Buddy / Comedy Drama / Coming-of-age / Family / Drama
1981
The Fox and the Hound
A childhood friendship that learns the hard way what loyalty and duty actually cost.
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Explore the genre
Family movies from the 80s
Family movies of the 1980s mixed adventure, fantasy, comedy and imagination in ways that helped define childhood moviegoing for an entire generation.
From animated journeys to strange creatures and impossible adventures, these are films built around discovery, friendship and the kind of escapism closely associated with the decade.
10 movies so far
Family movies
Science Fiction / Drama / Children's / Family
1982
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
A story about a lonely boy, a stranded stranger and the small, uncanny bravery of childhood.
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Adventure / Family
1983
The Black Stallion Returns
The Black Stallion Returns: friendship and freedom, and why this 1983 movie still matters.
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Adventure / Comedy / Children's / Treasure Hunt / Action / Pirate / Family
1985
The Goonies
A scrappy band of kids, a busted attic map and Mikey’s stubborn heart — that’s The Goonies in a nutshell.
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Drama / Family
1986
An American Tail
An American Tail: family and freedom, and why this 1986 movie still matters.
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Sci-Fi / Adventure / Family
1986
Flight of the Navigator
A boy, eight missing years and a chrome spaceship that needs him as much as he needs home.
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Sci-Fi / Comedy / Family
1986
Short Circuit
A lightning-struck robot, a handful of humans who care, and an argument about what counts as being alive.
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Fantasy / Musical / Family / Children's
1987
The Brave Little Toaster
The Brave Little Toaster: family and parents protecting their children, and why this 1987 movie still matters.
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Buddy / Musical / Children's / Comedy Drama / Family / Adventure
1988
Oliver & Company
Oliver & Company: family and greed, and why this 1988 movie still matters.
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Family / Coming-of-age / Adventure / Buddy / Drama
1988
The Land Before Time
A small longneck, a fierce loss and a journey that still finds you where you live.
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