Unexpectedly Amazing 80s Movies
Top Gun - 1986
Top Gun is the epitome of 80s culture and one of the most loved films of all time. Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer play two aviators competing to become “Top Gun†at the prestigious academy. It’s full of drama, tears and a cheesy love story playing throughout the movie. Nobody will ever forget the infamous Volleyball scene. You’ll also get to see a young Meg Ryan with alarmingly big hair.
Back to the Future - 1985
This movie has its own legacy and is the best time travel movie ever made. There are three installments but the first has become a cult classic. In 2015 people from all over the world celebrated the date as it had been mentioned in the movie. Michael J. Fox is full of energy and Christopher Lloyd brought a whole new level of quirkiness to the screen. Its enduring popularity will continue.
Die Hard - 1988
Bruce Willis hit icon status when he took on the role of John McClane. The cynical police officer sets out to save his wife from terrorists at their Christmas party. Think shootouts, a lone cop fighting a dangerous German terrorist, some great one-liners and you’ve got a brief taste of this show-stopping movie.
Flashdance - 1983
Jennifer Beals plays a struggling welder with a dream to be accepted into a dance school. She works as an exotic dancer and there’s a very famous routine which takes place in a club. Her boyfriend/boss encourages her to pursue her dreams, and she fights for her place. The movie is quite slow, but it somehow works, although this is partly due to Irene Cara’s iconic song “What a Feelingâ€.
Raging Bull - 1980
A look at the life of champion boxer Jake LaMotta and his infamous temper. He loves his family, but his fiery temper exists out of the ring too, and people are pushed away by his jealousy and paranoia. The champion has to navigate his way through the boxing world and the movie shows fame and success don’t necessarily mean happiness. One of Robert De Niro's best performances, this movie is the perfect mix of action and drama.
The Terminator - 1984
Take an Austrian bodybuilder and put him in a movie about a robot that comes from the future to kill a young woman. It could have been bad...it should have been bad, but it was so good. It shot Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton to fame and the low-budget movie is a cult classic. It also lead to the incredible sequel that cemented the series as one of the greatest sci-fi thrillers of all time.
E.T. - 1982
Steven Spielberg defined the 1980s with his movies, but nothing warms the heart like E.T. The movie even beat Star Wars and became the highest grossing movie ever. The relationship between Elliott and E.T is the base of the movie, but it also shows the meaning of fighting for what’s right. You’ll also see a young Drew Barrymore as Elliott’s bratty little sister.
Fatal Attraction - 1987
Glenn Close plays a woman who just can’t let go of Michael Douglas. She stalks him and his family, leaving them some nasty surprises along the way. The infamous bunny scene lead to the phrase “Bunny Boiler†and Close was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar.
