Ah, the ’80s—a time of neon fashion, epic music, and movies that, let’s be honest, should have come with a warning label. I’ve often reminisced about the films we thought were innocent fun, only to realize they were filled with frightening scenes and questionable content. Sure, I’m not a prude, but I’d rather my kids not witness a man torturing camp counselors when they could be enjoying something sweet and wholesome like Frozen for the umpteenth time.
The introduction of the PG-13 rating in July 1984 came after parents raised eyebrows at movies like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Gremlins, which were deemed too intense for a PG rating. This explains why many of us were glued to Airplane! and Poltergeist while still figuring out our multiplication tables.
Here are eight movies that our parents thought were just fine for us to watch during the ’80s—back when parenting didn’t feel like a cutthroat competition to raise the most well-adjusted children. We may have watched some questionable films, but we lived to tell the tales!
1. Big
I thought it would be a delightful family movie, so I introduced my kids to Big, a classic that holds a special place in my heart. My children, ages 7 and 10, would surely find it charming—who wouldn’t love a story about a boy who wishes to be an adult? I fondly remembered the iconic scene with Tom Hanks playing “Chopsticks” on a giant piano. But then, just as I was enjoying a bite of popcorn, the F-bomb dropped, echoing through the living room. Cue the awkward squirming during the scenes with adult situations and innuendos. Note to self: maybe Frozen again next time.
2. Jaws
Want your child to be terrified of the ocean? Show them Jaws. I wisely skipped screening this PG-rated classic for my kids, hoping to avoid beach-related nightmares. Many of us still quote Roy Scheider’s iconic line, “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” But the infamous monologue about the USS Indianapolis sinking? Yikes. What was once a childhood favorite now seems a bit extreme for today’s more sheltered kiddos.
3. Poltergeist
Take all the horror elements kids dread and cram them into one PG-rated VHS, and you have Poltergeist. The possessed trees and creepy clown doll? Nightmare fuel. Let’s not forget the scene where a character hallucinates and tears his own face off. And the parents? They’re depicted as casual marijuana users, rolling joints in bed while laughing hysterically at their antics. Yeah, I think I’ll keep this one off my kids’ watchlist.
4. Goonies
In elementary school, my friends and I couldn’t get enough of Goonies. We laughed uproariously when one character exclaimed, “HOLY SHIT!” We also shivered at the villain who nearly purees a kid’s hand in a blender. But there’s much more—like the ceramic statue incident and its awkwardly placed penis. And don’t forget the relentless series of injuries and near-death experiences. I’d need to give my Generation Z kids a heavy sedative before letting them see this chaotic adventure.
5. Friday the 13th
This was the go-to film for every slumber party, despite its notorious reputation. According to Common Sense Media, it’s a “sadistic slasher film” rated for ages 18 and up! The camp counselors are either having sex or getting murdered. How did our parents let us watch this nearly X-rated film?
6. Tom and Jerry
As a child, I thought it was hilarious watching Tom and Jerry engage in violent antics, involving everything from knives to guns. They even took smoke breaks between their shenanigans. I recently introduced my kids to this classic, but their response was lukewarm. They much preferred the antics of DJ Lance Rock and his colorful friends on Yo Gabba Gabba!
7. Annie
It took me years to realize that Ms. Hannigan was a drunk, slurring her words while pursuing Daddy Warbucks. The movie holds some terrifying moments too, like when Annie climbs a seemingly endless ladder being chased by a criminal intent on her demise. I haven’t seen the new version, but I’d bet they changed that ending!
8. Ghostbusters
“Who you gonna call?” Anyone who grew up in the ’80s knows this catchphrase. One of my favorite scenes involves a Ghostbuster receiving a rather inappropriate favor from a ghost. And let’s not forget the possessed woman who makes suggestive comments that would raise eyebrows. Released just before the PG-13 rating came into play, it’s a classic that might provoke some awkward questions from the little ones.
While I understand that kids will inevitably learn about these things, there’s a fine line between education and trauma. Some films have valuable lessons, but others? Not so much. For now, I’ll stick to more age-appropriate options—I like my sleep too much!
In summary, the ’80s were filled with movies that our parents let us watch, often without realizing just how inappropriate they were. From comedies to horror flicks, these films shaped our childhoods but might not have the same place in today’s family viewing. If you’re curious about more family-friendly options or home insemination kits, check out this post or learn more about resources like Healthline and Cryobaby.