Kids & YA Book Adaptations of the 1980s
by mackenziewyatt-35780 | created - 21 Jan 2022 | updated - 9 months ago | PublicKids and YA books released in the 1980s
- Instant Watch Options
- Genres
- Movies or TV
- IMDb Rating
- In Theaters
- Release Year
- Keywords
1. Curious George (1980– )
TV-Y | 6 min | Animation, Family
Animated antics of the curious little monkey named George. He gets into trouble but also saves the day. Whether he visits a ketchup factory, a green house, the park, the zoo, the beach, a ... See full summary »
Star: Jack Duffy
Votes: 147
2. The Secret of NIMH (1982)
G | 82 min | Animation, Adventure, Drama
To save her ill son, a field mouse must seek the aid of a colony of rats, with whom she has a deeper link than she suspected.
Director: Don Bluth | Stars: Elizabeth Hartman, Derek Jacobi, Dom DeLuise, Arthur Malet
Votes: 45,180 | Gross: $10.14M
3. The Last Unicorn (1982)
G | 92 min | Animation, Adventure, Drama
A beautiful unicorn sets out to learn if she truly is the last of her kind in this sparkling animated musical.
Directors: Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr. | Stars: Jeff Bridges, Mia Farrow, Angela Lansbury, Alan Arkin
Votes: 29,547 | Gross: $6.46M
4. The Outsiders (1983)
PG | 91 min | Crime, Drama
In a small Oklahoma town in 1964, the rivalry between two gangs, the poor Greasers and the rich Socs, heats up when one gang member accidentally kills a member of the other.
Director: Francis Ford Coppola | Stars: C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze
Votes: 97,586 | Gross: $25.60M
5. Rumble Fish (1983)
R | 94 min | Crime, Drama, Romance
Absent-minded street thug Rusty James struggles to live up to his legendary older brother's reputation, and longs for the days of gang warfare.
Director: Francis Ford Coppola | Stars: Matt Dillon, Mickey Rourke, Diane Lane, Dennis Hopper
Votes: 37,698 | Gross: $2.49M
6. The NeverEnding Story (1984)
PG | 102 min | Adventure, Drama, Family
A troubled boy dives into a wondrous fantasy world through the pages of a mysterious book.
Director: Wolfgang Petersen | Stars: Noah Hathaway, Barret Oliver, Tami Stronach, Gerald McRaney
Votes: 157,004 | Gross: $20.16M
7. Bridge to Terabithia (1985 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 60 min | Drama, Family
When Leslie Burke moves in next door to Jess Aarons, Jess finds a friend in Leslie. Over time, they discover a secret place in the forest across a fallen pine tree, and over a creek, they call Terabithia, a place where memories are sacred.
Director: Eric Till | Stars: Annette O'Toole, Julian Coutts, Julie Beaulieu, Gloria Carlin
Votes: 745
8. Return to Oz (1985)
PG | 113 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Dorothy, saved from a psychiatric experiment by a mysterious girl, is somehow called back to Oz when a vain witch and the Nome King destroy everything that makes the magical land beautiful.
Director: Walter Murch | Stars: Fairuza Balk, Nicol Williamson, Jean Marsh, Piper Laurie
Votes: 30,368
9. The Black Cauldron (1985)
PG | 80 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A young boy and a group of misfit friends embark on a quest to find a dark magic item of ultimate power before a diabolical tyrant can.
Directors: Ted Berman, Richard Rich | Stars: Grant Bardsley, Freddie Jones, Susan Sheridan, Nigel Hawthorne
Votes: 40,762 | Gross: $21.29M
10. That Was Then... This Is Now (1985)
R | 102 min | Crime, Drama
Two juvenile delinquents find themselves growing apart, for one is growing up, and the other is staying young and reckless.
Director: Christopher Cain | Stars: Emilio Estevez, Craig Sheffer, Larry B. Scott, Matthew Dudley
Votes: 2,684 | Gross: $8.63M
11. Anne of Green Gables (1985)
TV-G | 100 min | Drama, Family
An orphan girl, sent to an elderly brother and sister by mistake, charms her new home and community with her fiery spirit and imagination.
Stars: Megan Follows, Colleen Dewhurst, Richard Farnsworth, Patricia Hamilton
Votes: 22,661
12. The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
G | 74 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
Basil, the rodent Sherlock Holmes, investigates the kidnapping of a toy maker and uncovers its link to his archenemy, Professor Ratigan.
Directors: Ron Clements, Burny Mattinson, David Michener, John Musker | Stars: Vincent Price, Barrie Ingham, Val Bettin, Susanne Pollatschek
Votes: 54,433 | Gross: $38.60M
13. A Little Princess (1986–1987)
TV-G | 163 min | Drama, Family
Sara Crewe enters a London boarding school a wealthy lady when she bids her father farewell as he enters the British Army, but her lifestyle quickly vanishes when her father suddenly dies, and Sara must endure a life of servitude.
Stars: Maureen Lipman, Amelia Shankley, Miriam Margolyes, Annette Badland
Votes: 774
14. The Brave Little Toaster (1987)
G | 90 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
A group of dated appliances embark on a journey to the city to find their master after being abandoned in a cabin in the woods.
Director: Jerry Rees | Stars: Jon Lovitz, Timothy Stack, Timothy E. Day, Thurl Ravenscroft
Votes: 27,742
15. Anne of Avonlea (1987)
TV-G | 58 min | Drama, Family, Romance
Anne Shirley accepts a teaching position at a girls boarding school in a town dominated by a rich and belligerant family determined to make her life miserable.
Stars: Megan Follows, Colleen Dewhurst, Marilyn Lightstone, Schuyler Grant
Votes: 10,194
16. The Princess Bride (1987)
PG | 98 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
A bedridden boy's grandfather reads him the story of a farmboy-turned-pirate who encounters numerous obstacles, enemies and allies in his quest to be reunited with his true love.
Director: Rob Reiner | Stars: Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Robin Wright, Chris Sarandon
Votes: 451,056 | Gross: $30.86M
17. Madeline (1988 TV Movie)
30 min | Animation, Family, Musical
In a Parisian girls' school, our perky, popular heroine charms her eleven classmates with funny pranks and youthful wit. But when Madeline needs her appendix out, it's she who needs charm and humor for a speedy recovery.
Director: Stephan Martinière | Stars: Christopher Plummer, Marsha Moreau, Daccia Bloomfield, Tara Strong
Votes: 314
18. The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe (1988)
Unrated | 29 min | Adventure, Drama, Family
Four kids travel to the magical land of Narnia where they must battle an evil queen with the direction of the lion, Aslan.
Stars: Richard Dempsey, Sophie Cook, Jonathan R. Scott, Sophie Wilcox
Votes: 6,503
19. The Chocolate War (1988)
R | 104 min | Drama
The Vigils are a gang of students at Trinity Catholic School... part of the tradition. They control the other boys by intimidation and the threat of violence.
Director: Keith Gordon | Stars: John Glover, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, Wallace Langham, Doug Hutchison
Votes: 2,446 | Gross: $0.30M
20. Babar (1989–2002)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
The adventures of the King of the elephants, his family, and friends.
Stars: Richard Binsley, Gordon Pinsent, Dawn Greenhalgh, Stuart Stone
Votes: 5,528
21. Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland (1989)
G | 85 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Each night, young Nemo goes to Slumberland and has adventures and befriends the king of Slumberland, Morpheus. But one night Nemo discovers Nightmare Land, and the evil nightmare king, throwing Slumberland and Nemo himself into danger.
Directors: Masami Hata, Masanori Hata, William T. Hurtz | Stars: Gabriel Damon, Mickey Rooney, Rene Auberjonois, Danny Mann
Votes: 8,268 | Gross: $1.37M
22. Babar: The Movie (1989)
G | 70 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
In his spectacular film debut, young Babar, King of the Elephants, must save his homeland from certain destruction by Rataxes and his band of invading rhinos.
Director: Alan Bunce | Stars: Gordon Pinsent, Gavin Magrath, Elizabeth Hanna, Lisa Jai
Votes: 1,114 | Gross: $1.31M
23. The New Lassie (1989–1992)
30 min | Adventure, Family
The further adventures of the heroic Collie dog.
Stars: Dee Wallace, Christopher Stone, Will Estes, Wendy Cox
Votes: 540
24. The Butter Battle Book (1989 TV Movie)
PG | 30 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
A cold war between two lands over a ridiculous dispute leads to a perilous arms race.
Director: Ralph Bakshi | Stars: Charles Durning, Christopher Collins, Miriam Flynn, Clive Revill
Votes: 535
25. Prince Caspian and the Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1989)
Unrated | 30 min | Family, Fantasy, Adventure
Young Prince Caspian of Narnia wonders and dreams of the old days of Narnia when animals talked, and there were mythical creatures and four rulers in Caer Paravel.
Stars: Warwick Davis, Jonathan R. Scott, Sophie Wilcox, William Todd-Jones
Votes: 2,442
26. Paddington Bear (1989–1990)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Animation
The adventures of a bear named Paddington (Charlie Adler) and his adoptive family, The Browns in London, along with their visiting American relative.
Stars: Tim Curry, John Standing, Georgia Brown, Hamilton Camp
Votes: 134
27. The BFG (1989)
91 min | Animation, Adventure, Drama
A young orphan girl, Sophie, gets taken away to a faraway land populated by Giants and Dreams.
Director: Brian Cosgrove | Stars: David Jason, Amanda Root, Angela Thorne, Ballard Berkeley
Votes: 7,504
28. Madeline (1989–2001)
TV-Y | 30 min | Animation, Family
A young girl embarks on a series of misadventures, causing her friends and teachers to be worrisome. Based on the children's books.
Stars: Christopher Plummer, Tracey Lee Smythe, Stevie Vallance, Vanessa King
Votes: 1,818
29. Parent Trap: Hawaiian Honeymoon (1989 TV Movie)
100 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
After inheriting a family resort in Hawaii, the Wyatts find it in such a run-down condition that they decide to sell it after trying to fix it up. Amidst confusing goings-on amongst the ... See full summary »
Director: Mollie Miller | Stars: Hayley Mills, Barry Bostwick, Joy Creel, Leanna Creel
Votes: 680
30. The Parent Trap II (1986 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 81 min | Comedy, Family
Two best friends plot to get their single parents together to stop one of them from moving to New York City.
Director: Ron Maxwell | Stars: Hayley Mills, Tom Skerritt, Carrie Kei Heim, Bridgette Andersen
Votes: 2,309
31. Wayside School (1986 TV Movie)
30 min | Animation, Comedy, Fantasy
Director: Thomas Schlamme | Stars: Vince Cupone, Devon Michaels, P.J. Ochlan
Votes: 9
32. The Wizard of Oz (1982)
Not Rated | 78 min | Animation, Family, Adventure
Animated version of the classic story of a young farmgirl who is transported to the magic land of Oz.
Directors: Fumihiko Takayama, John Danylkiw | Stars: Aileen Quinn, Lorne Greene, Mari Okamoto, Hizuru Kotobuki
Votes: 437 | Gross: $0.61M
33. Ozu no mahôtsukai (1986–1987)
TV-Y | 25 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
When Dorothy and her little dog Toto are swept up by a tornado, they are magically transported to the Land of Oz- An enchanted world were anything is possible!
Stars: Morgan Hallett, Sumi Shimamoto, Mark Denis, Yoshito Yasuhara
Votes: 354
34. The Berenstain Bears (1985–2004)
TV-Y | 25 min | Animation, Comedy, Family
We follow a family of bears, known as the Berenstain Bears, as they figure out life together. With friendly neighbors and close friends, the journey is never boring. Inspired by the book series written by Stan and Jan Berenstain.
Stars: David Mendenhall, Ben Campbell, Tajja Isen, Camilla Scott
Votes: 3,680
TV Series Release Date: 9/14/1985 Book 1: The Big Honey Hunt Author: Jan & Stan Berenstain
Tell Your Friends