As a kid, I often thought the films I adored were lighthearted and fun, only to discover later on that many were downright frightening or surprisingly risqué. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a prude, but I do question the wisdom of letting kids watch a movie about a deranged man hunting camp counselors when they could be enjoying something wholesome like Disney’s Frozen.
In July 1984, the PG-13 rating was introduced in response to concerns over films like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Gremlins, which many felt were too intense for a PG rating. This change explains why so many of us were glued to movies like Airplane! and Poltergeist before we had even mastered our multiplication tables!
Here are eight films from the ’80s that our parents deemed appropriate, even when they might not have been the best choices for kids. We survived to tell the tales, but it’s a wonder we did!
- Big
I thought it would be a delightful family night featuring this beloved classic. My kids, ages 7 and 10, I assumed would adore the story of a young boy who wishes to be an adult. I fondly remembered the iconic scene where Tom Hanks plays “Chopsticks” on a giant piano. However, mid-popcorn, I was blindsided by the F-bomb! The awkwardness continued with some questionable scenes involving adult themes, including a moment that had my kids puzzled: “What is he doing, Mom?” Turns out, there’s a fair amount of adult humor and drinking throughout. After that experience, I could’ve used a drink myself! - Jaws
If you want to ensure your 7-year-old never wants to swim in the ocean again, just show them this classic about a man-eating shark. I wisely skipped introducing my kids to Jaws, fully aware of the terror it instilled in my generation. Who could forget Roy Scheider’s improvised line, “You’re gonna need a bigger boat”? And the monologue by Quint recounting the USS Indianapolis disaster? A childhood classic that now feels far too intense for today’s more sheltered kids. - Poltergeist
Imagine all the fears that terrify children packed into one film, and you have Poltergeist. This movie, somehow rated PG, features a possessed tree and a creepy clown doll that haunts kids. Not to mention the unsettling scene where a character hallucinates and tears off his face! The parents, Diane and Steve, are also depicted as marijuana users, with Diane rolling a joint in bed. It’s safe to say this isn’t a film I’d want my kids to watch anytime soon. - The Goonies
As a child, my friends and I would cackle at the line “HOLY SHIT!” while also being terrified of the villain who threatens one of the kids with a blender. But The Goonies is packed with even more inappropriate moments, like a ceramic statue with an oddly positioned penis and various sexual innuendos. It’s a wild ride filled with peril that would likely leave today’s kids deeply uncomfortable. - Friday the 13th
This slasher film was the centerpiece of almost every slumber party I attended. Common Sense Media warns that it’s “infamous” and advises kids aged 18+. The camp counselors are either getting high or being brutally murdered, making it hard to fathom why any parent would allow their kids to watch it. - Tom and Jerry
I used to find the slapstick violence in Tom and Jerry hilarious as a child. They would constantly try to outdo each other with various weapons. Fast forward to today, and I introduced my kids to this classic—only to see them react in shock to the aggressive antics. Perhaps they prefer the gentler humor of shows like Yo Gabba Gabba! - Annie
It took me years to realize that Ms. Hannigan was a drunk, scrambling around the orphanage while trying to win over Daddy Warbucks. The film is filled with dark moments, including Annie’s frightening chase by a criminal. I doubt the newer versions capture the same intense themes. - Ghostbusters
Who could forget the iconic call to “Who you gonna call?” One of my favorite scenes involved a Ghostbuster and a ghost in a rather suggestive situation. It’s the kind of moment that would definitely have kids asking some very awkward questions. Released in 1984, Ghostbusters narrowly escaped the PG-13 rating.
I understand that kids will inevitably encounter these themes in time. There are lessons to be learned from many of these films, but we also don’t want to expose them to everything too soon. After all, with movies like Friday the 13th and Poltergeist, good sleep can be hard to come by!
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Summary:
In the ’80s, many of us watched movies that were wildly inappropriate for children, from Big to Ghostbusters. While these films shaped our childhoods, they also introduced themes ranging from violence to adult humor that wouldn’t fly today. As parents, it’s essential to navigate what our kids watch with care, balancing entertainment with age-appropriateness.