A list of the best movies of 1983, from highly anticipated sequels like "Return of the Jedi" to instant classics like "A Christmas Story." The '80s were a decade where Hollywood thrived. In were new stars and big blockbusters, and 1983 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 edges of their seats, and 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 the top 1983 films.
list ordered by
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Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the JediHarrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi is a 1983 American epic space opera film directed by Richard Marquand, and the third and final film in the original Star Wars trilogy. After a daring ...more
2
126 37
VacationChevy Chase, Christie Brinkley, John Candy National Lampoon's Vacation, sometimes referred to as Vacation, is a 1983 Technicolor comedy film directed by Harold Ramis and starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid, Dana Barron, ...more
3
144 60
ScarfaceMichelle Pfeiffer, Al Pacino, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio Scarface is a 1983 American crime drama film directed by Brian De Palma and written by Oliver Stone. A remake of the 1932 film of the same name, Scarface tells the story of Cuban refugee Tony ...more
4
107 39
Trading PlacesEddie Murphy, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dan Aykroyd Trading Places is a 1983 American comedy film directed by John Landis, starring Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy. It tells the story of an upper-class commodities broker and a homeless street ...more
5
119 53
A Christmas StoryDarren McGavin, Melinda Dillon, Zack Ward A Christmas Story is a 1983 American Christmas comedy film based on the short stories and semi-fictional anecdotes of author and raconteur Jean Shepherd, based on his book In God We Trust: All ...more
6
87 37
WarGamesMatthew Broderick, William H. Macy, Ally Sheedy WarGames is a 1983 American Cold War science-fiction film written by Lawrence Lasker and Walter F. Parkes and directed by John Badham. The film stars Matthew Broderick, Dabney Coleman, John ...more
7
91 46
Risky BusinessTom Cruise, Megan Mullally, Rebecca De Mornay Risky Business is a 1983 American romantic comedy film written by Paul Brickman in his directorial debut. It stars Tom Cruise and Rebecca De Mornay. The film launched Cruise to stardom. It ...more
8
69 39
Monty Python's The Meaning of LifeJohn Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle Monty Python's The Meaning of Life, also known as The Meaning of Life, is a 1983 British musical sketch comedy film written and performed by the Monty Python troupe, and directed by one of its ...more
9
63 30
looksharp added The Right StuffJeff Goldblum, Ed Harris, Dennis Quaid The Right Stuff is a 1983 American drama film that was adapted from Tom Wolfe's best-selling 1979 book of the same name about the Navy, Marine and Air Force test pilots who were involved in ...more
10
56 37
Terms of EndearmentJack Nicholson, Danny DeVito, John Lithgow Terms of Endearment is a 1983 comedy-drama film adapted from the novel of the same name by Larry McMurtry, directed, written, and produced by James L. Brooks and starring Shirley MacLaine, Debra ...more
11
87 34
Mr. MomMichael Keaton, Christopher Lloyd, Teri Garr Mr. Mom is a 1983 American comedy film directed by Stan Dragoti and written by John Hughes about Jack Butler, a stay-at-home dad. It stars Michael Keaton, Teri Garr, Jeffrey Tambor, Ann Jillian, ...more
12
81 33
The OutsidersTom Cruise, Nicolas Cage, Diane Lane The Outsiders is a 1983 American drama film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, an adaptation of the novel of the same name by S. E. Hinton. The film was released on March 25, 1983. Jo Ellen ...more
13
67 41
ChristineKelly Preston, Alexandra Paul, John Madden Christine is a 1983 American horror thriller film directed by John Carpenter and starring Keith Gordon, John Stockwell, Alexandra Paul and Harry Dean Stanton. It was written by Bill Phillips and ...more
14
67 31
Twilight Zone: The MovieDan Aykroyd, John Lithgow, Burgess Meredith Twilight Zone: The Movie is a 1983 American anthology science-fiction fantasy horror film produced by Steven Spielberg and John Landis as a theatrical version of the 1959–64 TV series The ...more
15
57 43
Never Say Never AgainSean Connery, Kim Basinger, Rowan Atkinson Never Say Never Again is a 1983 spy film based on the James Bond novel Thunderball, which was previously adapted in 1965 under that name. Unlike the majority of Bond films, Never Say Never Again ...more
16
38 29
Tender MerciesRobert Duvall, Ellen Barkin, Wilford Brimley Tender Mercies is a 1983 American drama film directed by Bruce Beresford. The screenplay by Horton Foote focuses on Mac Sledge, a recovering alcoholic country music singer who seeks to turn his ...more
17
56 47
FlashdanceJennifer Beals, Lee Ving, Michael Nouri Flashdance is a 1983 American romantic drama film directed by Adrian Lyne. It was the first collaboration of producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer and the presentation of some sequences in ...more
18
38 34
The Big ChillGlenn Close, Kevin Kline, Jeff Goldblum The Big Chill is a 1983 American comedy-drama film directed by Lawrence Kasdan, starring Tom Berenger, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, William Hurt, Kevin Kline, Mary Kay Place, Meg Tilly, and ...more
19
59 49
OctopussyRoger Moore, Maud Adams, Louis Jourdan Octopussy is the thirteenth entry in the Eon Productions James Bond film series, and the sixth to star Roger Moore as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. The film's title is taken from a short ...more
20
35 29
The King of ComedyRobert De Niro, Jerry Lewis, Martin Scorsese The King of Comedy is an American black comedy film starring Robert De Niro and Jerry Lewis. Directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Paul D. Zimmerman, the film focuses on themes including ...more
21
44 37
Strange BrewMax von Sydow, Rick Moranis, Mel Blanc Strange Brew is a 1983 Canadian comedy film starring the popular SCTV characters Bob and Doug McKenzie, portrayed by Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis, who also served as co-directors. Co-stars ...more
22
53 31
Sudden ImpactClint Eastwood, Mara Corday, Sondra Locke Sudden Impact is a 1983 American action film and the fourth film in the Dirty Harry series, directed by Clint Eastwood, and starring Eastwood and Sondra Locke. The film is notable for the ...more
23
52 39
Easy MoneyJoe Pesci, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jeffrey Jones Easy Money is a 1983 comedy film starring Rodney Dangerfield, Joe Pesci, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Candice Azzara, and Jennifer Jason Leigh. It was directed by James Signorelli and written by ...more
24
47 35
Eddie and the CruisersTom Berenger, Ellen Barkin, Joe Pantoliano Eddie and the Cruisers is a 1983 American film directed by Martin Davidson with the screenplay written by the director and Arlene Davidson, based on the novel by P.F. Kluge. It was marketed with ...more
25
53 40
The Man with Two BrainsSteve Martin, Kathleen Turner, Sissy Spacek The Man with Two Brains is a 1983 American science fiction comedy film directed by Carl Reiner and starring Steve Martin and Kathleen Turner. Written by Martin, Reiner and George Gipe, the film ...more
26
34 32
SilkwoodMeryl Streep, Cher, Kurt Russell Silkwood is a 1983 American drama film directed by Mike Nichols. The screenplay by Nora Ephron and Alice Arlen was inspired by the life of Karen Silkwood. Silkwood was a nuclear whistleblower ...more
27
39 27
Blue ThunderMalcolm McDowell, Roy Scheider, Warren Oates Blue Thunder is a 1983 action thriller film that features a high-tech helicopter of the same name. The movie was directed by John Badham and stars Roy Scheider. A spin-off television series also ...more
28
34 35
All the Right MovesTom Cruise, Lea Thompson, Craig T. Nelson All the Right Moves is a 1983 drama film directed by Michael Chapman and starring Tom Cruise, Craig T. Nelson, Lea Thompson, Chris Penn, and Gary Graham. It was filmed on location during WPIAL ...more
29
53 48
CujoDee Wallace, Danny Pintauro, Ed Lauter Cujo is a 1983 American psychological horror/thriller film based on Stephen King's novel of the same name. It was directed by Lewis Teague, and written by Don Carlos Dunaway and Lauren Currier.
30
34 30
VideodromeDebbie Harry, James Woods, David Cronenberg Videodrome is a 1983 Canadian postmodernist science fiction body horror film written and directed by David Cronenberg, starring James Woods, Sonja Smits, and Deborah Harry. Set in Toronto in the ...more
31
8 16
Dimos Dicoudis added Educating RitaMichael Caine, Julie Walters, Maureen Lipman Educating Rita is a British 1983 drama/comedy film directed by Lewis Gilbert with a screenplay by Willy Russell based on Russell's stage play. The film stars Michael Caine, Julie Walters, and ...more
32
22 24
looksharp added ZeligWoody Allen, Mia Farrow, Caitlin O'Heaney Zelig is a 1983 American mockumentary film written and directed by Woody Allen and starring Allen and Mia Farrow. Allen plays Leonard Zelig, a nondescript enigma who, out of his desire to fit in ...more
33
41 31
Psycho IIAnthony Perkins, Dennis Franz, Vera Miles Psycho II is a 1983 American psychological horror slasher film directed by Richard Franklin and written by Tom Holland. It is the first sequel to Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho and second film in the ...more
34
37 40
Bad BoysSean Penn, Ally Sheedy, Clancy Brown Bad Boys is a 1983 crime drama film written by Richard Di Lello and directed by Rick Rosenthal.
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32 35
Star 80Mariel Hemingway, Eric Roberts, Cliff Robertson Star 80 is a 1983 American film about the true story of Playboy Playmate of the Year Dorothy Stratten, who was murdered by her estranged husband Paul Snider in 1980. The film was directed by Bob ...more
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36 32
Valley GirlNicolas Cage, E.G. Daily, Colleen Camp Valley Girl is a 1983 romantic comedy film, starring Nicolas Cage, Deborah Foreman, Michelle Meyrink, Elizabeth Daily, Cameron Dye, and Michael Bowen, directed by Martha Coolidge. The American ...more
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30 37
ClassRob Lowe, John Cusack, Jacqueline Bissett Class is a 1983 American romantic comedy-drama film, directed by Lewis John Carlino, starring Jacqueline Bisset, Rob Lowe and Cliff Robertson, and is also the film debut of Andrew McCarthy, John ...more
38
54 31
The Dead ZoneChristopher Walken, Martin Sheen, Tom Skerritt The Dead Zone is a 1983 American horror thriller film directed by David Cronenberg. The screenplay by Jeffrey Boam was based on the 1979 novel of the same name by Stephen King. The film stars ...more
39
34 32
Superman IIIRichard Pryor, Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder Superman III is a 1983 British-American superhero film directed by Richard Lester. It is the third film in the Superman film series based upon the long-running DC Comics superhero. The film is ...more
40
16 17
Dimos Dicoudis added The HungerDavid Bowie, Willem Dafoe, Susan Sarandon The Hunger is a 1983 British horror film directed by Tony Scott, and starring Catherine Deneuve, David Bowie, and Susan Sarandon. It is the story of a love triangle between a doctor who ...more
41
31 36
Uncommon ValorGene Hackman, Patrick Swayze, Michael Dudikoff Uncommon Valor is a 1983 action/war film written by Joe Gayton and directed by Ted Kotcheff, about a U.S. Marine officer who puts together a team to try to rescue his son, who he believes is ...more
42
18 30
looksharp added Local HeroBurt Lancaster, Peter Capaldi, Peter Riegert Local Hero is a 1983 British comedy-drama film written and directed by Bill Forsyth and starring Peter Riegert, Denis Lawson, Fulton Mackay, and Burt Lancaster. Produced by David Puttnam, the ...more
43
20 35
Never Cry WolfBrian Dennehy, Charles Martin Smith, Tom Dahlgren Never Cry Wolf is a 1983 American drama film directed by Carroll Ballard. The film is an adaption of Farley Mowat's 1963 autobiography Never Cry Wolf and stars Charles Martin Smith as a ...more
44
14 18
Dimos Dicoudis added BrainstormChristopher Walken, Natalie Wood, Louise Fletcher Brainstorm is a 1983 science fiction film directed by Douglas Trumbull and starring Christopher Walken, Natalie Wood, Louise Fletcher and Cliff Robertson. It was Wood's final film appearance, as ...more
45
19 17
Dimos Dicoudis added Smokey and the Bandit Part 3Burt Reynolds, Jackie Gleason, Jerry Reed Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 is the sequel to Smokey and the Bandit and Smokey and the Bandit II, starring Jackie Gleason, Jerry Reed, Paul Williams, Pat McCormick, Mike Henry and Colleen Camp. ...more
46
28 29
looksharp added Rumble FishNicolas Cage, Mickey Rourke, Diane Lane Rumble Fish is an American 1983 drama film directed by Francis Ford Coppola. It is based on the novel Rumble Fish by S. E. Hinton, who also co-wrote the screenplay. The film centers on the ...more
47
28 37
Private SchoolPhoebe Cates, Betsy Russell, Sylvia Kristel Private School is a 1983 teen oriented sex comedy film, directed by Noel Black. Starring Phoebe Cates and Matthew Modine, it follows a teenage couple attempting to have sex for the first time.
48
17 42
Curse of the Pink PantherRoger Moore, David Niven, Bill Nighy Curse of the Pink Panther is a 1983 comedy film, the eighth instalment of the The Pink Panther series of films started by Blake Edwards in the early 1960s. The film was one of two produced ...more
49
30 34
Doctor DetroitDan Aykroyd, James Brown, Fran Drescher Doctor Detroit is a 1983 comedy film, written by Bruce Jay Friedman, Robert Boris and Carl Gottlieb. The film stars Dan Aykroyd, Howard Hesseman, Lynn Whitfield, Fran Drescher, and Donna Dixon, ...more
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16 30
The Lords of DisciplineBill Paxton, Michael Biehn, Judge Reinhold The Lords of Discipline is a 1983 American film based on the novel by Pat Conroy and directed by Franc Roddam. The film stars David Keith, Robert Prosky, Judge Reinhold, Bill Paxton, William ...more
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List Rules: Movies that played in theaters in 1983
