Curated by SceneIt · United States
Revisit standout releases from 1980 through 1989, selected for viewers who want a strong starting point instead of an exhaustive catalog.
Updated 2026-08-03 · Ratings from TMDB
Titles are ranked by TMDB audience rating with a minimum vote threshold, then checked for relevance to the release decade.
1985 · TMDB 6.7/10 · 748 votes
Three short stories linked by a stray cat that roams from one tale to the next, in this creepy triptych that begins as Dick tries to quit smoking by any means necessary. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
1988 · TMDB 6.7/10 · 1,727 votes
Putting its own 'twist' on the story of Oliver Twist, the orange runt of a litter of kittens must fight for survival on the rough streets on New York City, finding unlikely friends in the dogs owned by a down-on-his luck man named Fagin. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
1980 · TMDB 6.7/10 · 1,786 votes
Strange things begin to occur as a tiny California coastal town prepares to commemorate its centenary. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
1987 · TMDB 6.7/10 · 655 votes
Count Dracula returns to the world of humans accompanied by Frankenstein's Monster, the Wolfman, the Mummy, and the Gillman. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
1986 · TMDB 6.7/10 · 578 votes
January 1978. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
1986 · TMDB 6.7/10 · 790 votes
Arriving in Chicago, Henry moves in with ex-con acquaintance Otis and starts schooling him in the ways of the serial killer. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
1987 · TMDB 6.7/10 · 818 votes
In a soon to be demolished block of apartments, the residents resist the criminal methods used to force them to leave so a greedy tycoon can build his new skyscraper. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
1987 · TMDB 6.7/10 · 2,072 votes
A psychiatrist, familiar with the knife-wielding dream demon Freddy Krueger, helps teens at a mental hospital battle the killer who is invading their dreams. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
1980 · TMDB 6.7/10 · 778 votes
A research scientist explores the boundaries and frontiers of human consciousness. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
1984 · TMDB 6.7/10 · 3,039 votes
New rules enforced by the Lady Mayoress mean that sex, weight, height and intelligence need no longer be a factor for joining the Police Force. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
1988 · TMDB 6.7/10 · 627 votes
Arriving in the small town of Fallwell, Massachusetts to claim her inheritance, horror hostess Elvira receives a less than enthusiastic reception from the conservative locals, including her sinister uncle Vincent. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
1988 · TMDB 6.7/10 · 1,146 votes
The wife of an American doctor suddenly vanishes in Paris. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
1985 · TMDB 6.7/10 · 1,081 votes
Dorothy, saved from a psychiatric experiment by a mysterious girl, finds herself back in the land of her dreams, and makes delightful new friends, and dangerous new enemies. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
1985 · TMDB 6.7/10 · 3,195 votes
John Matrix, the former leader of a special commando strike force that always got the toughest jobs done, is forced back into action when his young daughter is kidnapped. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
1981 · TMDB 6.7/10 · 1,383 votes
A scientist trains a man with an advanced telepathic ability called 'scanning' to stop a dangerous Scanner with extraordinary psychic powers from waging war against non-Scanners. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
1984 · TMDB 6.7/10 · 2,231 votes
When teenager Ren and his family move from big-city Chicago to a small town in the West, he's in for a real case of culture shock after discovering he's living in a place where music and dancing are illegal. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
1986 · TMDB 6.7/10 · 1,226 votes
Andie is an outcast, hanging out either with her older boss, who owns the record store where she works, or her quirky high school classmate Duckie, who has a crush on her. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
1988 · TMDB 6.7/10 · 1,059 votes
A group of young gunmen, led by Billy the Kid, become deputies to avenge the murder of the rancher who became their benefactor. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
1982 · TMDB 6.7/10 · 1,754 votes
A hard-nosed cop reluctantly teams up with a wise-cracking criminal temporarily paroled to him, in order to track down a killer. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
1982 · TMDB 6.7/10 · 513 votes
Island farmer Banana Joe helps the local community by trading his bananas for goods. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.