There's constant talk these days about what the latest Netflix original series or movie is. The streaming juggernaut has advanced to the point where their brand new content is among the most exciting things you'll find anywhere. However, the focus being on the new stuff means some people forget about the classics.
Netflix began as a place to get your favorite movies and that can still be the case. The catalog is ever-changing due to rights often moving around but there's always stuff from past decades available. One decade well represented is the 1980s, with some true gems from the era available to stream.
The Dark Crystal (1982)
For those who only associate Jim Henson with The Muppets and Fraggle Rock, you should avert your attention to The Dark Crystal. Released in 1982, this film was directed by Henson and Frank Oz. While it continued the trend of using puppets, it had a larger scope due to being in the high fantasy genre.
It followed a Gelfling named Jen who embarks on a quest to restore balance to his world and overthrow the evil rulers. The film wasn't met with tremendous response critically or commercially at first but is now a cult classic. In 2019, Netflix released a prequel series, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.
Spaceballs (1987)
The parody genre is one that you can find sprinkled throughout the decades. However, no era did it better than the 1980s. One of the best of the time was Spaceballs, directed by Mel Brooks. The satirical comedy spoofed some of the biggest franchises in cinema history.
The most prevalent were Star Wars, Planet of the Apes, Alien, and The Wizard of Oz. Again, this wasn't a box office smash but it has gone on to have a huge cult following and remains funny today. With a cast including Brooks, Rick Moranis, John Candy, and Joan Rivers, it's basically comedy royalty.
Poltergeist (1982)
There are plenty of films throughout the history of horror that have gone on to become iconic. 1982's Poltergeist is right up there near the top. Who doesn't remember the kid sitting in front of the television screen? It has withstood the test of time.
Directed by Tobe Hooper and partially written by Steven Spielberg, Poltergeist told the story of a family who has their home invaded by evil ghosts who abduct their daughter. It was nominated for three Academy Awards and is considered an all-time great horror film. The sequels and remakes proved less successful though.
The NeverEnding Story (1984)
It's fitting that Netflix has The NeverEnding Story in its catalog these days. That's because one of the streaming service's most popular series, Stranger Things, used its theme song in a major scene during the season three finale. It brought back memories for fans and introduced a new audience to it.
The NeverEnding Story was originally released in 1984 and is based on a novel of the same name from 1979. It follows a young boy who stumbles upon a magical book that takes him into an incredible world. Oddly enough, the story only covers the first half of the source material.
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)
1988's The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! was another in a long line of tremendous comedic efforts from Leslie Nielsen. The film was based on Nielsen's character in a series titled Police Squad! This was a pretty big hit, grossing $140 million on a $12 million budget.
This film is slapstick comedy at its best, with all sorts of gags that are memorable and still funny to this day. The supporting cast of Ricardo Montalbán, Priscilla Presley, Frank Drebin, and O.J. Simpson all bring something fun to the table. It went on to spawn a trilogy of films.
Airplane! (1980)
Back to the world of parody films, it's the one that started the decade off. Released in 1980, Airplane! is another entry in the storied career of the legendary Leslie Nielsen. He starred alongside Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, and even NBA icon Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Like the previous entry, Airplane! was a huge box office success, grossing $158 million on a $3.5 million budget. It has made or topped many lists of the funniest movies in history. It holds a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was selected for preservation in the United States Film Registry.
The Evil Dead (1981)
Not many films from the '80s have sparked a franchise that was still producing great content into the 2010s. The Evil Dead, released in 1981, is one of them. The film told the tale of a group of friends at a remote cabin who unleash evil spirits and suffer through demonic possessions.
It is still terrifying today and is some of the best work ever done by famed director Sam Raimi. The use of practical effects was especially praised. The film led to two sequels being made, a very well-done remake in 2013, and the Ash vs. Evil Dead series. Plus, it introduced the world to Ash Williams, a pop culture icon.
Glory (1989)
This is a film that barely makes the cut. It saw a limited release in December 1989 and was widely available in theaters in February 1990. Directed by Edward Zwick, Glory followed the Union Army's first African-American regiment during the American Civil War.
Glory boasts an incredible cast including Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington, and Andre Braugher. In fact, Washington won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance here. It's not totally accurate but it's emotionally gripping and powerful.
Back To The Future (1985)
Robert Zemeckis has helmed many great films during his storied career. Forrest Gump and Who Framed Roger Rabbit are both up there but the best just might be 1985's Back to the Future. This sci-fi comedy was pretty groundbreaking and became a massive success.
It grossed a whopping $388.8 million on a $19 million budget and spawned two sequels (both are available on Netflix as well). The franchise also includes comics, a stage musical, and more. Back to the Future is about a teenager and an eccentric scientist who accidentally travel back in time to 1955. While there, Marty McFly (the teen) becomes a love interest for his young mother.
The Indiana Jones Trilogy (1981-1989)
Technically, this is more than one film but each one is deserving of a spot on this list and that would've made things repetitive. It helps that their releases legitimately run from the start of the decade to the end. Created by George Lucas, directed by Steven Spielberg, and starring Harrison Ford, it doesn't get more renowned than that.
1981's Raiders of the Lost Ark is an all-time classic that won five Oscars. Meanwhile, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, released in 1984, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, released in 1989, only added to the legacy. Jones is one of the most iconic figures in movie history. Netflix also has the fourth installment, 2008's Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, though that was met with much less admiration from fans.