Sometimes a little nostalgia is a good thing. Here is a great list of movies from your childhood that you can share with your kids.
Not all aspects of all the movies hold up – some may have some cringe-worthy moments in an otherwise good film. This can be a good opportunity to discuss these topics with your kids and examine how they’ve changed over time and how they may still see these things today.
Some of these movies may also have more violence, sexual innuendo and coarse language than you remember. I’m listing the movie rating and the Common Sense Media for your information.
Ghostbusters (1984) – Prime Video
Watch on: Prime Video
Rating: PG
Common Sense Media rating: 11+
The Ghostbusters try to rid New York of ghosts. Definitely a classic and great for the theme song alone. Has some creepy/scary parts and sexual innuendo but is generally good fun. My kids loved Slimer but did find parts of the movie a little hard to follow. But they now know the answer to “Who you gonna call?”.
The Sandlot (1993)
Watch on: Disney+
Rating: PG
Common Sense Media rating: 8+
Coming of age movie about the adventures of a baseball loving group of kids. In general this movie really held up and my kids really enjoyed it. The boys in the movie are starting to notice girls and there is some content related to that. Engaging movie even if you don’t care about baseball at all.
Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark(1981)
Watch on: Netflix
Rating: PG
Common Sense Media rating: 11+
Archaeology professor goes on exciting adventures. A solidly good movie. Definitely creepy and scary parts but older kids will love it. This movie was a little slower than I remembered, but my kids said it was one of the best movies they have seen lately.
Back to the Future (1985)
Watch on: Prime Video
Rating: PG
Common Sense Media rating: 10+
Comedy time-travelling movie. My kids and I found this movie to still be really entertaining.
Jurassic Park (1993)
Watch on: Prime Video
Rating: PG-13
Common Sense Media rating: 12+
Creation of dinosaur theme park goes awry. Although the special effects are not as good as current movies, it is still a great film. Definitely scary moments and people do get eaten by dinosaurs so it may not be a great movie for younger or more sensitive kids.
Annie (1982)
Watch on: Netlfix
Rating: PG
Common Sense Media rating: 6+
Classic movie version of a classic musical. Definitely some questionable stereotyping but generally a fun movie.
Adventures in Babysitting (1987)
Watch on: Disney+
Rating: PG-13
Common Sense Media rating: 13+
Kids from the suburbs have misadventures in the city. Fun movie that the kids and I enjoyed. Disney has edited parts of this movie which would reduce it’s rating. – for instance, there is a scene where a character is called a “Witch” in this version.
Honey I Shrunk the Kids – (1989)
Watch on: Disney+
Rating: PG
Common Sense Media rating: 6+
Scientist accidentally shrinks his kids and their friends. Generally silly movie has some moments of scariness and sadness. Still a good movie – my kids give it two thumbs up.
The Karate Kid – (1984)
Watch on: Starz or Buy
Rating: PG
Common Sense Media rating: 11+
Classic ’80s martial arts movie. Worth watching just so your kids get wax on wax off references.
The NeverEnding Story (1984)
Watch on: Rent or Buy
Rating: PG
Common Sense Media rating: 8+
Boy escapes into a book and has adventures in the mythical land of Fantasia. Some scary and creepy parts and a super sad scene when a horse dies.
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)
Watch on: Disney+
Rating: G
Common Sense Media rating: 6+
Animals go on a fun adventure. Good remake of the original 1963 movie The Incredible Journey.
The Princess Bride (1987)
Watch on: Disney+
Rating: PG
Common Sense Media rating: 8+
Fun adventurous fairy tale that my kids loved. Now available on Disney+ this is definitely worth watching.
Short Circuit (1986)
Watch on: Buy or CTV app
Rating: PG
Common Sense Media rating: 10+
Comedy Sci-fi movie that follows an experimental robot that becomes intelligent and escapes.
The Goonies (1985)
Watch on: Starz or Buy or Rent
Rating: PG
Common Sense Media rating: 10+
This is a movie I had never head of until I was an adult but all my contemporaries seem to remember fondly. A group of kids (that call themselves the Goonies) set out on an adventure to find lost pirate treasure.
E.T. (1982)
Watch on: Prime Video
Rating: PG
Common Sense Media rating: 7+
Classic movie about an alien stranded on earth who befriends a young boy. Some scary parts.
Flight of the Navigator (1986)
Watch on: Disney+
Rating: PG
Common Sense Media rating: 10+
Time travelling sci-fi adventure.
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Watch on: Disney+
Rating: PG-13
Common Sense Media rating: 12+
Comedy about a divorced family – father disguises himself as a female housekeeper to spend time with his kids.
Sister Act (1992)
Watch on: Disney+
Rating: PG
Common Sense Media rating: 10+
Musical comedy about a woman who hides out as a nun to escape people out to get her. Fun movie with great music. The kids found it slow in some parts but overall it was entertaining.
Home Alone (1990)
Watch on: Disney+
Rating: PG
Common Sense Media rating: 10+
Over the top comedy still holds up. We watched this one around Christmas time and the kids liked it.
The Adventures of Milo and Otis (1986)
Watch on: Netflix
Rating: G
Common Sense Media rating: 5+
Hazardous adventures of a two animals that get separated and try to find their way back to each other.
Groundhog Day (1993)
Watch on: Netflix
Rating: PG-13
Common Sense Media rating: 11+
Comedy where a guy keeps waking up and having the same day over and over again.
Cool Runnings (1993)
Watch on: Disney+
Rating: PG
Common Sense Media rating: 8+
Comedy inspired by the true story of the first Jamaican Bobsled Team who competed in the 1988 Olympics in Calgary.
Mighty Ducks (1992)
Watch on: Disney+
Rating: PG
Common Sense Media rating: 11+
Underdog story about a kids hockey team. If your kids love hockey they will love this movie, but they will probably like it even if they don’t. My kids enjoyed watching all three in the series.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
Watch on: Disney+
Rating: PG
Common Sense Media rating: 12+
Mixed live action and animated movie. More mature and scary (mostly right at the end) than you might expect but entertaining for older kids.
The Rocketeer (1991)
Watch on: Disney+
Rating: PG
Common Sense Media rating: 11+
A young pilot stumbles upon a jetpack that allows him to fly and become The Rocketeer.
Beetlejuice (1988)
Watch on: Buy or rent or Starz
Rating: PG
Common Sense Media rating: 13+
Creepy fantasy movie by Tim Burton. This movie is pretty ridiculous, but fun in a campy sort of way.
Big (1988)
Watch on: Buy or rent or Starz
Rating: PG
Common Sense Media rating: 13+
Classic movie has some mature themes. Teenage boy wishes to be an adult and finds his wish has come true.
