The 1980s were a very specific time for movies, with plenty of lesser-known debut directors being given creative freedom to make unique and innovative projects, many of which we still consider to be all-time classics today.
In celebration of this memorable era for cinema, Ranker has put together a collection of the very best directors who found fame (or maintained fame) throughout the 1980s. Whilst some of these directors are no longer so active in the movie-making business, there are still plenty that modern audiences would recognize today.
Note: Ranker lists are live and continue to accrue votes, so some rankings may have changed after this publishing.
Tim Burton
Without a doubt, Tim Burton is one of the most unique and stylish directors that the industry has ever seen. All of his movies have a very distinct tone and atmosphere that make them stand out from the crowd and allow so many audiences to connect with them.
Throughout the 1980s, Burton was responsible for not one but two of his most popular films of all time: Batman and Beetlejuice. Both of these films are still considered classics today thanks to Burton’s unique vision and bold direction.
John Landis
Although his name might not be quite as well-known as some of the others on this list, Landis was undoubtedly one of the most influential individuals in the 1980s cinema scene. During the decade, he directed The Blues Brothers, Trading Places, and Coming to America.
Anybody who was a movie fan in the 1980s would have definitely been a fan of Landis in some form or another. Whether it’s his effective use of comedy, entertaining character work, or emotional and human narratives, he was one of the best of the decade in several ways.
James Cameron
Although Cameron is now better known for directing some of the highest-grossing movies of all time such as Avatar and Titanic, his output during the 1980s was pretty much just as noteworthy with The Terminator and Terminator 2 still massively popular today. He’s always been one of the leading names in blockbuster cinema, even so far back as 40 years ago.
There’s a strong argument to be made that James Cameron’s movies have had the most noticeable influence over the current cinematic climate out of all directors working today. His films always push limits and break barriers, which is why he’s still so popular.
Martin Scorsese
The 1980s were a huge decade for Martin Scorsese, who was responsible for Raging Bull and The King of Comedy, which are still considered two of his best films to date. Although other films of his are more popular today, it was thanks to these that he became such a household name.
Scorsese is obviously one of the most successful and recognizable directors of all time producing some of his best movies during the 1980s, and still continuing to do so to this day at 79 years old.
Richard Donner
Richard Donner’s contributions to cinema may not have been as successful or acclaimed since his output in the 1980s, but there’s no denying that he deserves his place on this list. During the decade, he produced some of the best family films of all time – such as The Goonies and Scrooged.
Donner was also responsible for the Lethal Weapon franchise, which is still hailed as one of the strongest and most influential action series’ ever made. His name might not be the most recognizable to casual audiences, but his works certainly will be.
Robert Zemeckis
Back to the Future and its immediate sequel are widely considered two of the best sci-fi movies ever made, so it would seem unfair if Zemeckis wasn’t granted his deserved place on this list. He produced both films within four years of each other, whilst also releasing the family-favorite Who Framed Roger Rabbit in between.
Zemeckis might never have reached the same level of critical acclaim after the 1980s, but there’s no arguing that his ‘80s works have stood the test of time better than most films could ever wish. He’s one of the most impactful directors of all time, which is why so many fans opted to keep his name on this list.
John Carpenter
In the space of three years, John Carpenter released Escape From New York, The Thing, and Big Trouble in Little China in what might just be one of the best consecutive runs that a director has ever produced. All three of these films have gone down as all-time classics, with Carpenter’s name rightfully joining them.
In the 1980s, John Carpenter was considered one of the biggest names in the film industry – and for good reason. His films always included fresh and original concepts, never submitting to expectations or failing to give his audiences something innovative to feast on.
Rob Reiner
Rob Reiner was responsible for some of the best teen comedy movies of the 1980s, so it really isn’t surprising that Ranker’s users decided to vote him so high up this list. With projects such as Stand By Me, When Harry Met Sally, and The Princess Bride under his belt, there’s no denying that he deserves it.
Reiner might not have achieved much success since this legendary sprint of films in the 1980s, but that certainly shouldn’t take away from the acclaim that he gathered during the decade. He was incredibly influential, and many of today’s best films wouldn’t exist without him.
John Hughes
Although many of Hughes’ films are often criticized for being cheesy and formulaic, that really couldn’t be further from the truth. Movies such as The Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off really pushed the limits at the time, and they remain classics today for good reason.
Hughes’ influence also reaches much further than the films that he directed, as he wrote several scripts for successful films that he didn’t direct – such as Chris Columbus’ Home Alone and Brian Levant’s Beethoven.
Steven Spielberg
There are few people who would refute Spielberg’s position as one of today’s greatest living directors, but the innovative auteur was also just as popular throughout the 1980s – if not more. The decade saw him direct both E.T. and not one but two Indiana Jones movies.
Although most of Spielberg’s best movies to date were released in the ‘90s and ‘00s, his influence and impact on the cinematic landscape in the 1980s are completely irrefutable. Without Speilberg’s early movies, he would not have been able to direct his later masterpieces – and without those, who knows what today’s film climate would look like.