Top 101 Movies of the 80s (4 Viewers)

[KarmaPolice]

#61/62:

RISKY BUSINESS [hbo max]
BIG [disney+, hulu]

Our #33 picks. This might be my favorite Hanks, but I'd have to think about that a little more. He is absolutely perfect for this role. Just ignore all the weird sexual implications, and you should be good.

 

[Brony]

and btw- my all-time favorite movie is from the 80s. looking forward to seeing where that ends up.

I would imagine Porky's will be top 10.

I was going to go with Vice Versa.

 

[KarmaPolice]

and btw- my all-time favorite movie is from the 80s. looking forward to seeing where that ends up.

I would imagine Porky's will be top 10.

I was going to go with Vice Versa.

Like Father Like Son >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Vice Versa

 

[zamboni]

BIG [disney+, hulu]

Our #33 picks. This might be my favorite Hanks, but I'd have to think about that a little more. He is absolutely perfect for this role. Just ignore all the weird sexual implications, and you should be good.

I wouldn't argue that it's Hanks' best role - I don't think anyone else could have carried that out with such believability.

Such a fun enjoyable movie.

 

[zamboni]

#61/62:

RISKY BUSINESS [hbo max]

Also looks like a run on Curtis Armstrong films. I expect we'll be seeing at least one more.

 

[JAA]

69, 70, 71:

POLYESTER
AFTER HOURS [hbo max]
PEE WEE'S BIG ADVENTURE [hbomax]

Our #40 picks, and Pee Wee was on both our lists. @Ilov80s - was that your jump scare guess? On our lists Pee Wee was #80 and #61. After Hours is one that grows on me more and more each watch. That was the comedy by a director I struggle with clue.

oh lord

Folks watched Pee Wee but not Goonies?

Look, I realize there is a huge here, but putting goonies back is one thing because you havnt seen it. But then putting ahead horrible comedies and claiming they are good because you saw them?

 

[JAA]

65, 66, 67:

A FISH CALLED WANDA [tubi, kanopy]
RETURN OF THE JEDI [disney + ]
PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES

Our #36 picks and Planes was on both of ours at #65 and #72. When I was doing this and going through rewatches, Jedi was one that I was surprised kept creeping up the list. I remember being so stoked to see this in the theater and had a blast despite the Emperor scaring me.

Interesting

PTaA ahead, just slightly, of ROTJ and the Ewoks?

Im speculating the panel had more artsie-fartsie folks and less nerdy 80's kids. This is starting to feel like a boomer parade and not a GenX beatdown.

 

[KarmaPolice]

65, 66, 67:

A FISH CALLED WANDA [tubi, kanopy]
RETURN OF THE JEDI [disney + ]
PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES

Our #36 picks and Planes was on both of ours at #65 and #72. When I was doing this and going through rewatches, Jedi was one that I was surprised kept creeping up the list. I remember being so stoked to see this in the theater and had a blast despite the Emperor scaring me.

Interesting

PTaA ahead, just slightly, of ROTJ and the Ewoks?

Im speculating the panel had more artsie-fartsie folks and less nerdy 80's kids. This is starting to feel like a boomer parade and not a GenX beatdown.

You are right/wrong. 80s and I both lean a bit artsy-fartsy, one of use was an 80s kid, and both of us are a couple of the younger regulars on the board. My list was a purposeful mix of artsy fartsy and 80s nostalgia.

 

[Ilov80s]

65, 66, 67:

A FISH CALLED WANDA [tubi, kanopy]
RETURN OF THE JEDI [disney + ]
PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES

Our #36 picks and Planes was on both of ours at #65 and #72. When I was doing this and going through rewatches, Jedi was one that I was surprised kept creeping up the list. I remember being so stoked to see this in the theater and had a blast despite the Emperor scaring me.

Interesting

PTaA ahead, just slightly, of ROTJ and the Ewoks?

Im speculating the panel had more artsie-fartsie folks and less nerdy 80's kids. This is starting to feel like a boomer parade and not a GenX beatdown.

I’m a millennial, KP is Gen X. The Goonies is fun but I think nostalgia has the best of you here. That or maybe you were involved in the making of it.

 

[KarmaPolice]

JAA doing his best to make me hate The Goonies now.

 

[zamboni]

Keep on doing what you're doing - the enjoyment is the discussion of the movies. The rankings are really secondary.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

and btw- my all-time favorite movie is from the 80s. looking forward to seeing where that ends up.

Mine is also from the 80s. It finished #63 here.

 

[JAA]

I just watched the trailer for After Hours.

Can someone unpack for me what is compelling about this movie? Maybe it's a prequel to Swingers? Keystone Cops arrive at the Sundance Film Festival?

Sorry, I want to get it but I dont.

 

[Ilov80s]

We’ve had Jedi, Gremlins, Airplane with Brazil, My Left Foot. I think it’s a good balance so far of more serious and more 80s fun.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

69, 70, 71:

POLYESTER
AFTER HOURS [hbo max]
PEE WEE'S BIG ADVENTURE [hbomax]

Our #40 picks, and Pee Wee was on both our lists. @Ilov80s - was that your jump scare guess? On our lists Pee Wee was #80 and #61. After Hours is one that grows on me more and more each watch. That was the comedy by a director I struggle with clue.

oh lord

Folks watched Pee Wee but not Goonies?

Look, I realize there is a huge here, but putting goonies back is one thing because you havnt seen it. But then putting ahead horrible comedies and claiming they are good because you saw them?

I think this guy may be a Goonies fan.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Sorry, I want to get it but I dont.

Seems like actually watching the movie could help?

 

[JAA]

64: SEX, LIES, AND VIDEOTAPE

My #35 pick. Soderbergh's debut that I have watched a couple time in the last year after not seeing it since probably college. My love for sleazy Spader probably didn't hurt the rating.

If you told me SLaVT would be 64 of top 80's movies id be fine with it.

 

[El Floppo]

I just watched the trailer for After Hours.

Can someone unpack for me what is compelling about this movie? Maybe it's a prequel to Swingers? Keystone Cops arrive at the Sundance Film Festival?

Sorry, I want to get it but I dont.

it's a night gone wrong with a good cast and a great director.

you don't have to get it... and you seem a little better about it, tbh.

 

[Ilov80s]

I just watched the trailer for After Hours.

Can someone unpack for me what is compelling about this movie? Maybe it's a prequel to Swingers? Keystone Cops arrive at the Sundance Film Festival?

Sorry, I want to get it but I dont.

It’s one crazy night in NYC with sex and comedy.

 

[El Floppo]

and btw- my all-time favorite movie is from the 80s. looking forward to seeing where that ends up.

I would imagine Porky's will be top 10.

I was going to go with Vice Versa.

Like Father Like Son >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Vice Versa

whoa whoa whoa... Porky's 3>>>>Porky's. AND BETTER BE REPRESENTED

 

[JAA]

#63: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK [parmount+ ]

@Ilov80s ' #34 pick. I will just duck and let him talk about it.

This doesn't pass the sniff test.

Raiders of the Lost Arc, arguably one of Ford's best movies, which started a billion dollar franchise, is in the ~bottom third of movies in the decade it was released?

I think the participants here are trying to hard. The 80's wasnt about Cannes and Sundance. It was about in your face comedy and violence. I don't think very many, if any, reasonable people will look back at the 80's and said "Oh yea, the 80s was a renaissance period for the artsy film industry"

 

[JAA]

I can't keep up with the speed of this thread, but quick thoughts are that A Fish Called Wanda is waaaaaaaaaaaay too low, and The Great Outdoors, which hasn't aged well, should have been left in the dumpster out back.

Hasnt aged well? Have you ever been to the lake for a vacation? How about Summer Rental instead?

 

[Ilov80s]

#63: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK [parmount+ ]

@Ilov80s ' #34 pick. I will just duck and let him talk about it.

This doesn't pass the sniff test.

Raiders of the Lost Arc, arguably one of Ford's best movies, which started a billion dollar franchise, is in the ~bottom third of movies in the decade it was released?

I think the participants here are trying to hard. The 80's wasnt about Cannes and Sundance. It was about in your face comedy and violence. I don't think very many, if any, reasonable people will look back at the 80's and said "Oh yea, the 80s was a renaissance period for the artsy film industry"

I think we were pretty clear that these were our favorites and what we considered the best movies and not the movies that were the most representative of the decade.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

I can't keep up with the speed of this thread, but quick thoughts are that A Fish Called Wanda is waaaaaaaaaaaay too low, and The Great Outdoors, which hasn't aged well, should have been left in the dumpster out back.

Hasnt aged well? Have you ever been to the lake for a vacation? How about Summer Rental instead?

I think what JAA is trying to say is, to call you stupid would be an insult to stupid people.

 

[JAA]

#63: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK [parmount+ ]

@Ilov80s ' #34 pick. I will just duck and let him talk about it.

This is, AT THE VERY LEAST, top 10.

So even with the worst case scenario math of (100+55)/2 = 55 it's obvious...neither of you know that you're doing.

No 'objective' criteria was given, other than personal preference, making it entirely subjective. Therefore, I'm just enjoying the ride and will just share how some of these movies hit me.

I have a bad feeling about the top 10. We may need to burn this **** to the ground if there is some Woody Allen movie (Radio Days anyone?!?!?!) put into the top 10. THAT would be pure cronyism and I would put forth a fbg petition to recall the electors of this ballot.

THIS IS SERIOUS BUSINESS!!1!!11!

 

[JAA]

and btw- my all-time favorite movie is from the 80s. looking forward to seeing where that ends up.

I would imagine Porky's will be top 10.

SHould be top 1/3rd. Helped define a genre of sleezy movies. Prolly the inspiration of Cinemax After Dark ...

 

[JAA]

#61/62:

RISKY BUSINESS [hbo max]
BIG [disney+, hulu]

Our #33 picks. This might be my favorite Hanks, but I'd have to think about that a little more. He is absolutely perfect for this role. Just ignore all the weird sexual implications, and you should be good.

Ricky Business, Tom Cruise's first? major motion picture. Includes one of the most well known, and duplicated, dance entrances is put behind Big and Zoltar?

Risky Business was great. Big was very good. Both should be in the top 50% at minimum, but I would imagine Risky Business being at least 10 spots ahead of Big.

Ive got good money that half the panel never even saw Risky Business. Most likely they were too busy watching Ran and Stranger than Paradise

 

[JAA]

65, 66, 67:

A FISH CALLED WANDA [tubi, kanopy]
RETURN OF THE JEDI [disney + ]
PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES

Our #36 picks and Planes was on both of ours at #65 and #72. When I was doing this and going through rewatches, Jedi was one that I was surprised kept creeping up the list. I remember being so stoked to see this in the theater and had a blast despite the Emperor scaring me.

Interesting

PTaA ahead, just slightly, of ROTJ and the Ewoks?

Im speculating the panel had more artsie-fartsie folks and less nerdy 80's kids. This is starting to feel like a boomer parade and not a GenX beatdown.

You are right/wrong. 80s and I both lean a bit artsy-fartsy, one of use was an 80s kid, and both of us are a couple of the younger regulars on the board. My list was a purposeful mix of artsy fartsy and 80s nostalgia.

Maybe, instead, it should have been a purposeful mix of good, or even simply above average, movies.

 

[JAA]

I just watched the trailer for After Hours.

Can someone unpack for me what is compelling about this movie? Maybe it's a prequel to Swingers? Keystone Cops arrive at the Sundance Film Festival?

Sorry, I want to get it but I dont.

It’s one crazy night in NYC with bad acting and paper mache.

FYP

 

[JAA]

Its been at least a decade since I have been so mad at an internet message board filled with make believe people and aliases, this is great.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

As much as I like Tom Cruise movies, and it's a bunch, I've never seen Risky Business or Days of Thunder.

 

[KarmaPolice]

We’ve had Jedi, Gremlins, Airplane with Brazil, My Left Foot. I think it’s a good balance so far of more serious and more 80s fun.

I love 100s of cheesy 80s movies, but it's not what I want to watch all the time. Something has to get pushed down the list a bit and the reasons are usually nitpicky.

 

[KarmaPolice]

As much as I like Tom Cruise movies, and it's a bunch, I've never seen Risky Business or Days of Thunder.

Worth it just for the wheelchair race.

 

[otb2huffing]

Its been at least a decade since I have been so mad at an internet message board filled with make believe people and aliases, this is great.

you don't kno the half of it ...

 

[Ilov80s]

What is any list on the internet for if not to create outrage?

 

[zamboni]

As much as I like Tom Cruise movies, and it's a bunch, I've never seen Risky Business or Days of Thunder.

I’ve seen RB once in its entirety and don’t feel the need to see it again. Big, on the other hand, I’ll watch every time it’s on.

 

[KarmaPolice]

#63: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK [parmount+ ]

@Ilov80s ' #34 pick. I will just duck and let him talk about it.

This doesn't pass the sniff test.

Raiders of the Lost Arc, arguably one of Ford's best movies, which started a billion dollar franchise, is in the ~bottom third of movies in the decade it was released?

I think the participants here are trying to hard. The 80's wasnt about Cannes and Sundance. It was about in your face comedy and violence. I don't think very many, if any, reasonable people will look back at the 80's and said "Oh yea, the 80s was a renaissance period for the artsy film industry"

Its been at least a decade since I have been so mad at an internet message board filled with make believe people and aliases, this is great.

Today is going to be bad for you, as is probably the rest of the countdown.

 

[KarmaPolice]

So far a list of people gauranteed to not like our list: Andy, JAA, Scoresman

 

[otb_lifer]

As much as I like Tom Cruise movies, and it's a bunch, I've never seen Risky Business or Days of Thunder.

I’ve seen RB once in its entirety and don’t feel the need to admit that.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

So far a list of people gauranteed to not like our list: Andy, JAA, Scoresman

Kudos to you anyway. If I put together a list of my top 100 favorite comedies it would be short about 92 entries.

 

[zamboni]

As much as I like Tom Cruise movies, and it's a bunch, I've never seen Risky Business or Days of Thunder.

I’ve seen RB once in its entirety and don’t feel the need to admit that.

The train scene on the other hand…

 

[Scoresman]

#63: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK [parmount+ ]

@Ilov80s ' #34 pick. I will just duck and let him talk about it.

Wow, sorry, catching up but this is awful. This either means you left off Temple of Doom and Last Crusade or you ranked them higher, both of which are just not right, but all three are top films of the 80s. In what universe is RoTLA not a top ten 80s movie?

Also, people are saying that for some of us we're getting caught up in nostalgia as if it's a negative thing. I completely disagree. For movies, the way they can take you back to a previous time, especially childhood is such a strong and great feeling Couple this with the fact that the 80s were pretty much the golden age of action/adventure blockbuster movies, pushing down theseclassics in favor of the artsy fartsy just makes no sense for this decade. It's not like we're getting caught up in nostalgia for terrible movies here. Nobody remembers the 80s for Amadeus or Chariots of Fire or Driving Miss Daisy. They remember the 80s for Indiana Jones, Star Wars, and Back to the Future.

 

[krista4]

Yikes, this thread has become unreadable. Think I'll just check the first post for updates. Good luck with the countdown!

 

[TripItUp]

#63: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK [parmount+ ]

@Ilov80s ' #34 pick. I will just duck and let him talk about it.

uhhhhhhh...this is the greatest action adventure of all time and holds up remarkably well.

Easily makes my top 3 for the decade and is in contention for #1.

 

[otb_lifer]

As much as I like Tom Cruise movies, and it's a bunch, I've never seen Risky Business or Days of Thunder.

I’ve seen RB once in its entirety and don’t feel the need to admit that.

The train scene on the other hand…

yes, i watch it for the plot

 

[KarmaPolice]

#63: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK [parmount+ ]

@Ilov80s ' #34 pick. I will just duck and let him talk about it.

Wow, sorry, catching up but this is awful. This either means you left off Temple of Doom and Last Crusade or you ranked them higher, both of which are just not right, but all three are top films of the 80s. In what universe is RoTLA not a top ten 80s movie?

Also, people are saying that for some of us we're getting caught up in nostalgia as if it's a negative thing. I completely disagree. For movies, the way they can take you back to a previous time, especially childhood is such a strong and great feeling Couple this with the fact that the 80s were pretty much the golden age of action/adventure blockbuster movies, pushing down theseclassics in favor of the artsy fartsy just makes no sense for this decade. It's not like we're getting caught up in nostalgia for terrible movies here. Nobody remembers the 80s for Amadeus or Chariots of Fire or Driving Miss Daisy. They remember the 80s for Indiana Jones, Star Wars, and Back to the Future.

It's not. BUT sometimes nostalgia can cloud or over shadow quality. Also, depending on ages people have different sweet spots for nostalgia, or in the matter of Raiders and not watching it until my 30s, I have 0 nostalgia for it, and I didn't think it held up well. Still a fun movie, but it would be in my personal 100-200.

For me having 0 consideration for stuff that might be "artsy-fartsy" also is pretty ignorant. Just because my 10 year old brain didn't love them doesn't mean they aren't stellar movies that people should watch, or movies I have fallen for later in life. I think the more interesting discussion will come when we see the 29-30 we agreed on and are at the top. The top 30 is not lacking in cheese, explosions, laughs, or violence. Yes, there about about 6-7 in there that are "artsy-fartsy" and some huge titles we will get to before that too. Again, this was our list of favorite movies from the 80s, not favorite "80s movies" we both felt it was an important distinction based on our lists.

 

[El Floppo]

#63: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK [parmount+ ]

@Ilov80s ' #34 pick. I will just duck and let him talk about it.

Wow, sorry, catching up but this is awful. This either means you left off Temple of Doom and Last Crusade or you ranked them higher, both of which are just not right, but all three are top films of the 80s. In what universe is RoTLA not a top ten 80s movie?

Also, people are saying that for some of us we're getting caught up in nostalgia as if it's a negative thing. I completely disagree. For movies, the way they can take you back to a previous time, especially childhood is such a strong and great feeling Couple this with the fact that the 80s were pretty much the golden age of action/adventure blockbuster movies, pushing down theseclassics in favor of the artsy fartsy just makes no sense for this decade. It's not like we're getting caught up in nostalgia for terrible movies here. Nobody remembers the 80s for Amadeus or Chariots of Fire or Driving Miss Daisy. They remember the 80s for Indiana Jones, Star Wars, and Back to the Future.

the sequels were... not great. fun for being sequels, but not in contention for any best of list- even for the year, let alone decade.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Yikes, this thread has become unreadable. Think I'll just check the first post for updates. Good luck with the countdown!

@krista4 did we lose you with Raiders too?

 

[KarmaPolice]

Let's do a few more before I pass out watching baseball.

 

[El Floppo]

Let's do a few more before I pass out watching baseball.

is there any other way to watch baseball?