Top 101 Movies of the 80s (2 Viewers)

[Mr. Mojo]

56: SCARFACE [hulu]

I still haven't managed to sit down and watch it. It wasn't part of my homework assignment, so I didn't feel the need yet.

Mano, shoot dat piece a chit...

 

[TripItUp]

The Abyss was a solid movie IMHO, but not on the level of others from the era. About what I'd rank it despite my Ed Harris mancrush.

 

[KarmaPolice]

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".

I'm currently watching it. I stand by my ranking. It's a good combo of both, but a tier below other action and sci-fi to come.

 

[TripItUp]

Oh...And Predator?

Rules.

Yep, this is a clear miss. Not as egregious as Raiders, but a miss nonetheless.

 

[Ilov80s]

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels does not get enough love.

Oh, Lawrence! This is the happiest day of my life! I think my testicles are dropping!

 

[JAA]

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 pics here, excellent work. Both movies created franchise which still output content. Predator has been incredibly resilient across mediums and does exceptionally well in print and gamer.

You just need to explain to people how First Blood and Predator > Raiders of the Lost Arc

 

[JAA]

59/6
ORDINARY PEOPLE [prime, paramount+]

Remarkable piece of work - the apathetic pathos of MTM was so far removed from her days at WJN, or up in Westchester with Richard - who knew she had them kinda chops?

my favorite role from both Sutherland & Hutton - cuts like a razor.

the use of the score up in here was brilliant ... a co-starring role, no question.

the "peeling the curtains back on Suburbia" trope have been beaten to a bloody pulp, but very few hit it this cotdamn hard and successfully.

I think this and The Ice Storm were the most gut-wrenching depictions of the dysfunctional upper-middle class suburban set.

The Ice Storm was so awkward. I could only watch it once, but the acting was well done. Only thing missing was an interesting plot.

 

[Ilov80s]

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 pics here, excellent work. Both movies created franchise which still output content. Predator has been incredibly resilient across mediums and does exceptionally well in print and gamer.

You just need to explain to people how First Blood and Predator > Raiders of the Lost Arc

I can’t speak for KP because he’s the Predator guy but I had First Blood slightly higher because I liked it more. Seriously though, it’s grittier and has a real emotional core to it. I love Indy, tons of fun but totally throw away. Nothing wrong with pure entertainment but I do think I also want something to think about or a theme that sticks with me. First Blood has the best acting of Sly’s career and delivers a real message about how we treat vets.

 

[TripItUp]

56: SCARFACE [hulu]

80s' #30 selection. I still haven't managed to sit down and watch it. It wasn't part of my homework assignment, so I didn't feel the need yet.

This is easily top 30 for me but don't have a problem with the ranking. There are times where the film definitely feels dated, not because of the era but because the filmmaking has some flaws IMHO. Despite those flaws, I've seen it at least 20 times and it is one of the all timers of the genre for me.

 

[Ilov80s]

56: SCARFACE [hulu]

80s' #30 selection. I still haven't managed to sit down and watch it. It wasn't part of my homework assignment, so I didn't feel the need yet.

This is easily top 30 for me but don't have a problem with the ranking. There are times where the film definitely feels dated, not because of the era but because the filmmaking has some flaws IMHO. Despite those flaws, I've seen it at least 20 times and it is one of the all timers of the genre for me.

Now if we are talking pure entertainment, I find this movie way more fun than Indy. Maybe I’m a little twisted for that but I do. And I had it right at 30.

**** the ****in Diaz brothers! I bury those cockroaches!

 

[JAA]

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.

Good questions, my best responses are based on the fact that I only really watch older movies in 2 ways now (Im 48).

1. Looking for a movie for family night. This includes wife, 3 boys (19, 17, 14), and myself
2. At someone else's house and trying to see "whats on right now"

If Im looking for something for the family, classic 80's is perfect as they are for everyone. I understand people use the word "nostalgia", but it's more than that. These movies are "recognizable" by everyone either through their franchise, name recognition, or even meme's.

Also, when scrolling through "what's on now", any of my fav movies I can pick up at a random place in the movie and get into it quick. I would say my top 30 movies from the 80's i've seen dozens of times, simply because they are great and easy to watch. No trying to pick, but can someone just pick a random spot in After Hours or The Outsiders and watch for 30 minutes and enjoy? I know I couldnt start watching Sex Lies and Videotape at random spots and enjoy it. NO CHANCE on The Abyss.

 

[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.

I really like the Abyss and don’t remember watching it in the 80s. Have probably seen it 5 times. However, how that is ranked higher than a few of the other movies listed is nuts. It’s a fun list of movies but I think you pulled the ranking out of a hat.

These are the comments that piss me off. I think both of us put a surprising amount of effort, thinking, and rewatches into these lists.

I think we would just like to understand what is compelling about The Abyss.

 

[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.

I really like the Abyss and don’t remember watching it in the 80s. Have probably seen it 5 times. However, how that is ranked higher than a few of the other movies listed is nuts. It’s a fun list of movies but I think you pulled the ranking out of a hat.

These are the comments that piss me off. I think both of us put a surprising amount of effort, thinking, and rewatches into these lists.

Lighten up Francis.

Sorry, I actually usually enjoy talking about movies, but these countdowns turn frustrating and negative in a big hurry. It's why I was hesitant to do the 80s one in particular. Particularily frustruting is the post suggesting we are just pulling stuff out our *** or "trying to hard" as though these aren't our actual rankings and movies we like.

Well, when your rankings question our entire childhoods I think there are bones to be picked

 

[JAA]

56: SCARFACE [hulu]

80s' #30 selection. I still haven't managed to sit down and watch it. It wasn't part of my homework assignment, so I didn't feel the need yet.

Excellent movie. I would have guessed a little higher, like top 40. Even higher based on the voters

 

[JAA]

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.

LOL - I remember watching some sort of documentary of the making of that intro. Back in the day of the black cable boxes

 

[JAA]

54/55:

HOUSE OF GAMES [tubi]
THE KARATE KID [amc+ ]

Our #28 selections. Karate Kid is a core movie for me, love every minute of it. Great little father/son dynamic at the core, prime Elizabeth Shue, and quotes for years. "Get 'im a body bag ... yeah!!" House of Games is another I haven't seen - and this will be a running theme in the next 20 or so picks. @Ilov80s is giving me quite the list of 80s movies to watch for homework that will be new to me.

I rewatched KK with my kids. I don't think it ages as well as the other classics in the 80's. However, Cobra Kai creates much more nostalgia for the canon.

I would like to sincerely ask for how many people had House of Games in their top 100.

 

[El Floppo]

Also, when scrolling through "what's on now", any of my fav movies I can pick up at a random place in the movie and get into it quick. I would say my top 30 movies from the 80's i've seen dozens of times, simply because they are great and easy to watch. No trying to pick, but can someone just pick a random spot in After Hours or The Outsiders and watch for 30 minutes and enjoy? I know I couldnt start watching Sex Lies and Videotape at random spots and enjoy it. NO CHANCE on The Abyss.

this is bizarre and very specific criteria for what makes a good movie.

re: After Hours- it's episodic, so yeah... can pick up and watch certain scenes. you're kind of obsessed with this movie that IIRC you said you haven't seen. The Outsiders? was that drafted already?... completely missed it. solid movie.

sounds like you like the comfort of what know you already like... I get it, but also get bored with that PDQ. so TBH, I want to be exposed to something I don't know- if it's done well.

 

[El Floppo]

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.

I really like the Abyss and don’t remember watching it in the 80s. Have probably seen it 5 times. However, how that is ranked higher than a few of the other movies listed is nuts. It’s a fun list of movies but I think you pulled the ranking out of a hat.

These are the comments that piss me off. I think both of us put a surprising amount of effort, thinking, and rewatches into these lists.

Lighten up Francis.

Sorry, I actually usually enjoy talking about movies, but these countdowns turn frustrating and negative in a big hurry. It's why I was hesitant to do the 80s one in particular. Particularily frustruting is the post suggesting we are just pulling stuff out our *** or "trying to hard" as though these aren't our actual rankings and movies we like.

Well, when your rankings question our entire childhoods I think there are bones to be picked

wth?

 

[JAA]

53: GHOSTBUSTERS [amc+]

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.

52 movies of the 80's better than Ghostbusters. And go!

 

[El Floppo]

54/55:

HOUSE OF GAMES [tubi]
THE KARATE KID [amc+ ]

Our #28 selections. Karate Kid is a core movie for me, love every minute of it. Great little father/son dynamic at the core, prime Elizabeth Shue, and quotes for years. "Get 'im a body bag ... yeah!!" House of Games is another I haven't seen - and this will be a running theme in the next 20 or so picks. @Ilov80s is giving me quite the list of 80s movies to watch for homework that will be new to me.

I rewatched KK with my kids. I don't think it ages as well as the other classics in the 80's. However, Cobra Kai creates much more nostalgia for the canon.

I would like to sincerely ask for how many people had House of Games in their top 100.

definitely. peak Mamet.

 

[JAA]

Also, when scrolling through "what's on now", any of my fav movies I can pick up at a random place in the movie and get into it quick. I would say my top 30 movies from the 80's i've seen dozens of times, simply because they are great and easy to watch. No trying to pick, but can someone just pick a random spot in After Hours or The Outsiders and watch for 30 minutes and enjoy? I know I couldnt start watching Sex Lies and Videotape at random spots and enjoy it. NO CHANCE on The Abyss.

this is bizarre and very specific criteria for what makes a good movie.

re: After Hours- it's episodic, so yeah... can pick up and watch certain scenes. you're kind of obsessed with this movie that IIRC you said you haven't seen. The Outsiders? was that drafted already?... completely missed it. solid movie.

sounds like you like the comfort of what know you already like... I get it, but also get bored with that PDQ. so TBH, I want to be exposed to something I don't know- if it's done well.

Since everyone has put up with my in this thread, I will commit to watching 5 movies from this top 100. Movies can be decided by the OP and balloters.

 

[Ilov80s]

54/55:

HOUSE OF GAMES [tubi]
THE KARATE KID [amc+ ]

Our #28 selections. Karate Kid is a core movie for me, love every minute of it. Great little father/son dynamic at the core, prime Elizabeth Shue, and quotes for years. "Get 'im a body bag ... yeah!!" House of Games is another I haven't seen - and this will be a running theme in the next 20 or so picks. @Ilov80s is giving me quite the list of 80s movies to watch for homework that will be new to me.

I rewatched KK with my kids. I don't think it ages as well as the other classics in the 80's. However, Cobra Kai creates much more nostalgia for the canon.

I would like to sincerely ask for how many people had House of Games in their top 100.

You don’t like House of Games?

 

[JAA]

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.

Rocky IV

 

[El Floppo]

definitely. peak Mamet.

I guess it could be argued there are better movies of his. I just got really over his writing style after the 3rd or 4th. his style. his writing style. it was just something that- you know... his writing style, I was over it. his writing style.

 

[Ilov80s]

Also, when scrolling through "what's on now", any of my fav movies I can pick up at a random place in the movie and get into it quick. I would say my top 30 movies from the 80's i've seen dozens of times, simply because they are great and easy to watch. No trying to pick, but can someone just pick a random spot in After Hours or The Outsiders and watch for 30 minutes and enjoy? I know I couldnt start watching Sex Lies and Videotape at random spots and enjoy it. NO CHANCE on The Abyss.

this is bizarre and very specific criteria for what makes a good movie.

re: After Hours- it's episodic, so yeah... can pick up and watch certain scenes. you're kind of obsessed with this movie that IIRC you said you haven't seen. The Outsiders? was that drafted already?... completely missed it. solid movie.

sounds like you like the comfort of what know you already like... I get it, but also get bored with that PDQ. so TBH, I want to be exposed to something I don't know- if it's done well.

I don’t think The Outsiders was taken yet. Not sure if KP had but it won’t make my list. It’s just ok imo.

 

[JAA]

54/55:

HOUSE OF GAMES [tubi]
THE KARATE KID [amc+ ]

Our #28 selections. Karate Kid is a core movie for me, love every minute of it. Great little father/son dynamic at the core, prime Elizabeth Shue, and quotes for years. "Get 'im a body bag ... yeah!!" House of Games is another I haven't seen - and this will be a running theme in the next 20 or so picks. @Ilov80s is giving me quite the list of 80s movies to watch for homework that will be new to me.

I rewatched KK with my kids. I don't think it ages as well as the other classics in the 80's. However, Cobra Kai creates much more nostalgia for the canon.

I would like to sincerely ask for how many people had House of Games in their top 100.

You don’t like House of Games?

Never heard of it. Id put a over my head, but I bet if I started a poll on this forum for number of people who have watched, heard of, never heard of the poll results would be 10, 20, 70 percent.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

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.

Still hope to get Hanks best role ever but I doubt we will see it on this list

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.

Predator too low but I still respect you guys for putting this out there
I’m just happy it’s generate some discussion on movies, and everyone can chime in with all the good ones you guys missed in favor of artsy fartsy stuff at the end

 

[JAA]

Mental note

... not one James Bond movie yet

Conspiracy or oversight?

 

[otb_lifer]

Also, when scrolling through "what's on now", any of my fav movies I can pick up at a random place in the movie and get into it quick. I would say my top 30 movies from the 80's i've seen dozens of times, simply because they are great and easy to watch. No trying to pick, but can someone just pick a random spot in After Hours or The Outsiders and watch for 30 minutes and enjoy? I know I couldnt start watching Sex Lies and Videotape at random spots and enjoy it. NO CHANCE on The Abyss.

this is bizarre and very specific criteria for what makes a good movie.

re: After Hours- it's episodic, so yeah... can pick up and watch certain scenes. you're kind of obsessed with this movie that IIRC you said you haven't seen. The Outsiders? was that drafted already?... completely missed it. solid movie.

sounds like you like the comfort of what know you already like... I get it, but also get bored with that PDQ. so TBH, I want to be exposed to something I don't know- if it's done well.

I don’t think The Outsiders was taken yet. Not sure if KP had but it won’t make my list. It’s just ok imo.

i thought Coppola handled the subject matter quite well - nice to see his gorgeous direction and the lush cinematography in something a tad less heavy than where he spent the 70s - he needed escape - Hinton gave him that.

that being said, i prefer "Rumble Fish" (am i spotlighting? doubt it) ... Rourke's Motorcycle Boy was a genius turn.

 

[zamboni]

54/55:

HOUSE OF GAMES [tubi]
THE KARATE KID [amc+ ]

Our #28 selections. Karate Kid is a core movie for me, love every minute of it. Great little father/son dynamic at the core, prime Elizabeth Shue, and quotes for years. "Get 'im a body bag ... yeah!!" House of Games is another I haven't seen - and this will be a running theme in the next 20 or so picks. @Ilov80s is giving me quite the list of 80s movies to watch for homework that will be new to me.

I rewatched KK with my kids. I don't think it ages as well as the other classics in the 80's. However, Cobra Kai creates much more nostalgia for the canon.

Daniel-san’s mom is the real weak spot of the film. Have to think it would be pretty creepy if your building’s old superintendent gave your son a mint vintage car. Also at the ending fight when Johnny elbows Daniel’s injured knee, she looks around matter-of-factly. Good parenting, Ms. LaRusso.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I think we would just like to understand what is compelling about The Abyss.

Lots.

The action scenes are top notch.

The first use of CGI in a movie (that's a for better or worse I suppose).

It has a heart - if you're not moved by Lindsay's death/resurrection sequence you're made of stone.

And of course...Michael Biehn.

 

[JAA]

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 The Goonies to the top 10?
Or will Ghostbusters move into top 5?

Wait to find out later in the countdown...

FYP

 

[El Floppo]

Also, when scrolling through "what's on now", any of my fav movies I can pick up at a random place in the movie and get into it quick. I would say my top 30 movies from the 80's i've seen dozens of times, simply because they are great and easy to watch. No trying to pick, but can someone just pick a random spot in After Hours or The Outsiders and watch for 30 minutes and enjoy? I know I couldnt start watching Sex Lies and Videotape at random spots and enjoy it. NO CHANCE on The Abyss.

this is bizarre and very specific criteria for what makes a good movie.

re: After Hours- it's episodic, so yeah... can pick up and watch certain scenes. you're kind of obsessed with this movie that IIRC you said you haven't seen. The Outsiders? was that drafted already?... completely missed it. solid movie.

sounds like you like the comfort of what know you already like... I get it, but also get bored with that PDQ. so TBH, I want to be exposed to something I don't know- if it's done well.

I don’t think The Outsiders was taken yet. Not sure if KP had but it won’t make my list. It’s just ok imo.

i thought Coppola handled the subject matter quite well - nice to see his gorgeous direction and the lush cinematography in something a tad less heavy than where he spent the 70s - he needed escape - Hinton gave him that.

that being said, i prefer "Rumble Fish" (am i spotlighting? doubt it) ... Rourke's Motorcycle Boy was a genius turn.

stewart copeland on the soundtrack too

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Mental note

... not one James Bond movie yet

Conspiracy or oversight?

80's Bond suuuucccked.

 

[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

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.

It was a satisfying ending. However, I have never liked the "crazy teammate" trope.

 

[zamboni]

I think we would just like to understand what is compelling about The Abyss.

Lots.

It’s pretty deep.

 

[Ilov80s]

Never heard of it. Id put a over my head, but I bet if I started a poll on this forum for number of people who have watched, heard of, never heard of the poll results would be 10, 20, 70 percent.

Obviously I don’t know your tastes beyond The Goonies and a couple others but if you like con movies then House of Games would be a good one to add to your 5. Would be a fun spin-off thread to see you watch some of these and either enjoy them or mock us some more.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I think we would just like to understand what is compelling about The Abyss.

Lots.

It’s pretty deep.

Well played.

 

[otb_lifer]

Mental note

... not one James Bond movie yet

Conspiracy or oversight?

only one Connery flick fits this criteria, so we'll see ...

 

[JAA]

Mental note

... not one James Bond movie yet

Conspiracy or oversight?

80's Bond suuuucccked.

Filming of James Bond in the 1980s - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I will admit I have Roger Moore > Sean Connery.

This is biased as my Aunt and Uncle had the first VHS in our family. I think it was one of these. I would back-to-back-to-back my favorite tape of theirs. It had 2 movies. For Your Eyes Only and

Spoiler: hidden

Clash of the Titans

. Ive prolly seen those movies more than any other in my life except maybe

Spoiler: hidden

Die Hard

 

[Andy Dufresne]

For Your Eyes Only and A View to a Kill have great theme songs.

 

[otb_lifer]

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.

However, I have never liked the "crazy teammate" trope.

maybe in "Fear Strikes Out" ... but that's about it.

 

[El Floppo]

54/55:

HOUSE OF GAMES [tubi]
THE KARATE KID [amc+ ]

Our #28 selections. Karate Kid is a core movie for me, love every minute of it. Great little father/son dynamic at the core, prime Elizabeth Shue, and quotes for years. "Get 'im a body bag ... yeah!!" House of Games is another I haven't seen - and this will be a running theme in the next 20 or so picks. @Ilov80s is giving me quite the list of 80s movies to watch for homework that will be new to me.

I rewatched KK with my kids. I don't think it ages as well as the other classics in the 80's. However, Cobra Kai creates much more nostalgia for the canon.

I would like to sincerely ask for how many people had House of Games in their top 100.

You don’t like House of Games?

Never heard of it. Id put a over my head, but I bet if I started a poll on this forum for number of people who have watched, heard of, never heard of the poll results would be 10, 20, 70 percent.

I feel like everybody primarily wants classic "80s movies" that defined their youths... but there were a ton of amazing "movies" in the 80s that stand on their own, nostaligia or no. this is one of them. and I"m sure a lot of them will be left off this list.

 

[JAA]

#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.

Prolly placed perfectly

 

[JAA]

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

Spoiler: spoiler

spoiler

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Also, the making of documentary of The Abyss is great and made me like the movie even more
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0382354/

 

[Ilov80s]

I feel like everybody primarily wants classic "80s movies" that defined their youths... but there were a ton of amazing "movies" in the 80s that stand on their own, nostaligia or no. this is one of them. and I"m sure a lot of them will be left off this list.

Yeah I feel like many of these slipped through the cracks or were drowned out by the blockbusters but are great movies. I hope we can get a few people to check out some new movies they will go on to enjoy. Raiders doesn’t need anyone singing it’s praises. We all know about it. I think KP and I thought this would be fun because we maybe have seen some out of the box movies others would enjoy. Hopefully…

 

[Pip's Invitation]

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

This kind of thing is why I never watched Community. Its online fans drove me away from it.

 

[JAA]

Never heard of it. Id put a over my head, but I bet if I started a poll on this forum for number of people who have watched, heard of, never heard of the poll results would be 10, 20, 70 percent.

Obviously I don’t know your tastes beyond The Goonies and a couple others but if you like con movies then House of Games would be a good one to add to your 5. Would be a fun spin-off thread to see you watch some of these and either enjoy them or mock us some more.

Since yall keep putting up with me, once the list is done I will * all that I havnt seen. Happy to watch and report back. Im sure there will be zero hilarity ensued.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Mental note

... not one James Bond movie yet

Conspiracy or oversight?

Fun fact- I've seen exactly 1 Bond movie.