Family entertainment is at a premium right now given that we’re in the midst of a pandemic and many of our favorite entertainment destinations are closed. If you’re like me, movie nights at home are happening a little more frequently than they use to and the search for that next movie to watch can start to become overwhelming. After all, there are only so many Pixar, Disney and DreamWorks movies one can take in a short amount of time.

As you brainstorm ideas for that next movie, you might begin to recall some of the great movies that helped shape your childhood when you were growing up. Those classic movies that still live in our memories 20, 30, and 40 years later would no doubt be a hit among today’s generation of kids, right? The truth is, not all of those movies have stood the test of time, at least not in the minds of our kids. Star Wars is a great example. My 8-year-old loves the new Star Wars trilogy and the new cast of characters, but when I introduced her to the originals, it was a grueling and almost unbearable experience with constant complaints of boredom. The fact is, movies today have the advantage of modern technology and seem to move at a much more rapid pace with constant action happening almost all throughout the movie. If that’s what your kids are used to, some of the classics of our day don’t stand a chance.

That said, some of those classic movies from the 80’s and 90’s have stood the test of time because the storyline and adventures are ones that kids can still relate to today. What kid wouldn’t want to become best friends with an alien or go on a treasure hunt with all of their neighborhood buddies. I’ve introduced many movies from my childhood to my daughter. Some have been hits, and others have been turned off 20 minutes in because of boredom and constant distraction, much to my surprise and dismay.

Here is a list of 10 movies that made the cut and got a thumbs up from my 8-year-old. With these you can’t go wrong. Enjoy!

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

The Goonies (1985)

The Sandlot (1993)

The Neverending Story (1984)

The Karate Kid (1984)

Big (1988)

Home Alone (1990)

Labyrinth (1986)

White Fang (1991)

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)

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