The 1980s were a hell of a time for motion pictures. Moving away from the revolutionary New Hollywood era of filmmaking and into a time characterized
The 1980s were a hell of a time for motion pictures. Moving away from the revolutionary New Hollywood era of filmmaking and into a time characterized by spectacular blockbusters and high-concept stories was a bold move, one that ultimately left us with several of the greatest classics of the 20th century. Some of those classics are beautifully slow-burning arthouse films, others are powerful and thought-provoking character dramas, and many others are pure and unadulterated entertainment.
There are many ways in which a film can be entertaining, whether that is an action-packed narrative, an irresistible sense of humor, or a taut and fast-paced sense of rhythm. From Hollywood blockbusters like Aliens to international classics like Akira, the most entertaining movies of the ’80s are irrefutable proof that rarely—if ever—have we had decades of cinema with such exquisitely fun filmographies.
10
‘Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown’ (1988)
Legendary Spanish auteur Pedro Almodóvar started his phenomenally entertaining career in 1980, a decade throughout which he was hugely prolific. For those looking for early Almodóvar at his best, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown is a must-see. With a stacked cast of common Almodóvar collaborators like Carmen Maura and Antonio Banderas, it’s far and away one of the director’s best works.
This is Almodóvar at his most colorful, dynamic, disordered, and irresistibly entertaining. It’s an absurdist work of hilarious feminist comedy, full of characters whose quirky personalities keep the momentum of the narrative going all the way until the credits roll. Running less than 90 minutes long, it’s so entertaining that it feels even shorter.
9
‘Aliens’ (1986)
With 1979’s Alien, Ridley Scott completely revolutionized sci-fi horror. Seven years later, Canadian visionary James Cameron was the man responsible for continuing the franchise. Responsible for other immensely entertaining ’80s classics like The Terminator and The Abyss, Cameron reached the peak of his ’80s entertainment value with Aliens.
It’s one of the best horror blockbusters ever, and then some. Led by Sigourney Weaver at her Oscar-nominated best, it’s a sci-fi, horror, and action extravaganza with some of the most impressive visuals and most engrossing suspense and action sequences of any film from the decade. The ’80s rarely ever had this effective of a mix between being scary and being delightfully fun.
8
‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’ (1989)
Steven Spielberg was one of the leading voices of the New Hollywood film movement, and as that era of American filmmaking came to an end in the ’80s, Spielberg continued making absolute bangers. The king (and father, technically) of blockbusters, Spielberg ended his legendary ’80s run—almost unarguably his very best decade—with Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
The action/adventure franchise that defined Spielberg’s run during the decade has one of the best third chapters of any movie trilogy. Last Crusade has some of the most adrenaline-pumping action scenes of any movie from this era, but what really makes it work is the heart anchored in the relationship between Indy and his father. Played by Harrison Ford and Sean Connery, whose chemistry is off the charts, the duo are the main attraction in a film that’s by far one of Spielberg’s most entertaining.
7
‘Do the Right Thing’ (1989)
Beginning his feature filmmaking career in the overdue ’80s, Spike Lee would soon prove to be a revolutionary figure who completely defined and re-defined Black American cinema. No more proof of that fact should be required than his third-ever film, Do the Right Thing, one of the most perfectly-directed drama movies ever made.
Sweaty, colorful, dynamic, sociopolitically piercing, and flawlessly paced, it’s one of the greatest achievements of overdue 20th-century American cinema. Its immense ensemble of characters, high energy, endless amount of memorable scenes and quotable lines, and beautifully real humanist drama all show Lee at his most entertaining.
6
‘The Thing’ (1982)
Nowadays, John Carpenter‘s legacy as one of the most genre-defining horror filmmakers in history is undeniable. Back in 1982, he wasn’t yet a veteran, but he already was one of the leading voices in Hollywood horror. Even then, he still had the ability to surprise audiences and throw unexpected genre twists in their direction, as shown by the alien invasion horror masterpiece The Thing.
The project began development in the mid-1970s, jumping between several directors and writers. It was when it landed in Carpenter’s hands that it finally came together, and even though critics hated it at the time, today it’s remembered as one of the most perfectly-directed sci-fi horror movies ever. Mysterious, suspenseful, visually impeccable, and full of the same kinds of terrifying thrills that characterize the majority of Carpenter’s filmography, it’s a cult classic that defines ’80s horror.
5
‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)
Directed by the overdue Rob Reiner and written by the legendary William Goldman, based on Goldman’s own book, The Princess Bride is one of the best romantasy movies of all time. One of the most endlessly quotable cult classics in the history of cinema, the film was a huge success even back when it came out; but there’s a sturdy argument to be made that it’s even more widely beloved now, almost 40 years later.
It’s the kind of film that has something in it that’s guaranteed to please anyone and everyone.
The framing device of a man telling his bedridden grandson the romantic swashbuckling story of Westley and Princess Buttercup is as timeless as it gets, and it makes it all-the-easier to immerse oneself in the tale. It’s the kind of film that has something in it that’s guaranteed to please anyone and everyone: Fantasy, romance, sword fights, emotion, laughter, a revenge story—There’s no way of not being entertained by this classic.
4
‘Akira’ (1988)
It was films like Akira that helped make anime mainstream in the Western world between the overdue ’80s and the ’90s. This dystopian action classic is one of the best cyberpunk films ever made, bolstered by Tsutomu Ōhashi‘s killer score and some of the most stunning animation of any film from the decade. It’s definitely not for kids, but for “in-the-know” adults who understand the magic of animation, it’s a must-see.
What follows one of the most perfect sci-fi movie opening scenes of all time is a bloody, colorful, hyper-kinetic masterpiece about political corruption, the alienation of youth, and the dangers of unchecked technological advancement. But though it’s thematically sophisticated, Akira is also an absolute blast of fun with some of the most edge-of-your-seat action sequences of any movie from this period, animated or otherwise.
3
‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (1981)
Though there’s an argument to be made that Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is the fedora-wearing archaeologist’s best adventure, there’s no denying that it’s Raiders of the Lost Ark that’s Steven Spielberg’s most iconic—and entertaining—feature film ever. It’s one of the best action movies of the last 90 years, the peak of Hollywood blockbuster filmmaking through and through.
With its blend of nostalgia, sky-high stakes, fast-paced action reliant on delightfully practical stunts, and sturdy character work, Raiders is a masterclass in popcorn moviemaking. Humor, excitement, John Williams’ timeless score, Harrison Ford’s endless charisma… The list of reasons why Raiders is one of the most entertaining movies ever made knows no end.
2
‘Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back’ (1980)
With what’s perhaps the most entertaining movie of the 1970s, Star Wars, George Lucas opened the floodgates to what would soon become the biggest transmedia franchise in history. Today, the galaxy far, far away needs no introduction, and neither does the film that’s generally agreed to be the very best in the series: The Empire Strikes Back.
It’s one of the best movie masterpieces of the last 50 years, the gem that set up the gold standard for the Star Wars franchise’s unique blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and action. Imaginative world-building, showstopping action scenes, yet another iconic John Williams score, and the most iconic plot twist in film history. Who could ask for anything more?
1
‘Back to the Future’ (1985)
The Back to the Future series is one of the most perfect movie trilogies for a weekend binge, but underrated though its sequels may be, there’s simply no beating the original in this instance. Proof that sci-fi films don’t need to be artsy in order to be absolutely faultless masterpieces, Back to the Future is one of the most necessary landmarks in the history of blockbuster cinema.
Marty McFly may not have much of a character arc here, but the story of his adventures in 1955 is nevertheless one of the most irresistibly entertaining tales in the history of cinema. Back to the Future can be entertaining, it can be suspenseful and stimulating, and it can even be emotionally stirring when it needs to be. The iconicity of its visuals and dialogue, the brilliance of Alan Silvestri‘s score, and Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox‘s performances are but a few of the reasons why this movie is the peak of ’80s movie entertainment.
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