7 Family Friendly Scary Movies from the 80s

There’s nothing like getting cozy in front of the TV with a big fuzzy blanket and a bowl of popcorn ready to watch a horror movie during Halloween. But for families with little ones, you’ll have to be careful about which ones you choose as you don’t want to give them nightmares. The special effects of horror movies during the 80s may not have been realistic, but young children today wouldn’t know the difference.

While there are a ton of amazing horror movies out there, the young ones will need to wait a bit to really appreciate them for what they are. But until then, here’s a list of 7 fantastic family friendly scary movies from the 80s.

1. Beetlejuice (1988)

This is my personal favorite, and there’s nothing to be afraid of; I watched this all the time when I was a kid. Of course I loved scary movies, but the storyline was amazing.

When a young couple tragically drowns in a river after dodging a dog while driving home, they don’t realize they’re dead until…strange things happen: a sand worm outside their house, not seeing themselves in the mirror, and being completely invisible to the family that moves into their home, except for one strange and unusual young girl (Winona Ryder).

Beetlejuice will have your kids glued to the TV while you can enjoy some of the adult humor that will run completely over their heads.

2. Ghostbusters (1984)

Another oldie but goody, Ghostbusters also mixes their “horror” with humor. While the kids can enjoy the action scenes of the Ghostbusters sucking up the green…ghosts, you’ll catch on to the references to some adult humor.

There’s a bit of smoking, sex talk, one or two jumpy scenes and swearing you might want to consider. There’s also that scene where Ray was getting some from that ghost who undid his pants, but it doesn’t show anything more than his belt and pants button coming undone. But overall, I’d still recommend this one for kids ten years and over.

3. Poltergeist (1982)

Poltergeist is an amazing movie, but definitely one for older kids, maybe 12 and up. As long as they understand ghosts don’t come out of TVs nor pull little girls into other dimensions, they’ll love this one. You’ll also want to consider the huge beast that comes out of the closet when Steve Freeling, the father, tries to pull back his wife from the “other side”. The only reason this movie is rated PG was that PG-13 didn’t come out until 1984, and Steven Spielberg “doesn’t make R-rated movies.”

But despite the creepy scenes, Poltergeist has an amazing storyline and uses graphics that were considered advanced for the 80s. Your kids will love this one as it keeps them on their toes throughout the whole movie.

4. The Monster Squad (1987)

They certainly don’t make movies like they used to. Today’s family friendly movies certainly wouldn’t show vampires being stabbed in the heart or werewolves being blown apart, let alone a guy’s head getting crushed. But the storyline of The Monster Squad was sure fantastic!

Searching for a magic amulet, five young boys face the fight against the Gill Man, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Mummy and Dracula. Despite some of the humor, some of these characters are a bit creepy, maybe because of the 80s special effects. Like how the mummy walked and the vampire turning into a bat.

5. Gremlins (1984)

The Gremlins are certainly a lot cuter in the remakes of this movie. But this is still a good one for the kids, as long as they can handle the little things being blended, microwaved and chopped up. But don’t worry, the movie doesn’t show anything too gory. And when they’re multiplied by a secret serum, they turn mischievous.

This should be a good one to watch right before dinner or during the day.

6. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

This is a great one to watch for the kids as it’s hardly scary, not even E.T. Although there are a few scenes with profanity, like when Elliot’s brother didn’t believe what he was trying to say about E.T., saying “it wasn’t anything like that penis breath!” The only reason I remember that one is because I was on the floor in tears from laughing so hard.

It’s another one that goes right over kids’ heads but has the adults cracking up. On the other hand, be prepared when the pair become sick and are separated by men in hazmat suits.

But if you think your kids can handle this tear-jerking scene, they’ll love the story about how E.T. and Elliot became best of friends. A Steven Spielberg classic.

7. The Worst Witch (1986)

This is another story where the new, unpopular kid first causes all the trouble at her new school, then defeats an evil force and becomes the hero and loved by everyone. Little Mildred Hubble is first seen as “the worst witch” at Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches, turning her and her friend invisible, transforming Ethel into a pig and causing her classmates to fall down. B

ut when Miss Cackle’s twin evil sister, Agatha, plots to take over the Academy, she’s foiled by Mildred. It’s then that she becomes the hero after “saving the day.”

If your kids haven’t seen The Worst Witch yet, it’s a good one for family movie night before Halloween.

Which is Your Favorite?

Have a family favorite scary movie you’d like to share? It doesn’t even have to be from the 80s! We’d love to hear it! Please let us know in the comments below.