The 1980s were a great time for children’s movies, with lots of wonderful animated and live-action films. Unlike movies made today, many 80s kids’ films were surprisingly daring, even a little scary, like The Secret of NIMH. But the decade also produced plenty of movies the whole family could enjoy together.
The 1980s were a great decade for family-friendly movies, especially with directors like Steven Spielberg becoming known for appealing to all ages. Fantasy films for kids were also popular, and despite some struggles for Disney animation, several well-made animated movies from that era are still enjoyed today.
Willow (1988)
Many still consider Willow to be a standout fantasy film from the 1980s. The movie featured a strong cast, including Warwick Davis, who had previously played Wicket the Ewok in Star Wars. Val Kilmer also starred as a mercenary who aids Willow in his journey.
In this fantasy film directed by Ron Howard, Willow teams up with Madmartigan to rescue a child and defeat a cruel queen who controls the kingdom. The movie was a hit with families, and many viewers connected with Willow’s challenging journey.
Years after the original, Willow received a sequel series that was also well-received, despite being canceled by Disney+ and removed from their streaming service. Fortunately, the first Willow movie is still available and remains a beloved 80s fantasy adventure for kids – it’s aged remarkably well.
The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984)
Several wonderful Muppet movies have been made, and many fans consider The Muppets Take Manhattan to be the best of the 1980s. Following Jim Henson’s direction of The Great Muppet Caper, Frank Oz directed this film, which features the Muppets traveling to New York City.
This was Oz’s first solo directing project, following his work co-directing The Dark Crystal with Jim Henson. While The Dark Crystal was aimed at children, some found it a bit frightening. This new film, however, appealed to viewers of all ages, despite The Muppets generally being designed for older audiences.
The film was a major hit, earning more at the box office than any G-rated movie since Pinocchio. It also received very positive reviews, with an 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Flight Of The Navigator (1986)
Okay, so back in 1986, I caught this really fun sci-fi flick called Flight of the Navigator, and it’s honestly perfect for kids. The story centers around a 12-year-old boy who gets snatched up by a spaceship, and then poof—he’s back on Earth eight years later! The crazy part is, he hasn’t aged a bit, and he can’t remember anything that happened during those lost years. It’s a classic adventure that really captures the imagination.
The film can be upsetting for some children because it shows a boy being investigated and mistreated by the government to discover why he hasn’t aged, all while his family thinks he’s been gone for eight years. Despite the serious premise, though, the movie is surprisingly enjoyable.
Released early in the era of computer-generated imagery, Flight of the Navigator has since gained a dedicated following as a cult classic. For the past ten years, there’s been ongoing talk about a possible remake.
The Land Before Time (1988)
The Land Before Time, which began in 1988, is one of the most beloved animated movie series ever made. Many who grew up watching it might be surprised by how emotionally complex and even a bit sad the first movie actually was, despite still being appropriate for young children.
The first movie introduces children to a group of young dinosaur friends: Cera the Triceratops, Ducky the Saurolophus, Petrie the Pteranodon, and Spike the Stegosaurus. It also explores how dinosaurs can be prejudiced against each other, offering a way to teach kids about important issues like tolerance and understanding.
These young dinosaurs get lost and must overcome dangerous challenges to return to their families. Along the way, they hope to show their parents the importance of acceptance over fear and prejudice. This story launched a hugely successful film series that continued for 14 movies.
An American Tail (1986)
Steven Spielberg produced both The Land Before Time and the 1986 animated film An American Tail. His work on these two movies inspired him to create his own animation studio, Amblimation, which later became part of DreamWorks Animation.
The movie An American Tail felt similar to classic Disney films, telling the story of a Russian-Jewish mouse family seeking a better life in the United States. The youngest mouse, Fievel, gets separated from his family and must bravely try to find them again.
This mouse movie is much more family-friendly than The Secret of NIMH. It’s a heartwarming story about a young mouse discovering his place in the world, while the earlier film was quite dark and scary.
The NeverEnding Story (1984)
Many kids remember being deeply upset by a particular scene in The NeverEnding Story, specifically the death of Artax. But beyond that moment, the film is a classic adventure that sparked a love of fantasy in a whole generation of young viewers and helped pave the way for other fantasy stories.
The film follows Bastian, a boy who is bullied and finds refuge in a book called The NeverEnding Story. As he gets lost in the story of Atreyu, a young warrior trying to save the Childlike Empress, Bastian discovers he’s actually part of the adventure too.
Featuring memorable characters like the Luck Dragon Falkor and the journeys of Atreyu and Bastian, this 1980s film is just as enjoyable now as it was when it first came out over forty years ago.
The Fox And The Hound (1981)
Released in 1981, The Fox and the Hound is a beloved Disney animated film from a time when such movies were rare. It’s a heartwarming story about an unlikely friendship, showing how two natural enemies can become the best of friends and overcome forces trying to drive them apart.
Okay, so “The Fox and the Hound” really got to me. Mickey Rooney and Kurt Russell do amazing voice work as Tod, a fox, and Copper, a hound dog, and the story follows their friendship as they grow up. What’s so heartbreaking is they don’t realize they’re supposed to be enemies – it’s a classic setup. But when Copper finally understands his duty, and that means hunting Tod… wow, that scene is legitimately one of the most emotionally difficult moments I’ve ever seen in an animated film. It’s powerful stuff.
Ultimately, this film celebrates the strength of friendship and its ability to help people move past violent impulses, even when facing difficult circumstances or societal pressures.
The Goonies (1985)
Released in 1985, The Goonies is a classic kids’ adventure film. It imagines what would happen if a group of kids in a small seaside town stumbled upon a huge adventure involving criminals, pirates, and lost treasure—an adventure where danger lurked around every corner.
Directed by Richard Donner, who also directed Superman, The Goonies featured a talented group of young actors like Sean Astin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman, Ke Huy Quan, John Brolin, and Martha Plimpton. The film also boasted a strong supporting cast of adult actors playing the villains, including Robert Davi, Joe Pantoliano, and Anne Ramsey, making it a truly star-studded movie.
This movie really shines because of the young actors. While some parts haven’t aged perfectly, the themes of adventure and escaping danger still resonate with kids just as much now as they did back in 1985.
E.T. The Extra Terrestrial (1982)
Steven Spielberg’s career took off with suspenseful thrillers, and he quickly expanded into different genres like horror, science fiction, and adventure. But it was in 1982 that he truly found a signature style, crafting a critically acclaimed film centered around children facing danger – a theme that continues to appear in his work today.
The movie E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial tells the story of an alien who gets left behind on Earth. He tries to signal his people and find a way home, but the government wants to capture him for scientific study. A group of children steps in to help him stay hidden and safe.
Even now, it’s hard to beat E.T. as a sci-fi movie for kids. It’s a wonderful film that teaches children they can make a difference and be heroes, especially when adults aren’t helping.
The Little Mermaid (1989)
The late 1980s marked a turning point for Disney animation. After years of films that weren’t very successful, The Little Mermaid revitalized the studio. Inspired by the classic Hans Christian Andersen story, the film tells the tale of Ariel, a mermaid who dreams of becoming human after falling in love.
The Little Mermaid was a huge hit, both as a memorable musical and thanks to its innovative animation – which was a step above anything Disney had produced before. It marked a triumphant end to the 1980s and paved the way for future blockbuster films like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King.
The 1980s had many fantastic movies for children, including both animated and live-action films. The Little Mermaid was a standout and perfectly capped off the decade.
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2026-03-16 03:24