My prior Halloween post has left me to ponder about movies from my childhood that shouldn’t have scared me. Judging by the number of varied responses from my friends, kids born in the 80’s had a variety of traumatic childhood movies scenes to talk about. With a little research, most of them passed with a PG rating.
- Brave Little Toaster. 1987. 90 minutes. Unrated.
With the voice of Phil Hartman, “What are you gonna do, suck me to death?!” We just saw an “adult” have a breakdown and die.
2. Mother Goose Rock N Rhyme. 1990. 96 minutes. Unrated.
This star studded movie is a suggestion from one of my librarian co-workers with good reason. Just seeing Humpty Dumpty reminded me of a scene from Brazil.
“This little lamb is ruining my life. I go to the supermarket, he goes to the supermarket. I go to the restaurant, he goes to the restaurant and over-tips. I go to the bathroom, he goes to the bathroom and takes forever, and I can’t take it anymore!”
3. Alice in Wonderland. 1985. 187 minutes. TV PG
Between the baby and the Jabberwocky scene…. MORE PEPPER! #whyiwon’thavechildrenpart2
4. Who Framed Roger Rabbit. 1988. 104 minutes. PG.
R.I.P. SHOE.
Remember ME, EDDIE?
5. The Neverending Story. 1984. 102 minutes. PG.
Here’s a two for one, both fit into that “I’m not adulting today” feelings that I quote regularly. You know what I’m talking about..the days where you “can’t even”
On a lighter note, I think my cat Malcolm kinda looks like G’Mork.
6. Little Monsters. 1989. 100 minutes. PG.
Besides the bully drinking the pee and thinking it was apple juice, this one takes #2.
7. Howard the Duck. 1986. 106 minutes. PG
Besides possible bestiality and the duck boobs which went over my head, my younger self was very scared of Dr. Jennings.
8. The Witches. 1990. 91 minutes. PG.
What happens at MLA conference after hours (a childrens librarian joke)
9. Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. 1985. 91 minutes. PG.
Besides Large Marge and the bike clown that I have previously mentioned in Part 1, this dream always got me.
10. Beetlejuice. 1988. 92 minutes. PG
The highlight of Michael Keaton’s career (besides Birdman), this movie teems of Tim Burton’s typical style. There were lots of scary scenes to choose from here especially shrunken heads and eyeball hands but this one sums it up.
11. Gremlins. 1984. 106 minutes. PG
The scene where Kate talks about why she hates Christmas also flew over my head when I was little but the death of Stripes always got to me. My mom use to call me “Jessi-ca-ca” when she wanted to get under my skin. It worked.
Let us know in the comments movies that scared you as a child.
