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The Greatest Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked

Originally by Ranker Community

Updated March 1, 2021 574.8k votes 21.0k voters 539.7k views512 items

List RulesMovies 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.

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2,431
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher
Released: 1980
Directed by: Irvin Kershner
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Back to the Future
Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd
Released: 1985
Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
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3
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The Goonies
Corey Feldman, Josh Brolin
Released: 1985
Directed by: Richard Donner
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4
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The Breakfast Club
Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald
Released: 1985
Directed by: John Hughes
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4,448
1,689
The Princess Bride
Billy Crystal, Robin Wright
Released: 1987
Directed by: Rob Reiner
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4,366
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The Karate Kid
Elisabeth Shue, Ralph Macchio
Released: 1984
Directed by: John G. Avildsen
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5,156
1,947
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Charlie Sheen, Matthew Broderick
Released: 1986
Directed by: John Hughes
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3,124
1,174
Beverly Hills Cop
Eddie Murphy, Damon Wayans
Released: 1984
Directed by: Martin Brest
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4,130
1,183
Stand by Me
Kiefer Sutherland, Corey Feldman
Released: 1986
Directed by: Rob Reiner
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10
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The Terminator
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bill Paxton
Released: 1984
Directed by: James Cameron
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11
3,601
1,189
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chevy Chase
Released: 1989
Directed by: Jeremiah S. Chechik
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Top Gun
Tom Cruise, Meg Ryan
Released: 1986
Directed by: Tony Scott
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13
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Back to the Future Part II
Michael J. Fox, Elisabeth Shue
Released: 1989
Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
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14
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1,461
Big
Tom Hanks, Jon Lovitz
Released: 1988
Directed by: Penny Marshall
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The Lost Boys
Kiefer Sutherland, Corey Feldman
Released: 1987
Directed by: Joel Schumacher
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4,109
1,699
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Harrison Ford, Sean Connery
Released: 1989
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
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17
3,384
1,318
Lethal Weapon
Mel Gibson, Gary Busey
Released: 1987
Directed by: Richard Donner
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Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher
Released: 1983
Directed by: Richard Marquand
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3,230
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Aliens
Sigourney Weaver, Bill Paxton
Released: 1986
Directed by: James Cameron
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5,392
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Ghostbusters
Bill Murray, Sigourney Weaver
Released: 1984
Directed by: Ivan Reitman
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Vacation
Chevy Chase, Christie Brinkley
Released: 1983
Directed by: Harold Ramis
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5,794
2,573
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
Harrison Ford, Alfred Molina
Released: 1981
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
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Sixteen Candles
John Cusack, Molly Ringwald
Released: 1984
Directed by: John Hughes
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2,354
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Caddyshack
Bill Murray, Chevy Chase
Released: 1980
Directed by: Harold Ramis
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4,625
2,040
Die Hard
Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman
Released: 1988
Directed by: John McTiernan
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