The 100 Greatest movies of the 80s #1 Aliens (2 Viewers)

[timschochet]

89. Runaway Train (1985)

Directed by: Andrei Konchalovsky

Starring: Jon Voight, Eric Roberts, Rebecca De Mornay

Synopsis: A prison break goes awry when the escapees find themselves on a train out of control.

We all die alone - Jon Voight as Manny

Another 80s classic that I suspect is forgotten now. But it’s one of the great action films of the era, as well as a tremendous character study: Jon Voight may never have been better than in this role. Excellent drama.

 

[zoonation]

96. Can’t Buy Me Love (1987)

Directed by: Steve Rash

Starring: Patrick Dempsey, Amanda Peterson

Synopsis: High school nerd pays popular girl to pretend to be his girlfriend.

Nerds, jocks, my side, your side, it’s all ********! - Patrick Dempsey as Ronald Miller

One of several high school movie classics on this list. This one has a simple plot which is rather silly but it works because of the chemistry of the two leads, the overall message regarding high school roles and status is a good one and timeless, and there are funny scenes throughout.

"Cindy Mancini. Senior. Captain of the cheerleaders. Most beautiful girl in the history of this county."

 

[TripItUp]

90. Fandango
89. Runaway Train [/B]

Never seen either...hold up?

 

[timschochet]

88. Mommie Dearest (1981)

Directed by: Frank Perry

Starring: Faye Dunaway, Diana Scarwid

Synopsis: Legendary Hollywood actress Joan Crawford is verbally and psycjologocally abusive to her children.

Why can’t you give me….THE RESPECT I DESERVE??? - Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford

Because I am NOT one of your FANS!!! - Diana Scarwid as Christina Crawford

Here is a movie that is so incredibly awful it’s great. Faye Dunaway offers arguably the most over the top performance of all time. And there are so many classic scenes: cutting the hedges, the wire hangers, her taking over Pepsi Cola (“Don’t **** with me fellas!”) So many more. A masterpiece of bad filmmaking.

 

[El Floppo]

I never saw it, but I know "no wire hangers!!"

 

[Todem]

88. Mommie Dearest (1981)

Directed by: Frank Perry

Starring: Faye Dunaway, Diana Scarwid

Synopsis: Legendary Hollywood actress Joan Crawford is verbally and psycjologocally abusive to her children.

Why can’t you give me….THE RESPECT I DESERVE??? - Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford

Because I am NOT one of your FANS!!! - Diana Scarwid as Christina Crawford

Here is a movie that is so incredibly awful it’s great. Faye Dunaway offers arguably the most over the top performance of all time. And there are so many classic scenes: cutting the hedges, the wire hangers, her taking over Pepsi Cola (“Don’t **** with me fellas!”) So many more. A masterpiece of bad filmmaking.

Utter classic. Agree on all counts.

 

[TripItUp]

I never saw it, but I know "no wire hangers!!"

yes, that's the most memorable part of that movie for me...have never rewatched.

 

[zamboni]

I never saw it, but I know "no wire hangers!!"

yes, that's the most memorable part of that movie for me...have never rewatched.

Probably a good movie to watch when one feels like they’re a bad parent.

 

[El Floppo]

I never saw it, but I know "no wire hangers!!"

yes, that's the most memorable part of that movie for me...have never rewatched.

Probably a good movie to force the kids to watch when they feel like they have a bad parent.

Fyp

 

[timschochet]

87. Ghostbusters (1984)

Directed by: Ivan Reitman

Starring: Bill Murray, Dan Ackroyd, Harold Ramis, Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis

Synopsis: Three “scientists” fight an influx of ghosts in New York City

This Mr. Stay Puft is a sailor in New York. If we get him laid we’ll have no trouble. - Bill Murray as Dr. Peter Venkman

Been years since I’ve seen it, and I don’t know that I will ever watch it again, but as I recall this is a very funny movie with Murray at the top of his game. (In almost all of his 80s movies Bill Murray basically plays the same dude but that dude is fun to watch.)

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Back off man. I'm a scientist.

 

[FarFromHome]

87. Ghostbusters (1984)

Directed by: Ivan Reitman

Starring: Bill Murray, Dan Ackroyd, Harold Ramis, Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis

Synopsis: Three “scientists” fight an influx of ghosts in New York City

This Mr. Stay Puft is a sailor in New York. If we get him laid we’ll have no trouble. - Bill Murray as Dr. Peter Venkman

Been years since I’ve seen it, and I don’t know that I will ever watch it again, but as I recall this is a very funny movie with Murray at the top of his game. (In almost all of his 80s movies Bill Murray basically plays the same dude but that dude is fun to watch.)

A classic. Not much else to be said. I've watched it within the past couple years and it was still good.

 

[BlackCrowes]

Fandango and Runaway Train are both great.

There’s no way there are 86 movies in the 80s better than Ghostbusters.

 

[Gally]

Back off man. I'm a scientist.

Nothing like watching Dr Venkman hitting on Gwendolyn Pierce

 

[Scoresman]

87 for Ghostbusters? I can’t think of movie that better combines so many things that are great about 80s movies. Top
10 lock. Huge underrating here. Maybe Woody Allen should’ve directed it.

 

[Gally]

87 for Ghostbusters? I can’t think of movie that better combines so many things that are great about 80s movies. Top
10 lock. Huge underrating here. Maybe Woody Allen should’ve directed it.

Definitely should have been a top 10 horror movie. I mean it had ghosts and everything.

 

[massraider]

Dr. Raymond Stantz: Everything was fine with our system until the power grid was shut off by di*kless here.
Walter Peck: They caused an explosion!
Mayor: Is this true?
Dr. Peter Venkman: Yes it's true.
[pause]
Dr. Peter Venkman: This man has no di*k.
Walter Peck: [Charges at Venkman]
Mayor: Break it up! Hey, break this up! Break it up!
Walter Peck: All right, all right, all right!


Dr. Peter Venkman: Well, that's what I heard!

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Yeah Ghostbusters probably makes my overrated list. I gotta start putting that together

 

[KarmaPolice]

Yeah Ghostbusters probably makes my overrated list. I gotta start putting that together

We can agree on music, but you have some terrible movie takes in here.

I guess what do you mean by overrated? I had to double check my list when 80s and I did ours and I had Ghostbusters just inside the top 30. Tim worded his list like we did, and it's "greatest movies of the 80s" not greatest "80s" movies, which to me makes a big difference as well. As far as quintessential movies from the decade, IMO it very much should be in the conversation at the top. I also get people not personally rating high, especially if they are a little bit older than I am.

 

[Runkle]

The script to Ghostbusters is perfect. There's not a single wasted line. Every one is sets up plot, sets up a joke, or delivers a punchline. Some do all of them. Some do all of them and also make for great t-shirt lines. Just perfect.

 

[Scoresman]

Yeah Ghostbusters probably makes my overrated list. I gotta start putting that together

We can agree on music, but you have some terrible movie takes in here.

I guess what do you mean by overrated? I had to double check my list when 80s and I did ours and I had Ghostbusters just inside the top 30. Tim worded his list like we did, and it's "greatest movies of the 80s" not greatest "80s" movies, which to me makes a big difference as well. As far as quintessential movies from the decade, IMO it very much should be in the conversation at the top. I also get people not personally rating high, especially if they are a little bit older than I am.

We need a proper "80s movies" countdown because I agree there's a big difference and this list appears to be "movies from the 80s". The only one we've had was a "next 80s movies" which left out so many it isn't doing it justice.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Yeah Ghostbusters probably makes my overrated list. I gotta start putting that together

We can agree on music, but you have some terrible movie takes in here.

I guess what do you mean by overrated? I had to double check my list when 80s and I did ours and I had Ghostbusters just inside the top 30. Tim worded his list like we did, and it's "greatest movies of the 80s" not greatest "80s" movies, which to me makes a big difference as well. As far as quintessential movies from the decade, IMO it very much should be in the conversation at the top. I also get people not personally rating high, especially if they are a little bit older than I am.

We need a proper "80s movies" countdown because I agree there's a big difference and this list appears to be "movies from the 80s". The only one we've had was a "next 80s movies" which left out so many it isn't doing it justice.

That would be a fun collaborative list. Huge difference as to what my lists would look like. Full Metal Jacket and Blue Velvet were in my top 5 for our countdown, but those are not "80s movies". My list would be littered with Teen Wolf and Summer School and Revenge of the Nerds type movies.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Yeah Ghostbusters probably makes my overrated list. I gotta start putting that together

We can agree on music, but you have some terrible movie takes in here.

I guess what do you mean by overrated? I had to double check my list when 80s and I did ours and I had Ghostbusters just inside the top 30. Tim worded his list like we did, and it's "greatest movies of the 80s" not greatest "80s" movies, which to me makes a big difference as well. As far as quintessential movies from the decade, IMO it very much should be in the conversation at the top. I also get people not personally rating high, especially if they are a little bit older than I am.

Im not saying it’s bad, I think it’s just held in too high regards. I will try to get a top 50 up after this

 

[Pip's Invitation]

This is more egregious than Star Wars at #20 in the 70s.

 

[Jayrod]

Rick Moranis' comedic performance alone puts Ghostbusters in the top 50.

Add in it is one of Bill Murray's top performances, became a cultural phenomenon and spawned like 5 sequels, #87 is utterly ridiculous.

You must have a horribly lacking sense of humor.

I'm kind of appalled actually.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

My list would be littered with Teen Wolf and Summer School and Revenge of the Nerds type movies.

Summer School - oh, yeah. I love the kid who shows up on the first and last days.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I am a pretty big fan of Ghostbusters, but I have had a few friends over the years who thought it was a top 5 all-time comedy and I always think, "okay, it is good, but not that good." So, I get some thinking it is overrated a bit, but it being 87 here is probably underrating it, especially considering some of the monstrocities that are sure to follow.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

If Night of the Comet is higher, I will be displeased.

 

[Jayrod]

Rick Moranis' comedic performance alone puts Ghostbusters in the top 50.

Exhibit A

 

[Runkle]

My list would be littered with Teen Wolf and Summer School and Revenge of the Nerds type movies.

Summer School - oh, yeah. I love the kid who shows up on the first and last days.

"Where have you been?" "baffroom"

 

[Alex P Keaton]

87. Ghostbusters (1984)

Directed by: Ivan Reitman

Starring: Bill Murray, Dan Ackroyd, Harold Ramis, Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis

Synopsis: Three “scientists” fight an influx of ghosts in New York City

This Mr. Stay Puft is a sailor in New York. If we get him laid we’ll have no trouble. - Bill Murray as Dr. Peter Venkman

Been years since I’ve seen it, and I don’t know that I will ever watch it again, but as I recall this is a very funny movie with Murray at the top of his game. (In almost all of his 80s movies Bill Murray basically plays the same dude but that dude is fun to watch.)

Saw it in the theater three times. Loved it then, had my kids watch it a few years back and they loved it too. Fantastic movie. Top-25 of the decade for me.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

My list would be littered with Teen Wolf and Summer School and Revenge of the Nerds type movies.

Summer School - oh, yeah. I love the kid who shows up on the first and last days.

"Where have you been?" "baffroom"

Underrated movie. Early Courtney Thorne-Smith role. I wanted to be Mark Harmon after seeing this movie, only to rectify the error he made in choosing Kirstie Alley over her…..

 

[KarmaPolice]

Dammit, now I want to watch Summer School.

 

[zamboni]

My list would be littered with Teen Wolf and Summer School and Revenge of the Nerds type movies.

Summer School - oh, yeah. I love the kid who shows up on the first and last days.

"Where have you been?" "baffroom"

And nailed a classroom high score of 91 on the final exam.

 

[Ghost Rider]

My list would be littered with Teen Wolf and Summer School and Revenge of the Nerds type movies.

Summer School - oh, yeah. I love the kid who shows up on the first and last days.

"Where have you been?" "baffroom"

Underrated movie. Early Courtney Thorne-Smith role. I wanted to be Mark Harmon after seeing this movie, only to rectify the error he made in choosing Kirstie Alley over her…..

Choosing Kirstie meant he got to stay out of prison (since Courney was still a high schooler).

 

[El Floppo]

My list would be littered with Teen Wolf and Summer School and Revenge of the Nerds type movies.

Summer School - oh, yeah. I love the kid who shows up on the first and last days.

"Where have you been?" "baffroom"

Underrated movie. Early Courtney Thorne-Smith role. I wanted to be Mark Harmon after seeing this movie, only to rectify the error he made in choosing Kirstie Alley over her…..

Choosing Kirstie meant he got to stay out of prison (since Courney was still a high schooler).

I've mentioned before, but I went to HS and was friendly with Courtney. Amazing girl, besides being beautiful. We were all psyched and proud of her when she got her 3 movie deal... Lucas, Summer School and a revenge of the nerds sequel. I haven't spoken to her since HS, but still proud and psyched for her- a good person getting good things always makes me happy.

 

[zamboni]

My list would be littered with Teen Wolf and Summer School and Revenge of the Nerds type movies.

Summer School - oh, yeah. I love the kid who shows up on the first and last days.

"Where have you been?" "baffroom"

Underrated movie. Early Courtney Thorne-Smith role. I wanted to be Mark Harmon after seeing this movie, only to rectify the error he made in choosing Kirstie Alley over her…..

Choosing Kirstie meant he got to stay out of prison (since Courney was still a high schooler).

I've mentioned before, but I went to HS and was friendly with Courtney. Amazing girl, besides being beautiful. We were all psyched and proud of her when she got her 3 movie deal... Lucas, Summer School and a revenge of the nerds sequel. I haven't spoken to her since HS, but still proud and psyched for her- a good person getting good things always makes me happy.

Really took off later on with Melrose Place, but haven't seen her in much since then.

 

[Ghost Rider]

My list would be littered with Teen Wolf and Summer School and Revenge of the Nerds type movies.

Summer School - oh, yeah. I love the kid who shows up on the first and last days.

"Where have you been?" "baffroom"

Underrated movie. Early Courtney Thorne-Smith role. I wanted to be Mark Harmon after seeing this movie, only to rectify the error he made in choosing Kirstie Alley over her…..

Choosing Kirstie meant he got to stay out of prison (since Courney was still a high schooler).

I've mentioned before, but I went to HS and was friendly with Courtney. Amazing girl, besides being beautiful. We were all psyched and proud of her when she got her 3 movie deal... Lucas, Summer School and a revenge of the nerds sequel. I haven't spoken to her since HS, but still proud and psyched for her- a good person getting good things always makes me happy.

Really took off later on with Melrose Place, but haven't seen her in much since then.

I don't know much about her outside of Summer School and her appearance on Conan when Norm MacDonald went full-Norm, but the latter showed me was a super, unpretentious person she is. The average celeb probably would have thrown a hissy fit over Norm intruding as much as he did, but she knew she was in the presence of greatness and went with it and laughed her butt off when doing so.

 

[El Floppo]

My list would be littered with Teen Wolf and Summer School and Revenge of the Nerds type movies.

Summer School - oh, yeah. I love the kid who shows up on the first and last days.

"Where have you been?" "baffroom"

Underrated movie. Early Courtney Thorne-Smith role. I wanted to be Mark Harmon after seeing this movie, only to rectify the error he made in choosing Kirstie Alley over her…..

Choosing Kirstie meant he got to stay out of prison (since Courney was still a high schooler).

I've mentioned before, but I went to HS and was friendly with Courtney. Amazing girl, besides being beautiful. We were all psyched and proud of her when she got her 3 movie deal... Lucas, Summer School and a revenge of the nerds sequel. I haven't spoken to her since HS, but still proud and psyched for her- a good person getting good things always makes me happy.

Really took off later on with Melrose Place, but haven't seen her in much since then.

I think she was in that charlie Sheen show.. 2 1/2 men (title unsure).

1st thing after those 3 movies was a TV sit com version of Fast Times at Risgement high... That I don't think lasted a season. Iirc, her character was a Summer School reprise. I think Melrose was after that.. and yeah- lightning in a bottle. Since I name-dropped (look at me), I also played college soccer against Andrew Shue from MP.

 

[El Floppo]

From wiki...

She is known for her starring roles as Alison Parker on Melrose Place, Georgia Thomas on Ally McBeal, and Cheryl Mabel on According to Jim, as well as her recurring role on Two and a Half Men as Lyndsey McElroy.[1]

 

[zamboni]

My list would be littered with Teen Wolf and Summer School and Revenge of the Nerds type movies.

Summer School - oh, yeah. I love the kid who shows up on the first and last days.

"Where have you been?" "baffroom"

Underrated movie. Early Courtney Thorne-Smith role. I wanted to be Mark Harmon after seeing this movie, only to rectify the error he made in choosing Kirstie Alley over her…..

Choosing Kirstie meant he got to stay out of prison (since Courney was still a high schooler).

I've mentioned before, but I went to HS and was friendly with Courtney. Amazing girl, besides being beautiful. We were all psyched and proud of her when she got her 3 movie deal... Lucas, Summer School and a revenge of the nerds sequel. I haven't spoken to her since HS, but still proud and psyched for her- a good person getting good things always makes me happy.

Really took off later on with Melrose Place, but haven't seen her in much since then.

I think she was in that charlie Sheen show.. 2 1/2 men (title unsure).

1st thing after those 3 movies was a TV sit com version of Fast Times at Risgement high... That I don't think lasted a season. Iirc, her character was a Summer School reprise. I think Melrose was after that.. and yeah- lightning in a bottle. Since I name-dropped (look at me), I also played college soccer against Andrew Shue from MP.

Nice - Alli (with an "i") Mills' real life brother.

 

[timschochet]

86. Superman Ii (1980)

Directed by: Richard Lester

Starring: Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Terrance Stamp

Synopsis: Superman must confront criminals from Krypton.

Kneel before Zod! - Terrance Stamp as General
Zod.

Stamp is such a cool villain. It’s hard not to root for him. His two cohorts are kind of meh but he is all kinda of awesome.

This is also the movie in which Superman has to give away his powers in order to have booty time with Lois. Believe it or not there have been wide ranging internet discussions about what would happen if Clark attempted sex with his powers intact. Would Lois’ head explode? Would the force of his stuff destroy her uterus and kill her instantly? This is why science is important: it helps us understand this sort of thing.

 

[El Floppo]

My list would be littered with Teen Wolf and Summer School and Revenge of the Nerds type movies.

Summer School - oh, yeah. I love the kid who shows up on the first and last days.

"Where have you been?" "baffroom"

Underrated movie. Early Courtney Thorne-Smith role. I wanted to be Mark Harmon after seeing this movie, only to rectify the error he made in choosing Kirstie Alley over her…..

Choosing Kirstie meant he got to stay out of prison (since Courney was still a high schooler).

I've mentioned before, but I went to HS and was friendly with Courtney. Amazing girl, besides being beautiful. We were all psyched and proud of her when she got her 3 movie deal... Lucas, Summer School and a revenge of the nerds sequel. I haven't spoken to her since HS, but still proud and psyched for her- a good person getting good things always makes me happy.

Really took off later on with Melrose Place, but haven't seen her in much since then.

I think she was in that charlie Sheen show.. 2 1/2 men (title unsure).

1st thing after those 3 movies was a TV sit com version of Fast Times at Risgement high... That I don't think lasted a season. Iirc, her character was a Summer School reprise. I think Melrose was after that.. and yeah- lightning in a bottle. Since I name-dropped (look at me), I also played college soccer against Andrew Shue from MP.

Nice - Alli (with an "i") Mills' real life brother.

I thought he was Elizabeth Shue's real life brother? Also, I have no idea who Alli Mills is.

 

[zamboni]

My list would be littered with Teen Wolf and Summer School and Revenge of the Nerds type movies.

Summer School - oh, yeah. I love the kid who shows up on the first and last days.

"Where have you been?" "baffroom"

Underrated movie. Early Courtney Thorne-Smith role. I wanted to be Mark Harmon after seeing this movie, only to rectify the error he made in choosing Kirstie Alley over her…..

Choosing Kirstie meant he got to stay out of prison (since Courney was still a high schooler).

I've mentioned before, but I went to HS and was friendly with Courtney. Amazing girl, besides being beautiful. We were all psyched and proud of her when she got her 3 movie deal... Lucas, Summer School and a revenge of the nerds sequel. I haven't spoken to her since HS, but still proud and psyched for her- a good person getting good things always makes me happy.

Really took off later on with Melrose Place, but haven't seen her in much since then.

I think she was in that charlie Sheen show.. 2 1/2 men (title unsure).

1st thing after those 3 movies was a TV sit com version of Fast Times at Risgement high... That I don't think lasted a season. Iirc, her character was a Summer School reprise. I think Melrose was after that.. and yeah- lightning in a bottle. Since I name-dropped (look at me), I also played college soccer against Andrew Shue from MP.

Nice - Alli (with an "i") Mills' real life brother.

I thought he was Elizabeth Shue's real life brother? Also, I have no idea who Alli Mills is.

Alli Mills was Elizabeth Shue's character in The Karate Kid. Sorry - was being too obscure, I guess. Must be the popularity of Cobra Kai that triggered it.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

My list would be littered with Teen Wolf and Summer School and Revenge of the Nerds type movies.

Summer School - oh, yeah. I love the kid who shows up on the first and last days.

"Where have you been?" "baffroom"

Underrated movie. Early Courtney Thorne-Smith role. I wanted to be Mark Harmon after seeing this movie, only to rectify the error he made in choosing Kirstie Alley over her…..

Choosing Kirstie meant he got to stay out of prison (since Courney was still a high schooler).

I've mentioned before, but I went to HS and was friendly with Courtney. Amazing girl, besides being beautiful. We were all psyched and proud of her when she got her 3 movie deal... Lucas, Summer School and a revenge of the nerds sequel. I haven't spoken to her since HS, but still proud and psyched for her- a good person getting good things always makes me happy.

To quote Fletch (which probably isn’t even on Tim’s list): “God I admire you…..”

 

[Alex P Keaton]

86. Superman Ii (1980)

Directed by: Richard Lester

Starring: Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Terrance Stamp

Synopsis: Superman must confront criminals from Krypton.

Kneel before Zod! - Terrance Stamp as General
Zod.

Stamp is such a cool villain. It’s hard not to root for him. His two cohorts are kind of meh but he is all kinda of awesome.

This is also the movie in which Superman has to give away his powers in order to have booty time with Lois. Believe it or not there have been wide ranging internet discussions about what would happen if Clark attempted sex with his powers intact. Would Lois’ head explode? Would the force of his stuff destroy her uterus and kill her instantly? This is why science is important: it helps us understand this sort of thing.

Superman II was really good. Big fan. The first one, upon rewatch, was not good. Not even adequate. My kids hated the first one, while they really enjoyed II. Gene Hackman was great in this.

On the other comments from Tim…..ummm……wth??

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I want to like the Superman movies but just don't. Reeve was just the perfect actor for the role though.

And the theme is pure John Williams awesomeness.

 

[Scoresman]

86. Superman Ii (1980)

Directed by: Richard Lester

Starring: Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Terrance Stamp

Synopsis: Superman must confront criminals from Krypton.

Kneel before Zod! - Terrance Stamp as General
Zod.

Stamp is such a cool villain. It’s hard not to root for him. His two cohorts are kind of meh but he is all kinda of awesome.

This is also the movie in which Superman has to give away his powers in order to have booty time with Lois. Believe it or not there have been wide ranging internet discussions about what would happen if Clark attempted sex with his powers intact. Would Lois’ head explode? Would the force of his stuff destroy her uterus and kill her instantly? This is why science is important: it helps us understand this sort of thing.

OK, I'll bite on this lol. I may be wrong, but with his powers there's never really been a case where he gets carried away and it goes out of control. There's no reason to believe this would be any different with intimate time. I feel like he would probably be the best in this regard as well. If he did happen to finish prematurely or something, he could just fly around the earth really fast and go back in time.

 

[El Floppo]

I want to like the Superman movies but just don't. Reeve was just the perfect actor for the role though.

And the theme is pure John Williams awesomeness.

Same boat for me

 

[TripItUp]

The Superman and Superman II movies were awesome and still among the top 10 superhero movies ever made IMHO.

Terrific acting and actors
Moments of Script Genius
Great Casting
Just the right amount of comedy
Epic Score