The Best Period Movies Set in the '80s
Oh, man. The 1980s was quite a decade! Sure, '80s movies are awesome but this list goes deeper. Ranked here are the best movies about the '80s. Films from many decades have been set in the 80s, because who can resist a great eighties story? As long as a film was primarily set in that great, iconic decade of the 1980s, and was truly awesome, it belongs on this list. What are the all time best movies set in the '80s? Hollywood has some great options for '80s lovers and they're all ranked here, with trailers.
Madonna and Michael Jackson reigned supreme in the '80s music world, and the Brat Pack hit the film scene in the 80s. John Hughes made plenty of movies set in the '80s, but many great films about the 80s were released in the 1990s and 2000s as well. The unique culture and setting of the eighties, makes for a great movie backdrop, and some of the best stories told on film are tales of the 1980s.
The movies featured on this list include the likes of Scarface, No Country for Old Men, Let the Right One In, 200 Cigarettes, The Pursuit of Happyness, and Wonderland. What do you think are the best films about the 80s? Upvote them below, or, if they aren't already listed, feel free to add them for an even more comprehensive list that 80s lovers everywhere can enjoy.
Just remember, this isn't a list of the best 80s movies, these films all must be about and set sometime during the 1980s.
- 1
- Actors: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Christine Taylor, Allen Covert, Matthew Glave
- Directed by: Frank Coraci
Set against the backdrop of the late '80s, this endearing romantic comedy showcases the captivating chemistry between Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. Viewers are treated to a nostalgic trip down memory lane as Robbie Hart (Sandler), a struggling wedding singer, and Julia Sullivan (Barrymore), a sweet-natured waitress, navigate love and life amid the colorful fashion and music trends that defined the decade.
- Actors: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey, Kyle Chandler
- Directed by: Martin Scorsese
A remarkable portrayal of the excesses of the 1980s financial world, this gripping drama chronicles the meteoric rise and spectacular fall of stockbroker Jordan Belfort. Directed by the legendary Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio's captivating performance as the unscrupulous Belfort offers an unparalleled insight into the greed, ambition, and debauchery that plagued Wall Street during the era.
- Actors: Mira Sorvino, Lisa Kudrow, Janeane Garofalo, Alan Cumming, Julia Campbell
- Directed by: David Mirkin
This delightfully quirky comedy centers on the hilarious misadventures of two best friends, played by Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow, as they attend their high school reunion. Set in the late 1980s, the film offers a nostalgic snapshot of the pop culture, fashion, and attitudes that epitomized the period, while also delivering a heartwarming exploration of the bonds of friendship.
- 42000
- Actors: Christian Bale, Willem Dafoe, Jared Leto, Reese Witherspoon, Samantha Mathis
- Directed by: Mary Harron
In a chilling and macabre reflection of the '80s decade, Christian Bale expertly portrays Patrick Bateman, a vain, wealthy investment banker whose seemingly perfect life hides a dark secret. The film delves into the dangers of unchecked consumerism, status obsession, and superficiality that characterized the era, providing a haunting commentary on American society at the time.
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- 51996
- Actors: Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi, William H. Macy, Peter Stormare, Harve Presnell
- Directed by: Joel Coen
The Coen Brothers masterfully direct this darkly comedic crime drama set in the frozen landscapes of 1980s Minnesota. Rich in both period detail and character nuance, the film follows the tragicomic escalations of a kidnapping and extortion scheme gone awry, brilliantly capturing the distinctive regional culture of the time.
- 6
It
2017- Actors: Jaeden Martell, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, Chosen Jacobs
- Directed by: Andy Muschietti
Adapted from Stephen King's acclaimed novel, this chilling horror film transports viewers to the late 1980s and the small town of Derry, where a group of young outcasts takes on the supernatural entity that has haunted their home for centuries. The authentic period atmosphere and inventive scares are enhanced by the ensemble cast's believable portrayal of adolescent friendships, making this a truly unforgettable journey into darkness.
