Harry and the Hendersons
1987 · TMDB 6.1/10 · 754 votes
Returning from a hunting trip in the forest, the Henderson family's car hits an animal in the road. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Curated by SceneIt · United States
Best 1980s Movies
Revisit standout releases from 1980 through 1989, selected for viewers who want a strong starting point instead of an exhaustive catalog.
Updated 2026-08-04 · Ratings from TMDB
How we chose these titles
Titles are ranked by TMDB audience rating with a minimum vote threshold, then checked for relevance to the release decade.
Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter
1984 · TMDB 6.1/10 · 1,536 votes
After his revival in a hospital morgue, Jason fixes his vengeful attention on the Jarvis family and a group of hitherto carefree teenagers. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
St. Elmo's Fire
1985 · TMDB 6.1/10 · 602 votes
Reluctant to let go of college life, a close-knit team of seven friends--irresponsible saxophone player Billy, young Republican Alec, his girlfriend Leslie, struggling journalist Kevin, drama queen Jules, lovesick waiter Kirby, and Wendy, a social worker with a heart of gold--realise the party is over. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Nine 1/2 Weeks
1986 · TMDB 6.1/10 · 1,148 votes
An erotic story about a woman, the assistant of an art gallery, who gets involved in an impersonal affair with a man. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Tin Toy
1988 · TMDB 6.1/10 · 500 votes
Babies are hardly monster-like, unless you're a toy. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Peggy Sue Got Married
1986 · TMDB 6.1/10 · 664 votes
At her 25th high school reunion, Peggy Sue faints and awakens in 1960—back in her senior year, before her marriage and all her regrets. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Cocktail
1988 · TMDB 6.1/10 · 1,646 votes
After being discharged from the Army, Brian Flanagan moves back to Queens and takes a job in a bar run by Doug Coughlin, who teaches Brian the fine art of bar-tending. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Maniac Cop
1988 · TMDB 6.1/10 · 541 votes
A killer dressed in a police uniform begins murdering innocent people on the streets of New York City. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment
1985 · TMDB 6.1/10 · 1,752 votes
Officer Carey Mahoney and his cohorts have finally graduated from the Police Academy and are about to hit the streets on their first assignment. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Never Say Never Again
1983 · TMDB 6.1/10 · 1,648 votes
James Bond returns as the secret agent 007 to battle the evil organization SPECTRE. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Airplane II: The Sequel
1982 · TMDB 6.1/10 · 1,287 votes
A faulty computer causes a passenger space shuttle to head straight for the sun, and man-with-a-past Ted Striker must save the day and get the shuttle back on track – again – all the while trying to patch up his relationship with Elaine. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Desperately Seeking Susan
1985 · TMDB 6.1/10 · 519 votes
A bored New Jersey suburban housewife's fascination with a free-spirited woman she has read about in the personal columns leads to her being mistaken for the woman herself and into a chaotic adventure of amnesia and self-discovery. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Firefox
1982 · TMDB 6.1/10 · 631 votes
The Soviets have developed a revolutionary new jet fighter, called 'Firefox'. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Tequila Sunrise
1988 · TMDB 6.1/10 · 585 votes
In a seaside California town, best friends Mac and Nick are on opposite sides of the law. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Twins
1988 · TMDB 6.1/10 · 2,563 votes
Julius and Vincent Benedict are the results of an experiment that would allow for the perfect child. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Krull
1983 · TMDB 6.0/10 · 630 votes
A prince and a fellowship of companions set out to rescue his bride from a fortress of alien invaders who have arrived on their home planet. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Cat People
1982 · TMDB 6.0/10 · 574 votes
After years of separation, Irena Gallier and her minister brother, Paul, reunite in New Orleans. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
The Gendarme and the Gendarmettes
1982 · TMDB 6.0/10 · 602 votes
Cruchot's police office moves into a new building. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
The Delta Force
1986 · TMDB 6.0/10 · 527 votes
A 707 aircraft jetliner, en route from Athens to Rome and then to New York City, is hijacked by Lebanese terrorists, who demand that the pilot take them to Beirut. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Poltergeist II: The Other Side
1986 · TMDB 6.0/10 · 777 votes
The Freeling family move in with Diane's mother in an effort to escape the trauma and aftermath of Carol Anne's abduction by the Beast. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.