Movies from the1980struly set themselves aside from any other decade in film. According toFilmsite,the 80s introduced the idea of high concept films, which could be easily marketed and described in one to two sentences. The introduction of major blockbuster hits, in turn, was aided by the rise of large theater multiplexes gaining momentum and popularity. Like major motion picture releases, horror saw a huge growing popularity during this decade thanks to innovative slasher villains and practical special effects. Here is the best movie of every year of the decade.
1980: Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
The Empire Strikes Backis the sequel to the first installment of theStar WarsFranchise,A New Hope.The film is jam-packed with continued action and groundbreaking special effects. It is in this film that the first face-off between Luke Skywalker (played by Mark Hamill) and Darth Vader (played by David Prowse) takes place.The Empire Strikes Back,much likeThe Godfather’ssequel, is one of the rare instances in film in which the second installment is as highly regarded as — if not more so than — the first.
Related:How Accurately Did These 1980s Movies Predict Present Day?
1981: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Harrison Ford is known for much more than his role as Hans Solo in the groundbreakingStar Warsfranchise. The actor is the face of the adventure-fantasy seriesIndiana Jones,and has finally reprised his rolefor the final timein the newest installmentDial of Destiny.Raiders of the Lost Arkwas released in the summer of 1981, and became one with Spielberg’s other large properties. The film still holds culture relevance, and most of the franchise has been an overall success.
1982: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
A year after the success ofIndian Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark,Spielberg struck gold again withE.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.The film has transcended time and is one of the most distinguishable movies to come out of the 1980s. Upon the film’s release,E.T.held 16consecutive weeks at the box officeand made back the production budget in just one week in theaters. The fantasy film not only is a love letter to childhood, but certainly knows how to pull on audiences' heart strings.
1983: Scarface
Chances are, you have potentially quotedScarfacewithout ever seeing the film. Brian De Palma’s ultra violent movie about the rise of an ego hungry drug lord, was snubbed at the Oscars for being too vulgar. Despite the film’s violent reputation,Scarfaceremains one of Al Pacino’sbest movies of the 1980s.
1984: Ghostbusters
Ghostbusterswas released in 1984 and quickly became a staple horror comedy through present day. The comedic cast and the presence of Bill Murray cemented the film as a pop culture staple.Ghostbusters’iconic theme song was written specifically for the movie and was performed by Ray Parker Junior. With a memorable ensemble, killer theme music, and a costume design that would reign supreme as a Halloween must for decades to come, there is no question as to whyGhostbusterswould be the best film released in 1984.
1985: Back to the Future
Back to the Futurewas the biggest summer blockbuster in 1985, and the highest-grossing film of the year worldwide at the box office. The franchise catapulted the career of Michael J. Fox, setting him up as one of the most beloved characters in cinema history. The Spielberg production was lead by director Robert Zemeckis, and imagining 80s cinema without the classic staple would be a bitter twist.Discussions about a fourth installmentto the now trilogy have been mulled over since the release of Part III.
Related:10 Most Rewatchble Movies of the 80s
1986: Top Gun
The highest-grossing movie of 1986 wasTop Gun,which evidently would top the charts again in 2022 after the release of the sequelTop Gun: Maverick.The two films both gained box office success, and brought home the Academy Award for Best Sound Design. The ultra action-drama features a young Tom Cruise playing a fighter pilot in-training. The film’s success was so substantial that it spawned a NES video game, which is borderline groundbreaking, considering the system was only released a year prior.
1987: Dirty Dancing
1987 was a host for beloved films across all genres. FromHellraisertoSpaceballs,the decade’s release radar holds a variety of favorites. However, it would be remiss not to recount the romance-dance feature that isDirty Dancing.Patrick Swayze has starred in films since 1976, but it was during his role as Johnny Castle inDirty Dancingthat earned him true recognition and stands out as one of his best performances of all time. The dance-centric drama may not be the most action-packed film of the 1980s, but is certainly one of the most beloved.
1988: Die Hard
1988 saw the release ofBeetlejuice, Coming to America,andWho Framed Roger Rabbit.However, almost no film of that year can come close to the long-standing success thatDie Hardhas achieved. Bruce Willis portrays John McClane, one of the toughest action heroes of the 1980s. McClane has been tasked with the pressure of saving a group of hostages on Christmas Eve, which kicks off the decade long battle of whether the film is or isn’t a Christmas movie.
1989: Batman
1989’sBatmanwas an onslaught of strange decisions, from Tim Burton’s direction to casting Jack Nicholson as the Joker. However, the film gained momentum and was the highest-grossing film of 1989. According toSlash Film,Batman’ssuccess can almost be credited to actor Nicholson. As the story goes, Nicholson coined a deal with production and made out more than the Joker on a massive heist. Nicholson’s performance is the draw to the film and stands against that of Heath Ledger’s inThe Dark Knight. Batmanwas almost the perfect way to end the decade, and paved the way for major superhero blockbusters to come.
