My Favorite 80s Movies

The 80s was rich with pop culture, from new celebrities and top hit songs to great TV shows and amazing films. In the first of my series on my favourite film for each decade, I start with my favourite films from the decade that gave us Madonna, shoulder pads and Yuppies.

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Director: Irvin Kershner
Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher

1977’s ‘Star Wars’ went from a pipe dream by George Lucas to a monster global hit, so all eyes were on the sequel. Three years later, the sequel hit screens.

Following the events of the previous film, Luke Skywalker (Hamill) continues his Jedi training under the enigmatic Yoda (Frank Oz). Meanwhile, Princess Leia (Fisher) and Han Solo (Ford) and their allies attempt to avoid the clutches of Darth Vader (James Earl Jones/David Prowse).

The Empire Strikes Back is commonly considered the best Star Wars film and one of the greatest sci-fi/epics of all time. The film not only expands upon the beloved characters of the first film, but introduces us to new favourites Yoda, Boba Fett (Jeremy Bulloch/Jason Wingreen) and Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams). It’s darker than the first film, but has moments of humour and love.

Best Moment: The iconic reveal- I bet that would have been spoiled on social media today

The Shining (1980)
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Cast: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall and Danny Lloyd

Based on the novel by iconic horror writer Stephen King, The Shining scared audiences upon its 1980 release.

A troubled writer named Jack Torrance (Nicholson) takes a job as a caretaker during the off season at a remote hotel. Joining him is his put-upon wife Wendy (Duvall) and son Danny (Lloyd). Unfortunately for them, they’re far from alone, and those with them aren’t friendly.

The film received some poor reviews upon release, and Stephen King disliked the film for changing so much from the book. Fortunately, both critics and viewers have since realised just how good the film is. It’s intense and masterfully creepy. It’s also a sin that Jack Nicholson wasn’t even nominated for an Oscar, and that both Kubrick and Duvall won Razzies.

Best Moment: ‘Come play with us Danny, forever and ever and ever.’

ET the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Henry Thomas, Dee Wallace and Drew Barrymore

Steven Spielberg had huge hits with Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Raiders of the Lost Ark. He continued his fantasy and sci-fi tales with this film.

In ET, young boy Elliott (Thomas) finds a timid alien named ET, who was accidentally abandoned by his group when they’re forced to leave Earth. With the help of his moody teen brother Michael (Robert MacNaughton) and innocent younger sister Gertie (Barrymore), they attempt to get ET home as government agents pursue them.

It was an immediate classic and for good reason. It’s oddly sweet and will make you well up several times. There was talk of a sequel, but it’s quite fortunate that this never occurred, considering the story.

Best Moment: The bicycles flying over the valley

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983)
Director: Richard Marquand
Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher

The third in the original Star Wars trilogy was highly anticipated and in 1983, it was finally here.

The last film ended on a bum note for our heroes, so Return of the Jedi sees Luke Skywalker and his allies band together in order to finally end Darth Vader’s reign of terror.

It’s a fitting end to the trilogy with its action and adventure. We see that classic story of good and evil, but with lots of heart. Whilst many of these characters would return again in prequels and sequels, their best appearances come from the original films.

Best Moment: Luke and Darth Vader battle with the lightsabers

WarGames (1983)
Director: John Badham
Cast: Matthew Broderick, Ally Sheedy and Dabney Coleman

As computers were found in more and more homes, there was a rise in films based around them. WarGames was one of the first to show this in a larger setting.

Smart teen David Lightman (Broderick) uses his computer to find a gaming company, but inadvertently hacks into a military supercomputer. It initially starts as him playing games with this computer, but becomes more sinister.

WarGames is one of the first films to explore hacking and the dangers of technology in a new age. It’s a war film that precedes the war itself. Whilst Broderick and Sheedy would later find biggest success in later films, it’s a movie they should truly be remembered for.

Risky Business (1983)
Director: Paul Brickman
Cast: Tom Cruise, Rebecca de Mornay and Joe Pantoliano

Box office mainstay Tom Cruise had his first role as a leading man in this 1983 film.

High schooler Joel (Cruise) is hoping to get into Princeton. When his parents go away, he turns his house into a den of sin after meeting prostitute Lana (de Mornay). Complicating matters is the fact that Joel is waiting for an interview from Princeton.

It’s a fun and silly film about being a teenager, though I can’t imagine many of us will have turned our houses into brothels. Cruise shows us just why he’s leading man material with his charm.

Best Moment: Dancing around the house- don’t tell me you’ve never wanted to recreate this scene.

Sudden Impact (1983)
Director: Clint Eastwood
Cast: Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke and Pat Hingle

The Dirty Harry series of the 70s were very popular, and Clint Eastwood decided to have another roll of the dice in the 80s with the second to last in the series.

Sudden Impact sees the victim of a gang rape (Locke) take revenge on her rapists. Meanwhile, Harry Callahan (Eastwood) is becoming increasingly sidelined due to his harsh methods in a new era. Whilst away from his usual beat, he works the case whilst also being targeted by the mob.

Whilst Callahan may struggle as policing changes, he remains every bit as cool and a character that you root for. Clint Eastwood is the king of cool, whether he’s blasting bad guys or running a town.

Best Moment: ‘Go ahead, make my day.’

The Breakfast Club (1985)
Director: John Hughes
Cast: Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson and Anthony Michael Hall

Several of the 80s Brat Pack came together to star under the direction of John Hughes in this teen classic.

Five different students- ‘Princess’ Claire (Ringwald), ‘Brain’ Brian (Hall), ‘Criminal’ Bender (Nelson), ‘Athlete’ Andrew (Emilio Estevez) and ‘Basketcase’ Allison (Ally Sheedy) are stuck in Saturday detention. Despite the stereotypes, they bond over the hardships in their lives.

It’s very much a singular film in that it is set in one location- a school and with a very small main cast. We see the stereotypes shifted and played with, as well as serious issues tackled. It’s a simple concept but really works on screen.

Best Moment: The ending with the essay.

Aliens (1986)
Director: James Cameron
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn and Paul Rieser

It took seven years for the spooky sci-fi horror to receive a sequel, but boy did it deliver.

After the horrific events of the first film, the heroine Ellen Ripley (Weaver) discovers that she’d been in stasis for over fifty years. Her employers are sceptical, but she agrees to join a new mission in order to get rid of the xenomorphs that are threatening the new colony.

The original Alien was more of a psychological horror, whilst Aliens is a lot more action. Ellen Ripley is just as formidable as she was in the original, perhaps even more so as she’s painfully aware of what is coming. Bill Paxton also appears in an early major role.

Best Moment: ‘Get away from her, you b****.’

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Director: John Hughes
Cast: Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck and Mia Sara

John Hughes had some strong hits in his time, but he gave us my favourite film of all time in 1986 with Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

In suburban Chicago, cheeky but charming teen Ferris Bueller (Hughes) persuades his cheerleader girlfriend Sloane Riley (Sara) and awkward best friend Cameron Frye (Ruck) to skip school and enjoy a day in Chicago. Desperate to catch him are his arch enemy Principal Rooney (Jeffrey Jones) and his embittered sister Jeanie (Jennifer Grey).

I love the film because it’s fun and silly and just pure escapism. Bueller is a pretty terrible friend and terrorises Principal Rooney, but my god do you just root for him to have a good day. It’s the ultimate teen comedy and the ultimate love letter to Hughes’ beloved Chicago.

Best Moment: Ferris Bueller lip syncing to my favourite Beatles song on a parade float.

The Untouchables (1987)
Director: Brian De Palma
Cast: Kevin Costner, Sean Connery and Robert DeNiro

It’s a case of real life history being played out on screen with Brian De Palma’s law v crime The Untouchables.

In 1930s Chicago, mobster Al Capone (DeNiro) rules the city with an iron fist. All attempts to get him have failed, so the incorruptible Eliot Ness (Costner) is sent to bring him down. With the help of veteran police officer Malone (Connery), young trainee cop Stone (Andy García) and their allies, Ness works his hardest to bring down the most infamous criminal in America.

The cast itself is littered with Oscar winners and nominees. DeNiro is masterful as the overly confident Capone, making one simultaneously hate him and respect his iron will. Whilst Ness himself is an example of lawful good, the film also portrays the murky politics and moral lines that had to be crossed in order to get Capone.

Best Moment: Malone teaches Capone ‘The Chicago Way.’

Dirty Dancing (1987)
Director: Emile Ardolino
Cast: Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey and Jerry Orbach

It’s the film that launched a thousand viral dance videos and a million ER visits. It’s the film your mum and your sister and every woman seemingly oves.

In the summer of 1963, idealistic teen Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman (Grey) joins her wealthy family on a trip to a resort in the Catskills. She meets dance instructor Johnny Castle (Swayze), who gives the sheltered young woman a summer she’ll never forget.

Despite Johnny looking like a 35 y/o divorced father of two compared to the teenage Baby, it’s the ultimate female fantasy film. Swayze is a rugged, handsome man who can move on the dance floor. It’s about growing up and seeing the world for what it is. It’s also got an amazing soundtrack.

Best Moment: The iconic final dance.

Hope and Glory (1987)
Director: John Boorman
Cast: Sebastian Rice-Edwards, Sarah Miles and David Hayman

Based on the story of the director’s childhood, we see WW2 England from the eyes of a young boy.

Ten-year-old Billy (Rice-Edwards) lives with his parents (Miles and Hayman) and sisters (Geraldine Muir and Sammi Davis) in London. When the war starts, his life is upended. His father is sent to serve, whilst he and his family must leave their suburban home. Billy and his sisters have a lot of growing up to do.

It’s a funny story, though in a dark way, told by a young boy who doesn’t really understand the nuances of it all. We see the good old British spirit in all its glory and whilst we don’t see a lot of the darkness of war, it’s ever present.

Best Moment: Billy gets a great surprise when he returns to school.

Die Hard (1988)
Director: John McTiernan
Cast: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman and Bonnie Bedelia

Is there anything better than a big blockbuster action film? Well, yes, quite a lot, but it’s up there and Die Hard is the ultimate example.

It’s Christmas Eve in Los Angeles when NYPD’s John McClane (Willis) arrives in hopes of rekindling his dying marriage with Holly (Bedelia). Unfortunately for them, the work holiday party that Holly is attending is hijacked by terrorists, led by the formidable Hans Gruber (Rickman). With the help of disgraced LAPD officer Al Powell (Reginald VelJohnson) and airhead limo driver Argyle (De’voreaux White), McClane fights to save Holly and the team.

Die Hard is full of action, wit and tense moments. McClane is the ultimate action hero- badass but strangely vulnerable. Alan Rickman is incredibly evil in his first starring role, making Hans Gruber an unforgettable villain. With Rickman’s passing and Willis’ poor health, it is a great way to remember them in their prime.

Best Moment: You know the line.

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)
Director: Stephen Herek
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter and George Carlin

Time travelling musical teens sounds like a bad B-movie, but Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure is far from a negative experience.

Californians Bill (Winter) and Ted (Reeves) are lazy teens solely devoted to rock music and their band Wyld Stallyns. Ted’s strict police chief father Captain Logan (Hal Landon Jr.) threatens to send him to military school if he doesn’t pass history class, something that will see him and Bill flunk out of high school. Their luck changes when mysterious time traveler Rufus (Carlin) arrives, telling them that they are legends in the future and must pass. With his help, they collect historical figures from the past.

If you’re a history buff like me, it’s a fantastic film, made even better by the 80s vibes. Every scene with Napoleon (Terry Camilleri) is brilliant, with his trips to a waterpark and a dessert parlour absolute highlights. Also, who doesn’t love Keanu Reeves?

Best Moment: The mall scene is fantastic, though I encourage you to check out Napoleon’s scenes.

Join me next time in the 90s, where we visit an island full of dinosaurs, medieval France and an alien invasion.