Curated Collections

Best Movies of the 1980s

Step back into the 1980 with our definitive list of the decade’s greatest films. From unforgettable performances to groundbreaking storytelling, these movies represent the very best of the era. Dive in to explore reviews, ratings, and where to watch today.

Best Movies of the 1980s – Top Rated & Most Popular Films of the Decade

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Discover the best movies of the 1980s, showcasing top-rated films, box office hits, and critically acclaimed masterpieces from the past decade. This curated collection spans every genre—from award-winning dramas and groundbreaking sci-fi to beloved comedies and indie gems. Perfect for film lovers and casual viewers alike, our guide highlights the most talked-about releases, timeless classics, and cultural touchstones that defined cinema in the 1980s. Updated regularly, it’s your ultimate resource for the top movies of the decade.

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1989 • 90 mins • Arabic

Samson Dan Delilah

1985 • 85 mins • Indonesian

Zodiac America 2: Evil Destroyer

1988 • More mins • English

People vs. Jean Harris

1981 • 147 mins • English

Murder Ordained

1987 • 185 mins • English

Murder Weapon

1989 • 81 mins • English

Female Harakiri: Glorious Death

1989 • 45 mins • Japanese

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero

1983 • 115 mins • English

Murder-Rock: Dancing Death

1984 • 93 mins • Italian

Police Story 2

1988 • 105 mins • Cantonese

Return to Oegstgeest

1987 • 95 mins • Dutch

Strana la vita

1988 • 99 mins • Italian

Happy We

1983 • 111 mins • Swedish

Ginger Ale Afternoon

1989 • 88 mins • English

The Sparrow’s Fluttering

1988 • 95 mins • Italian

Utu

1983 • 118 mins • English

Roland Hassel: Kidnapping

1989 • 80 mins • Swedish

In the Shadow of the Raven

1988 • 124 mins • Icelandic

To the Last Drop

1980 • 70 mins • Portuguese

La marche gaie

1980 • 15 mins • French

Gamera: Super Monster

1980 • 92 mins • Japanese

Adimakal Udamakal

1987 • 148 mins • Malayalam

Scared to Death

1980 • 93 mins • English

He Was Here, and You Are Here

1985 • 8 mins • Japanese

Panic in the Forest

1989 • 87 mins • Spanish

G.I. Joe: The Revenge of Cobra

1984 • 100 mins • English

Combat Academy

1986 • 96 mins • English

Lava

1989 • 129 mins • Polish

Waaris

1988 • 150 mins • Hindi

I Love N.Y.

1987 • 93 mins • English

The Feasts of Valtasar, or The Night with Stalin

1989 • 88 mins • Russian

The Answer

1980 • 40 mins • English

Urusei Yatsura: The Final Chapter

1988 • 85 mins • Japanese

Ten Little Indians

1989 • 100 mins • English

Willie

1985 • 79 mins • English

The Adventurer

1983 • 88 mins • Estonian

Return of the Pied Piper

1989 • 96 mins • Polish

Escape

1989 • 88 mins • English

Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out!

1989 • 90 mins • English

Ghosts Can’t Do It

1989 • 90 mins • English

Alchemik

1989 • 117 mins • Polish

Doctor Who: Ghost Light

1989 • 75 mins • English

Whoopi Goldberg Presents: Billy Connolly

1989 • 59 mins • English

Little Golden Book Land

1989 • 30 mins • English

Gunhed

1989 • 100 mins • Japanese

In the Line of Duty 4

1989 • 94 mins • Cantonese

Moscow Music Peace Festival

1989 • 130 mins • English

Elvire Jouvet 40

1987 • 65 mins • French

Best Awarded Movies of the 1980s – Oscar Winners, Festival Favorites & Critically Acclaimed Films

Explore the best awarded movies of the 1980s, featuring Oscar winners, Cannes standouts, Golden Globe favorites, and critically acclaimed films from across the decade. This collection highlights the most celebrated titles that defined cinema in the 1980s, from groundbreaking international films and indie triumphs to major studio award contenders. Whether you're searching for festival darlings, Academy Award winners, or critically praised masterpieces, this guide is your go-to source for the most honored and talked-about movies of the decade.

Gandhi 1983

13 wins 21 nominations

The Last Emperor 1987

13 wins 13 nominations

The Killing Fields 1985

11 wins 16 nominations

Platoon 1986

11 wins 10 nominations

Out of Africa 1985

10 wins 15 nominations

Aliens 1986

10 wins 12 nominations

Raiders of the Lost Ark 1981

10 wins 14 nominations

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial 1982

9 wins 27 nominations

Chariots of Fire 1982

8 wins 13 nominations

A Room with a View 1986

8 wins 18 nominations

Who Framed Roger Rabbit 1988

6 wins 11 nominations

Terms of Endearment 1983

6 wins 13 nominations

Reds 1981

6 wins 21 nominations

Stand and Deliver 1988

6 wins 4 nominations

Born on the Fourth of July 1989

5 wins 3 nominations

Best Box Office Movies of the 1980s – Highest Grossing Films of the Decade

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Explore the best box office movies of the 1980s, featuring the highest-grossing films and record-breaking releases of the decade. From billion-dollar blockbusters and global franchise hits to surprising sleeper successes, this list highlights the movies that dominated theaters and shaped pop culture in the 1980s. Perfect for film fans and industry watchers, it’s your ultimate guide to the biggest commercial successes and the most profitable films of the decade.

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

$797,307,407

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

$550,016,086

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

$482,466,382

Rank	Title	Domestic	Worldwide
4	Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade	$197,171,806	$474,171,806
5	Batman	$251,409,241	$411,569,241
6	Back to the Future	$214,553,307	$385,053,307
7	Top Gun	$180,258,178	$357,288,178
8	Rain Man	$172,825,435	$354,825,435
9	Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom	$179,870,271	$333,107,271
10	Back to the Future Part II	$119,361,197	$332,861,197
11	Who Framed Roger Rabbit	$156,452,370	$329,803,958
12	Crocodile Dundee	$174,803,506	$328,203,506
13	Fatal Attraction	$156,645,693	$320,145,693
14	Beverly Hills Cowgirl Blues	$234,760,478	$316,360,478
15	Beverly Hills Cop	$234,760,478	$316,360,478
16	Rocky IV	$127,873,716	$300,473,716
17	Rambo: First Blood Part II	$150,415,432	$300,400,432
18	Beverly Hills Cop II	$153,665,036	$299,965,036
19	Look Who's Talking	$140,088,813	$296,999,813
20	Ghostbusters	$243,640,120	$296,640,120
21	Coming to America	$128,152,301	$288,752,301
22	Crocodile Dundee II	$109,306,210	$239,606,210
23	Dead Poets Society	$95,860,116	$235,860,116
24	Lethal Weapon 2	$147,253,986	$227,853,986
25	Out of Africa	$87,071,205	$227,514,205
26	Honey, I Shrunk the Kids	$130,724,172	$222,724,172
27	Twins	$111,938,388	$216,614,388
28	Superman II	$108,185,706	$216,385,706
29	Ghostbusters II	$112,494,738	$215,394,738
30	Dirty Dancing	$64,577,242	$214,577,242

Other Curated Movie Collections for Every Genre and Mood

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Explore our expertly curated movie collections, tailored to help you find the best films to watch online or in theaters. Whether you're searching for action-packed thrillers, heartwarming dramas, award-winning masterpieces, or trending blockbusters, our themed collections make it easy to discover top-rated movies across every genre and decade. Ideal for movie lovers looking for something new to stream, binge, or revisit.