The Best Movies of 1982

Originally by Ranker Community

Updated September 4, 2020 15.1k votes 953 voters 16.9k views

List RulesOnly movies released in theaters in 1982.

A list of the best movies of 1982, from teen comedies like "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" to horror films like "Poltergeist." The '80s were a decade where Hollywood thrived. In were new stars and big blockbusters, and 1982 was no exception. Some the best movies of this year are some of the best teen, coming-of-age, adventure, comedies and dramas in history. The films on here are very memorable and had audiences on the edge of their seats, and they still pack a punch so many years after they were first released. You shouldn't be too surprised by the movies listed on this list of top 1982 films.

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The Dark Crystal
Jim Henson, Frank Oz
Released: 1982
Directed by: Frank Oz, Jim Henson
The Dark Crystal is a 1982 American–British fantasy film directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz.... more on Wikipedia
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Jim Henson's 'The Dark Crystal' Is Even Darker Than You RememberBehind The Scenes Stories Of ‘The Dark Crystal’
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The Thing
Kurt Russell, Keith David
Released: 1982
Directed by: John Carpenter
The Thing is a 1982 American science fiction horror film directed by John Carpenter, written... more on Wikipedia
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First Blood
Sylvester Stallone, Brian Dennehy
Released: 1982
Directed by: Ted Kotcheff
First Blood is a 1982 American psychological thriller and action film directed by Ted... more on Wikipedia
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#141 of 369 The Best Movies Based On Books#85 of 152 Movies That Should Never Be Remade
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The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Dolly Parton, Burt Reynolds
Released: 1982
Directed by: Colin Higgins
This film is a 1982 American musical comedy film co-written, produced and directed by Colin... more on Wikipedia
More The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
#45 of 206 Musical Movies With the Best Songs#366 of 541 The Greatest Guilty Pleasure Movies
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Porky's
Kim Cattrall, Alex Karras
Released: 1982
Directed by: Bob Clark
Porky's is a 1981 Canadian-American comedy film about the escapades of teenagers at the... more on Wikipedia
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E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Drew Barrymore, Erika Eleniak
Released: 1982
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a 1982 American science fiction-family film co-produced and... more on Wikipedia
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Behind-The-Scenes Stories From 'E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial'#97 of 1,189 Every Oscar Winning Film Ever
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Victor Victoria
Julie Andrews, James Garner
Released: 1982
Directed by: Blake Edwards
Victor Victoria is a 1982 film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and starring Julie Andrews,... more on Wikipedia

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162
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The King of Comedy
Robert De Niro, Jerry Lewis
Released: 1982
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
The King of Comedy is an American black comedy film starring Robert De Niro and Jerry Lewis.... more on Wikipedia
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#269 of 925 The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films#439 of 456 The Most Quotable Movies of All Time
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213
84
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Kirstie Alley, William Shatner
Released: 1982
Directed by: Nicholas Meyer
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is a 1982 sci-fi film written by Jack B. Sowards and Nicholas... more on Wikipedia
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#50 of 553 The Greatest Epic Movies Ever Made#169 of 277 The Top Tearjerker Movies That Make Men Cry
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Frances
Kevin Costner, Jessica Lange
Released: 1982
Directed by: Graeme Clifford
Frances is a 1982 American biographical film starring Jessica Lange as actress Frances Farmer.... more on Wikipedia
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#1361 of 1,540 The Most Rewatchable Movies#429 of 522 The Greatest Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
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Creepshow
Stephen King, Ed Harris
Released: 1982
Directed by: George A. Romero
Creepshow is a 1982 horror anthology film with elements of black comedy directed by George A.... more on Wikipedia
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193
70
Swamp Thing
Adrienne Barbeau, Louis Jourdan
Released: 1982
Directed by: Wes Craven
Swamp Thing is a 1982 American science fiction superhero film written and directed by Wes... more on Wikipedia
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#133 of 177 The Greatest Comic Book Movies of All Time#542 of 720 The Best Horror Movies Of All Time
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204
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Poltergeist
Craig T. Nelson, JoBeth Williams
Released: 1982
Directed by: Tobe Hooper
Poltergeist is a 1982 American supernatural thriller film, directed by Tobe Hooper and... more on Wikipedia
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Did Steven Spielberg Really Ghost-Direct ‘Poltergeist’?#257 of 355 The Best Rainy Day Movies
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Halloween III: Season of the Witch
Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Atkins
Released: 1982
Directed by: Tommy Lee Wallace
Halloween III: Season of the Witch is a 1982 American science fiction horror film. The film is... more on Wikipedia
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178
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My Favorite Year
Peter O'Toole, Gloria Stuart
Released: 1982
Directed by: Richard Benjamin
My Favorite Year is a 1982 American comedy film directed by Richard Benjamin and written by... more on Wikipedia
16
178
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48 Hrs.
Eddie Murphy, Nick Nolte
Released: 1982
Directed by: Walter Hill
48 Hrs. is a 1982 American action comedy film directed by Walter Hill, starring Nick Nolte and... more on Wikipedia
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#114 of 1,137 The Absolute Funniest Movies Of All Time#68 of 480 The Greatest Movies For Guys
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Bugs Bunny's 3rd Movie: 1001 Rabbit Tales
Mel Blanc, June Foray
Released: 1982
Directed by: Robert McKimson, Friz Freleng, Chuck Jones
Bugs Bunny's 3rd Movie: 1001 Rabbit Tales is a 1982 Looney Tunes film with a compilation of... more on Wikipedia
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207
89
Conan the Barbarian
Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Earl Jones
Released: 1982
Directed by: John Milius
Conan the Barbarian is a 1982 sword and sorcery/adventure film directed and co-written by John... more on Wikipedia
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214
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Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Nicolas Cage, Sean Penn
Released: 1982
Directed by: Amy Heckerling
Fast Times at Ridgemont High is a 1982 American coming-of-age teen comedy film written by... more on Wikipedia
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Death Wish II
Laurence Fishburne, Charles Bronson
Released: 1982
Directed by: Michael Winner
Death Wish II is a 1982 crime thriller action film directed by Michael Winner. It is the first... more on Wikipedia
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155
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Tootsie
Bill Murray, Dustin Hoffman
Released: 1982
Directed by: Sydney Pollack
Tootsie is a 1982 American comedy-drama film that tells the story of a talented but volatile... more on Wikipedia
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166
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Rocky III
Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire
Released: 1982
Directed by: Sylvester Stallone
Rocky III is a 1982 American sports drama film directed by Sylvester Stallone, and the third... more on Wikipedia
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#27 of 145 The Most Inspirational Sports Movies#25 of 172 The Best Sports Movies Ever Made
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Airplane II: The Sequel
William Shatner, Leslie Nielsen
Released: 1982
Directed by: Ken Finkleman
Airplane II: The Sequel is a 1982 sequel to the 1980 American comedy film Airplane!. First... more on Wikipedia
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139
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An Officer and a Gentleman
Richard Gere, Debra Winger
Released: 1982
Directed by: Taylor Hackford
An Officer and a Gentleman is a 1982 American drama film that tells the story of a U.S. Navy... more on Wikipedia
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#85 of 836 The Greatest Chick Flicks Ever Made#44 of 125 The Greatest Date Movies of All Time
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158
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Tron
Jeff Bridges, David Warner
Released: 1982
Directed by: Steven Lisberger
Tron is a 1982 American science fiction film written and directed by Steven Lisberger, based... more on Wikipedia