Best Movies of the 1980s

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The 1980s perfected the high-concept blockbuster and established many of cinema's most enduring franchises. This decade saw the rise of the action hero, the integration of music videos' visual style into filmmaking, and the beginning of the modern special effects era. Directors like Steven Spielberg, John Hughes, and Ridley Scott defined the decade's distinct aesthetic and storytelling approach.

Dirty Dancing (1987) poster

Dirty Dancing (1987)

Moon Child (1989) poster

Moon Child (1989)

Rocky IV (1985) poster

Rocky IV (1985)

Castle in the Sky (1986) poster

Castle in the Sky (1986)

My Other Husband (1983) poster

My Other Husband (1983)

Once Upon a Time in America (1984) poster

Once Upon a Time in America (1984)

Platoon (1986) poster

Platoon (1986)

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) poster

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)

The Evil Dead (1981) poster

The Evil Dead (1981)

Lords of the Deep (1989) poster

Lords of the Deep (1989)

Ghostbusters II (1989) poster

Ghostbusters II (1989)

Possession (1981) poster

Possession (1981)

Over the Top (1987) poster

Over the Top (1987)

Edvard (1988) poster

Edvard (1988)

The Pit, the Pendulum and Hope (1983) poster

The Pit, the Pendulum and Hope (1983)

RoboCop (1987) poster

RoboCop (1987)

Hovering Over the Water (1986) poster

Hovering Over the Water (1986)

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) poster

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)

Gremlins (1984) poster

Gremlins (1984)

Uncle Buck (1989) poster

Uncle Buck (1989)

Pet Sematary (1989) poster

Pet Sematary (1989)

Dagger Eyes (1983) poster

Dagger Eyes (1983)

A Fish Called Wanda (1988) poster

A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

Blood Theatre (1984) poster

Blood Theatre (1984)

The 1980s created the template for modern blockbuster entertainment while producing films that continue to influence popular culture and filmmaking techniques today.