The Indian in the Cupboard (1995)

For his ninth birthday, Hal Scardino receives a cabinet and a Native American figurine which comes alive when it is placed inside. The special effects in this are impressively good. Along with the personification of the various figurines played by Litefoot, David Keith, and Steve Coogan, it’s what makes the film entertaining. Unfortunately the child actors and the writing for them is not top quality and there are a LOT of extreme closeups of those actors’ faces. I haven’t read the books, but I like how it recognizes personhood of those who are different.