Disney in the 80's

1979 marked a turning point in Disney live action films.  Up until that time ‘Walt Disney’ was associated strictly with wholesome family entertainment.  1979 brought about PG rated films which paved the way for Touchstone pictures, a movie distribution arm that could deliver less kid friendly films with the ‘Walt Disney’ tag attached to it.   During the 80’s, Comedy was scarcely touched in favor of more serious fair.  During this time period Disney ventured into more serious science-fiction and fantasy efforts as well as the horror genre.

Some of the films produced during this time period are quite remarkable and some recall a time when almost any Disney film could be counted on for quality family entertainment.

Teenage Films

Take Down (1979) PG (Not on DVD)

Midnight Madness (1980) PG

Tex 1982 PG

Disney Sci-Fi
The Black Hole (1979) PG

Tron 1982 PG (Tron Legacy 2010)

Flight of the Navigator 1986 PG

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids 1989 PG

Sequals
Honey, I Blew Up the Kid 1992
Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves 1997 (Direct to Video)

TV Show: Honey I Shrunk the Kids  (1997-2007)

Disney Adventure

The Last Flight of Noah's Ark 1980 G

Condorman 1981 PG

Night Crossing 1982 PG

Never Cry Wolf 1983 PG

The Journey of Natty Gann 1985 PG

Cheetah 1989 G

Disney Franchises

Herbie Goes Bananas 1980 G

The Herbie Series
The Love Bug (1968) — Directed by Robert Stevenson

Herbie Rides Again (1974) — Directed by Robert Stevenson
Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977) — Directed by Vincent McEveety
Herbie Goes Bananas (1980) — Directed by Vincent McEveety
The Love Bug (1997) made-for-TV movie — Directed by Peyton Reed
Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005) — Directed by Angela Robinson

TV Series  Herbie, the Love Bug or Herbie the Matchmaker

Disney Horror

The Watcher in the Woods 1981 PG

Something Wicked This Way Comes 1983 PG

Disney Comedy

Popeye 1980 PG

Trenchcoat 1983 (Not on DVD/Amazon) PG
The Devil and Max Devlin  PG 1981

Disney Fantasy

Dragonslayer 1981 PG

Return to Oz 1985 PG

One Magic Christmas 1985 G

Disney Drama

Amy 1981 (Not on DVD/Amazon) G

Running Brave 1983 PG

Disney Picked Up Franchises

Return to Snowy River 1988 PG (Sequal to The Man from Snowy River (Non-Disney)  (1982)

Benji the Hunted 1987 G

The Benji Series
Benji (1974)

For the Love of Benji (1977)
Benji's Very Own Christmas Story (1978)
Benji the Hunted (1987)
Benji: Off the Leash! (2004)
Benji Takes a Dive at Marineland (1981)
Benji at Work (1980)

Non-Benji Series
Oh! Heavenly Dog (1980)
Television series Benji, Zax & the Alien Prince (1983)
 
Documentary: Phenomenon of Benji (1989)