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: Chelsea
Save Ferris!
By: Chantal
The 80s can't be summed up, for me, in only 10 movies though...the decade wouldn't have been the same without ALL of these: ET, Ghostbusters, Alien & Aliens, The Muppet Movie(s), Amadeus, Labyrinth, The Man with One Red Shoe, Fletch, Beverly Hills Cop, The Golden Child, The Dark Crystal, Legend, The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Short Circuit, St. Elmos Fire, Young Guns, The Karate Kid, Dirty Dancing, Maximum Overdrive, The Shining, Superman II and III, Airplane the Sequel, The Blue Lagoon, Dirty Harry, Clue, The World According to Garp, Nightmare on Elm Street, The Goonies, Stand By Me, The Lost Boys, Dream a Little Dream, Valley Girl, Star Trek II-The Wrath of Khan, Predator, Rocky, Flashdance, Bladerunner, 2001 Space Odyssey, Full Metal Jacket, Arthur, Tootsie, Mr. Mom, Terminator, First Blood, Annie, Young Frankenstein, Say Anything, Better off Dead, Less than Zero, Weird Science, The Right Stuff, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Beetlejuice, The Witches of Eastwick, American Werewolf in London, Creepshow, The Big Chill, Fatal Attraction, A Fish Called Wanda, Vision Quest, House Party, Footloose, Purple Rain, The Toy, Twilight Zone the Movie, Clash of the Titans, King Kong, Satisfaction, Mystic Pizza, Back to the Future, Dune, Poltergeist, Robocop, The Wiz, Gremlins, The Mosquito Coast, The Believers, Hellraiser, Halloween II, Caddyshack...oof! They all HAVE to fit in the ultimate 80s film time capsule.
By: Scot
By: Drake, I'm 13 so i missed the 80's
  • 10. Pretty in Pink
    It's not one of my favs but im 13 and know it was made in 89, not early 90s, Summer!
  • 9. Sixteen Candles
    No more yankie my wankie! Hilarious!!!
  • 8. Stand By Me
    "Four friends see a body, a train comes, they run from the train, and jump over the bridge...that's just good fun." (I Love The 80's) But you have to admit River Pheonix did sound kinda like a girl at the end. Still good.
  • 7. Say Anthing
    After my girlfriend dumped me I tried boombox thing and played nsync but noone was home and my arms were sore for days. Haven't seen her since!
  • 6. Terminator
    I havent seen it in years but I'm gonna rent one and two before i see three, but my most memerable scene is when Arnold gets blown up in the big gas truck.???
  • 5. Airplane!
    I loved the autopilot scene. Hahahahaha! I peed my pants when I saw that it was so funny!
  • 4. Both Bill and Ted Movies
    Dude!
  • 3. Scarface
    I don't know why I love this movie, but Al rocked as Tony.
  • 2. Platoon
    Up there with Private Ryan!
  • 1. Tron
    It really got me into computers and wanting to become a programer when I get older.
No one really saw Reeves going from "dude!" between each word to the one!? Bill and Ted rule! I wish I was born in the 80's so i could have called 867-5309 when it was a real number! Squeeze and Yes and REO Speed Wagon rock too!
By: dustin
  • 10. Near Dark
    much better than Lost boys could have hoped for....
  • 9. Top Gun
    First movie I got when I hooked up surround sound....
  • 8. Goonies
    what 80's kid wouldnt have loved this movie?
  • 7. ET
    The scene of the great popcorn debacle > my dad would never take us to another movie again>>lmfao
  • 6. Return Of The Jedi
    my fave star wars
  • 5. Wierd Science
    Kelly Lebrock sure was a hottie!!
  • 4. Friday The 13th Part 4
    Our all time sleepover favorite. Kudos to Mr. Babcock for letting a bunch of kids watch blood, guts and tits.
  • 3. Nightmare On Elm Street
    SEEN this on Halloween, along with CHUD, and some Night of the meteor...i stayed awake for two days after...yikes
  • 2. Beastmaster
    The bat creatures gave me nightmares
  • 1. Ghostbusters
    nuff said in other comments
By: Mike Welch
  • 10. The Empire Strikes Back
    Luke, I am your father..
  • 9. Red Dawn
    You can buy the video for a $1.99 on any online movie store, but in 1984 every 13 year old boy pretended they were fighting the Russians...
  • 8. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
    I wish I lived this one...
  • 7. St. Elmo's Fire
    I think I lived this movie...
  • 6. Pretty in Pink
    Easily the best girl movie of all time...
  • 5. 48 Hours
    Still Eddie Murphy's best film
  • 4. Karate Kid
    He was born Ralph Macchio, he will die Daniel Larusso, Karate Kid...
  • 3. Rocky III
    It gave us Hulk Hogan and Mr. T
  • 2. Can't buy me love
    I don't care to much for money, money can't buy me love...
  • 1. The Breakfast Club
    Simply the best...
By: Dr. Stein
  • 10. Less Than Zero
    Sex, drugs and Rock n Roll
  • 9. Airplane
    Please dont move, please dont move.
  • 8. Ghost Busters
    Sliiimmerrrr!!!!!!!
  • 7. Stand by Me
    No I wont, set a tear.
  • 6. The Goonies
    "I wan mi butterfinger"
  • 5. Highlander
    the inmortal
  • 4. Hercules
    with Lou Ferrigno
  • 3. Conan the Barbarian
    The mystery of Dragoth
  • 2. Return of the Living Dead
    "We just wanna party"
  • 1. The Lost Boys
    People are strange
American Psycho is not a movie filmed in the eighties, but its a must see.
By: KIm
  • 10. Mannequin
    Come on... a mannequin comes to life...
  • 9. Raising Arizona
    Just pictures Nicholas Cage running down the street w/diapers under his arm...
  • 8. Dirty Dancing
    I had the time of my life
  • 7. Top Gun
    You've lost that lovin' feelin'
  • 6. Ghost Busters
    ::hums the song::
  • 5. Karate Kid
    "Wax on, wax off." The glory of love- Peter Cetera
  • 4. Ferris Bueller's Day off
    "Life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop and look around every one in a while you might miss it."
  • 3. The Breakfast Club
    Don't you forget about me-
  • 2. Sixteen Candles
    "Jake!"
  • 1. Adventure's In Babysitting
    "Don't f- with the babysitter!"
I feel the 80's was just all around the best era for movies.
By: Brian
  • 10. Red Dawn
    We went out in the woods and played war for days after that one .
  • 9. Vacation
    I just loved it and still do , I've worn out many VHS cassettes and now I have it on DVD .
  • 8. A Nightmare On Elm Street
    Went with one of my first girlfriends at the time and I cant go into any more detail on that .
  • 7. The Empire Strikes Back
    First movie me and my friends got to go to by ourselves .
  • 6. Full Medal Jacket
    Loved it
  • 5. Platoon
    Just a great flick
  • 4. Ferris Buellers Day Off
    I just love this movie
  • 3. Back to the Future
    Same as Ghostbusters but with mowing grass to come up with the money .
  • 2. Ghostbusters
    Me and my friends went out to shovel snow to get up enough money to go and see this . I don't think it's the movie itself but the memories behind it .
  • 1. Fast Times At Ridgemont High
    The Greatest teen angst movie ever !
By: A.Lopez Jr
  • 10. Karate Kid
    Wax on wax off..
  • 9. Ferris Bueller's day off
    "Life goes by pretty fast,so sometimes you got to stop and look around or you'll miss it"
  • 8. Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
    Party On Dude!
  • 7. Full Metal Jacket
    The Drill SGT. and his quotes were excellent..How tall are you? good lord I didnt know they stacked sh*t that high..whats your name scumbag? that sounds like royalty,are you royalty son... Your from Texas? Their aint nothing but steers & queers in Texas and I dont see horns on you.
  • 6. Back to the future
    Marty going back to 1955 and seeing his parents is too funny..classic quote here-"Make like a tree and get out of here". Or "you mean to tell me my mom has the hots for me?"
  • 5. Major League
    When my hometown Indians won the division I prayed that would happen for real.then it did in 1995..classic quote here is when the batter looks at the catcher and asks "how's your wife & MY kids"
  • 4. Scarface
    Classic quotes in this one also.."Say hello to my little friend"..."This town is like a great big p*ssy,waiting to get f*cked".."All I got is my balls & my word"
  • 3. Breakfast Club
    The pothead dude in the flannel teasing everyone is classic.
  • 2. A Christmas Story
    The boy that wants a red rider beebe gun for Christmas and always hears "You'll shoot your eye out kid"
  • 1. Field of Dreams
    "if you build it,he will come"..Excellent movie about redemption and a father son relationship.
By: Amanda
  • 10. Airplane
    classic! good ole fashion humor right there my friends! I crack up everytime!
  • 9. Pretty in Pink
    Molly Ringwald in yet another amazing performance! and Ducky...everyone loves Ducky... i know i love ducky... "well i'm off like a dirty shirt!"
  • 8. E.T
    thats just one of those great heart touching movies that made everyone and their mom cry
  • 7. Heathers
    Under-rated... but amazing! Christian Slater and Wynona Rider are great together and i the way they talk... "if ya wanna f*Ck the eagles you have to learn to fly"
  • 6. Dirty Dancing
    Well i love this movie just for that split second when you can see Patrick Swayze's butt when he gets out of bed in his cabin with Jennifer Gray... lucky biznitch!
  • 5. Lost Boys
    wow! ... i have a secret love affair with Cory Haim and Cory Feldman! they're amazing and this is an amazing movie! Cory H. is so cute and innocent and nice and Cory F. is so hot and sexy in that bad boy kinda way!
  • 4. Ferris Buelller's day off
    "Ferris Bueller you're my hero" GREAT movie! i do love matthew broderick!
  • 3. Breakfast Club
    A classic! the rat pack is great! And i want to be molly ringwald!
  • 2. A Christmas Story
    Christmas time or not.. i watch this movie all the time.. its HYSTERICALLY funny and my mom and dad are ALOT like his!
  • 1. When Harry Met Sally
    AMAZING MOVIE!! "Do the white man's overbite!" and i love in the commentary with the old people when the old oriental man says "willage"!!
i would like to apoligize to Top Gun, Ghost, St.Elmo's fire, Return of the Jedi, Risky Business, Who framed Roger Rabbit, Goonies, Childs Play, and Sleepless in Seattle! you were all wonderful but i just didnt have room for you all!!
By: *Krystal*
  • 10. Summer School
    This movie always puts a smile on my face. Mark Harmon is cool in this movie. If only we had teachers like him, huh? Chainsaw and Dave crack me up. -"AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!! Tension breaker. Had to be done."
  • 9. Some Kind Of Wonderful
    This is a good movie about a cute, average guy wanting to go with the popular girl in school. A very realisic high school type of thing. This movie kind of reminds me of Pretty In Pink, but with a different ending. -"All I care about in this Goddamn life is me, my drums, and you." Awww!
  • 8. Steel Magnolias
    Julia Roberts was wonderful in this movie. My favorite characters in this is Clairie (Olympia Dukakis) and Weezer (Shirley McClaine). This is a tear-jerker, I know, but it shows how wonderful friendships can be. -"If you can't say anything nice, come sit by me!" Hilarious!
  • 7. The Lost Boys
    This was a crazy-assed movie, but I enjoy watching it. Kiefer Sutherland was awesome. My favorite scenes was the opening sequence and when Corey Haim was taking a bubble bath and singing goofy. Corey Feldman played a cool part too. -"What are you then? The flying nun?!?"
  • 6. Stand By Me
    River Phoenix was amazing in this movie. This movie had layers to it, which is why I like it. It was funny, exciting, and sad all wrapped into one movie. When the boys were running from the train and jumping off the bridge was good, and the pie contest scene. The leeches part gives me the chills everytime. -"Cut me some skin."
  • 5. Sixteen Candles
    This a fun movie for me. Jake Ryan was a DOLL. Long Duck Dong was hilarious. I like the opening sequence where all the kids are getting off the bus, going to class, etc. The end was great too. -"My little brother paid a buck to see your underwear. EEEEEKKKKKK!!!!!!!"
  • 4. The Breakfast Club
    Wow, this is the most excellent movie. It's another John Hughes creation that depicts life in high school, and it centers around more rebellion. Movies just aren't like this anymore, which sucks. My favorite scene was the hallyway montage, where the kids are running from the principal. A very powerful movie. -"It's outta my hands!"
  • 3. Pretty In Pink
    This movie is wonderful, because it centers around how high school life really is. John Hughes hit this right on the money. Molly Ringwald had great style, Andrew McCarthey was adorable, and I ADORE the Duck Man! If I would've been Andie, I would have picked Ducky in second! -"Let's Plow!!!"
  • 2. Rainman
    Dustin Hoffman is the best actor I've ever watched on screen, and Tom Cruise was HOT back then. This movie is hilarious because Ray bugged the crap out of Charlie, but they still managed to connect as brothers. I also liked how they traveled throughout the movie and went to Vegas. Classic writing and excellent acting, for both actors. -"K-Mart sucks!"
  • 1. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
    The best movie ever! Matthew Broderick was adorable, and I learned a lot about planning a perfect skip day. My friends and I skipped school one time, and I was like Ferris because I planned everything out so I wouldn't get in trouble. It was all spur of the moment. Alan Ruck was brilliant as Cameron Frye. His parenoia was hilarious and his funny voices were great. I love the concept of doing something rebellious and not getting caught. It's all a part of being a teenager. -"When Cameron was in Egyptland..."
I know I had a lot to say, but I had to describe why these movies are so influencial to me. Like I said before, they just don't make movies like they used to.
By: Courtney
  • 10. Christmas Vacation
    It was funnier than the original American Lampoon Vacation. Too bad it didn't have Anthony Michael Hall though...
  • 9. The Lost Boys
    For a vampire movie...this was damn good. Plus...it had the Corey's...How could you go wrong???
  • 8. A Christmas Story
    Ralphie...I'm truely sorry about that bunny suit. I would have died. At least you got your gun though, right?
  • 7. Back to the Future
  • 6. Sixteen Candles
    "How do my grandparents forget my birthday? They live for this shit." Definitely one of the greatest brat pack movies...
  • 5. Ferris Bueller's Day off
    Someone who truely knew the value of a day off...
  • 4. Risky Business
    Tom Cruise...Dancing in underwear...Do the math.
  • 3. Better Off Dead
    Awwww...who can say no to John Cusack? Why did his gf break up with him again?
  • 2. Lucas
    I'm not really into bugs...but I love Cory Haim, especially in this movie.
  • 1. The Breakfast Club
    "Could you describe the ruckus, sir?" Awwww...I love Anthony Michael Hall..what a dork...
There are a thousand great 80's movies...but these are definitely my favorites.
By: Kylie McNaught
  • 10. Valley Girl
    like omg if this movie wasn't mad youd have to like gag me with a spoon
  • 9. Heathers
    what can i say makes you so proud of christian slater and wynona ryder
  • 8. Fast Times at Ridgemont High
    what can i say who doesn't love a totally awesome sean penn
  • 7. Ferris Buellers Day Off
    a skipped a day of school after seeing this
  • 6. 16 Candles
    what can i say the first molly ringwald
  • 5. Better off Dead
    this movie proves that death isn't the option b/c you will always find something better than what you miss
  • 4. Say Anything
    a movie that shows how someone will do anything for someone they love that much
  • 3. Pretty in Pink
    ahhhhh a romeo and juliet of the time duckie is awesome in it
  • 2. St. Elmos Fire
    i cried the 1st few times i saw this movie b/c i know how it feels to have the feeling of never being happy but in the end things will work out and it showed me that once again the judd nelson
  • 1. The Breakfast Club
    this movie made me relize not to judge people by clothes of money but by personality plus im and the biggest judd nelson fan
i wish i could go on there are so many more good movies but these are the best in my opinion
By: Katie
By: Julie
By: Elliot
  • 10. Batman
    look like Antoine got a little hot under the collar....haha couldnt stop laughing after seeing that....Kim Basinger is hot too.
  • 9. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
    hahahah....no one else i know likes this....after seeing the cartoon i fell in love with this movie.
  • 8. When Harry Met Sally
    watching Meg Ryan fake an orgasm is pretty nice to see....and you can't beat a cast consisting of her, Billy Crystal, Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby.
  • 7. Naked Gun
    funniest cop spoof ever...besides Super Troopers...Frank Drebbon couldnt do anything right haha.
  • 6. Lethal Weapon
    kinda weird to have this movie stuck in the middle of a whole list of comedies, but this did have its funny parts, and all the action scenes were great, including the big fight finale at the end between Mel Gibson and Gary Busey.
  • 5. Breakfast Club
    wish my detention sessions could be like this...any movie with Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall and Emilio Estevez has to be a winner.
  • 4. The Burbs
    i always visioned myself as Cory Feldman in this movie....i wish i could have gone on that adventure with them
  • 3. The Burbs
    Tom Hanks' funniest movie...in my opinion..."i'v never seen somebody drive their trash down at 11:30 at nite with their headlights off then beat the hell out of it with a stick no i'v never seen that"...hilarious!...ART, your house is on fire..and your wife is home....MY WIFE IS HOME!!!!
  • 2. Ferris Buelers Day Off
    "Pardon my French, but Cameron is so tight that if you stuck a lump of coal up his ass in 2 weeks you'd have a diamond."
  • 1. Airplane
    "Can you fly this plane?..Surely you can't be serious...I am serious, and don't call me Shirley.".....hahahhahhah
being that i am only 15 and my knowledge of 80's movies is rather limited, i think this is a pretty strong list of classics, but i'd like to see more....16 candles, st. elmos fire, dirty dancing, etc. are all on my list of must-see's.
By: Jen
By: Filipe Santana
  • 10. Hellraiser
    Pinhead rules !
  • 9. The Empire Strikes Back
    The best Star Wars episode !
  • 8. Goonies
    Great movie ! I want to be in a treasure hunt too ! :(
  • 7. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
    Who didn't want to be Ferris at highschool ?
  • 6. Raiders of the Lost Ark
    Indiana Jones first adventure
  • 5. Labyrinth
    eheh David Bowie rocks !
  • 4. Blade Runner
    Yes... Nobody can forget Harrison Ford in one of the greatest scifi movies ever made !
  • 3. American Werewolf in London
    Scared the hell out of me !
  • 2. Willow
    Don't you remenber this one ? Val Kilmer in this fairy tale ?
  • 1. Evil Dead 2 : Dead By Dawn
    Bruce Campbell at his best kicking some zombie ass !
Yeahhhhh ! 80's had great movies, but 90's are much better :P
By: Anthony R.
  • 10. Die Hard
    Yippee-ki-yay, motherf---er!
  • 9. Casualties of War
    Another great war movie about what happens after American soldiers rape a woman in Vietnam and about a crazed sergeant driven to rage.
  • 8. Taps
    I liked this movie because it put Cadets against developers trying to close their school. Introduced us to Sean Penn and Tom Cruise.
  • 7. Full Metal Jacket
    Best War--Vietnam movie of the 80s from Stanley Kubrick telling us about what happens to U.S. soldiers after basic training.
  • 6. Platoon
    Tom Berenger as a villianious sergeant. Too cool.
  • 5. Top Gun
    Cool NAVY movie with Tom Cruise and others battling each other and MIGs--jets. "
  • 4. The Karate Kid
    Great old sports drama with self-control and defense. Introduced to the crane techinque and wax-on, wax-off. A fan of Martial arts.
  • 3. WarGames
    "Shall we play a game?". "The only winning move is not to play." WarGames is just too cool.
  • 2. Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins
    I was a big fan of this movie since I was a kid. I rented it all the time and liked it.
  • 1. Iron Eagle
    Big fan of Movies about Jets and Combat and I liked this one because It had great explosions. I know, some people might not like this one because it didn't have what "Top Gun" had.
Great Comedy Classics like The Blues Brothers, Beverly Hills Cop, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, Caddyshack, Back to the Future and some of the only cool Sci-Fi movies of the 80s, The last two "Star Wars" films, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi

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