10 Greatest Kids Movies Set In The 80s, Ranked

Published Aug 17, 2026, 10:15 AM EDT Anthony is a news reporter and a guide writer who has covered the entertainment industry for five years. He has covered a wide range of genres, including aviation incidents and international crime, and has a keen eye for details that may slip under the radar. When he's not writing, Anthony can be found at Brands Hatch race track or at home watching indie horror movies nobody has heard of. The 80s were an incredible time for kids' movies, with the best telling fantastic stories we still talk about today. Naturally, many films made in the decade were set in that period, and plenty have stood the test of time. One of the most fascinating things about 80s movies is what actually passed as suitable for children. Many titles had a PG rating, and while that stands for parental guidance, there's no way it would hold up if the same movies were released today. Gremlins, for example, is a classic with a PG rating, but with horror elements. The gremlins themselves may be scary for a young audience. Even Kate's (Phoebe Cates) explanation about why she dislikes Christmas is particularly grim. Ghostbusters is another movie with a PG rating, and while it's arguably less scary than Gremlins, it contains suggestive adult scenes parents may be reluctant to explain to their kids. Still, there are some exceptional 80s kids movies, and some are so influential we can still see their impact in modern films. Many of these titles are arguably timeless. Some are like time capsules from decades ago, while others tell such wonderfully crafted stories that they remain relevant today. Whether you're looking for a trip down memory lane or a classic you can enjoy with a multigenerational audience, there's some truly great movies set in the 80s that are suitable for kids. 10 The Last Starfighter (1984) The Last Starfighter is like a time capsule, depicting a booming arcade scene that's now mostly a relic of the past. Lance Guest is Alex Rogan. He lives in a trailer, spending his evenings in the arcade playing Starfighter. Alex eventually gets the high score, a feat which changes his life forever. Starfighter is no ordinary arcade game and is actually part of a training program to become a Star League pilot. Alex is suddenly introduced to a world he never knew existed. It's a shock, leaving him to question if he's ready to leave his life on Earth behind. The Last Starfighter tells a sci-fi wish-fulfillment story that is especially fun for young gamers. Alex is also a relatable main character, as he's just a regular teenager who happens to be good at games rather than a trained soldier. 9 Honey, I Shrunk The Kids (1989) Honey, I Shrunk the Kids is a late-80s comedy-adventure about an eccentric scientist, Wayne Szalinski (Rick Moranis). He creates a shrinking machine, though his two children accidentally activate it without his knowledge. The children shrink to less than an inch tall. Even worse, two of their friends are also shrunk, and Wayne sweeps them into the trash and throws them in the backyard. The garden is a far scarier place when you're so small, and the children experience regular objects and insects in a completely new light. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids is remarkable for using a typical garden as the platform for an epic adventure. Audiences of all ages will enjoy seeing a creative spin on everyday items, and the kids' quest to get back home. 8 The Neverending Story (1984) Much of The Neverending Story takes place on the pages of a fantasy book, though the title frequently switches focus to the real world. Bastian (Barret Oliver) 'borrows' a book from a store called The Neverending Story. The book tells a grand tale about Atreyu (Noah Hathaway) and his quest to find a cure for the Childlike Empress who has fallen ill. However, Bastian soon realizes that he's connected to the story, as the adventure unfolds and his actions affect the tale. Audiences who have watched The Neverending Story will remember one particular scene responsible for some generational trauma. Nevertheless, the 1984 movie tells a high-fantasy story and remains the best in the franchise. 7 Labyrinth (1986) Labyrinth may be a cheeky pick because much of the film occurs in a fantasy land. However, events in the real world occur during the 80s, and Jennifer Connelly stars as Sarah, a girl on a quest to rescue her baby brother from the Goblin King (David Bowie). Sarah explores a wild fantasy land where things are not always what they seem. This world contains many fantasy-style tropes, like castles and soldiers in armor, but it also includes far more bizarre denizens, such as talking door-knockers and fiery red talking birds that can detach their limbs. Many remember Labyrinth fondly for its lovable cast and Bowie's theatrical portrayal of the Goblin King. Bowie performs some unforgettable songs, like Magic Dance, and the Jim Henson Productions puppetry still holds up remarkably well. 6 Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989) Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure is a timeless classic, suitable for a universal audience, set in San Dimas in 1989. The movie stars Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves as Bill and Ted, two students who are about to fail their history class. The pair are wannabe rock stars and don't realize that their music will one day change the planet for the better. Authorities from the future send them a time machine, which they use to collect historical figures so they can pass the test. It's a wild ride, as the duo meets many historical icons, including Abraham Lincoln and Socrates. Chaos ensues when they bring everyone to 1989, and the movie is fast-paced, with enough subtle jokes to appeal to kids and adults alike. 5 The Goonies (1985) The Goonies is a quintessential '80s kids' movie with a fantasy-adventure story and follows a group of children from the Goon Docks. Mikey (Sean Astin) finds a mysterious map hidden in his attic and shows it to his friends. The Goonies decide to follow the map, and clues lead them into a cave system. They quickly run into trouble when they discover dangerous booby traps and a strange family who chases them. The kids even find a hidden pirate ship with priceless treasure inside. Very young audiences may find the family scary, but the movie is full of wonder and comedy and tells a fast-paced adventure story suitable for a broad audience. 4 Ghostbusters (1984) Image via Columbia Pictures Ghostbusters is arguably the most 'adult' movie on the list, with a few scary and implied adult moments. Still, the movie is rated PG, with a mighty merchandise campaign aimed squarely at a young audience. The movie stars Bill Murray as Dr. Peter Venkman alongside Dr. Raymond Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) and Dr. Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis). They start a business busting ghosts in New York, which quickly takes off, prompting Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson) to join the team. The Ghostbusters quickly become celebrities for their paranormal services, but Walter (William Atherton), an EPA agent, decides to shut them down with disastrous consequences. Ghostbusters boasts an iconic cast, including Sigourney Weaver as Dana. There are some scary moments which may frighten young children, but gadgets like the Proton Pack and PKE meters remain iconic even today. 3 The Karate Kid (1984) The Karate Kid is a special movie on this list, starring Ralph Macchio as Daniel Larusso. Audiences in the 80s who grew up alongside the character have seen him mature across three movies. He then starred in the Cobra Kai TV show alongside William Zabka as Johnny. Johnny is one of the antagonists in the original movie. He bullies Daniel, who begins to learn martial arts and how to defend himself under the mentorship of Mr Miyagi (Pat Morita). Daniel trains for an upcoming karate tournament, though we quickly realize the lengths Johnny's teacher will go to ensure he doesn't win the competition. The Karate Kid tells a brilliant coming-of-age story and started a beloved saga with a huge fanbase to this day. The title blends teen drama and martial arts and is widely regarded as the best in the original trilogy. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a decade-defining kids' movie, set in 1982. Henry Thomas stars as Elliot. He's a young boy who encounters an alien in the forest. He names the creature E.T. and takes him home, attempting to hide the alien from his family. Naturally, the arrival of a spacecraft draws the government's attention and turns a once-whimsical story about helping E.T. return home into a frantic struggle to keep him safe. The movie was marketed to kids, though it also contains multiple traumatic scenes that may be scary for a young audience. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial remains a classic feel-good movie despite a few oddly dark moments. "E.T. phone home" is one of the most memorable movie quotes of the era, and the special effects still hold up. 1 Back To The Future (1985) Few 80s movies are as beloved and well-known as Back to the Future. So many aspects of the movie remain important parts of pop culture today, and the title remains a timeless classic. Michael J. Fox stars as Marty McFly. He's friends with Dr. Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd), who has created a time machine inside a DeLorean. The movie is set in the 80s, but Marty accidentally travels back to the 50s in the DeLorean and encounters his parents, who are only teenagers. Worst of all, his mom is attracted to him instead of his dad. Back to the Future blends action, comedy, time travel, and teen drama as Marty tries to return to his timeline. The result is a remarkable 80s movie that's suitable for kids and just as enjoyable for adults. It's arguably one of the greatest kids' movies of the era, and while the original is a masterpiece, all three are enjoyable for everyone.