Arthur and the Invisibles (2006)

Arthur and the Invisibles (2006) is a French live-action/animated film directed and co-written by renowned filmmaker Luc Besson. The movie is based on Besson’s children’s book series, which includes Arthur and the Minimoys and Arthur and the Forbidden City. Set in Northeastern Connecticut during the year 1960, the story follows 10-year-old Arthur Montgomery as he lives with his grandmother Daisy on a quiet farm. His grandfather, Archibald, has recently gone missing and his parents are away searching for work. While listening to Daisy’s tales of Archibald’s adventures in Africa with creatures like Bogo Matassalai and the tiny Minimoys (who now reside in their garden guarding rubies), Arthur becomes fascinated by Selenia, the Minimoy princess. However, when Daisy receives a two-day ultimatum from building developer Ernest Davido to pay off a large sum of money or face eviction, Arthur sets out to find the rubies left behind by his grandfather.

A meeting in the garden with Bogo Matassalai results in Arthur being turned into a Minimoy. It is revealed that the Minimoys are under threat from their former leader, Maltazard, who has been corrupted by a weevil and now rules over the nearby ‘Necropolis’. Maltazard’s son, Darkos, also poses a danger to the Minimoys. Taking after his legendary namesake, Arthur draws a sacred sword and defends the Minimoys against Maltazard’s soldiers. As a result, Sifrat, ruler of the Minimoys, sends Arthur on a mission to Necropolis with Princess Selenia and her brother Betameche. During their journey, they encounter two attacks from Maltazard’s soldiers. Upon arriving at Necropolis, Selenia marks Arthur as her future husband and successor by kissing him. She then confronts Maltazard alone. However, when Maltazard learns she has already given her powers to Arthur through the kiss and cannot cure his corruption, he imprisons all three of them. Together they discover Archibald in his Minimoy form.