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

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These are the best, trust me!
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  • 10. ET
    No other movie made people loves aliens as much as this movie allowed. Really, that's a trick to make people care for something they are terrified of from all other alien movies.
  • 9. The Princess Bride
    This would be a huge hit even today with a few newer actors. Reminds me of a Will Ferell comedy. So many goofy and senseless one-liners
  • 8. Big - Tom Hanks
    Come on. This is what every kid's favorite movie back then was.
  • 7. The Terminator
    That totally started the cool sci-fi superhero. The movie even had its own haircut style, which i got as a kid, The Terminator.
  • 6. The Neverending Story
    This would have dominated any Harry Potter or magical based movie today. This got almost every boy day-dreaming about being able to be that kid.
  • 5. The Breakfast Club
    Sad thing is I finally watched it in 2001. lol Probably meant more since i was in highschool then.
  • 4. Friday the 13th
    Still hasnt been a more intense and scary movie as the first. Listen, i think that series has the most sequels ever. Gotta mean something
  • 3. Christmas Vacation
    It will always be one of the top comedy movies when that season comes around each year.
  • 2. Ghostbusters
    Hard to beat this one.
  • 1. Top Gun
    Need I say more. It might be overrated, but really every who has ever seen a movie would know about this one. Coolest love story for a guy to watch.
Of course there are others that could slip in depending on the mood. My few other fav's: Flight of the Navigator, Indiana Jones, Risky Business, The Poltergeist, etc. Top ten is too hard. maybe for each movie category?
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These are great movies im proud to be an eighties kid.
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  • 10. Police Academy
    Super funny!
  • 9. Naked Gun
    I love Leslie Nielsen!
  • 8. Splash
    A cute and adorable film with Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah. Great chemistry on-screen.
  • 7. Coming to America
    Another Eddie Murphy classic! Lots of great and memorable lines.
  • 6. Beetlejuice
    Geena Davis, Wynona Ryder, and Michael Keaton were great.
  • 5. Bevery Hills Cop 1 & 2
    2 words: Eddie Murphy
  • 4. Labyrinth
    I sat up all night and watched this movie over and over again.
  • 3. Karate Kid
    This movie is where I got my Nickname: Miyagi.
  • 2. Lean On Me
    First glimpse of Morgan Freeman and loved him ever since.
  • 1. The Fly
    Jeff Goldblum was brilliant! My #1 favorite actor! Geena Davis was great in this movie as well.
Even though I was born in 1986, I grew up watching these movies in the 90's, and I still love them all!
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  • 10. Seven Minutes In Heaven
    Jennifer Connelly!!!! and Billy Wirth!!!! Great teen, highschool, melodramatic John Hughes flick!
  • 9. Footloose
    Best Kevin Bacon film!
  • 8. Beetlejuice
    Michael Keaton was great and funny!
  • 7. License to Drive
    the Coreys!!!!! They were also great in The Lost Boys!
  • 6. Big
    Tom Hanks was really funny in this movie. He was also good in The Burbs!
  • 5. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
    Chevy Chase!!!!!
  • 4. Coming to America
    Extremely Hilarious!!!!! It's so funny that it'll make you cry.
  • 3. Beverly Hills Cop
    Who would'nt love comedy and action all in one!
  • 2. A Nightmare on Elm Street
    Classic Horror flick-they don't make em' like they used to!
  • 1. St. Elmo's Fire
    Drama, Romance, and Great Music. What can I say...I'm a girl:->
The greatest 80's movies of all time!
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  • 10. Clue
    Love the board game! Love the movie!
  • 9. The Natural
    One of the best baseball movies ever made! Plus it stars Redford, Close, Basinger, Brimley, and Duvall to name a few.
  • 8. The Right Stuff
    Chuck Yeager rocks!
  • 7. The Princess Bride
    Come on. Admit it.
  • 6. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
    Who didn't want to be Ferris? The sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, wasteoids, dweebies, dickheads — they all adore him. They all think he's a righteous dude.
  • 5. Back To The Future
    The best time travel movie ever. It's why I bought a skateboard. Plus Leah Thompson... mercy!
  • 4. Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade
    The best Indiana Jones movie simply because it answers all the questions about who he is.
  • 3. Stand By Me
    A great movie about friendship and adolescence.
  • 2. Amadeus
    It won Best Picture, best actor, best screenplay... it won 8 Oscars. And the music was pretty good too. Wolfgang something?
  • 1. Dead Poet's Society
    The best ending of any movie anywhere! Amazing acting - inspiring, funny, sad, full of hormones. Robin Williams best work until Good Will Hunting.
You'll find no Brat Pack Movies here my friend!
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  • 10. Fist of the North Star
    Shin!
  • 9. Southern Comfort
  • 8. Big Trouble In Little China
  • 7. Postman Fights Back
    Ricki Oh's dad's aspirational move to Hong Kong with Chow Yun Fat.
  • 6. Mr Vampire
    Man Choi!
  • 5. Any Which Way But Loose
    Tank Murdoch v Pretty boy (one of the bikers)
  • 4. Any Which Way You Can
    Alas a glaring omission; Pretty boy.
  • 3. Young Master
    Mr Han as Yuen Baio's fatha.
  • 2. Encounters of the spooky kind
    Samo Hung and Mars together at last, on the medium screen.
  • 1. Duel to the Death
    Dragon's retort to Lord of the sword's master.( few of them)
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  • 10. Ghostbusters
    I love this film. The story, the cast, special effects and the humour. Amazing
  • 9. Die Hard
    This is my favourite film of the 80's but forgot to put it in the top and dont want to change it. Also my favourite christmas film to!
  • 8. First Blood
    Rambo!! Hes a legend. forget the others because this is one man against them all
  • 7. Scarface
    Had to be in here really. Violence goes hand in hand with the power. Pacino makes this so good
  • 6. Once Upon A Time In America
    A beautiful epic and i dont mind the pace of it either. Leone is top of his game with this film
  • 5. Platoon
    Uncomfortable viewing but unforgettable to. Maybe the best war movie ever made. Dafoe and Berenger are class in this.
  • 4. Raiders Of The Lost Ark
    What a great adventure movie, still brilliant to this day
  • 3. Raising Arizona
    I love this film plain and simple
  • 2. The Shining
    One of the greatest horrors of all time and my favourite Kubricjk film along with Dr. Strangelove
  • 1. Raging Bull
    Unflinching tale of Jake La Motta, portrayed superbly by De Niro and Scorceses greatest work after Taxi Driver of course!!
Not as many good films as the seventies but runners up and equal to are Santa Sangre, Come And See, Goonies, Gremlins, Lethal Weapon, Blade Runner, Full Metal Jacket, ET, Aliens, Brazil and An American Werewolf in London
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  • 10. Highlander
    The original film from '86 is great and pure fun. I'm not keen on the sequels however. There can be only one Highlander!
  • 9. Lethal Weapon 2
    the reason why I pick the second is because of the more spetacular action-sequences, the humour and Pesci... okay, okay :)
  • 8. Predator
    I'm an action kind a guy, can't help it. mctiernan (Die Hard) made good movies.
  • 7. The Terminator
    a noir film, is what Cameron created. it isn't really a masterpiece but a classic sci-fic film. Schwarzenegger's best role and was and still is one of my childhood favourites from the eighties.
  • 6. Aliens
    One of the best sequels of the 80's. scary and entertaining.
  • 5. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
    the Indy-film that gets closest to raiders.
  • 4. Die Hard
    how an action film is ment to be. ambitious and influential. Bruce is great.
  • 3. The Shining
    great acting, cinematography and cunny storyline. Nicholson is very, very good.
  • 2. Star Wars V - The Empire Strikes back
    The best of the series in a great saga.
  • 1. Raiders of the Lost Ark
    Probably the greatest and most brilliant entertaining movie ever made! A truly extraordinary film.
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  • 10. Weekend at Bernie's
    This Movie is also Hilarious!
  • 9. The Burbs
    This Movie is Hilarious!
  • 8. Stand By Me
  • 7. Uncle Buck
    Love John Candy!
  • 6. St Elmo's Fire
    It's like a grown up version of the Breakfast Club!
  • 5. Back to The Future 1&2
    Marty McFly, Doc Brown & The DeLoreon all 80's icons
  • 4. Fast Times at Ridgemont High
    There is no one like Jeff Spicoli... Sean Penn kills it in this movie
  • 3. Can't Buy Me Love
  • 2. Ferris Buller's Day Off
    Matthew Broderick's Iconic role
  • 1. The Breakfest Club
    Easily the greatest movie ever made!
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  • 10. Clash Of The Titans
    Really the last of its kind. Classic sunday afternoon story telling.
  • 9. The Blues Brothers
    As excessive as it's star's drug intake. It got me dancing,and my brother and i had the hats and sunglasses. Hit it!
  • 8. The Terminator.
    arnie's finest role and a defining movie of eighties horror sci-fi.
  • 7. Raiders Of The Lost Ark
    the only indy film of any real merit in my eyes.
  • 6. Teen Wolf
    Little mikey hits puberty at last.
  • 5. The Long Good Friday
    pure 80s synth n sax score. hard as nails london crime thriller. bob hoskins has never bettered his incredible performance here.
  • 4. The Dark Night Of The Scarecrow
    little known horror gem thats well worth seeking out. old fashioned style scary fable.
  • 3. Big Trouble In Little China
    kurt russell does johnn wayne. plus mullet.
  • 2. The Empire Strikes Back
    Come on it has to be the greatest sequel of all time? Many days and night were spent recreating the death blow ending in my back garden.
  • 1. Ferris Buellers Day Off
    I must have watched this film a hundred times back then. It was the whole reason i was never at school and i don't regret a day. Save Ferris!
I have tried to be as eclectic as possible. I hope you enjoy. May the list be with you..always!
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  • 10. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
    A very young Sarah Jessica Parker and Helen Hunt...Great Soundtrack and the guy wasn't too hard on the eyes
  • 9. St. Elmo's Fire
    Brat Pack...the real Brat Pack with Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Demi Moore, Ally Sheedy...Showed the highs and lows of really becoming an adult
  • 8. Pretty in Pink
    Pretty much anything with Molly Ringwald has to be on an 80's top 10 list...She was the teen epitome of the 80's
  • 7. Top Gun
    If for anything that volleyball scene is worth the whole film...Lord those men with no shirts on playin volleyball I can watch it at anytime
  • 6. The Great Outdoors
    Dan Aakroyd and John Candy in the woods is just a good time...I had such a crush on the teen hunk in that movie...Those twins though could give ya the creeps
  • 5. The Outsiders
    Francis Ford Coppola gathered such a great cast of young up and coming actors and actresses...Patrick Wayze, C. Thomas Howell, Ralph Macchio, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Matt Dillon, Diane Lane....Classic wrong side of the tracks v right side of the tracks story
  • 4. Footloose
    Loose, footloose, kick off your sunday shoes, please louise pull me offa my knees, jack get back, c'mon before we crack, lose your blues everyone cut footloose...C'mon one of the best dancing movies in the 80's with some major acting chops in the movie with John Lithgow and Dianne Wiest
  • 3. Less Than Zero
    Roberty Downey Jr was scary as a drug addict and may have given us some glimpses of how he may have gone down the dark road he traveled...some very sexy scenes between Andrew McCarthy and Jami Gertz
  • 2. Who Framed Roger Rabbit
    The first true marriage of cartoon and live action...and who didn't love Roger and Toontown?
  • 1. About Last Night
    Demi Moore and Rob Lowe trying to make it work after a one night stand...It was classic boy meets girl, boy get scared, girl leaves boy, both try to date but can't stop thinking about each other, and the ending is most likely happy but you never are sure
There are about a million more movies I can name like Breakfast Club, Can't buy me love, Uncle Buck, Cocktail, Flashdance, Stand By Me, and etc but I was only given 10 and it took some real time to think about them
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  • 10. Teen Witch (1989)
  • 9. Teen Wolf & Teen Wolf Too (1985 & 1987))
  • 8. The Monster Squad (1987)
  • 7. Overboard (1987)
  • 6. Urban Cowboy (1980)
  • 5. Conan The Barbarion (1982)
  • 4. The NeverEnding Story (1984)
  • 3. Spaceballs (1987)
  • 2. Pickup Artist (1987)
  • 1. Say Anything (1989)
11. Secret to my Success (87) 12. Short Circut (86) 13. Sixteen Candles (84) 14. Big Trouble in Little China Town 15. The Color Purple ( 16. An Officer and a Gentleman (82) 17. Mystic Pizza (88) 18. Pretty In Pink (86) and... 19. Top Gun (86) 20. Over the Top (87)
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  • 10. Flash Dance
    Dancing and dreams coming true.
  • 9. Goonies
  • 8. Adventures In Babysitting
  • 7. Risky Business
    Tom Cruise Underwear scene need I saw more!!
  • 6. Top Gun
    Tom Cruise yummy. Before he fixed his teeth.
  • 5. Footloose
    Music, Dance what more could you ask!!
  • 4. The Legend Of Billy Jean
    "Fair is Fair"
  • 3. Ferris Bruellers Day Off
    One of the best movie montages of all time.
  • 2. Willow
  • 1. Legend
    Does this really need an explanation?
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  • 10. Alien
    Made Sigourney Weaver a star, and initiated an entire genre in feel and level of graphic horror. Wrong decade though, I think, maybe 79.
  • 9. Nightmare on Elm Street
    You have to throw in a slasher flick, and this was the most imaginative and campy.
  • 8. Tootsie
    Jessica Lange is one of the most underrated actors ever. Just a notch below Meryl Streep.
  • 7. The Fly
    Thought-provoking as well as tragic in a weird way.
  • 6. Batman
    Again, the cinematography; also the atmosphere, the rapport between Nicholson and Keaton.
  • 5. Beetlejuice
    I've seen it seven times. Too creepy for some - I love it.
  • 4. Full Metal Jacket
    The first half is the best first half of any movie of the decade.
  • 3. Raging Bull
    After Taxi Driver, DeNiro's best.
  • 2. Terminator
    The best of the three.
  • 1. Blade Runner
    Visually hypnotic. Special effects in some areas never surpassed.
I tried to be eclectic - horror, scifi, mainstream. I admit movies like Flashdance, Purple Rain, Fame etc defined the decade. Just not a huge fan of them - but I often watch them on cable. When I was living through the eighties I detested a lot of the culture. It wasn't so bad.
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  • 10. The Shining
    Haunting movie with a terrifying performance from Jack Nicholson. One of Kubrick's best films.
  • 9. The Last Emperor
    A beautiful film. Bernardo Bertolucci proves what a genius he really is.
  • 8. Born On the Fourth of July
    The second of Oliver Stone's Vietnam masterpieces. This one is about the effects of Vietnam. Tom Cruise is uncharacteristically great in this movie.
  • 7. Das Boot
    For three and a half hours in a German U-Boat with an unknown cast speaking some brutal German, not once was I bored. Wolfgang Peterson's direction is flawless.
  • 6. Hannah and Her Sisters
    Woody Allen's brilliant film about love, death, and relationships. One of the best and most compex scripts in modern film.
  • 5. Platoon
    The best war movie probably ever made. Oliver Stone gives us the perspectives of those who actually did the fighting in Vietnam: The American "grunt."
  • 4. Do The Right Thing
    Spike Lee's best film and the best of 1989. One of the most powerful films of the last twenty years.
  • 3. The Color Purple
    Spielberg's most underrated film, with beautiful photography, and some great performances from Danny Glover, Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, and Margaret Avery.
  • 2. Amadeus
    F. Murray Abraham gives one of the best performances in movie history and Tom Hulce as the young Mozart is incredible.
  • 1. Raging Bull
    Scorsese's best film, one of the best films of all time, and De Niro's finest performance
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  • 10. Scarface
    This is paradise, I'm tellin' ya. This town like a great big pussy just waiting to get fucked.
  • 9. First Blood
    You don't seem to want to accept the fact you're dealing with an expert in guerrilla warfare, with a man who's the best, with guns, with knives, with his bare hands. A man who's been trained to ignore pain, ignore weather, to live off the land, to eat things that would make a billy goat puke. In Vietnam his job was to dispose of enemy personnel. To kill! Period! Win by attrition. Well Rambo was the best.
  • 8. Rocky IV
    Drago: To the end. Drago: You will lose. Drago: If he dies, he dies. Drago: I must break you.
  • 7. Coming to America
    -Will you taste the soup? What's wrong, is the soup too cold? -Will you just taste the soup?! Allright, I'll taste the soup - where's the spoon? -Aha. Aha! ...
  • 6. Back to the future
    Last night, Darth Vader came down from planet Vulcan and told me that if I didn't take Lorraine out that he'd melt my brain.
  • 5. The Thing
    Garry: You reach anybody, yet? Windows: Reach anybody? We're a thousand miles from nowhere, man. And it's gonna get a hell of a lot worse before it gets any better!
  • 4. Empire of the Sun
    Learned a new word today. Atom bomb. It was like the God taking a photograph.
  • 3. Predator
    When I was little, we found a man. He looked like - like, butchered. The old woman in the village crossed themselves... and whispered crazy things, strange things. "El Diablo cazador de hombres." Only in the hottest years this happens. And this year, it grows hot. We begin finding our men. We found them sometimes without their skins... and sometimes much, much worse. "El cazador trofeo de los hombres" means the demon who makes trophies of men.
  • 2. Empire Strikes Back
    Darth Vader: If you only knew the power of the Dark Side. Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father. Luke: He told me enough! He told me *you* killed him! Darth Vader: No. I am your father.
  • 1. The Terminator
    Listen, and understand. That terminator is out there. It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead.
I guess i like Action Movies!

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