The ’80s may be best remembered for high school cliches and John Hughes flicks, but this decade also produced some truly groundbreaking movies that stand the test of time. From thrillers to family-oriented offerings, here are 10 great 80s movies to watch today.
My Neighbor Totoro
My Neighbor Totoro was the debut film from director Hayao Miyazaki’s studio and follows two daughters of a professor: 10-year-old Satsuki and 4-year-old Mei as they relocate to a rural setting to stay with their mother while she recovers from illness. Once there, they meet playful spirits as well as Totoro himself who becomes their companion and an unexpected source of comfort.
This film provides a soothing experience for children by acknowledging their worries and fears while showing them how to find joy in life. Miyazaki introduces his signature themes here with strong female protagonists and whimsical creatures without succumbing to cutesy Fievel-ism.
The Breakfast Club
John Hughes, writer-director of classic films such as Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off has created timeless movies that explore more than teenage angst – his characters dive deeply into teen feelings while touching upon issues that many teens face today.
The story follows five teenagers from various cliques who come together during Saturday detention for nine hours to explore each other beyond society’s stereotypes and learn to understand one another better. Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Molly Ringwald and Judd Nelson star.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
John Hughes had a knack for crafting movies about teens that felt authentic and relatable, including Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
Matthew Broderick shines as the bright, suburban-enriched genius who just needs a break from school’s everyday structure lunacy. The film pits him against hapless teachers and deans with hilarious results.
Although certain of its adventures seem unlikely (why would any kid ditching school go to an art museum instead?), this laid-back teen comedy remains timeless. Starring Jennifer Grey before she wrecked her nose and an early Charlie Sheen.
Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice attempts to entertain but ultimately falls flat; its emphasis on theater innuendoes and meta-theatrical references such as $50 glasses of wine fails. That being said, its clever opening number more than makes up for its blandness by providing an opportunity to showcase two outstanding performances from within its cast.
Sophia Anne Caruso deftly balances Lydia Deetz’s grief over her dead-mother with an endearing innocence, while Alex Brightman as Beetlejuice provides comic relief with his gravelly voice and energetic dance moves; an endearing pansexual demon vaudevillian who knows no fear when it comes to lightening a dark subject like death.
Raiders of The Lost Ark
Raiders stars Harrison Ford as archaeologist-adventurer Indiana Jones and takes audiences on an action packed journey full of suspenseful escapes and near deaths. It rewrote the rules of action cinema, opening up many avenues for modern blockbusters like Transformers or Deadpool.
Spielberg uses all his experience from westerns, swashbucklers, and sword-and-sandal epics to craft an opening sequence revolving around a rolling boulder booby trap that is nothing less than cinematic genius. Lighting and framing add additional realism – making the action all the more convincing – this truly showcases movie magic at its finest!
E.T. The Extra Terrestrial
Steven Spielberg made history when he released this heartwarming classic in 1982, featuring 10-year-old Elliott and an unexpected but endearing alien who enters his life.
Henry Thomas gives an outstanding performance as Henry in this movie, who does not come across like an overcoached professional kid; rather he’s natural while at once being defiant and understanding.
While most alien films rely on fear-inducing aliens for sustenance, this one takes a gentler approach by emphasizing family values and understanding between humans and nonhuman species.
The Thing
A masterpiece of cold war thriller filmmaking, The Thing features tight filmmaking and exceptional paranoia to grip audiences from start to finish. Establishing that everyone could potentially be suspect and fear could arise anywhere–even within yourself–this gripping film keeps audiences on edge from start to finish.
Kurt Russell as haunted chopper pilot MacReady stands out, even when fighting off tentacled creatures with his flamethrower. While Alien inspired this movie, this one feels more ‘authentic and grounded due to being based on John W. Campbell’s short story.
The Shining
One man attempts to overcome writer’s block by moving into an isolated hotel for the winter; only to discover it’s haunted. Stanley Kubrick’s classic psychological horror flick features Jack Nicholson giving a convincing performance, including his now famous line “Heeeere’s Johnny!.”
The Shining takes viewers deep inside a mind unravelling. Its layers of symbolism, backstory and conspiracy theories offer endless surprises with every viewing; even those who claim not to like horror films admit The Shining as an amazing movie!
Do The Right Thing
Do The Right Thing has earned critical acclaim as one of the finest films of this decade. Directed by Spike Lee and unflinchingly honest in its depiction of racism brewing beneath America’s surface cities.
The final riot scene of Injustice 2 is heart-wrenching, especially when Radio Raheem kicks and drags his feet on the ground as he fights against police chokehold to remain alive while they choke him to death. This image still reverberates in our collective consciousness thirty years later.
Full Metal Jacket
Full Metal Jacket is an intense war film that explores the psychological impacts of violence on humans and is best remembered for its iconic boot camp scenes. Stanley Kubrick directed and co-wrote its screenplay alongside Michael Herr.
Kubrick worked closely with drill instructors to ensure the authenticity of boot camp scenes in his film, making for a realistic depiction of Marine Corps training.
Matthew Modine and Vincent D’Onofrio star as Joker and Private Pyle, respectively, in this highly violent movie that has been described as one of the most brutal ever created.