Top 10 Best Movies of the 1980s

The Top Ten
1 Star Wars Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

It was even rated the 6th best movie of all time.

Absolutely greater than any other!

The greatest movie of all time.

2 Back to the Future

A teenager is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his friend, Dr. Emmett Brown. He must make sure his high-school-age parents unite in order to save his own existence.

Honestly, why is this not higher? Marty McFly nearly disappears from existence because he prevented his mom and dad from getting together, and Biff gets what he deserves: a job waxing cars and other stuff.

This is such an iconic movie. I think everyone has watched it at least once in their life. It's on TV all the time! Definitely one of the best movies of the '80s, and of all time!

3 Raiders of the Lost Ark

Raiders of the Lost Ark is set in 1936, before The Temple of Doom. Archaeologist Indiana Jones learns about the Lost Ark that the Germans have taken. He and his future wife, Marion Ravenwood, go on a dangerous path to find out the Ark's story.

Definitely one of the best films from the '80s, and also the best Indiana Jones film.

Great movie, watching it right now as I write this. It is full of loads of adventure.

4 E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

A meek and alienated little boy finds a stranded extraterrestrial. He has to find the courage to defy the authorities to help the alien return to its home planet.

The movie proved Spielberg's greatness after "Close Encounters of the Third Kind."

5 The Shining

I love The Shining. It is the coolest, creepiest horror movie ever.

6 The Breakfast Club

By far the best! As a fifteen-year-old girl, I can honestly say I relate to each and every character. If you combined all their personalities, you would get me. It doesn't have to be number one, but it will always be my favorite movie.

Definitely, by far, the best film of the 80s and of all generations. I'm a 13-year-old girl and am in love with the 80s. This film is the heart of that generation.

I relate to Allison Reynolds a little more than I should. Great movie!

7 Star Wars Episode VI : The Return of the Jedi

After rescuing Han Solo from the palace of Jabba the Hutt, the Rebels attempt to destroy the Second Death Star. Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker tries to bring his father back to the Light Side of the Force.

8 Aliens
9 Ghostbusters

Ghostbusters was awesome! I can't believe that Blade Runner is ranked higher. It wasn't that well-liked when it came out.

How could you say that this movie is not very good?

The original Ghostbusters was very good, not the new remake version. That was terrible.

10 Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Watched this movie for the first time today. Definitely going to watch it again soon, as I enjoyed it so much. I'm glad it's very high on the list.

This movie deserves more appreciation.

One of my all-time favorite movies!

The Contenders
11 Blade Runner

Ridley Scott's career-defining masterpiece features Jordan Cronenweth's richly gorgeous cinematography and stunning production design by Lawrence G. Paull. Harrison Ford and Rutger Hauer were perfectly cast as Rick Deckard and Roy Batty, providing depth and contrast. Underappreciated and misunderstood upon its theatrical release, it has become a beloved Sci-Fi classic.

12 Stand By Me

Great group of actors with a great plot. This is one of the best movies ever made.

My favorite movie of all time.

13 Raging Bull

A raw masterpiece and one of the best films of the 1980s, it features excellent acting by Robert De Niro (who won the well-deserved Best Actor Oscar), Joe Pesci, Cathy Moriarty, Frank Vincent, and others. Brilliant directing by Martin Scorsese, and, of course, Oscar-worthy editing by Thelma Schoonmaker.

14 Die Hard

Needs to be higher on this list. It started a franchise of movies, unlike others on this list.

15 Scarface
16 The Terminator
17 The Thing
18 Back to the Future Part II

People say it's way worse compared to the second, but I LOVE it!

19 Blue Velvet

Deep, dark, and emotionally questionable choices. Probably one of my favorite movies.

20 The Goonies

How is this movie not in the top ten and is just a contender? This movie is SO funny and is filled with action, adventure, and comedy! It's like a child's version of Indiana Jones!

A group of kids embark on a wild adventure after finding a pirate treasure map.

21 Batman
22 Airplane

Second best on this list. I vote for Gremlins.

23 Platoon

It's the best film to date, hands down, a work of art.

24 Amadeus

One of the greatest movies of all time.

The incredible story of one of the greatest musicians ever, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

25 Weird Science

Two nerdy boys attempt to create the perfect woman, but she turns out to be more than that.

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