It wasn’t long after Disney released its first feature-length picture in 1937, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, that the company began churning out all sorts of animated and live-action films. By the ’80s, Disney was in full-swing, and because of this, we decided to look at the best movies of the decade. Rather than picking our own favorites, however, we’re turning to IMDb for answers. The popular entertainment website has assigned every film put out by Walt Disney Pictures a star rating. This score is based on the votes of registered users on a scale of 1 to 10, and it’s what we’ll be using to stack up the films.
It’s also worth clarifying that any Disney movie, whether it’s animated or live-action, is fair game if it was released between the years 1980 and 1989. Finally, before we begin, we’re giving a shout out to 1985’s Return To Oz, which would have made the list with a score of 6.7, had their not already been too many entries. With that said, it’s time to pull out some popcorn and blast to the past; Here are the top-rated Disney movies from the ’80s according to IMDb.
Amy (1981) - IMDb Score: 6.7
In 1981, Disney premiered a family drama about a housewife from the early 20th century who decides to leave the life she’s always known to teach sight-and-hearing impaired students after being criticized by her husband, Elliot.
If the plot piques your interest, you’ll be happy to know the film has reemerged on Disney+. Though the movie wasn’t wildly popular at the time of its release, its plot was compelling enough to garner attention.
Dragonslayer (1981) - IMDb Score: 6.7
This 1981 film tells of a dragon that wanders around the medieval lands of Urland. In an attempt to stop the beast, the kingdom turns to the wizard Ulrich for guidance. It is revealed that the magic man has been bringing women to the dragon as an offering, and the princess secretly volunteers to go next.
However, this is all changed when Ulrich dies and his apprentice, Galen, is instead left to deal with the problem at hand. Though the film flopped at the box office, it received critical acclaim at the time of its release for its special effects. Unfortunately, it has not been given a Disney+ release date.
Tron (1982) - IMDb Score: 6.2
This 1982 action-adventure starred Jeff Bridges as a computer programmer named Kevin Flynn who is accidentally sucked into a computer’s software soon after learning that an exec at his company has been taking his work. His goal: to escape.
While Flynn is inside the operating system, he is forced to battle his enemy as well as the looming Master Control Program. Thankfully, Tron as well as its 2010 sequel Tron: Legacy are on Disney+ for your streaming enjoyment.
Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983) - IMDb Score: 6.8
The small town of Green Town, Illinois, is excited about the approaching fall season. Will Halloway and Jim Nightshade are included in this, though their thrill is tested when someone known as Mr. Dark heads into town and makes a carnival almost magically pop up. Mr. Dark plans to take hold of the town, and it’s up to the two boys to figure out how to keep those they know from the wicked that’s come their way.
Sounds fun and creepy right? You’d think Disney+ would be quick to put this cult hit up for streaming but nope - Something Wicked This Way Comes is still waiting for its Disney+ release date.
Flight Of The Navigator (1986) - IMDb Score: 6.9
Debuted in 1986, Flight of the Navigator tells of a 12-year-old boy in Florida who is sucked into the spaceship of aliens.
Eight years go by in a flash, however, and police are shocked to see the child has not aged while the world around him has completely transformed. Mixing fantasy and ingenuity, this sci-fi adventure is full of fun and heart. It’s currently available for streaming on Disney+.
The Journey Of Natty Gann (1985) - IMDb Score: 7.0
This coming-of-age adventure tells of a girl’s cross-country search for her father during the Great Depression after he leaves to become a lumberjack in Washington without saying goodbye. Though Natty’s father plans to come back for her, a mix-up has her setting out alone on the train tracks as to avoid being reported as an abandoned child.
The heartwarming story has thankfully made a reappearance on Disney+, so you can watch the grand tale play out whenever you’d like.
The Great Mouse Detective (1986) - IMDb Score: 7.2
This 1986 Disney gem tells of a toymaker who gets abducted and the mouse who can track him down: Basil of Baker Street.
This leads the mice on one giant adventure to track down the toymaker, with a little help from Sherlock Holmes’ loyal basset hound, Toby. A live-action remake is reported to be in development, but until then, you should watch this underrated animated gem on Disney+.
The Fox & The Hound (1981) - IMDb Score: 7.1
This animated ‘81 classic tells of the friendship between a red fox and a hunting dog named Tod and Copper, played by Mickey Rooney and Kurt Russell.
Though the two are friends as kids, they eventually split up and join their own kind being that they’re enemies by nature. Thankfully, their bond withstands the test of time when it matters the most, but their friendship will be put through some impossibly tough tests.
Never Cry Wolf (1983) - IMDb Score: 7.5
This 1983 drama tells of a government biologist who sets out to study the caribous, who are slowly declining in population. Though he at first believes this is due to wolf attacks, he soon encounters more than he bargained for.
If you were hoping to watch this tale on Disney+, you’ll probably never get to. Though the film is available through other mediums, it features brief nudity, which is something that is not associated with the Disney brand today.
The Little Mermaid (1989) - IMDb Score: 7.6
Topping off the list is none other than Disney’s classic animated tale about a sea girl who wants legs: The Little Mermaid. The musical romance kicks off with 16-year-old Ariel falling for Eric, a human prince whom she rescues from a sinking ship on his birthday.
However, being that she’s a mermaid, she retreats back into the sea before he can realize who she is. It’s not long before Ariel makes a deal with Ursula the sea witch. In exchange for her voice, Ariel can get legs for three days that she will get to keep forever if Eric kisses her. If not, she will stay a mermaid and be indebted to Ursula indefinitely.
