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: Smooth
By: rotten s. milk
  • 10. Top Gun
    Tom Cruise at his best!
  • 9. The Blues Brothers
    "We're on a mission from God."
  • 8. The Princess Bride
    An excellent fairy tale movie.
  • 7. Amadeus
    Excellent Best Picture Winner of 1984.
  • 6. Gandhi
    Winner of 8 Academy Awards including Best Picture for 1982.
  • 5. Raging Bull
    Robert De Niro deserved the Oscar. But the fact is that this movie lost the Best Picture Oscar to "Ordinary People" in 1980 is probably a disappointment just like "The Graduate" (one of my favorite movies) lost to "In The Heat Of The Night" in 1967.
  • 4. Spaceballs
    Funniest "Star Wars" parody!
  • 3. WarGames
    Excellent thriller. Young Matthew Broderick at his best!
  • 2. National Lampoon's Vacation
    Chevy Chase at his prime as the obsessive geek father!
  • 1. Ghostbusters
    My absolute favorite 1980's movie. Who ya gonna call? Ghostbusters!!!
Honorable mentions: "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", "Trading Places", "Romancing The Stone", "Moonstruck", and so on from the 1980s.
By: Lee Sanders
  • 10. Young Guns (1988)
    Directed by Chrisopher Cain: Action-packed, violent, gunslinging, Western
  • 9. Conan the Barbarian (1982)
    Directed by John Milius: Some people think just because Arnold is in this film, it's a bad movie, but it's actually very good.
  • 8. Where the Buffalo Roam (1980)
    Directed by Art Linson: Overall bad movie, but it was about Hunter S. Thompson and Oscar "Zeta" Accosta, so it deserves to be mentioned.
  • 7. Vacation (1983)
    Directed by Harold Ramis: One of the funniest movie from the 80's and is high above the rest of the cheesy Vacation movies.
  • 6. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
    Directed by Wes Craven: Classic horror
  • 5. The Lost Boys (1987)
    Directed by Joel Schumacher: Ever since I saw this movie, I wanted to be a vampire
  • 4. Platoon (1986)
    Directed by Oliver Stone: Showed the more realistic side of war like the ants, the killing of innocent people, and the drugs.
  • 3. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
    Directed by Stanley Kubrick: Shows the process of turning young American boys into killers
  • 2. The Shining (1980)
    Directed by Stanley Kubrick: A masterpeice of modern horror
  • 1. Blue Velvet (1986)
    Directed by David Lynch: "It's a strange world."
There's a fair amount of other movies from the 80's, but I just can't think of them now.
By: Lisa
By: Allison
By: Monja
  • 10. Die Hard
    Bruce Willis: dirty, sweaty, blood-stained and soooooooo sexy
  • 9. Spaceballs
    Best genre parody ever
  • 8. Back to the future
    Grab a coke and a bucket of popcorn, sit back and let yourself be entertained
  • 7. Dragnet
    Anybody remember the small car they are provided with, the YUGO ? For years I only thought of it as a funny scene. But some day I was sitting in a train waiting to leave the station. I looked out of the window and what do you think I saw just next to my train ? A train full of the exact same cars the used on "Dragnet" and there really was a sign saying "Yugo" on each of them !
  • 6. Blues Brothers
    It's dark and we are wearing sunglasses
  • 5. Star Wars: The empire strikes back
    Han Solo forever !
  • 4. Princess Bride
    Come on, who didn't love Cary Elwes saying: As you wish
  • 3. Raiders of the lost Ark
    I fell in love with Harrison Ford, when I first saw Raiders
  • 2. Dead Poets Society
    I went to see this movie with a friend. We had planned to go to a bar afterwards to just hang out. At the door to the bar we looked at each other and decided that neither could go in. We just wanted to get home and think about what we had just watched. If there was ever a movie that influenced my life, this was it.
  • 1. The Breakfast Club
    I guess everybody knows why, right ? Plus: extra credits for "Don't you ( forget about me )" Was there ever a song more perfect for a movie ?
By: Rose Mae Turner
  • 10. BIG
    (1988) This is such a great one. It's kind of a tear jerker, though. Being a kid is a good thing. You shouldn't want to grow up too fast.
  • 9. Lean On Me
    (1989) This is one of the best movies. Anyone would enjoy it. Remarkable!
  • 8. Fame
    (1980) "I wanna live forever" Cool movie. Great dancers!
  • 7. E.T.
    (1982) The best movie which features an alien. I love E.T.!!!
  • 6. Can't Buy Me Love
    (1987) Such a sweet story with a great message. A must see!
  • 5. 16 Candles
    (1984) Molly was awesome. Anthony Michael Hall was sooo cute. I was born this year. Love the movie. The music was great.
  • 4. Lucas
    (1986) Love the plot. One of my faves.
  • 3. Fast Forward
    Phenominal Dancing! Don Franklin is a major hottie! Great movie!
  • 2. Flashdance
    (1983) Jennifer Beals. Awesome movie about never giving up your dream. Incredible music and the dancing was incredible!
  • 1. The Breakfast Club
    (1985) The Best Movie. Teens will forever love this one. It's a classic. The Brat Pack Rules!
Weird Science Pretty in Pink Heathers Footloose Dazed and Confused These were all good, too.
By: Caressa
  • 10. Ghostbusters 2
    Much better than the first...
  • 9. Back to the Future (pt 1 and 2)
    I must admit I like the second better than the first... it brings elements of the past AND the future in it. But both are spectacular
  • 8. Fast Times at Ridgemont High
    This movie screams 80s
  • 7. Sixteen Candles
    Very good movie for the 80s and for all of time. One of my favorites. Plus, Jake Ryan is hot
  • 6. The Goonies
    Great adventure flick. Very entertaining
  • 5. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
    Undescribable classic
  • 4. Top Gun
    My biggest wish was for some guy to sing to me in a bar like Maverick did
  • 3. The Breakfast Club
    It's amazing how awesome this movie is. There's about seven characters throughout the whole thing, which is even more amazing
  • 2. Can't Buy Me Love
    I like the story and the way it everything ends up in the end. Also, the African ritual dance he did
  • 1. Stand By Me
    One of the all time greatest movies. Great adventure
By: Matthew Ross
  • 10. Vertigo
    Beat out Notorious by a neck
  • 9. Red Desert
  • 8. The Wild Bunch
    It's not your word that counts; it's who you give it to...
  • 7. Taxi Driver
  • 6. Murmur Of The Heart
  • 5. Godfather II
    Part One's not bad either...!
  • 4. Rocco And His Brothers
  • 3. Citizen Kane
  • 2. Lawrence Of Arabia
    Only in 70mm!
  • 1. Mean Streets
These are only films that I've seen (obviously) There are many key films I haven't gotten to yet... this list will change every year...
By: kelly
et= horrible movie..how is a little ugly alien thing like that cute? one may never know.
By: V-MAX
  • 10. The Fly
  • 9. Heavy Metal
  • 8. Ruthless People
    Funny as hell!
  • 7. Leathal Weapon
    How com none of you guys mentioned this one? It's one of the best! Mel Gibson should have won an Oscar for his acting in this movie.
  • 6. Platoon Wanted Dead Or Alive
    Remember this one? Rudger Hower was the ex-CIA bounty hunter in chase of a terrorist (played by Gene Simmons). I really enjoyed the ending "clink! Fuck the bonus! Boom!" Who wouldn't want to do that to a Rag-head with bad intent?
  • 5. Top Gun
  • 4. Predator
    My favorite scene is where that big guy (played by Jessy Ventura) sprayed all that lead with the belt fed G.E. Minigun with a backpack full of ammo. Talk about firepower! Damn! Drop me in Afganistan with one of those babies and a couple gallons of Gateraid and I could have took out the Taliban all by myself!
  • 3. Rambo (Firstblood 2)
  • 2. Bloodsport
    For a martial arts movie, this one had class! Best of all it was based on a true story of Frank Dux (though surely a bit over dramatized). This was Van Dame's best. I own one of the few OOP CDs from this movie; great Techno with a touch of Rock!
  • 1. Terminator
    A villinous buffed man-like machine that just wouldn't die, and mercilously killed anybody who got in his way. Throw in a deep sci-fi plot, special effects, machine guns and a happy ending and you have the perfect Hollywood action movie.
By: Jeremy Pollutro
By: Nick
  • 10. Howard The Duck
    nobody ever gives props to this movie. i just don't know why!!! awesome plot idea, oh, and Lea Thompson is really hot as a rocker chick!!!
  • 9. St. Elmo's Fire
    only comment: The Brat Pack !!!
  • 8. Eddie And The Cruisers
    a film that was looked far beyond that i thought should have received more props than it did. a classic tale of the ups and downs the music business. bein' from Jersey and have family in the music business, this one always hits somethin.
  • 7. Say Anything
    gotta give props to John Cusack. post-grad really seeks into emotions and i felt ALMOST what Johnny boy felt for "Diane". totally awesome
  • 6. Ghostbusters
    Bill Murray is awesome in both films and u have to love Dan Akroid bein' character he played. awesome fit actually for everyone.
  • 5. Vision Quest
    An inspiring love story that gets every young guy's mind set into his own vision quest, the journey of the future. 1 of my semi-romantic favs.
  • 4. Mannequin
    Some may disagree, but i think this is one of the most romantic, comedy, films to hit the late 80s. i fell in love with the plot and to this day, the Starship song brings hope to my future.
  • 3. The Breakfast Club
    Being an older teen, this movie defines the glory days of what high school can create.
  • 2. Back To The Future Trilogy
    Probably 1 of the best in confusing plot lines ever, but every 80s fan HAS to love these films. Rob did a wonderful job and if anything else, u gotta love the DeLorean (my dream car)!!!
  • 1. Top Gun
    Not much to be said here, I gotta give this one every award possible. My opinion, 1 of the greatests ever !!!
This list is more of favorite Top 10s than overall Top 10s. I kinda didn't know how to approach it!!!
By: Sue Carnevale
  • 10. Splash
    Whimsical performance by Daryll Hanna and Tom Hanks, when this mermaid falls for human who trys to cover up her true identity.
  • 9. Blade Runner
    Another great Sci-fi
  • 8. Ghostbusters
    Sijourner Weaver is overwhelm with ghost and is assistanced by Dan Akroyd as her friend
  • 7. Ferris Beuller's Day Off
    How many 80's teenager would have wanted to play that role, if not real life.
  • 6. Real Science
    Quaky movies with some surprising twist it makes Frankinstein look like project for amateurs.
  • 5. Stand By Me
    Fun. It had the simplicities of boyish humor and the true meaning of friendship
  • 4. Goonies
    Cute
  • 3. Popeye
    Robin Williams could not have a better choice in this role. He brought the cartoon into life.
  • 2. Dune
    Great sci-fi.
  • 1. Beyond The Reef
    This particular movie doesn't stand out amongst the rest because the major characters of this film weren't so popular within the celebrity spectrum. However, it was a romantic entanglement of circumstance between two cultures, one very handsome Polynesian and the other, a beautiful but enticed American woman. Whose loves for his tested as her father's plot to destroy their relationship thickens, and the love for another woman relinquishes, these two people become more so infatuated with each other through the trials of their relationship. The cinematography is terrific with gorgeous backdrops of the pacific isles of Sandwich, a.k.a. Hawaii. This truly an unforgettable film.
Beyond the Reef was my favorite. The lead actor of this film was also in another movies about little boy who raises a shark to assist him the deepsea diving of harvesting pearls. I only wish I knew how to find these movies
By: Wendi Ellis
  • 10. Sixteen Candles
    Not as good as the Breakfast Club or Ferris, but still up there with the great teenage angst movies of the 80's.
  • 9. Strange Brew
    Bob and Doug Mackensie! A really funny movie about drinking and deception and Rick Moranis isn't even wearing glasses, eh?
  • 8. Ghostbusters
    Gotta love Lewis Tully. I mean really.
  • 7. Trading Places
    When Eddie Murphy was funny...
  • 6. This is Spinal Tap
    Another laugh out loud movie even after the 800th viewing!
  • 5. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
    And I thought I had fun the days I skipped school!
  • 4. Raiders of the Lost Ark
    The best Harrison Ford movie EVER
  • 3. The Breakfast Club
    This movie was just so awesome. What a movie to turn to during your angst-ridden teen years.
  • 2. The Princess Bride
    Cary Elwes and Andre the Giant in the same movie? What could be better?!
  • 1. A Fish Called Wanda
    I laughed out loud in the movie theater every time I saw it (and it was numerous times). I still laugh out loud when I watch my DVD!
I was going to mention Hard To Hold (the Rick Springfield movie), but I didn't think it was good. I just wanted to mention it for those of you who may have forgotten about it!
By: Pablo Sanz
By: S Mohammed
  • 10. Beverly Hills Cop
    "Hey Inspector T".....great film...
  • 9. Back to the Future 2
    one of thebest sequels i've ever seen......."Y dont you make like a tree, and get out of here"......."whats wrong, u chicken"
  • 8. Raiders Of The Lost Ark
    good film...
  • 7. The Living Daylights
    My fave bond film of the 80's!....."Bond, James Bond"
  • 6. Die Hard
    what an amazin film....
  • 5. Batman
    y is 90% of the film filmed in darkness???.....great film......dont mess with BATMAN!
  • 4. Day of the Dead
    my fave horror film!....you cant get scarier than this......
  • 3. Back to the Future
    this is such a good film along with the sequel to it...."Great Scott!!"............u built a time machine out of a DeLorean!!!"
  • 2. Robocop
    what an amzin film....check out the realistic costume..."Dead or alive your comin with me"
  • 1. The Terminator
    simply one of the best action/sci films of all time!......"I'll be back!"
80's was an amazin decade for films and music
By: Rob
  • 10. Ghostbusters
    Who ya gonna call????????
  • 9. Star Wars: Return of The Jedi
    ...well the beginning is really good.
  • 8. Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
    Really good villian.
  • 7. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
    Probably the best Star Wars movie.
  • 6. He-Man & The Masters Of The Universe
    Only could of been better if Hulk Hogan bodyslammed himself into this picture.
  • 5. The Lost Boys
    Echo and the Bunny men do an absolutly smashing cover of The Doors "People are Strange"...and they are too.
  • 4. Labrynith
    80s cinema tended to involve gnome type creatures...and you really can't go wrong there.
  • 3. The Princess Bride
    Andre the Giant + movie =Genius Hulk Hogan/the Rock/any other wrestler = movie =crapola
  • 2. This Is Spinal Tap
    The most brillant rock parody ever!!! The Rutles is a close second. :)
  • 1. Monster Squad
    The greatest movie ever...simply put...yes.
Honorable Mention:Karate Kid......HIIIIIIIYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!
By: Kaleb
  • 10. Stand By Me
    Love the train scene, and when the find the body, that scared the crap out of me
  • 9. National Lampoon's Vacation
    Love it when Clarke beats the crap out of the moose
  • 8. Beverly Hills Cop
    One and Two rocked, but three sucked
  • 7. Batman
    No reason for any of the sequels
  • 6. Uncle Buck
    "Get in your mouse and get the hell out of here"
  • 5. The Lost Boys
    A cult classic
  • 4. The Burbs
    "Ray, you're chanting"
  • 3. The Breakfast Club
    "Because id kill you...id kill you and your freaking* family would sue me and i dont care enough about you to bother."
  • 2. Top Gun
    "Slider, you stink"
  • 1. Ferris Beuler's Day Off
    "Thank you Grace, I think you're wrong"
Not in any particular order

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