I admit it: I’m a bit of an ’80s pop culture junkie.
Some of my favorite movies and TV shows are from the decade that brought us neon and mile-high bangs. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen “Adventures in Babysitting,” “Heathers,” “The Goonies,” or “St. Elmo’s Fire.”
And isn’t it bizarre how so many of these shows from our childhood are coming back and are now part of modern pop culture? (Remember my recent post about Hollywood reboots?).
Think about it: Transformers. GI Joe. My Little Pony. Strawberry Shortcake. Smurfs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
And I heard there’s even a live-action movie based on “Jem” in the works. Which is awesome. I mean, she is truly outrageous after all.
Given the choice of watching “Mad Men” or so-awful-you-love-them classics like “Saved by the Bell”, I’d definitely pick the latter … cheesy storylines, “very important life lessons,” laugh tracks and all.
One thing about ‘80s and early ’90s TV that I never really stopped to consider is how innocent and tame some of the storylines were compared to today’s TV dramas.
Alex Keaton got a bad grade! Will Carol Seaver get a date to the prom? Will Kevin and Winnie ever get together? Don’t play hide-and-seek in an old freezer like Punky’s friend Cherie!
And how the heck can I score a date with Zack Morris?
I mean, I’m no Kelly Kapowski, but I had the big hair and all.
Lucky for me, Netflix has a pretty impressive collection of these oldies-but-goodies available for streaming! It’s funny, considering Buddy has been into the live action Disney sitcoms (I’m talking to you, “Jessie”), I wonder if he might actually like some of these old relics?
14 Classics to Share with Your Kids on Netflix
For your big kids:
1. Saved by the Bell
2. The Baby-Sitters Club
3. Family Ties
4. Jem and the Holograms
5. The Hardy Boys Nancy Drew Mysteries
6. Spiderman and His Amazing Friends
7. Transformers
And your little ones (many of these may look familiar!)
1. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
2. The Care Bears Movie
3. The Smurfs and the Magic Flute
4. Strawberry Shortcake
5. Curious George
6. Sesame Street
7. Dumbo
Speaking of the ’80s, raise your hand if you remember Bill Cosby promoting those creamy, delicious JELL-O Pudding Pops??Just looking at these reminds me of my childhood summers. Learn how to make them at home! Click here for instructions.
Guess what? Just in case you want to indulge your own ’80s nostalgia, I’m giving away a three-month subscription to Netflix!! Entering is easy.
Just leave a comment below and tell me: What is YOUR favorite ’80s (or early ’90s) sitcom?
Note: A winner will be selected at random on Monday, May 5 at 9:00am ET, so any comments after that time will not be eligible. When commenting, make sure you use the email address you can be reached at if you win!
I am part of the Stream Team ambassador program for Netflix. I was not compensated for my time, but I was provided product to use to facilitate my thoughts and reviews. All opinions listed are 100% my own.
Jacqui says
I was all about Saved by the Bell even in college I watched reruns all the time.
Kelly D says
I always liked the Cosby Show.
Amanda Sakovitz says
Full House was always one of my favorites!
Thomas Murphy says
I liked the Cosby show.
Jackie says
I LOVE this post! I was obsessed with Michael J. Fox for a bit when I was a tween, so I have to go with Family Ties. And oh my goodness YES, I totally remember pudding pops! YUMMMMY! I can never get enough of 1980’s movies, but unfortunately many of them are not tame enough for my kids to watch just yet. Breakfast Club, 16 Candles and Pretty in Pink will have to wait a bit longer. But we did fast forward parts of Uncle Buck recently (there are 15 swear words in the first 5 minutes, my son counted). And they LOOOOOVVEED Ferris Bueller. You rock, Jessica! Thanks for this fabulous post. It’s like…like. like totally tubular!!!!
Sara hammer says
Loved this! I adored 90210 followed by melrose place! Also I wanted to be punky Brewster!
Melissa says
2 words – Heathers, JEM – all I need in life!
Christa Jones says
I love Punky Brewster!
Tabathia B says
I liked the wonder years, silver spoons, knight rider and macgyver
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
lauren says
I loved watching Out of This World.
betsy says
full house
Lauren E. says
I loved saved by the bell
Melissa M says
I love Married With Children
Laura ari says
I liked Alf.