Most Definitive 80s Movies
This a list my favorite 80s movies (in no particular order); those that I feel define the genre/decade. If you love anything "80s" as much as I do, this is a great "must-see" list! Please don't be offended if I missed any great 80s movies...it may be that I just forgot about them!
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- DirectorEmile ArdolinoStarsPatrick SwayzeJennifer GreyJerry OrbachSpending the summer at a Catskills resort with her family, Frances "Baby" Houseman falls in love with the camp's dance instructor, Johnny Castle.
- DirectorMartha CoolidgeStarsNicolas CageDeborah ForemanElizabeth DailyJulie, a girl from the valley, meets Randy, a punk from the city. They are from different worlds and find love. Somehow they need to stay together in spite of her trendy, shallow friends.
- DirectorAlan MetterStarsBiff YeagerKristi SomersRichard BladeJaney is new in town and soon meets Lynne, who shares her passion for dancing in general and "Dance TV" in particular.
- DirectorIrvin KershnerStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherAfter the Rebel Alliance are overpowered by the Empire, Luke Skywalker begins his Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued across the galaxy by Darth Vader and bounty hunter Boba Fett.
- DirectorMatthew RobbinsStarsHelen SlaterChristian SlaterKeith GordonA Texas teenager cuts her hair short and becomes an outlaw martyr with her brother and friends.
- DirectorHal NeedhamStarsBart ConnerLori LoughlinBill AllenThe story of one young man, Cru Jones, who has the intensity and desire to win a BMX race called Helltrack.
- DirectorJohn HughesStarsMolly RingwaldAnthony Michael HallJustin HenryA girl's "sweet" sixteenth birthday is anything but special: her family forgets about it, and she suffers from every embarrassment possible.
- DirectorPatricia BirchStarsMichelle PfeifferMaxwell CaulfieldLorna LuftA British student at a 1960s American high school must prove himself to the leader of a girls' gang whose members can only date greasers.
- DirectorJoan FreemanStarsJustine BatemanLiam NeesonTrini AlvaradoJustine Bateman rocks out as the leader of an all-girl band that struggles with men and drugs during a summer resort gig.
- DirectorMartha CoolidgeStarsVal KilmerStacy PeraltaDaniel AdesAn uptight teenage prodigy enters a top engineering college, but feels awkward among the freewheeling students. When a professor aims to turn their laser project into a military weapon, he and his offbeat roommate plot to ruin the plan.
- DirectorLisa GottliebStarsJoyce HyserClayton RohnerBilly JayneTerry feels discriminated against when the summer jobs at the Sun Tribune go to two guys. She decides to do something about it. She dresses like a guy and gets a haircut. Will students at the other high school notice? Girls notice "him".
- DirectorJohn HughesStarsEmilio EstevezJudd NelsonMolly RingwaldFive high school students meet in Saturday detention and discover how they have a great deal more in common than they thought.
- DirectorJohn HughesStarsAnthony Michael HallIlan Mitchell-SmithKelly LeBrockTwo high-school nerds use a computer program to literally create the perfect woman, who promptly turns their lives upside-down.
- DirectorRichard DonnerStarsSean AstinJosh BrolinJeff CohenA group of young misfits called The Goonies discover an ancient map and set out on an adventure to find a legendary pirate's long-lost treasure.
- DirectorFred DekkerStarsAndre GowerRobby KigerStephen MachtA group of young monster fanatics attempts to save their hometown from Count Dracula and his monsters.
- DirectorRob ReinerStarsBilly CrystalMeg RyanCarrie FisherHarry and Sally have known each other for years, and are very good friends, but they fear sex would ruin the friendship.
- DirectorBob GiraldiStarsJon CryerKeith CooganAnnabeth GishA stockbroker on the run from the mob decides to hide out from them by enrolling as a high-school student.
- DirectorRon HowardStarsVal KilmerJoanne WhalleyWarwick DavisA young farmer is chosen to undertake a perilous journey in order to protect a special baby from an evil queen.
- DirectorCameron CroweStarsJohn CusackIone SkyeJohn MahoneyA noble underachiever and a beautiful valedictorian fall in love the summer before she goes off to college.
- DirectorSavage Steve HollandStarsJohn CusackDavid Ogden StiersKim DarbyAfter his girlfriend ditches him for a boorish ski jock, Lane decides that suicide is the only answer. However, his increasingly inept attempts bring him only more agony and embarrassment. Filled with the wildest teen nightmares.
- DirectorHoward DeutchStarsEric StoltzMary Stuart MastersonLea ThompsonWhen Keith goes out with Amanda, the girl of his dreams, Amanda's ex-boyfriend plans to get back at Keith. Meanwhile, Keith's best friend, tomboy Watts, realizes she has feelings for Keith.
- DirectorHarry WinerStarsKate CapshawLea ThompsonKelly PrestonThe young attendees of a space camp find themselves in space for real when their shuttle is accidentally launched into orbit.
- DirectorSavage Steve HollandStarsJohn CusackDemi MooreLinda WarrenAn aspiring teenage cartoonist and his friends come to the aid of a singer trying to save her family property from developers.
- DirectorBob WeinsteinHarvey WeinsteinStarsDaniel JordanoMatthew PennLeon W. GrantDanny, Spikes and Silk have just recently graduated from high school in New York. Danny finds a title deed for a huge house in a small town. He has a dream to turn it into a Rock n' Roll hotel. The townspeople though are not very welcome to the New Yorkers. With a little help from an aging stockbroker, a local girl, and the "stockholders" (friends from New York), they are able to help Danny pursue his dream.
- DirectorChris ColumbusStarsElisabeth ShueMaia BrewtonKeith CooganA babysitter must battle her way through the big city after being stranded there with the kids she's looking after.