The Greatest '80s Movies
The 1980s were an amazing time for entertainment. Think of the incredible music and movies that were produced during that time. To me, it was a golden age of entertainment. Even the TV shows and video games during that decade hold a special place in my heart. I feel fortunate to have spent my childhood in the ’80s.
Many of the movies released in the ’80s have become favorites for multiple generations. Most of my son’s favorite films are from the ’80s and he was born in the 2000s. Consider the growing number of films that are released each year (2020 excluded). Now, consider the percentage of those movies that become favored classics, like Back to the Future, Goonies, or Indiana Jones. I don’t think you will find a decade with a bigger percentage of iconic films.
Here I have a list of my favorite movies from the ’80s. They may not all be considered “great” movies by critics, but I still love them.
1. 'Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back' (1980) & 'Star Wars: Episode VI - The Return of the Jedi’ (1983)
2. 'Back to the Future' (1985)
3. 'The Breakfast Club' (1985)
4. 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' (1986)
5. 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981)
6. 'The Goonies' (1985)
7. ’War Games’ (1983)
8. 'The Princess Bride' (1987)
9. 'Blade Runner" (1982)
10. 'Ghostbusters' (1984)
Also, check out these honorable mentions (sorted by release year):
'Caddyshack' (1980)
'The Shining' (1980)
’Airplane!’ (1980)
’The Blues Brothers’ (1980)
’The Road Warrior’ (1981)
’Excalibur’ (1981)
'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' (1982)
'E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial' (1982)
’Tron’ (1982)
’Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan’ (1982)
'The Outsiders' (1983)
'National Lampoon's Vacation' (1983)
’Scarface’ (1983)
’The Right Stuff’ (1983)
’A Christmas Story’ (1983)
'Gremlins' (1984)
‘Beverly Hills Cop’ (1984)
'The Terminator' (1984)
'Footloose' (1984)
'Sixteen Candles' (1984)
’This is Spinal Tap’ (1984)
’Purple Rain’ (1984)
’Splash’ (1984)
'The Karate Kid' (1984)
'Weird Science' (1985)
'Top Gun' (1986)
'Aliens' (1986)
'Pretty in Pink' (1986)
'Stand by Me' (1986)
’Hoosiers’ (1986)
'The Lost Boys' (1987)
'Full Metal Jacket' (1987)
'Can't Buy Me Love' (1987)
’Robocop’ (1987)
’Wall Street’ (1987)
’Lethal Weapon’ (1987)
'Die Hard' (1988)
'Heathers' (1988)
'Coming to America' (1988)
’My Neighbor Totoro’ (1988)
’Rain Man’ (1988)
’Akira’ (1988)
’Big’ (1988)
’The Naked Gun’ (1988)
'Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure' (1989)
’Dead Poets Society’ (1989)
’Batman’ (1989)
’National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation’ (1989)
’Ghostbusters II’ (1989)
