The Best 80s Movies to Show Your Kids

Look, we’ve all been there.

You’re pumped to introduce your kid to The Goonies or Back to the Future, and five minutes in, they’re already asking, “Is this old?” Cue internal screaming.

Today’s kids are used to fast cuts, snappy dialogue, and CGI that looks like it came from the future. Meanwhile, we were out here being mesmerized by puppets, matte paintings, and practical effects and loving every second.

But don’t worry. This guide isn’t just a list of 80s family movies tossed together for nostalgia’s sake. It’s your strategic parental playbook for introducing kids to 80s films the right way, complete with pitch lines, modern kid appeal, and heads up notes so you don’t get caught off guard.

Ready to reclaim movie night? Let’s roll film.

Totally Awesome Adventures

The Goonies—1985

• A Quick Synopsis: A group of misfit kids discover a treasure map and go on an underground adventure to save their homes.
• Why It’s a Great Gateway Movie: It’s fast, funny, and has just enough edge to feel exciting without being too intense. The group dynamic feels like a 1980s version of Stranger Things.
• How to Pitch It to Your Kids: “It’s like Stranger Things, but with booby traps and pirate gold!”
• Parental Heads Up: Some 80s style swearing, a few scary Fratelli scenes, and a skeleton or two.

The Princess Bride—1987

• A Quick Synopsis: A grandfather reads his grandson a fairy tale packed with sword fights, giants, and true love.
• Why It’s a Great Gateway Movie: Funny, fast, and endlessly quotable, it plays like a fairy tale spoof, but with heart.
• How to Pitch It to Your Kids: “It’s like Shrek met Game of Thrones, but funny and sweet.”
• Parental Heads Up: Some swordplay and light peril; all very tongue in cheek.

Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Fun

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial—1982

• A Quick Synopsis: A young boy befriends a stranded alien and helps him return home.
• Why It’s a Great Gateway Movie: Emotional, imaginative, and full of wonder. Kids relate to Elliott’s loneliness and courage.
• How to Pitch It to Your Kids: “It’s like if Baby Yoda crash landed in your backyard and became your best friend.”
• Parental Heads-Up: Mild swearing, a few emotional scenes, and that bike chase gets intense.
  

Back to the Future—1985

• A Quick Synopsis: A teen accidentally time travels to the 1950s and must ensure his parents fall in love to save his future.
• Why It’s a Great Gateway Movie: It’s high energy, smart, and packed with fun sci-fi that’s easy to follow.
• How to Pitch It to Your Kids: “Imagine if you time traveled and had to fix your parents’ love life to save your own!”
• Parental Heads-Up: A few suggestive moments, some swearing, and 1950s era awkwardness.
  

Flight of the Navigator—1986

• A Quick Synopsis: A boy disappears and returns eight years later without aging, only to find he’s been part of a time traveling alien ship.
• Why It’s a Great Gateway Movie: Combines mystery, space, and a lovable alien ship voiced by Paul Reubens (Pee wee Herman!).
• How to Pitch It to Your Kids: “It’s like WALL-E mixed with a space mystery adventure!”
• Parental Heads-Up: Mild suspense and emotional moments.

The NeverEnding Story—1984

• A Quick Synopsis: A boy enters a magical world through a mysterious book and helps save it from destruction.
• Why It’s a Great Gateway Movie: Deep fantasy, powerful lessons about grief, courage, and imagination.
• How to Pitch It to Your Kids: “It’s like reading a magical book that actually pulls you into the story.”
• Parental Heads-Up: Emotional themes, including loss and fear; some scenes may be intense for sensitive kids.

Comedy & Heart

Ghostbusters—1984

• A Quick Synopsis: A team of eccentric scientists starts a ghost-catching business in New York City.
• Why It’s a Great Gateway Movie: The comedy still lands, and the ghosts are just spooky enough to be fun without nightmare fuel.
• How to Pitch It to Your Kids: “It’s like Men in Black, but with ghosts and proton packs!”
• Parental Heads-Up: A few scary scenes and mild adult humor that may go over kids’ heads.

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids—1989

• A Quick Synopsis: A scientist accidentally shrinks his kids, who must survive backyard-sized dangers.
• Why It’s a Great Gateway Movie: It’s kid-centered, visually creative, and full of imagination.
• How to Pitch It to Your Kids: “It’s like a real-life video game where your backyard becomes a jungle!”
• Parental Heads-Up: Some moments of mild peril and giant bugs.

Big—1988

• A Quick Synopsis: A 12-year-old boy wakes up in an adult’s body after making a wish to be “big.”
• Why It’s a Great Gateway Movie: It’s funny and heartwarming with just the right mix of humor and real-life wonder.
• How to Pitch It to Your Kids: “It’s like if your Roblox avatar became real—and had to get a job!”
• Parental Heads-Up: A few adult situations and 80s workplace norms.

Short Circuit—1986

• A Quick Synopsis: A military robot gains consciousness and escapes, learning about life with the help of humans.
• Why It’s a Great Gateway Movie: Quirky, lovable robot energy that kids raised on WALL-E and Baymax will adore.
• How to Pitch It to Your Kids: “It’s like WALL-E’s older cousin from the 80s who loves input!”
• Parental Heads-Up: Some slapstick violence and military themes.

Which 80s movie to watch first with your kid?

Conclusion

Watching classic movies for kids from the 80s isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about letting your kids in on the stories that shaped us. When you watch these kid-friendly 80s movies together, you’re not just hitting play. You’re building a generational bridge.

Want to turn your family movie night into a full blown event? Download our 80s Movie Night Kit it’s packed with trivia, snacks, and scen by scene conversation starters.

Now it’s your turn! What essential 80s movie did I miss? Head down to the comments and let me know your family’s favorite!