The 1980’s… Full of great hair, guys in short shorts, loud annoying sweaters and ripped jeans along with some absolutely incredible music. You argue with a guy sitting next to you at lunch about how badass Darth Vader is, and nobody can beat him in a lightsaber duel. Or how badly you wish you were dating Farrah Fawcett.
The 80’s not only had all of these crazy things, but the decade also featured some of the most iconic movies to date. From Star Wars to Rocky, Indiana Jones to Smokey and the Bandit and Mad Max, the list of amazing movies goes on and on. I asked all my WRIF listeners in an online twitter and Facebook poll, which movies should make the top 20? This list is the top 20 movies of the 1980’s voted by you! Try and think of where you were and what you were doing when these movies came out. Read on to see where your favorite 80’s movie appears, or if it just missed the cut!
20. Indiana Jones Raiders of The Lost Ark
Coming in at number 20 in a three-way tie is “Raiders of The Lost Ark”. Starring Harrison Ford as Indie, this 1981 film is the first of (soon to be 5) installments. Raiders was the movie that really defined the 80’s and become the franchise that gave Harrison Ford the true A-list star reputation he deserved.
The fedora worn by Harrison Ford's character Indiana Jones in the...
The fedora worn by Harrison Ford's character Indiana Jones in the 'Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark' film is on show at the Imax in central London on September 6, 2018 and will be... Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
19. Diehard
No, it’s not a Christmas movie just because Christmas happens during the movie… Even still, “Diehard” is one of the most iconic action movies ever made and largely has the acting of Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman to thank for it. “Diehard” is the film that catapulted Bruce Willis into Superstardom. The movie has also become the center of one of the most heated debates on what makes a movie a Christmas themed film or not.
Actor Bruce Willis attends the "Motherless Brooklyn" premiere during...
Actor Bruce Willis attends the "Motherless Brooklyn" premiere during the 57th New York Film Festival on October 11, 2019 in New York City. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
18. Beetlejuice
You really shouldn’t say his name three times… “Beetlejuice” is the standout 80’s horror film that even has kids these days recreating the “say his name” three times trend. The character is a demon who’s existed for thousands of years, making sure to live life to the fullest at every opportunity. In the movie, Beetlejuice makes an appearance after you say the words “Beetlejuice” three times consecutively in the exact same style. The whole idea behind this is that Beetlejuice is a cunning trickster who enjoys fooling people. The movie was such a smash-hit, it has even found its way onto Broadway.
Signage for the hit musical based on the 1988 Tim Burton film...
Signage for the hit musical based on the 1988 Tim Burton film "Beetlejuice "on Broadway at The Marquis Theatre on January 8, 2023 in New York City. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
17. Full Metal Jacket
Stanley Kubrick’s “Full Metal Jacket” is on the list of both one of the greatest war-themed movies ever made, and a contender for the being one of the best movies in the 1980’s. The film is centered around a soldier in the Vietnam War, and how the conflict has turned his fellow marines into machines who are desensitized to the horrors in which they were forced to endure. This film was and still is known for being one of the most violent war movies ever made. The one thing the producers stuck to their guns about was they didn’t try to sugar coat how nasty war truly is.
16. Friday The 13th
Friday the 13th is a staple of American horror and the 80”s is where this movie was born. Directed by Sean Cunningham, the film is set at a summer camp with a dark past. The camp is in the process of being reopened, when a supernatural force which used to attend the original camp – Jason Vorhees returns to seek his revenge. This slasher/horror set the bar for what slasher films needed to be.
Horror cosplayers dressed as Jason Voorhees from Friday The 13th...
Horror cosplayers dressed as Jason Voorhees from Friday The 13th attend Midsummer Scream: Halloween And Horror Convention held at Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center on July 29, 2022 in Long... Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
15. Terminator
A film pairing James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger. The 1984 movie “The Terminator” is about a soldier sent back from the future to 1984 to kill an invincible cyborg who was also sent back to assassinate a woman whose child is the key to humanity’s survival of course. Elaborate enough plot? I think so.
A Cosplayer dressed as The Terminator attends Manchester Comic Con at...
A Cosplayer dressed as The Terminator attends Manchester Comic Con at Bowlers Exhibition Centre on July 30, 2022 in Manchester, England. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
14. The Blues Brothers
John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd star in this unforgettable film where Jake and Elwood have a few days to get the band back together to save a home linked to their childhood. This funny, dark, and soulful movie is filled with laughs, swearing, action and does not follow a single highway safety rule throughout the entirety of the movie.
Dan Aykroyd and the Blues Brothers perform on N.Y.E. at Winterland in...
Dan Aykroyd and the Blues Brothers perform on N.Y.E. at Winterland in San Francisco on December 31, 1978 Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
13. Spinal Tap
Spinal Tap starring Rob Reiner and Michael McKean features an iconic band looking to revitalize their careers by doing a comeback tour through America.
Singer Derek Smalls, real name Harry Shearer, of the band Spinal Tap...
Singer Derek Smalls, real name Harry Shearer, of the band Spinal Tap performs onstage during the California Saga 2 Benefit at Ace Hotel on July 03, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
12. Predator
Who doesn’t love a movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger fighting an alien creature to the death, in the depths of the Central American Jungle.
A statue of the Predator character from the 1987 movie "Predator" is...
A statue of the Predator character from the 1987 movie "Predator" is displayed during a preview for Julien's Auctions Hollywood legends memorabilia auction at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on June... Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
11. The Goonies
“The Goonies” with Sean Astin and Josh Brolin is one of those films that have the timeless theme of a bunch of nerdy kids finding a long-lost map to an unimaginable treasure. Of course, the movie takes us on the journey to the pirate’s treasure where we learn a lot about the true makeup of the groups characters. It seems anything Steven Spielberg touches, turns to gold, or an iconic movie that we never stop talking about.
Prop Store employees looks at a cast autographed one-sheet poster...
Prop Store employees looks at a cast autographed one-sheet poster from the 1985 film 'The Goonies' during a preview at their auction house in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. Picture date: Wednesday... Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
10. The Shining
If “Beetlejuice” is one of the most iconic horror movies of the 80’s, “The Shining” is the best thriller of the decade. Stanley Kubrick again with Stephen King, worked their asses off on this one. Jack Nicholson gives one of the greatest acting performances ever to hit the big screen. The presence that envelops the father of a small family spending the winter at a hotel, truly is an incredible story for a thriller film and this one delivers.
Mannequin featuring Jack Nicholson's original shirt and axe in "The...
Mannequin featuring Jack Nicholson's original shirt and axe in "The Shining" at the opening of Rich Correll's "Icons Of Darkness" VIP celebration on October 20, 2021 in Hollywood, California. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
9. Stand by Me
Oh, where would we be without the great “let me tell you about a story from my childhood” movie. The whole movie is told as “this is a story about the time me and my buddies found a body” (sorry for the spoiler). This is what makes the film a classic. It’s the creativity which I admire most in the storytelling aspect of this film. No surprises here, another fantastic movie written by Stephen King.
Author Stephen King signs copies of his new book 'Revival: A Novel'...
Author Stephen King signs copies of his new book 'Revival: A Novel' at Book People on November 15, 2014 in Austin, Texas. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
8. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
“Bueller…” John Hughes gave us this absolutely amazing movie which every High School teen alive wanted to recreate. Who doesn’t love a movie about a kid who skips school and causes chaos everywhere he goes in the process?
An attendee looks at a 1961 Ferrari SpA 250 GT SWB California Spider...
An attendee looks at a 1961 Ferrari SpA 250 GT SWB California Spider during the Gooding and Company auction at the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach, California, U.S., on... Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
7. Lost Boys
One of the first (good) movies about vampires and truly an eerie scenario for anyone moving to a new town.
Corey Feldman hosts and performs at the Street Food Cinema's Outdoor...
Corey Feldman hosts and performs at the Street Food Cinema's Outdoor Movie event and 25th Anniversary of The Lost Boys and Corey Feldman's 41st birthday party at Exposition Park on July 14, 2012 in... Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
6. Ghostbusters
Now this is a film where it’s hard to decide what’s more impressive. The films crew of Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver and Harold Ramis, or that we can trap ghosts inside a device and no longer have to worry about them stealing the covers at night. One of the greatest films ever made, certainly has a high ranking here on the best of the 80’s. This only leaves one question… “who you gunna call?”
Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson and Bill Murray attend the "Ghostbusters:...
Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson and Bill Murray attend the "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" New York Premiere at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on November 15, 2021 in New York City. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
5. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
According to many Star Wars fans, this is still the best movie in the greatest movie franchise ever made. Star Wars Episode V The Empire Strikes Back has everything! It has a secret base in the middle of a tundra planet, we get a snow monster out the deal as well. Then we get introduced to the Jedi Master Yoda and we learn that Darth Vader is in fact Luke Skywalkers father. The special effects we got to see on display for this 1980 film still stands out from the rest of the Sci-Fi universe throughout at least the rest of the 1980’s.
A man dressed as Darth Vader reacts to the camera on the first day of...
A man dressed as Darth Vader reacts to the camera on the first day of the Scarborough Sci-Fi weekend on April 22, 2023 in Scarborough, England. The North Yorkshire seaside town of Scarborough hosts... Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
4. Fast Times at Ridgemont High
We’re coming up on our fan-voted number 1 movie of the 80’s. Number 4 takes us to “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” Where we can sit back and enjoy some of the most entertaining things the Earth has to offer, Sex, drugs, and Rock n’Roll.
Signage on display at the opening night poolside screening of "Fast...
Signage on display at the opening night poolside screening of "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" during the 2022 TCM Classic Film Festival at The Hollywood Roosevelt on April 21, 2022 in Los Angeles,... Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
3. Nightmare on Elm Street
“Nightmare on Elm Street” has by far one of the most terrifying horror concepts ever. A supernatural force that kills you… when you sleep. Once Freddy Kreuger has his sights on you, it’s usually only a matter of time.
2. Back to The Future
Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd are still know as “Doc and Marty Mcfly” to this day because of the success of this film. “Back to the Future” takes place 30 years before the main character is born, creating an unforgettable movie of crazy events and poking fun at old people. There is a reason this movie is number 2 on our list, and it’s not because Marty falls for his mom in this movie…
Louise Redknapp poses with "Back To The Future" cast members Ben...
Louise Redknapp poses with "Back To The Future" cast members Ben Joyce, Amber Davies and Roger Bart at the Adelphi Theatre on February 08, 2023 in London, England. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
1. The Breakfast Club
Five High Schoolers lives were changed forever during the course of one eventful Saturday spent in detention. We learn these kids are way more similar than they could ever imagine. This movie gives us a look inside how kids may act when they feel like their home life is literal garbage, seemingly perfect, or fake. Essentially, we find out that everyone has a crappy High School experience to an extent…
Ally Sheedy and Molly Ringwald in a scene from the film ‘The Breakfast Club’, 1985. (Photo by Universal Pictures/Getty Images)
