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

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80's movies, what is it about them. Nobody really knows but damn they're awesome.
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  • 10. Bad Boys and Bad Boys 2
    will smith rocks
  • 9. A Time to Kill
    an incredible movie
  • 8. Stranger Than Fiction
    i know its new but its one of the best best movies i ever saw
  • 7. Indiana Jones And the Last Crusade
  • 6. Toy Soldiers
    the one with Sean Astin
  • 5. The Truman Show
  • 4. Face Off
  • 3. Back to the Future
  • 2. E.T.
    Steven Spielberg is a Brilliant man great movie
  • 1. The Goonies
    BEST MOVIE EVER MADE peroid.
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  • 10. Overboard
    Kurt and Goldie...I can watch this over and over.
  • 9. A Christmas Story
    You'll shoot your eye out!
  • 8. Seems Like Old Times
    Chevy and Goldie... so funny. Remember all the dogs? I have to have my feet scraped.
  • 7. Sixteen Candles
    I don't know what the fuss was about Molly Ringwald, but she had a couple great movies. The GEEK made this movie.
  • 6. The Breakfast Club
    The best movie about nothing.
  • 5. Dirty Dancing
    I used to get up every day BEFORE SCHOOL to watch this movie. I knew (okay, know) all the dances.
  • 4. Just One of the Guys
    The girl dressing up as a guy to win a journalism contest. The little brother really steals the show. CLASSIC.
  • 3. Romancing the Stone
    Action, romance, comedy... Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas... before they aged...
  • 2. Goonies
    Ba-BEE Ruth.
  • 1. National Lampoon's Vacation
    Are you happy, Clark? She's deaf. The all-time best movie. Period.
10 is simply not enough, but I tried to cover some that hadn't been mentioned yet. Honorable mention: Top Gun, Cocktail, Can't Buy Me Love, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Lucas, The Empire Strikes Back, Back to the Future, Coming to America, Lethal Weapon
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  • 10. Terminator
    A dark science fiction film that is thrilling, very violent and in places a little scary. This film that made Arnold Schwarzenegger a star though his performance fades next to the rest of the cast with Michael Biehn and Linda Hamilton being the stand outs. It is a shame that Michael Biehn's career didn't become much bigger than it was but he was much less marketable than a near talentless Arnie. The intesity is increased by having the villain be far more powerful than the hero making you wonder how the terminator can be stopped. The only down side is that the effects are a victim to both the age of the film and it's small budget.
  • 9. Princess Bride
    A fun film that takes advantage of an excellent cast and never takes itself too seriously. It is a great film for escapism with it's strong fantasy elements along with action, comedy and romance with characters that are all very likeable. It also has many great cameo scenes the best of which from Billy Crystal. The characters (not including the baddies) understand the things that are really important in life making fun of the self centred, greed driven, materialistic we live in. A film that can be enjoyed by all ages.
  • 8. Rain Man
    The main reason to watch this film is the performance of Dustin Hoffman as he gives one of the most impressive performances ever seen in film because of this the performances of the rest of the cast can be easily over looked. The way the brothers (the self centred yuppy played by Tom Cruise and the Autistic savant played by Dustin Hoffman)slowly develop a bond is very touching and well executed.
  • 7. Lethal Weapon
    A thrilling and funny buddy movie with set pieces as grand as they get. Mel Gibson & Danny Glover make a vey likable combination and Gary Busey is a suitably psychotic baddie. There is lots of action and comedy with very memorable scenes and lines on offer but also very violent and some emotional elements. A very enjoyable thrill ride.
  • 6. Blade Runner
    A Science fiction film with a dark tone that is far deeper and more intellectual than science fiction film generally tend to be. Visually strong and well directed with a strong cast lead by Harrison Ford and supported by Rutger Hauer, Darryl Hannah, Sean Young, Brion James & Joanna Cassidy among others. This may be the best work of Ridley Scott's career.
  • 5. Die Hard
    Probably the greatest action thriller of all with very exciting and stunning set pieces and elements of comedy. The strongest elements are one normal everyday man having to take on twelve all more heavily armed than him and rescue hostages on his own in a very cramped and sometimes claustrophobic environment that he cannot escape from. Very thrilling, very tense and sometimes emotional with a very likeable main character. It also made Bruce Willis into a major star.
  • 4. Trading Places
    A wonderful double fish out of water comedy. Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd make an outstanding combination in the leads The supporting cast is impressive Jamie Lee Curtis, Denholm Elliott, Ralph Bellamy, Don Ameche and Paul Gleason all give great performances. A very funny film with memorable scenes and lines which also sends up the philosophies of the time. A joy to watch many times over.
  • 3. Raging Bull
    May well be the greatest biopic of all. Robert De Niro has never been better and he is matched by a strong supporting cast. A very powerful film visually & emotionally delivered in black and white which not only increases it's visual effect but also gives it a sense of the era. Beautifully directed, beautifully acted, beautifully edited, just beautiful.
  • 2. Raiders Of The Lost Ark
    Possibly the finest action adventure film ever made. Harrison Ford could not have been better in the lead and he is well supported by a fine cast. A very exciting, fun and visually stunning period aventure with many memorable scenes.
  • 1. Back To The Future
    An excellent film for all ages delivered with invention and excitement and awe. It combines action, adventure, comedy & romance with the sci-fi & fantasy with strong effect. The characters are all well cast and performed and with the direction and screenplay it is one of the most complete films of any decade.
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  • 10. Porky's
  • 9. Pretty in Pink
    Drinking and driving don't mix. That's why i ride a bike
  • 8. Weird Science
    Mom, I never toss off to anything! You told me you were combing your hair!
  • 7. Sixteen Candles
    I can't believe this. They fucking forgot my birthday.
  • 6. Stand By Me
    I don't shut up, I grow up, and when I look at you, I throw up.
  • 5. Karate Kid
    Wax on, wax off.
  • 4. Back to the Future
    Frank Scott!
  • 3. Ferris Buellers Day Off
    Life goes by pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
  • 2. Fast Times at Ridgemont High
    Hey bud, what's your problem?
  • 1. The Breakfast Club
    Of Course. One of the best movies of all time. a Brain, a Jock, a Princess, a Basketcase and a Criminal
The 80's was the era of teen sex comedies!
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  • 10. Weird Science
    Oh, come on. It's EVERY geeks dream to create a hot chick who wants them and takes showers with them.
  • 9. Dream a Little Dream
    I fell in love with this movie when I saw it and it is DEFINITELY Corey Feldman's best performance. This movie is superb and doesn't get the credit it should.
  • 8. The Mosquito Coast
    My favorite movie from the late River Phoenix. This movie is FREAKIN AWESOME!! I reccomend it to any one who loves adventures/dramas/thrillers.
  • 7. Lucas
    Corey Haim was simply stunning as the title role and I haven't seen him act like this smart young boy in a long time. I wish he'd go back to dramedies.
  • 6. Dirty Dancing
    I loved this movie when I first saw it and ever since then I've had the 'time of my life' watching it.
  • 5. The Lost Boys
    Very dark and definitely one of the best vampire movies in a while.
  • 4. The Goonies
    I want to go on an adventure too! I loved The Goonies and, man, I want to be a Goonie!
  • 3. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
    "Bueller...Bueller...Bueller...anybody? Bueller?" Hilarious and gave me many ideas on how to miss school.
  • 2. The Breakfast Club
    There's something about movies that include every single stereotype and this movie just wins me over every time.
  • 1. Stand By Me
    I love this movie so much and it is by far, the best 80's movie of all time. River Phoenix blew me away as Chris Chambers.
I LOVE THESE MOVIES! There are so many other good ones out there like: Child's Play, the Molly Ringwald/John Hughes movies, Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Heathers, and the awesome Back to the Future trilogy! I'll admit it, Cry Baby with Johnny Depp is fun to watch and entertaining. Haha. Hope you love the movies!
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Eighties friendship are forever!!!
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Narrow misses for Sixteen Candles, Karate Kid, Rambo, Splash and Heathers.
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Narrow misses for Sixteen Candles, Karate Kid, Rambo, Splash and Heathers.
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  • 10. Poltergeist
    Heather O'Rourke's trademark phrase..."They're here!"
  • 9. Dirty Dancing
    Nobody puts Baby in a corner!
  • 8. Risky Business
    Forever the staple of Tom Cruise's career, him sliding across the floor in his underwear and a button down shirt.
  • 7. The Karate Kid
    Every kid who saw that movie thought that just because they saw the movie they could do karate.
  • 6. Say Anything
    Who can forget John Cusack holding the boom box above his head?
  • 5. Stand By Me
    The best performance by young kids that I've ever seen. Wil Wheaton and River Phoenix blew me away; they were so honest and pure.
  • 4. Sixteen Candles
    This movie has so many good thins about it: Molly Ringwald, a character named Long Duck Dong, Anthony Michael Hall playing a geek, and of course Jake Ryan.
  • 3. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
    You weren't a teenager if you didn't see Ferris Bueller. It's a classic that even kids today enjoy.
  • 2. The Breakfast Club
    Who would have ever guessed that a movie about detention would be entertaining? Well, this movie broke those odds and is truly an 80's classic.
  • 1. E.T.
    What can I say? From the time you're old enough to go to the movies on you love this movie. Steven Spielberg did a fantastic job and the entire cast was incredible.
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  • 10. Nightmare On Elm Street
    dont make horror like this either
  • 9. Die Hard
    Daddy of all action films
  • 8. Transformers The Movie
    the original and best, there were supposed to be two other films but i never saw them
  • 7. Excalibur
    Such an amazing film, all star cast and everything
  • 6. The Wizard
    An entire movie about a video game, they don't make films like this anymore
  • 5. Rocky VI
    Mainly for the soundtrack, but it is a typicaly 80s film
  • 4. The Goonies
    i defy anyone to watch this and not enjoy it
  • 3. Beetlejuice
    Kinda liked this one two
  • 2. Gremlins
    No christmas will be the same
  • 1. Batman
    Awesome Adaptation
There's so many I keep thinking of and new ones, but here is my off top of head list.
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Those really aren't in order. I could have continued the list a bit longer haaa
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The above hold a special place if my heart as a teen in the 80s. Other classics...The Goonies, Bill And Ted's Excellent Adventure,Ghostbusters Fast Times At Ridgemont High, The Karate Kid, National Lampoon's Vacation, Raiders Of The Lost Ark, Blade Runner, St Elmo's Fire, Better Off Dead, Back to the Future, Spies Like Us, Revenge Of The Nerds, Stripes, Planes Trains & Automobiles, Star Wars - The Empire Strikes Back, Aliens, Real Genius, Beverly Hills Cop, Trading Places, 48 Hours
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  • 10. Big Trouble in Little China
    Total Cheese and Totally Great! Just a fun flick with non-stop action... Kurt Russell at his best. It's not like you can deduct it off your taxes...
  • 9. The Blues Brothers
    Great soundtrack and even better cameos. I actually enjoyed it more when I got older and started to understand some of the jokes... :-) Just a great movie.
  • 8. Goonies
    I would like to think I had friends like "Chunk" when I was growing up, but I think I might have been the smart-ass, comic relief in the bunch. Another one were you know the lines by heart. Robert Davi and Joe Pantoliano doing a kids movie... too funny!
  • 7. Princess Bride
    Just try to not know at least one line from that movie! Admit it, you still watch it when it gets played on TBS Saturday afternoons!
  • 6. Eddie and the Cruisers
    Yeah, I am going back to Michael Pare' again for this one. Cool music, cool plot, and cool cars.
  • 5. Xanadu
    Okay... it was terribly cheesy... BUT it still had Fee Waybill in it!
  • 4. Up the Creek
    Classic, classic movie that made many of us want to attend college! Every time I see Tim Matheson in a serious role these days I just laugh and think of "Bob McGraw"!
  • 3. Vision Quest
    Linda Fiorentino in a men's shirt with nothing else... 'nough said.
  • 2. My Science Project
    Dennis Hopper as a drugged out, cool hippy... yeah and his character in the movie was one as well.
  • 1. Streets of Fire
    Common... it WAS A Rock-&-Roll Fable!
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I think that these were the coolest movies of that unforgetable decade.
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80's had the best teen highschool movies!
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Those movies are my favorites from any decade. Eighties movies were so much better than what we have today.

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