We are still processing the fact that Kelly Preston left this earth. On July 12th, news broke that the actress and model passed away from breast cancer at the age of 57.
She was the beloved wife of actor John Travolta and mother of the late Jett, Elle Bleu, and Benjamin and was loved by many friends and family.
If you are like me and grew up watching Preston in movies, her death hit you a little harder.
Preston was in a lot of movies, including “Twins,” “Jerry Maguire,” “Gotti,” and many more, but if you were a 90’s or 00’s child, you would probably best remember her from the movies that came out then that you watched all the time and defined your childhood.
Read on for the top 5 Kelly Preston movies you probably watched as a child.
What A Girl Wants
Preston played Libby Reynolds, the hippie single-mom who lived in Chinatown, New York, who was part of a band that sang at weddings and various events. She played Daphne’s (Amanda Bynes) mom, who had a baby with British husband, Lord Dashwood, but ran away when she found out she was pregnant in fear of him losing his career. When Daphne finds out about her father, Libby chases after her and eventually reunites with her one true love.
This movie was a staple of many people’s childhood. The cast of Preston, Bynes, and Colin Firth made the movie enjoyable.
Sky High
Fly high, Jetstream! In a world filled of superheroes, William Stronghold has to find a balance between being a normal teenager and an extraordinary being, all while being the son of two of the most super heroes around. Preston played a real estate agent by day and a superhero mom by night, whose name was Jetstream. However, when the world gets flipped upside down and an old enemy turns into a villain, Jetstream and her husband Commander (played by Kurt Russell) must save Sky High before it falls out of the sky.
This movie is great for kids. It gives you the thrill of superheroes and teaches you about acceptance. She was a great role model for little girls, who believed they could take on the world. Definitely recommend this to remember her by.
Old Dogs
This movie was a family affair, literally! In this movie, Preston starred with her husband and daughter. Charlie (Travolta) and Dan (Robin Williams) have been best friends and business partners for over 30 years, who are setting up a business deal in Japan. However, Dan gets a surprise when a woman he once drunkenly married shows up and tells him he is the father of her kids and she will be in jail for two weeks due to a political protest, so he has to watch the kids. A bunch of fun and crazy times ensue.
This is a heartwarming film for the whole family and also another film to watch if you love Robin Williams.
The Last Song
Prepare your tissues for this one! This was a role we forgot she was in, but it still was a part of our childhood. In the movie, based off the novel by Nicholas Sparks, Preston played Roni’s (Miley Cyrus) mom. This was the first movie she starred in after the death of her son Jett in 2009. The film won many awards.
If you are still upset over her death and need to express your emotions, this is the movie to watch. “The Last Song” is very emotional.
Jack Frost
This was the first movie I thought of when I heard of her passing. “Jack Frost” was about Charlie’s dad (played by Michael Keaton) who died in a car crash and returns as a snowman, when Charlie uses his hat and scarf and plays his dad’s magic harmonica. Preston plays Charlie’s mom, Gabby, who has to deal with not only her grief, but also Charlie’s. She thinks he’s crazy when he tells her the snowman is alive and is his dad. Grab your tissues for the end because it’s a tearjerker.
A great movie for the whole family to watch around Christmas time, or anytime really.
Honorable Mention: The Cat in the Hat.
Rest in peace, Kelly. You will be missed!