As a child of the ’80s, I can attest to the fact that movies from this era were a rollercoaster ride of emotions and experiences, some of which left lasting impressions on us young viewers. One such movie was “Child’s Play”, where the idea of befriending a doll possessed by a deranged killer might sound like fun in retrospect, but I doubt any parent would want their kid to experience that reality!
1980s kids often surprised adults with their actions and words, and this was certainly the case back then. A quick glance at some of the top ’80s films will show you that children were placed in a variety of challenging situations, from potentially harmful to genuinely perilous, and everything in between.
If you’d like to reminisce about the hilarious antics of ’80s kids in movies, hang on tight as we delve into 32 scenes from those classic films that will leave you astonished!
Running From The Fratelli Family (The Goonies)
As a gamer, I can’t help but reminisce about “The Goonies”, an ’80s classic that still holds a special place in my heart. This movie doesn’t shy away from cranking up the tension when it comes to our young heroes finding themselves in precarious situations. The thrill of their hunt for One-Eyed Willie’s treasure might have been lessened if they’d removed that pesky octopus, but nothing compares to their encounters with the Fratelli family, particularly that stern matriarch who wouldn’t hesitate to give us a piece of her mind.
Short Round Driving A Car (Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom)
Ke Huy Quan’s character, affectionately known as Short Round, is recognized as one of the greatest child sidekicks in movie history. In “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”, he found himself amidst numerous perilous situations, such as the thrilling scene where he operated as the driver during a daring escape for the character played by Harrison Ford.
NORAD Handing Over Controls To A 17-Year-Old (War Games)
Nowadays, it’s hard to find movies like “WarGames” in Hollywood, which is unfortunate because this 1983 techno-thriller boasts an exceptional visual style, a stellar ensemble headed by Matthew Broderick, and a captivating plot about a teenage boy outwitting a supercomputer to prevent global nuclear destruction.
A Teenager Is Recruited To Fight An Intergalactic War (The Last Starfighter)
The Last Starfighter, though not always mentioned among the top ’80s sci-fi films, isn’t a poorly made movie, quite the contrary. It offers an enjoyable watch. Yet, it should be noted that its young protagonist finds himself in some perilous situations as he gets drafted to participate in an intergalactic battle.
A Group Of Teenagers Engaging In Guerilla Warfare (Red Dawn)
Reset your “Days Without Referencing John Milius” tally, as it was impossible to exclude the film “Red Dawn” from this list. This 1984 military masterpiece follows a gang of teenagers (the Wolverines) who fight against invading Soviet, Cuban, and Nicaraguan forces after their parents and town leaders are arrested or killed. It’s utterly absurd but incredibly entertaining!
Max Going On A Space Walk (Space Camp)
In his earlier days when Joaquin Phoenix was known as Leaf, he starred in some extraordinary films. One such film, “Space Camp”, featured his character Max, who daringly performed a spacewalk during one of the movie’s most thrilling and breathtaking scenes. It’s still hard to believe that this took place.
Elliott And His Friends Running From The Feds (E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial)
The bicycle chase scene from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, enchanting as it is due to John Williams’ brilliant music, appears quite risky for Elliott (Henry Thomas) and his friends. With one careless federal agent, this could have turned into a sad tale instead of an iconic movie moment.
Going To Chicago Alone At Night (Adventures In Babysitting)
The movie “Adventures in Babysitting,” featuring Elisabeth Shue, is one of those films that you can’t resist watching whenever it appears on TV. However, once the wave of nostalgia subsides, it becomes clear that a group of children traveling through Chicago at night in a car isn’t exactly the most secure plan. Although the adventure was enjoyable and memorable, it’s fortunate that nothing too dangerous occurred.
Searching For A Dead Body (Stand By Me)
While not as harrowing as some Stephen King adaptations about children in peril, Stand by Me is far more than a casual stroll through the woods. The encounters with the local bullies, leeches, and night watch, along with other memorable sequences, transform this journey into a risky expedition for the main group of young protagonists.
Kids Taking On Dracula And Others (The Monster Squad)
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but wonder: Who else, apart from the brave gang of kids in “The Monster Squad,” could have stood up to Dracula and the crew of movie monsters in this iconic ‘80s horror tale? Truth be told, the legendary line from the Wolfman wouldn’t carry the same charm if it were spoken by a 40-year-old police officer.
A Trio Of Kids Traveling Across The Country For A Video Game Tournament (The Wizard)
The Sorcerer skillfully demonstrated the captivating allure of the Power Glove and showcased impressive footage from Super Mario Bros. 3, yet the plot revolved around a group of children who ventured unsupervised across the country to participate in a video game competition. Striking a balance, indeed, but it’s fortunate for Fred Savage that nothing untoward transpired during their journey.
A High School Senior Conducting A Rescue Mission (Iron Eagle)
In contrast to the film Home Alone, which revolves around a young boy guarding his home against intruders, the movie Iron Eagle presents a different scenario. Instead of protecting property, Doug Masters (Jason Gedrick) engages in intense combat with a foreign air force, not just as a householder but also as a participant.
Fighting A Maniac Acting Like ‘Santa Claus’ (Deadly Games)
A year prior to the release of “Home Alone”, there was a French thriller titled “Deadly Games” where a resourceful young boy defended his home from a murderous Santa Claus-like figure. The traps are more lethal, the tension is greater, and the violence is quite intense.
Students Taking Over A Military School (Taps)
Before Tom Cruise became known for leaping from airplanes, speeding motorcycles off cliffs, and piloting jets, he starred in the 1981 drama “Taps,” where he took charge of a military school to save it from closure – a role we wouldn’t expect from him nowadays.
Essentially Building A Fortress On Wheels (Ernest Goes To Camp)
The film titled “Ernest Goes to Camp” is a delightful, amusing, and side-splitting summer camp story that revolves around a band of socially awkward individuals who discover camaraderie in an unlucky yet kind-hearted camp worker. However, it also includes some thrilling, perilous scenes, such as the one where the children construct a mobile fortress (resembling a Killdozer) to safeguard their camp from grasping developers.
Entering The Monster World (Little Monsters)
One of the more whimsical and vibrantly-hued children’s fantasy films from the ’80s, titled “Little Monsters,” features Brian (Fred Savage) as its protagonist. In this film, Brian develops a friendship with a monster hiding under his bed, portrayed by Howie Mandel, which eventually leads him to a realm inhabited by monsters.
Entering A Mystical Labyrinth (Labyrinth)
In the movie “Labyrinth,” Sarah Williams, portrayed by Jennifer Connelly, ends up in a difficult situation following her wish for her brother to be removed. With less than 12 hours remaining, they’re both engaged in a battle against time as they try to solve an enormous puzzle in this beloved Jim Henson film.
Hiding An Alien From The Government (Mac And Me)
It’s more risky to conceal an enigmatic (but endearing) extraterrestrial than to encounter one, as depicted in the 1988 family sci-fi film Mac and Me. This movie tells a tale of an extraordinary friendship between a boy and an alien that might lead to their demise if they don’t reveal their secret.
Escaping Libyan Terrorists In A Time Machine (Back To The Future)
Despite the potential risks of time travel, it’s a walk in the park compared to handling treacherous Libyan terrorists who are threatening your mentor, as experienced by Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) in Back to the Future. We wouldn’t want to find ourselves in their crosshairs.
Going To Space On A Homemade Spacecraft (Explorers)
In numerous films, even NASA-designed spaceships struggle in the vast emptiness of space. However, contrary to that common theme, the 1985 sci-fi movie “Explorers,” featuring Ethan Hawke, River Phoenix, and Jason Presson, tells a different story. This film showcases a team of young, self-taught astronauts who construct their own spacecraft and venture beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Yet, it’s important to note that the safety and wellbeing of children in space is a topic of concern.
Traveling Through Space And Time With A Band Of Thieves (Time Bandits)
Time Bandits is one of Terry Gilliam’s most enchanting films, yet it places its young protagonist (portrayed by Craig Warnock) in some rather precarious situations. Traversing through space and time with a group of thieves doesn’t appear to be a secure or logical way to enjoy one’s spare moments.
Going Off To Live On Their Own At 13 Years Old (Kiki’s Delivery Service)
In one of Studio Ghibli’s most recognized films, titled “Kiki’s Delivery Service“, we follow Kiki, a young witch, as she ventures out from her family home at the tender age of 13 to establish a new life in a far-off coastal town. Despite its magical setting, the storyline of a girl barely into her teenage years navigating independence can be potentially risky.
Running From Spies (Cloak & Dagger)
Do you recognize the 1998 Will Smith movie titled “Enemy of the State”? Let’s envision a twist to that plot: rather than an adult lawyer discovering a secretive recording, it’s a youthful character who finds himself pursued by a clandestine government organization after coming into possession of incriminating evidence. It’s intriguing and exciting, but also quite grim and perilous.
Getting To The Bottom Of A Massive Criminal Conspiracy (Gleaming The Cube)
Glowing the Skateboard might appear as an ordinary skating film at first glance, but in truth, it’s a revenge story centered around a young skater (performed by Christian Slater) who sets out to seek vengeance for his adopted brother’s demise. Although it’s amusing and thrilling, a rebellious teenager is no competition for heavily armed thugs and formidable villains.
Thwarting A Bank Robbery Scheme (BMX Bandits)
To catch a youthful Nicole Kidman outsmart a bank heist plot alongside her pals, don’t miss the movie “BMX Bandits“. However, be prepared as these spirited bike riders might lead you into risky predicaments that could have you puzzled.
Fighting A Scorpion (Honey, I Shrunk The Kids)
One fun and imaginative family film from the ’80s that’s hard to forget is “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids“. While it’s amusing and creative, it doesn’t shy away from placing children in rather extraordinary situations. Being reduced to a size almost microscopic is one thing, but facing off against a giant scorpion in your backyard – as depicted in this movie – takes things to a whole new level of surreal and somewhat disturbing.
Befriending A Possessed Doll (Child’s Play)
Child’s Play stands as one of the most terrifying movies ever produced, with little room for debate. However, it’s quite unsettling to imagine a child developing a friendship with a toy that houses the spirit of a homicidal maniac. Despite its enduring entertainment value, perhaps refrain from gifting your child a doll that yearns to eliminate everyone around it.
Billy Leaving Josh’s NYC Motel (Big)
In spite of Josh (Tom Hanks), who hides a timid boy within his grown-up self and is petrified during the hotel scene in Big, it’s Billy (Jared Rushton) we truly empathize with, having to depart from that vermin-ridden structure, traverse pre-Giuliani NYC at night, and find his way back home. That child witnessed events he would never forget.
Newt Surviving On LV-426 (Aliens)
Often, discussions revolve around Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), bravely confronting the Xenomorphs on LV-426 in “Aliens”. And justifiably so. But let’s not overlook Newt (Carrie Henn), who spent a significant amount of time alone in the mining colony prior to the Colonial Marines attempting rescue. Indeed, she experienced quite a bit of trauma during that isolation. Greetings, trauma.
Stealing Tech From The Government (My Science Project)
1980s saw an abundance of movies featuring teenagers constructing eccentric machines, but none ventured as far as the almost-forgotten film titled “My Science Project“. In this lesser-known production, a duo of high schoolers swipe antiquated technology from the government to create a time machine. This adventure is marked by UFO sightings, secret service agents, and deadly traps, making it a perilous journey indeed.
Joel Coming Up With A Way To Make Money (Risky Business)
Ignore the famous dance scene from “Risky Business”, because that movie isn’t just about that iconic moment, it’s more about a troubled teenager’s dark and sinister journey, determined to earn money to repair his father’s car – something you should be familiar with.
Transporting A Russian Sailor To Cuba (Russkies)
Originally published during the Cold War’s peak, the novel “Russkies” tells the story of a band of youngsters who not only form a friendship with a Russian sailor who ended up on Florida’s shores but also concoct a daring scheme to transport him to Cuba… using their own boat. Such stories are seldom found today.
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2024-09-11 21:38