The Indian in the Cupboard (1995)

On an ordinary birthday in the heart of Brooklyn, young Omri (Hal Scardino) is gifted an unusual collection of presents. A timeworn wooden cabinet from his older brother, a set of antique keys from his adoring mother Jane (Lindsay Crouse), and a minute plastic model of an Indian from his best friend Patrick (Rishi Bhat) form an eclectic ensemble of gifts. Intrigued, Omri unites these disparate items, locking the Indian figure inside the cabinet, an action that stirs an uncanny phenomenon in the depths of the night. Awoken by a peculiar sound, Omri discovers that his plastic Indian, named Little Bear (Litefoot), has sprung to life, speaking English learned from settlers in 1761. This extraordinary revelation stays a secret between Omri and Patrick, leading them on a journey of unexpected companionship and conflicts. As an experiment, they introduce a toy cowboy, Boone (David Keith), to the magical cabinet, soon creating a bustling microcosm within the wooden walls. However, with the clash of cultures and times between Boone and Little Bear, tension arises, mirroring the historical rivalry of cowboys and Indians. As Omri navigates this miniature world, he begins to comprehend the profound reality that his animated playthings are more than toys; they are individuals with their own lives and histories. This realization sparks a moral question, making Omri wonder about the extent of control he should exert over their existence. The movie, thus, weaves an enchanting tale of childhood discovery, sparking life into the mundane and exploring the intricate dynamics of power and responsibility.

The Indian in the Cupboard is an adventure movie featuring Hal Scardino and directed by Frank Oz.

It is possible to buy The Indian in the Cupboard on AMC on Demand, Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.