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: Chris Conner
  • 10. Anything By Tim Burton
    Whether it be PEE WEE'S BIG ADVENTURE, BEETLEJUICE, BATMAN, EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, or whatever - if Tim wrote, directed, looked at or breathed on ANYTHING, it's magic.
  • 9. Brazil
    Terry Gilliam. Enough said.
  • 8. Silkwood
    Meryl Streep was the 80's movie queen. This is arguably her best to date (though DEATH BECOMES HER is my personal fave).
  • 7. Gothic
    Called 'The thinking man's NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET', Ken Russell manages to breathe new life into the classics, so to speak, and with a Thomas Dolby soundtrack to boot.
  • 6. Blue Velvet
    I like 'em warped obviously, and they don't get much more bizarre than this.
  • 5. The Rivers Edge
    The polar opposite of the John Hughes era. No candy coating on this one.
  • 4. Videodrome
    Or anything by David Cronenberg, really. But VIDEODROME is the demented masterpiece.
  • 3. The Breakfast Club
    Who didn't this movie speak to?!
  • 2. Crimes Of The Heart
    Being from Miss., I feel their pain.
  • 1. The Big Chill
    One of the best of all time.
Honorable mentions would take forever, but here's just a few: WARGAMES, REANIMATOR, ALIENS, ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING, THE LOST BOYS, POLTERGEIST, A CHRISTMAS STORY, ANGEL HEART, etc. and so on.
By: Litebeauty
I can't help it, there's just too many movies too choose from that fit this genre that will forever be classics and we will always wanna watch them...Man in the Moon, Say Anything, He Said She Said, She's Having A Baby, For Keeps, etc, etc, etc.
By: Tara
  • 10. Xanadu
    a movie that no one knows about but i love the music in it.
  • 9. War Games
  • 8. Goonies
    Hey you guyyyyyysssss!!! Gonnies never say die!!
  • 7. Dirty Dancing
  • 6. Breakfast Club
    a movie i could never get tired of.
  • 5. The Lost Boys
    Death by stero! I love this movie!!!
  • 4. Ferris Beulers Day Off
    "Life moves pretty fast. If you dont stop and look around once in awhile you could miss it." I just love this movie!
  • 3. Labyrinth
    I know evey line to this movie b/c i whatched all the time when I was little.
  • 2. FlashDance
    What a felling!!!
  • 1. Sixteen Candles
    This is just a great movie.
I like way to many movies from the 80's and i love all these movies and to put them in an order its hard to do, but if i could i would have put in a whole lot more!
By: *David*
  • 10. Willow
    Proves once and for all that size doesn't matter
  • 9. Risky Business
    Tom Cruise's most inspirational movie ever Signature Line: Sometimes you just gotta say What The Fuck and go for it
  • 8. Ferris Beullers Day Off
    He was just too damn cool not to like
  • 7. Space Balls
    Mel Brookes writes, directs, stars, and produces the greatest parody of all time. Signature Line: What's the matter Col. Sanders, Chicken?
  • 6. Better Off Dead / One Crazy Summer
    John Cusak shows how nerds can stil get the girl...and its got claymation and awesome music!!!
  • 5. Karate Kid I and II
    IF you ever need a good montauge song, listen to You're the Best around off the the Karate Kid Soundtrack or The Glory of Love off Karate Kid Part II Soundtrack
  • 4. Gleaming The Cube
    The year was 1986...Finnaly,skateboarding is cool....However, Christian Slater would not turn cool for about 3 more years
  • 3. The Breakfast Club / 16 Candles / Pretty in Pink
    They all remind us not to forget about me, make the points that I melt with you, and that if you leave, pleae don't take my heart away Same actors, Same Roles, Same AWESOME movies
  • 2. The Goonies
    It touched all of us Signature line: I got an idea, why don't we pour chocolate on theloor and have Chunk eat his way out
  • 1. Fast Times @ Ridgemont High
    Funniest most honest movie of all time
Lets also not forget other classc 80's films like Labrynth, The Monster Squad, The Outsiders, Stand by Me, Back to the Future, Christmas Story, and one of my personal favorites Short Circuit
By: Will
I would be interested in seeing the top 10 from the 90's
By: adrian
By: joefunsmith
  • 10. Big
    What kid hasn't wished at some point in their lives, to be able to bypass the growing up process and become an instant grown-up. Tom Hanks plays a 9-year old (or there abouts) who gets his wish. A wonderrful, funny, and touching examination of the possibilities.
  • 9. Trading Places
    Eddie Murphy, Dan Akroyd and Jamie Lee Curtis' chest star in this comedy where two wealthy men decide to use Murphy and Akroyd in a real-life experiment to see what role enviroment plays in how a person lives their life.
  • 8. Brewster's Millions
    Richard Pryor, John Candy and an Aston Martin are the stars of this movie for me... okay, the Aston Martin appearance pales in comparison to "The Living Daylights," also an 80's movie, but being one of the lamer Bond flicks kept it off my list. Pryor plays a minor league baseball player who inherits a fortune, but with a twist which leads to some hilarious moments.
  • 7. Top Gun
    This movie is still used to show off high-end A/V equipment. The audio is incredible and the storyline isn't bad either. Great date movie since it has romance, fighter jets and a few laughs.
  • 6. Bull Durham
    "I'm just happy to be here and hope I can help the ballclub. I just want to give it my best shot and good Lord willing, things'll work out... gotta play 'em one day at a time."
  • 5. Rain Man
    Dustin Hoffman is one of the greatest actors ever. This excellent screenplay gives him a great canvas for his artistry.
  • 4. Airplane
    How many times have I seen this movie? I lost count. And I still find new laughs hidden in the background each time I see it.
  • 3. Back to the Future
    The best time-travel movie ever made. Period.
  • 2. When Harry Met Sally
    Another movie full of wonderful dialog, not to mention the charm of Meg Ryan. I only put this movie 2nd because I couldn't list a tie.
  • 1. The Princess Bride
    Quotable throughout... "Have fun storming the castle!" -- "As you wish." -- "My way is not very sportsmanlike" -- "That could put a damper on our relationship" -- "This is true love, you think this happens every day."
Honorable Mention to Amadeus, Working Girl and Risky Business.
By: justine cegelski
  • 10. St. Elmos Fire
    the brat pack will forever live in my heart.theres no way around it
  • 9. Gremlins
    little monsters that multiply when you throw water on em. it wouldve been better if they specified exactly when "after midnight" is, cause if you think about it- isnt every time after midnight?
  • 8. 16 Candles
    anthony michale hall and molly ringwald at thier finest. if it got any better than lending your paties to a geek, "id shit twice and die."
  • 7. Stand By Me
    river pheonix gives such a great performance in this movie, it really blows me away. they just dont make movies like that anymore
  • 6. ET
    some people get freaked out by ET. i just dont see it.
  • 5. Back To The Future 1&2
    really these movies together are great. i was a bit disapointed in the third one. but honestly, marty mcfly rocks the cashba. whoa, this is heavy.
  • 4. Pretty In Pink
    this was the first 80s movie i ever owned. my mom bought it for me when i was in the 5th grade and i hated it, until 2 years later when i woke up and realized that it was "hot, white hot"
  • 3. Ferris Buellers Day Off
    everybody wants to be ferris, hes my personal hero
  • 2. The Breakfast Club
    emilio, emilio, emilio. what else can i say? beside the fact you could shove quarters up judd nelsons nose. ahahaha ;)
  • 1. Goonies
    this is my all time favorite movie, i wanted to marry mikey when i was a kid! sad but true-i know EVERY line. no joke
this was such a tough call, there are so many other movies that i left out- fandango, the little mermaid, footloose, top gun, dirty dancing and adventures in babysitting. please dont ask me to choose between all these. its like choosing between my children. (that i dont have):)
By: Alison
  • 10. Footloose
    no way in Hell will Kevin Bacon live in a town with NO DANCING!!!!!! DANCE ON KEVIN DANCE ON
  • 9. Gremlins
    That song Gizmo sings is haunting
  • 8. 16 Candles
    3rd Anthony Micheal Hall movie on this list what is this saying about mr. hall ....huh, huh?
  • 7. Wierd Science
    Anthony Micheal Hall Is great in this
  • 6. Less Than Zero
    Appropriatly titled, i cried, sad stuff i love Downey
  • 5. Fast Times At Ridgemont High
    Sean Penn....thats all i can say
  • 4. This Is Spinal Tap
    Cult Classic, you should see Waiting For Guffman,Best in Show,And A Mighty Wind. those are all the same people who did spinal tap and stared in
  • 3. Pump Up the Volume
    Another one with Cristian Slater i just couldnt stop watching this one "TALK HARD"
  • 2. The Legend Of Billie Jean
    Im surprized this wasnt mentioned more often i think i actually cried when she's looking at her statue and benatar's Invincable is playing its just so impowering she wasnt gonna let ne one mess with her lil brother(Cristian Slater)
  • 1. The Breakfast Club
    Jud Nelson was harsh this was the greatest what else can u say its genius
Im stll afriad to see The Labyrinth and A Neverending Story I dont know if Rocky Horror Picture Show was late 70's or early 80's but if it was 80's its number 1
By: Jay S.
  • 10. The Shining
    "Heee're's Johnny!!!"
  • 9. Big
    Tom Hanks at his best!
  • 8. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
    Both this and "The Last Crusade" I love equally.
  • 7. Glory
    One of the best war movies ever made!
  • 6. Amadeus
    Strong Best Picture Winner of 1984.
  • 5. Gandhi
    Winner of eight well-deserved Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor (Ben Kingsley), and Best Director (Richard Attenborough).
  • 4. Rain Man
    Dustin Hoffman won the Oscar.
  • 3. Field of Dreams
    Kevin Costner at his greatest!
  • 2. Raging Bull
    Robert De Niro deserved the Oscar.
  • 1. Raiders of the Lost Ark
    One of the best movies of all-time, and it's Harrison Ford at his prime!
By: Ben
  • 10. Fatal Attraction (1987)
    Hot and freaky! Michael & Glenn give great performances in this film!
  • 9. Terminater (1984)
    Very entertaining movie from start to finish, wish an even better sequel.
  • 8. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
    I used to wish I could be like Ferris Bueller when I was a youngin.
  • 7. Breakfast Club (1985)
    The only brat pack movie I can stand. I love it!
  • 6. Vacation (1983)
    A nonstop laughathon!
  • 5. Friday the 13th (1980)
    The only worthwhile film of the entire series. Don't waste your time with the others, this one's a classic! This is before the cheesy Jason was killing.
  • 4. Footloose (1984)
    Once again great dancing and music. Sums up the 80's perfectly.
  • 3. Halloween 2 (1981)
    Probably just as good as the original (if not better) It picks up where the first left off and Jamie Lee Curtis is amazing reprising her role as Laurie Stroade
  • 2. Who's that Girl? (1987)
    Ah, Madonna. Everyone has to see this movie. Madonna is hilarious in this movie as Nikki Finn.
  • 1. Flashdance (1983)
    This is THE 80's movie. Any dancer loves this movie and the soundtrack is great!
By: AJ Wiley
  • 10. Raiders of the Lost Ark
    After putting him in Star Wars, George Lucas pulls Harrison Ford into the ultimate Saturday morning adventure. One of the great action/fantasy films of our time.
  • 9. An American Werewolf in London
    John Landis is a true genius for blending horror and comedy so well together. The werewolf transformation is one of the best special effects scenes of all time!
  • 8. Beetlejuice
    Michael Keaton may have gotten top billing, but it's Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis who are really the stars of the movie. Keaton may be nothing but a supporting role, but he does do a great job. Some wonderful, classic scenes are here.
  • 7. Big
    This may be an older Tom Hanks film, but it's definitely one of his best. It's funny and touching, with an original idea, not to mention a truly great performance from Hanks.
  • 6. Gremlins
    Gremlins is just a wonderfully wacky creature movie with the absolutely adorable Gizmo, given an absolutely adorable voice by Howie Mandel! Strange, cute, scary, and violent, all at the same time. One wild movie.
  • 5. Superman II
    Wow. I was really shocked that this movie was better than the original Superman! There's tons of classic moments here, and Christopher Reeve gives his best performance as the Man of Steel.
  • 4. Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn
    Sam Raimi's follow-up to the scariest movie of all time, The Evil Dead, is a bizaare, whacked-out horror/comedy. Bruce Campbell proves that even though there are about six people in the movie, it's a one-man show. Groovy.
  • 3. Back to the Future
    Michael J. Fox shines in this amazing time-travel movie which is truly original and tons of fun. And don't miss Christopher Lloyd's zany performance!
  • 2. Die Hard
    One of the best pure action movies out there. Bruce Willis has some great lines ("Yippe-ki-yay..."), and the action is non-stop.
  • 1. Ghostbusters
    Simply the greatest movie ever made. Fresh script, great acting, and awesome special effects. Who ya gonna call? Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. This movie's even better than The Godfather.
The best of the rest (films that almost made it, but didn't): The Blues Brothers (hilarious), Poltergeist (terrifying and magical), Little Shop of Horrors (hands-down, the best musical of all time), Return of the Jedi (second best of the Star Wars films), and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (cute and charming). Worst of the 1980s: Overdrawn at the Memory Bank...a virtually unknown 1984 movie with Raul Julia that also happens to be the worst movie of all time.
By: John
  • 10. Valley Girl
    I believe this movie holds the record for the having the most 80's slang. Material girl meets punk dude, very simple plot, but a classic none the less."Like, it's totally trippindicular"!
  • 9. Real Genius
    A VERY underrated flick, featuring Val Kilmer as a hilarious (who knew?) whiz-kid who developes a laser, then tries to stop the govt. from using It. The plot In this movie really Is secondary to Kilmer's sarcasm and jokes, especially towards the fantastically dorky Kent. "What about that time I caught you In your room naked with a bowl of jello"? "It was hot and I was hungry"!!
  • 8. The Lost Boys
    The best vampire flick of the 80's. Scariest? No, but the casting and plot where great. I remember actually being on the boardwalk back In '86 (or '87) and seeing the infamous posters stating 'now filming at the boardwalk'. Jason Patrick, Jami Gertz, Keifer Sutherland, and the Corey's... how could you go wrong? Question, what Is It with the shirtless dude door-poster In Corey Haim's room? "Your a creature of the night Micheal, a bloodsucking vampire!...... Wait 'till mom finds out!"
  • 7. Dream A Little Dream
    Another film that does'nt get It's due. This film's plots a little different, but basically deals with teen issues and angst. The Corey's lead the way In this one, with Feldman taking the main role for once, leaving Haim as a hilarious sidekick. And how 'bout that Jacksonesque dance scene In the gym? Cheesy as hell? Definetaly. But It's so cheesy It's great (even though Ive shook my head In embarrasement for poor Feldman). What where you thinking man? But hey, thank you for making an ass of yourself, It was funny as hell. Felman-"Hey Dinger I had a dream, remember that old man, you know, the one whose yard we walk through every morning... well he was In It" Haim-"That's just stupid"
  • 6. Ghostbusters (1 and 2)
    Nothing says New York more than these two films. Bill Murray Is a comedic genius, and the rest of the casting (Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, etc.) could'nt have been better. Poltergiests cause chaos In New York, leading our hero's to shout 'Who you gonna call'? Personally I liked 2 better. "Your short, your belly button sticks out too far, and your a terribly burdon on your poor mother!"
  • 5. Sixteen Candles
    Ok, here comes the ultra-rad classics. Where do I begin with this movie? Ok, you've got 80s queen Molly Ringwald looking her hottest. That's It. That's all you need. Oh, wait the movies really good too. Anthony Micheal Hall actually steals the show In this one, I mean, could anyone else have pulled off that character any better? "Theres something about a woman In a hat.... It's so vogue".
  • 4. The Breakfast Club
    Hey! Hey! Hey! Heeey! Oooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhh Ok, one of the only 80's gems that actually has a deeper message, but still has time for some great comedic scenes. Casting once again does It for me In this one. How bout those dancing moves? Anthony Micheal Hall doing those air-punching moves?.... oh yeah. "Why do you have a fake I.D."? "So I can vote"
  • 3. Pretty In Pink
    Andrew McCarthy and Molly Ringwald are my two favorite 80's actors. And the chemistry they have In this beauty are undeniable. A bit on the chick-flick side, but Jon Cryer balances It nicely with his unforgettable performance. Great great ending, especially with 'If you leave' In the background. "Is this any good"? "Its hot.. white hot"
  • 2. The Goonies
    Ok, after watching this movie, who did'nt want to go to the beach and look for buried treasure? Corey Feldman could just stand there, not saying a word, and be hilarious.... purple rain shirt, grasping a pepsi can, comb in back pocket. When I have kids someday and there old enough to understand movies, this will be one of the first I pop In. By the way, I've heard through the grapevine that a sequel Is In the works..... Oy Vay. "I smell Ice-cream"
  • 1. Less Than Zero
    Less than what? That's the response I get 95% of the time when I bring up this hauntingly dramatic gem. Have'nt seen It? Go rent It. Robert Downey Jr Is just plain creepily (Is that a word?) convincing In his role as Julian, a beverly hills teen who's living life In the fast lane and hits bottom... way bottom. Andrew McCarthy and Jami Gertz are also leads who play there parts flawlessly as Julian's friends who try to help him out. IF you ever thought about doing crack cocaine, watch this movie, you might think otherwise. No happy endings here. "Needed time Clare? How much time did It take you to f**k my best friend huh"?
Honorable mentions: Better Off Dead, Revenge Of the nerds
By: precious rose
By: Halley
  • 10. Goonies
    Josh Brolin never interested me...Mouth did though. But thats because I love Corey Feldman...ahhhhhahahahahahahahaha His spanish...its wet-your-pants-funny.
  • 9. Empire Strikes Back
    I love alll Star Wars flicks...but this is the best one. No doubt's in my mind.
  • 8. Weird Science
    "For christ sake would you cover yourself!" Chet...love chet... Love Gary and Wyatt. Love the whole damn film. Dillon and Downey Junior. Fantastic. Hilarous.
  • 7. Back To the Future 2
    Best of all three.
  • 6. The Princess Bride
    "Does anybody wanna Peanut" even though the original book was edited by Goldman and redistributed under his name, both versions are great. The film is largely based on Goldman's editing, but f@!#%...its great. LOVE wesley..mm...a grubby Cary Elwes...who could resist? And tell me you'd call your daughter Buttercup...even if she was a bit of a cow!
  • 5. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
    "When Cameron was in Egypts land...Let my Cameron Gooooo" Cameron is the best character in this film, though we all love Ferris...Cameron is the most comic. Dont we all want a day like Ferris had?
  • 4. Pretty In Pink
    This film is great anyway, but the Psychodelic Furs just added that special touch. Great soundtrack, great script, great actors, fantastic characters....and the kiss at the end...oh the kiss!
  • 3. Sixteen Candles
    "OH SEXY GIRRRLLLFRIEND~" Hilariously ridiculous! John Cusack...gotta love him in everything
  • 2. Breakfast Club
    Why do I need to even COMMENT. We all know this movie is fantastic, it raises issues that are still very relevant today, and it does it comically.
  • 1. Stand By Me
    Based in the late 50's but still the best 80's movie. Perfect cast for Perfect characters. Funny, brilliant, packed with every emotion. Kiefer Sutherland and River Phoenix...HELLO!
SO hard to pick favourites, I really dont have any, and there are SOOO many after the ten I would like to add. Still, some things in life are just this hard.
By: Abigail
By: George D.
The best decade the best movies
By: Danny
  • 10. Batman
    Came late in the 80's, but still one of my favorite movies.
  • 9. The Goonies
    "Hey you guuuuuuyyyyssss!" Everybody do the Truffle Shuffle.
  • 8. The Breakfast Club
    A definite staple of 80's cinema. Essential viewing.
  • 7. Raiders Of The Lost Ark
    Classic! "I'm your goddamn partner!"
  • 6. E.T.
    Anyone who doesn't love this movie is an inbred moron.
  • 5. Scarface
    In dis country, you gotta make dee money first. Den when you get dee money, you get dee power. Den when you get dee power, DEN you get da woman. Classic movie, mang.
  • 4. Evil Dead 2
    Bruce Campbell rocks. Absolutely hilarious.
  • 3. Gremlins
    After seeing this movie, I wouldn't go near a Christmas tree for about two years.
  • 2. Killer Klowns From Outer Space
    Still love it. Scary back then; hilarious now.
  • 1. Howard the Duck
    I haven't seen this movie in years; I hear it really sucks when you're all grown up.
These movies are in no particular order, as it's hard to rate my favorites. Other mentions: Back to the Future (of course), the Untouchables, Raging Bull, Little Monsters, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, the Shining... there's too much to list.
By: Lyla
  • 10. The Hitcher
    it is a goog film i love Thomas Howell he always plays good in " The Outsiders"
  • 9. The Golden Child
    Eddie is for me one of them!!!!
  • 8. The Terminator
    Arnold always on the top!
  • 7. Pretty in pink
    one nice film!!!
  • 6. Top Gun
    this film is full of action , i like that!!!!
  • 5. Risky Business
    this movie is one of Tom Cruise films
  • 4. Dirty Dancing
    this movie is very nice, Patrick Swayze always stays wonderful
  • 3. Saturday Night Fever
    it is a good movie, TRAVOLTA always is good.
  • 2. Grease
    this movie is very nice specially because of the dances and songs.
  • 1. The Outsiders
    I love this movie so much. i want to buy it in the Netherlands, but can't find it.
I love Matt Dillon if anyone has information about him or about his movies. mail me. I want to buy the movie: The outsiders ( 1983 ) Thomas Howell, Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio.

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