What would it be like to live in the 80s—a time of crazy fashion, bad hair and analog tech? While we can’t take a time machine back to those simpler times, you can sink into a great movie! The decade gave us tons of classic films that helped define cinema in the modern era.
Movies from the 1980s are full of nostalgia, but despite being decades old, many still hold up today. Let’s take a look at some must-watch 80s films that will help you relive the magic of decades gone by.
1. “Adventures in Babysitting” (1987)
“Adventures in Babysitting” is quintessential 80s cinema. It features a high school-aged babysitter and the kids she’s watching on a late-night adventure. It’s a family romp full of interesting characters, tons of mishaps and plenty of laughs.
It has something for everyone. While not everything aged well, the film is still a classic that people of all ages can enjoy.
2. “The Karate Kid” (1984)
“The Karate Kid” had a chokehold on anyone who grew up in the 80s! It put martial arts at the forefront of pop culture. Everyone wanted an adventure with Mr. Miyagi! It’s a tale of triumph and has all the feel-good emotions you want.
The story holds up today. In fact, the story in this film fueled the modern show “Kobra Kai,” which features many returning actors and characters.
3. “Die Hard” (1988)
If you want something with more action, “Die Hard” has you covered. This movie is one of the biggest action flicks of the decade. It stars Bruce Willis as detective John McClane fending off terrorists. While several sequels followed in the 1990s, the original film is an all-time classic!
Action set pieces in the 80s were nothing short of impressive, and there’s no better example than “Die Hard.”
4. “Ghostbusters” (1984)
“Ghostbusters” is another family-friendly movie that continues to inspire people of all ages. It’s a supernatural romp that sees a group of ghost-finding nerds saving the city! It has a superstar cast, with plenty of great acting and humor throughout.
While there’s been a few attempts to revive the franchise, you can’t beat the original.
5. “Airplane!” (1980”
Here’s a movie with more adult humor. “Airplane!” is a parody of disaster films from the 1970s and 1980s. It features a cabin crew getting sick, a crazy former fighter pilot and more. The story is crazy, and some of the humor is outdated. But it’s a fun watch nonetheless. Plus, who can resist a great performance by the late Leslie Nielsen?
6. “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986)
John Hughes pumped out some truly memorable films during the 80s, but this one is often considered one of the best. “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” shows what happens when you just say “screw it!” The titular character does what we all want to do: ignore our responsibilities and have fun!
The movie is a laugh riot, and there are plenty of great life lessons to learn throughout.
7. “The Breakfast Club” (1985)
Here’s another John Hughes masterpiece. “The Breakfast Club” features a group of outcasts with nothing in common. They must spend a day together during detention. It’s a quintessential teen flick of the 80s that touches on some real-life problems. It shows what can happen when you set your differences aside and find common ground, even with people you would never spend time with.
8. “Beetlejuice” (1988)
Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice” is a fun story that shows us a humorous take on the afterlife. This movie helped put Tim Burton on the map, and it’s a great example of what makes the director’s art style so unique. It stars Michael Keaton, Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara and many more.
The movie does a fine job of blending humor and horror into one artful masterpiece.
9. “Poltergeist” (1982)
“Beetlejuice” is fun-scary. “Poltergeist” is scary-scary! It’s a classic haunted house movie that depicts a family terrorized by unseen forces. While the special effects are outdated by today’s standards, there’s something unsettling and creepy about horror from the 1980s. It holds up well today and is sure to deliver the frights!
10. “Revenge of the Nerds” (1984)
“Revenge of the Nerds” is a classic comedy. There are some controversial and outdated scenes that some modern audiences might not like. But if you can get past that, it’s worth a watch. The movie is a classic tale of jocks versus nerds, showing what so-called geeks are fully capable of!
Three sequels exist in this franchise, but the first film is often regarded as the best.
11. “E.T. the Extraterrestrial” (1982)
This movie brought us tons of quotable lines! Directed by Steven Speilberg, “E.T.” is a story about a boy and his new alien companion. If you watch this, be prepared to grab some tissues. It’s both fun and emotional, showing a beautiful bond between two beings of different species.
The movie is a classic that film fans will likely continue watching well into the future.
12. “The Goonies” (1985)
“The Goonies” is another Speilberg film. This one is an action-adventure movie about a group of young boys who discover a treasure map and follow it to a cave full of treacherous obstacles. It’s a fun story that features many famous faces as young kids, including Josh Brolin and Sean Astin.
It’s the perfect kid’s movie, but even adults still watch it fondly.
13. “Stand By Me” (1986)
When most people think of Stephen King, they picture utter horror. However, “Stand By Me” is a story that leaves the imaginative horror behind for a meaningful tale about life. It’s not all peaches and cream. There’s some tough stuff in this flick, but it’s an important movie with a powerful message.
14. “Top Gun” (1986)
“Top Gun” stars Tom Cruise as a fighter pilot who’s on a quest to be the best. The movie is an action masterpiece with a bit of romance and drama thrown in. It’s most known for its superb action and stunning flight sequences.
A newer “Top Gun” movie recently released with Tom Cruise reprising his role, but the original is still worth a watch.
15. “Footloose” (1984)
“Footloose” is a movie about rebellion! It stars Kevin Bacon as Ren, a rebel living in a religious community that bans dancing. There are many memorable scenes, including sequences where the main character tries to teach others to dance and another where Bacon performs his now-iconic punch moves. It’s a fun movie with a killer soundtrack. While not as serious as other movies of the era, it’s a lighthearted watch that’ll have you tapping your foot.
16. “Pretty in Pink” (1986)
“Pretty in Pink” was a defining movie for teens in the 80s. It stars the incomparable Molly Ringwald as Andie. She’s an outcast and goes through all the tribulations that come with it, including crushing on someone thought to be out of her league.
The movie has a lot of soul, and many can connect with its message even today. That iconic prom scene is one that fans of this film can never forget!
17. “Back to the Future” (1985)
We can’t mention classic 80s movies without bringing up Doc and Marty! While part of the movie is set in the 80s, “Back to the Future” features time travel back to the 50s. The story set the standard for time travel movies, showing what can happen when you mess with the past!
18. “Big” (1988)
Before Tom Hanks took on serious roles in “Forest Gump” and “Philadelphia,” he played a kid in a grown man’s body! “Big” is a classic comedy with a great message. It’s about a kid who wishes to be a grown-up. After he wakes up as one, he later realizes that being a youngster isn’t so bad after all!
Tom Hanks’s comedic performance is great, and this movie is one of many that helped push him into superstardom.
19. “A Nightmare on Elm Street (1988)
Want to watch something that’ll terrify you? The 80s were known for their great slasher movies. “A Nightmare on Elm Street” introduced us to the horror that is Freddy Krueger. This movie started it all, giving moviegoers a reason to fear going to bed at night.
It’s full of great kills, cheesy lines and a stellar performance by Robert Englund as Freddy.
20. “Steel Magnolias (1989)
“Steel Magnolias” is a quintessential 80s tearjerker. It’s a fun movie with many serious moments that will have you pondering life and everything in it! It has a great multi-generational cast that includes Sally Fields, Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton and more.
You see these women going through life’s ups and downs. It’s a relatable film that will never get old.
Reliving the Classics
This is, by no means, an exhaustive list. The 80s spawned countless movies that are well worth the watch. But start with these classics. They give you an idea of the era, complete with fashion, references and good-natured fun. Whether you’re a fan of family flicks, horror or drama, there’s plenty of great 1980s cinema to explore.
