Top 10 80s Animated Movies that Raised a Generation

Based on Charles Dickens’ novel “Oliver Twist,” this rags-to-riches story about an adorable ginger kitten paved the way for the Disney Renaissance. It also introduced a lot of impressionable 80s kids to the concept of wealth inequality. The film romanticizes the carefree existence of Dodger and the other street dogs. But the differences between their life on Fagin’s ramshackle barge and the Foxworth family’s cushy home are stark. Of course, since it’s Disney, everyone has to live happily ever after – even if it means robbing limos and stealing hot dogs to survive.

If you didn’t know better, you might assume this movie is typical feel-good kids’ fluff, but in reality, it’s anything but. Following a unicorn on her quest to find others of her own kind, the film is full of dark ideas and frightening characters. There’s the witch who imprisons a magical harpy even though she knows the creature will someday kill her. And the skeleton who still craves wine long after death, despite the fact that he can’t smell or taste it. Not to mention the immortal unicorn’s existential crisis when she is turned into a mortal woman. This movie sparked a lot of kids to ponder their own mortality at a very young age.

Another children’s movie that explored some surprisingly mature themes, this Don Bluth feature follows a casino-owning dog whose corrupt business partner has him murdered. When Charlie manages to escape from heaven and return to Earth, his angel guide warns him that he can never return. Later, Charlie has a nightmare about being sent to hell, a scene which almost certainly gave its young audience some nightmares of their own. In the end, Charlie makes the ultimate sacrifice, saving the life of the orphan girl Anne-Marie, and he’s allowed back into heaven. It’s serious stuff for a movie aimed mainly at grade schoolers.

Copper the hound dog and Tod the fox have been playmates since they were little and believe they’ll be friends till the end. However, fate is determined to force them apart. When they reach adulthood, Copper’s loyalty is torn between his old playmate and his master, who is a hunter. To protect Tod, his guardian takes him to the forest and leaves him there in one of the most heart wrenching scenes ever animated. Although its story is simple, the movie takes a hard look at the complexities of growing up and the difficulty leaving behind the people and places we love.

Many kids who grew up watching the original “Transformers” cartoon idolized the Autobots’ courageous leader, Optimus Prime. So imagine their devastation when Prime dies less than a third of the way through the movie. The idea that a beloved character, who seemed invincible, could actually be killed off was shocking to many young viewers. The fact that Prime stays dead while the evil Decepticon leader, Megatron, gets resurrected also seems completely unfair. Although the Autobots win the war, the victory feels bittersweet. That confusing combination of happiness and sorrow was probably a first for a lot of the kids watching.

Although many children’s movies tackle the subject of death, few confront grieving, especially the loss of a parent, as directly as this Don Bluth classic. The death of Littlefoot’s mother is heartbreaking, and unlike some animated protagonists, the young longneck doesn’t get on with his life immediately. The temptation to succumb to hopelessness is ever-present throughout the story. As if that weren’t enough for one kid flick, it also introduces the concept of racism through the character of Cera, who has to overcome the prejudices she learned from her parents.

Although many consider the mature themes and racy jokes in this movie to be more suitable for adults, there’s no doubt that a lot of 80s kids watched it, either in theaters or on their beloved VCRs. Jessica Rabbit probably inspired the sexual awakening of quite a few pre-pubescent Gen Xers – even if they didn’t understand the double meaning of “patty cake.” In fact, the movie’s adult subject matter makes it more rewarding to revisit now – especially once you’re old enough to realize that the toons are an allegory for Black Americans during segregation. Mind blown.

In the late 19th century, immigrants fleeing oppression in many parts of the world came to America in the hope of finding a better life. Yet when they arrived, many of them encountered racism and exploitation. In “An American Tail,” the immigrants are mice who are in constant danger of being devoured by the ruling class of cats. At the heart is Fievel Mousekewitz, who is separated from his family after being swept overboard during a storm. Although some critics thought the film was too depressing for its target audience, it balances out its dark themes with colorful characters and a few lighthearted songs. Teaching children about the dark points in a country’s history isn’t easy, but Don Bluth is always up to the challenge.

Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong in the world, or even the body, you were born into? Maybe that’s why Ariel is one of the most relatable Disney characters. Although her father tries to force her to conform to his expectations, she knows she’s meant to be human. Ultimately, King Triton is the one who must learn and grow as a character, giving up his authoritarian attempts to control his daughter. Along with stunning animation and an Oscar-winning score, the movie’s message about being true to yourself has made it an all-time classic.

Have we mentioned that Don Bluth was the king of animation in the 80s? In his feature film directorial debut, he follows Mrs. Brisby, a field mouse who fights to protect her seriously ill child from the farmer’s deadly plough. Bluth tends to place his characters in worlds that feel huge and frightening, yet somehow magical, and “The Secret of NIMH” is no exception. As usual, it doesn’t shy away from dark subject matter. The rat’s story of being imprisoned in an animal testing facility is particularly haunting. But as usual, kindness and bravery win out in the end in this powerful and timeless animated masterpiece.