The 80s were really full of amazing movies. No wonder that even today many of the films released in this magical decade populate our imagination and many even have sequels, remakes, series, etc. But what are the 10 best movies of the 80s? Well, that question is not easy to answer, but let’s try to make a list of popular and iconic movies of this decade that are available online for streaming.
The starting point for writing this article would perhaps be to define a criterion for our ranking, but it would be too obvious, we could start from the top 10 collections and that’s fine, right? Yes, but that would be too simple for such an extraordinary decade. Hence, we have tried to define not only blockbuster films but also some that are enjoyed by future generations as well.
Naturally the list is not perfect and no ranking has been made, which would be even more difficult, and certainly could lead to criticism and a lot of injustice, since there are only 10 films. We have tried at least to balance the game, introducing genres different, without taking away some famous movies and characters. Let’s go!
1. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Perhaps today to say that the idea for the film came to George Lucas is synonymous with guaranteed success, let’s talk about the creator of Star Wars. But not in 1981, when the film was uncertain. Harrison Ford wasn’t even the first option to play him, but Tom picked him, who was playing Magnum at the time.
Directed by Steven Spielberg, produced by Frank Marshall and Howard Kazanjian, executive produced by George Lucas, screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan, with Philip Kaufman. It is the first film in the Indiana Jones saga and the second in the chronology of the series. The famous archaeologist and professor will face the Nazis who are looking for the Ark of the Covenant, which according to Adolf Hitler will make his army invincible. The film stars Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, John Rhys-Davies, Ronald Lacey and Denholm Elliott. You can watch on Prime Video platform or Apple TV, Google Play, Microsoft, Oldflix, Telecine/Globoplay.
2. Rambo Programmed to Kill (1982)
Undoubtedly this is an iconic film of the 80s, the hero Rambo (Sylvester Stallone), even became a drawing in Xou da Xuxa around here, a toy and there were also those who tied the legendary red headband on his forehead, or even tried to buy that multitasking warrior knife.
Rambo is a Vietnam War veteran who is unjustly arrested by Sheriff Teasle (Brian Dennehy), when he escapes he starts a real war against the entire police force. Not even his commander Samuel Trautman (Richard Crenna) manages to convince the police that it is better not to provoke him. It’s the beginning of a classic action movie franchise. It is available on Amazon Prime Video, Oldflix (streaming), Apple TV (rental), Google Play Movies & TV (rental), and YouTube (rental).
3 – A cop (1984)
There is no way to exclude Eddie Murphy from this list, this is also an emblematic film of the decade, and would still win 3 sequels (yes, Netflix is preparing the fourth film in the series). After arriving in Detroit, Axel Foley’s (Eddie Murphy) friend Mikey Tandino (James Russo) is killed. Axel, who is a police officer, decides to solve the crime, so he travels to Los Angeles, the last place Mikey worked. Mikey’s job had been taken by Jenny Summers (Lisa Eilbacher), a friend of the two. He works in an art gallery in Beverly Hills. However, Foley has to do everything informally, as he is off the case, and intends to track down the possible mastermind of the crime, Victor Maitland (Steven Berkoff), who is Jenny’s boss and owner of the gallery.
Two local police officers, Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) and Taggart (John Ashton), are assigned to watch Foley, but after much confusion end up helping their colleague in the investigation. Watch on Amazon Prime Video, Globoplay, Apple TV.
4 – Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
The Star Wars saga definitely transcends cinema, it is absolutely almost a religion for its millions of fans around the world. Return of the Jedi would appear in the 1980s as the film that would define the trajectory of already established heroes and villains on the big screen. It was a misleading mistake, such is the strength of his brand that still moves dreams, fantasies and figures around the world.
Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and his friends travel to Tatooine and save their friend Han Solo (Harrison Ford) from crime lord Jabba the Hutt. The Galactic Empire begins construction of a second Death Star, with the goal of annihilating the Rebel Alliance, but its completion is thwarted by the Rebel Fleet, who insist on putting an end to the Empire. Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker fights to save Vader, a former Jedi who has returned from the dark side of the Force. You can watch it on Disney Plus, Google Play Movies & TV.
5 – ET – The Extraterrestrial (1982)
The biggest box office hit of the 80s needs no other reason to be on this list. An unforgettable film by Steven Spielberg, the screenplay is by Melissa Mathison. The film stars Henry Thomas, Dee Wallace, Peter Coyote, Robert MacNaughton, Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh. The production tells the story of Elliott, a boy who befriends an extraterrestrial being, which he calls “ET”.
The alien is trapped on Earth; Elliott and his brothers help ET find a way back to his home planet, but as they try to figure out how, they try to keep it hidden from the government. Undoubtedly a historical film. Watch on Amazon Prime Video, Globoplay, Apple TV, Telecine or Youtube.
6. Hellraiser (1987)
The 80s were full of great horror classics, perhaps I dare say this film is not the most iconic, nor even the most remembered, as there were other known horror villains like Jason (Friday the 13th) or Freddy Krueger, but Pinhead definitely has his place among them. As stated at the outset, this list is not unanimous, but Hellraiser – Reborn from Hell has its undeniable importance as a horror classic.
It is a film that combines pain, pleasure and fear. Pinhead (Doug Bradley) is the villain of the story, he sold his soul in exchange for a magical object.
Determined to return to life, he convinces Julia (Clare Higgins) to seduce potential victims and bring them to him, so he can ingest their blood and revert to human form. The franchise has nothing more, nothing less you can watch it on Amazon Prime Video, Looke, PlutoTV (Free), Google Play, Microsoft, Apple TV.
7 . Back to the Future (1985)
One of the most iconic films of the decade, teenager Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is transported to 1955 when an experiment by eccentric scientist Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd) goes awry.
He travels through time in a modified car and ends up meeting his parents at a young age. The problem is that Marty may cease to exist because he has interfered with the routine of his parents, who are in danger of never falling in love again. To complicate matters further, Marty must get home in time to rescue the scientist. There were also two films that continued the saga, Back to the Future 2 (1989) and Back to the Future 3 (1990). Watch it on Amazon Prime Video, Telecinema and Apple TV.
8. TOP GUN – Indomitable Aces (1986)
This is the 1986 blockbuster film, directed by Tony Scott, written by Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr. and features Tom Cruise as Navy Lieutenant and fighter pilot Pete Mitchell (Maverick). The film has a legion of fans, so much so that its sequel, even almost 40 years later, has caused a stir, and even the 2-year delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic hasn’t deterred fans.
A film that combines passion, a certain rebellion, speed, adventure and fighter planes… ingredients that permeated the 80s generation, right? The film is a must for anyone who wants to revisit the mood of this decade. The cast includes, in addition to Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards, Meg Ryan, Tom Skerritt, Tim Robbins, Michael Ironside and James Tolkan, among others. Watch on HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Telecine, Apple TV, Youtube, Telecine.
9 – Terminators (1984)
The film directed by James Cameron has as its theme the conflict between humans and machines. In it, the android Cyberdyne Systems Model 101 – 800 Series Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is sent into the past by the machines, which in the not so distant future, are at war against humanity.
The goal is to kill the mother (Linda Hamilton) of the man who would be the leader of the rebel humans and the worst enemy of the robots. However, the humans also manage to send an ally (Michael Biehn) to try and protect the woman. The film was critically acclaimed and is regarded by audiences as one of the forerunners of the science fiction genre. It has won sequels in 1991, 2003, 2009, 2015 and 2019. Which proves its success more than crediting it to make this list.
10 – Tron – Electronic Odyssey (1982)
Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) is a young computer engineer who works for a large company called ENCOM, when he discovers that an executive of the company he works for is stealing an idea that is his, he tries to invade the system, but what do not imagine is that it will be transported to a game. In the digital world he has to survive and find a way back to the real world.
Although with special effects of the time, very limited compared to those we have today, the film tickled the imagination of gamers of the time (always based on ATARI), obtained a sequel with Tron – O Legado, of 2010.
For its innovation and for having been a forerunner of the theme of games and cinema, it is worth entering the list. And you can watch it on the Disney Plus platform, Google Play and Apple TV.
Well, as written in the beginning, the list is not perfect, far from it, because 10 movies is just a few in such a big decade, there was room for many franchises, like Rocky, Batman… other outstanding movies like Ghostbusters , Gremlins, Conan and many other emblematic ones. However, here’s an invitation for the usual popcorn, a good couch, and we’ll revisit some of these 80s classics.
The post Cinema Classics: Where to Watch the Top 10 Movies of the 80s first appeared on Olhar Digital.
Source: Olhar Digital
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
