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: Jimmy Sanderson
  • 10. Red Dawn
    Patrick Swayze is a stud in this movie. Plays up the US Vs. Russia theme so prevalent in the 80's. Great cast with Swayze, Charlie Sheen, Lea Thompson, Jennifer Gray and Darren Daulton.
  • 9. Weird Science
    Anthony Michael Hall played the nerdy guy perfectly. Every high school kids dream to bring to life a hot girl that will do anything they say.
  • 8. Return of the Jedi
    The culmination of the trilogy. Pulls at you with Yoda dying and then Luke fighting and saving his father.
  • 7. Goonies
    Every kids dream adventure. Sloth is an immortal character. You can watch this one over and over and never get sick of it.
  • 6. Sixteen Candles
    Plays up the 80's high school scene which makes it great, as well as introducing us to Long Duck Don.
  • 5. Back to the Future
    Great show with Dr. Emmit Brown giving us some good lines like 1.21 jigowatts. Sequels never matched the original.
  • 4. Top Gun
    One of the best action packed movies ever! Totally plays off the 80's theme of US-Good vs. Rest of World-Bad. Kelly McGillis is very hot in this movie!
  • 3. The Empire Strikes Back
    Sequel to one of the best movies ever made! Plus we get introduced to Yoda, Boba Fett and Lando Calrissian and see Han and Princess Leia admit their love.
  • 2. Breakfast Club
    Brought every group of high school kids from the eighties together. I didn't go to high school in the eighties, this movie makes me wish I did.
  • 1. Karate Kid
    Daniel's Wardrobe has Eighties written all over it. The Cobras are totally eighties with their body language and slang. Gave us classic lines like " Wax on, Wax off", and "The enemy deserves no mercy" and "Hey it's the eighties!" (When Daniel lets Allie drive his car)
I just want to say the 80's rule, unforutnately I was too young to remember most of it. Also the Outsiders, The Last Starfighter, Pretty In Pink, and Dirty Dancing barely get left off this list
By: Lissa
  • 10. Stand By Me
    It's really good.
  • 9. Pretty in Pink
    What was up with that pink dress? She looked like a cow! Other than that it was cute.
  • 8. Better Off Dead
    His interpretations are hilarious.
  • 7. Say Anything
    Really funny.
  • 6. The Outsiders
    Tons-o-hoties. I actually got to see it in school!
  • 5. Ghost
    Every time I see it, it makes me cry, "It's amazing, the love comes with you."
  • 4. Dirty Dancing
    Someone said Patrick Swayze ruined the movie but he made it.
  • 3. Secret Admirer
    The ending is so awesomely romantic!
  • 2. Sixteen Candles
    That's a movie I wish everyone would see.
  • 1. The Litlle Mermaid
    ...And proud of it!
By: Andy
  • 10. Caddyshack
    Im a big Bill Murray fan, I've got this on video and watch it a lot, totally hilarious
  • 9. Gregorys Girl
    I have to mention it because I'm Scottish, but its a great film, up there with the best of the teen movies from the States
  • 8. Porky's
    This was a brilliant comedy, the shower scene was hilarious. terrible sequels though
  • 7. Goodfellas
    after this. I know its 1990, but youll let me off with a bit of luck. This is one of the best of the last 2 decades
  • 6. Raging Bull
    this film is in a different class, probably Scorcese's best
  • 5. Ferris Buellers Day Off
    I loved all of the John Hughes teen films, but this one was the funniest
  • 4. Robocop
    This was one of the first movies of its kind that i seen as a kid, couldnt get enough of the violent action, although i was scared of ED209
  • 3. Highlander
    What can I say, im a Scot! great film, pity about the sequels
  • 2. The Goonies
    I loved this one, I watched it a hell of a lot. It was on tv over here on boxing day, its still as brilliant as it always was, it comes a close second to Star Wars
  • 1. The Empire Strikes Back
    I watched the Star Wars films so much as a kid its not funny. Class.
By: Jeff Davis
  • 10. Willow
    I know, I know, cheesy, but it still hits me. I love this movie, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Val Kilmer is a true bad ass in this movie.
  • 9. Fast Times At Ridgemont High
    I hate Mrk, but the movie was good. A lot of good eighties characters. The girl from Gremlins and Becky from Better Off Dead, and of course, Judge/
  • 8. Weird Science
    Much better than the TV show. Although Vanessa Angel does more for me
  • 7. Breakfast Club
    The brat pack does it again.
  • 6. Sixteen Candles
    Everyone roots for the geek. Anthony Michael Hall plays this character perfectly.
  • 5. Back to the Future
    This is one movie that I can never get sick of, I always find myself watching it every time I see it on TBS or USA.
  • 4. Better Off Dead
    Great movie, Shows what every teen feels inside. Favorite line:"Gee, I'm sorry your mom blew up her face Ricky".
  • 3. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
    I know this movie like the back of my hand. A great movie that keeps the laughs coming. Mathew Broderik's finest performance, besides the cable guy bullshit.
  • 2. Princess Bride
    Great movie, action packed and good plot. How can there be a better eighties movie, it's almost "inconcivible".
  • 1. The Goonies
    This movie raised me. No movie defines the eighties:rebellion adventure and sticking with your friends> "Hey you guys"
By: Missy Moore
By: Rhonda
  • 10. Night of the Comet
  • 9. Dirty Dancing
    Baby transformed from the "ugly duckling" to the "beautiful swan" in this movie. And I sure loved to see Patrick move.
  • 8. Brewster's Millions
    Richard Pryor has always cracked me up. And John Candy? 'nough said.
  • 7. Back to the Future
    My favorite Spielberg movie
  • 6. Crocodile Dundee
    "He's got a knive!" "That's not a knive...." Paul Hogan has some killer blue eyes.
  • 5. Caddyshack
    One of my favorite movie quotes of all time:Rodney Dangerfield on the dance floor of the "club":"Dance of the Living Dead!"
  • 4. Coming to America
    Hysterical!
  • 3. Sixteen Candles
    One of the funniest teenage movies ever! Farmer Ted:"Where the hell am I"? Caroline:"You're across the street from my church." Farmer Ted:"You own a church?" I laugh still whenever I see it. I thought "Jake" was so cute. I so wanted someone in a red porsche to come and sweep me off my feet!
  • 2. Amadeus
    This is probably one of my favorite movies of all time. The acting was brilliant. No wonder it won a bizillion academy awards.
  • 1. Purple Rain
    The clothes, the dancing, the look. It just brings back a flood of happy, teenage memories from 1984 whenever I see this movie.
By: Eileen Hogan
  • 10. Dream a Little Dream
    This is such a good idea for a movie, the switching places of two strangers who hate eachother, and then come to understand one another.
  • 9. The Princess Bride
    I love this movie, comedy mixed in with a great medieval settings.
  • 8. The Labyrinth
    Fantasy again, this is the number on genre of the 80's.
  • 7. Say Anything
    I love John Cussak, he is wonderful in this film , and what a brilliant plot.
  • 6. Willow
    This movie is another great fantasy film, the setting was gorgeous, and the brownies were hilarious.
  • 5. Real Genius
    I never thought Val Kilmar could be in a comedy, but he pulls it off like a fantastic actor.
  • 4. The Goonies
    This is a fantastic adventure story, the kids are real, and the plot is brilliant.
  • 3. The Breakfast Club
    This is so a classic, one cannot make a top ten list without this film.
  • 2. Girls Just Want To Have Fun
    This movie is great, superb dancing, great plot, and fantastic characters.
  • 1. The NeverEnding Story
    This, movie is awesome, it intertwines fantasy with reality w/ perfection.
Another Honerable Mention would have to be all the "Back to the Future" films. They are classics, it would be interesting to see what the world would be like with out them.
By: Murry Chief
  • 10. Star Wars 1 and 345
    obiwan"luke use the force
  • 9. critters1234
    munch munch
  • 8. LadyHawke
    the part where they see each other at dawn just as each other changes
  • 7. The Last Star Fighter
  • 6. The Never Ending Story
    Sebastien"faster falgar"
  • 5. Conan 1 2
    Conan"I'll have my own kingdom, my own castle, and my Queen"
  • 4. Date With An Angel
    she flys from heaven into space hittin a telescope and crashes into a pool and near the end of the movie she flys off a cliff into the sun
  • 3. Splash
    "she doesn't speak english" "hello...alex" " uhmm sounds like english to m"e "how'd you " "I learn from the T.V." "do you have a name? What do I call you?" "its hard to say in your language" "how do you say your name in your language?, Can you speak it" "Ok....EEEEEEARGHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEARGHHHHHEEEEEE"
  • 2. Supergirl
    Jimmy"Hi names jimmy olsen" linda lee "Im kara" jimmy an "who?" "oh..Im concern"
  • 1. Superman 1234
    Lois "How big are you....I mean how tall?" Superman "Pink" Lois "wha..oh" Superman "your underwear is pink"
Labyrinth, DarkCrystal, Krull, Dune, Masters of the Universe, The Howling
By: Sofia Ballesteros
By: LeeLee
Wow...the 80's were so awesome. Being a filmmaker, I've seen and studied all the trends, and 90's cinema is (was I guess) so maudlin. It's all gritty gritty gritty, and everyone wants drama and dysfunction and takes themselves way too seriously. cause, as the Indigo Girls would say, "it's only life after all." The 80s were a decade where people looked at life and said, hey, this isn't so bad, and so the cinema really reflected a different side of humanity. it wasn't as superficially deep, but it had so much more meaning, because it was about what life is really like...which is, really like, an ok thing, because when you think about it, it is only life after all, and it really isn't so bad. :)
By: Ryan Brown
  • 10. Splash
    " Oh and, Mrs Gordons seafood called, they would like to speak with you."
  • 9. Fletch
    " Yes, I'm John Cok-tos-tosden"
  • 8. Uncle Buck
    " Ever heard of a ritual killing, he...he...he...he"
  • 7. Ghostbusters
    " Listen,...You smell something?"
  • 6. Airplane II
    " Lunar shuttle tickets-lunar shuttle tickets, I got em by the isle-on the window, cmon, lunar shuttle tickets-lunar shuttle tickets
  • 5. Red Dawn
    " WOLVERINES!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
  • 4. Trading Places
    "...yeah, I was in sang-bang, gang-gong, special-unit-aiborne batallion,...my name was agent orange, yeah agent orange."
  • 3. Better Off Dead
    " Gee Ricky, I'm sorry I blew up your mom"
  • 2. The Blues Brothers
    "You traded the Bluesmobile for this,...No I traded it for a microphone,...Oh, I can see that."
  • 1. Spies Like Us
    " I was to understand there would be no math in this interview"
Timeless flicks; the only movies I can watch over and over came out of the eighties.
By: Chuck
  • 10. Born On The Fourth Of July
    Tom Cruise playes Ron Kovic a Vietnam Veteran whose not the same after returning from the war.He has emotional scars,and is condemed in a wheelchair. This is a great performance by Tom Cruise all of his movies are great a BRILLANT ACTOR except for one which is Interview With A Vanpire did'nt like it.It takes you on a emotional rollercoaster. CLASSIC MOVIE
  • 9. RoadHouse
    This is a KICK BUTT CLASSIC MOVIE I loved the storyline it's fresh and has alot of action I think this is one of Patrick Swayze best movie that he's ever made I like the way that him and Sam Elliot are best of buds and have a mutual respect for one another and their craft.This is a typical for Guys who like Guys movies.This has to go down as one of the BEST FIGHT SCENES OF ALL TIME PERIOD.
  • 8. D.C. CAB
    This movie was a blast it was hilarious it's about a cab company going out of buisness and the worst cab company around they try to stick togeher thru thick"n"thin they find a violin in one of the cabs and the person who lost it puts a reward out to whoever finds it then when they find it they fight over what they are going to do with the reward money take the money and split or put it into the cab company and save the company from closing down and becoming partners.My favorite parts of the movie is when Adam Baldwin playing Albert,and Charlie Barnett playing Tyrone,Tyrone asks Albert there are three things you must do to become a blood brother first you must have your specialized licence,get a mask,and third you must go on the run!They first get the cab on the railroad tracks then they must drive on it as long as they can until they see a train coming then they get off the railroad tracks.The train starts coming they panic and their cab gets stuck on the tracks then their trying to get out but Albert's jacket sleeve gets caught on the car door handle Albert is saying to Tyrone to get out and save yourself Tyrone hears that and stops trying to get out of the cab and tries to help Albert getting his jacket sleeve out but it's to late the train starts roaring down the railroad tracks scared out of their mind it gets closer to the cab all of a sudden it's on another track their both yelling,and sweating the next thing you know Tyrone says I knew it was on the other track all along then he passes out. It was so hilarious I started to laugh so hard that my eyes where watering my mom even started to laugh and she's hard to please when it comes to comedies.Another part is when their trying to find out where Albert is Mr.T and the Barbarian Twins go to the wrong house and breaks through the front door and the two windows at the same time.Theirs a pretty good cast Max Gail,Adam Baldwin,Mr.T,The Barbarian Twins, Gary Busey, Bill Maher, Paul Rodriguez,Charlie Barnett he's one of them that makes the movie,and Marsha Warfield to round out the cast. A CLASSIC MOVIE
  • 7. The Outsiders
    This movie is awesome I saw it for the first time in high school in my English class.It's about two groups the Greasers,and the Socs.The Greasers came from the rough side of town broken homes,with little hope for the future the ones that did'nt belong they just had one another to lean on.Then you had the Socs with the tough cars,the rich kids,the lucky ones with all the brakes.I loved how they were a close unit,true buddies,and how they stuck together.My favorite parts of the movie was first when Matt Dillon was trying to pickup Cherry Valiance played by Diane Lane which she's hot! told Dallas to leave her alone and Matt Dillon persist And Ralph Macchio plays Johnny Cade tells Dallas to knock it off and leave her alone and how he listens to Johnny because Matt Dillons character would'nt listen to anybody else and the respect that he gives Ralph Macchios character when he leaves her alone Powerful Stuff thats the True Buddyship.Another part is when they risk their lives to save a bunch of kids from a burning building it shows that they are Human and that the label Greasers was just that a label and that people are people,and how the Socs viewed them differently after that,and the Socs were viewed differently when Randy played by Darren Dalton asked Ponyboy Played by C.Thomas Howell if his friend may die. Another part is of course the Rumble excellent fight scene and the camera view on them before the fight scene the expressions on their face says it all. Last part when Tom Cruise plays Steve asks Two Bit played by Emilio Estevez beer for breakfast Two Bit.AN ALL STAR CAST you don't see them very often. This movie would catapult the young actors[The Brat Pack] into SUPERSTARDOM.
  • 6. Sixteen Candles
    I loved this movie personally I think this was Molly Ringwalds best performance in a movie I think Molly Ringwald is a sexy red head with a sexy voice.I thought this movie was hilarious.Anthony Michael Hall was brillant as usual specially being King Of The Dipshits. John Cusack was excellent in the movie as well.And making Long"Duk"Dong a household name. And Caroline was Pretty Hot.A Classic Movie
  • 5. The Breakfast Club
    I loved this movie because it deals with teenage high school kids and how they are percieved by one another.Remembering when I was in high school how you had the labeling of the groups you hung out with.Like the Preppies,Jocks,Freaks,and the Nerds and like the movie where it was not the thing to do hanging around other groups that you did'nt belong to.And like the movie where Anthony Michael Hall Narrates the story you see us as you want to see us in simplist terms an athelete,princess,brain,a basketcase, and a criminal that's how we saw us at 7:ooa.m. My Favorite part in the movie where their all sitting around together and telling each one why their in detention and getting to know one another better and also finding out that each one of them are having to deal with lifes problems, and the pressures that goes with being a teenager in high school. This movie makes you laugh,cry, and laugh some more. Judd Nelson Stoled the show he was brillant.Anthony Michael Hall,Emilio Estevez, Molly Ringwald,and Ally Sheedy had powerful peformances in the movie.By the way when I was in high school I basically hung around with each group having friends that would and including myself would be categorized in one of these groups I'm not into labels I found out people are just people. a brat backer great.
  • 4. Porky's 1-2-3
    This movie is excellent I liked it because it makes me think back when I was in high school all the crazy things we use to do. I love how these guys were a tight unit really true buddies or friends it makes me think back when I was in high school how you hung with your buddies it was a close unit and how you did stuff together or go to places together.And all the pranks they used to pull on one another and who forget the famous shower scenes.Plus the issues they faced in the movie like racism,abusive parent,and sex taking place in the 1950's.And yet it's a hilarious,funny movie.A True Classic Movie.
  • 3. Weird Science
    This movie from start to finish had you rolling on the floor and laughing so hard that your eyes would water.Anthony Michael Hall is a brillant actor and Ian Mitchell Smith was excellent along with Bill Paxton who is another brillant actor your stewed butt wad and who can forget the hot babe Kelly Lebrock as Lisa.If anybody has'nt seen this movie yet needs to rent it out. I got it as a Christmas gift I watch it all the time. A True Classic.
  • 2. Return Of The Jedi
    The Star Wars Trilogy is still the best of all time.With each successor becoming a blockbuster smash.The Star Wars Trilogy will stand the test of time.
  • 1. The Empire Srikes Back
    I felt that the first three movies of the trilogy were awesome.Well written it had the greatest special effects of its time and the characters were all unbelievable.this is the first time in my book that the sequels were equally as awesome as the original.
This should be categorized as your favorite top ten movies in action,drama,comedy,horror,sci-fi,.There's too many movies to chose from in just all together it would be some what easier if they were your top ten in each category.I must name a few Die Hard Bruce Willis Is BRILLANT,St.Elmos Fire another Brat Packer Winner,Goonies,Rambo First Blood,Leathal Weapon,Major League,Tango and Cash,Johnny Dangerously,My Body )
By: Rhyne
  • 10. Top Gun
    True 80's movie.
  • 9. Lean on Me
    Now that is a deep movie.
  • 8. Caddy Shack/Fletch/Ghostbusters/Spies Like Us
    Four of the best comedies ever.
  • 7. Back to the Future Trilogy
    All three movies were what the 80's was about.
  • 6. Terminator
    This movie set the trend for action movies.
  • 5. Platoon
    Best war movie made untill Saving Private Ryan came out in 1999.
  • 4. Dirty Harry Trilogy
    This includes Sudden Imapact & The Dead Pool movies in the 80's. SHOOT THEM UP CLINT.
  • 3. Indiana Jones Trilogy
    This includes Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, & Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. No one does it like Harrison Ford.
  • 2. Mad Max Trilogy
    This includes Max Max, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, & The Road Warrior. Mel at his best. A new Mad Max film is to be released in 2001.
  • 1. Empire Strikes Back & Return of the Jedi
    Two of the greatest movies ever! Too bad the greatest movie(Star Wars) was filmed in the 70's.
The 80's was the greatest era for movies and music. Generation X rules.......
By: Carter
By: Steve Cook
  • 10. The Lost Boys
    Horror Comedy of the highest order. Amazing film, with one of the best Soundtracks ever!
  • 9. Mannequin
    Feel-good film of the 80's.
  • 8. Beverly Hills Cop
    Not as good as Running Scared, but still excellent. Eddie Murphy at his best.
  • 7. Stakeout
    One of the best comedies of the deacade.
  • 6. The Empire strikes back
    Amazingly Dark, again the best of the Star Wars film's.
  • 5. The Last Crusade( Indiana Jones)
    Harrison Ford AND Sean Connery! Unmissable adventure.
  • 4. Aliens
    The 2nd of the 4 films and without doubt the best.
  • 3. Back to the Future part 2
    The best of the Trilogy
  • 2. The Secret of my Success
    Michael J Fox is the best!
  • 1. Running Scared
    The Best film ever!
Watch Running Scared. Almost in the 80's, was the film The Warriors which was released in 1979, which has to be the second greatest film of all time!
By: Robyn Collins
  • 10. PeeWee's Big Adventure
    There's things about me you couldn't know, things about me you shouldn't know....
  • 9. Beaches
    tearjerker for sure
  • 8. Breakin'
    oh how i wanted to be "special K"
  • 7. Footloose
    everybody cut, everybody cut, everybody cut... footloose. that wren mccormick sure was a rebel, what a babe.
  • 6. Dead Poet's Society
    so stirring...
  • 5. Pretty in Pink
    Oh, Blane, why couldn't you have been more true to yourself and your girl from the beginning.?
  • 4. Back to the Future
    What a classic, and you know i had those Michael J. Fox posters from my Tiger Beat magazine all over my bedroom walls, and registered to win his jacket from the movie.
  • 3. American Anthem
    Thought we'd see big things from Mitch Gaylord
  • 2. Sixteen Candles
    There was no Jake Ryan at my high school... what a shame.
  • 1. ST. Elmo's Fire
    Felt so grown up watching it, and understanding the "complexities of their relationships...
By: Daniel Biehl
  • 10. First Blood (Rambo 1)
    Sometimes the first movie is the best movie.
  • 9. Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Kahn
    Good story, good directing and ILM did the visuals. The whole Spock death scene brought a tear to my eye. Sniff.
  • 8. Tremors
    Killer worms. Need I say more?
  • 7. Highlander
    Cool story idea, Sean Connery, and music by Queen. What more could you ask for in a movie?
  • 6. Terminator (or T1)
    James Cameron and Arnold make a good team in my opinion.
  • 5. Raiders of the Lost Ark
    Everybody needs a good action flick for some good ol' fashion escapism.
  • 4. The Empire Strikes Back
    Yes, I enjoyed the Star Wars Trilogy but this one had substance and didn't have ewoks (or Jar Jar). Sheesh.
  • 3. Better off Dead
    It was very funny for such a morbid subject.
  • 2. Predator
    A rather good Arnold movie.
  • 1. Back to the Future
    I like the whole concept of the time travling movie.
This is, in no way, in any order and I left out a lot of other movies like "View to a Kill" or "Young Sherlock Holmes." There are probably more too.
By: Justin James
While not exactly good films, honorable mentions must be made for Weird Science, Better Off Dead, Ghostbusters, and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.
By: Steve
  • 10. Fletch
    More Chase one liners
  • 9. Fast Times at Ridgemont High
    Hilarious when Cage is in it for a second
  • 8. Glory
    Very good but with some major historical inaccuracies
  • 7. Dead Poet's Society
    Very inspiring
  • 6. Stand By Me
    A good movie that shows a coming of age story about young kids.
  • 5. Back to the Future
    Another classic that needs no explanation
  • 4. Lonesome Dove
    If you never saw this western, watch it. It's a long movie but well worth it.
  • 3. National Lampoon's Vacation
    Just hilarious. Chase's one liners are classic
  • 2. The Burbs
    One of the most underrated comedies
  • 1. Goonies
    A classic

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