Top 35 Movies That Shaped the Childhood of the 80s-90s Generation

The Ocean Girl is a popular film that tells the story of Neri, a girl from the distant Ocean Planet. She is entrusted with the mission to protect Earth's water resources, with her unique ability to hold her breath underwater and communicate with Whales.

This adventure-packed film leaves a lasting impression on its audience, delivering a powerful message about environmental protection.

Rex - The Detective Dog is a film about an intelligent dog who works alongside Detective Richard Moser to solve numerous challenging cases.

However, during a rescue mission, Moser sacrifices his life, and Rex is then adopted by police chief Alexander to take Moser's place. With thrilling and suspenseful moments, this show left a strong impression on the 80s and 90s generation of TV viewers.

The Innocent Mother is a film that left a lasting impact on the hearts of 80s and 90s viewers in Vietnam. The story revolves around the selfless sacrifice of a mother and the bond of sibling love.

With its gripping scenes and emotional twists, the film deeply resonated with audiences, making them empathize with the fate of its characters.

Hercules is a Greek mythology film that captured the hearts of many viewers. It tells the story of Hercules, a unique god whose mother is a beautiful mortal woman and whose father is the mighty Zeus, King of the Gods.

Hercules inherits his mother’s compassion and his father’s unmatched strength. The film carries a deep meaning, symbolizing ancient power, with mysterious and awe-inspiring settings, full of suspense. Be sure to watch this captivating movie — I’m certain it will draw you in as well.

Simply Maria is a drama aimed at adults, yet it gained a large following among younger audiences as well. The story centers around Maria, a poor girl who leaves her village to seek work in the city.

She becomes a maid for a wealthy family and falls in love with their son, Juan Carlos. After becoming pregnant, he abandons her, and she moves on to work as a seamstress, raising her child alone. Through hard work and determination, she eventually becomes wealthy and establishes a successful fashion company.

The Southern Land is a film about the deep and meaningful life of the people in the waterway regions of Southern Vietnam.

The story follows a young boy named An who witnesses the harsh and unjust conditions during the colonial feudal period, as he embarks on a difficult journey to find his father. Along the way, he experiences the kindness and compassion of those around him. The film offers a poignant portrayal of the struggles and hardships faced by the common people during this turbulent time.

The Seven Dragon Balls is a legendary show about the exciting adventures of Son Goku, from his childhood to adulthood. Throughout the series, Goku trains with masters, embarks on thrilling journeys with his friends, and searches for the mystical dragon balls.

In addition, Son Goku faces numerous intense battles against evil forces trying to conquer the world.

Detective Conan is a thrilling mystery TV series known for its complex cases and the ingenious, logical methods used by the main character to solve them. This show has left a lasting impression on audiences and remains highly popular to this day.

The story follows Kudo Shinichi, a renowned high school detective, who is poisoned by a criminal organization and transformed into a child. To evade the organization's pursuit, he adopts the alias Conan and moves in with the family of detective Mori.

Pokemon is a beloved series from the childhood of many 80s and 90s kids, based on the iconic Japanese video game franchise. When it first aired, the show became an instant hit and captivated audiences around the world.

The series follows the adventures of Satoshi and his trusty companion, the small, yellow Pokemon Pikachu, as they journey together in search of new challenges and friendships.

Journey to the West is a legendary series that tells the story of the monk Xuánzàng and his disciples on their pilgrimage to Western Paradise to retrieve sacred scriptures. Along the way, they face countless trials and obstacles.

The four main characters, each with unique qualities, have left a lasting impression on audiences not only in Asia but also across the globe.

Tom and Jerry is a classic American animated series, aired on television and in theaters, featuring various formats from short films to full-length features. Created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera for MGM Studios, it showcases the endless rivalry between Tom the cat and Jerry the mouse, bringing endless laughter to audiences.

Much like Doraemon, Tom and Jerry has captivated generations of young viewers, with its witty humor and exciting antics revolving around Tom's relentless attempts to catch Jerry.

My Fair Princess became a massive hit upon its release, captivating television audiences of all ages, from adults to children. The show is based on a legendary tale where Emperor Qianlong adopts a common girl as his daughter during a secret inspection.

Viewers were especially drawn to the characters, including the mischievous but chivalrous Xiao Yanzi, the graceful and beautiful Zhi Wei, the loyal Fifth Prince, and the charming Ni Kang.

The Glass Bead Game is a television series produced by TFS, adapted from the novel by Nguyễn Nhật Ánh. The story, filled with humor, explores the ups and downs of school life, mischievous pranks, fun games, and meaningful life lessons.

The main characters include Quý Ròm, Nhỏ Hạnh, and Tiểu Long, along with other notable figures. Each episode features a unique story revolving around these three children. The series could be considered a collection of psychological tales from the world of schoolchildren.

In 2009, the film The Gate of the Sun, directed by Nguyễn Dương, made a lasting impression on audiences with its emotional story about a group of poor students moving to the city for their studies. The film draws inspiration from a legend: for a young person to prove their maturity, they must walk through a fiery gate, facing east, at the exact moment between day and night.

This act symbolizes wisdom, courage, and a heart tempered by trials. By passing through that gate, they prove they have truly grown and gained the strength to face life. This gate is known as the Gate of the Sun.

The Fragrance of Cilantro is a Vietnamese TV series that aired in 2006, produced through a collaboration between the Vietnam Family Film Studio (a private production company in Vietnam) and CJ Media from South Korea.

This series is regarded as the first TV drama to delve deeply into the topic of traditional Vietnamese cuisine, particularly the famous dish pho.

The Sky Ahead is a psychological drama directed by Đỗ Thanh Hải, first released in 2001. The series aired as part of the Sunday Arts program on VTV3, the national television channel of Vietnam.

This was Đỗ Thanh Hải's third film, and is widely considered his best work, winning the Silver Kite Award in 2001. Furthermore, it was ranked number one in the Top 5 legendary student-themed films.

The C21 Special Task Force is a 5-episode TV series directed by Vũ Hồng Sơn, first broadcast in 1998 as part of the Sunday Arts program. The show became iconic for the youth of Vietnam during that time. The story revolves around five classmates who share a passion for solving mysteries: "Minh the Wise", "Sơn the Tough", "Sáng the Chubby", "Tùng the Bony", and "Quang the Clever". Together, they form a special task force called the C21 Special Task Force.

Despite being middle school students, their intelligence, quick thinking, and deductive skills enable them to solve important cases, helping to bring peace to their neighborhood and school. Over time, the group welcomes two new members, the smart and charming "Hạnh the Bamboo" and "Tuyết the Kitten", prompting the team to change their name to "The C21 Special Task Force".

12A and 4H is a Vietnamese TV series directed by Bùi Thạc Chuyên, first aired on VTV3 in 1995 as part of the Sunday Arts program. This was the second adaptation of Nguyễn Đông Thức's novel "Goodbye Summer" (the first being the 1994 film by director Lê Hoàng Hoa). The plot follows the lives of four high school friends—Hạ, Hân, Hoa, and Hằng (the 4H) from the 12A class at Chu Văn An High School—navigating the joys and struggles of adolescence.

After its broadcast, the series was warmly received, especially by young viewers, and has since become one of the most beloved Vietnamese TV dramas for this age group.

Waves at the River's Bottom is a film based on a true story about a person’s life within society, directed by Lê Đức Tiến, first released in 2000.

The movie is an adaptation of the novel Waves at the River's Bottom by Lê Lựu. It tells the story of a character named Núi and his life journey.

Candles in the Night is a psychological, romantic drama directed by Vũ Hồng Sơn, first aired in 2002. The film follows the life of Thanh Trúc, a young woman passionate about fashion design, who later also becomes a model and actress. Throughout her journey, she faces many challenges, from family struggles to love troubles.

At one point, it seems as if Trúc has lost everything—her fame, her loved ones, and even her family—due to addiction. But in the end, she overcomes these hardships and triumphs.

The Land of Blessings is a psychological and romantic drama directed by Đinh Đức Liêm. The film centers around the lives of people in a pottery village, showcasing the changes through various historical periods.

The story begins in the 1960s in a pottery village in Thủ Dầu Một (now Bình Dương province), with a focus on the Diệp family (NSƯT Minh Sang - Phạm Hồng Hạnh). The Từ Ngũ family (Quang Minh - NSƯT Hoa Hạ) moves in with them after their house is destroyed in a fire.

The Five Rebels of Saigon is a television series that premiered on July 17, 2006. The film is adapted from the novel The Five of Saigon by Bùi Chí Vĩnh. The story follows the members of the rebel group: Sơn Đại Ca, Quyên Tiểu Muội, Hoàng Lãng Tử, Thúy Bụi, and Thạch Sầu Đời. The group is formed under the supervision of the police, represented by Lieutenant Lý Thạch Sanh.

The series delves into the members' personal stories: Thúy Bụi reconnects with her biological parents, Quyên Tiểu Muội's family nearly faces a divorce due to her father's involvement in a religious sect, and Thạch Sầu Đời takes down a notorious smuggling ring run by Thái Trượng Phu.

Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils is a martial arts novel by the renowned author Jin Yong (Kim Dung). The story was first serialized in the Hong Kong newspaper Ming Bao and the Nam Duong Thuong Bao in Singapore, from September 3, 1963, to May 27, 1966, spanning four years.

The novel is deeply infused with Buddhist philosophy, a belief system that Jin Yong greatly admired. The spiritual elements are woven throughout the narrative, from start to finish. The story is based on the concept of the Eight Trigrams, mythical beings in Buddhist tradition, including: Tian (Heaven), Long (Dragon), Yasha, Gandharva, Asura, Garuda, Kinnara, and Mahoraga.

The Prequel to the Lotus Lantern is a film directed by Du Minh Sinh. In 2007, the film The Lotus Lantern directed by Du Minh Sinh garnered a massive following and became one of the most-watched films in China over the past decade. Riding the wave of its success, the director brought back the same crew to make The Prequel to the Lotus Lantern. Many viewers mistakenly believed this was a direct sequel to the original film.

However, this prequel is set before the events of The Lotus Lantern. It focuses on the lives of the deity Erlang Shen and the Mother of the Three Saints during a time of chaos between heaven and earth, shedding light on why the Mother of the Three Saints was imprisoned beneath Mount Hua, a question previously left unanswered in the original film.

The Legend of Nezha tells the story of Nezha's life, including his unexpected encounter with the Third Prince of the Eastern Sea, Ao Bing, which leads to a conflict between them. Nezha kills Ao Bing and extracts his dragon tendons, causing the Dragon King of the East Sea to become enraged and demand the flooding of the Changdong Pass. In the end, Nezha sacrifices everything to save others. Taiyi Zhenren uses a lotus root to create a new form for Nezha.

Meanwhile, the Nine-Tailed Fox possesses the body of Daji to seduce King Zhou, plunging the kingdom into chaos. After being resurrected, Nezha joins the army led by the Duke of Zhou to aid Jiang Ziya in defeating the fox spirit hiding in Daji's body.

Judge Bao is a Taiwanese television drama series that aired from February 1993 to January 1994. Set in the Song Dynasty, this historical drama focuses on investigating and solving criminal cases, with the renowned official Bao Zheng, known as Bao Gong, serving as the judge. In the series, Bao Gong is depicted as both highly intelligent and devoted to his country and people.

The iconic image of the show is Bao Gong’s strict enforcement of the law, showing no favoritism, fear of power, or leniency. He is revered by the public as a symbol of justice, resolving wrongful accusations and punishing evil-doers in the courtroom.

The Land of the Dragon Leader is a teen-oriented TV series, following its predecessor, Spellbinder. Both series revolve around traveling between parallel worlds. The only common thread between the two is the recurring character Ashka (Heather Mitchell).

The locations featured in the show include Australia ("Kathy's world" and a similar parallel world), China ("Sun's world"), and Poland ("Ashka's world"), along with two other parallel worlds.

The Secret World of Alex Mack is a popular animated series produced in the United States for the teen audience. When it premiered in Vietnam, it quickly became a hit with the youth of the early '80s and '90s. The story follows Alex Mack, a young girl who unexpectedly comes into contact with a mysterious chemical.

As a result, she gains special abilities. What happens next? What are these powers? Tune in to watch the story unfold. I'm sure you'll enjoy this captivating series with its thrilling plot!

Little House on the Prairie is a cherished series, not only familiar to the youth of Vietnam from the '80s and '90s but also loved by audiences around the globe. The show centers on the Ingalls family, with the focus on the second daughter in the household.

This remarkable series has left a lasting impression on viewers with its range of emotions, offering powerful life lessons. It highlights themes of resilience and the importance of staying hopeful in the face of adversity, showing that even through hardship, optimism can help overcome any challenge.