‘80s Movies You Can Watch Again—And They’re Just as Good!
’80s movies still hold up for a reason. They launched careers and built a style that’s easy to come back to. Here’s a look at the classics that are still genuinely fun to watch. Grab some popcorn and go through our list below.
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Credit: IMDb
When Steven Spielberg and George Lucas decided to bring back old-school adventure with a modern edge, they gave the world Indiana Jones. This film raised the bar for adventure filmmaking and was packed with fast pacing, sharp visuals, and clever practical effects. It won five Academy Awards and inspired generations of adventurers.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Credit: IMDb
This lovable alien melted hearts worldwide and made a glowing finger unforgettable. The story, directed by Steven Spielberg, follows the journey of a lonely boy named Elliott who finds friendship in the most unexpected visitor. It became one of the top-grossing movies of the decade and picked up four Oscars.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
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High school in the early ’80s wasn’t exactly subtle, and this movie captures all the awkwardness, hormones, and comedy of teenage life. It was written by Cameron Crowe, who actually posed as a student to get insider material.
Scarface (1983)
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Al Pacino plays Tony Montana, a fiery outsider who rises fast—and crashes even faster—in 1980s Miami. Brian De Palma directed this flashy, intense story, while Oliver Stone wrote the script. At the time, critics weren’t all in, but over time, it exploded into a cult sensation through home video sales.
Ghostbusters (1984)
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A group of science misfits in New York decide to trap spooky creatures for a living—what could go wrong? This movie has an all-star cast that helped it turn into a witty, sarcastic, and just-the-right-amount-of-weird blockbuster. The song was a Billboard hit, and those proton packs became instant icons.
The Karate Kid (1984)
Credit: IMDb
Wax on, wax off—it’s the quote that launched a thousand backyard karate moves. Ralph Macchio played Daniel LaRusso, the underdog teen who finds guidance under the calm and quirky Mr. Miyagi, played by Pat Morita. The film helped ignite a nationwide karate craze among American teens.
Back to the Future (1985)
Credit: IMDb
Michael J. Fox zips through time in a DeLorean while trying not to mess up his own existence. The movie became a massive hit that spawned two sequels and a generation of Doc Brown impressions. It earned more than $380 million globally and gave Huey Lewis and the News a Billboard-topping song.
The Breakfast Club (1985)
Credit: IMDb
Five students show up for Saturday detention. They walk in as a brain, a jock, a princess, a rebel, and a loner—but by the end of the day, those labels feel small. As the hours pass, walls drop and raw, genuine talks unfold among them. The movie leaned heavily on raw emotion and stripped-down storytelling that stuck with audiences.
The Goonies (1985)
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A group of misfit kids find a dusty treasure map in their attic, and just like that, their sleepy town turns into an adventure. They race through caves, dodge puzzles, and outsmart older rivals. The movie is about friendship, bravery, and holding onto childhood magic just a little longer.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
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Ferris Bueller is the king of ditching school and making it count. He turns one sick day into a parade float ride, a museum stroll, and a full-out joyride. His journey basically emphasizes living in the moment without a care. The Chicago locations, the Ferrari, and the twisty run home make this one unforgettable.
The Princess Bride (1987)
Credit: IMDb
A farm boy turned swordsman sets out to rescue his true love, who’s about to marry a prince she doesn’t even like. Along the way, he faces off with giants, clever criminals, and a revenge-driven fencing master. It’s a fairy tale with a sharp, humorous edge.
Die Hard (1988)
Credit: IMDb
Inside a swanky Los Angeles high-rise on Christmas Eve, NYPD officer John McClane ends up as the last line of defense when a group of men seizes control of the building. Bruce Willis plays McClane with a mix of grit, humor, and total improvisation—unlike anything action heroes had done before.
Beetlejuice (1988)
Credit: IMDb
After a car accident leaves them stuck as ghosts in their own house, a mild-mannered couple struggles to scare off the new city family that moved in. When they call in Beetlejuice—a freelance “bio-exorcist”—the situation goes off the rails. The film took home an Oscar for Best Makeup.
Coming to America (1988)
Credit: IMDb
Crown Prince Akeem travels to New York, pretending to be an ordinary guy, hoping to find someone who loves him for who he is, not his title. What follows is a romantic comedy that established itself as a pop culture classic. It raked in nearly $290 million globally and earned two Oscar nominations.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Credit: IMDb
The film opens with a long car ride and ends with a walk across a New Year’s Eve party, but in between, Harry and Sally navigate years of evolving friendship. The story captures the honest ups and downs of real friendships and romance. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan make every interaction feel lived-in.