With many great films releasing during the '80s, some of them have gone on to withstand the test of time, getting any number of sequels or reboots or the like. Though not every film was super successful, knowing a film is still popular 30 or so years after it came out is an astounding accomplishment that many filmmakers should be proud of.
For some, the '80s also have an incredibly strong sense of nostalgia. Considering how several iconic films were released at this time, it would make sense for viewers to feel this way towards certain films. To honor some of the biggest cinematic achievements from the decade, here is our list of the 10 most culturally influential movies of the 1980s.
The Lost Boys (1987)
In a time where Vampires weren’t terribly popular, The Lost Boys actually breathed new life into the genre. While director Joel Schumaker may have a reputation for making films like Batman and Robin (1997), The Lost Boys is a truly wonderful film of his.
Though it may not be as scary today as it was when it initially released, The Lost Boys is still considered to be a classic horror film that is occasionally still rereleased in theaters. While it may not be the most iconic film of the decade, Joel Schumaker’s take on teen vampires has withstood the test of time in a far greater manner than others.
Ghostbusters (1984)
Ghostbusters is easily one of the most culturally influential films from that decade. Not only is it popular enough to receive a direct sequel and 2 separate reboots, but new merchandise, games and more continue to be released, even today. Even those who didn’t watch the film when it initially came out still have a strong appreciation for it.
Furthermore, anyone would be hard-pressed to find an individual in the U.S. who doesn’t at least know the tune to the iconic Ghostbusters theme song. Even if they don’t know all the words, almost everyone knows the “Who You Gonna Call?” portion of the song. While the upcoming reboot hopefully fares a lot better than the last, there’s no denying the cultural impact the original film has had on U.S. pop culture.
The Breakfast Club (1985)
Director John Hughes has quite a number of classic films under his belt. With movies like Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986), Sixteen Candles (1984), and Pretty in Pink (1986), the director has managed to perfectly capture the voice of an entire generation through his films. However, of everything the director has done, The Breakfast Club is arguably his most influential film.
Centered around teens with widely different personalities, The Breakfast Club is a fantastic take of the struggles faced by young adults, as well as a great display of how the teens come to relate to one another. Lastly, the final shot of Judd Nelson’s John Bender walking on the football field with his fist in the air while Don’t You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds plays is easily one of the most recognizable scenes from any film.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
As one of the best romantic comedies ever made, When Harry Met Sally had to be included on this list. However, while there are many great moments throughout the film, the most iconic scene is when Meg Ryan pretends to have an orgasm in a restaurant, prompting the famous line from Estelle Reiner’s character, “I’ll have what she’s having.”
Despite plenty of other laughs from the film, many people still quote this one line even today. Furthermore, with the film’s great exploration of romantic relationships between men and women, there is a surprising amount of depth to it that makes it much better than the average romantic comedy.
Back to the Future (1989)
The adventures of Doc Brown and Marty are full of incredible fun and great thrills in each and every film, and their popularity still holds up even today. Though quotes for the film don’t really go beyond “Great Scott,” or “That’s Heavy,” the first two films especially have come to hold a special place in the hearts of many.
Back to the Future is, simply put, such a well-made series that it will continue to withstand the test of time, even if the predictions from the second one are invalid. With the charm, humor, and adventure that made the trilogy so great, it is safe to say that Back to the Future is one of the most influential movies from the 1980s.
Top Gun (1986)
Even aside from the inclusion of Kenny Loggins’ song, “Danger Zone,” Top Gun is very influential. In fact, it is arguably one of Tom Cruise’s most successful films. Centered around a young hot-headed naval pilot, Top Gun has a little bit of something for everyone, making it easy to see why it was always so popular.
With a heavy dose of patriotism, romance, and drama, it is no wonder that Top Gun is held in such high regard, even today. Likewise, with some well-orchestrated fight scenes thrown into the mix as well, Top Gun is great for any fan of war movies especially.
Die Hard (1988)
While not every film measures up to the original, Die Hard remains a classic action film featuring explosive fun, a great villain, and a wild amount of violence.
While the film is known for several expletive quotes, it seems like the question, “Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?” will forever be debated amongst fans. Despite the many years that have passed, the fact that Die Hard is still referenced in other films and TV shows is a true testament to its influence on American culture, proving that it deserves its place on this list.
The Terminator (1984)
Of course, The Terminator starring Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of the biggest and most culturally influential films from the ’80s. Though the franchise has certainly struggled in recent years, the original 2 are some of the most celebrated action films of all time.
Furthermore, with a concept based on science fiction as well, the stakes seem much higher thus giving the film an extra sense of drama. While Terminator films have continued to release, keeping them relevant in modern times, the most iconic aspect from the original is Schwarzenegger's “I’ll be back” line. That single line alone has kept The Terminator relevant for many years, making a rather significant cultural impact.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) & Friday the 13th (1980)
With how similar the two films are in the broad sense, both A Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th have had a massive presence in American culture even 35+ years later. While some of the films starring the terrifying Freddy Kreuger and Jason Voorhees have actually been completely ridiculous, both characters are still commonly seen every year on Halloween.
As staples of the slasher horror genre, it would seem very unfair to include one film without the other. While both are rather silly now with all the time that has passed, fans can still appreciate a lot of the efforts put in by the original filmmakers. Because these movies were so iconic then, it makes sense that they would remain so today.
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Of all films to be released in the 1980s, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is easily the most culturally influential of them all. To this day, many Star Wars fans consider this film to be the best one ever made, which is a fair statement considering everything that happened within the film itself.
The big reveal of Darth Vader being Luke Skywalker’s father is still one of the most quoted lines from any film ever. Furthermore, ending the film on a rather low note only added to the shock value of the film. Since the release of The Empire Strikes Back, the Star Wars franchise has continually tried to measure up to the same scale. Though it may not be everyone’s favorite film in the series, it is really hard to deny the cultural impact that this single film has had on American culture.