Top 101 Movies of the 80s (3 Viewers)

[Dan Lambskin]

#37: THE BREAKFAST CLUB [prime]

My #14. Couple dumb parts (glass breaking), but it's still one of my wife's an my favorites. Other Hughes don't hold up for me like this one, and there are still enough here for me to warrant this rank on my list. I will admit that I did start putting stuff into tiers had some mild thoughts like I need a teen movie, etc.. and then started thinking about which of the teen movies held up the best for me. Hint: not Pretty in Pink

The hot beef injection this countdown needed

 

[Ilov80s]

#35: THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY

80s' #11 movie. Another I haven't seen.

I wish Wikkid was here to praise this one. One of his favorites and a movie he helped turn me on to. Mel Gibson and Sigourney Weaver never looked better.

 

[otb_lifer]

#37: THE BREAKFAST CLUB

My #14. Couple dumb parts (glass breaking), but it's still one of my wife's an my favorites. Other Hughes don't hold up for me like this one, and there are still enough here for me to warrant this rank on my list. I will admit that I did start putting stuff into tiers had some mild thoughts like I need a teen movie, etc.. and then started thinking about which of the teen movies held up the best for me. Hint: not Pretty in Pink

q: why did Alison (Sheedy) have to "doll up" for Andrew (Estevez), yet Claire (Molly) didn't have to "rocker grrrl out" for Bender (Nelson)

... i mean, wouldn't Hughes' message here have been better served if they either a) left her alone, or b) went my route





tl;dr - WHY DID ALISON NEED TO CONFORM AFTER ALL THAT COTDAMN ANGST AND BULLCHIT?

I've had this discussion and for me it comes down to: did it "have" to be that way for Andrew? is that just how the popular girls like Claire interact with other girls?

But yes, I agree it's a knock on the movie that they had her do that.

#37: THE BREAKFAST CLUB

My #14. Couple dumb parts (glass breaking), but it's still one of my wife's an my favorites. Other Hughes don't hold up for me like this one, and there are still enough here for me to warrant this rank on my list. I will admit that I did start putting stuff into tiers had some mild thoughts like I need a teen movie, etc.. and then started thinking about which of the teen movies held up the best for me. Hint: not Pretty in Pink

q: why did Alison (Sheedy) have to "doll up" for Andrew (Estevez), yet Claire (Molly) didn't have to "rocker grrrl out" for Bender (Nelson)

... i mean, wouldn't Hughes' message here have been better served if they either a) left her alone, or b) went my route





tl;dr - WHY DID ALISON NEED TO CONFORM AFTER ALL THAT COTDAMN ANGST AND BULLCHIT?

You either accept Captain Crunch sandwiches or you don’t.

f*** it, forget it ... everything's cool ... there's nothing to talk about, SPORTO

 

[Ilov80s]

#36: THE VERDICT [hbo max]

80s' #12 pick. Great movie, and I suspect would have made the list if I had gotten to a rewatch.

Paul Newman’s best performance? I think. Incredible courtroom movie.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

#37: THE BREAKFAST CLUB

My #14. Couple dumb parts (glass breaking), but it's still one of my wife's an my favorites. Other Hughes don't hold up for me like this one, and there are still enough here for me to warrant this rank on my list. I will admit that I did start putting stuff into tiers had some mild thoughts like I need a teen movie, etc.. and then started thinking about which of the teen movies held up the best for me. Hint: not Pretty in Pink

q: why did Alison (Sheedy) have to "doll up" for Andrew (Estevez), yet Claire (Molly) didn't have to "rocker grrrl out" for Bender (Nelson)

... i mean, wouldn't Hughes' message here have been better served if they either a) left her alone, or b) went my route





tl;dr - WHY DID ALISON NEED TO CONFORM AFTER ALL THAT COTDAMN ANGST AND BULLCHIT?

I've had this discussion and for me it comes down to: did it "have" to be that way for Andrew? is that just how the popular girls like Claire interact with other girls?

But yes, I agree it's a knock on the movie that they had her do that.

#37: THE BREAKFAST CLUB

My #14. Couple dumb parts (glass breaking), but it's still one of my wife's an my favorites. Other Hughes don't hold up for me like this one, and there are still enough here for me to warrant this rank on my list. I will admit that I did start putting stuff into tiers had some mild thoughts like I need a teen movie, etc.. and then started thinking about which of the teen movies held up the best for me. Hint: not Pretty in Pink

q: why did Alison (Sheedy) have to "doll up" for Andrew (Estevez), yet Claire (Molly) didn't have to "rocker grrrl out" for Bender (Nelson)

... i mean, wouldn't Hughes' message here have been better served if they either a) left her alone, or b) went my route





tl;dr - WHY DID ALISON NEED TO CONFORM AFTER ALL THAT COTDAMN ANGST AND BULLCHIT?

You either accept Captain Crunch sandwiches or you don’t.

f*** it, forget it ... everything's cool ... there's nothing to talk about, SPORTO

Smoke up Johnny!

 

[otb_lifer]

#36: THE VERDICT [hbo max]

80s' #12 pick. Great movie, and I suspect would have made the list if I had gotten to a rewatch.

Paul Newman’s best performance?

Henry Gondorff has my vote

 

[zamboni]

#36: THE VERDICT [hbo max]

80s' #12 pick. Great movie, and I suspect would have made the list if I had gotten to a rewatch.

Paul Newman’s best performance?

Henry Gondorff has my vote

You spelled Reggie Dunlop incorrectly.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

there was a cornfield in ET? wow... I don't remember that at all. or are we still talking about Field of Dreams?

Yep, Elliot's first encounter with E.T. is when he goes out looking for him in the field behind their house. That's the screaming scene that freaked out a lot of kids, apparently.

Doesn't he scream when he sees Drew, too? For some reason I have that in my mind. :shudders:

For me me the scariest was him hiding in the closest. The camera pan of the stuffed animals to his face? **** that. I was convinced that ******* was in my closet for months. Lol.

Yes, but it's supposed to be comical. They're both afraid of each other.

 

[otb_lifer]

#36: THE VERDICT [hbo max]

80s' #12 pick. Great movie, and I suspect would have made the list if I had gotten to a rewatch.

Paul Newman’s best performance?

Henry Gondorff has my vote

You spelled Reggie Dunlop incorrectly.

daaaamn ... big whiff on my part

ok, 10 minute major for me

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Can you describe the "ruckus", sir?

 

[Scoresman]

Question. Is Stand By Me considered artsy fartsy?

 

[otb_lifer]

Question. Is Stand By Me considered artsy fartsy?

the twee Will Wheaton stories sure the eff are ... tell that kid to shut up.

TIA

 

[zamboni]

Question. Is Stand By Me considered artsy fartsy?

Only the pie eating contest.

 

[Ilov80s]

#36: THE VERDICT [hbo max]

80s' #12 pick. Great movie, and I suspect would have made the list if I had gotten to a rewatch.

Paul Newman’s best performance?

Henry Gondorff has my vote

You spelled Reggie Dunlop incorrectly.

You spelled Hud wrong which is weird because it’s so simple.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Can you describe the "ruckus", sir?

I think what you are touching on with E.T. is what makes Breakfast Club still resonate with people - empathy. Sure, these whipper snappers are probably going back to their groups on Monday like Claire said, but they had their day of seeing things from each other's pov a bit. That and I love the way they could be going at each other, but then become a group when Vernon walks in.

 

[KarmaPolice]

#36: THE VERDICT [hbo max]

80s' #12 pick. Great movie, and I suspect would have made the list if I had gotten to a rewatch.

Paul Newman’s best performance? I think. Incredible courtroom movie.

It just might be, and yes. A whiff on my part here.

 

[zamboni]

Can you describe the "ruckus", sir?

I think what you are touching on with E.T. is what makes Breakfast Club still resonate with people - empathy. Sure, these whipper snappers are probably going back to their groups on Monday like Claire said, but they had their day of seeing things from each other's pov a bit. That and I love the way they could be going at each other, but then become a group when Vernon walks in.

Who hasn’t had the nightmare of walking around with the paper toilet seat cover hanging out of the back of your pants?

 

[Scoresman]

I've got a list of 18 potential snubs going with 34 or so picks remaining. This does not include some obvious classics that have not yet been mentioned. Curious to see how much this list gets whittled down.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

You spelled Hud wrong which is weird because it’s so simple

Even backwards it's Duh.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

A naked blonde walks into a bar with a poodle under one arm and a two-foot salami under the other. She lays the poodle on the table. Bartender says, 'I suppose you won't be needing a drink'. Naked lady says...

 

[El Floppo]

Will any Hughes movies show up?

better not ... nothing left in his oeuvre deserves a seat at the remaining table, especially with what is left out there.

I have a very soft spot for 16 Candles and still love it (sheesh!)... but at this point, yeah- there are a LOT of great movies left. I'd have put it in the bottom 25 of my 100. the rest of his, including one that might appear here, I didn't completely dig.

btw... I was expecting the other one, not Breakfast Club- although not totally surprised by it.

the over the head THESE ARE HS ARCHETYPES... it was too heavy handed/obvious even for a HS kid like me.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Also I miss John Bender the poster

 

[Gally]

Starting to get nervous that Short Circuit is going to get snubbed.

Johnny 5 isn't alive?

 

[zamboni]

A naked blonde walks into a bar with a poodle under one arm and a two-foot salami under the other. She lays the poodle on the table. Bartender says, 'I suppose you won't be needing a drink'. Naked lady says...

Still waiting until this day to hear the punchline. Damn ceiling.

 

[otb_lifer]

A naked blonde walks into a bar with a poodle under one arm and a two-foot salami under the other. She lays the poodle on the table. Bartender says, 'I suppose you won't be needing a drink'. Naked lady says...

Still waiting until this day to hear the punchline.

soo, Ahab ... can i burn my doobage?

 

[KarmaPolice]

I've got a list of 18 potential snubs going with 34 or so picks remaining. This does not include some obvious classics that have not yet been mentioned. Curious to see how much this list gets whittled down.

Hmm, 18?

We don't seem to click much yet, but I think we have some damn good movies in our top 30 that are hovering in people's minds. I set the over/under at 9.5.

 

[zamboni]

KP and ‘80s are the eyes and ears of this institution.

 

[Scoresman]

I've got a list of 18 potential snubs going with 34 or so picks remaining. This does not include some obvious classics that have not yet been mentioned. Curious to see how much this list gets whittled down.

Hmm, 18?

We don't seem to click much yet, but I think we have some damn good movies in our top 30 that are hovering in people's minds. I set the over/under at 9.5.

Here's a hint, not one of them is artsy fartsy in the slightest. I could expand the list but trying to keep it to general consensus snubs.

EDIT: Actually, just expanded the list to 21.

 

[otb_lifer]

KP and ‘80s are the eyes and ears of this institution.

... btw, your clock is wrong

 

[JAA]

So - if Im ranking "worst pick of the draft" up to this point Im prolly ranking it this way for my top 3:

1. Raiders of the Lost Arc
2. Ghostbusters
3. Goonies

I could be positioned to say Goonies borders on a "cult classic" and less mainstream. I mean, lots of people love it but it probably falls more to my exact age (born in 75).

I have Ghostbusters and Raiders very close. I think a case could be made Ghostbusters is the better movie due to actors, script, and novel plot. However, Raiders is a BLOCKBUSTER. So many sequels, roller coaster rides, personas, scene's, and meme's. I have Raiders #1 as it appeals to the masses, all ages (sans face melting), all the time. Was there a prior movie which had a female beating a male in a drinking contest? And how did all those snakes survive in the tomb?

Batman, Last Crusade, and Return of the Jedi made more money in the 80s.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Of the last 34, there are maybe 5 that I would classify as artsy fartsy. There are others that are more Oscar drama types, but not that I would personally consider for that type of designation. I think there are about another 5-6 that will be "surprises".

We can quibble about what teen movie, action movie, or dramas should be at the top, but I am confident when you look at the remaining 25 it is a very good respresentation of "80s movies".

 

[JAA]

Before going on to more ****ty movies, I was thinking about the f/x discussions that were popping up. One thing I did with both kids is show them some "making" of stuff of movies they liked. I think that really helped my son get over the hump of the older Star Wars movies. I think we can also have discussions about the f/x that hold up and don't look cheesy vs. movies that might have more warts. One that stood out was Predator. I love the movie, and rated it on my list, but compared to some of the movies coming up? The cloak effects and Predator POV stuff is rough. A lot of the "action" at the beginning is just explosions and dudes flying off platforms, things like that. My son came in to ask about something and chuckled about them too. I watched couple action movies coming up in the top 20 recently as well and didn't have nearly those issues.

Id have to rewatch, but I believe Predator does more with less? Kind of like Jaws suspense without showing the monster. I mean you dont see its face till? Its neon green blood though?!?!?!

 

[KarmaPolice]

I've got a list of 18 potential snubs going with 34 or so picks remaining. This does not include some obvious classics that have not yet been mentioned. Curious to see how much this list gets whittled down.

Hmm, 18?

We don't seem to click much yet, but I think we have some damn good movies in our top 30 that are hovering in people's minds. I set the over/under at 9.5.

Here's a hint, not one of them is artsy fartsy in the slightest. I could expand the list but trying to keep it to general consensus snubs.

EDIT: Actually, just expanded the list to 21.

See the above post. I think there is a core 25 of the next mix that are ones people are generally thinking of with 80s movies. I set that o/u based on that and what I know we diverge with people on a bit.

 

[JAA]

#38: THE ELEPHANT MAN [showtime, kanopy]

My #15 pick. I love all forms of Lynch, and still get moved watching his movie about Joseph Merrick. One of the most surprising things was it was a just a normal, great movie by the director I knew from Mulholland Drive and Eraserhead.

The Elephant Man > Ghostbusters

I
Have
No
Words

"That's a big Twinkie"

 

[massraider]

The Breakfast Club, to me, is not a teen movie.

The characters happen to be teen. But it's all talk talk talk, with characters that are stuck together, and the conflict they all have with each other are universal. Someone is different from me, I don't like them.

You could make this same movie about adults stuck in a storm, with different stereotypes, and it would win Oscars. I'm sure they have, actually.

And the fact that the teen stereotypes in the movie still apply, this isn't Greasers and Soc's.

 

[Scoresman]

I've got a list of 18 potential snubs going with 34 or so picks remaining. This does not include some obvious classics that have not yet been mentioned. Curious to see how much this list gets whittled down.

Hmm, 18?

We don't seem to click much yet, but I think we have some damn good movies in our top 30 that are hovering in people's minds. I set the over/under at 9.5.

Here's a hint, not one of them is artsy fartsy in the slightest. I could expand the list but trying to keep it to general consensus snubs.

EDIT: Actually, just expanded the list to 21.

See the above post. I think there is a core 25 of the next mix that are ones people are generally thinking of with 80s movies. I set that o/u based on that and what I know we diverge with people on a bit.

Probably a fair O/U at 9.5, but man if you leave the other 11 off the list, that's gonna cause some more uproar.

 

[otb_lifer]

You could make this same movie about adults stuck in a storm, with different stereotypes, and it would win Oscars. I'm sure they have, actually.

12 surly dudes down Foley Square way tend to agree

 

[KarmaPolice]

I've got a list of 18 potential snubs going with 34 or so picks remaining. This does not include some obvious classics that have not yet been mentioned. Curious to see how much this list gets whittled down.

Hmm, 18?

We don't seem to click much yet, but I think we have some damn good movies in our top 30 that are hovering in people's minds. I set the over/under at 9.5.

Here's a hint, not one of them is artsy fartsy in the slightest. I could expand the list but trying to keep it to general consensus snubs.

EDIT: Actually, just expanded the list to 21.

See the above post. I think there is a core 25 of the next mix that are ones people are generally thinking of with 80s movies. I set that o/u based on that and what I know we diverge with people on a bit.

Probably a fair O/U at 9.5, but man if you leave the other 11 off the list, that's gonna cause some more uproar.

@Ilov80s and I already have a mental list going of the omissions that are going to cause the biggest issues. I think we got to at least 6-7 now.

Seeing your posts, I can gaurantee the 10 I mentioned have 0 shot at making you happy. That just leaves you with 25 of our picks to nail your 21 left with the history we have so far? I thought I was being confident setting it at 50%+.

 

[KarmaPolice]

The Breakfast Club, to me, is not a teen movie.

The characters happen to be teen. But it's all talk talk talk, with characters that are stuck together, and the conflict they all have with each other are universal. Someone is different from me, I don't like them.

You could make this same movie about adults stuck in a storm, with different stereotypes, and it would win Oscars. I'm sure they have, actually.

And the fact that the teen stereotypes in the movie still apply, this isn't Greasers and Soc's.

It's not a 80s typical teen movie as most of those usually are just teens out and about or attempting to get laid. It's probably a reason it stands out a little as well.

 

[JAA]

#37: THE BREAKFAST CLUB [prime]

My #14. Couple dumb parts (glass breaking), but it's still one of my wife's an my favorites. Other Hughes don't hold up for me like this one, and there are still enough here for me to warrant this rank on my list. I will admit that I did start putting stuff into tiers had some mild thoughts like I need a teen movie, etc.. and then started thinking about which of the teen movies held up the best for me. Hint: not Pretty in Pink

This is my goto classic. The number of times I have seen this on regular old TBS or whatever. Also had it on tape (with guilty pleasure Masters of the Universe ).

I still quote so much breakfast club today. Of course some I cant quote "hot beef", but for the most part ill break into "Go fix me a turkey pot pie" and people look at me like , even after I say "Dad, what about you?" Or "Screws fall out all the time, the world is in a perfect place". "NOT EVEN CLOSE BUD!!"

There is a world where I put Breakfast Club as the best movie of all time. However, I realize that world inhabits one, me, but I love it. I have zero problem with it being #37 as its a great movie, but it is not for everyone. I might argue it defined a decade, but I would wager some of the other John Hughes would get the nod, "No more yankie my wankie"

 

[scorchy]

You should watch the movies ranked above Raiders with them, and see how well the rest of them hold up. Watch Karate Kid or Dirty Rotten Scoundrels with them, and then ask them, "Hey you guys wanna watch Raiders of the Lost Ark again? Or Dirty Rotten Scoundrels?"

They've seen Karate Kid when they were maybe 12 and liked it fine. I can't imaging DRS being in their wheelhouse though.

 

[JAA]

The next 2 are from @Ilov80s, and in his top 12, so I will let him talk about them. I will post the next five. I have decided to include the #30 pick tonight because that would be the last of the movies that aren't on both of our lists. Then it will be 9 tomorrow, 11-20 on Saturday and the top 10 on Sunday.

F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5F5

 

[JAA]

#37: THE BREAKFAST CLUB

My #14. Couple dumb parts (glass breaking), but it's still one of my wife's an my favorites. Other Hughes don't hold up for me like this one, and there are still enough here for me to warrant this rank on my list. I will admit that I did start putting stuff into tiers had some mild thoughts like I need a teen movie, etc.. and then started thinking about which of the teen movies held up the best for me. Hint: not Pretty in Pink

q: why did Alison (Sheedy) have to "doll up" for Andrew (Estevez), yet Claire (Molly) didn't have to "rocker grrrl out" for Bender (Nelson)

... i mean, wouldn't Hughes' message here have been better served if they either a) left her alone, or b) went my route





tl;dr - WHY DID ALISON NEED TO CONFORM AFTER ALL THAT COTDAMN ANGST AND BULLCHIT?

Bender took the earing

 

[zamboni]

I still quote so much breakfast club today. Of course some I cant quote "hot beef", but for the most part ill break into "Go fix me a turkey pot pie" and people look at me like , even after I say "Dad, what about you?" Or "Screws fall out all the time, the world is in a perfect place". "NOT EVEN CLOSE BUD!!"

I like when it’s on regular TV and edited. Get to hear things like “bull stuff” and “flip you”.

 

[otb_lifer]

#37: THE BREAKFAST CLUB

My #14. Couple dumb parts (glass breaking), but it's still one of my wife's an my favorites. Other Hughes don't hold up for me like this one, and there are still enough here for me to warrant this rank on my list. I will admit that I did start putting stuff into tiers had some mild thoughts like I need a teen movie, etc.. and then started thinking about which of the teen movies held up the best for me. Hint: not Pretty in Pink

q: why did Alison (Sheedy) have to "doll up" for Andrew (Estevez), yet Claire (Molly) didn't have to "rocker grrrl out" for Bender (Nelson)

... i mean, wouldn't Hughes' message here have been better served if they either a) left her alone, or b) went my route





tl;dr - WHY DID ALISON NEED TO CONFORM AFTER ALL THAT COTDAMN ANGST AND BULLCHIT?

Bender took the earing

straight larceny, that

 

[scorchy]

No matter how hard we try, sometimes it just doesn't work out as a parent.

He watched Shawshank on a plane ride last month and wouldn't shut up about it when he got home. Couldn't believe it when I told him there's was a FBG named Andy Dufresne, albeit one who was way more sarcastic than the real one.

 

[JAA]

#36: THE VERDICT [hbo max]

80s' #12 pick. Great movie, and I suspect would have made the list if I had gotten to a rewatch.

Havnt seen but have heard good things

 

[JAA]

#35: THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY

80s' #11 movie. Another I haven't seen.

The Year of Living Dangerously is a 1982 Australian romantic drama film directed by Peter Weir and co-written by Weir and David Williamson. It was adapted from Christopher Koch's 1978 novel The Year of Living Dangerously. The story is about a love affair set in Indonesia during the overthrow of President Sukarno. It follows a group of foreign correspondents in Jakarta on the eve of an attempted coup by the 30 September Movement in 1965.

 

[massraider]

They've seen Karate Kid when they were maybe 12 and liked it fine. I can't imaging DRS being in their wheelhouse though.

An excellent FFA thread would be you watching this 80's movies list with you son and his friend.

 

[JAA]

Starting to get nervous that Short Circuit is going to get snubbed.

Prolly would have made my top 100. Johnny 5 is ALIVE!!