Raiders of the Lost Ark. Back to the Future. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
The 1980s were filled with countless classic films that have stood the test of time. We still love to watch these movies today, not just because they let us take a trip down memory lane but because they rival what’s being made today.
Join us as we run down 20 classic 1980s movies that are still worth watching today.
The Karate Kid
I remember the first time I watched The Karate Kid. Ironically, I was supposed to go to a karate tournament but wasn’t able to for some reason. My dad knew I was upset, so he found the movie on TV and put it in, as it was “the next best thing.”
It turned out to be better than going to the tournament; I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.
Real Genius
Let’s talk more about my dad, because I quickly lost count of the times we watched this movie together.
Real Genius is a testament to Val Kilmer’s range as an actor. I feel like it’s one of his best performances, despite being released before his “big break” in Top Gun (more on that later, don’t worry). Kilmer gets lost in the role, and I wish we had the chance to see him play more comedic parts.
The Goonies
Is it safe to call The Goonies underrated? It’s not often spoken in the same vein as other magical 1980s movies, but it certainly should.
The young ensemble cast (Sean Astin, Corey Feldman, Josh Brolin, Ke Huy Quan) all do their part to deliver a quintessential Steven Spielberg experience under the steady hand of director Richard Donner.
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Okay, I went as long as possible without mentioning Indiana Jones; mentioning Spielberg and Quan made it inevitable.
Personally, I prefer Temple of Doom, but there’s no denying the strength of Raiders of the Lost Ark. From its gripping opening scene to its iconic ending, it’s a perfect film from start to finish.
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E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Spielberg was in a league of his own in the 1980s, wasn’t he?
I feel like the biggest reason The Goonies doesn’t get as much widespread love is because of how good of a film E.T. is. It’s the definition of movie magic, and its iconic scene of E.T. and the kids flying on their bikes is the logo for Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment.
Back to the Future
Okay, time for one of my all-time favorite films.
Back to the Future has everything you could ever want from a movie: the iconic 1980s power ballad in “The Power of Love,” an incredible cast, and the perfect mix of comedy, action, and adventure. I dare you to find a better movie out there.
Raging Bull
It’s not all fun and games when it comes to 1980s movies. The decade had plenty of hard hitters, and Raging Bull is just one of many.
Scorsese’s gritty tale helped earn Robert De Niro a well-deserved Oscar for Best Actor in the story of middleweight boxer Jake LaMotta, based on the real-life boxer’s memoir.
Do The Right Thing
An impressive cast (Martin Lawrence, Rosie Perez, Danny Aiello, Giancarlo Esposito, John Turturro) helps make Spike Lee’s 1989 film one of the decade’s best.
It deals with racial tensions during a heatwave in Brooklyn, but does so in a way that showcases every side of the coin when properly handling conflict.
Top Gun
Our second Val Kilmer film on the list and, somehow, the first mention of Tom Cruise, who somehow isn’t running in this movie.
It’s probably because he’s too busy writing checks his body can’t cash, playing volleyball, or being an arrogant fighter pilot who still gets the girl.
The Shining
Here’s Johnny!
Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of the Stephen King classic novel has done nothing but force its way into mainstream pop culture thanks to Jack Nicholson’s iconic performance. However, it would have been nothing without Shelley Duvall, who also deserves every bit of praise.
Die Hard
Yes, Die Hard is a Christmas movie.
It’s also the film most responsible for helping to launch the role of the normal, everyday guy being capable of leading an action film, eschewing past tropes where only muscle-bound men like Arnold and Sly could be at the front of action flicks.
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
Speaking of holiday movies, did you know that Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is a Thanksgiving movie?
It’s true and an annual rewatch in the Valentine household. Of course, it helps that Steve Martin and John Candy are the perfect co-stars for this road trip style comedy.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
I guess it was only a matter of time before we reached the John Hughes portion of our classic ’80s movie list.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is the quintessential ’80s comedy, led by Matthew Broderick in the titular role.
The Breakfast Club
When it comes to coming-of-age movies, the conversation begins and ends with The Breakfast Club.
The story of five students, all from different backgrounds, in a Saturday detention helps to show that at the end of the day, we’re all alike, no matter where we come from.
Airplane!
There’s a surprisingly amount of classic 1980s films that didn’t receive widespread acclaim upon release. Airplane! is not one of those films.
Critics knew about the comedy’s brilliance since day one, with Roger Ebert saying, “Airplane! is sophomoric, obvious, predictable, corny, and quite often very funny.”
Ghostbusters
We’ve discussed several impressive casts thus far, but few match that of Ghostbusters, starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis, Sigourney Weaver, and Ernie Hudson.
The film’s success helped launch Ghostbusters as a global brand, featuring sequels, spin-offs, an animated series, and more.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
If one of my high school classmates had ordered a pizza during class, I would have thought they were the coolest person in the world.
It could come as no surprise that I felt like Jeff Spicoli was one of the coolest people alive. Yes, there’s a fantastic movie happening around Sean Penn’s character, but he makes Fast Times at Ridgemont High what it is.
Beverly Hills Cop
I’m not sure how I made it almost 20 movies deep before talking about Eddie Murphy, but it’s time to change that.
Beverly Hills Cop is one of the most intelligent comedies ever made. It allows Murphy to ham things up while playing perfectly against Judge Reinhold and John Ashton.
Coming to America
If Axel Foley is Eddie Murphy at his most over-the-top style, then his wide range of roles, alongside Arsenio Hall, in Coming to America is a testament to his talent.
As great as Murphy is in the film, I’m sorry, but Hall’s Reverend Brown is an all-time character.
Field of Dreams
Few movies capture the essence of baseball like Field of Dreams.
One of my favorite memories is watching the film with my family as we looked through a baseball encyclopedia to look up the real-life players the film references, including the real Moonlight Graham.
Caddyshack
Where do you start with a film like Caddyshack?
Remember what I said when Ghostbusters had the most impressive cast? I may have spoken too soon. Everyone steals every scene, and watching Ted Knight, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, and Rodney Dangerfield play off each other is nothing short of brilliance.
The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars was a cultural phenomenon that took the world by storm. Empire Strikes Back elevated the franchise to among the all-time greats.
The 1980 film is the definition of an epic space opera, delivering on the action, drama, tension, and romance. Despite the shortcomings of Star Wars today, Empire still holds up extraordinarily well.
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