What Movies Truly Defined The 1980s...?

General General Discussion
1

For me one of the big ones was “To Live and Die in L.A.” (1985)

Probably as close to film version of “Miami Vice” that we will ever get. No, the guys aren’t like Crockett and Tubbs, and there is no alligator and not even any coke dealers. But it has that same 1980s “new wave with the neon” feel to it.

On top of that it is actually a really good movie. Lots of action, cool car and some decent gun play. And car chases…finally one that dethrones Bullet. William Defoe with his patented strangeness makes a great villian. And you even get to see a young Daphne Moon (from Frasier) as a hot lesbian in lingerie.

2

Used to think Molly Ringwald was so hot. So how about the Breakfast Club? Terminator, Scanners, Red Dawn, The Thing, St. Elmo’s Fire, Weird Science, Friday the 13th, Escape From New York, sure I’m missing many more.

3

6933, you missed the best John Carpenter one and most defining movie of the 80’s… Big Trouble in Little China. Other than that, I love your list, and To Live and Die in LA.

4

Just watched that one the other day, own it. Dug Dafoe’s HK P9S.

Can’t forget Red Dawn. Captured the feelings and paranoia of a lot of people, including me. I was really hoping to see Spetznaz jumping out of airplanes to I wouldn’t have to show up to high school.

Michael Mann’s Manhunter is a good one. “Charter Arms Bulldog with Glaser Safety Slugs, and a Second Chance vest.” “Cause you probably won’t get a second chance.”

We already talked about The Final Option.

Dogs of War

The Wild Geese

Robocop was a lot more than just an 80’s scifi shoot 'em up.

5

I concur, I dont think anything sums up the 80’s like Red Dawn.

6

7

Red Dawn wins

Alien (s)
Fletch
Predator
Terminator

ETA: Blade Runner

ETA2: Damn Mad Max is another good one.

8

Don’t forget Scarface.

Wild Geese, though a great film, was actually 1978 or 1979.

9

Cocktail, Back to the future, Road House, Lethal Weapon, and E.T.

10

Weird Science
Less than Zero
Red Dawn
Terminator
BIG
I cant believe I forgot FERRIS BUELLERS DAY OFF - classic

11

All of the above.

Templar, its funny that you mention “Wild Geese”. I was thinking about that movie for the last week!!

12

Back to the Future!

13

top gun

14

That was the movie that came to mind when I read the title of this thread. I was still a rookie then, but even the old guys liked it. :smiley:

Okay, I looked it up: FBDO was released in 1986 and I had eight years on at the time… where does the time go?

15

Scarface.

16

The Goonies (1985)

already mentioned Top Gun! (1986)

17

Red Dawn
The Day After
Stripes
Fast Times

18

Raider of the Lost Ark & Star Wars trilogies.

Back to the Future is one of my all time favorite movies ( plus part 2,part 3,meh ).

Goonies is another great one.

19

20

Red Dawn… UNQUESTIONABLY, for anyone on this board, who was at LEAST in high school then!

Back to School
Beverly Hills Cop
Ghostbusters
Aliens
Platoon
Robocop
The Untouchables
Highlander
Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” (the movie!)
Above the Law
Star Trek’s II, III, IV, & V!
Dune
Tightrope
Heartbreak Ridge
DC Cab (if only for the Gary Busey line, when he sees Charlie Barnett in the metalflake Uncle Sam outfit, and asks him - “What the hell are YOU supposed to be - Uncle Sambo?!?!” :p)
Police Academy
Commando
Rambo

Probably a hundred others I’ll think of, the moment I hit “submit reply.” :stuck_out_tongue: