The 1980s were a decade that brought many action movies to the big screen, with muscled stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone leading the way. Up until the ’80s,there was no true action genre, but that all changed with classics in the form of movies such asAliens,Die Hard, andIndiana Jones. These films brought about a new genre, where action was the point of focus, rather than a necessary portion of a story. Many are still referenced in pop culture today, and some have become never-ending franchises that fans still crowd the theaters to see. It was a decade of fast-paced storytelling and iconic adventures thatsparked a renaissance in the movie industryand whose effects can still be felt today.
While everyone has their own personal favorites, this is a list of the ’80s action heroes who made a lasting impact on the genre, industry, and fans. They have become beloved icons of the genre and decade, and sparked story tropes that are still used today. Some were so popular that they sparked franchises or remakes over the last thirty to forty years, but the originals will always play a special role in the hearts of fans everywhere. Here is the list of the best action heroes from the 1980s.
10Indiana Jones - Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981)
Harrison Ford brings to life the character of Dr. Henry “Indiana” Jones, Jr., a famous archeologist and occult expert with a penchant for daring adventures in the pursuit of historically significant findings. Out of themanyIndiana Jonesmovies, in this film, which is set in 1936, Jones is hired by the United States government to beat the Nazis in discovering and recovering the Ark of the Covenant, before Hitler could use its power to win the war. Between the fast-paced storyline and the iconic action sequences, Indiana Jones became one of the most popular action heroes of the ’80s, with several sequels and spin-offs being created since its release.
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9John McClane - Die Hard (1988)
John McClane fromDie Hard, played by Bruce Willis, is the New York detective that finds himself swept up in a terrorist situation while celebrating Christmas in Los Angeles. The unlikely hero must save his estranged wife from being held hostage, as well as stop German terrorists from getting what they came for. It has become a classic, and one ofthe best detective movies from ’80s. The film also has several sequels, and has become a yearly controversy as to whether it is a Christmas movie or not. Regardless of individual feelings on the matter, the fact still remains that John McClane is a great action hero.
8Dutch - Predator (1987)
Another 80s action film that evolved into a franchise,Predatoris a war movie with an alien twist, that has an interesting premise that boosted it to classic status quickly. Arnold Schwarzenegger takes on the role of hero Major Alan “Dutch” Schaefer, who is the leader of a military mission in the jungle. There, they are stalked and hunted by an extraterrestrial warrior, who is as deadly as it is elusive. The intense suspense and thrilling action earn Dutch a high place on the list, and this movie began a still-going franchise as well.
7Rambo - First Blood (1982)
InFirst Blood, Sylvester Stallone plays the part of John J. Rambo, a Vietnam veteran suffering from PTSD, and struggling to adapt to the world after coming back from the war. A prejudiced sheriff and his sadistic chief deputy trigger his trauma, and he snaps, escaping into the woods. What follows is an action-packed sequence of events, full of explosives and intense feats of adaptability and strength, as Rambo defeats all who are against him.Rambohas had several sequels, all with mixed reviews.
6Ripley - Aliens (1986)
Although this was a sequel movie to the 1979Alien, the character Ellen Ripley, played by Sigourney Weaver, doesn’t truly come into her own untilAliens. She is now a hero as well as a protagonist, as she rescues a young girl named Newt, and fights to eradicate the aliens from the now-dead colony. Ripley is one of the few action heroes that is a woman in the ’80s, but more than that, she brings a strong character to life through the suspense and horror of this action franchise.
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5Martin Riggs - Lethal Weapon (1987)
InLethal Weapon, Mel Gibson is the actor behind Martin Riggs, an unhinged cop who has been spiraling since the recent death of his wife, although no one will believe that he is truly suicidal. As he and his partner take on an illegal drug business made up of ex-CIA, agents he finds the will to live again. The action is thick, and the plot is full of twists and turns, making it an excellent movie. This would all be nothing without Martin Riggs, who goes from a depressed cop to a hero over the course of the movie.
4Frank Dux - Bloodsport (1988)
Jean-Claude Van Damme starred inBloodsportas U.S. Army Captain and Ninjutsu fighter Frank Dux. He goes AWOL to fight in an illegal tournament taking place in Hong Kong where he must fight for his honor and life. The martial art scenes are beautifully done, and the storyline is full of heart and determination as Dux fights to win the tournament and evade capture from his superiors. This action movie with a martial arts twist became a cult classic, with it being considered asone of the best martial arts movies from the ’80s. It also helped to launch Van Damme’s career in the action movie genre.
3Jack Burton - Big Trouble In Little China (1986)
Another cult classic, Jack Burton, played by Kurt Russell, is an unlikely hero inBig Trouble in Little China. A mix of comedy, martial arts, and fantasy help to round out the action film nicely as Jack battles against an evil sorcerer and his henchmen in order to save two women who have been captured. This movie is packed full of exciting action scenes and cheesy ’80s special effects, but Jack’s good-natured and determined spirit shines through. While the film inspired a comic series and a variety of games,a sequel or remake has yet to appear.
2RoboCop - RoboCop (1987)
Action meets dystopian science fiction in this movie about a police officer who is murdered and then transformed into a law-enforcing cyborg. Alex Murphy, played by Peter Weller, is murdered while on duty, and his corpse is recovered and used as the base for constructingRoboCop. Though it is initially believed that RoboCop has no memories of his human life, he slowly regains his memories as he takes down crime in Detroit.Robocopis an action-packed movie, with multiple revelations as the film unfolds. It has become a large franchise with a loyal fanbase over the years.
1Scott McCoy - The Delta Force (1986)
Chuck Norris is known for a lot of action films, but his role as Scott McCoy inDelta Forcedefinitely earned him the top spot on this list. Scott is a member of the U.S. Delta Force who is recalled from retirement to help rescue hostages from terrorists.Delta Forceis a tense, action-filled movie with a variety of different fight scenes, both in large numbers and in one-on-one combat. The movie was a huge success, with two sequels coming out in the ’90s.
