80’s Family Movie Night

Our family has Friday Family Movie Night. It’s a simple night where we make or order pizza and watch films together. Recently we have been watching classic movies from the 1980s. Plan an 80s family movie night at your house!

Disclosure: Netflix provided me with a streaming device and service in return for writing about their service. The opinions and free printables in this post are my own.

We are at the “magic stage” of child-rearing: we have kids who are young enough to want to spend time with us but old enough to enjoy more sophisticated entertainment than Thomas the Train or Dora the Explorer. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy each stage of parenting… but I have to admit that I am GREATLY enjoying the change in entertainment choices.

Remember all those quirky and fun films you loved from childhood? It is fun to share them with your kids. They love the stories and often get a good chuckle at the special effects; my husband and I love re-watching old favorites.

 Family Movie Night Free Printable

I like making our family movie nights extra special by making a delicious treat and “sending” invitations to my kiddos. I tuck a note into their lunch box or backpack to remind them of our fun evening plans.

I’ve provided a free printable that you can use to invite your friends and family to a fun 80’s movie night.

How to Make Movie Ticket Invitations

1.Download the free printable movie ticket invitations and print them on your choice of colored paper.

2. Cut out the tickets as shown, leaving the edges of the short sides extra long.

3. Use a standard size hole-punch to create a torn ticket effect on the two short sides.

4. Fill out the ticket with your movie night details.

 

Top 80’s Family Movies

I’ve also created a list of our favorite 80’s family movies for your viewing pleasure, the list is divided into age appropriate favorites. You can stream the all the movies from Netflix, it is an affordable solution for family entertainment.

For Little Kids (7 and under):

• The Fox and the Hound  (G) – 1981 – Orphaned fox cub Tod and bloodhound puppy Copper become best friends as babies, only to see their instincts drive them apart as they grown. Tod and Copper are voiced by Mickey Rooney and Kurt Russell.
• The Great Mouse Detective (G) – 1986 – A Sherlock Holmes inspired mouse detective must outsmart  his nemesis this animated adventure follows a crime-fighting mouse who must rescue a kidnapper toy maker.
• The Last Unicorn (G) – 1982 – A lonely unicorn who believes she may be the last of her species embarks on an epic journey to find more of her kind and discovers the true meaning of love.
• Reading Rainbow (TV-Y)  – 1985 – It’s not a movie, but it’s an 80’s classic that is great for kids who can’t sit through an entire movie. Reading can take you to a new world of imagination in this classic series hosted by LeVar Burton and featuring guest celebrities reading children’s books.

For School Age Kids (8+):

• Labyrinth (PG) – 1986 – Sarah embarks on a quest in the Goblin King’s Labyrinth to save her little brother in this Jim Henson fantasy film. Starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly
• Explorers (PG) – 1985 – A teenage science prodigy and his best friend  travel the universe in their home-built rocket ship. Staring Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix
• Who Framed Roger Rabbit (PG) – 1988 – A cartoon rabbit and a ‘toon hating detective search for justice in this raucous gumshoe comedy that combined live action and animation for the first time. Kathleen Turner voices the beautiful and voluptuous Jessica Rabbit.
• Girls Just Want To Have Fun (PG) – 1985 – These rebellious girls just want to dance in this wild adventure filled with teen hijinks and parents who just don’t understand. Staring Helen Hunt, Sarah Jessica Parker and Shannen Doherty.

For Teens (13+):

• Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (PG-13) – 1986 – Ferris has the world wrapped around his finger as he fakes a sick day to hit the streets of Chicago with his best friend and girlfriend. Matthew Broderick Stars
• Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (PG) – 1989 – Two teenage slacker metal heads go back in time in their phone booth and meet famous historical figures along the way.  Featuring George Carlin and Keanu Reeves.
• Can’t Buy Me Love (PG-13) – 1987 – Before he was McDreamy, Patrick Dempsey was just a high school nerd trying to break into the cool crowd with a little help from his lawn mowing savings.
• Top Gun (PG) – 1986 – A maverick pilot must navigate the danger zone of love and life with the Navy’s fighter-weapons school. Tom Cruise flew into the hearts of America in this 80s classic.

Family Movie Night Snacks

This month I made Easy Homemade Caramel Corn to enjoy as our special movie night snack. It is a simple recipe that does not use corn syrup or sweetened condensed milk. You can use the caramel sauce for ice cream or caramel steamers and it is also easy to make vegetarian or vegan! I hope you check out the recipe, it is a great holiday treat.

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