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: Kylar
  • 10. Spaceballs
    Gotta be better than any Star Wars
  • 9. A Christmas Story
    Ralphie is the best character in christmas history
  • 8. Dirty Dancing
    Liked the music, and the dancing, but Patrick Swayze? It ruined the effect.
  • 7. Fast Times At Ridgemont High
    Ah the lives of teens are more complicated than any others.
  • 6. Rainman
    Loved Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman was great!
  • 5. Back to the Future 1
    This one was the best.
  • 4. The Princess Bride
    Love the lines, loved the characters and I certainly wish that this movie would get the respect it deserves.
  • 3. Labyrinth
    Ok, I can do without the whole Davie Bowie in tight tights, but when we had to watch this movie in school, my class groaned, and I cheered.
  • 2. Terms of Endearment
    Gotta be the best tearjerker I've seen. This movie touched my in a way that I feel everytime I look at my parents.
  • 1. The Breakfast Club
    The ultimate in movies. This movie deals with issues that are relevent to today's teens as well as others. And the music! My top watched choice!
Runners up-Return of the Jedi, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, ST. Elmo's Fire What can I say? Eighties are the best
By: Jean White
  • 10. Big Trouble in Little China
    1986, This one movie got played more than any other at our gatherings. "What the hell is Gracy Law doing here?"
  • 9. The Hitcher
    1986, Rutger Hauer at his best. Definite thriller movie of the 80's.
  • 8. Princess Bride
    1987, As corny as this movie was, it turned out to be a movie that makes me laugh the more times I watch it. Inconceivable!
  • 7. Risky Business
    1983, It's Guido the Killer Pimp!" Just for one night, wouldn't you like the opportunity to have this kind of party?
  • 6. Blade Runner
    1982, Total psycho - techno thriller. Still a classic. Dark and foreboding.
  • 5. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
    1986, This was what everyone of us wanted to do, skip school and not get caught!
  • 4. Vision Quest
    1985, Might seem cheezy to most, but this really defined wrestling for me at the time.
  • 3. Terminator
    1984, Arnie at his best. And he came back!
  • 2. Highlander
    1986, There can be only one." - I skipped school to see this movie! It was worth it!
  • 1. Top Gun
    1986, Definately the most watched and most quoted movie of the 80's.
Well, for someone who graduated high school in 86, this page is a great walk down memory lane. I feel like putting on a powder blue golf shirt, collar up, with a little green alligator on it! To be sure though, limiting the list to ten movies was difficult, but these were the movies most discussed or watched at every party I attended. Honorable mentions must go to Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, Willow, Running Scared, Wildcats, Something Wild and Purple Rain. I still watch each of these movies at any given opportunity!
By: Kelly
  • 10. Weird Science
    Was there a better house party than this? (Okay, okay, maybe 'Sixteen Candles')!
  • 9. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
    There's no one smoother in any decade!
  • 8. Can't Buy Me Love
    How can you not love Patrick Dempsey? 'LoverBoy' was also great.
  • 7. Some Kind of Wonderful
    Pretty in Pink' in reverse - how could you go wrong?
  • 6. Last American Virgin
    Raunchier version of Fast Times - Love it!!
  • 5. Sixteen Candles
    When you think of the 80s, you have to think of Queen Molly - nuff said.
  • 4. Fast Times at Ridgemont High
    As you can see, my list includes only 80s teen movies, and I don't know of any other movie that comes to mind quicker than this gem!
  • 3. St. Elmo's Fire
    I love the Brat Pack so much, 'Bratpacker' is my chat name! Don't you wish your friends were so cool?
  • 2. Pretty in Pink
    I don't think there was one girl out there who didn't want to be Molly Ringwald in this movie - girl gets dreamguy.
  • 1. The Breakfast Club
    No explanation needed-we all identified.
Naturally, aside from the teenage movies, there were so many more great movies. However, being the ultimate 'Cheese Queen' of the 80s that I am, when I think of 80s movies, these are the kind I always think of and cherish! Coming up with only 10 was difficult because there's so many I left out, but I think these 10 do the decade justice!
By: Louise
  • 10. The Lost Boys/License to Drive
    The best for the Corey-and-Corey films. In the Lost Boys, Sam and Michael move to Santa Carla, the murder captial of the world. When Sam discovers along with Michael that Michael has turned into a vampire, Sam calls on the Frogg brothers to help kill the head vampire (they presume Kiefer Sutherland). Great, funny dialogue, great soundtrack, and excellent performances. When Les (Corey Haim) fails his drivers test, rather than swallow his pride and admit it, he takes his grandfather's classic Cadillac out along with the prettiest girl in school, who also happens to find a bottle of whine a great way to get over her ex-boyfriend. Then Les' buddies conivince him to go to the secret place only guys with licenses can go to. From there on out, its a wild ride, and his grandpa's Caddy will never be the same! Corey Feldman supplies hilarious and fun performances in both movies!
  • 9. Lucas
    This wonderful tale about small, intellectual 14 year old high-school student Lucas and his love for the older, pretty 16 year old Maggie, is jepordized by her love the football captain Cappy. Brilliant performances.
  • 8. The Sure Thing
    Just fresh off his directorial hit, This Is Spinal Tap, Rob Reiner struck again with this little-known romantic comedy starring the impossible-not-to-love John Cusack, and the very-young Princess Vespa Zaphne Zuniga. The two star as Gig and Alison, who hate each other before their cross country trip together, but things change once they make their final destination.
  • 7. Say Anything
    John Cusack is sweet, sensitive, and right on the money with his portrayl of Lloyd Dobler, the loveable buddy whose undecided future and loveto Diane Court, the straight-A student bound for England, makes us fall in love with him.
  • 6. Midnight Run
    Robert DeNiro and Charles Grodin are absolutely HILARIOUS as they run from the police, mob, FBI, and at the same time, trying desperetly not to run from each other! DeNiro sparkles in this unusually light-hearted role.
  • 5. Stand By Me
    Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell, and Kiefer Sutherland were excellent in this sleeper, but River Phoenix was just incredibley PERFECT as tough-guy Chris Chambers.
  • 4. The Goonies
    The best in comedy/adventure, with hilarious scenes always followed by thrilling narrow escapes, especially the Water Slide scene!
  • 3. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
    Three words:TWIST AND SHOUT!
  • 2. Breakfast Club
    Classic, simply classic. John Hughes reached his prime with this and #3
  • 1. Indian Jones Trilogy
    The Ultimate '80s trilogy, especially becuase of Harrison Ford. Forget Han Solo, make way for Indy! (I mean, Henry Jones Jr!)
Some other great '80s movies definately worth mentioning:A FIsh Called Wanda, Back to the Future, Beverly Hills Cop, Blues Brothers, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Romancing the Stone, Running on Empty, WarGames, and alas, Weird Science!
By: Joel W.
Honorable mention:Stand By Me, St. Elmo's Fire, Space Balls, About Last Night, War Games, Revenge of the Nerds, and Taps.
By: Aneesa
  • 10. All the Right Moves
    You'll notice a trend with some of the movies on this list. See if you can guess what i'm talking about
  • 9. Risky Business
    No Comment
  • 8. Dead Poets Socitey
    Robin Williams was awesom in this movie, and it was just so touching. I wish i had a teacher like that
  • 7. Batman
    Nicholson rules!
  • 6. The Little Mermaid
    My favorite Disney movie.
  • 5. Rain Man
    Dustin Hoffman was so good in this movie. Wait, "good" can't even begin to describe his job in this movie, maybe phenomenal (i don't think i spelled it right)
  • 4. Back to the Future parts one and two
    I love it!! Micheal J. Fox is such a cutie!! The movie is hysterical.
  • 3. Top Gun
    Not only is the movie itself good, but Tom Cruise, and Val Kilmer. Need I say more??
  • 2. The Breakfast Club
    What Eighties movie list is complete without "The Breakfast Club?? Everyone I know who grew up in this period has seen this movie at least ten times.
  • 1. Can't Buy Me Love
    The songs (Billy Idol's Dancing With Myself), the clothes, the hair, the cars, everything about this movie says EIGHTIES!!! It's got a cool plot also.
My other favorites include A Few Good Men, all 3 of the Mighty Ducks movies, and Memphis Belle. (I know, I know, it's not eighties, but i had to mention it.) Another movie that deserves honorable mention is The Wedding Singer. Even though it was made in the 90's, it seems like it was in the 80's.
By: Dan
  • 10. Better Off Dead
    Guilty pleasures. John Hughes' most delightful film and one of his lesser known (to non-eighties members)."I want my two dollars"
  • 9. Aliens
    The most intense movie of the decade. "Game over man!"
  • 8. Bull Durham
    Sex, laughs and baseball, what more can you ask for?"I heard you couldn't hit water if you fell out of a F%#@*%G boat."
  • 7. The Right Stuff
    Fantastic epic endeavor of the space race. Sam shephard is magnificent. "You know what makes these birds go up? Funding makes these birds go up."
  • 6. Mississippi Burning
    The best performance of the 80's from my favorite actor. How he didn't win an oscar is another mystery. ""What has four I's and can't see...Mississippi"
  • 5. The Princess Bride
    How this movie works is a bizarre mystery, and makes it all the more appealing. "My name is Indigo Montoya, you killed my father. Prepare to die."
  • 4. Say Anything
    John Cusak!!! The perfect eighties actor. "Joe lies, when he cries"
  • 3. Hoosiers
    My favorite movie from my favorite actor, Gene Hackman. "I'll make it"
  • 2. Raiders of the Lost Ark
    The perfect action movie. Every scence, no matter how wild, works to glorious perfection. "it's not the age, it's the mileage."
  • 1. The Empire Strikes Back
    The best of a sacred trilogy. The Hoth battle scenes are spectacular. "Do or do not. There is no try."
By: Adam Harper
  • 10. Stand By Me
    1986, The best buddy film ever
  • 9. Ghostbusters
    1984, I chear everytime when they destroy the Mr. Stay Puff
  • 8. Ferris Buelers Day Off
    1986, Aside form Raiders I have seen this movie the most...150+
  • 7. Back to the Future
    1985
  • 6. Clue
    1985, The best closing line in movie history "I'm gonna go home and sleep with my wife"-Mr Green (the gay guy)
  • 5. The Empire Strikes Back
    1980, Best of the series
  • 4. The Breakfast Club
    1985, Watching this movie with people who have it memorized is the best!!
  • 3. When Harry Met Sally
    1989, Perfect date movie
  • 2. Dangerous Liasons
    1988, This wasn't on their either AAAAAHHHHH
  • 1. Raiders of the Lost Ark
    1981, I can't believe this was not on any ones top 10
Honorable Mentions:Pump up the Volume, Beatlejuice, Silverado, Temple of Doom, The Last Crusade
By: Aaron Vincent
By: Danilo Kovilic
  • 10. Back to the Future
    So take me away...I don't mind...But you better promise me I'll be back in time...
  • 9. Fast Times at Ridgemont High
    Mike Damone's a little prick!!!
  • 8. Top Gun
    First time i crashed and burned...and the second? I don't know yet, but it's looking good so far...
  • 7. Ferris Bueller
    Hail ye, Pharoah...Let my Cameron go...
  • 6. Labrynth
    You remind me of the babe...Babe, what babe? Babe with the power...power voodoo? No you do...Do What? Remind me of the babe...
  • 5. Goonies
    that statue...ha, ha...
  • 4. Some Kind of Wonderful
    A tear rolled down my eye...
  • 3. Stand By Me
    It almost happened to me in the exact same way...
  • 2. Pretty in Pink
    She really was pretty in pink...
  • 1. The Breakfast Club
    Don't You...Forget about me....Don't, Don't, Don't Don't...
I can't go without mentioning Sleepaway Camp...the sickest horror movie of all time...
By: Amanda
Most of these are in no particular order! All very good films in one respect or another
By: LUKE SEXY MF KEINZLEY
  • 10. Ghostbusters
    What a combination! Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray and Ivan Reitman! an absolute classic, unchallenging, fun and highly enjoyable! who would have thought that marshmallow could be so destructive?
  • 9. Gremlins
    One of my personal favourites and I think if they'll admit it, it's everyone's favourite. ignore the dissapointing sequel, sit back and enjoy a veritable feast, but make sure you watch it before midnight! who could forget the cinema scene? pure cinematic brilliance!
  • 8. Nightmare On Elm Street
    The thing that makes this film so great and seperate from all the other tired slasher movies of that time was the originality of the killer, a dead guy in your dreams as opposed to a guy in a mask with a knife, it had been done so many times before and this was a refreshing and new idea. stars the wonderfully marvellous Johnny Depp.
  • 7. The Evil Dead
    Tiny budget, took four years to make but it was worth it! the goriest, most violent and at the same time genuinely funny horror film. this film requires a strong stomach and a sick sense of humour! Stars the brilliant Bruce Campbell
  • 6. Beetlejuice
    Again Tim Burton works his magic, a fantastic, side splittingly hilarious ghost story with great characterisation and a wonderful performance from Keaton as the title character. wonderful visual effects, essential to any collection.
  • 5. The Sure Thing
    JOHN CUSACK!!!!! this man is the bees knees and I am yet to see him in a film that I don't like! this is the definitive 80's teen flick with a wonderful performance from Cusack. the magic of this movie is that his character is so charming and likable but sensitive as well. a lovely gushy ending, the perfect late night beer movie, curl up with your boy/girlfriend, whatever your preference! for more cusack at his best check out Con Air and the fantastic Grosse Pointe Blank.
  • 4. Batman
    The mighty Tim Burton at his best, with an unusual choice for the part of Batman, he chose Michael Keaton who before this was a stand up comedian. however, Keaton took on the role and made it his own in a truly memorable performance as the Dark Knight. this is the best of them all, Batman Returns is a very good sequel but avoid the other two like the plague. Batman Forever is tolerable but only because it has a slight Burton influence due to him producing it.
  • 3. Aliens
    Another classic starring Michael Biehn and Bill Paxton. one of James Camaron's best films before he went all commercial with that crap money making machine that went by the name of TITANIC. fantastic special effects for the era and not one to watch while eating.
  • 2. The Terminator
    A stunning piece of science fiction/action, although far fetched, this film is very prophetic what with the scientific advances we have made since it's release in 1984, it is also responsible for bringing Michael Biehn to my attention."I'll be back" became a household quote!
  • 1. An American Werewolf In London
    The pure genius of this film was John Landis' ability to make the comedy moments hilarious and the horror moments terrifying thus providing the perfect combination of the two preventing it from becoming cheesy.
MORE CUSACK! MORE DEPP! MORE CAMPBELL! All the best, email me, all movie buffs like myself
By: Mik
By: Miranda
By: Mina Williams
  • 10. The Empire Strikes Back
    I had such a crush on Luke Skywalker when I saw this. I like the battle scene between him and Darth Vader, very dramatic.
  • 9. Splash
    A sweet movie. I first saw Tom Hanks in this movie and he's been one of my favorite actors ever since, along with Darelle Hannah(Wrong Spelling, I know).
  • 8. Terminator
    Although I like the second one better, this one is a classic and started the whole thing.
  • 7. Batman
    The best out of all of them. I was so sad when the Joker had to die.
  • 6. Princess Bride
    A sweet little love story with lots of humor. I always thought it was cute.
  • 5. Legend
    Hauntingly beautiful and very dream-like.
  • 4. Neverending Story
    The music is wonderful and the story line is very clever and entertaining.
  • 3. Ghostbusters
    I first saw this in the theater when I was about five and it scared me. But now I think its one of the funniest movies I have ever seen.
  • 2. Back to the Future 1 2 3
    I can watch these all a million times and never get sick of them.
  • 1. Labyrinth
    My all time favorite. David Bowie is too hot for words and the scenes are beautiful. The story goes a lot deeper than most would think, too.
By: Pam Kelly
  • 10. The World According to Garp
    This film was Robin Williams first time seen as a dramatic actor. My first time noticing Glen Close and John Lithgow too. Bonky bit Garp!
  • 9. Princess Bride
    A fairy tale come to life. It's easy to get swept away with this film. PLUS!Cary Elwes is soooo hot!
  • 8. American Werewolf in London
    Forget Freddie & Jason ... the comedy and terror work well together in this 80's must see.
  • 7. Risky Business
    The loss of innocence of the 70's with the get rich quick thinking of the 80's. Cruise in his underwear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 6. Stripes
    Bill Murray at is wise-ass best. Anyone young and enlisted sang do wah diddy as they marched in the 80's.
  • 5. Big
    Tom Hanks was very believable as the kid trying to survive in a grown up world. His innocence was beautiful.
  • 4. Dangerous Liasons
    Truly decadent period piece in which true love triumphs.
  • 3. Raising Arizona
    Coen Bros, Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter, and cast give a twisted view of Parenthood.
  • 2. Blade Runner
    Wonderful mix of Sci-fi and Film Noir. Ridley Scott's best.
  • 1. After Hours
    This movie is so wierd. It will keep you on the edge of your seat because just when you think it can't get any weirder .. it DOES!!!!
I wanted to add At Close Range, Splash, Night Shift, and Color Purple. 10 films aren't enough!
By: Sinead

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