Top 101 Movies of the 80s (1 Viewer)

[Mr. Mojo]

#6: DO THE RIGHT THING

@Ilov80s ' #1 pick and my #19. Again, since he outranked me on the movie I will let him do most of the talking here. Obviously I love the movie, but I have a couple nitpicks and I am still wrestling with the movie, so I couldn't justify it higher on my personal list.

I thought it was good, but nowhere near the praise and acclaim it received.

 

[massraider]

I'm not one to really agree with articles that say this album/event/movie signified the end of a decade, but Do The Right Thing would be a good choice for the 80's to 90's turning of the page.

Hadn't given it much thought, but for a second I was like, that was an 80s movie? But then I remembered Chuck D, 1989 the number another summer (get down)
Sound of the funky drummer

And then I just realized that when Chuck sang funky drummer he wasn't referring to any old funky drummer like I thought in 1989, but the actual James Brown song with the most famous drum sample of them all, shoutout Clyde Stubblefield!!

Anyways. Great movie

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Who's scruffy-looking?

Sir! Sir! I've isolated the reverse power flux coupling!

 

[KarmaPolice]

I'm not one to really agree with articles that say this album/event/movie signified the end of a decade, but Do The Right Thing would be a good choice for the 80's to 90's turning of the page.

Hadn't given it much thought, but for a second I was like, that was an 80s movie? But then I remembered Chuck D, 1989 the number another summer (get down)
Sound of the funky drummer

And then I just realized that when Chuck sang funky drummer he wasn't referring to any old funky drummer like I thought in 1989, but the actual James Brown song with the most famous drum sample of them all, shoutout Clyde Stubblefield!!

Anyways. Great movie

100% it was one I was going to mention along with that post, but didn't want to name-drop and spoil.

 

[Ilov80s]

The real miracle of the Star Wars series was that Empire was so good. Incredible to follow up the sensation that was Star Wars with something so good.

 

[KarmaPolice]

4: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK [disney +]

My #3 pick, and 80s' # 15. WTF, 80s??!! Like many, this WAS my childhood. I just wanted to go to Dagobah and train with Yodi when I grew up. I still have a few of the action figures, and it was one of the loves I got to share with my son. 0% chance this or my #1 ever leave my top 5 of the decade. Still the best of the franchise.

 

[KarmaPolice]

The real miracle of the Star Wars series was that Empire was so good. Incredible to follow up the sensation that was Star Wars with something so good.

Geez, spoiler alert!!

 

[KarmaPolice]

I think I posted last night, but these top 3 are the only movies that we both had in our top 10s. These are the best of the decade, no questions asked, no arguments!

 

[Charlie Steiner]

4: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK [disney +]

My #3 pick, and 80s' # 15. WTF, 80s??!! Like many, this WAS my childhood. I just wanted to go to Dagobah and train with Yodi when I grew up. I still have a few of the action figures, and it was one of the loves I got to share with my son. 0% chance this or my #1 ever leave my top 5 of the decade. Still the best of the franchise.

I was on a church retreat at the beach when it came out. One of my cousins and his family were in town, so when we got together for dinner, and he had already seen it, he blurted out the big reveal to me, so I never got to have the same moment watching it that everyone else did. What made it worse was that I was a huge Star Wars freak and he wasn't.

 

[massraider]

These are the best of the decade, no questions asked, no arguments

The naive optimism.

Adorable.

 

[KarmaPolice]

100% of this director's films of the 80s made our top 30 (and my top 10). I guess only doing 2 movies in that time frame helps your odds.

 

[KarmaPolice]

4: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK [disney +]

My #3 pick, and 80s' # 15. WTF, 80s??!! Like many, this WAS my childhood. I just wanted to go to Dagobah and train with Yodi when I grew up. I still have a few of the action figures, and it was one of the loves I got to share with my son. 0% chance this or my #1 ever leave my top 5 of the decade. Still the best of the franchise.

I was on a church retreat at the beach when it came out. One of my cousins and his family were in town, so when we got together for dinner, and he had already seen it, he blurted out the big reveal to me, so I never got to have the same moment watching it that everyone else did. What made it worse was that I was a huge Star Wars freak and he wasn't.

What a ****. I hope you throat-punched them.

 

[KarmaPolice]

God, I'd give anything for a drink. I'd give my ********* soul for just a glass of beer.

 

[Charlie Steiner]

4: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK [disney +]

My #3 pick, and 80s' # 15. WTF, 80s??!! Like many, this WAS my childhood. I just wanted to go to Dagobah and train with Yodi when I grew up. I still have a few of the action figures, and it was one of the loves I got to share with my son. 0% chance this or my #1 ever leave my top 5 of the decade. Still the best of the franchise.

I was on a church retreat at the beach when it came out. One of my cousins and his family were in town, so when we got together for dinner, and he had already seen it, he blurted out the big reveal to me, so I never got to have the same moment watching it that everyone else did. What made it worse was that I was a huge Star Wars freak and he wasn't.

What a ****. I hope you throat-punched them.

No, but he did die of Hodgkins' Lymphoma 16 years later.

Aside from spoiling Empire, he was a pretty solid dude. Very talented musician as well.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

God, I'd give anything for a drink. I'd give my ********* soul for just a glass of beer.

Your money's no good here.

 

[Ilov80s]

I feel you will have to deal with this matter in the harshest possible way, Mr. Torrance.

One of the few movies that just totally gives me the creeps. Movies don't come scarier.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Underwhelming top 10 for me so far, although I do have mad love for Spinal Tap.

 

[zamboni]

God, I'd give anything for a drink. I'd give my ********* soul for just a glass of beer.

Your money's no good here.

You’ve always been the caretaker.

 

[Scoresman]

Underwhelming top 10 for me so far, although I do have mad love for Spinal Tap.

It started off questionable but the top 5 is tough to complain about so far.

 

[Stoneworker]

#5: BLADE RUNNER

80s' #6 pick, and my #12 pick. I probably don't need to talk too much about the movies in the top 5. I'd be interested if people have seen some of these though. I have always loved intelligent sci-fi and this one is near the top for that.

Move on, move on, move on, move on...

 

[zamboni]

I feel you will have to deal with this matter in the harshest possible way, Mr. Torrance.

One of the few movies that just totally gives me the creeps. Movies don't come scarier.

And that’s not even including the guy in the bear costume.

 

[KarmaPolice]

#3: THE SHINING [hbo max]

My #6 pick and 80s' #8 pick. So many iconic scenes, quotes, and images. Blood elevators, big wheels, gross dead ladies in bathtubs. I know some people bag on Kubrick but you are doing something right if you put together a movie that is arguably the best of a genre, let alone do it for horror, war, sci-fi, anti-war, and noir. Pretty sure I missed something, too.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

The theater in downtown Edina, MN redid their lobby in the style of the Gold Room. It's awesome.

https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox9.com/www.fox9.com/content/uploads/2022/09/932/524/vlcsnap-2022-09-29-22h26m27s527.png?ve=1&tl=1

 

[KarmaPolice]

I feel you will have to deal with this matter in the harshest possible way, Mr. Torrance.

One of the few movies that just totally gives me the creeps. Movies don't come scarier.

What a dumbass King is for not liking this movie. Hmm do I side with the director of this, 2001, and Full Metal Jacket or do I side with the director of Maximum Overdrive when it comes to the quality of movies?

 

[KarmaPolice]

This has got to be the perfect action movie up next, right?

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I think the sequels Blade Runner 2049 and Doctor Sleep are very good to.

 

[KarmaPolice]

This time John Wayne does not walk off into the sunset with Grace Kelly.
That was Gary Cooper, *******.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I think the sequels Blade Runner 2049 and Doctor Sleep are very good to.

I think I need to try again with this one. I didn't read the book and really didn't click with what the movie was doing.

 

[zamboni]

I feel you will have to deal with this matter in the harshest possible way, Mr. Torrance.

One of the few movies that just totally gives me the creeps. Movies don't come scarier.

What a dumbass King is for not liking this movie. Hmm do I side with the director of this, 2001, and Full Metal Jacket or do I side with the director of Maximum Overdrive when it comes to the quality of movies?

I think King didn’t like the movie because it was entirely different from the book, and it was. The remake was much closer to the book.

 

[TripItUp]

#6: DO THE RIGHT THING

@Ilov80s ' #1 pick and my #19. Again, since he outranked me on the movie I will let him do most of the talking here. Obviously I love the movie, but I have a couple nitpicks and I am still wrestling with the movie, so I couldn't justify it higher on my personal list.

I thought it was good, but nowhere near the praise and acclaim it received.

This is me.

 

[Ilov80s]

I feel you will have to deal with this matter in the harshest possible way, Mr. Torrance.

One of the few movies that just totally gives me the creeps. Movies don't come scarier.

What a dumbass King is for not liking this movie. Hmm do I side with the director of this, 2001, and Full Metal Jacket or do I side with the director of Maximum Overdrive when it comes to the quality of movies?

I think King didn’t like the movie because it was entirely different from the book, and it was. The remake was much closer to the book.

Nobody like to be rewritten.

 

[TripItUp]

4: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK [disney +]

My #3 pick, and 80s' # 15. WTF, 80s??!! Like many, this WAS my childhood. I just wanted to go to Dagobah and train with Yodi when I grew up. I still have a few of the action figures, and it was one of the loves I got to share with my son. 0% chance this or my #1 ever leave my top 5 of the decade. Still the best of the franchise.

Probably #2 for me after Raiders...but could flip flop them depending on my mood.

I've seen this flick probably 50 times.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I feel you will have to deal with this matter in the harshest possible way, Mr. Torrance.

One of the few movies that just totally gives me the creeps. Movies don't come scarier.

What a dumbass King is for not liking this movie. Hmm do I side with the director of this, 2001, and Full Metal Jacket or do I side with the director of Maximum Overdrive when it comes to the quality of movies?

I think King didn’t like the movie because it was entirely different from the book, and it was. The remake was much closer to the book.

Nobody like to be rewritten.

Could be ego in play since the movie got so much praise as well and it wasn't his true vision.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I wonder if King didn't like the movie because he wrote himself into Jack - who ended up the hero in the book - whereas Kubrick makes Jack irredeemable.

 

[KarmaPolice]

2: DIE HARD [starz]

80s' #5 and my #7. What I wish more action movies realized is that they are better when the hero is vulnerable, bleeding, down and out. Hell, even this series didn't understand that as John was doing superhero **** out of airplanes by the 4th movie.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Take THIS under advisement...JERKWEED!

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Yippie kay-yay Mr Falcon!

 

[KarmaPolice]

I wonder if King didn't like the movie because he wrote himself into Jack - who ended up the hero in the book - whereas Kubrick makes Jack irredeemable.

Also a great point. Kubrick probably touched a nerve.

 

[KarmaPolice]

The happiness I felt as I did the math and saw what the #1 was.

 

[rockaction]

but the actual James Brown song with the most famous drum sample of them all

That would be the Amen Break.

 

[Scoresman]

This has got to be the perfect action movie up next, right?

Nah that movie was posted about 60 picks ago.

 

[KarmaPolice]

If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 88 miles per hour... you're gonna see some serious ****.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

#11: FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH [prime]

80s' #14 and my #21. There's a couple comedies after thinking about them today I would probably have a little higher if I did the list today - this and our #8 (which I am going to watch tonight). This is the very rare example of seeing it a bit later in life and loving it more and more. So funny with so many quotes, but it also takes the time to address or observe other things in a realistic way.

Excellent movie, excellent flick.

I think a little of the plot falls apart toward the end. But I guess thats how relationships go. However, Spicoli and Mr Hand scenes were all time classics.

I don’t really see Fast Times as having a plot. It was essentially a high school year in the life of a bunch of teenagers. It didn’t need some big ending.

The plot is pretty HS specific - Dorks trying to get Laid. See Fast Times, SuperBad, Revenge of the Nerds, i could go on

NEEEEEEERRRRRRRDDDDZ!!!

if I'm not mistaken, this classic piece of cinema is not on the list yet, which leads me to the conclusion it did not make the cut.......I guess having bush wasn't enough...sigh

We’ve got BUSH!!!!!

I know what this party needs......it needs Super Joint.

I saw this movie at my buddies house.....his parents worked shift work, and we fired it up on HBO when they weren't around......classic 80's debauchery.....and the Nerds, do indeed get revenge!

I woke up at like 2am and put on the TV. This is how I was introduced to Porky's. From that day forth I used to go through the TV Guide (remember those) and the movie index at the end of the guide. I would look for any movie with "nudity" and/or "sexual situations". Like a mf'n checklist.

I did the same thing. Ah, puberty.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

#8: THIS IS SPINAL TAP

@Ilov80s (I'm going to @ you on the ones you outranked me on in the top 10) had this at #9, and it was my #18. I will say that I watched this just last night and my ranking was too low. It cracks me up so much, and this 100% is a comedy that has only grown on me while others are duds. It just has so many odd beats, people in the background to laugh at, etc... that only reward repeat viewings. Plus now knowing that it was shot Curb Your Enthusiasm-style only adds to the hilarity.

top 3 for me. love love love this movie.

What he said.

 

[KarmaPolice]

#1: BACK TO THE FUTURE [peacock]

My #1 and 80s' #4. Forget the decade, this has been my favorite movie period since the day in '85 I saw it in the theater. Instant love, and it's the main reason I have been obsessed with movies since. It's always the first movie I get when I upgrade formats. I don't think it's an underestimation to say I've seen the movie 500+ times. It didn't hurt that it was my first "date", it had my favorite musician on the soundtrack and in it (I had gerbils named Heuy and Lewis ), and fed into my obsession with time travel.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Do the Right Thing is funny, stylish, beautifully filmed, full of great performances but also it's significant and powerful. It takes quite a movie to stir up critics like it did. 30 years later, it's as relevant as ever.

It was also the breakout role for Samuel L. Jackson. He is harrowing and terrifying in this film.

 

[TripItUp]

#3: THE SHINING [hbo max]

My #6 pick and 80s' #8 pick. So many iconic scenes, quotes, and images. Blood elevators, big wheels, gross dead ladies in bathtubs. I know some people bag on Kubrick but you are doing something right if you put together a movie that is arguably the best of a genre, let alone do it for horror, war, sci-fi, anti-war, and noir. Pretty sure I missed something, too.

Easy to make the argument for this ranking. Nice job.

 

[TripItUp]

2: DIE HARD [starz]

80s' #5 and my #7. What I wish more action movies realized is that they are better when the hero is vulnerable, bleeding, down and out. Hell, even this series didn't understand that as John was doing superhero **** out of airplanes by the 4th movie.

Pretty high on my rewatchable scale...probably seen it around 20 times. Would make my top 20 but not top 5.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

This is like the Bizarro world top 10.

Sure, if you didn't read any of our posts or understand our intent with this countdown.

Oh, I'm aware.

So the point of those posts are?

What's the point of any post critiquing or agreeing with a pick?

Again, I understand what the criteria for your lists are, but if they are going to deviate this much from what you would normally see on a top 10, you have to expect a certain amount of debate. My next 100 will have plenty of WTF picks, and I fully expect to be called out on them.

There's debate and there's throwing a hissy fit. Some people in this thread did the latter.

 

[TripItUp]

#1: BACK TO THE FUTURE [peacock]

My #1 and 80s' #4. Forget the decade, this has been my favorite movie period since the day in '85 I saw it in the theater. Instant love, and it's the main reason I have been obsessed with movies since. It's always the first movie I get when I upgrade formats. I don't think it's an underestimation to say I've seen the movie 500+ times. It didn't hurt that it was my first "date", it had my favorite musician on the soundtrack and in it (I had gerbils named Heuy and Lewis ), and fed into my obsession with time travel.

One of the best films ever made IMHO. Peak Spielberg. Probably my #3 after Raiders and Empire.