1980s · nostalgia · parent guide
15 '80s Movies Parents Should Rewatch Before Showing Their Kids
Justice Bwanga Ndara ·
Many beloved 1980s movies have stronger scares, language, and mature themes than parents remember, so a rewatch is a good idea before sharing them.
Many family movies from the 1980s are classics for a reason, but the PG rating of that era allowed for more intense scares, mature situations, and stronger language than parents might recall. A quick rewatch can help you decide if these memorable films are the right fit for your kids today, preventing any unwelcome surprises during a family movie night.
This list is designed to help you revisit these '80s favorites with fresh eyes. Use our guides to get a clear picture of the specific moments that might be too intense, scary, or mature for your children, and to find the perfect film that will create a great shared experience.
Choose tonight’s movie
Quick Picks
- The Land Before Time — A gentle animated start for younger viewers.
- The Princess Bride — The perfect mix of wit, adventure, and romance.
- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial — An iconic film about friendship and compassion.
- The Karate Kid — An inspirational story for older kids and teens.
Movie Knight guide
The Full List
No. 1
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Read the family guide →
The iconic friendship
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is the heartwarming 1982 film about a lonely boy who befriends a lost alien. Parents should know the story includes themes of separation and loss that can be emotional for younger viewers. The government agents pursuing E.T. are menacing, and some scenes of the alien becoming ill are intense, so this classic works best for kids 7 and up.
This film is a wonderful way to talk about empathy, courage, and what it means to be a true friend, even when it means saying goodbye.
No. 2
The NeverEnding Story
Read the family guide →
Epic fantasy quest
The NeverEnding Story
The NeverEnding Story is a 1984 fantasy adventure where a boy reading a magical book is pulled into its world. Before sharing this tale of imagination, parents should remember it contains some surprisingly intense moments of peril for its young hero. Most notably, the devastating loss of a beloved horse in a swamp can be deeply upsetting for sensitive children, making this film work best for kids 7 and up.
Fans of fantastical creatures and epic quests will be captivated by the world of Fantasia and its message about the power of hope and stories.
No. 3
The Goonies
Read the family guide →
A rowdy adventure
The Goonies
The Goonies is a beloved 1985 adventure about a group of kids searching for pirate treasure to save their homes. The film's PG rating may surprise parents, as it contains frequent mild swearing, insults, and constant peril involving a family of menacing criminals. The kids face skeletons and booby traps, and one character's physical deformity is played for both scares and sympathy, so this movie works best for kids 8 and up.
This film is a great example of teamwork and loyalty, perfect for kids who love a high-energy treasure hunt with a group of resourceful friends.
No. 4
Gremlins
Read the family guide →
Holiday horror-comedy
Gremlins
Gremlins is a 1984 film that blends comedy and horror after a new pet spawns a horde of destructive monsters. While presented as a dark comedy, the movie contains significant creature violence, with monsters meeting gruesome ends, and numerous jump scares that can frighten viewers. Because of the constant threats and scary transformations, Gremlins works best for kids 9 and up.
Despite the mayhem, the story offers clear lessons on the importance of responsibility and following rules, wrapped in a uniquely chaotic Christmas-themed package.
No. 5
Ghostbusters
Read the family guide →
Supernatural comedy
Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters is the classic 1984 comedy about a team of scientists who start a ghost-catching business in New York City. Though full of laughs, the movie features supernatural scares, from a possessed woman to demonic dogs, that can be intense for children. Combined with some adult-oriented jokes, mild language, and scenes of smoking and drinking, this adventure works best for kids 9 and up.
Viewers will enjoy the creative gadgets and fun characters, and the story is a great celebration of teamwork and using your unique skills to face the unknown.
No. 6
The Princess Bride
Read the family guide →
A witty fairy tale
The Princess Bride
The Princess Bride is a much-quoted 1987 fairy tale about a farm boy, Westley, who must rescue his true love, Princess Buttercup. While celebrated for its wit and romance, parents should remember it contains sword fights, a scary giant eel, and references to torture in a sequence called the "Pit of Despair." The violence is mostly comical, but still present, making this story work best for kids 8 and up.
This film is perfect for families who appreciate clever humor alongside adventure, offering a timeless story about devotion, friendship, and courage.
No. 7
Back to the Future
Read the family guide →
Classic time travel
Back to the Future
Back to the Future is the iconic 1985 sci-fi adventure where teenager Marty McFly travels back to 1955 and meets his own parents. The film has a fun, adventurous tone but also includes scenes of bullying, teen drinking, and some awkward romantic tension involving Marty and his future mother. These themes, plus some peril during chase scenes, mean the movie works best for kids 8 and up.
The story is a fun ride from start to finish and opens up conversations about how much parents and kids from different generations have in common.
No. 8
The Karate Kid
Read the family guide →
Inspirational underdog
The Karate Kid
The Karate Kid is the classic 1984 story of a bullied teen, Daniel, who learns karate and life lessons from his maintenance man, Mr. Miyagi. The movie's core message is inspiring, but the bullying is intense and the fight scenes are realistic, involving punches and kicks that land hard. There is also some mild language and a scene with teens drinking at a party, so this film works best for kids 9 and up.
This is an excellent story about mentorship, discipline, and the courage it takes to stand up for yourself in a healthy way.
No. 9
An American Tail
Read the family guide →
Animated historical tale
An American Tail
An American Tail is a G-rated 1986 animated film about a young mouse, Fievel, who gets separated from his family while emigrating to America. Though it's animated, the story deals with heavy emotional themes, including the sustained, scary separation from family and the hardships of poverty. The dangers of New York City, personified by menacing cats, can also be frightening for little ones, so this movie works best for kids 6 and up.
The film offers a powerful and ultimately hopeful story about resilience and the enduring importance of family, providing a gentle introduction to historical topics.
No. 10
The Land Before Time
Read the family guide →
Gentle dinosaur journey
The Land Before Time
The Land Before Time is a G-rated 1988 animated adventure about a group of young dinosaurs searching for the Great Valley. The story is a beautiful tale of friendship, but it begins with the central and emotional death of the main character's mother. The young dinosaurs also face peril from natural disasters and a persistent predator dinosaur, which can be scary for the youngest viewers. This film works best for kids 5 and up.
This movie is a touching introduction to themes of loss, teamwork, and accepting others' differences, set against a beautifully animated prehistoric world.
No. 11
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
Read the family guide →
Backyard adventure
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids is a fun 1989 adventure about four kids who are accidentally shrunk to the size of insects by an inventor dad. The premise is playful, but the journey across the backyard includes peril from giant insects, a chaotic lawn sprinkler, and a sad moment involving a friendly ant. Though the dangers are handled with a light touch, this film works best for kids 6 and up.
This inventive movie is great for kids who love science and adventure, celebrating family bonds and creative problem-solving.
No. 12
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Read the family guide →
Animation meets noir
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a groundbreaking 1988 film that mixes live-action and animation in a 1940s Hollywood murder mystery. Its PG rating hides a lot of mature content, including frequent cartoon violence, adult innuendo, and a genuinely terrifying villain whose actions may frighten younger kids. The noir tone means it's darker than its animated characters suggest, making this movie work best for kids 9 and up.
Older kids and teens will appreciate the film's incredible technical skill, clever humor, and its story about loyalty and fighting prejudice.
No. 13
The Secret of NIMH
Read the family guide →
Dark animated fantasy
The Secret of NIMH
The Secret of NIMH is a G-rated 1982 animated film about a widowed mouse, Mrs. Brisby, on a quest to save her sick son. Despite the rating, the movie has a surprisingly dark tone, with sustained suspense, intense peril for its animal characters, and mystical elements that can be unsettling. The imagery and villainous threats are more serious than in many other animated films, so it works best for kids 7 and up.
The story is a powerful tribute to a mother's love and courage, and will resonate with children who appreciate a more complex and dramatic animated tale.
No. 14
Flight of the Navigator
Read the family guide →
Upbeat sci-fi adventure
Flight of the Navigator
Flight of the Navigator is a bright 1986 sci-fi adventure about a boy who vanishes and reappears eight years later, having not aged at all. While the tone is mostly playful, the story's core rests on the anxiety of a child being separated from his family and the life he knew. Because of the themes of abduction and family displacement, this film works best for kids 8 and up.
This is a wonderful choice for kids who love science fiction, offering a fun story about curiosity, courage, and the joy of family reunion.
No. 15
Willow
Read the family guide →
Classic sword and sorcery
Willow
Willow is a 1988 fantasy adventure about a farmer tasked with protecting an infant from an evil queen. The film is a classic sword-and-sorcery quest, but parents should know it contains frequent fantasy violence, scary creatures transformed by dark magic, and the constant threat of harm to a baby. These intense elements make this adventure work best for kids 7 and up.
Fans of epic fantasy will love the magical world, brave heroes, and the story's message about how anyone, no matter their size, can be a hero.
Before you press play
A note for parents
The PG rating was the wild west of the early 1980s, covering everything from gentle cartoons to intense thrillers. The PG-13 rating wasn't created until mid-1984, so many earlier PG films contain violence, language, and themes that would earn a higher rating today. Rewatching these classics helps you gauge their intensity and prepare for conversations about what you see on screen, ensuring movie night is a hit for everyone.
Questions parents ask
Parent FAQ
Angel Guild
Members watch more, for less
Angel Guild members stream every Angel title, vote on what gets made, and get tickets to theatrical releases.
Join the Angel Guild