Top Ten Lists of Eighties Movies

The concept is pretty easily, pick your ten favorite movies from the eighties. The hard part? I want JUST movies from the eighties, not movies you might have seen during the eighties. Also, try and avoid movies that came out after the eighties if possible, 1990 is pretty borderline, I won't scream too loudly if you add one that is from then...

This page currently edited by: Gwen. Past editor: Junior

By: Mike S.
  • 10. Wall Street
    Not real popular with younger folks, but critically acclaimed and representative of the decade of decadence.
  • 9. Platoon
    Just as the old hippies were hitting middle age, the most realistic Vietnam War movie ever made.
  • 8. Spies Like Us
    Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, and plenty of Soviets
  • 7. Big
    Tom Hanks first good movie.
  • 6. This Is Spinal Tap
    Nobody rips on metal like Spinal Tap - Too bad this top ten list doesn't go to 11.
  • 5. Ghostbusters
    Nobody could ask "who're you gonna call?" for years.
  • 4. Wierd Science
    Kelly LaBrock Rules!
  • 3. War Games
    Nuclear War was always in the back of everybody's mind.
  • 2. Back To The Future
    Michael J. Fox is just another ex-sitcom chracter without this movie.
  • 1. Breakfast Club
    The Ultimate 80's movie!
By: Ron
The best decade of all time!!!!!!!!
By: The Critik
By: Brad
By: Laura and Javier
  • 10. Beetlejuice
    Tim Burton shot his creative wad on this one and has been making the same movie with different characters ever since.
  • 9. Gothic
    Bryon and Shelley and Shelley, oh my!
  • 8. Weird Science
    The final proof that nerds can get a gorgeous date even if they have to create her. And then they ran off to Microsoft, made a fortune, and got the hot babes in truckloads...
  • 7. Buckaroo Banzai
    "What's that watermelon doing there? I'll tell you later." And I'm still waiting for the damned answer! Where's our promised sequel?!?
  • 6. Rocky Horror Picture Show
    Not made during the 80's but it defined it for so many of us. What could be better than pulling on fishnets and sequins and singing and dancing all night?
  • 5. The Empire Strikes Back
    Are you kidding me? Han Solo and Princess Leia sucking face? Still the best of the Star Wars film.
  • 4. Suburbia
    "Guess what? Chicken butt!"
  • 3. Repo Man
    "Let's go get sushi and not pay!" Unarguably the most resonant Reagan-era film. We were young, poor, angry and radioactive!
  • 2. The Hunger
    David Bowie as a vampire and the best love scene ever put on film (between Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon)!
  • 1. Liquid Sky
    Can you say punk? I knew you could!
Not a film, but it's gotta be said: The Young Ones. We were all Rick, Vivian or someone in between. Final note: If disco can make a comeback, where's my new-wave, synthesizer-pop revival?
By: Valerie
  • 10. The Lost Boys
    'Cause it wasn't the 80's without the Coreys.
  • 9. Spies Like Us
  • 8. Fletch / Fletch Lives
  • 7. Illegally Yours
    Everybody needs at least 2 Rob Lowe movies on their list.
  • 6. St. Elmo's Fire
  • 5. Little Darlings
    This was my COMING OF AGE movie!!!!!
  • 4. Buck Rogers and the 21st Century
  • 3. Xanadu
    Everybody needs a musical on their list... and Grease was '79.
  • 2. Flash Gordon
    Everybody needs a sci-fi comic remake on their list.
  • 1. Real Genius
    I always picture the closing scene where "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is playing and there is a house full of popcorn!
By: Valerie
  • 10. The Lost Boys
    'Cause it wasn't the 80's without the Coreys.
  • 9. Spies Like Us
  • 8. Fletch / Fletch Lives
  • 7. Illegally Yours
    Everybody needs at least 2 Rob Lowe movies on their list.
  • 6. St. Elmo's Fire
  • 5. Little Darlings
    This was my COMING OF AGE movie!!!!!
  • 4. Buck Rogers and the 21st Century
  • 3. Xanadu
    Everybody needs a musical on their list... and Grease was '79.
  • 2. Flash Gordon
    Everybody needs a sci-fi comic remake on their list.
  • 1. Real Genius
    I always picture the closing scene where "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is playing and there is a house full of popcorn!
By: David M
  • 10. Better Off Dead
    "Franch bread...Franch dressing...Franch fries!"
  • 9. The Neverending Story
    I loved the theme song by Limahl!
  • 8. Outrageous Fortune
    Bette and Shelly Long...such a hilarious duo.
  • 7. 9 to 5
    Bye bye boss man!
  • 6. Pretty In Pink
    A classic for all times.
  • 5. Big Business
    The scene where both sets of twins (Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin) meet each other for first time in the bathroom....is sooo hilarious.
  • 4. Clue
    "I am your singing telegram!" BOOM!
  • 3. 16 Candles
    "No my yanky my wanky....the donger need food!" Soooo funny....
  • 2. The Goonies
    I've been watching this movie since i was little with my older brothers. I grew up loving it...and I still do!
  • 1. The Breakfast Club
    My all time favorite movie ever! I think everyone back in high school could relate to at least one of the characters...if not a combination of a few of them. I like the mix of comedy and seriousess that this movie has!...I can watch this movie forever!
I love everything about the 80's....especially the movies. They just dont make teen movies like they use to. I also really like 3 o'clock high school...Summer School, One of the Boys, Say Anything and Ruthless People. - sincerely yours, the breakfast club
By: victor
By: Jay
Top Ten's not enough!
By: Alex
  • 10. Night Of The Living Dead
    sometimes the dead comes back
  • 9. Days Of Thunder
    Rubbing is Racing
  • 8. Children Of The Corn
    he who walks behind the row
  • 7. Pet Cemetery
    a man's heart is stonnier than...
  • 6. Far And Away
    One of the best love stories to date
  • 5. Lost Boys
    come here nunuk
  • 4. Top Gun
    Mavrick: Just keeping up with foriegn relations
  • 3. Coming To America
    Poor Darrell you must be freezing in those cold wet clothes...
  • 2. Color Purple
    You told Harpo to beat me...
  • 1. E.T. / Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
    they are both wonderful movies I just couldn't decide which was better
these are the best movies from the 80s and 90s enjoy
By: sarah
  • 10. Star Wars - Return Of The Jedi
    the 80's wouldn't have been complete without it.
  • 9. Mystic Pizza
    a great beginning lead role for julia roberts. no matter what anyone says, she was great in this movie.
  • 8. Footloose
    great music and a great cast!
  • 7. National Lampoon's Vacation
    this movie proves that no matter how much crap families put up with each other during vacations, it is still loads of fun.
  • 6. Uncle Buck
    this is a perfect example of how excentric and loving families can be.
  • 5. The Goonies
    this movie will put anyone in a good mood!!!
  • 4. Teen Witch
    unbelivably hilarious and the girl gets the preppy hunk in the end.
  • 3. The Breakfast Club
    a great example of how different people from different classes come together.
  • 2. Sixteen Candles
    Because Jake Ryan is so unbelievably hot to this day!!!
  • 1. Pretty In Pink
    Best Molly Ringwald movie ever!!! Captures the essence of the clothes from the 80's.
By: Martha Ormiston
By: Tracy
  • 10. Trick Or Treat
    Another cheesy horror flick. Every 80's metalhead has seen this movie or should. Great soundtrack. Starring Mark Price (Skippy from Family Ties), Gene Simmons (as the radio DJ) and Ozzy Osbourne (plays a heavy metal hating preacher....haha the irony). About a killer Heavy Metal Rock Star who tries to control Marc Price (his biggest fan) through playing his record in reverse. Haha Entertaining!
  • 9. The Last American Virgin
    Funny Movie!!! Basically the original American Pie about the usual.... teenage boys trying to "score".
  • 8. The Outsiders
    Great Movie! Great Cast!!
  • 7. The Lost Boys
    The loveable "Cory's" again killing vampires.
  • 6. Stand By Me
    River Phoenix was a cutie in this movie, heh.
  • 5. Return Of The Living Dead
    One of the greatest Horror/Comedies of all time. "If you love me you'll let me eat your brains!!!"
  • 4. E.T.
    Unforgetable.
  • 3. Liscense To Drive
    I think I wallpapered my enitre bedroom with pictures of "The Cory's" (Haim and Feldman)from Teen Beat and Tigerbeat mags.
  • 2. Sixteen Candles
    I think there was a Jake Ryan at everyone's High School.
  • 1. Flashdance
    Great soundtrack, great story, who can forget it.
By: Jenny
And Anything With Keanu Reeves!
By: City Chick
Also Star Wars, Ghostbusters, Indiana Jones, and Top Gun
By: Frank A Costabile
  • 10. Gleaming The Cube
    Some of the best skate boarding I have seen from the 80's. Plus Tony Hawk had not sold out yet.
  • 9. Back To The Future
    Great movie. "Hello, Mcfly!"
  • 8. The Lost Boys
    Just a kick ass movie. The coolest vampires ever.
  • 7. Better Off Dead
    John Cusak is the man. Really funny movie, just fun to watch. "Someone thrown away a prefectly good white boy like that."
  • 6. Bill And Teds Excellent Adventure
    Good movie should have never had a sequel. "69 Dudes"
  • 5. Ferris Buller's Day Off
    Come on how can you not like it. It is nearly impossible not to like this movie.
  • 4. Stand By Me
    Don't really know what to say its just good.
  • 3. The Breakfast Club
    Good story, great music, and no matter who you are you can relate to at least one of the kids. "Sincerly yours The Breakfast Club"
  • 2. The Karate Kid
    I just have to watch it every now and again just to bring me back.
  • 1. The Goonies
    The best movie ever, with out a doubt. It has everything you could want in a movie. "It all starts here."
It is hard to pick just ten, but these are my favorite. No matter what anyone says the 80's rocked and will live for ever. These movies and songs keep them alive and will show our kids how we grew up.
By: Matt Wright
By: mare
By: Ronnie and Dill http://wwwronnieanddill.cjb.net
  • 10. Milo and Otis
  • 9. Airborne
  • 8. Land Before Time
    i cry every time :*(
  • 7. Goonies
  • 6. Back To The Futures
  • 5. Star Trek 4, The Wrath Of Khan
  • 4. Indiana Jones
  • 3. Star Wars
  • 2. Ghostbusters
  • 1. RAD
    old movie, best ever, bikes gallore
worste movie ever: Max Headroom

Previous List or Next List


We also have pages on this topic devoted to the 70s and 90s
Do You Have a Top Ten Song List to Share?

This site grows only with submissions from dedicated visitors like yourself. If you would like to reflect about a concert you attended, please fill out the form below.

Please use the The Top Ten 80s Movies submission page.