25 Best '80s Movies of All Time — A Filmmaker's List — 2026

The Action-Comedy Phenomenon: Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

Beverly Hills Cop ended up being the biggest film of 1984, staying at number one for 13 consecutive weeks. While a success on its own, it garnered two sequels, with a possible fourth film sometime in the future.

Proving the power of Eddie Murphy’s comedic prowess, Beverly Hills Cop is a fun action comedy that continues to entertain fans and newcomers. It blended high-octane action with sharp humor, setting a template for the buddy-cop genre that persists today.

Epic Biographies: The Last Emperor (1987)

Not every movie can win nine Academy Awards, but then not every movie is The Last Emperor. Directed by Bernardo Bertolucci and shot by famed cinematographer Vittorio Storaro, The Last Emperor tells the life story of Puyi, who took the throne at China’s Forbidden City at age 3. From there, political and cultural changes in China, as well as around the world, cause him to go from place to place.

An epic biography, featuring Peter O’Toole and Joan Chen, The Last Emperor is a highly romantic look at a man who tried to find his place in a world that was constantly changing. It may not be too accurate to history, and choosing to have all the cast speak English may be a bit jarring, but there’s no denying the film’s grand yet intimate vision.

It runs a bit long, but few films reach the ambition of The Last Emperor, one of the last true epics of 20th century cinema.

The Parody Peak: Airplane! (1980)

One of the earliest David and Jerry Zucker and Jim Abrahams parody films, Airplane! has gone down in history as one of the funniest films ever made. While some of the humor is dated, it gets by with non-stop gags and bizarre humor, all of which help elevate this film from ever being stale.

From Leslie Nielsen's dead-serious doctor to the inflatable autopilot, the amount of jokes crammed into Airplane! is almost too much. But it managed to work and be a huge success, generating one sequel and more parody films directed by the Zucker brothers starring Nielsen, who found a second life as a comedic actor.

A comedy that set the standard for parody films, Airplane! is still a fun time with great performances and even greater gags.

Mockumentary Mastery: This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

The brainchild of Michael McKean and Christopher Guest, This is Spinal Tap has garnered a legion of fans, including actual musicians, who have claimed it to be so realistic it hurts. The film also added some new phrases to the English lexicon, such as "up to eleven. " The band also managed to break free of the film and become legitimate, with concerts and reunions since the film's original release.

While the satire is very specific, there's no doubt that This is Spinal Tap features convincing and hilarious performances, both on and off the stage.

Body Horror & Sci-Fi: Videodrome (1983)

Director David Cronenberg is known for his body horror, and Videodrome is a perfect example of this. Starring James Woods and Deborah Harry, the film focuses on a TV producer in Toronto who stumbles across a bizarre television signal. This results in him falling into a black hole of sick thrills and warping reality, which includes the changing and mutilation of the body.

Admittedly, Videodrome is not for the faint heart, and the film was not a hit at the time of release. However, the VFX were highly praised, and the film has been seen as ahead of its time, garnering later acclaim and receiving cult classic status.

For those who can stomach it, Videodrome provides a still socially relevant look at television and how certain things can consume us in horrifying ways.

Gender & Identity: Tootsie (1982)

It's a wild idea: unwanted actor Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman) can't get work, so he decides to dress up like a woman and become Dorothy Michaels. He/She gets a role on a popular sitcom and becomes a huge sensation across America. But the facade can't last forever, can it?

A fun comedy that gets a lot out of its premise, Tootsie has plenty to say while also making sure audiences stay entertained.

Cult Classics & Punk Culture: Repo Man (1984)

What do you get when you combine science-fiction, political and social commentary, punk rock, and Los Angeles car culture?

You get Alex Cox's Repo Man, a cult classic of otherworldly proportions. Following one suburban punk (Emilio Estevez) and an old repo man (Harry Dean Stanton), the film goes from one scene to the next while a dangerous and lucrative Chevy Malibu is on the prowl. It's definitely not the most conventional movie out there, but it's critical acclaim and fanbase prove it to be one of the most unique films of its decade.