As a proud product of the ’80s, my nostalgia for that era runs deep. Back then, my hair reached new heights thanks to an excessive amount of hairspray, and I never left the house without multiple pairs of colorful socks paired with my beloved Keds. To this day, I still rock my jean jacket without a hint of embarrassment, even if it means busting out some moves to “Hangin’ Tough” while grocery shopping.
There’s something special about revisiting the iconic films that defined my childhood. The moment I hear the opening notes of “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds, I’m transported back to the days of Judd Nelson’s unforgettable performance in The Breakfast Club. I’ve longed to share these classic films with my children, hoping they would experience the same emotions I did—like the thrill of John Cusack holding that boombox and the heart-fluttering moment when Jake Ryan gazes at Samantha in Sixteen Candles. My wish was for them to embrace Steel Magnolias just as passionately as I do.
When the time finally came, my husband and I eagerly selected Spaceballs as our introductory film for our ’80s movie marathon. Our son was in a Star Wars phase, making Rick Moranis’s comedic portrayal of Dark Helmet the ideal choice. We settled in with blankets and popcorn, only to soon realize we had made a grave error.
To my shock, I had completely forgotten the sheer volume of swearing and innuendo in Spaceballs. By the midway point, my husband and I were exchanging anxious glances while answering questions about chastity belts. What had once been a beloved classic was quickly turning into our most significant parenting misstep. Turns out, our kids found the frequent use of the word “jerk” quite amusing.
We quickly understood that ’80s films could benefit from a parental advisory label—one that informs parents of the unexpected sex education their kids might receive. It’s crucial for parents to know exactly how many curse words to expect before deciding on an ’80s flick for a family movie night. Here are a few cautionary notes:
- Doc Hollywood: A charming rom-com featuring Michael J. Fox as a plastic surgeon, but be forewarned: your child might witness a lengthy scene where the female lead emerges from a lake and takes a while to cover up. Cue the awkward questions.
- National Lampoon’s Vacation: A hilariously chaotic family road trip, but unless you want to explain why Chevy Chase’s wife is performing a striptease or why Christie Brinkley is skinny-dipping, you might want to skip this one.
- Stand By Me: A coming-of-age classic about four boys searching for a deceased child’s body. Seriously, what were our parents thinking?
- Edward Scissorhands: If you’re okay with your kids having nightmares featuring a gothic figure with scissors for hands, then go ahead and let them watch.
- Ghostbusters: I had forgotten the infamous lap dance scene featuring Dan Aykroyd and the ghostly antics that might leave your teenage son giggling uncomfortably.
- Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: While it’s a fun romp about skipping school, the heavy doses of deception and swearing might not be what you remember.
- The Breakfast Club: This beloved ensemble piece about high schoolers in detention may require a stern talk about language and explicit conversations in front of impressionable tweens.
- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial: A film about a lovable alien might seem harmless, but when Elliott shouts “penis breath” at the dinner table, it will definitely catch you off guard.
Our generation certainly gave birth to some of the most memorable—albeit questionable—films. Watching my kids find joy in the same moments I cherished takes me back to my own youth, where I was often clad in Esprit jeans and carrying a Liz Claiborne purse. However, it does feel a bit like a waiting game until they are “big enough” to enjoy these classics with me.
In summary, revisiting ’80s films with my children has been an eye-opening experience, revealing just how much I overlooked as a kid. If you’re contemplating sharing these nostalgic films with your family, prepare for some surprising revelations. For more insights on parenting and family, check out our other posts, including discussions on fertility and home insemination at Home Insemination Kit, and learn more from this resource on fertility.