The Greatest Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked

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Updated August 26, 2022 713.9K votes 24.2K voters 589.7K views
Over 24.2K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Greatest Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
Voting Rules
Movies must have been released during the 1980s

Since it was one of the greatest decades for film, here's a list of the best movies of the 80s. These are some of the most popular and famous films of the 1980s. While the 1980s is largely known for Matthew Broderick, John Cusack, and the iconic musical montage, it is also the decade that brought us The Empire Strikes Back, the cult classic They Live, and all three of the good Indiana Jones films. The movies on this list were each a top ten grossing film in the year they were released. If you're looking to find out what the 1980's were all about, then watching a classic movie on this list would be a great place to start! Vote on the best '80s movies and share your super '80s knowledge with the world!

What are the best movies of the 1980s? This list will give you that answer because it is far more than just a top 10, 50, or even 100 best '80s movies list.

You might want to also check out other greatl lists like: the best 90s movies and 17 Movies That No '80s Kid Is Nostalgic About.

Photo: The Goonies / Warner Bros. Pictures
Ranked by
  • Back to the Future
    1
    11,377 votes

    Back to the Future

    Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Crispin Glover
    In this 1980s sci-fi classic, small-town California teen Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is thrown back into the '50s when an experiment by his eccentric scientist friend Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) ...more
  • Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
    2
    9,240 votes

    Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

    Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman
    Dr. Indiana Jones, a renowned archeologist and expert in the occult, is hired by the U.S. Government to find the ark of the covenant, which is believed to still hold the Ten Commandments. ...more
  • Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
    3
    9,960 votes

    Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

    Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher
    The adventure continues in this "Star Wars" sequel. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) face attack by the Imperial ...more
  • The Goonies
    4
    8,024 votes

    The Goonies

    Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen
    When two brothers find out they might lose their house they are desperate to find a way to keep their home. They find a treasure map and bring some friends along to find it. They are all out looking ...more
  • The Breakfast Club
    5
    8,650 votes

    The Breakfast Club

    Emilio Estevez, Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson
    Five high school students from different walks of life endure a Saturday detention under a power-hungry principal (Paul Gleason). The disparate group includes rebel John (Judd Nelson), princess ...more
  • Stand by Me
    6
    6,559 votes

    Stand by Me

    Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman
    After learning that a stranger has been accidentally killed near their rural homes, four Oregon boys decide to go see the body. On the way, Gordie Lachance (Wil Wheaton), Vern Tessio (Jerry ...more