When thinking about the most important periods in film history,the 1980swill always be a decade looked back on as one that changed the face of the industry forever. The ’80s in general was a time when pop culture started to boom, with so many nostalgic products being released each year. Emerging from the rather serious ’70s, the movies released in the ’80s introduced endless amounts of fun and excitement across multiple different genres, beginning a style of film that’s still prominent today.
Whether it was a comedy, an action/adventure, or a coming-of-age movie, the amount of lighthearted joy that the audience felt after leaving the theater made the movies even more popular, with high-concept ideas at the forefront of the industry. Here’s what made the 1980s the best decade for lighthearted movies.
A New Wave Of Comedy
One of the genres that shot to the top of the popularity list for so many viewers was comedy. While the ’70s did see some iconic comedies such asMonty Python and the Holy GrailandThe Rocky Horror Picture Show, the ’80s comedies managed to strike a balance between being smart, witty, and hilarious at the same time. Movies likeBlues Brothers,Caddyshack, andTrading Placeswere, and still are, as quotable as they are funny. Even outside the comedy genre, from rom-coms to action, ’80s films were sure to have a comedy bend that would appeal to everyone.
Parody-style films also began to blow up in the ’80s, with movies likeAirplane!still being regarded asone of the best comedies of all time. Finding its humor in slapstick comedy and perfectly-timed quick jokes, the film could be enjoyed by just about anyone.A common theme that also started to rise in the ‘80swas comedy movies having a darker hidden message or meaning behind the plot that the characters deal with through humor.Airplane!is a great example of this, as the main character Ted Striker (Robert Hays) has to overcome his deep-rooted fear of flying after a traumatic experience in the military — or else they will crash and die.
The Best Feel-Good Movies of the 1980s, Ranked
There’s nothing like a great feel-good movie, and one of the best eras to provide that has to be the ’80s, take a look at some of the best.
By using undertones that would typically lead to a serious, drama-like plot for a movie, it added so much more depth to comedies, without shying away from the conventions that make them so enjoyable. For audiences, they could relate to the characters more easily than before and were shown how much of a positive effect comedy have on even the darkest of personal challenges.
An Emerging Sci-Fi Genre Full of Entertainment
Another genre that started to take over the film industry was the sci-fi genre, with the rapidly developing technology allowing filmmakers and studios to take their vast, complex ideas and put on a real spectacle for audiences. With films such asStar Warskick-startingthe sci-fi movement, captivating the hearts of viewers around the world,the ’80s saw many entries into the genre, making it hard to choose the best.
The popularity of lighthearted sci-fi also found its way into the zeitgeist. TheBack to the Futureseries is one of the best examples of this, striking a memorable balance between comedy, sci-fi and excitement, leading to the trilogy being regarded as one of the most influential andbest trilogies of all time.Back to the Future’s upbeat tones and masterfully written (and acted) characters will never fail to put a smile on anyone’s face, with the style of the movie inspiring countless future releases.
It wasn’t justBack to the Futurethat stood out in a dense sci-fi genre. Moves such asGhostbustersalso find their balance between comedy and sci-fi, but this time with a slight addition of playful horror. The ghosts that the iconic team fights throughout the filmaren’t scary enough to make you wincebut are just right in terms of providing a thrill, resulting in a one-of-a-kind experience. Despite the pretty intense action at times,Ghostbustersmanages to remain a film that you may switch on at any point and escape into the world of cinema.
The Coming-Of-Age Golden Age
When talking about ’80s movies, the endless amount of excellent, nostalgia-filled coming-of-age films can’t go without mention. These movies were a reflection of the lives of kids and teens growing up in a time when pop culture was booming, and vice versa, with people being captivated by the films they could relate to so much.
The Breakfast Clubwill always be credited as one of the era-defining coming-of-age films, also following a similar direction toAirplane!by exploring serious themes in a comedic and massively entertaining way — it’s just a shame that detention isn’t as fun (or as unsupervised) in real life. Another film starring Molly Ringwald isPretty in Pink, a coming-of-age rom-com with a lead characterwho many saw themselves in. The film dealt with love, heartbreak, and friendship all in one, once again masked by comedy.
10 Most Rewatchable Movies of the 80s
What is it that deems a movie a rewatchable? Here are 10 of the most rewatchable movies of the 1980s.
As well as coming-of-age films set in high schools about teenagers, movies such asThe GooniesandStand By Mewill forever remain timeless examples of how much value there is in friendship and adventure. These movies manage to make the audience feel like they’re part of the group themselves, going on the journey with themno matter whether you’re a young kid or a teenagerabout to go into adulthood.
The amount of classic films from this era spawned some of the largest franchises in film history, many still talked about or even continuing on today. The impact that ’80s films had on an entire generation cannot be overstated.
