The '80s were truly a decade to remember. Between its characteristic eye-popping colors, daring fashion statements, and trends that made a splash, the era seemed to awaken the most creative parts of people. Film and TV audiences have surely seen a resurgence of this fondly-remembered time, especially in recent years. For example, take the immediate popularity of newer shows like Stranger Things and familiar stories like The Karate Kid, returning to their roots for reboots and continuations.
Although the '80s is generally thought of as a happy and vibrant time, it does come with its characteristic dark side. This has been expressed through a library of cherished films from a golden age of entertainment, which have left their mark on pop culture still to this day. Surprisingly, many movies intended for younger audiences fall under this category, drawing in viewers of all ages. In fact, many present-day adults still remember some of these horrifying movie moments from their childhood. Let's take a look at the scariest '80s kids movies, ranked.
7 The NeverEnding Story (1982)
This epic tale sweeps viewers away to the magical kingdom of Fantasia, deep within the pages of a mysterious book. The NeverEnding Story follows a young boy named Bastian (Barret Oliver), who happens upon a copy of the book, The NeverEnding Story, where he learns that this fantastical world is under threat from The Nothing, an evil force of darkness. Crossing paths with many mythical beasts and strange creatures (some friendly and some not), Bastian eventually finds himself within the world of the story. The battle for love and light rages on with some truly tragic moments and scary sequences. Who could forget the heartbreaking scene where warrior Atreyu's (Noah Hathaway) horse, Artax, is swallowed up by a swamp?
6 Legend (1985)
Legend positions good and evil against one another in an outlandish adventure. Jack (Tom Cruise) and Lili (Mia Sara) band together with an army of friends to defeat the Lord of Darkness (Tim Curry), the demonic being who seeks to wipe out all the light in the world. He plans to accomplish this by killing all the unicorns, which kick-started the story. An ensemble cast of fairies, dwarves, and elves join forces against the goblins out to do the Lord of Darkness' evil bidding. A Roger Ebert review of the film reads, "Like many recent sword and sorcery movies, it is so effective in rendering evil, so good at depicting the dire, bleak fates facing the heroes, that it's too dreary and gloomy for its own good." With some nightmarish imagery, a star-studded cast, and opulent set design that makes fantasy a stunning reality, it's no wonder this film remains in the minds of '80s kids.
5 Labyrinth (1986)
Labyrinth is a beloved fantasy musical that came to life under the masterful direction of Jim Henson. David Bowie stars as Jareth, a feared goblin king with a funky punk-rock look. After young Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) wishes away her baby brother Toby (Toby Froud), she enters a bewildering maze populated by all kinds of creatures and fights against all odds to get him back. The legacy of this film lives on through its crazy costumes, stuck-in-your-head songs, and otherworldly aesthetics. The sincerely spooky elements within this film – hulking goblins, horned beasts, and child abduction – shine through as well. Just remember what Sarah says to break the spell at the end of the film: "You have no power over me!" A long-awaited sequel is in the works from Doctor Strange director Scott Derrickson.
4 The Last Unicorn (1982)
One of the most beloved animated features from the '80s, The Last Unicorn has developed a cult following since its initial box office flop. Within an enchanted forest, a unicorn (Mia Farrow) discovers that she is facing extinction and may be the very last one. She embarks alongside an unlucky magician named Schmendrick (Alan Arkin) and a wise, wild woman called Molly Grue (Tammy Lee Grimes) to track down the evil King Haggard (Christopher Lee), who has a hand in the unicorns' disappearance. This film is full of harrowing moments, including a face-off against the devilish Red Bull and the traveling carnival of Mommy Fortuna (Angela Lansbury), a witch who keeps magical creatures in her care. One particular scene involves a harpy escaping from her cage and devouring her captor with disgusting ferocity.
3 The Secret of NIMH (1982)
The Secret of NIMH brings to life the true terrors of animal experimentation amidst a fantastical backdrop. This stunning piece of animation is based on the children's novel, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. In the film, the renamed Mrs. Brisby (Elizabeth Hartman), a field mouse, sets off on a journey to heal her sick son, Timothy (Ina Fried). She consults a wise rat colony leader by the name of Nicodemus (Derek Jacoby), who reveals to her that the rats underwent experiments by the National Institute of Mental Health – NIMH for short. These trials made them smarter and lengthened their lives, encouraging them to utilize human advancements. The film devolves into darker territory as Mrs. Brisby's quest continues and her very life hangs in the balance, with Watership Down-style roots in unfortunate realities. An animated series continuing the tale is in the works from Fox.
2 The Dark Crystal (1982)
The Dark Crystal was another product of Jim Henson's wild imagination, bringing this spooky story to life through creepy puppetry and heavy world-building. In an attempt to bring balance back into the world, Jen (Stephen Garlick) is a Gelfling on a mission to retrieve a piece of the titular jewel, which was broken years ago. In its absence, the Skeksis race has risen to power, instilling a reign of terror. The world of Thra is full of freakish-looking creatures that surely still pop up in the nightmares of '80s kids. The film's bleak introduction alone brings this tale to a scary start, culminating in a feature full of mind control, brutal killings, and a pit of the murderous Garthim. And let's not forget the Skeksis emperor's death scene. While the lore continued in the Netflix show The Dark Crystal: Rise of Resistance, it unfortunately won't return for a second season.
1 Return to Oz (1985)
Picking up where The Wizard of Oz left off, Return to Oz was certainly a dark interpretation of Dorothy's continued story. The film follows our favorite character (Fairuza Balk) as she escapes a scary psychiatric procedure, winding up in the magical land once again. But Oz is not as she left it – it's been taken over by the Nome King (Nicol Williamson), who has devolved the Technicolor world into utter chaos. Dororthy is chased through the ruins of the Emerald City by the terrifying Wheelers, humanoid creatures with wheels for extremities. Teaming up with a gang of ragtag friends after the imprisonment of her original crew, Dorothy fights to restore the glamour of Oz once and for all. Obviously, this film has scary moments to spare, as it re-imagines Oz as a hellish realm. A Guardian review says that the film now "exists largely in the nightmares of fortysomethings."