Top Non-Animated Children’s Films of the Late 1980s (1985-1989)

As the 80s continued and big hair and colorful spandex reigned o’er the land as far as the eye could see, children’s movie tastes also began to evolve.  And with these growing appetites, whetted by some amazing films earlier in the decade (E.T., The Karate Kid, The Neverending story, etc.), came a wave of memorable responses from directors.

The remaining part of the decade saw dozens of remarkable stories come to life for children: whether it was a band of misfit adolescents searching for lost treasure or a boy turned man who still thinks like a boy (this could be two movies on our list actually) or a man who just happens to be as tall as a child with more courage than men three times his size, the stories told in the latter half of the decade captured imaginations across the globe.  And perhaps for decades to come as well.

1. The Goonies (PG) – 1985

Director: Richard Donner
Writer: Steven Spielberg (story) and Chris Columbus (screenplay)
Actors: Sean Astin, Josh Brolin and Jeff Cohen

Premise: A group of kids embark on a wild adventure after finding a pirate treasure map. Result: One of the most brilliant children’s adventures ever told that didn’t involve magic or aliens of any kind but instead relied on bravery, mystery and a few pirates.

The Goonies is one of the few films in our cinematic lexicon where it is legal to assault a person if he/she either did not see or does not love it.* Director Richard Donner, along with music director Cyndi Lauper and an astonishingly talented cast, managed to capture all the sentiments of a confusing adolescence and put them to good use.

But the two-time Saturn Award nominee (winnerBest Supporting Actress – Anne Ramsey) is not simply about adventure (although there is ample) but also about friendship and empowerment.  This film provides a perfect platform for a child’s imagination to take him or her to a place where courage and self-confidence over any obstacle are the norm. A beautiful film with memorable characters, an exhilarating plot, and an unforgettable story, The Goonies is a must watch for any child of any age, any time.  Adults welcome.

*note: this is not true.

 
2. The Princess Bride (PG) – 1987

Director: Rob Reiner
Writer: William Goldman (book and screenplay)
Actors: Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin and Robin Wright

Premise: A wonderfully classic fairy tale, with swordplay, giants, an evil prince, a beautiful princess, and yes, some kissing (with some awesome Peter Faulk narration!). Result: A mesmerizing, funny, and intensely memorable story that is beyond a classic to the point of being subconscious.

The Princess Bride, not unlike its rival The Goonies (on this list only, no doubt), is one of the most impactful children’s films of all time.  It is hysterical without being silly, clever without being dense, and poignant without being sappy. Read by a curmudgeonly grandfather to his suspicious grandson (who is faking illness to avoid school), The Princess Bride instantly makes children relate and adults smile…oh, and relate.

The story rests on eternal love that didn’t start that way, between a pompous young girl and a young boy who served her.  Of course, as in all fairy tales, love comes eventually, true love, and then is quickly lost. The story is of their journey to reunite and the insane plot that ensues is filled with clever comedy and memorable fantasy that truly raised the bar for films in general.

It is no wonder that The Princess Bride fared well with awards as well, garnering an Academy Award nomination and four Saturn award nominations (with two wins including Best Fantasy film.) So whether we are searching for a “man with six fingers on one hand” or avoiding a “land war in Asia”, this film will be impossible to forget for the deep connection it is able to instill in its audiences.  Every moment is filled with new wonders and storms of humor that will not, cannot, be forgotten.

 

3.  Willow (PG) – 1988

Director: Ron Howard
Writer: George Lucas (story), and Bob Dolman (screenplay)
Actors: Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley and Warwick Davis

Premise: A dwarf must save a special baby from evil queen Bavmorda. Result. An exhilarating and astounding journey into the world of magic and bravery.

This brilliant children’s film is also wonderful for adults, as is the theme of all these movies.  Helmed by Howard, Willow demonstrates that the “little” guy can literally be more powerful than those many times his size.  At all turns this film is uplifting despite being dark and moody; some great acting by Kilmer and Davis make the film believable and exciting.  Magic, evil, sword fights and dragons as well as love and friendship tie together perfectly in this classic tale.

The film received two Academy Award Nominations (Best Visual and Sound Effects) and five Saturn Award Nominations (including a Best Costumes win), but the charm of the film is far better than these lesser categories would indicate.  All children should see this film at least once, but likely, after seeing it the first time, once just won’t be enough.

 

4.  Labyrinth (PG) – 1986

Director: Jim Henson
Writer: Dennis Lee (story),  Jim Henson (story) and Terry Jones (screenplay)
Actors: David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly and Toby Froud

Premise: When young Sarah accidentally wishes her baby half-brother away, she gets more than she bargains for when the Goblin King Jareth grants her wish. Result: One of the most creative and visually stimulating films of a generation is a must see for all families.

Two Saturn Award nominations and a BAFTA nomination (Best Special Effects) can’t even begin to describe this unforgettable Henson masterpiece.  Following up his astonishing opus in The Dark Crystal, Henson took his puppets to yet new heights and with the help of a brilliantly fun story, a wonderful cast, and unforgettable, if bizarre songs (sung by Bowie himself!).

Every moment of this film is stimulating, amusing and exciting.  It is often dark but the mood is still light-hearted and the ultimate resolution of the film will keep children smiling and excited.  It is also timeless, able to connect with audiences of all ages whether the film serves as a poignant childhood memory or a fresh new reminder of what a beautiful masterpiece looks like.

 

5.  Big (PG) – 1988

Director: Penny Marshall
Writer: Gary Ross, Anne Spielberg
Actors: Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins and Robert Loggia

Premise: A boy wishes to be grown up at a magic wish machine, wakes up the next morning and finds himself in an adult body literally overnight. Result. An amazing and beautiful film that teaches lessons as it entertains.

Perhaps partly due to its cross-over success (nominated for two Academy Awards -Actor and screenplay- and winning three of six Saturn awards), many people would dispute that Big is actually a children’s film because of some of its adult content; in fact, the determination is better taken as a matter of perspective: in this case, the perspective of a child.

The film focuses on a child in an adult body who now explores the world as the adult the world sees.  It is, in fact, his child’s perspective that appeals so greatly to Macmillan toys in the first place.  Here children can live out their dreams of finally growing up and as Josh will attest, it is not always what you really want.  As a modern day Little Prince, Josh is never truly an adult, but realizes that he is a child and needs to grow up gradually.  It is an important lesson for children to watch and for adults to remember.

 

6.  *Batteries Not Included (PG) – 1987

Director: Matthew Robbins
Writer: Mick Garris (story), Brad Bird (screenplay), Matthew Robbins (screenplay), Brent Maddock (screenplay), and S.S. Wilson (screenplay)
Actors: Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy and Frank McRae

Premise: Apartment tenants seek help from miniature, mechanical aliens to save their building from demolition.  Result. A remarkable, heart-warming tale of trust and friendship.

This enchanting film stole hearts by continuing the tradition established by E.T by choosing to make aliens the good guys.  These adorably anthropomorphized little robot creatures were given all sorts of humanity and really helped move along a plot we had sort of seen before but still managed to keep us watching. And , of course, great to watch again.

Jessica Tandy  actually won the 1988 Saturn Award for Best Actress and the film was also nominated for Best Fantasy Film.  All well-deserved accolades for a film you are not likely to forget.

 

7.  Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (PG) -1985

Director: Tim Burton
Writer: Phil Hartman, Paul Reubens, Michael Varhol
Actors: Paul Reubens, Elizabeth Daily and Mark Holton

Premise: Pee-Wee Herman embarks on the big adventure of his life to save his prize possession: his bicycle. Result: One of the more memorable and eccentric films of its day, or ever, PWBA is runs the gamut of emotions and never apologizes.  And neither should you for loving it!

PWBA is one of the more bizarre stories of the 1980s, filled with inexplicable eccentricities that jump off the screen.  Linked to the quirks of the TV star Paul Reubens and his hit show Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, PWBA is a whirlwind of color and gleeful madness.  At every turn there is something strange, new and creative that will captivate imaginations, young and ..er…less young….

 

 8.  Who Framed Roger Rabbit (PG) – 1988

Director: Robert Zemeckis
Writer: Jeffrey Price (screenplay) & Peter S. Seaman (screenplay)
Actors: Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd and Joanna Cassidy

Premise: A detective is a cartoon rabbit’s only hope to prove his innocence when he is accused of murder. Result: One of the first forays into a world where animated life and humans interact.

Based on the Gary K. Wolf novel Who Censored Roger Rabbit, Zemeckis’ partially animated masterpiece explores a world where human and cartoons intermix, and where the rough edges of reality transform them from cute and cuddly inventions. As a stylistic predecessor to contemporary animations that equip cartoons with myriad human flaws and quirks, Who Framed Roger Rabbit sets a brilliantly creative tone for a new conception of reality that insists on child participation.

Nominated for six Academy Awards (winning three for Sound, Visual Effects and Sound Mixing), eight Saturn Awards (winning three) and five BAFTAs (winning one), there is little question that the film was technically sound.  However, the experience itself deserves far greater praise as children and adults everywhere will attest.

9.  Flight of the Navigator (PG) – 1986

Director: Randal Kleiser
Writer: Mark H. Baker  storyMichael Burton  screenplayMatt MacManus  screenplay
Actors: Joey Cramer, Paul Reubens and Veronica Cartwright

Premise: A boy has an adventure after and alien ship takes him to the future. Result: A memorable film that entertains and empowers.

This brilliant tale not only revisited the familiar and exciting interaction between space and children, but Flight of the Navigator also made the child the star.  In this case, the film is useful to help children of all ages understand courage and empowerment, and for many, help them dream that they too are special beyond compare without even knowing it. Nominated for three Saturn Awards, Flight is a must see for families to help their children enhance that essential sense of wonder.

 

10.    Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (PG) – 1989

Director: Joe Johnston
Writer: Stuart Gordon (story), Brian Yuzna (story),  Ed Naha (story),
Ed Naha (screenplay) and Tom Schulman (screenplay)
Actors: Rick Moranis, Matt Frewer and Marcia Strassman

Premise: The scientist and father of two teenage boys accidentally shrinks his and two other neighborhood teens to the size of insects who now must fend for themselves in the brave…familiar world. Result: An entertaining classic that helped advance special effects for children.

With six Saturn Award Nominations and one BAFTA win, Honey I Shrunk the Kids certainly received some proper accolades.  But it is its clear places in children’s hearts; grossing over $130 million on a budget of less than $20 million, Honey was certainly a blockbuster.

But these metrics alone miss the point; spawning several sequels (not nearly as good), the original Honey, I Shrunk the Kids captured imaginations and was quite innovative.  While many films explored what it was like to live amongst giant creatures in strange places, few showed what would happen with humans trapped in their own world under similar circumstances.  The fun was ultimately undeniable.

 

Honorable Mentions: Short Circuit, Little Monsters, The Worst Witch, The Wizard, Space Camp