No decade has had films with greater staying power than the '80s. From The Karate Kid to Back to the Future, these beloved movies have remained in the popular consciousness with their humor, heart, and relatable characters. Chances are that most movie-going audiences, even today, can name at least one classic '80s movie. Of course, with many classic films coming out of a singular decade, there are debates about which '80s movie reigns supreme.
Luckily, that question has been put to thousands of fans on Ranker. With great films like Ghostbusters, Aliens, and Lethal Weapon not cracking the top ten, the competition for the top '80s movie ever is vicious.
The Karate Kid (1984)
The Karate Kid features Ralph Macchio and Noriyuki "Pat" Morita as 17-year-old Daniel LaRusso and karate master Mr. Miyagi. After being picked on by bullies from a local karate gym, he is trained by the aphoristic Miyagi to learn how to defend himself.
Watching the lead pair form a unique friendship throughout the movie is a joyous affair, as the wise martial arts master helps young "Daniel-san" to become a better person, not just a better fighter. The crane kick at the end of the film is about as satisfying of a moment as there's ever been on the big screen.
Stand By Me (1986)
Stand By Me features Wil Wheaton and River Pheonix as 12-year-old boys Gordon Lachance and Chris Chambers. After overhearing a conversation regarding the location of a dead body, the pair travel with their two other friends across their small town to find it.
Based on Stephen King's novella The Body, this coming-of-age tale also boasts an all-star cast, including Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell, John Cusack, and Keifer Sutherland. The friendship among the core four boys is as entertaining as it is authentically crafted. The film feels like something that could have happened between a once close group of friends back in the day. There are plenty of great quotes about friendship throughout the film.
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade (1989)
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade features Harrison Ford and Sean Connery as archeologist Dr. Henry Walton "Indiana" Jones, Jr and his father, Dr. Henry Walton Jones, Sr., Indiana attempts to rescue his father, who's been kidnapped by Nazis that plan on using him to lead them to the mythical Holy Grail.
Capping off the original Indiana Jones trilogy, The Last Crusade takes viewers on a wildly fun adventure from beginning to end. Rather than just repeating familiar narrative beats, as is the temptation for many sequels to easily give in, the grand finale is jam-packed with both interesting backstory and creative action set-pieces.
The Princess Bride (1987)
The Princess Bride features Cary Elwes and Robin Wright as the Man in Black, Wesley, and the titular Princess Bride, Buttercup. A young boy is told a storybook tale by his grandfather, setting the stage for the fantastical adventures of a handsome servant and a beautiful princess.
While this movie was moderately successful at the box office, it hits all the right notes from the various genres that it blends. This made it a critically acclaimed darling that has grown into more and more of a cult phenomenon in recent years. Any self-proclaimed cinephile must be familiar with the best quotes from this classic comedy, as anything less is simply inconceivable.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Ferris Bueller's Day Off features Matthew Broderick and Alan Ruck as high school teenagers, Ferris Bueller and Cameron Frye. After Ferris convinces his friend Cameron to play hooky from school with him and his girlfriend, Sloane, the trio explores everything Chicago has to offer while eluding apprehension from their Dean of Students.
Broderick's charismatic charm as an actor translates fully to the infuriatingly affable character he portrays. His iconic performance would be enough to carry a film on its own. The great writing, plotting, pacing, character development et al. are great bonuses that add up to unforgettable classic '80s comedy.
The Goonies (1985)
The Goonies features Sean Astin and Josh Brolin as brothers Michael and Brandon Walsh. After stumbling upon a single gold coin and a treasure map of their attic, the young siblings gather their friends and begin a dangerous quest for fame and fortune.
Few films can be enjoyed by young and old audiences alike as this wonderfully fun film. The diverse cast of kids brings contagiously exhilarating energy that permeates from beyond the screen and to the audience. Beneath all the wild adventuring lies a heartwarming and sentimental story about a childhood friend group.
The Breakfast Club (1985)
The Breakfast Club features Judd Nelson and Emilio Estevez as high schoolers, John Bender and Andrew Clark. After five students are sentenced to a full Saturday of detention, the group eventually overcomes the differences in their upbringings and personalities throughout the day. Eventually, this disparate group becomes friends.
Most people can likely identify with one of the five high school archetypes within the film. This makes it even more entertaining to see the juxtaposing characters unite against their strict principal. Bender, in particular, is a scene-stealer, as the rebellious class-clown that vies for the affection and attention from both the audience and classmates.
The Terminator (1984)
The Terminator features Arnold Schwarzenegger and Michael Biehn as the assassin android Terminator and human Resistance fighter, Kyle Reese. The Terminator is sent back in time from the year 2029 to assassinate the mother of the child who would grow up to lead humans in a war against killer A.I.
Schwarzenegger had already made a name for himself in Hollywood for his performance in the 1982 film Conan the Barbarian. This film is arguably responsible for making him one of the most iconic action stars ever. While the success of the franchise has spawned a sequel that made the mistake of giving away its shocking twist almost immediately, the original is a nearly-flawless sci-fi action film that was well-worth making a franchise out of.
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
The Empire Strikes Back is the second film in the original Star Wars trilogy: bringing with it some of the strongest acting and greatest plot twists of the franchise. As the Dark Lord of the Sith searches for the Rebel Alliance, Luke trains in the powers of the Force. Meanwhile, Leia and Han aid the Rebels in their fight against the Galactic Empire.
This 1980 sequel to the wildly popular film Star Wars (later renamed "A New Hope"), The Empire Strikes Back helped kick off a terrific decade for cinema with a bang. Winning two of its four Oscar nominations, this film is considered by many Star Wars fans to be the very best film in the lauded franchise.
Back To The Future (1985) - iTunes
Back To The Future features Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd as teenager Marty McFly and scientist Emmett "Doc" Brown. After Libyan terrorists shoot Doc, McFly attempts to escape in a DMC Delorean, unintentionally traveling back in time without the means to return.
This sci-fi smash hit provides a bit of everything for fans to enjoy, managing to juggle various tones throughout the film without ever letting one hit the ground. It's simultaneously funny, tense. dramatic and juvenile without leaning too far into one to the detriment of others. It's cool without being unapproachable, and sentimental without becoming sappy. Best yet, it's one of the most rewatchable movies ever made.