Where To Watch
Alas, we will never eat these 18 cereals from the 1980s again
It was the heyday of sugary breakfasts. Who says you can't have doughnuts, s'mores and ice cream in the morning?
We are serious cereal junkies. Breakfast of champions? Pshaw. It's the dinner of champions as well. Nothing pairs better with your favorite sitcom than a heaping bowl of crunchy rice, corn and oats.
Previously, we shared with you some of our favorite forgotten cereals of the 1960s and 1970s. Now, we take the Delorean back to the 1980s. It was an golden era when cereals became sweeter, marshmallowier, doughnuttier — and licensed by popular toys, games and movies.
Grab a spoon and dig into the past for the prize.
1. C-3PO's
Goldenrod got his cereal in 1984, a year after the first trilogy wrapped up. As for the shapes, they looked like Bs and 8s. Hey, why didn't they bring this back as BB-8's Cereal?
Image: Mr. Breakfast
2. Donkey Kong Junior
Naturally, there was a Donkey Kong Cereal, too. But we're spotlighting Junior because 1) it was fruity and banana-shaped and 2) Donkey Kong Jr. was a better video game. Debate! This hit stores in 1983.
Image: Tom's Heroes
3. Dunkin' Donuts
In 1988, it was time to make the cereal! This delicacy came in Glazed and Chocolate varieties. Look closely and note the three shapes — rings, holes and twists.
Image: Flickr / Gregg Koenig
4. E.T.
"Made with E.T.'s favorite flavors, chocolate and real peanut butter." These were brilliant, a sort of Reese's Krispies.
Image: Mr. Potter's Funtime Blog
5. Ice Cream Cones
With its mascot Ice Cream Jones, these sugary servings from 1987 stopped pretending they were healthy. They even came with gumballs inside. Still too healthy? There was a Chocolate Chip iteration as well.
Image: Mr. Potter's Funtime Blog
6. Marshmallow Krispies
Launched in 1982, this rather basic concept oddly no longer exists. The Fruity variation featured a young Fred Savage delivering stand-up comedy in its commercial.
Image: Flickriver
7. Nerds
Now this was genius. Two cereals in two compartments, just like the candy. Though, let's be honest, this was breakfast candy. Orange/Cherry vied for your taste buds with Grape/Strawberry in 1985.
Image: Complex
8. Nintendo Cereal System
Another dual-compartment box! If watched cartoons circa 1988, there is no way this jingle was not stuck in your head.
Image: Mr. Potter's Funtime Blog
9. Mr. T
We pity the fools who didn't try this in 1984. Well, okay, it was essentially Cap'n Crunch.
Image: Mr. Potter's Funtime Blog
10. OJ's
Just as banana was uncommonly popular as a flavor in the 1960s, orange cereals cropped up in the 1980s. Why are citrus cereals so hard to find now? This was barely available around 1985, it seems, but we fondly recall it.
Image: Flickr
11. Pac-Man
Fun fact: Former sitcom star Marty Ingels was the voice of Pac-Man. The video game icon became a marshmallow treat in 1983.
Image: The Nerd Filter
12. PB&J
This curiosity from 1982 never made it to mass market, despite the appeal of the explorer PB and his dog J. Would you try this flavor combination?
13. Powdered Donutz
Doughnuts — er, "Donutz" — were quite the rage. Probably because it was an easy way to rebrand Cheerios for sugar fiends. This 1980 launch also came in a Chocolate Flavor Donutz variety.
Image: Pinterest
14. Raisin Squares
See, it wasn't all about the kids demographic. These chewy nuggets from 1982, basically raisin-stuffed Mini Wheats, were quite tasty.
Image: Cereal Bits
16. S'mores Crunch
Dentists must have adored the 1980s. This day-starter took Golden Grahams, dusted 'em with cocoa and added marshmallows.
Image: Flickr / Jasonliebigstuff
17. Smurf Berry Crunch
If the Strawberry Shortcake Cereal failed to provide enough berry variety, there was this two-tone spoonful.
Image: Mr. Potter's Funtime Blog
18. Waffelos
The sweetest of all cereal decades kicked off with the launch of this maple-rich crunch.
Image: Retroist
Related
75 Comments
Think he influenced Billie Joe Armstrong?
Does anyone do it that way today? I doubt it!
I'm still a Wheaties fan.
"They're crispy. They're crunchy. The whole meal through.
Jack Armstrong never tires with them.
And neither will you."
Raisin squares were so good, even without milk as a snack. I think of them often and how I wish they were around now. At least they were healthier.
How many kids would gobble down a bowl of Kellog's Apple Jacks--and then be beaten to a pulp by school bullies?
