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30+ TV Shows from the 80’s to Watch With Your Kids

Connect with your kids or indulge in nostalgia with these 80s TV Shows. They include 80’s TV Shows on Netflix, too.

There’s something pretty awesome about connecting with your kids over something you loved when you were young. It offers kids a glimpse into what you were like as a kid yourself and gives you a way to relive your childhood.

My list of must-watch throwbacks is below, but we want to hear what retro titles you’re most excited to pass down to your kids.

Are there favorites you’ve already watched with the kids or any fun traditions you’ve started – like “Jedi training” (aka getting ready for bed) – to extend the fun of what you’ve watched together? We hear ideas for a #TBT post…

Top 10 TV Shows from the 80’s to Watch With Your Family

The Wonder Years

Coming-of-age comedy series set in the late 1960s, focusing on the trials and tribulations of young Kevin Arnold and his family, as he enters junior high school and becomes a teenager.

The Wonder Years Season 1
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Michael Dinner (Director)

Cheers

Bartender Sam Malone (Ted Danson) and the object of his unrequited love, Diane (Shelley Long), cross swords in hilarious episodes of the landmark television comedy. Joining them for the fun in one of the most popular television series ever are Norm, Cliff, Carla, Frasier, and “Coach.”

Cheers Season 1
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Ted Danson, Shelly Long, Nicholas Colasanto (Actors)

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

When he holds up the magical Sword of Power and utters the words “By the power of Grayskull,” Prince Adam is transformed into Eternia’s greatest champion, He-Man, who uses his powers to defend the realm from evil.

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • John Erwin, Alan Oppenheimer, Linda Gary (Actors)

Super Mario Bros. Super Show

The Super Mario Brothers Super Show is a zany animated fantasy adventure comedy based on Nintendo’s most popular videogame. The stars are the, world-famous Mario and Luigi, two laugh-provoking plumbers from the Italian section of Brooklyn who suddenly find themselves washed through a Warp Zone.

Super Mario Bros. Super Show Season 1
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Lou Albano, Harvey Atkin, Jeannie Elias (Actors)

Pee-Wee’s Playhouse

Pee-Wee Herman and his friends have wacky, imaginative fun in his unique playhouse.

Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 1
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Ric Heitzman, George McGrath, Alison Mork (Actors)

She-Ra

Armed with the Sword of Protection atop her winged unicorn, Swift Wind, She-Ra, twin sister of He-Man, is the defender of Crystal Castle. Together with the members of the Great Rebellion, She-Ra stands ready against evil!

She-Ra: Princess of Power - Season 1
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Melendy Britt, John Erwin, Linda Gary (Actors)

Star Trek

Picking up decades after Gene Roddenberry’s original Star Trek series, The Next Generation follows the intergalactic adventures of Capt. Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and his loyal crew aboard the all-new USS Enterprise NCC-1701D, as they explore new worlds.

Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 1
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Levar Burton (Actors)

Robotech

A gigantic spaceship crash lands on Earth, foreshadowing the arrival of an alien armada bent on war and destruction. The world unites to unlock the secrets of its alien technology, known as Robotech, to defend the world against impending invasion. The challenges they will face will be greater than anyone could have imagined. 

Robotech: The Complete Series - Digitally Remastered
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Robert Axelrod, Richard Epcar, Barbara Goodson (Actors)

The Real Ghostbusters

Fire up a Proton Pack and join Peter, Ray, Egon, Winston, and Slimer as they battle fiendish ghouls and goblins from attacking New York City in an all-new animated series based on the film franchise.

The Real Ghostbusters - Volume 1
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Maurice LaMarche, Frank Welker, Arsenio Hall (Actors)

20 More TV Shows from the 80’s to Watch With Your Family

Rab C. Nesbitt

He’s a brash, perpetually drunk Scotsman whose desires in life are remarkably uncomplicated: get sauced at the local pub in Govan, hang with the mates and be the voice, however unwelcome at times, of the common man.

Voltron

The Space Explorers uncover the legend of Voltron in these premiere episodes.
 
Voltron Volume 1
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Peter Cullen, Michael Bell, Jack Angel (Actors)

Danger Mouse

Danger Mouse, operating from his secret base in London, is the greatest Secret Agent the world has ever known. Along with his faithful assistant Penfold, his commanding officer Colonel K, and his underwater-flying car, Danger Mouse is ready to stop villainy wherever it may arise.
 
Danger Mouse (Classics) Season 1
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)

Night Rider

On the heels of NBC’s hit movie, the iconic 1980s television classic comes roaring back to life as a reinvented, updated and super-charged action series showcasing the new KITT (Knight Industries Three Thousand).
 
Absolutely the coolest car ever created, KITT is equipped with an “AI” (artificial intelligence) that is capable of hacking almost any system. Its weapons systems match that of a jet fighter, and its body is capable of actually transforming into other vehicles and using sophisticated holographic imagery to elude villains.
 
Knight Rider Season 1
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Jay Chandrasekhar (Director) - David Bartis (Producer)

The A-Team

A team of ex-special forces soldiers on the lam from the military police (even though they didn’t really commit the crime for which they’d been imprisoned) leaves a trail of explosions in its wake. But Hannibal, Faceman, B.A., and Murdock always stop to help the little guy against some corrupt local bigwig before escaping the MPs once again.

The A-Team Season 1
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Dirk Benedict, George Peppard, Mr. T (Actors)

MacGyver 

He’s everyone’s favorite action hero but he’s a hero with a difference. Angus MacGyver is a secret agent whose wits are his deadliest weapon.
 
MacGyver - Season 1
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Richard Dean Anderson, Dana Elcar, Bruce McGill (Actors)

A Different World

Denise Huxtable arrives for her freshmen year at Hillman College, the alma mater of her father Cliff Huxtable. In this first season, Denise injects herself into a campus-wide debate over the role of women in society, participates in traditional school shenanigans, crushes on a teacher, and deals with the turbulent relationships of college life.

Season 1
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Kadeem Hardison, Jasmine Guy, Darryl Bell (Actors)

M*A*S*H

A fast-paced and fun-filled series relating the antics of a mobile army surgical hospital crew during the Korean War. They have basically dedicated surgeons who turn to humor as relief from the front-line operating room.
M*A*S*H Season 9
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)

Airwolf

At the behest of a shadowy government organization, an enigmatic loner steals a supersonic military helicopter from its twisted creator and uses it to fight the bad guys around the world in this 1980s action series.

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AIRWOLF COMPLETE DVD
  • Jan-Michael Vincent, Ernest Borgnine (Actors)
  • English (Subtitle)

The Incredible Hulk 

David Banner (Bill Bixby) continues his struggle to keep his green-skinned alter ego at bay in the third season of this classic sci-fi series based on Stan Lee’s popular Marvel comic book character.
 
The Incredible Hulk Season 3
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Kenneth Johnson (Director) - Craig Buck (Writer) - Kenneth Johnson (Producer)

Dr. Who

The First Doctor: William Hartnell journeys back to the eerie black-and-white beginnings of a legend, as William Hartnell’s stern, mysterious Doctor encounters Daleks and Cybermen for the very first time.
 
Classic Doctor Who, Season 1
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Tom Baker, William Hartnell, Jon Pertwee (Actors)

Quantum Leap

Get ready to join Dr. Sam Beckett on the adventure of many lifetimes! Who will he be this time? Mafia hitman. Air Force test pilot. Professional boxer. Sam does it all in Season One of the groundbreaking, 5-time Emmy award-winning series.
 
Quantum Leap Volume 1
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Scott Bakula, Dean Stockwell (Actors)

Magnum, P.I. 

A private investigator who works when he wants to live on a beachfront estate in Hawaii drives a posh Ferrari, runs up an unlimited tab at a swank bar, and charms attractive women in peril – that’s the lifestyle of Thomas Magnum, aka Magnum, P.I. 

Magnum, P.I. - Season 1
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • John Hillerman, Tom Selleck, Larry Manetti (Actors)

Miami Vice

The cops. The cars. The clothes. From executive producer Michael Mann (Heat, Collateral) comes the first season of the explosive, groundbreaking detective show that redefined the word “cool.”
 
Set against the seamy and steamy Miami underworld, Miami Vice allows you to ride shotgun with suave Vice cops Sonny Crockett (Golden Globe? winner Don Johnson) and Rico Tubbs (Phillip Michael Thomas) as they battle a never-ending gallery of criminals, drug dealers, and lowlifes.
 
Miami Vice Season 1
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Don Johnson, Philip Michael Thomas, Saundra Santiago (Actors)

Galactica 1980 

A spin-off of “Battlestar Galactica,” this series takes place 30 years after the original. Upon reaching Earth, the inhabitants of the renegade star fleet take action when they realize earthlings aren’t advanced enough to help battle the Cylons.
 
Galactica 1980
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Lorne Greene, Kent McCord, Barry Van Dyke (Actors)

Carebears

The Care Bears live in a faraway place up in the clouds called Care-a-Lot, which constitutes a part of the Kingdom of Caring. With the help of the Cousins and their Buddies, they go all around the world on Missions in Caring whilst Evil villains such as Professor Coldheart, and Lord No Heart, try to thwart their plans.
 
Care Bears: Classic Series Season 1
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Dan Hennessey, John Stocker, Bob Dermer (Actors)

Curious George

Curious George is a sweet African monkey who can’t help but run into trouble. George’s friend, “The Man in the Yellow Hat,” tries very hard to care for George and is always saving the day. The show’s themes are learning forgiveness and playful curiosity.

Curious George (Collector's Edition) [DVD]
  • Audience Rating: Unrated (Not Rated)

Tom and Jerry

In this decades-old rivalry, Tom Cat and Jerry Mouse match wits against each other in numerous situations and settings.
 
Tom & Jerry: Volume 1 - Season 1
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)

Thomas the Tank Engine

All aboard the original Railway Series! Enjoy grand tales of railway engines with stories adapted from Rev W. Awdry’s books. Go full steam ahead with Thomas and his friends as they shunt cars, haul freight, and strive to be Really Useful Engines.
 
Thomas & Friends Classic
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • George Carlin (Actor)

Pingu

Chill out with Pingu! From sledding to skiing to building igloos to hatching little sisters, Pingu is a one cool penguin.
 
Pingu
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Carlo Bonomi (Actor)

Jem and the Holograms

When Jerrica Benton inherits Starlight Music and Starlight House, a home for foster girls, she also inherits Synergy, a holographic computer designed by her late father to be “the ultimate audiovisual entertainment synthesizer.”
 
Using holograms, Synergy helps Jerrica and her pals become Jem and the Holograms, a pop band. They battle other bands, like the Misfits and the Stingers.
 
Jem and the Holograms
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • John Gibbs (Director)

Transformers

Engaged in a crucial race to find a new energy source for their home planet of Cybertron, Optimus Prime, and the heroic Autobots must defend the innocent people of Earth against their archnemeses, Megatron and the power-hungry Decepticons.

Transformers: The Complete First Season
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Peter Cullen, Chris Latta, Michael Bell (Actors)

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I'm featuring my favorite throwback TV shows. There’s something pretty awesome about connecting with your kids over something you loved when you were young. It offers kids a glimpse into what you were like as a kid yourself and gives you a way to relive your childhood. | 30+ TV Shows from the 80's to Watch on Netflix

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