If your family is anything like mine, Friday or Saturday evening rolls around and all we want to do is relax with a nice movie. This can be easier said than done. My husband prefers action, sci-fi, or (often raunchy) comedies, I enjoy inspirational dramas and rom-coms, our 7th grader likes a mix of all of the above (minus the raunchy comedies), and the baby, well the baby doesn’t have an opinion . . . yet. However, there is something satisfying for my husband and I in sharing our childhood favorites with our daughters. After all, we want them to have an appreciation for the classics.
The following is a list of great 80s movies that our daughter appreciated as an elementary-aged kid, and now as a young teenager—and not a vampire or werewolf among them!
For Kids:
1. The Karate Kid (1984), Rated PG
The REAL Karate Kid. Not the one with Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan, the one with Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita. This trilogy (the second one is my personal favorite), while mildly cheesy, is chock-full of inner strength, triumph of the spirit, and 80s goodness.
2. Goonies (1985), Rated PG
Perhaps one of the greatest 80s movies ever! Follow a bunch of ragtag kids from the “boondocks” in Astoria, OR as they thwart vicious criminals, hunt for pirate treasure, and save their homes from a pretentious land-grabber. Remember, “Goonies never say die!”
3. The NeverEnding Story (1984), Rated PG
This movie is for your bookworm kid and your fantasy-loving kid. Join Bastian as his book comes alive and he must save the wonderful world of Fantasia from the fearsome “Nothing.” Best part of the movie: a fluffy pink “luck dragon.”
4. E.T. the Extraterrestrial (1982), Rated PG
Steven Spielberg’s heartwarming story about a young boy, Elliott, and his alien friend will capture your kids’ hearts and imaginations. Plus, a young Drew Barrymore is adorable as little Gertie. A must-see for young sci-fi fans.
5. Flight of the Navigator (1986), Rated PG
Another great sci-fi flick, David is kidnapped by aliens and transported to the future. When he returns to earth, everything has changed. David, with the help of alien robot, Max, must attempt to set things right.
6. Honey I Shrunk the Kids (1989), Rated PG
Very funny and highly entertaining, your kids will love the story of a crackpot inventor who accidentally shrinks his kids and the neighbor kids and dumps them in the trash. Their adventure home is epic—the backyard can be a vast wilderness when you’re less than a centimeter tall.
For Teens:
1. Back to the Future (1985), PG
Another trilogy, the Back to the Future movies are, of course, about time travel. Your teens will laugh, in spite of themselves, at the adventures of Marty McFly and the hairbrained Doc Brown.
2. Adventures in Babysitting (1987), Rated PG-13
It’s supposed to be a simple night of babysitting for Chris, but when she must drive into the city to pick up her hapless friend, Brenda, the night goes hilariously wrong.
3. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986), Rated PG-13
Ferris Bueller decides he deserves a day off, so he pretends to be sick and then enlists his friends on a hilarious day of hijinks and near misses with parents and the high school principal.
4. Dead Poet’s Society (1989), Rated PG
Arguably one of Robin Williams’ greatest films, Dead Poets Society tells the story of the impact of one innovative teacher’s tremendous impact at a boy’s prep school.
5. The Princess Bride (1987), Rated PG
Last, but certainly not least, The Princess Bride is everything all rolled into one. A comedy, an adventure, a love story—perhaps your teen will join this films well-deserved cult following.
The following is a list of great 80s movies that our daughter appreciated as an elementary-aged kid, and now as a young teenager—and not a vampire or werewolf among them!
For Kids:
1. The Karate Kid (1984), Rated PG
The REAL Karate Kid. Not the one with Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan, the one with Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita. This trilogy (the second one is my personal favorite), while mildly cheesy, is chock-full of inner strength, triumph of the spirit, and 80s goodness.
2. Goonies (1985), Rated PG
Perhaps one of the greatest 80s movies ever! Follow a bunch of ragtag kids from the “boondocks” in Astoria, OR as they thwart vicious criminals, hunt for pirate treasure, and save their homes from a pretentious land-grabber. Remember, “Goonies never say die!”
3. The NeverEnding Story (1984), Rated PG
This movie is for your bookworm kid and your fantasy-loving kid. Join Bastian as his book comes alive and he must save the wonderful world of Fantasia from the fearsome “Nothing.” Best part of the movie: a fluffy pink “luck dragon.”
4. E.T. the Extraterrestrial (1982), Rated PG
Steven Spielberg’s heartwarming story about a young boy, Elliott, and his alien friend will capture your kids’ hearts and imaginations. Plus, a young Drew Barrymore is adorable as little Gertie. A must-see for young sci-fi fans.
5. Flight of the Navigator (1986), Rated PG
Another great sci-fi flick, David is kidnapped by aliens and transported to the future. When he returns to earth, everything has changed. David, with the help of alien robot, Max, must attempt to set things right.
6. Honey I Shrunk the Kids (1989), Rated PG
Very funny and highly entertaining, your kids will love the story of a crackpot inventor who accidentally shrinks his kids and the neighbor kids and dumps them in the trash. Their adventure home is epic—the backyard can be a vast wilderness when you’re less than a centimeter tall.
For Teens:
1. Back to the Future (1985), PG
Another trilogy, the Back to the Future movies are, of course, about time travel. Your teens will laugh, in spite of themselves, at the adventures of Marty McFly and the hairbrained Doc Brown.
2. Adventures in Babysitting (1987), Rated PG-13
It’s supposed to be a simple night of babysitting for Chris, but when she must drive into the city to pick up her hapless friend, Brenda, the night goes hilariously wrong.
3. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986), Rated PG-13
Ferris Bueller decides he deserves a day off, so he pretends to be sick and then enlists his friends on a hilarious day of hijinks and near misses with parents and the high school principal.
4. Dead Poet’s Society (1989), Rated PG
Arguably one of Robin Williams’ greatest films, Dead Poets Society tells the story of the impact of one innovative teacher’s tremendous impact at a boy’s prep school.
5. The Princess Bride (1987), Rated PG
Last, but certainly not least, The Princess Bride is everything all rolled into one. A comedy, an adventure, a love story—perhaps your teen will join this films well-deserved cult following.
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