Secondhand Lions

Directed by Tim McCanlies, 2003
PG; 110 minutes

“Awash in nostalgia, Lions combines a gentle coming-of-age story with swashbuckling fantasy.” —Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter

For 14-year-old Walter (Haley Joel Osment), his great uncles’ farm in rural Texas is the last place on earth he wants to spend the summer. Dumped off by his mother, Mae (Kyra Sedgwick), Walter is left with the eccentric Hub (Robert Duvall) and Garth (Michael Caine) McCaan, who are rumored to have a hidden fortune.

The “My Favorite Films” series features tales of romance, humor, suspense, satire, and heroism with films since 1945. These films may hold special memories for you—no matter how many times you see them, they continue to draw you in once more. While many of these films are available through streaming, it's always more fun to see them in the theatre.

This December, the Modern invites you to gather for a month of films that honor the lives and screen legacies of Tim Curry, Catherine O’Hara, Robert Duvall, and Dolly Parton, this lineup reflects the range of performances that stay with us—warm, eccentric, deeply human, and unforgettable. From small-town salons and radio booths to Texas farms and snow-bright city streets, these stories remind us how humor, resilience, tenderness, and a little mischief can turn ordinary days into lasting cinematic memories.

Make a day of it at the Modern and include extra time to visit the galleries. Enjoy lunch in Café Modern and then settle in for an afternoon screening, or plan for a coffee break afterwards with fellow film enthusiasts.

Screenings are at 2 pm most Wednesdays in the auditorium. Tickets are $5 (free for Modern members) and are available at the Museum’s admission desk or online here.