Top 101 Movies of the 80s (3 Viewers)

[JAA]

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

what were you expecting? and ?

 

[Runkle]

Looks like HBO is the place for good 80s movies.

#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.

There's definitely room for artsy fartsy in a top 100 80s movies but they should mostly be on the back end. The top 50 should be filled with the following:

- Star Wars
- Indiana Jones
- Back to the Future
- campy 80s horror like NOES, Friday 13th, etc. (select films, not all of them)
- almost all the john hughes catalog
- other classic comedies like Caddyshack, Vacation, Ghostbusters, etc.
- other Blockbusters like Top Gun, Rambo, Aliens

I'm sure your top 50 will have a lot of these, but ROTLA was a swing and a miss. I know this is all subjective, but that was as close to being an objectively wrong pick as it gets.

Serious question for you and others - how much are you going back and watching all these movies you are listing? Yes, some of these things you listed will show up, but adult KP has found many of them to be overrated on rewatches and slid down the list as others rose. We can have specific discussions as more and more are revealed.

Last year I watched Raiders of the Lost Ark in the theaters (4DX re-release).

It was amazing. I can't wait to find what 62 movies are better than it. I can think of three or four possibilities. Completely unaware that there are somehow 50+ more undiscovered perfect films out there that somehow escaped my notice.

 

[Ilov80s]

I have a feeling if we do the 70s it would be much more in line with the tastes of the masses. Well, I guess we still would have my dislike of 70s comedies to contend with, so maybe not.

I had no doubt 80s would be the most contentious.

 

[Scoresman]

53: GHOSTBUSTERS

My #27 pick. This one is right there with Karate Kid as being movies that formed the core of my love for movies. Gremlins scared me, but what a June in 1984 with that movie, then Karate Kid and Ghostbusters. I know I saw each of those many times with my friends before they left the theater, and those were a couple of the very few we had on VHS. Easily have seen each of those two movies 100s of times.

Well now this is just a personal attack having it be this low. Ok, slight exaggeration.

But I could write an essay on how great a movie Ghostbusters is. The classic lines that were ad-libbed, the effects that were great at the time and still hold up, but most of all, the movie melded everything that was great about the 80s classic movies. Its a perfect blend of an 80s comedy, an 80s horror film, and an 80s action/adventure blockbuster and it excels at all of them. The script is one of the best of the decade in terms of how the cast all play off each other. The soundtrack is iconic. Peter Venkman is an all time great character.

If I were making this list, Ghostbusters very well might be the number 1.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

53: GHOSTBUSTERS

My #27 pick. This one is right there with Karate Kid as being movies that formed the core of my love for movies. Gremlins scared me, but what a June in 1984 with that movie, then Karate Kid and Ghostbusters. I know I saw each of those many times with my friends before they left the theater, and those were a couple of the very few we had on VHS. Easily have seen each of those two movies 100s of times.

See? Was that so difficult?

 

[Scoresman]

And this is my own hot take, but the Karate Kid is the best underdog movie of all time. Sorry Rocky. Another top 5 80s movie for me that holds up perfectly.

 

[titusbramble]

How did one of you not have Airplane listed at all? That's a top 3 of the decade for me

 

[Dr. Octopus]

because he's dead to me after "Independence Day"

Guy deserved a paycheck.

 

[otb_lifer]

because he's dead to me after "Independence Day"

Guy deserved a paycheck.

... then he shoulda been nicer to Louie

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Dr. Raymond Stantz: I think we'd better split up.

Dr. Egon Spengler: Good idea.

Dr. Peter Venkman: Yeah... we can do more damage that way.

 

[Ilov80s]

How did one of you not have Airplane listed at all? That's a top 3 of the decade for me

Airplane is a bit of a love-hate. I know many people who just find it stupid.

 

[Manster]

57/58:

FIRST BLOOD [hbo max]
PREDATOR [hbo max]

First Blood is one I haven't seen in awhile - have to go back and watch again. Brian Dennehy was really good from what I recall. And a mute Stallone is a good Stallone.

Predator was enjoyable enough - cool monster.

Arnie and Sly.....the kings of one liners, and for good reason

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Lighten up Francis.

qualifies

 

[Runkle]

53: GHOSTBUSTERS

My #27 pick. This one is right there with Karate Kid as being movies that formed the core of my love for movies. Gremlins scared me, but what a June in 1984 with that movie, then Karate Kid and Ghostbusters. I know I saw each of those many times with my friends before they left the theater, and those were a couple of the very few we had on VHS. Easily have seen each of those two movies 100s of times.

Well now this is just a personal attack having it be this low. Ok, slight exaggeration.

But I could write an essay on how great a movie Ghostbusters is. The classic lines that were ad-libbed, the effects that were great at the time and still hold up, but most of all, the movie melded everything that was great about the 80s classic movies. Its a perfect blend of an 80s comedy, an 80s horror film, and an 80s action/adventure blockbuster and it excels at all of them. The script is one of the best of the decade in terms of how the cast all play off each other. The soundtrack is iconic. Peter Venkman is an all time great character.

If I were making this list, Ghostbusters very well might be the number 1.

I daresay, from a construction standpoint, the Ghostbusters script is perfect. Tight, efficient, funny, not a wasted line or moment. Just a perfect gem.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Oh...And Predator?

Rules.

 

[zamboni]

appreciate the inclusion of where these can be watched KP

We've come a long way when you could only see some of these movies after watching this beaut of an opening.

Good lord.

I was going to pick that for the US song countdown.

 

[KarmaPolice]

One odd criteria I used when I was thinking about this and attacking it from the angle of a desert island scenario is that I looked at my bluray and 4K collection. My top 15 or so I have on 4k, so yeah - slam dunk I am taking those if I've bothered to purchase them yet again. I have most of the next 10 on bluray as well. What struck me is that despite loving them and them being a core part of my start of the love of movies, I did not have either Karate Kid or Ghostbusters even on bluray or on the shelves anywhere. It got me thinking about why.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

then he shoulda been nicer to Louie

"While all blueberries are blue berries not all blue berries are blueberries"

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I like how every movie listed is considered "way too low" - at some point wouldn't that all balance out?

 

[Andy Dufresne]

One odd criteria I used when I was thinking about this and attacking it from the angle of a desert island scenario is that I looked at my bluray and 4K collection. My top 15 or so I have on 4k, so yeah - slam dunk I am taking those if I've bothered to purchase them yet again. I have most of the next 10 on bluray as well. What struck me is that despite loving them and them being a core part of my start of the love of movies, I did not have either Karate Kid or Ghostbusters even on bluray or on the shelves anywhere. It got me thinking about why.

In an odd coincidence, I don't have either movie in BluRay or HD streaming. Although Ghostbusters is $5 for 4k on streaming this week. Maybe I'll bite the bullet.

 

[Scoresman]

I like how every movie listed is considered "way too low" - at some point wouldn't that all balance out?

Not sure what you mean. For example, Raiders of the Lost Ark is better than every movie named after it so far except for Ghostbusters.

 

[KarmaPolice]

One odd criteria I used when I was thinking about this and attacking it from the angle of a desert island scenario is that I looked at my bluray and 4K collection. My top 15 or so I have on 4k, so yeah - slam dunk I am taking those if I've bothered to purchase them yet again. I have most of the next 10 on bluray as well. What struck me is that despite loving them and them being a core part of my start of the love of movies, I did not have either Karate Kid or Ghostbusters even on bluray or on the shelves anywhere. It got me thinking about why.

In an odd coincidence, I don't have either movie in BluRay or HD streaming. Although Ghostbusters is $5 for 4k on streaming this week. Maybe I'll bite the bullet.

Part of it is probably because I have them memorized and could play them in my head. But that couldn't be all of it because I have seen other movies higher just as much or more.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I like how every movie listed is considered "way too low" - at some point wouldn't that all balance out?

Not sure what you mean. For example, Raiders of the Lost Ark is better than every movie named after it so far except for Ghostbusters.

I'm saying everytime some movie is listed some one says "way too low". Every movie can't be "way too low" as some movies have to finish behind others.

And while Raiders would be my #1, I find some of the whining a little over the top. It's not like this is some "official list". It's the opinion of 2 people. I'm not sure how their opinions are "wrong".

 

[Scoresman]

I like how every movie listed is considered "way too low" - at some point wouldn't that all balance out?

Not sure what you mean. For example, Raiders of the Lost Ark is better than every movie named after it so far except for Ghostbusters.

I'm saying everytime some movie is listed some one says "way too low". Every movie can't be "way too low" as some movies have to finish behind others.

And while Raiders would be my #1, I find some of the whining a little over the top. It's not like this is some "official list". It's the opinion of 2 people. I'm not sure how their opinions are "wrong".

It's not every movie. Maybe one in ten. The countdown is moving fast.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

It's not every movie. Maybe one in ten. The countdown is moving fast.

It's been a LOT of movies. I'm not really interested in arguing about it though.

 

[JAA]

#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.

sysy

Spoiler: spoiler

best I could do for artsy fartsy

 

[Pip's Invitation]

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

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

And you ranked it…

Oh.

 

[JAA]

#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.

I would watch ToD and LC before After Hours and Polyester Sweater

... speaking of After Hours, where is Night Shift?

 

[Pip's Invitation]

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.

Big Spader fan. This film seemed to mark his transition from high school a-hole to serious actor.

Imagine what a sequel would have to be: Sex, Lies and Streaming Services?

Technology changes, but sex and lies are always constant.

 

[Ilov80s]

I won't say what it is, but there is a stat correction to come later. KP and I were talking and realizing something I had written didn't match with that was submitted.

Will it be bumping up a movie the angry mom was upset about?
Or is another foreign inde on the rise to spurn the masses?

Wait to find out later in the countdown...

 

[JAA]

59/60:

ORDINARY PEOPLE [prime, paramount+]
THE ABYSS


Our #32 picks. Cameron getting his underwater boner on starting in the 80s. I was surprised how much I loved this one on a rewatch and love the idea of underwater ETs. Ending was cheesy, but that goes for a lot of movies so I don't knock it too much. I had forgotten about Ordinary People. Great movie that I would have had in the 70s-100 range.

The Abyss?

In all seriousness, I never understood the love for this movie? Was it the plot? Was it the acting? Was it the cinematography? Was it the rat-in-fluid?

I've never understood the draw to this movie. I doubt it would make my top 100 and it is now currently ranked ahead of ROTLA

 

[otb_lifer]

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.

Jimmy Spader was on his way to becoming OUR Gary Oldman ... next thing i knew he were just a BE-BOPPIN' & SCATTIN' around the UWS

 

[Manster]

And this is my own hot take, but the Karate Kid is the best underdog movie of all time. Sorry Rocky. Another top 5 80s movie for me that holds up perfectly.

I was never a huge Rocky guy anyway, but one of em was on the tube the other day so I watched for a minute......the boxing matches are unwatchable.....I mean I knew it back then, but I didn't really care......just can't do it now.

 

[zamboni]

I was never a huge Rocky guy anyway, but one of em was on the tube the other day so I watched for a minute......the boxing matches are unwatchable.....I mean I knew it back then, but I didn't really care......just can't do it now.

I’m still holding out for this one (behind Sonny)

 

[KarmaPolice]

52: MIDNIGHT RUN

80s' #26 movie, and yet another added to the queue that I need to get to.

 

[Scoresman]

And this is my own hot take, but the Karate Kid is the best underdog movie of all time. Sorry Rocky. Another top 5 80s movie for me that holds up perfectly.

I was never a huge Rocky guy anyway, but one of em was on the tube the other day so I watched for a minute......the boxing matches are unwatchable.....I mean I knew it back then, but I didn't really care......just can't do it now.

Exactly. And if you still don't stand up and cheer when that crane kick hits, you're dead inside. Johnny was such a better villain than Apollo Creed. Made it a much more satisfying payoff. And I LOVE Rocky.

 

[Scoresman]

59/60:

ORDINARY PEOPLE [prime, paramount+]
THE ABYSS


Our #32 picks. Cameron getting his underwater boner on starting in the 80s. I was surprised how much I loved this one on a rewatch and love the idea of underwater ETs. Ending was cheesy, but that goes for a lot of movies so I don't knock it too much. I had forgotten about Ordinary People. Great movie that I would have had in the 70s-100 range.

The Abyss?

In all seriousness, I never understood the love for this movie? Was it the plot? Was it the acting? Was it the cinematography? Was it the rat-in-fluid?

I've never understood the draw to this movie. I doubt it would make my top 100 and it is now currently ranked ahead of ROTLA

I loved this movie, but haven't seen it in a while so don't know how well it's aged. I do remember that it was the poster movie for home surround sound systems when they first started coming out. Every electronics store had the opening submarine scene playing as the in-store demo and it was ****ing impressive.

I think what I like about it is that it has a satisfying and conclusive ending after it's big buildup. Maybe a bit heavy handed with it's theme, but still satisfying. A lot of movies like this tend to keep things ambiguous, and this one didn't, especially if you watched the extended edition.

 

[KarmaPolice]

#51: DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS [tubi, kanopy]

This was on both of our lists, at #49 and #76. I will be honest though, I didn't get to a rewatch before the rankings, but just did the other night and I would have had this a little higher. So much goodness. When Caine goes to the other room and makes a run at him.

I then watched The Hustle as a remake double feature, and that is one of the worst movies I've watched in some time.

 

[KarmaPolice]

And this is my own hot take, but the Karate Kid is the best underdog movie of all time. Sorry Rocky. Another top 5 80s movie for me that holds up perfectly.

I was never a huge Rocky guy anyway, but one of em was on the tube the other day so I watched for a minute......the boxing matches are unwatchable.....I mean I knew it back then, but I didn't really care......just can't do it now.

Exactly. And if you still don't stand up and cheer when that crane kick hits, you're dead inside. Johnny was such a better villain than Apollo Creed. Made it a much more satisfying payoff. And I LOVE Rocky.

You mean when that illegal kick was used to defeat the better fighter??

 

[KarmaPolice]

It's my day off, so I will probably get to the next 10 tonight. We are into the top 50!!

Our next 10 movies feature: 3 movies on both lists, 3 or 4 foreign language films ,, a couple sports movies, and movie with a scene spoofed in my favorite Pixar movie.

ETA: first up tonight, we reveal my current favorite movie to watch while high...

 

[Scoresman]

Looking forward to seeing what foreign language films you guys like better than Indiana Jones.

 

[otb_lifer]

Looking forward to seeing what foreign language films you guys like better than Indiana Jones.

do the Muppets qualify as foreign language?

(asking for a friend who has a KILL KERMIT tattoo)

TIA

 

[titusbramble]

I like how every movie listed is considered "way too low" - at some point wouldn't that all balance out?

I was thinking that, but 80s films are both deep and ultra subjective, it contains both two of my top five films ever plus the worst film I've ever seen - the latter which was (maybe is) in the IMDb top 250

Edit - on the latter one Brazil was already selected so no point in being spoiler free

 

[Andy Dufresne]

52: MIDNIGHT RUN

80s' #26 movie, and yet another added to the queue that I need to get to.

I've always meant to get to this one.

 

[Waldorf]

(asking for a friend who has a KILL KERMIT tattoo)

You and me both. Oh ho ho ho.

 

[otb_lifer]

52: MIDNIGHT RUN

80s' #26 movie, and yet another added to the queue that I need to get to.

I've always meant to get to this one.

Chuck Grodin is an acquired taste, imo ... he drags it - i just don't buy him.

so there's that.


... but Joey Pants!

 

[Ilov80s]

Looking forward to seeing what foreign language films you guys like better than Indiana Jones.

Several

 

[TripItUp]

57/58:

FIRST BLOOD [hbo max]
PREDATOR [hbo max]

80s' #31 pick and Predator was on both of ours at #74 and #58. Despite my hate of Stallone, I really liked First Blood and it would be in my next wave of 100 for sure. A surprisingly good story at it's core. Again, I think it's that slight age gap for me, as I never watched First Blood until adulthood, but Predator hit just as those teen years did and I watched it all the time.

Great movies, would have Predator quite a bit higher as I consider it one of the best SciFis ever, but certainly not as egregious as the "Raiders Incident".

 

[El Floppo]

52: MIDNIGHT RUN

80s' #26 movie, and yet another added to the queue that I need to get to.

I've always meant to get to this one.

ok, hop along cazadeetch.

 

[El Floppo]

I love Midnight Run. need to rewatch.