Best movies of the 80s. Introduction
The 1980s were a golden era for the film industry, producing numerous iconic films that have left a lasting legacy in pop culture. These films transported us to fantastical worlds, made us laugh, cry, and kept us on the edge of our seats.
In the 1980s, cinema experienced an explosion of creativity and diversity in terms of genres and styles. From the rise of action and sci-fi cinema, to romantic comedies and emotional dramas, there was something for everyone. Furthermore, it was a decade that saw the emergence of talented new filmmakers and established directors such as Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and James Cameron.
Some of the best films of the ’80s include unforgettable classics like “Back to the Future” (1985), a thrilling time-travel adventure that became one of the most beloved sagas in film history. Another standout is “E.T. The Extraterrestrial” (1982), a tender story of friendship between a child and an alien that captivated audiences of all ages.
The action genre also boomed in the ’80s with films like “Terminator” (1984), starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as a cyborg assassin sent from the future, and “Die Hard” (1988), which introduced the brave and charismatic John McClane played by Bruce Willis.
As for dramas, “Rain Man” (1988) is a film that is still remembered for the masterful performance of Dustin Hoffman as a man with autism and Tom Cruise as his brother. Additionally, “The Breakfast Club” (1985) is an icon of teen cinema that delved into the challenges and relationships between five students from different social groups in a high school.
In short, the 1980s left us with an extraordinary cinematic legacy, with films that have stood the test of time and are still appreciated by audiences today. From action-packed futuristic stories to emotional dramas, ’80s movies continue to delight today’s generations and will continue to be regarded as some of the best of all time.
Some of the best movies of the 80s
1) “E.T., the Extraterrestrial” (1982): Directed by Steven Spielberg, this film tells the story of a boy who befriends an extraterrestrial and together they try to get him to return to his planet. It is considered one of the most iconic films of the 80s and a classic of family cinema.
2) “Blade Runner” (1982): Directed by Ridley Scott, this dystopian science fiction film is set in a future where humanoids called replicants are used as slaves. A police officer is on a mission to eliminate them, but he finds himself with a moral dilemma when he falls in love with a replicant. It is a benchmark of the genre and stood out for its visual atmosphere and its reflection on humanity.
3) “Back to the Future” (1985): Directed by Robert Zemeckis, this science fiction comedy follows the adventures of Marty McFly, who travels in time with the help of a modified DeLorean and meets his parents in his adolescence. It is a film full of action, humor and nostalgia that became an instant classic.
4) “Ghostbusters” (1984): Directed by Ivan Reitman, this supernatural comedy follows a group of scientists who are dedicated to catching ghosts in New York. With a renowned cast and a script full of gags and irreverent humor, it became a very popular film and spawned a successful franchise.
5) “The Shining” (1980): Directed by Stanley Kubrick and based on the novel by Stephen King, this psychological horror film tells the story of a writer who becomes a caretaker of an isolated hotel during the winter and begins to experience paranormal events. With its haunting atmosphere and Jack Nicholson’s memorable performance, it has become one of the most influential films of the genre.
These are just a few of the most important films of the ’80s, but there are many others that also left a significant legacy in the history of cinema. For example:
- Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
- The Princess Bride (1987)
- The Goonies (1985)
- The Breakfast Club (1985)
- Amadeus (1984)
- Blue Velvet (1986)
- Robocop (1987)
- Scarface (1983)
- Superman II (1980)
- Akira (1988)
- Pan’s Labyrinth (1988)
- The Fly (1986)
- Back to the Future II (1989)
- Fatal Attraction (1987)
Most important Actors of the 80s
- Tom Cruise: Tom Cruise became one of the most important actors of the 1980s due to his talent and charisma. He gained recognition for his role in the film “Risky Business” (1983), where he played a high school student who gets involved in risky business. Cruise also achieved stardom with films such as “Top Gun” (1986) and “Rain Man” (1988), where he demonstrated his versatility as an actor.
- Harrison Ford: Harrison Ford was a prominent figure in the ’80s thanks to his iconic role as Han Solo in the original “Star Wars” trilogy. He also starred in the “Indiana Jones” film saga, becoming one of the most popular action heroes of the time. Ford demonstrated his ability to play charismatic and brave characters, cementing his status as one of the most influential actors of the decade.
- Arnold Schwarzenegger: Arnold Schwarzenegger stood out in the 80s for his imposing physique and his presence in action films. He achieved worldwide fame with his role in “The Terminator” (1984), where he played a cyborg assassin. Schwarzenegger continued to star in successful action films such as “Predator” (1987) and “Commando” (1985), becoming an icon of the genre.
- Eddie Murphy: Eddie Murphy emerged as one of the most successful comedians of the 1980s. He gained popularity thanks to his roles in films such as “48 Hours” (1982) and “Beverly Hills Cop” (1984), where he demonstrated his ability to combine humor with action. Murphy was also a cast member of the comedy television show “Saturday Night Live”, where he was noted for his talent and versatility as an actor.
- Michael J. Fox: Michael J. Fox became a movie star during the 1980s thanks to his starring role in the hit film “Back to the Future” (1985). He played the charismatic Marty McFly, a time-traveling teenager. Fox also starred in the television series “Family Ties,” where he played a conservative young man in a liberal family, and his career continued to rise throughout the decade.
- Sigourney Weaver: Sigourney Weaver rose to prominence in the ’80s for her role as Lieutenant Ripley in the hit sci-fi film franchise “Alien.” Her brave and determined portrayal of her became a symbol of female empowerment on screen. Weaver also starred in other acclaimed films, including “Ghostbusters” (1984) and “Gorillas in the Mist” (1988), cementing her status as one of the decade’s leading actresses.
- Robert De Niro: Although Robert De Niro was already an established actor in the 80s, he continued to amaze audiences with his talent. He played memorable roles in films such as “Raging Bull” (1980), where he won an Academy Award for his intense performance as a boxer. He also collaborated with director Martin Scorsese on “Goodfellas” (1990), where he played a mobster, showing his versatility in tackling different genres.
These are just a few of the biggest actors of the ’80s. Each left a significant mark on the film industry and contributed to the creation of iconic films of the era.
Best movies of the 80s, year by year
These are those considered by critics to be the best films year by year during the 80s:
1980:
- “The Shining“: Based on the novel by Stephen King, this film directed by Stanley Kubrick became a classic of the horror genre.
- “Raging Bull“: Directed by Martin Scorsese, this film tells the true story of boxer Jake LaMotta, played by Robert De Niro.
1981:
- “Raiders of the Lost Ark“: Directed by Steven Spielberg, this adventure film follows the adventures of archaeologist Indiana Jones in search of an ancient artifact.
- “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial“: Directed by Spielberg, this science fiction film tells the story of a boy who makes friends with an extraterrestrial.
1982:
- “Blade Runner“: Directed by Ridley Scott, this science fiction film is set in a dystopian future and is considered a classic of the genre.
- “The Thing“: Directed by John Carpenter, this horror and suspense film follows a group of scientists in Antarctica facing an extraterrestrial life form.
1983:
- “Scarface“: Directed by Brian De Palma, this film starring Al Pacino tells the story of a Cuban immigrant who becomes a powerful drug trafficker in Miami.
- “Return of the Jedi“: The third installment of the original “Star Wars” trilogy, directed by Richard Marquand, concludes the epic of Luke Skywalker and his friends against the Empire.
1984:
- “Ghostbusters“: Directed by Ivan Reitman, this science fiction comedy follows a group of ghostbusters as they fight paranormal threats in New York.
- “The Terminator“: Directed by James Cameron, this science fiction film presents Arnold Schwarzenegger as a cyborg sent from the future to murder a woman and change the course of history.
1985:
- “Back to the Future“: Directed by Robert Zemeckis, this science fiction comedy follows the adventures of Marty McFly, played by Michael J. Fox, as he travels through time.
- “The Breakfast Club“: Directed by John Hughes, this film focuses on a group of teenagers of different stereotypes who are punished together at school on a Saturday.
1986:
- “Aliens“: Directed by James Cameron, this film is the sequel to “Alien” and follows a group of space marines in their fight against bloodthirsty extraterrestrial creatures.
- “Platoon“: Directed by Oliver Stone, this film set in the Vietnam War presents the harsh reality of the conflict through the eyes of an American soldier.
1987:
- “The Princess Bride“: Directed by Rob Reiner, this fantasy comedy follows the love story of a princess and a nobleman together on a quest to save her from an unwanted marriage.
- “Full Metal Jacket“: Directed by Stanley Kubrick, this film portrays the training and conflict in the Vietnam War through the eyes of a group of Marines.
1988:
- “Die Hard“: Directed by John McTiernan, this film set the standard for action films with its story of a lone hero, played by Bruce Willis, facing off against terrorists in a skyscraper.
- “Beetlejuice“: Directed by Tim Burton, this film combines elements of comedy and horror when a recently deceased couple hires an eccentric bioexorcist to scare away the new owners of their house.
1989:
- “Batman“: Directed by Tim Burton, this superhero film stars Michael Keaton as Gotham City’s iconic masked vigilante.
- “Dead Poets Society“: Directed by Peter Weir, this film follows a charismatic literature professor, played by Robin Williams, who inspires his students to live life to the fullest.
Best actors of the 80s, year by year
Here I present a list of some of the best actors of the 80s, along with a brief description of their achievements and notable projects year by year:
1980:
– Robert De Niro: Won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Raging Bull.”
1981:
- Harrison Ford: He starred in the successful action film “Raiders of the Lost Ark” by Steven Spielberg.
1982:
–Dustin Hoffman: Played the character of Dorothy Michaels in “Tootsie”, for which he received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.
1983:
–Al Pacino: He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in “The Price of Power.”
1984:
- Robert Duvall: He played the famous Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore in “Apocalypse Now”, one of the most influential films of the decade.
1985:
- Michael J. Fox: He starred in the “Back to the Future” trilogy and became one of the icons of the 80s.
1986:
–Paul Newman: He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in “The Color of Money.”
1987:
–Robin Williams: He played a DJ in the movie “Good Morning, Vietnam”, demonstrating his ability for drama and comedy.
1988:
- Tom Hanks: He played a child trapped in the body of an adult in “Big” and established himself as a successful and versatile actor.
1989:
–Morgan Freeman: He starred in the action film “Driving Miss Daisy” alongside Jessica Tandy, a role for which he was nominated for an Oscar.
It is worth mentioning that this list only includes a few notable actors and their major achievements during the 80s. There are many other talented actors who also made their mark in that decade.
Films that won the Oscar award for Best Picture in the 1980s
Below is a list of the films that won the Oscar for Best Picture during the 1980s:
1980:
- “Kramer vs. Kramer”
1981:
- “Ordinary People”
1982:
- “Chariots of Fire”
1983:
- “Gandhi”
1984:
- “Terms of Endearment”
1985:
- “Amadeus”
1986:
- “Out of Africa”
1987:
- “Platoon”
1988:
- “The Last Emperor”
1989:
- “Rain Man”
Conclusion
The films of the 80s were characterized by being innovative and revolutionary in many aspects. They introduced new narrative concepts, genres and special effects that marked a milestone in the film industry.
Furthermore, they stood out for offering exciting and entertaining stories that are still remembered and appreciated by today’s audiences.
The films of the ’80s left a lasting cinematic legacy and continue to be an important reference in film history.
