The 1980s produced some of the best movies of all time, and there are many classics from the decade that every moviegoer should see at least once in their lives. Bouncing back after the collapse of the studio system in the 1960s, the ’80s represented a renaissance of sorts for mainstream movies.
Filmmakers like Stephen Spielberg crafted brilliant pieces of entertainment, and theaters were packed with accessible films that could appeal to all audiences. Many of the best movies from the ’80s are still beloved today, and have rightly taken their place among the all-time greats. However, those movies are so well-known that nearly everyone has seen them already.
On the other hand, there are plenty of excellent movies from the ’80s that are still worth watching, especially after seeing all the decade’s most popular fare. From uproarious comedy, to stunning drama, and even some hair-raising chills, the must-see cinema of the ’80s represents the best of what the art of film has to offer.
An American Werewolf In London (1981)
Ever since a werewolf first appeared onscreen in the 1910s, filmmakers have been dreaming up new ways to make lycanthropes scary. John Landis’ horror comedy film An American Werewolf in London was the subgenre’s biggest quantum leap, marrying gruesome scares with a macabre sense of humor. What’s more, Rick Baker’s special effects were nothing short of groundbreaking.
An American Werewolf in London was the first film to be awarded the Best Makeup award at the Oscars.
An American Werewolf in London is quintessential ’80s cinema because it represents a playfully dark look at the established horror genre. The titular wolf is more vicious and horrid than any earlier cinematic lycanthrope, and it’s juxtaposed with pitch-black humor. Also like a lot of other ’80s classics, spectacle plays a large part in the over-the-top finale.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)
There are so many amazing ’80s comedies that it’s sometimes hard to keep track, but few were as subversive and clever as Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. While most comedies in the ’80s had an optimistic view that reinforced the zeitgeist of the era, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was hilariously cynical and took quite a few jabs at contemporary culture.
Steve Martin and Michael Caine are one of the most underrated comedy duos in movie history, and director Frank Oz does his best to let his stars flourish by allowing each scene to devolve into farce. Even in an era of sanitized and accessible comedy, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was keeping the fires of raunchy comedy burning.
The Blues Brothers (1980)
The Blues Brothers was the first movie to spawn from Saturday Night Live, and in many ways, it is still the best. Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi reprise their roles as Elwood and Jake Blues, and their