Scene from Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark featuring characters carrying a golden artifact.

Best 80s Movies for Kids to Watch Now

Updated April 18, 2025

Check out our roundup of the best 80s movies for kids, and introduce your family to some of your own childhood favorites! Classic characters, epic adventures, and plenty of laughs are in store for your next family movie night.

Keep in mind that the PG-13 rating was introduced in the mid-80s, so earlier PG movies might be less appropriate than you would expect. We welcome parent reviews about content in the comments for each movie, so be sure to check those out!

This list is made up entirely of parent recommendations, so please add yours! What kids 80s movies have you enjoyed watching with your family?

21 Recommendations

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Three Amigos (1986)

Steve Martin, Chevy Chase and Martin Short are a comedic dream team in this funny 80s family movie. When the stars of the silver screen are invited to perform in a small town in Mexico, they are as surprised as anyone when they find out they've been hired to fight the bad guys for real!

Vanessa M. said: This flick is full of laughs and a plethora of quotable lines!

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Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

A charming teenager fakes sick to cut a day from high school and goes on a whirlwind adventure throughout Chicago.

Alexandra F. said: My teens really liked this one! I had forgotten how much language it has, so glad we waited until they were a little older.

Lucasfilm Ltd.

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

In the first of the series of Indiana Jones adventures, our archaeologist hero goes on a quest to find the Ark of the Covenant before his Nazi foes, who plan to abuse its mythical powers. It's a slightly scary and action-packed story that makes a fun movie for tweens and teens.

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Labyrinth (1986)

Labyrinth is an imaginative and delightfully weird movie where a teenage girl has to rescue her baby brother from a Goblin King (David Bowie) in a fantasy world loaded with amazing Muppet puppetry.

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Harry And The Hendersons (1987)

A warm-hearted and funny 80s movie about a family that hits a bigfoot with their car, brings him home, and discovers that he isn't dead after all.

Kelly R said: My kids loved it, we loved the nostalgia of seeing it again after so many years, and it has great lessons about not judging others by appearances. Plus, the usual genius from John Lithgow!

Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Pee-Wee's Big Adventure (1985)

Quirky and silly family movie about Pee-wee's cross-country quest to recover his stolen bicycle.

Kelly R said: Pee-Wee's zany quest to discover his stolen red bicycle was a hit with my elementary-aged kids. Yes, the eye-popping scene with Large Marge is still creepy, but overall the movie is wholesome and fun.