CLASSIC FILMS WE ALL LOVED TO WATCH ON VHS TAPE

VHS revolutionized the way we watch video. When the format first developed, and people could rent or buy newly released movies for the first time, there was an incredible shift to watching movies from the comfort of the home. It made movie nights full of snacks and soda a source of fond memories. Everyone had a favorite movie they loved to watch on VHS. But which ones were the most popular? Which classics were the most iconic?

Which of your favorites will make the cut?

1. THE LION KING

First on the list is the king of all VHS tapes: Disney’s The Lion King. It’s the best-selling movie on VHS tape! A whopping 32 million copies were sold, generating 520 million in revenue.

Released in 1995, it soon became a hit with all ages. It didn’t matter how old you were, no one could blame you for tearing up (or outright sobbing) when first watching Mufasa fall to the stampede. Thanks to its loveable characters, addicting soundtrack, and the iconic Timon / Pumba combo, The Lion King quickly became a staple on every shelf.

2. THE LITTLE MERMAID

While we’re on the subject of Disney, who could pass up The Little Mermaid? This is one of those classic movies many of us remember watching only on VHS. Who could forget the mermaid who wished to become a human and all of her helpful but sometimes reluctant (*cough* Sebastian *cough*) friends?

And, of course, it's fondly remembered for the controversial artwork on the front of the original 1989 VHS release: one of the spires of the golden castle in the background resembles a human male body part that's not too child-friendly. This version was corrected to a more G-rated one the very next year in 1990.

3. TOY STORY

This 1995 classic from Pixar deserves a place for being the first animated film to be entirely computer-generated. Starring Tim Allen and Tom Hanks, this story is considered to be one of the best animated films ever made and is remembered as a childhood favorite by many.

Selling 21 million copies, it’s the 8th best selling VHS movie of all time! This beloved tale of talking toys centers around a quick-witted cowboy doll and a cool new spaceman action figure. The jealousy, rivalry, and eventual friendship between these two - along with the rest of the cast of characters  - makes it a timeless tale that’s easy to watch over and over again. Toy Story was certainly never a VHS tape that got pushed to the back of the shelf.

4. E.T. THE EXTRA TERRESTRIAL

If we didn’t put E.T. on the list of most iconic VHS tapes, we’d die of shame. E.T. was a pop-culture phenomenon. Steven Spielberg's classic was a hit with all ages. Revolutionary for its time, the special effects in E.T. made this a near-instant 80s classic. Flying bicycles? Yes, please!

And, of course, everyone rooted for the E.T., the outsider who just wanted to get home. Seeing the siblings learn how to work together to get him back safely touched hearts of all ages and made you remember the importance of phoning home.

5. JURASSIC PARK

Keeping on the Spielberg spiel, we have the movie that earned its place for cutting-edge special effects, a unique genre-bend of action, horror, and science-fiction, and a frankly epic storyline. Even by today’s standards.

Jurassic Park came out in 1993 and sold 24 million copies on VHS tape, ranking as the 5th most popular film ever bought on tape. It sparked a franchise that’s still going even three decades later. It answered the question of what it would be like if dinosaurs existed again and taught us that sitting on the toilet while T-Rexes are afoot is probably not the safest idea.

6. FORREST GUMP

The award for the most memorable, loveable quotes of all time in a single movie would probably have to go to Forrest Gump. When you think of that movie, your mind automatically goes to “Run, Forrest! Run!” or “Stupid is as stupid does” or “Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."

After it was released in 1994, it sold an incredible 16 million VHS copies. Tom Hanks’ portrayal as Forrest stole hearts everywhere. Many people still have this movie packed away or sitting at the back of their closet. If you didn’t watch Forrest Gump on VHS, then you didn’t watch many VHS movies.

7. FANTASIA

Fantasia is one of the oldest animated releases of which nearly everyone has at least one memory. Who could forget Mickey Mouse in the iconic red robes and blue and gold wizard’s hat? Even if this wasn’t your type of movie as a kid, it was unique and full of life. Released in 1940, this masterpiece is remembered as an odd but fun VHS classic.

Unlike anything before it, Fantasia stitched together eight pieces of classical music and set it to animation. It’s full of color and dancing images that ignite the imagination. This hallmark of a movie also illustrates how the soul of the original can be better felt in VHS tapes. You wouldn’t get the same wistful feeling from a copy of this movie on Blu-ray.

8. WIZARD OF OZ

The magical Wizard of Oz is the definition of a classic VHS movie. Released in 1939, this film brought to the table a creative combination of sepia-toned black-and-white and Technicolor. With scenes in Kansas being black-and-white and the Oz scenes in Technicolor, you really felt like you were transported to somewhere else during the movie.

Plus, seeing monkeys on string flying through the sky just makes better sense on VHS tape.

9. HOME ALONE

Home Alone took control of the 90s right at the beginning of the decade. Released in 1990, it sold 11 million copies. Not bad for a Christmas movie, right?

At the heart of this iconic movie is Macaulay Culkin’s performance as an 8-year-old troublemaker defending his home against a pair of burglars. Certainly one of the most memorable kid roles of all time, many homes in the 90s loved to dig this VHS tape out for family movie nights - not just for Christmas Eve, but all year around.

10. TITANIC

It only seems right to end this list with a movie that was released on not one, but two VHS tapes. If you’re a 90s kid, you probably remember being the one to have to get up and switch the tapes when the first one finished. Released in 1998, it went on to sell 25 million copies, ranked as the 4th best-selling VHS movie of all time, and grossed $500 million.

This two-partner VHS movie had droves of people stand in line outside stores to rent or buy a copy. The phenomenon that was Titanic went on to win 11 Academy Awards and is still known as one of the greatest films of all time.

SUMMARY

So there you have it! Our list of the top ten most iconic VHS films. Whether you remember these movies from a Friday night rental or from it resting on your entertainment shelf, these are classic films we all loved to watch on VHS.

We hope this brought back a few fond memories! Thanks for reading.