11 Kids Who Achieved the Impossible in Movies

Part of growing up is accepting that you'll probably never be able to fly or become a wizard or any of the other goals kids aspire to. At least we can live vicariously through these young heroes. With the inspirational comedy/drama ‘Little Boy’ hitting theaters, check out this movies about kids achieving the impossible.

One of Disney's earliest and greatest animated films is all about a young hero achieving a truly impossible task. From the moment the Blue Fairy imbued this puppet with life, Pinocchio dreamed only of becoming a real boy. And after a crazy, whirlwind journey and a brush with a man-eating whale, he realized that dream.

Peter Pan achieved more than one impossible feat in this and various other incarnations of the classic tale. Not only did he discover a world where children never grow up, he gained the gift of flight. Sounds like every kid's dream to us.

Whereas Peter Pan longs never to grow up, 12-year-old Josh Baskin (David Moscow) only wanted a shortcut to adulthood in this coming-of-age comedy. Thanks to a wish-granting vending machine, Josh aged 18 years overnight, morphed into Tom Hanks, and got a job working at a toy company. If only more wishes panned out like that. 

Plenty of kids dream of making it to the big leagues when they grow up, but this film focused on one unlikely Little Leaguer who achieved that dream without the "growing up" part. After an arm injury left him with a wicked fastball, 12-year-old Henry (Thomas Ian Nicholas) found himself the new starting pitcher for the Cubs.

If this film taught us anything, it's that adults aren't much help when a high-tech dinosaur park goes haywire and the velociraptors start eating everyone. Only the quick thinking and computer savvy of young Lex Murphy (Ariana Richards) resulted in the security systems being reactivated and the raptors' dinner plans being foiled.

Before he was Darth Vader, he was young Anakin Skywalker: Builder of C-3PO and expert pod racer. While not yet skilled in the art of lightsaber combat, he did impress by winning the Boonta Eve pod race against a host of older, more experienced, and more bloodthirsty racers. At the time, this junior Jedi seemed to have a bright future ahead of him.

The Harry Potter franchise strikes a chord with so many fans because everyone likes to imagine they're special and unique. Young Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) found himself in rarefied company when he received an invitation to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Not only that, he soon learned he was the Chosen One - destined to defeat the dreaded Lord Voldemort and save wizard – and muggle -- kind.

Not every kid gets the chance to save the world. But when your parents are both members of the OSS (Organization of Super Spies), it comes with the territory. Young Carmen (Alexa Vega) and Juni (Daryl Sabara) fill in after their parents were abducted and do a great job.

'The Incredibles' tapped into a similar “kids saving the world” vibe as 'Spy Kids', only this time the film's junior protagonists were superheroes. What kid wouldn’t want to have hyperactive Dash’s speed or wallflower Violet’s ability to turn invisible? And if that isn’t enough, baby Jack-Jack can shape shift.

Losing a beloved pet is something a lot of kids have to deal with sooner or later. If only they could do what young Victor Frankenstein accomplished in Tim Burton's unique spin on the iconic tale. Vic used the power of arcane science to bring his pet dog Sparky back to life.

Even at a young age, Clark Kent’s Kryptonian heritage was in full force as Clark hauled a bus out of a river and saved the lives of his classmates. Achieving the impossible by growing up to be Superman in the process.