19 movies from the 80s we wish we could see again on the big screen 

The 80s was a great and iconic period for Hollywood cinema. Filmmaking was entirely revolutionized with special effects, great storytelling, and the rise of a culture that thrives on these amazing movies. There was advancement in sci-fi and futuristic films, while the slasher horror genre was also thriving. Other genres also advancing during this decade included coming-of-age movies, action movies, fantasy as well as romantic comedies. Here is a list of 19 movies from the 80s we wish we could see again on the big screen.

19) The Color Purple (1985)

Released in 1985, the film – The Colour Purple is based on a novel of the same name which won the Pulitzer Prize. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this film is about Celie, an African American woman whose life is filled with oppression and struggles. The film tackles issues of racism and gender oppression with subtle inputs of sisterhood and female solidarity. The movie is about finding one's voice and restoring self-worth through faith and spirituality.

18) The Princess Bride (1987)

The Princess Bride falls under the genre of fantasy adventure and is about a beautiful young woman called - Buttercup, and her love story with a farm boy. This film restores one's belief in the power of true love and how destiny is set in stone. With heroic moments combined with revenge arcs, this movie feels like a full circle of a traditional fairytale trope. The movie feels like a bedtime story being narrated to you, and with its humor and wit has developed a mass following and is loved by people of all ages.

17) Raging Bull (1980)

Directed by Martin Scorsese, and starring Robert De Niro, the film Raging Bull is a biography about the life of the boxing champion – Jake LaMotta. This movie shows the rise and fall of this boxing legend. It shows his toxic relationships and how his self-destructive tendencies lead to his fall from grace. The movie shows how jealousy and paranoia can take over one's life and isolate them from their family and friends.

16) A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

A Nightmare on Elm Street released in 1984 is considered a supernatural horror, classic film. The movie is notable for giving us the iconic villain – Freddy Krueger. Slasher horror films were becoming a thing in the 80s, and this movie with its surreal sequences is considered a classic. The movie is set in a small town called Springwood in Ohio where a group of teenagers start experiencing nightmares about a scary burnt man. This movie introduces psychological depth to horror films and tackles issues like teenage vulnerability and the power of repressed trauma.

15) When Harry Met Sally (1989)

Starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, When Harry Met Sally is considered one of the most cherished romantic comedies about friends, turned into lovers. The film is about two people – Harry and Sally who met on a car ride from Chicago to New York. They both have contrasting opinions about how a relationship should be but end up as friends. Their friendship lasts for several years and slowly, their deep emotional connection turns into love. This movie has given rise to famous cultural moments like the iconic line – "I'll have what she's having.”

14) Blade Runner (1982)

The movie Blade Runner directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford, is considered another sci-fi masterpiece of the 80s. Spanning the genre of existentialism and artificial intelligence, this movie develops a dystopian world where the earth is overpopulated and humans are sent as servants to other world colonies. This movie tackled some big questions like – what it means to be human and also those about the ethics of artificial intelligence. This movie gave rise to the cyberpunk genre and is considered a legacy today.

13) The Breakfast Club (1985)

The Breakfast Club is a coming-of-age movie about a high school clique. This movie gives insights into the different social stereotypes that develop in school like - the nerd, the jock, the princess, the rebel, and the outcast. This movie shows the struggles that adolescents face with parental expectations and trying to fit in a social setting. It shows how important it is to find a friend with whom you can bridge the social divides and find common ground. This movie has an iconic soundtrack and is a defining moment in the genre of teenage drama.

12) Rain Man (1988)

Rain Man released in 1988, starring – Tom Cruise, Dustin Hoffman, and others is about a car dealer in Los Angeles, whose entire inheritance after his father's death is passed to an unknown older brother about whose existence he wasn't even aware of. This older brother known as Raymond Babbit is autistic with an extraordinary mathematical ability. This movie was one of the first mainstream films to focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder and is a great take on brotherhood and emotional growth.

11) Top Gun (1986)

The Tom Cruise starrer – Top Gun was a sensational moment of the 80s. This movie boosted military recruitment by 500% as it glamorized the life of a fighter pilot with their signature style of leather jackets and aviators. This movie is set in an elite U.S. Navy fighter weapon school and follows the life of Pete Mitchell, also known as Maverick, who is a very skilled fighter pilot. The soundtrack of this movie featuring the iconic song – Take My Breath Away, became one of the best-selling albums of the decade.

10) Scarface (1983)

Starring Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer, the movie – Scarface is about Tony Montana, who is a Cuban immigrant and goes on to become a defining force in the Miami Drug World. The movie shows Tony Montana's rise from poverty to wealth but also focuses on the consequences one's crimes have. The greed and paranoia of Tony leads to his own self-destruction, and as a result his empire crumbles. This movie is notable for revolutionizing the crime genre of films and has had a big influence on hip-hop, inspiring rappers like – Jay-Z and The Notorious B.I.G.

9) The Little Mermaid (1989)

The release of the film – The Little Mermaid in 1989 is credited with reviving Disney animation. This movie about an underwater mermaid who falls in love with a human prince features some ground breaking animations, especially with multi-layered color shading. It was one of the first Disney films that showed their Disney princess not as a damsel in distress, but as an adventurous character. The soundtrack of the film was widely appreciated and inspired people to find their voice.

8) The Shining (1980)

Based on a novel by Stephen King, the 1980 film – The Shining is another psychological horror masterpiece of the 80s. The film is about Jack Torrance, who is a writer and moves with his family to an isolated hotel for a job as the winter caretaker. His son - Danny, starts having terrifying visions about a ghostly presence, which later takes over Jack and descends him into madness. The film features an iconic performance by the actor, Jack Nicholson, and his legendary line – “Here’s Johnny!" has become a very popular reference in pop culture.

7) Ghostbusters (1984)

Ghostbusters is a 1984 movie about a group of scientists who, after losing their jobs at Columbia University, start a business of professional ghost hunting. This movie was loved by the audience especially because it blended the genre of sci-fi comedy and action. Actor Bill Murray's performance in the movie is loved by the audience. The cinematography team of the movie had mastered special effects and practical innovations with great use of early CGI.

6) Die Hard (1988)

John McClane, an NYPD cop trapped alone in a skyscraper trying to fight off terrorists, became a sensation in the 80s. Portrayed by actor Bruce Willis, the movie Die Hard, gives us a hero who hurts, bleeds, and struggles, yet manages to fight off the bad guys. This movie introduced a new style of action which had the entire film happen in a single claustrophobic location, thus increasing the tension. Actor Alan Rickman portrayed the villain, Hans Gruber, and with his ruthless charm managed to make everyone awestruck.

5) The Terminator (1984)

The Terminator with its low budget became an instant classic. The movie is credited with launching the career of Arnold Schwarzenegger, and further cementing the talent of James Cameron as a director. The film set in the year 2029 is about a deadly cyborg assassin called T-800 sent back in time to kill Sarah Cooper, whose son would be leading a protest in the future against the AI. Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, with his famous line "I will be back” and a robotic delivery combined with intense physical presence became legendary with this movie.

4) Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Raiders of The Lost Ark, directed by Steven Spielberg and released in 1981 follows the life of the legendary archaeologist Indiana Jones portrayed by actor Harrison Ford. This archaeologist is on a mission to find the legendary Ark of the Covenant and his adventure for this search is phenomenal. This film is a clash between science and mythology and also good versus evil. The film has acted as a source of inspiration for other movies like Tomb Raider and The Mummy.

3) Back to the Future (1985)

Back To The Future, starring Michael J Fox is about a teenager who travels back in time and accidentally disturbs his parents' first meeting and thus as a clockwork result of events jeopardizes his own existence. This movie acted as a defining point for the modern time travel genre. The futuristic 2015 setting was a buzz among the audience and it seamlessly blended comedy with sci-fi and has become a pop culture classic.

2) E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Again directed by Steven Spielberg, the 1982 movie – E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial is about a small, gentle alien, who is stranded on Earth and meets a lonely 10-year-old boy called Eliot. Eliot along with his siblings, is trying desperately to send E.T. back to his home planet but the bond which these two develop leads only to a heartfelt and emotional farewell. This movie is one of the greatest family-friendly, sci-fi films to ever be made, and became one of the highest-grossing films of all time.

1) Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

By now we have seen how legendary the period of the 80s was for cinema. Another legendary film released during this epic decade was Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back. The Star Wars franchise is one of the most popular ones and this sequel is considered one of the best as it explores more on the darker side. It introduced morally grey heroes with Luke, Han Solo, and Princess Leia, and delivered one of the most iconic lines of cinema ever – "Luke, I am your father.”