Readers of a certain age (old) remember the excitement of a movie night in the '80s, which usually kicked off with a family trip to the video store. Every Friday was an opportunity for discovery, especially if the tape you planned to rent was checked out. Sadly, today's kids will never know the joy of wandering the aisles of a Blockbuster, and certainly scrolling through a bunch of tiles on Netflix is nowhere near as stimulating.
All that is to say, if you want to give your kids a taste of what family entertainment was like in the Reagan era, you're going to have to go about things a bit more directly. Start by queuing up one of these doen '80s kids' movies that still hold up today.
Oliver and Company (1988)
This underrated animated film has all the elements of the modern Disney classics your kids love: It's a contemporary retelling of a well-known piece of literature (Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, naturally), its characters are voiced by celebrities they probably haven't heard of (Bette Midler and Cheech Marin, for starters), and there are catchy songs performed by a famous adult-contemporary artist (Billy Joel). Probably they'll just care that it's a cute story starring an adorable little animal.
Where to stream: Disney+, Digital rental
The Neverending Story (1984)
When I compiled the list of movies every kid should see before they're teenagers, a commenter noted that I probably purposely left out this fantasy film to save children from the "emotional trauma" my generation endured watching it. To be fair, they were right. The hero's beloved horse tragically sinks into a swamp, and a giant scary wolf spends most of his time hot on his heels. However, I recently took both my kids to a retrospective screening, and all they could talk about afterward was Falcor, the flying luck dragon, and the massive Rockbiter, so they emerged relatively unscathed. Proceed with caution, is what I'm saying.
Where to stream: Digital rental
ET: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
I included this classic on the list I linked to above because of Speilberg's genius idea to photograph it from a child's perspective. What I didn't mention is the language and rude humor (one character calls another "penis breath," while another drops a joke about the planet Uranus) or the intense scenes of the government agents who capture the titular character. But maybe that doesn't bug you—and its beautiful visuals and heartfelt message about the power of friendship are definitely still worth sharing with them today.
Where to stream: Digital rental
The Goonies (1985)
Speaking of movies about friendship with Steven Speilberg's name attached, The Goonies is a touchstone for any '80s kid lucky enough to have a VCR or a subscription to HBO. With its treasure-hunting, trap-filled plot, it feels like a family-friendly take on Indiana Jones (spoiler alert!—none of the characters get their still-beating hearts ripped from their chests or their faces melted). There's plenty in here that might be judged problematic today, including some racial stereotypes and fat-shaming, but you can clear that up with a conversation before and afterward.
Where to stream: Tubi, Digital rental
The Princess Bride (1987)
From Snow White to Sleeping Beauty, Disney has always been about royalty. Rob Reiner's The Princess Bride was the live-action antithesis of the Mouse House's animated traditional fairy tales, filled with all the action and silliness that kids love, and the unusual characters and quirky plot (taken from the novel by William Goldman, who also wrote the screenplay) that have made the movie so charming for generations of viewers.
Where to stream: Disney+, Digital rental
The Little Mermaid (1989)
I can still remember when I first saw The Little Mermaid. Not only did I like how its characters were designed, but I loved who they were. There was just something enchanting about a Jamaican crab waxing poetic about why he loves his underwater home, and the cunning and monstrous sea witch belting out her evil plan in song. And what kid can't relate to wanting to be somewhere else?
Where to stream: Disney+, Digital rental
The Karate Kid (1984)
For 40 years, the character Daniel LaRusso has been a beacon of hope to all the bullied kids out there, which is one of the reasons why The Karate Kid has endured. In training to become a karate master, he learns about respecting others and discovering self-confidence, which are important lessons for kids and adults. And Mr. Miyagi has been a surrogate dad to generations of fatherless kids. He listens to Daniel, and acts as his firm yet fair mentor.
Where to stream: Starz, Digital rental
The Great Muppet Caper (1981)
There is a small but dedicated group of fans of Jim Henson's felt creations who believe this sequel to The Muppet Movie is even better than its predecessor. Why, you ask? It's a silly, slapstick heist flick with elaborate musical numbers and a zany turn by the late great Charles Grodin, who tries to frame Miss Piggy for a series of jewel thefts. Once you (and your kids) see it, you'll know what the fuss is about.
Where to stream: Disney+, Digital rental
The Last Unicorn (1982)
Before the legendary Japanese animation house Studio Ghibli was founded, many of its animators worked for Topcraft, which often collaborated with Rankin/Bass Productions, including their version of The Hobbit. Their attention to detail makes their adaptation of Peter S. Beagle's melancholy fantasy novel about the world's last unicorn on a quest to find others of her kind so lovely to look at (it doesn't hurt that the author also wrote the screenplay). Just have the tissues ready, as this movie can stir up some emotions.
Where to stream: Tubi, Freevee, Peacock, Roku Channel, Plex, Shout TV, Digital rental
Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)
Studio Ghibli went on to make many critically acclaimed animated films, one being the beloved Kiki's Delivery Service. It's about a young witch who, much like a certain English wizard named Harry, must leave home to begin her training. But she doubts herself when some people in her new town don't accept her. It's only when Kiki "trusts her spirit" that she can find her magic, an obvious but essential lesson even adults sometimes need to remember.
Where to stream: Max, Digital rental
An American Tail (1986)
My great-grandparents immigrated to the United States, but because of a language barrier and my young age, I never got a sense of what that journey was like for them. It wasn't until I saw this movie about a young Russian immigrant mouse who gets separated from his family that I finally understood the risks and rewards of moving to a new land and what makes living in the United States so unique. Whether that resonates with your own family history, it's a story that's bound to fascinate your kids, who will imagine their own harrowing journey into a new world.
Where to stream: Starz, Digital rental
The Fox and the Hound (1981)
Here's another underrated Disney classic. The titular animals forge a friendship as kids but must face the realities of being natural adversaries once they get a bit older. Its lesson of acceptance is practically spoon-fed to viewers, but we all need to learn it at some point, and it's much more exciting for younger audiences than the similarly-themed Bambi. (The bear fight finale might even be too intense for the wee ones.)
Where to stream: Disney+, Digital rental