies. I would say my favourite movie would be Trainspotting 1996. When I've shown my friends it they've complained how dark it is and there's no happiness but I just realised I love it because no matter how "end of the road" it seems for Renton he comes out the other side, eyes forward and believing in a better life. I never realised it follows the hero's journey before.
I absolutely love the Witcher, not so much Netflix's series but it's what inspired this book and the other two I am writing! I've been obsessed with the books and such for nearly a decade.
I have a hard time picking a favorite movie - I feel like all of my favorites are TV series - maybe because I get an ever deeper sense of the characters etc. I literally cried over the character development in Commander Lawrence after finishing Handmaids Tale the other day lol. We just watched Emperors New Groove - and that was really fun and obvi follows hero’s journey! I generally watch a lot of action - love Marvel etc. But Game of Thrones also has a lot of hero’s journey in it too. I literally can never pick favorites haha.
Yes, it worried me a bit using a structure, because what if it made it a “same old, same old” story, but seeing this, it makes me realise that’s not the case at all, there is so much scope for creativity and the structure just gives the shape, not the detail
The lion king has always been my favourite and also Titanic. I’m not much of a film buff! Love the overview of the hero’s journey, it’s got my brain working!
It’s a hard question. I feel by naming one, I neglecting other favourites. But in this time of the year, TV keeps showing the film, and I always watch it without fail. And every time I watch, I discover something new. The film in question is Chariots of Fire. Such a clean film in so many way, and harmony.
I have two favourites that I cannot decide between. My first, and for many years undisputed favourite, is Alien. The second is Withnail and I. I can watch them again and again and still enjoy.
I love "Laputa: Castle in the Sky" (1986), such an obvious Hero's Journey structure even as an anime film, but if we are doing Disney movies I'll pick "The Black Hole" (1979)!
Disney also made another very dark (in tone) hero's journey movie - Dragonslayer (1981) - "A King has made a pact with a dragon where he sacrifices virgins to it, and the dragon leaves his kingdom alone. An old wizard, and his keen young apprentice volunteer to kill the dragon and attempt to save the next virgin in line, the King's own daughter".
Errr - most important Day 5 activity: "Hello Sammy - what a gorgeous puppy". Now what else was there...
Favourite film. I'm going to go with The Dark Knight - largely based on Heath Ledger, but its much more than that. I presume writing my book is going to be easier than deciding what my favourite film is... Anyway I reserve the right to change my mind, deny I ever wrote this and have a hissy fit if I am held to this if I change my mind about my favourite film any time in the future - probably tomorrow...
I'm really excited to watch you take us through the Hero's Journey. I bought "The Writer's Journey" by Christopher Vogler years ago which is his take on how the Hero's Journey works - you may know it as its subtitle is "Mythic structure for writers", but it always felt very dense. SO excited to have some hand holding going on.
So many favourites, how to choose! My most recently watched in the cinema was Song Sung Blue and loved this film on so many levels, it was released here in the UK on 1 January 2026
This is probably the hardest task to date. My mind has been blown - but I think I'm going to follow suit with Stephie and I'll make the question more specific to my favourite Disney film, and that's an easy vote for Lilo & Stitch.
But as I typed easy, Easy A also popped into my head and I totally see the hero's journey throughout that straight away.
Easy A! That's such an underrated film!
My absolute favourite movie is Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame! It's probably a weird choice, by I just love it - the songs, the stunning animation, the dark twisty plot that you only really understand once you're an adult - and yes, I am a very committed Disney fan (and proud of it).
Another one I need to revisit! Disney films are usually awesome for looking at the Hero's Journey. They do it really cleanly.
I absolutely am OBSESSED with the Mummy Returns (Brendan Fraser 😍) though I do have a wonderful dvd collection it can be hard to choose.
Same! Any of those adventure into history/archeology ones are so good. There's a clear pipeline from Indiana Jones to The Mummy.
My favourite movie is Jane Eyre with Michael Fasbender, or pretty much any version I have watched.
There are so many I need to add to my list that I haven't seen in ages. Adding this one!
For years, Labyrinth was my favourite film, which absolutely follows this arc with the teenage girl wishing her little brother gone and then having to go on a journey to rescue him from the Goblin King and learn about what is really important in life along the way.
Yes! That's a great example of the Hero's Journey! She got what she needed and not what she wanted...and it's so clear how she transformed.
This is a very hard task for me as I enjoy watching a series compared to singular movies. I would say my favourite movie would be Trainspotting 1996. When I've shown my friends it they've complained how dark it is and there's no happiness but I just realised I love it because no matter how "end of the road" it seems for Renton he comes out the other side, eyes forward and believing in a better life. I never realised it follows the hero's journey before.
A fantastic pick! Which series are your favourite? (That counts...I'm definitely into series!)
I absolutely love the Witcher, not so much Netflix's series but it's what inspired this book and the other two I am writing! I've been obsessed with the books and such for nearly a decade.
I have a hard time picking a favorite movie - I feel like all of my favorites are TV series - maybe because I get an ever deeper sense of the characters etc. I literally cried over the character development in Commander Lawrence after finishing Handmaids Tale the other day lol. We just watched Emperors New Groove - and that was really fun and obvi follows hero’s journey! I generally watch a lot of action - love Marvel etc. But Game of Thrones also has a lot of hero’s journey in it too. I literally can never pick favorites haha.
You've talked me into going back to Handmaid's Tale. I never finished it.
My favorite film is Call Me By Your Name!
That movie is incredible. The storytelling...the last scene! So good.
Ooh tough choice on favourite film, very much depends on my mood, but one of my favourites is The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.
That one is such a good Hero's Journey! They literally go out on an adventure. Can you see how it hits each part of the structure?
Yes, it worried me a bit using a structure, because what if it made it a “same old, same old” story, but seeing this, it makes me realise that’s not the case at all, there is so much scope for creativity and the structure just gives the shape, not the detail
The lion king has always been my favourite and also Titanic. I’m not much of a film buff! Love the overview of the hero’s journey, it’s got my brain working!
For not being a film buff, you've picked 2 of the greatest films. And both really clear Hero's journeys.
It’s a hard question. I feel by naming one, I neglecting other favourites. But in this time of the year, TV keeps showing the film, and I always watch it without fail. And every time I watch, I discover something new. The film in question is Chariots of Fire. Such a clean film in so many way, and harmony.
It's SUCH a hard question. I always have trouble picking just one. I guess it depends on my mood that day!
I have two favourites that I cannot decide between. My first, and for many years undisputed favourite, is Alien. The second is Withnail and I. I can watch them again and again and still enjoy.
I haven't heard of the second. Will need to add it to my list!
I love "Laputa: Castle in the Sky" (1986), such an obvious Hero's Journey structure even as an anime film, but if we are doing Disney movies I'll pick "The Black Hole" (1979)!
I’ve not see either! Adding to the list!
Disney also made another very dark (in tone) hero's journey movie - Dragonslayer (1981) - "A King has made a pact with a dragon where he sacrifices virgins to it, and the dragon leaves his kingdom alone. An old wizard, and his keen young apprentice volunteer to kill the dragon and attempt to save the next virgin in line, the King's own daughter".
I'm a big Tarantino fan so I would have to put Pulp Fiction as one of my favourites
You have good taste!
Errr - most important Day 5 activity: "Hello Sammy - what a gorgeous puppy". Now what else was there...
Favourite film. I'm going to go with The Dark Knight - largely based on Heath Ledger, but its much more than that. I presume writing my book is going to be easier than deciding what my favourite film is... Anyway I reserve the right to change my mind, deny I ever wrote this and have a hissy fit if I am held to this if I change my mind about my favourite film any time in the future - probably tomorrow...
I'm really excited to watch you take us through the Hero's Journey. I bought "The Writer's Journey" by Christopher Vogler years ago which is his take on how the Hero's Journey works - you may know it as its subtitle is "Mythic structure for writers", but it always felt very dense. SO excited to have some hand holding going on.
Sammy says hi right back 'atcha...and that he's screenshotted your response for blackmail later.
So many favourites, how to choose! My most recently watched in the cinema was Song Sung Blue and loved this film on so many levels, it was released here in the UK on 1 January 2026
I've seen the trailer...will add to the list!