"I wholeheartedly believe that ’80s movies are some of the most magical movies for kids. We can all agree that Disney still makes great movies (Moana, Encanto anyone?). But there’s something about ’80s movies for kids that captures a sense of adventure every kid loves.
I say this because it’s absolutely true and also because I idealize my childhood. One where there were no scheduled playdates, MTV was everything, and nobody knew what gluten was.
In fact, if you look closely, you’ll notice there’s one thing missing from most movies of this time: parents. Where are they? Living their lives and giving their children space to have a childhood.
Self-appointed 1980s pop culture expert Adam Garcia (aka my husband) also agrees with me. “In the ’80s, helicopter parenting wasn’t a thing,” he said. “Kids were free to take on adventures independent of their parents, and movies reflected that. Kids were the main characters of movies, and they were the ones saving the world—or the day—with their own grit and determination.”
Below, we’ve assembled a non-definitive list of 40+ of the best ’80s movies for kids. In these classic ’80s family movies, kids build upon their self-reliance, take on teamwork, and save the day.
A note for parents: A PG rating in an ’80s kids movie may look more like a PG-13 rating by today’s standards as they relate to violence, language, thematic elements, and nudity (the PG-13 rating was introduced in 1984). If you’re concerned, we suggest watching it without your kids first.
’80s Family Movies: Comedies
Honey, I Shrunk The Kids (1989)
Rated: PG | Where to Watch: Disney+
When a couple kids sneak into an inventor’s lab to retrieve their rogue baseball, his experimental shrink ray accidentally shrinks them to teeny-tiny size. When the inventor returns, he destroys the device and throws it in the trash—throwing the kids out along with it. Now, the four children must survive the treacherous journey back to the house through a yard where sprinklers are more like rainstorms and worms are giant monsters.
Big (1988)
Rated: PG | Where to Watch: Disney+
When 13-year-old Josh Baskin makes a wish on a Zoltar machine at a fairground, he doesn’t expect his wish “to be big” to come true. In this hilarious and heartwarming film, a young Tom Hanks plays a teenager in a man’s body. With the help of his best friend, Billy, he discovers the reality of being a grown up—from working at a toy company to navigating the complexities of adult relationships.
Sixteen Candles (1984)
Rated: PG | Where to Watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV
In this beloved rom-com, angsty teenager Samantha is absolutely dreading her 16th birthday. While her family’s focus is on her sister’s wedding.
Meanwhile, she’s also preoccupied with her crush on Jake Ryan—a cool, older boy who she’s scared will never notice her. And having to constantly blow off the affections of Ted, one of the nerdiest boys in school who seems to be the only person to take any interest in her. A note for parents: This movie includes high school drinking, brief nudity, and racial stereotyping.
Adventures in Babysitting (1987)
Rated: PG-13 | Where to Watch: Disney+
What should be a quiet night of babysitting turns into an unexpected adventure when high school senior and babysitter Chris Parker takes the Anderson kids into downtown Chicago to rescue her best friend who just ran away from home. A note for parents: There are quite a few swear words and scenes you might need to explain to younger kids, which explains the PG-13 rating.
More kid-friendly comedies from the ’80s:
- The Adventures of Milo & Otis — G (1986)
- The Muppets Take Manhattan — G (1984)
- Ghostbusters — PG (1984)
- Beetlejuice — PG (1988)
- Girls Just Wanna Have Fun — PG (1985)
- Harry and the Hendersons — PG (1987)
- Short Circuit — PG (1986)
- Teen Wolf — PG (1985)
- Batteries Not Included — PG (1987)
- One Crazy Summer — PG (1986)
- Ferris Bueller’s Day Off — PG (1986)
- Troop Beverly Hills — PG (1989)
’80s Family Movies: Animated Films
The Little Mermaid (1989)
Rated: G | Where to Watch: Disney+
In this beloved Disney classic, rebellious 16-year-old mermaid Ariel is fascinated with life on land. During one of her visits to the surface—which are forbidden by her controlling father, King Triton—she falls for a human prince. Determined to be with her new love, Ariel makes a dangerous deal with sea witch Ursula to become human for only three days—but the star-crossed lovers’ plans soon go awry. When you’re finished, be sure to catch the live-action remake!
The Land Before Time (1988)
Rated: G | Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV
Littlefoot, a young plant-eating dinosaur, is orphaned after his mother perishes while protecting him from a vicious carnivore. With her last breath, she tells him how to get to the legendary Great Valley, where he will be reunited with others of his kind. Along with his friend Cera, Littlefoot sets out on an adventure to this mystery land and meets a variety of new friends along the way.
An American Tail (1986)
Rated: G | Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV
In this heartfelt adventure, a young mouse named Fievel and his family move from Russia to the United States. But Fievel is thrown from the ship by a fierce storm during the trip, separating him from his family. Luckily, he manages to sail all the way to New York in a bottle, where he meets an Irish mouse named Bridget, an Italian mouse named Tony, and a friendly cat named Tiger who are ready to help him reunite with his loved ones.
The Fox and the Hound (1981)
Rated: G | Where to Watch: Disney+
After his mother passes away, Tod the fox is taken in by the kindly Widow Tweed, and he soon befriends the neighbor’s new hound dog, Copper. The two are inseparable, but their friendship is hampered by their masters and the fact that they’re enemies by nature. The friends must work together to overcome their differences and salvage their friendship.
More kid-friendly animated movies from the ’80s:
- The Secret of NIMH — G (1982)
- All Dogs Go to Heaven — G (1989)
- Oliver and Company — G (1988)
- My Neighbor Totoro — G (1988)
- Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (And Don’t Come Back!) — G (1980)
- The Great Mouse Detective — G (1986)
- The Last Unicorn — G (1982)
- The Black Cauldron — PG (1985)
’80s Family Movies: Adventure & Dramas
The Goonies (1985)
Rated: PG | Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV
As far as nostalgic family movies goes, Goonies has it all. Treasure maps, pirates, booby traps, secret caves, the beautiful backdrop of Astoria, Oregon—this movie has it all. This ultimate adventure flick follows a group of kids on a quest to save their hometown from developers by finding the hidden treasure of “One-Eyed Willy.”
The NeverEnding Story (1984)
Rated: PG | Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV
On his way to school one day, Bastian ducks into a bookstore to avoid some bullies and ends up sneaking away with a book called The NeverEnding Story. As he begins to read it later on in his school’s attic, he learns it’s about a fantasy land that needs the help of a human child to survive an evil darkness threatening its existence.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Rated: PG | Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV
After a gentle alien becomes stranded on Earth, it’s discovered and befriended by a young boy named Elliott, who gives it the name “E.T.” After bringing the creature into his home and introducing it to his brother and younger sister, they decide to keep its existence a secret. But when E.T. becomes sick, things get tricky. ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ and other animated movies from the ’80s and ’90s tackle mature themes, presenting important societal questions through engaging storylines.
Flight of the Navigator (1986)
Rated: PG | Where to Watch: Disney+
When 12-year-old David Freeman goes out into the woods to look for his little brother in 1978, he falls and hits his head, knocking him out. When he wakes up, it’s 1986—and though David hasn’t aged at all, his family has. He takes on an adventure to try to get home to his real family in 1978.
Nostalgic Family Movies from the ’80s
Back to the Future (1985)
Rated: PG | Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
Great Scott! Back to the Future is a timeless sci-fi adventure that has captivated audiences for decades. The story follows Marty McFly, a teenager who accidentally travels back to the 1950s in a DeLorean time machine invented by the eccentric Doc Brown. Marty must navigate the past to ensure his parents fall in love, securing his own existence. With its blend of action, humor, and heart, this film is a perfect choice for family movie night. The iconic characters and thrilling plot make Back to the Future a must-watch for kids and adults who love a good adventure.
The Princess Bride (1987)
Rated: PG | Where to Watch: Disney+
“As you wish!” The Princess Bride is a delightful blend of fantasy, romance, and adventure that has enchanted families for generations. The film tells the tale of Westley, a young man who embarks on a daring quest to rescue his true love, Princess Buttercup, from the clutches of the dastardly Prince Humperdinck. With its swashbuckling action, memorable characters, and witty dialogue, this movie is a treasure trove of entertainment. Whether you’re a fan of romance, comedy, or epic adventures, The Princess Bride has something for everyone, making it a perfect pick for family viewing.
More kid-friendly adventure and drama movies from the ’80s:
- WarGames — PG (1983)
- The Princess Bride — PG (1987)
- The Karate Kid — PG (1984)
- Back to the Future — PG (1985)
- Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark — PG (1981)
- SpaceCamp — PG (1986)
- Annie — PG (1982)
- Willow — PG (1988)
- The Empire Strikes Back: Episode V — PG (1980)
- Ewoks and The Battle for Endor — PG (1985)
- Top Gun — PG (1986)
- Field of Dreams — PG (1989)
- Who Framed Roger Rabbit? — PG (1988)
READ MORE: The Best ’90s Kids Movies for Family Movie Night
Gabriela Garcia, Contributing Writer
Gabriela is a Chicago-based writer, mom-of-two, and founder of Modern Brown Girl. She loves to cook food that her children don’t eat and pretends to be a bibliophile when in reality she’s a Bravo TV and chip addict.
McKenna Pringle, Branded Content Editorial Assistant
Ever since she was introduced to editorial work during her freshman year of college in 2019, McKenna’s passion for this field and drive to gain as much experience and knowledge as possible has only continued to grow day by day. Some of her favorite topics to write about are entertainment, culture, and lifestyle.