As a child of the ’80s and a lifelong fan of Disney movies, I can confidently say that “The Little Mermaid” (1989) and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” (1988) are two of the most enchanting films to ever grace the silver screen.
Speaking of the ’80s, it was quite a colorful era marked by large hairstyles, neon fashion, and cable television. For Disney, however, it was mostly a decade-long dry spell at the box office, which ended with the successful release of “The Little Mermaid” in 1989, finally putting an end to their prolonged slump.
Although Disney didn’t produce many major blockbusters during the ’80s, it doesn’t make their films from that era any less great. In fact, several iconic movies – both live-action and animated – were released by the company during this time, often overlooked. These films have left lasting impressions on Gen-Xers and older millennials around the world, while many others continue to be undervalued. This list ranks them from least to best, but even the most modest entry is worth watching. Here’s a brief look at Disney’s top productions from the 1980s.
The Fox and the Hound (1981)
This enchanting, richly animated tale may not be as cherished in memory compared to numerous other Disney productions, primarily due to its somewhat unremarkable plot and an unusual, less-than-happy conclusion – a rarity for children’s films from the Disney family. However, despite its imperfections, animation enthusiasts might still find pleasure in viewing it.
In this animated movie, we meet Copper, a young bloodhound voiced by Kurt Russell and Corey Feldman, who befriends an orphaned fox kit named Tod, played by Mickey Rooney and Keith Mitchell, under the care of Widow Tweed (Jeanette Nolan). The owner of Copper, Amos Slade (Jack Albertson), spots Tod on his property, leading to a fierce hatred as he pursues Tod. This chase results in injury to another bloodhound, Chief, owned by Slade. Forest friends caution Tod that he and Copper may one day grow to dislike each other, with Copper being trained for fox hunting. Despite these warnings, Tod remains hopeful about the bond they formed as pups. The main query is whether Copper will keep this loyalty.
The movie was initially based on a book that wasn’t suitable for families. Sadly, Disney hasn’t ventured into such adventurous adaptations much since then, making “The Fox and the Hound” both a significant achievement and a symbolic ending point in Disney’s extensive animation timeline.
Oliver and Company (1988)
Check out another lesser-known 2D animated movie that’s delightful and lively to watch – “Oliver & Company.” Despite not being a blockbuster, it boasts catchy tunes and offers an exciting journey. Based on a creative reinterpretation of “Oliver Twist,” the classic Charles Dickens novel is transformed into a story about street-smart cats and dogs in New York City, but it strays too far from the original story, which explains its lower ranking on this list.
Young kitten named Oliver (Joey Lawrence), with an orange coat, yearns for a loving family environment. Unfortunate circumstances lead him to become involved with a gang of dog thieves led by Fagin (Dom DeLuise). This group is instructed to steal in order to help Fagin alleviate his financial troubles. Oliver befriends Dodger (Billy Joel), Tito (Cheech Marin), Einstein (Richard Mulligan), Francis (Roscoe Lee Browne), and Rita (Sheryl Lee Ralph) within this group. As Oliver assists Fagin in meeting the demands of Bill Sykes (Robert Loggia) for cash, he encounters a wealthy girl named Jenny Foxworth (Natalie Gregory). Despite the disapproval of her pampered poodle, Georgette (Bette Midler), Jenny takes Oliver into her family. In time, Oliver must choose where he belongs and decide on his future path.
The film’s inclusion of the song “Why Should I Worry?” should be enough to cement it in the loftiest ranks of pop culture’s pantheon, but unfortunately, the movie “Oliver & Company” has mostly slipped into obscurity since its debut. It remains to be seen if this classic Disney film will experience a resurgence and become a late hit among a future generation of fans.
Flight of the Navigator (1986)
Is it plausible for a Disney production to become a cult film? The movie “Flight of the Navigator” serves as evidence that even the largest studios can produce an original science fiction narrative that is both captivating and distinctive, only for it to wind up as something of a hidden gem.
The movie primarily revolves around David Freeman (played by Joey Cramer), a youth whose life takes an extraordinary turn when he tumbles into a canyon on the Fourth of July in 1978, rendering him unconscious. He regains consciousness in 1986, yet miraculously hasn’t aged a day. This is due to his mysterious link with an alien spacecraft (voiced by Paul Reubens as Paul Mall), which has deposited him in the future. David must then join forces with this vessel—which he calls Max—to navigate perils, help Max gather essential data, and potentially return David to 1978, his rightful time period.
Back in the day, when this film initially graced the silver screen, it didn’t quite strike the right chord with audiences, resulting in a disappointing box office performance. However, over time, it has morphed into a beloved cult classic. Interestingly enough, one of Disney’s earliest films to incorporate an expletive, it’s now being revived for a remake by Bryce Dallas Howard, set to debut on Disney+. So, Navigator, get ready to embark on this journey once more!
Honey I Shrunk the Kids (1989)
Back in the day, there was a live-action Disney movie that everyone still recalls fondly. “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” left an indelible mark on our hearts. This film became synonymous with Disney magic, inspiring a treasured attraction in their theme parks and raking in enough at the box office to spawn two sequels and a television show.
he’s found a way to either shrink or enlarge organic matter using a unique laser. Regrettably, his children, Amy and Nick, along with their neighbors, Ron and Russ Thompson, unintentionally get shrunk due to a ball going through the Szalinski’s window and their hasty exploration of the attic where Wayne keeps his shrinking device. Consequently, the kids find themselves in perilous situations such as being eaten by the dog, drowning in a bowl of cereal, or getting run over by a lawnmower. The question now is: can the children warn their parents and mend the neighborly dispute before it’s all over?
Movie Set Adventure”. After it, other titles like “Honey, I Blew Up the Baby” and “Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves” were released in theaters and on home video. A TV show based on the series ran for three seasons as well. Currently, there are rumors of a reboot, but its status remains undecided.
The Journey of Natty Gan (1985)
In the 1980s, not all productions by Disney were animated or expensive sci-fi productions; instead, for a significant part of the decade, the studio continued to focus on live-action historical films. One of the most captivating among these is “The Journey of Natty Gann,” which narrates the tale of a girl who, during The Great Depression, manages to survive being separated from her father by hitching rides on trains and befriending a wolf.
As Natty Gann, a spirited young girl, my father Sol (Ray Wise) finds himself in a tight spot, needing to take drastic steps to secure employment – leaving me behind in Chicago while he journeys cross-country. He promises to send for me once he’s sorted things out financially, but life takes an unexpected turn when the woman running our lodgings threatens to send me to an orphanage.
In the 1990s, Disney might have released another inspiring historical story similar to “Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken,” titled “The Journey of Natty Gann.” However, over time, this ’80s production has been somewhat overlooked in Disney’s live-action history. It is high time that “The Journey of Natty Gann” received the recognition it deserves, going beyond just being a cherished memory.
The Black Cauldron (1985)
The Black Cauldron,” a cinematic interpretation of Lloyd Alexander’s novels, marked several unprecedented milestones for Disney. It was their first animated film to incorporate computer-generated visuals and was the initial Disney production to receive a PG rating from the Motion Picture Association (MPA) due to its intense imagery. Moreover, it nearly drove Disney’s animation department into financial distress when it failed at the box office. Despite these challenges, this movie is a captivating work that has unfortunately been overshadowed in popular culture.
The movie tells the story of assistant pigkeeper Taran (Grant Bardsley), whose dream of adventure is granted when the evil Horned King steals a pig with precognitive capabilities. He believes the pig, Hen Wen, will be able to search for and find the Black Cauldron, a vessel from which he can create an endless army. Taran forms a ragtag team with fellow captives Princess Eilonwy (Susan Sheridan), Gurgi (John Byner), and Fflewddur Fflam (Nigel Hawthorne). Soon, they’re on the trail of the Horned King, but will they be able to stop him in time? All in all, it’s a worthwhile adventure. It may not be Disney’s absolute best, but it is one of their most creative adaptations. It definitely deserves a remake — maybe one that’s more accurate to the novels that it sprung from.
Great Mouse Detective (1986)
The Great Mouse Detective,” an imaginative reinterpretation of Sherlock Holmes set in a charming mouse universe, has been gaining popularity among animation enthusiasts once more. Its captivating visuals, engaging script, intriguing mystery plot, and outstanding voice performances have all contributed to its resurgence.
In the whimsical realm of “The Great Mouse Detective”, I, a curious gamer mouse, found myself embarking on an extraordinary adventure. Young Olivia Flaversham (Susanne Pollatschek) was my guide through this world, leading me to the doors of Baker Street and the renowned detective, Basil (Barrie Ingham).
This story is an exciting, personality-driven mystery that gives a genuine sense of adventure and originality. Furthermore, as one of the most iconically Disney experiences from the 1980s, it successfully entertains viewers of any age, regardless of their maturity.
Tron (1982)
I’m Tron, I stand up for the people! This Disney action is brilliantly inventive, capturing the essence of the early 1980s and offering a fun glimpse into the tech-filled future. Forty years later, ‘Tron’ seems to have foreseen the technological landscape we inhabit today.
Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) runs an arcade and software engineer. Fired from ENCOM, his previous employer, Kevin tries to hack into the company’s mainframe in an act of revenge against Ed Dillinger (David Warner), the man who stole his video game ideas and used them to ascend the company ladder. But Kevin’s attempt at inserting his program, CLU, into the game in order to learn incriminating information about ENCOM is constantly deleted. It turns out Dillinger is allowing ENCOM’s MCP to swallow up personal information and government data, among many other forms of digital information, to add to the company’s knowledge base because they know about his thievery and are blackmailing him. When Lora Baines (Cindy Morgan) and Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner) have access to their own work at the company revoked, they learn about Dillinger’s secret and tell Kevin what’s going on. Together, they sneak into ENCOM to turn on Alan’s guardian program Tron to stop the grand data consumption — only for Kevin to be digitized and uploaded into the mainframe. Now, he must play his own video games in a fight for his life.
For over four decades since its debut, “Tron” continues to stand out as a remarkable piece of technological cinematography, yet it transcends being merely visually stunning. It’s more than just a spectacle; it delves into themes of justice, the importance of technology respecting its limits, and the unyielding strength of friendship. It’s no wonder that it spawned a sequel, a TV series, and soon, a third installment. Fans are so invested in Tron that they advocate for him passionately.
The Little Mermaid (1989)
In the three decades following its debut, there hasn’t been much left unsaid about “The Little Mermaid”. It played a pivotal role in revitalizing Disney animation and ushering in a period of studio success. The reason for this enduring popularity lies in the film itself: “The Little Mermaid” offers enchanting music, captivating animation, exceptional voice acting, and a poignant storyline that explores the complex dynamic between fathers and daughters. Over time, it has been analyzed and reanalyzed, standing the test of time as a beloved classic.
Ariel, voiced by Jodi Benson, is a mermaid princess yearning for a human lifestyle. Her father King Triton (Kenneth Mars) disapproves, viewing it as rebellious teenage behavior. In response to his anger, he destroys her treasures from the surface world. Desperate, Ariel turns to Ursula (Pat Carroll), a sea witch her father had warned against. Ursula proposes a deal: she can become human, but at the price of losing her voice. Agreeing, Ariel transforms and reaches the shore without her voice, but with legs, which she had desired. However, she now faces a daunting challenge: she must win Prince Eric’s (Christopher Daniel Barnes) affection, who she had admired from afar, without using her voice.
Among all the animated films produced by Disney, “The Little Mermaid” stands out as the only one that has been transformed into a highly successful live-action adaptation. Essentially, it is a colossal achievement in Disney’s vast array of animated endeavors.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988)
As a gaming enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for something extraordinary that surpasses my favorite titles. So, imagine a movie that seamlessly blends the captivating technology of “Tron,” the intriguing mystery of “The Great Mouse Detective,” the charming characters of “The Little Mermaid,” and the exceptional direction of “The Black Cauldron.” That’s exactly what “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” delivers! It towers above any other Disney production from the 1980s, offering a unique blend of magic and mayhem that keeps me hooked till the very end.
Translated into a more casual and conversational style: Based on the mature novel “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?”, Disney’s unique blend of animation and live-action tells the story of Roger (Charles Fleischer), who is accused of killing Marvin Acme (Stubby Kaye). Intriguingly, Roger’s wife, Jessica (voice of Kathleen Turner), was playing a friendly game of patty-cake with Acme. One might assume that would be enough motivation for the murder, but not according to Roger, who swears his innocence and pleads with private investigator Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins) – initially hired by Roger’s studio boss to prove Jessica’s infidelity – to help clear his name. Despite his initial grudge against the cartoon world, Eddie eventually takes on the case of Marvin Acme’s murder and reconciles with Roger and his Toontown companions.
For this epic production, a variety of beloved personalities were lent from different studios. Scenes featuring Donald Duck and Daffy Duck, as well as Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny, stand out, but “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” remains captivating even without these iconic encounters. The film’s unique characters, sharp dialogue, and dedicated performances by Hoskins and Christopher Lloyd as the villainous Jude Doom make it a must-watch. It deservedly claimed the title of the top Disney movie from the ’80s.
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2024-09-30 21:00