12 Cool 80s Movies You Should Watch With Your Kids
Readers of a certain age (old) will remember the excitement of movie night in the 80s, which usually began with a family trip to the video store. Every Friday was an opportunity for discovery, especially if the tape you were planning to rent had been checked out. Unfortunately, today’s kids will never know the joy of wandering through aisles of blockbuster movies, and of course scrolling through the many tiles on Netflix isn’t nearly as stimulating.
All this means that if you want to give your kids a taste of what family entertainment was like during the Reagan era, you’ll have to take a more direct approach. Start by queuing up one of these ’80s kids’ movies that are still relevant today.
Oliver and Company (1988)
This underrated animated film has all the elements of the modern Disney classic your kids will love: it’s a modern retelling of a famous piece of literature (Charles Dickens ‘ Oliver Twist, naturally), and its characters are voiced by celebrities they probably didn’t know. heard (Bette Midler and Cheech Marin, for starters), and there are some catchy songs performed by a famous adult contemporary artist (Billy Joel). They’ll probably just be interested in the fact that it’s a cute story starring an adorable little animal.
Where to watch: Disney+ , digital rental.
The Neverending Story (1984)
When I was putting together a list of movies every child should see before they become teenagers , one commenter noted that I probably intentionally left out this fantasy film to save kids from the “emotional trauma” my generation suffered from watching his. To be honest, they were right. The hero’s favorite horse tragically drowns in a swamp, and most of the time a giant dire wolf is on his heels. However, I recently took both my kids to a retrospective screening and all they could talk about afterwards was Falkor, the flying dragon of fortune, and the huge Rockbreaker, so they came out relatively unscathed. Tread carefully, that’s what I say.
Where to watch: digital rental.
Extra-Terrestrial: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
I included this classic in the list I linked above because of Spielberg’s brilliant idea of photographing it from a child’s point of view . What I didn’t mention was the language and crude humor (one character calls another “penis breath” and another jokes about the planet Uranus) or the tense scenes with government agents who catch the main character. But maybe that doesn’t bother you—and its beautiful visuals and heartfelt message about the power of friendship are definitely worth sharing today.
Where to watch: digital rental.
The Goonies (1985)
Speaking of buddy movies that mention Steven Spielberg’s name, The Goonies is a touchstone for any ’80s kid lucky enough to have a VCR or an HBO subscription. With a plot involving treasure hunting and traps, it feels like a family-friendly take on Indiana Jones (spoiler alert: none of the characters have their beating hearts ripped out of their chests or their faces melted off yet). There’s a lot here that might be considered problematic today, including some racial stereotyping and fat shaming, but you can clear this up in the conversation before and after.
Where to watch: Tubi, digital rental.
The Princess Bride (1987)
From Snow White to Sleeping Beauty , Disney has always been a fan of the royal family. Rob Reiner’s The Princess Bride was a lively counterpoint to the traditional animated House of Mouse tales, filled with all the action and silliness that children love, as well as the unusual characters and quirky plot (taken from the novel by William Goldman, who also wrote the screenplay) that made the film has been so enchanting for generations of viewers.
Where to watch: Disney+ , digital rental.
The Little Mermaid (1989)
I still remember the first time I saw The Little Mermaid . I not only loved how his characters were created, but I loved who they were. There was something charming about the Jamaican crab waxing poetic about why he loved his underwater home, and the cunning and monstrous sea witch singing out her evil plan in song. And what child can’t come to terms with wanting to be somewhere else?
Where to watch: Disney+ , digital rental.
The Karate Kid (1984)
For 40 years, Daniel LaRusso’s character has been a beacon of hope for all bullied children, which is one of the reasons why “The Karate Kid” has survived. As he prepares to become a karate master, he learns to respect others and gains self-confidence, an important lesson for children and adults. And Mr. Miyagi was a surrogate father for several generations of fatherless children. He listens to Daniel and acts as his firm but fair mentor.
Where to watch: Starz, digital rental.
The Great Muppet Caper (1981)
There is a small but dedicated group of fans of Jim Henson’s felt creations who believe this sequel to The Muppet Movie is even better than its predecessor. Why, you ask? It’s a silly, slapstick heist movie with elaborate musical numbers and a crazy performance from the late, great Charles Grodin, who tries to frame Miss Piggy for a series of jewelry thefts. Once you (and your kids) see it, you’ll understand what we’re talking about.
Where to watch: Disney+ , digital rental.
The Last Unicorn (1982)
Before founding the legendary Japanese animation house Studio Ghibli, many of its animators worked for Topcraft, which often collaborated with Rankin/Bass Productions, including their version of The Hobbit. Their attention to detail makes their adaptation of Peter S. Beagle’s melancholic fantasy novel about the world’s last unicorn searching for others of his kind so delightful to watch (it doesn’t hurt that the author also wrote the screenplay). Just have some tissues ready, because this movie might get some emotional.
Where to watch: Tubi, Freevee, Peacock , Roku Channel, Plex, Shout TV, digital rental .
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Studio Ghibli has produced many critically acclaimed animated films, including the beloved Kiki’s Delivery Service . It is about a young witch who, like a certain English wizard named Harry, must leave home to begin her training. But she doubts herself when some people in her new city don’t accept her. It’s only when Kiki “trusts her spirit” that she can find her magic—an obvious but important lesson that even adults sometimes need to remember.
Where to watch: Max , Digital rental
American Tail (1986)
My great-grandparents immigrated to the United States, but due to the language barrier and my young age, I never understood what the journey was like for them. It wasn’t until I watched this movie about a young Russian immigrant mouse who is separated from his family that I finally understood the risks and rewards of moving to a new land and what makes life in the United States so unique. Whether or not it resonates with your family’s history, this story is sure to captivate your children as they imagine their harrowing journey to a new world.
Where to watch: Starz, digital rental.
The Fox and the Dog (1981)
Here’s another underrated Disney classic. The main animals form friendships as children, but as they grow up, they will have to face the reality of becoming natural adversaries. Its lesson of acceptance is pretty much spoon-fed to viewers, but it’s something we all need to learn at some point, and for younger audiences it’s far more entertaining than the similarly themed Bambi. (The finale of the bear fight may even be too intense for the little ones.)
Where to watch: Disney+ , digital rental.