Top 20 Iconic Movies for 80s Kids

Growing up as an 80s kid meant watching certain movies over and over on VHS, cable, and weekend TV, until every line felt familiar. These films introduced characters, worlds, and adventures that still show up in jokes, references, and nostalgia today. They mixed sci fi, fantasy, teen life, romance, and comedy in ways that spoke directly to kids and teenagers of that era. Here are twenty films that helped define what movie nights looked like for a generation that grew up in the 1980s.

‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ (1982)

‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ follows a lonely boy named Elliott who discovers and hides a stranded alien in his suburban home. The story centers on their friendship as Elliott and his siblings try to help E.T. contact his spaceship and return home while avoiding government agents. The film uses simple suburban settings, practical effects, and child performances to keep the focus on the relationship between a boy and his alien friend. Iconic images like the bicycle flying across the moon became instantly recognizable to kids who saw it in theaters or on home video.

‘Back to the Future’ (1985)

‘Back to the Future’ sends teenager Marty McFly back in time in a modified DeLorean built by his eccentric friend Doc Brown. Marty accidentally interferes with his parents’ first meeting and has to repair the past so he can secure his own future existence. The film jumps between 1980s suburbia and 1950s small town life, letting viewers see the contrast between generations through familiar family and school settings. Its time travel rules, visual gags, and memorable set pieces turned the DeLorean and the clock tower into lasting pop culture symbols for 80s kids.

‘The Goonies’ (1985)

‘The Goonies’ follows a group of neighborhood kids who discover an old pirate map while their homes are threatened by a pending development project. They head into underground tunnels in search of the long lost treasure of One Eyed Willy, hoping to save their families from losing their houses. Along the way they deal with elaborate booby traps, criminals hiding out nearby, and their own arguments and friendships. The film gave 80s kids a story about using curiosity and teamwork to turn an ordinary day into a secret adventure.

‘Ghostbusters’ (1984)

‘Ghostbusters’ centers on three scientists who lose their academic jobs and decide to start a ghost removal business in New York City. Using homemade proton packs, traps, and a converted hearse, they respond to calls about paranormal activity around the city. Their work uncovers a much larger supernatural threat connected to an ancient entity and a haunted apartment building. The film’s blend of comedy, special effects, and catchy theme song made the ghost busting team and their logo instantly familiar to 80s kids.

‘The Karate Kid’ (1984)

‘The Karate Kid’ tells the story of Daniel, a teenager who moves to a new town and becomes the target of bullying from a group of karate students. He finds an unexpected mentor in his apartment’s handyman, Mr. Miyagi, who teaches him martial arts through repetitive chores and balanced movements. Training sequences focus on discipline, patience, and learning to defend rather than attack. The story builds to a climactic tournament that many 80s kids remember for its signature crane kick and underdog victory.

‘The Breakfast Club’ (1985)

‘The Breakfast Club’ takes place almost entirely inside a high school library during a long Saturday detention. Five students from different cliques are forced to spend the day together, including the athlete, the brain, the princess, the rebel, and the outsider. Over the course of their detention they share personal stories about family pressure, expectations, and school life that they usually keep hidden. For 80s kids, the film served as a portrait of high school labels, frustrations, and unspoken struggles behind everyday classroom routines.

‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ (1986)

‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ follows a charismatic high school student who decides to skip school and spend a carefree day exploring Chicago. Ferris ropes in his anxious best friend and his skeptical girlfriend, borrowing a prized sports car that becomes central to the day’s events. The group visits museums, restaurants, and a parade while staying one step ahead of school officials and Ferris’s suspicious sister. The film shows a version of teen rebellion built around clever tricks, city sights, and the idea of making the most of a single free day.

‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (1981)

‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ introduces archaeologist Indiana Jones as he races to find the biblical Ark of the Covenant before a group of Nazi agents. The story takes him from South American temples to desert dig sites, mixing historical references with pulp style action scenes. Traps, snakes, and chase sequences keep the pace moving, with Indy’s whip and fedora becoming visual trademarks. For 80s kids, it delivered an adventure that felt like a live action serial filled with globetrotting, ancient mysteries, and practical stunts.

‘The Empire Strikes Back’ (1980)

‘The Empire Strikes Back’ continues the story of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo as the Rebel Alliance faces renewed attacks from the Galactic Empire. The film opens with the rebels hiding on the icy planet Hoth and then splits the characters on separate paths, including Luke’s training with Yoda. It introduces new locations like the cloud city of Bespin and expands the Force through more intense lightsaber battles and visions. Major character revelations gave 80s kids one of the most talked about plot twists of the decade.

‘Return of the Jedi’ (1983)

‘Return of the Jedi’ brings the original trilogy’s story to a close with a plan to rescue Han Solo and a final confrontation with the Emperor. The film features the second Death Star under construction and shows the rebels preparing a major assault to end the Empire’s control. Scenes alternate between forest battles on Endor, space dogfights, and Luke’s struggle with the dark side in the throne room. Ewoks, Jabba’s palace, and the final celebration became key images tied to childhood viewings for many 80s kids.

‘Gremlins’ (1984)

‘Gremlins’ begins with a young man receiving a small creature called a Mogwai as a pet, along with strict rules about light, water, and feeding after midnight. When those rules are broken, the Mogwai multiplies and transforms into mischievous gremlins that wreak havoc on a small town during the holidays. Practical creature effects and miniature sets are used to show the gremlins causing chaos in homes, a movie theater, and local businesses. The film gave 80s kids a mix of humor and horror that felt both playful and unsettling.

‘The NeverEnding Story’ (1984)

‘The NeverEnding Story’ centers on a shy boy named Bastian who discovers a mysterious book about a fantasy land called Fantasia. As he reads, the book describes a young warrior tasked with stopping a destructive force known as the Nothing from consuming the world. The film features creatures like the luckdragon Falkor, a giant turtle, and a rockbiter, using animatronics and elaborate sets to bring the book’s world to life. The idea of a reader influencing the fate of a story gave 80s kids a memorable twist on the power of imagination.

‘Labyrinth’ (1986)

‘Labyrinth’ follows a teenage girl named Sarah who wishes her baby brother away and then has to rescue him from the Goblin King in a shifting maze. The story unfolds through musical numbers, optical illusions, and puppet characters created by Jim Henson’s workshop. Sarah must solve puzzles and navigate strange landscapes while confronting her own frustrations and responsibilities. For 80s kids, the combination of elaborate puppetry, original songs, and a fantasy world set just beyond an ordinary bedroom made the film stand out.

‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)

‘The Princess Bride’ presents itself as a story read by a grandfather to his sick grandson, blending fairy tale elements with humor and adventure. The plot follows Westley and Buttercup as they are separated by pirates, political schemes, and hired swords, all within a kingdom full of odd characters. Swordfights, cliffside rescues, and a journey through the Fire Swamp carry the story through familiar fairy tale beats with a modern tone. Kids in the 80s encountered a film that quoted like a storybook while still feeling fresh and self aware.

‘Top Gun’ (1986)

‘Top Gun’ focuses on a talented but impulsive Navy pilot nicknamed Maverick who attends an elite fighter weapons school. Training sequences show real aircraft performing maneuvers over the ocean as pilots compete for top marks and recognition. The film includes classroom instruction, volleyball games, and bar scenes around the base, giving a full look at life inside and outside the cockpit. Its flight scenes, musical choices, and emphasis on call signs and aviator gear left a strong impression on 80s kids who watched it on big and small screens.

‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ (1988)

‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ takes place in a version of 1940s Los Angeles where animated characters and humans live and work side by side. The film follows a weary private detective hired to investigate a case involving the cartoon star Roger Rabbit, which leads to a larger conspiracy affecting all toons. It uses advanced visual effects for the time to place hand drawn animated characters into live action sets with realistic lighting and interaction. 80s kids saw familiar cartoon techniques combined with noir style storytelling in a way that felt completely new at the time.

‘Stand by Me’ (1986)

‘Stand by Me’ follows four young friends who set out on a multi day walk after hearing about a missing boy’s body hidden along a railroad line. The story focuses on their conversations about family, fears, and the future as they move through forests, train tracks, and small town spaces. Flashbacks and narration from one character as an adult frame the trip as a meaningful moment from childhood. For 80s kids, it presented a realistic look at friendship and growing up that contrasted with more fantastical adventures of the era.

‘Dirty Dancing’ (1987)

‘Dirty Dancing’ is set at a summer resort where a sheltered teenager nicknamed Baby meets a working class dance instructor named Johnny. The resort’s planned activities contrast with the staff’s late night dance parties, giving Baby a glimpse of a different social world. The film follows their preparation for a big performance while dealing with class differences, family expectations, and a personal medical crisis affecting another character. Its choreography, music, and resort setting turned the story of one summer into a familiar reference point for 80s teens.

‘The Little Mermaid’ (1989)

‘The Little Mermaid’ tells the story of Ariel, a young mermaid princess who trades her voice for a chance to live on land and pursue a human prince. The film uses colorful underwater animation, musical numbers, and sidekick characters like Sebastian and Flounder to build out the ocean kingdom. Above the water, it contrasts palace life with the dangers of the sea witch’s bargain and the ticking deadline on Ariel’s transformation. For 80s kids, it marked a new wave of animated musicals with memorable songs and lavish animation that many first encountered in theaters or on video.

‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ (1990)

‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ brings the comic and cartoon heroes to live action with actors in detailed creature suits created by special effects artists. The film shows how four turtle brothers trained by their rat mentor Splinter fight street crime in New York City while hiding in the sewers. It introduces their rivalry with the Foot Clan and its leader Shredder, blending martial arts scenes with pizza fueled downtime. For kids who grew up in the late 80s, the movie connected directly to the toys, animated series, and playground games built around the turtle team.

Share your favorite 80s kid movies in the comments and let everyone know which ones you still rewatch today.