12 Movie Moments That Messed Up Kids of the ’80s

Chris Tilly
Movies Horror
Movies Horror Sci-Fi

The 1980s were filled with terrifying horror films, the likes of Freddy, Jason and Michael traumatising kids who caught their celluloid kills. But there was also a vicious streak running through the family films of the era. Which as maybe preparing the youth of the period for adulthood. But equally messed most of us up. The following 12 of the most disturbing movie moments from the decade.

Test of Manhood — Flash Gordon (1980)

Flash Gordon is a mad movie for many, many reasons. Most notably the sadomasochistic streak that runs throughout what’s ostensibly a movie aimed at children. But the ‘Test of Manhood’ on Arbia is also pretty messed up. The initiation involves a young man thrusting his arm through a hole in a tree, then endeavouring to avoid the sting of the pulsating creature that waits within. “Choose your passage, into this world, or the next,” the young Treeman is told. But he selects the wrong hole. And you should never select the wrong hole. The chap duly gets stung, and bright green puss oozes from his wrist. “Send me on my way,” he begs soon-to-be James Bond, Timothy Dalton. “Spare me the madness.” Which pre-007 does, killing him in cold, green blood. A moment that was made all the more disturbing for British youngsters when the actor playing ‘Young Treeman’ — Peter Duncan — started presenting educational children’s show Blue Peter that same year.

Medusa — Clash of the Titans (1981)

Medusa's head in Clash of the Titans.

The 1980s were all about sword, sandals and sorcery epics. The violent Conan movies were aimed at teens and adults, while 1981’s Clash of the Titans — featuring adorable golden owl Bubo — was more family-friendly. Aside from the scene in which Perseus does battle with Medusa; a monstrous Gorgon, whose hair is made of snakes, and who turns men to stone with just a look. Which resulted in six-year-old me closing my eyes whenever she was onscreen. The character was brought to life via terrifying stop-motion, with Medusa so very messed up that even her blood transformed into deadly scorpions.

Earworm — Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)

The Ceti Eel.

The Ricardo Montalban iteration of Khan is the greatest villain in Star Trek history. And this scene features his most dastardly act. Having captured Chekov and Terrell, Khan educates them about Ceti Alpha V’s only remaining indigenous life-form. While poking it with tongs, Khan claims that the Ceti Eel killed 20 of his best people, including his wife. He explains that their young enter humans via the ear, and wrap themselves around the cerebral cortex, rendering the victim susceptible to suggestion, and precipitating madness followed by death. Khan then grabs a couple of the slugs and sticks them in helmets which are popped on our heroes’ heads. What follows is body horror worthy of David Cronenberg, the eels crawling ear-wards as Chekov and Tyrell emit terrified screams. Similar to audiences who had signed up for a sci-fi romp, and were now watching hardcore horror.

Robopocalypse — Superman III (1983)

I remember seeing Superman III with my family at the cinema, catching a glimpse at an image from this sequence on a lobby card, and being so scared that I asked to go home. My mum made me stay and told me it would be fine. It wasn’t. The sequence in question sees a super-computer turn the villainous Vera Webster into a cyborg, with metal soldered onto her skin as she makes an ungodly noise. Vera awakens more machine than woman, twisted and evil; firing lasers from her fingers and eyes. Pretty sure I started crying at that moment, and the sequence has haunted my dreams ever since.

Artax Dies — The NeverEnding Story (1984)

Think I've got something in my eye.

The concept of ‘The Nothing’ consuming vast chunks of Fantasia is enough to give any kid an existential crisis. Combined with the death of Artax in the Swamp of Sadness, it’s a wonder we weren’t all dribbling wrecks come the end of The NeverEnding Story. “Everyone knew that whoever lets the sadness overtake him would sink into the swamp,” we’re told via voiceover. And that’s exactly what happens to Atreyu’s trusty steed, with Artax looking genuinely heartbroken as he slowly descends. “Fight against the sadness,” pleads Atreyu. “You have to try. You have to care. For me. You’re my friend. I love you.” But it’s too late. Artax is gone.

“There is no Santa!” — Gremlins (1984)

In spite of its horror elements, Gremlins was also marketed squarely at kids. Indeed I remember requesting a Mogwai for Christmas, and being disappointed when I received a toy version and not the real thing. So families got a shock when they watched the actual film. The scene when a kindly teacher offers a Gremlin chocolate, and promptly gets his hand bitten off, is the one that upset me. But for the majority, it seems to be a monologue that’s funny if you’re an adult. But deeply disturbing if you are a kid. Explaining her hatred of Christmas, Kate (Phoebe Cates) reveals that her father once went missing on December 24th. Days later, she lit the fire in her living room, “And that’s when I noticed the smell.” Turns out Dad had slipped while climbing down the chimney — presents in hand — and broke his neck. “That’s how I discovered there was no Santa Claus,” says Kate, the adults in the audience laughing at the macabre story; their kids gently sobbing.

Heart Attack — Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)

Heart-stopping stuff.

Raiders of the Lost Ark had already messed us up with that climactic face-melt. Which has since been commemorated in a novelty candle. But Temple of Doom took Indiana Jones movies to the next level, via a scene in which a man watches as his beating heart is ripped from his chest. Then gets lowered into a river of molten lava. And it could have been worse. As according to Nizwar Karanj — the actor who played the unfortunate victim — there was more horror planned. “They made a life-like face of mine for the film, including my eyes,” he told Yahoo. “That was because, once the cage was lowered into this pit of molten lava, my body would disintegrate and you would see my face floating. But that scene was too gory for the censors, so they cut it!”

The Clone — The Last Starfighter (1984)

The above Tweet — and its subsequent comments — inspired me to write this article. As this moment not only scared me and my mates senseless. But also — as I discovered from the comments beneath — the writers of Arrival and Rogue One. It happens mid-way through The Last Starfighter, when Alex Rogan jets into space to save the universe, and he’s replaced by a Beta Simuloid. Which is a synthetic life-form that takes Rogan’s shape, effectively covering for him while he’s gone. But the Beta takes time to turn human, and before then, Alex’s younger brother catches a glimpse at the Beta in bed. And his pale, bloated, pulsating, skin-less form gave a generation of kids sleepless nights.

Library Ghost — Ghostbusters (1984)

Shhhhh.

Ghostbusters is horror. But it’s comedy-horror starring your favourite comedy stars. So it can’t be that scary, can it? Well yes. Yes, it can. The film kicks off with an elderly librarian having her rounds interrupted by flying index cards, only to come face-to-face with something that causes her to let out a blood-curdling scream. But when the Ghostbusters investigate, it’s just a sweet old lady. She happens to be a ghost, but she’s reading, and just wants a bit of quiet. So it’s inadvisable when Stanz yells “Get her!” Quick as a flash, the apparition transforms into a hellish monster that flies towards them, the Ghostbusters fleeing in fear; their young fans realising that the film might be less a laugh, and more an ordeal.

Losing Your Head — Return to Oz (1985)

We aren’t in Kansas any more, kids! The Wicked Witch of the West scared everyone in The Wizard of Oz. So belated sequel Return to Oz had its work cut out following the 1939 classic. The Wheelers were pretty messed up. But Princess Mombi losing her head was worse. The beautiful villain escorts Dorothy through her palace, where she has scores of severed heads on display. Settling in front of one she says, “I think number four will do for this afternoon.” Mombi then removes her own head, selects another, and holds it under her arm as it talks to Dorothy. All while every other severed head stares at the poor girl. Making this scene pure nightmare fuel.

Large Marge — Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (1985)

Pee-Wee Herman is strange. An oddball man-child with a weirdly wonderful way of looking at the world. Which is probably why Tim Burton gravitated towards the character, making his feature film debut with Big Adventure in 1985. And committing to screen this massively messed up scene. Which kicks off with the title character being picked up by a truck while hitchhiking. The driver explaining that “on this very night, 10 years ago, along the same stretch of road, in a dense fog just like this, I saw the worst accident I’d ever seen.” She describes the sound and the twisted burning wreck, then says, “It looked like this!” as her face contorts into a stop-motion monstrosity of bulging eyes, rotting teeth, and a flailing tongue. Brought to life in terrifying fashion by the brothers responsible for both Critters and Killer Klowns From Outer Space. Pee-Wee makes a sharp exit as the driver says, “Be sure and tell ’em Large Marge sent ya!” Which Herman does at his destination, only to discover that his driver was killed in said car crash 10 years ago. Large Marge’s description of her own death making this one both horrific, and tragic.

Shoe Dip — Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988)

Roger Rabbit's most messed up scene.

Disney messed with ALL of us on this one. Creating truly terrifying villain Judge Doom (Christopher Lloyd) for Who Framed Roger Rabbit?. Introducing the cutest character possible in the shape of a toon shoe. Then having the former plunge the latter into his deadly “Dip.” Traumatising audiences as the shoe screams, whimpers, then melts into a gooey stew. Thanks Uncle Walt!

Chris Tilly
Freelance writer. At this point my life is a combination of 1980s horror movies, Crystal Palace football matches, and episodes of I'm Alan Partridge. The first series. When he was in the travel tavern. Not the one after.
Trump's Tariffs Blocked By Court With Refunds Possible
A panel ruled that Trump has overstepped his authority.
Copied to clipboard
To A T Review - A Sweet-Natured Fable Without Much To Do
To A T is a quirky and charming story about an underexplored topic; if only the act of playing it were a little more fun.
Copied to clipboard
CFB 26 Officially Unveiled With Reveal Trailer And First Details On What's New
Here's everything new and improved for this year's College Football game from EA.
Copied to clipboard
Elden Ring Nightreign Players Warned Of PC Performance Issues In Patch Notes
Elden Ring Nightreign's day-one patch notes are here and indicate that the game may have performance issues on PC.
Copied to clipboard
Elden Ring Nightreign And Twitch Release Exclusive Launch-Event Rewards
If you're diving into Nightreign, watching or streaming the new Elden Ring title on Twitch could bag you more than just a fun time.
Copied to clipboard
EA Cancels Black Panther Game, Closes Its Developer, And Lays Off More Staff
EA is cancelling Black Panther and closing its developer, Cliffhanger.
Copied to clipboard
Elden Ring Nightreign Review - Distilled Souls
Elden Ring Nightreign successfully condenses the ER experience, cramming challenging combat, exploration, and more into a multiplayer game.
Copied to clipboard
Nintendo Switch System Update Out Now, Here Are The Patch Notes
The new 20.1.0 update makes some small tweaks to the interface to better match the upcoming Switch 2.
Copied to clipboard
The PS5 Pro Has Received Its First Discount For Days Of Play 2025
PlayStation's high-powered PS5 Pro is available for $50 off alongside deals on more hardware, accessories, and games until June 11.
Copied to clipboard
F-Zero Is Going Through A Quiet Resurgence
Between F-Zero 99's updates and a regular stream of re-releases, Nintendo's forgotten racing series is suddenly more prominent than it's been in years
Copied to clipboard
CoD Season 4 Battle Pass Adds Stitch And Two New Guns In BO6 And Warzone
New weapons, operators, and cosmetics arrive with the Season 4 battle pass.
Copied to clipboard
PlayStation's DualSense Edge PS5 Controller Is On Sale For Its Best Price Yet
PlayStation's Days of Play 2025 sale includes $30 discounts on the pro-style PS5 controller and $20 off all regular DualSense controller colors.
Copied to clipboard
The Handmaid's Tale Series Ending Explained
All the farewells, reunions, and major moments from Hulu's Emmy winner
Copied to clipboard
Sirens Boss Reveals Where She Thinks Devon, Simone, and Michaela End Up
Netflix's miniseries ends with a twist and many question marks
Copied to clipboard
More PlayStation Plus Premium/Extra Games Revealed And Coming Very Soon
PS Plus subscribers can look forward to a diverse selection of games this month.
Copied to clipboard
The Last Of Us Showrunners Tease Season 3's New Direction
Following the Season 2 finale, The Last of Us Season 3 is shifting perspectives turning back the clock.
Copied to clipboard
Pokemon Go Delightful Days Starts June 3, Adds More New Gen 8 And 9 Pokemon
Several new Pokemon from the Galar, Paldea, and Hisui regions are making their debut during Pokemon Go's summer season.
Copied to clipboard
Fortnite Is Giving Away A Free Skin To Celebrate Return To US App Store
You can get this free skin through Fortnite Mobile for a limited time.
Copied to clipboard
Challenge Accepted | ‘Game of Thrones: Kingsroad’
Johnny Chiodini and Luke Westaway battle for the throne in 'Game of Thrones: Kingsroad'
Copied to clipboard
Squid Game and More New Netflix Shows and Movies Coming in June 2025
The light is turning green one last time in Squid Game Season 3
Copied to clipboard
CoD Season 4: Start Date, Ana De Armas Operator, Return Of Zombies Grief Mode
Here's everything we know and what we've heard so far about Black Ops 6's Season 4 update.
Copied to clipboard
Game Pass Now Has A Retro Games App, Including A PS1 Game
The new Retro Classics app on Xbox will let you access dozens of classic games from a variety of platforms.
Copied to clipboard
Catch These Five Games Before They Leave Game Pass At The End Of May
Remnant 2 is among the games leaving Game Pass on May 31, but there's still time to play them or keep them.
Copied to clipboard
Mario Kart World - 14 New Details Nintendo Just Revealed
Nintendo has revealed a boatload of new information about Mario Kart World.
Copied to clipboard
More New Game Pass Titles For May 2025 Include 2024's Best And Day-One Releases
Metaphor ReFantazio, Stalker 2, and To a T lead the second wave of titles coming to Game Pass this month.
Copied to clipboard
You Could Be Playing Battlefield 6 Playtests Very Soon, Here's How
As DICE announces an invite-only pre-alpha playtest for the new Battlefield game, here's how to access it.
Copied to clipboard
2025's Best-Selling Games So Far In The US
Here are the best-selling games of 2025 so far.
Copied to clipboard
Fortnite Is Finally Back On iOS In The US; Here's How To Download It
The legal drama might continue in one way or another, but Fortnite is out now on iOS after nearly five years away.
Copied to clipboard
One Chicago Showrunners Preview All Three Emotional, Game-Changing Finales
Car accidents, pregnancy news, a wedding, and more hit the Windy City
Copied to clipboard
Murderbot: Alexander Skarsgård on Crafting an Android With Neurodivergent Traits
'The core idea of the show is you shouldn't reduce personhood.'
Copied to clipboard
The Overwatch 2 X Street Fighter Collaboration Is "A Match Made In Heaven"
Two of Overwatch's key art directors discuss bringing Capcom's fighter to Blizzard's hero shooter.
Copied to clipboard
Some $80 Games Are A "Steal" Based On What They Offer, Former Sony Exec Says 
"As long as people choose carefully how they spend their money, I don't think they should be complaining."
Copied to clipboard
New Xbox Update Makes A Key Improvement
Microsoft is delivering an improvement that fans have been asking for.
Copied to clipboard
The Last Of Us Season 2 Finale's Intense Trailer Sets Up A Dramatic Conclusion
Season 2 wraps up this Sunday with what looks like a powerful episode.
Copied to clipboard
Red Dead Redemption At 15: There Will Never Be Another Spaghetti Western Like It
Even in its own trilogy, there's nothing quite like Red Dead Redemption.
Copied to clipboard
15 Games Like Call Of Duty To Play With Your Friends In 2025
Here's our full list of the best games like Call of Duty to play right now if you need a new multiplayer shooter to dive into.
Copied to clipboard
Magic: The Gathering - Final Fantasy Through The Ages: Every Bonus Sheet Card
Here are all 64 cards from the special subset included within the MTG Final Fantasy expansion.
Copied to clipboard
Fortnite Now Lets You Speak To Darth Vader With AI Voice Of James Earl Jones
The late actor now lives on in Fortnite, with his family's consent.
Copied to clipboard
Switch 2's Bravely Default Remaster Rings In 3DS Nostalgia Era With A Great RPG
The retro-throwback RPG looks beautiful in some ways, and charmingly rudimentary in others.
Copied to clipboard
Murderbot Review: Alexander Skarsgård Is Hilariously Awkward in Sci-Fi Dramedy
Skarsgård plays a rogue cyborg in Apple TV+'s somewhat shallow but appropriately snarky adaptation
Copied to clipboard
The Handmaid's Tale Cast and Crew React to the Show's Own Red Wedding Episode
'People are going to have their minds blown by what happens.'
Copied to clipboard
All The PlayStation Plus May 2025 Games For Premium And Extra Subscribers
PS Plus subscribers can look forward to a diverse selection of games this month.
Copied to clipboard
Duster Review: Thank You, J.J. Abrams, for Another Josh Holloway Show
The new crime thriller from Abrams and LaToya Morgan is a messy delight
Copied to clipboard
Capcom Fighting Collection 2 Review - Completing The Set
Capcom delivers another great fighting game collection--even with varying quality in the selections this time around.
Copied to clipboard
Control Spin-Off FBC: Firebreak Is A Defiant, Punk-Rock Take On Co-Op Shooters
Remedy's three-player FPS combines a DIY spirit with Left 4 Dead-like chaos.
Copied to clipboard
The Bear Season 4 Has a Tasty Premiere Date
We'll be back in the kitchen imminently
Copied to clipboard
FX Just Dropped a Ton of Alien: Earth Info, Including a Premiere Date
Noah Hawley's take on the sci-fi franchise is set somewhere Alien has never been
Copied to clipboard
Tracker Boss Unpacks That Season 2 Finale and What's Coming in Season 3
Elwood Reid says Justin Hartley evokes a certain classic tough guy
Copied to clipboard
Marvel Rivals Battle Pass Season 0 - All Skins, Emotes, And Other Rewards
The free-to-play hero shooter Marvel Rivals has arrived, launching with a short Season 0 battle pass.
Copied to clipboard
Marvel 1943: Rise Of Hydra Delayed
The new Marvel game won't make it out on time.
Copied to clipboard
The Best And Wildest Grand Theft Auto 6 Theories We've Seen So Far
Even with limited footage and screens, the GTA community has some big ideas for the next game.
Copied to clipboard
WoW Legion Is Getting The Remix Treatment, Blizzard Confirms
Legion Remix has been officially announced at PAX East.
Copied to clipboard
Fallout Renewed For A Third Season, But Heading To New Vegas First
Prime Video has greenlit Fallout Season 3 while we're still waiting for Season 2 to premiere later this year.
Copied to clipboard
Boba Fett, Final Fantasy 7's Aerith, And The Best Cosplay From PAX East 2025
Halo, Helldivers, Fallout, and much more were on display by fans at PAX.
Copied to clipboard
GTA 4 Remaster May Be In The Works
We might get GTA 4 a second time before GTA 6.
Copied to clipboard
Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Collab Led To Spirited Discussions Over Cuts
"I had to say 'Daniel, if they don't make it in, I will be very upset, because someone will get very upset with me if they don't make it in."
Copied to clipboard
Nintendo Reveals A Switch 2 Setting That Prevents Its Battery From Deteriorating
Make sure you turn on this Nintendo Switch 2 setting if you don't want your battery to deteriorate as fast.
Copied to clipboard
Magic: The Gathering – Final Fantasy PAX East Panel: See The Revealed Cards Now
The mad dash to June 13 has begun, as the PAX East panel revealed over 20 cards from the upcoming set.
Copied to clipboard
Borderlands 4 Will Feature Substantial Changes For Co-Op Players
From improved lobbies to the ability to fast-travel directly to your friends, Borderlands 4 looks like it'll be a blast of fun for fans of co-op games
Copied to clipboard
Andor's Kyle Soller: Syril's 'Finally Understanding That He's Been the Patsy'
'He's in such a primal state of transition, it's like he's leaving a cult'
Copied to clipboard
The Hilarious Peacemaker Season 2 Trailer Features Some DC Cameos
Check out the Superman connection in the first Season 2 trailer
Copied to clipboard
Revenge Of The Savage Planet Review - A Goo(d) Time
A bigger and better sequel, stretching out its joyful mix of platforming, exploration, and puzzle-solving across four diverse and lively planets.
Copied to clipboard
Doom: The Dark Ages Review - The Old One
Doom: The Dark Ages reinvents and reins in with equal measure, taking the series in a bold new direction without straying from its captivating roots.
Copied to clipboard
Europa Universalis 5 Is Unabashedly Hardcore, And I Love It
Europa Universalis 5 features all of the thorough mechanical depth Paradox Interactive’s grand strategy series is known for.
Copied to clipboard
How To Survive Fortnite's Painfully Slow Star Wars Meta
Zero Build players should never leave home without shield bubbles.
Copied to clipboard
8 Horror Subclasses Join Unearthed Arcana For Dungeons And Dragons 2024
New D&D horror subclasses announced with the latest Unearthed Arcana.
Copied to clipboard
Squid Game's Season 3 Trailer Teases a New Deadly Game
Let's talk about that gumball machine in the new trailer
Copied to clipboard
The Best Anime TV Shows on Netflix
The biggest streamer has a ton of Japanese imports and exclusive originals worth watching
Copied to clipboard
GTA 6 Trailer 2 Breakdown: What's Happening In Leonida?
You'd be amazed how much can be packed into two minutes and 46 seconds.
Copied to clipboard
Disney Lorcana Next Chapter Livestream: Everything Revealed For Lorcana's Future
Ravensburger's hit TCG has some big plans for its third year.
Copied to clipboard
Games Joining Game Pass In May 2025, Including Doom: The Dark Ages
Three day-one releases are part of this wave for the subscription service.
Copied to clipboard
GTA 6 - Here Are 177 Screenshots To Ease The Wait Until 2026
Grand Theft Auto VI is coming in May 2026.
Copied to clipboard
Filming The Last of Us Episode 4's Subway Action Scene Was No Easy Task
Go behind Episodes 2 and 4 with cinematographer Catherine Goldschmidt
Copied to clipboard
Apex Legends Season 25 Patch Notes: New Legend, Arenas Mode, And More
Season 25: Prodigy includes a new audio bug report system, the return of Arenas, and a new Legend named Sparrow.
Copied to clipboard
Nintendo Switch's Latest Update Disables Popular Game-Sharing Loophole
Switch owners have lost a helpful way to share online-enabled games thanks to the latest hardware update.
Copied to clipboard
Fortnite Star Wars Battle Pass: All Skins And Other Rewards
Fortnite is going all in on Star Wars this month.
Copied to clipboard
GTA 6 Delayed To 2026
Rockstar's giant open-world game will not make it out on time.
Copied to clipboard
FX Gives First Details on Shōgun Season 2
Production is set to begin in 2026
Copied to clipboard
Sam Elliott Joins Landman Season 2, as He Should
A legend of the West is joining Season 2 — yeehaw!
Copied to clipboard
Everything New In Fortnite's Star Wars Season, Galactic Battle
For the next five weeks, Star Wars is taking over Fortnite battle royale and Lego Fortnite.
Copied to clipboard
Fortnite Returning To US iOS Soon After Judge Slams Apple For "Insubordination"
The latest chapter in the Epic Games/Apple legal battle gives Epic a big win.
Copied to clipboard
Xbox Consoles, Games, And Accessories See Price Increases Starting Today
An Xbox Series X system will now cost $600 in the US, after previously being listed for $500.
Copied to clipboard