The 1980s were a decade of flashing neon lights, interesting fashion trends, and big hairstyles. Most of all, however, they were a great time to be a moviegoer. Several films released in the 1980s enjoyed a substantial amount of success in large part due to their ability to appeal to both kids and adults alike.
Previously, big-budget films had been largely reserved for telling mature stories that would not appeal to a younger audience, but these movies helped flip the script. The fans at Ranker narrowed down their favorite classics until the top 10 stood tall above the rest.
10 Honey, I Shrunk The Kids
Long before Ant-Man ever suited up for the Avengers on the big screen, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids was capturing audiences’ imagination of how the world would look from a different perspective.
Unintentionally shrunken by their father’s shrink ray prototype, four siblings must work together to overcome a variety of challenges to return home and become normal-sized again. Whether it be giant insects or getting eaten in a bowl of cereal, there is no lack of dangers in store for this family adventure.
9 E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
When a peaceful alien accidentally ends up stranded on Earth, it’s up to a young boy named Elliott to look after him. After experiencing human activities like watching a John Wayne movie and reading a comic book, the creature dubs itself “E.T.” and showcases its array of abilities, including telekinesis and rapid healing powers.
Unfortunately, being on Earth has made E.T. fall ill, and with the U.S. government on their heels, Elliott must pull out all the stops to save his extra-terrestrial friend. This heartwarming story proves the power of friendship always prevails and has inspired many sci-fi films since its release.
8 Indiana Jones And The Raiders Of The Lost Ark
As the first entry in the Indiana Jones series, Raiders of the Lost Ark burst onto screens in 1981 and was an immediate hit. Indiana Jones repeatedly escapes peril as he searches for lost treasures in adventures straight out of a kid’s wildest dreams.
Raiders of the Lost Ark’s success would go on to earn three more entries in the Indiana Jones franchise, with an unnamed fourth entry currently planned for release in 2023. Few characters were as charismatic and easy to root for as Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones in the 1980s, as his performance spawned a whole genre of movies inspired by the films.
7 The Karate Kid
Carl Douglas phrased it best when he sang, “Everybody was Kung Fu fighting.” Back in the 1980s, nearly every kid wanted to be just like Daniel from The Karate Kid. Daniel’s journey allows him to finally stand up to his bullies, so it’s easy to see why this would be an appealing topic for children.
Mr. Miyagi also proves to be the type of mentor figure that most people would want in their lives, as his lessons teach Daniel how to be a strong yet responsible and patient person. Daniel’s eventual triumph in the finals of the All Valley Karate Championship is certainly one of the most memorable film moments of the 1980s.
6 Gremlins
While the line of toys may have been the most memorable byproduct of the Gremlins franchise, the film was just as great. Despite being told not to expose the mogwai to bright light, water, or food after midnight, this effort proves just as futile as trying to get children to follow most instructions.
Gremlins successfully balances the horror aspect of these creatures while also making the movie feel light-hearted and fun. The contrast between the cute and friendly Gizmo and his terrifying crime-committing Gremlin relatives make for an interesting dynamic that cements this film as a classic.
5 The Princess Bride
Few films have stood the test of time quite as well as The Princess Bride, as it still remains very popular over 30 years later despite no sequels being released to continue the story. With a perfect blend of adventure and hilarity, it’s easy to see how the film has developed a cult following.
The Princess Bride reinforces the importance of loyalty and delivers a strong message on top of a great story. Its cast of intriguing characters never fails to delight upon the delivery of their lines, culminating with Inigo Montoya’s famous battle against Count Rugen.
4 Stand By Me
Adapted from Stephen King’s story The Body, Rob Reiner’s Stand By Me was a big success and marks his second consecutive directorial entry in this list. When word of a dead teenager near their fictional Oregon town of Castle Rock spreads, four boys embark on a journey to see if the body is truly there.
On the way to their morbid destination, the boys learn just as much about each other as they do themselves. While they may not have remained close friends forever, Gordie learns — as most people do — that he’d never again have friends like he did when he was 12-years-old.
3 Ghostbusters
1984’s Ghostbusters was one big concoction that contained all the ingredients of an instant classic. The catchy theme song, the charismatic band of scientists as protagonists, and the iconic ghouls and ghosts all serve to create a memorable experience.
The supernatural nature of the film makes it a must-watch family experience every Halloween, while stars like Bill Murray and Rick Moranis provide the comedic relief that makes Ghostbusters’ rewatch value nearly limitless.
2 The Goonies
A band of childhood friends undertaking a grand adventure is certainly no novel concept, but perhaps no film captures the magical feeling that accompanies their mission more than The Goonies.
This movie bridges the ages as the boys are forced to resist both the modern threat of a property development company as well as the ancient dangers on the path to a forgotten pirate’s treasure. Mikey, Mouth, Data, and Chunk together form a hilarious quartet as they work together to overcome the Fratellis — including the misunderstood but loveable Sloth.
1 Back To The Future
When it comes to understanding the laws of time travel, many people would cite Back to the Future and Doc Brown’s rules. When flung into the past, Marty McFly must somehow ensure that his parents meet each other and fall in love, or else he himself would cease to exist.
This movie introduced many complicated concepts in a manner that was easy to digest and provided a thoughtful yet highly entertaining story. Back to the Future’s success would help launch another two films in the series and establish the franchise as one of the most decade-defining films of the 80s.
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