100 Films That Defined the 80's

100 Films That Defined the 80's's icon

Created by DanielOnFilm.

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A list of films that defined or were defined by the decade they were made in.

Factors include: popularity & box office; cult value; memorable scenes, characters, and quotes; significant actors of the time; as representations of a genre (thriller, comedy, horror, etc); themes and issues important to the decade; as examples of special effects, and filmmaking techniques and styles of the time; as example of trends in fashion, technology, and use of language.

As this list is about films about the decade, historical films are generally omitted, with a few exceptions.

List is in reverse-date order, then alphabetical for convenience.

List is tentative, but close to final form.

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  1. 79 new

    Blade Runner

    1982, in 36 top lists Check
  2. 82 new

    E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

    1982, in 30 top lists Check
  3. 93 new

    Raiders of the Lost Ark

    1981 — a.k.a. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, in 29 top lists Check
  4. 98 new

    The Shining

    1980, in 28 top lists Check
  5. 45 new

    Back to the Future

    1985, in 25 top lists Check
  6. 4 new

    Do the Right Thing

    1989, in 25 top lists Check
  7. 99 new

    Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

    1980, in 25 top lists Check
  8. 31 new

    Aliens

    1986, in 24 top lists Check
  9. 68 new

    The Terminator

    1984, in 24 top lists Check
  10. 9 new

    Akira

    1988, in 22 top lists Check
  11. 69 new

    This Is Spinal Tap

    1984, in 22 top lists Check
  12. 12 new

    Die Hard

    1988, in 21 top lists Check
  13. 88 new

    The Thing

    1982, in 20 top lists Check
  14. 27 new

    The Princess Bride

    1987, in 19 top lists Check
  15. 72 new

    Scarface

    1983, in 19 top lists Check
  16. 8 new

    When Harry Met Sally...

    1989, in 16 top lists Check
  17. 16 new

    Who Framed Roger Rabbit

    1988, in 16 top lists Check
  18. 25 new

    RoboCop

    1987, in 15 top lists Check
  19. 95 new

    Airplane!

    1980, in 14 top lists Check
  20. 15 new

    Rain Man

    1988, in 14 top lists Check
  21. 59 new

    Ghostbusters

    1984, in 13 top lists Check
  22. 3 new

    Dead Poets Society

    1989, in 12 top lists Check
  23. 20 new

    Fatal Attraction

    1987, in 11 top lists Check
  24. 34 new

    Ferris Bueller's Day Off

    1986, in 11 top lists Check
  25. 36 new

    The Fly

    1986, in 11 top lists Check
  26. 62 new

    Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

    1984, in 11 top lists Check
  27. 41 new

    Stand by Me

    1986, in 11 top lists Check
  28. 47 new

    The Breakfast Club

    1985, in 10 top lists Check
  29. 18 new

    Dirty Dancing

    1987, in 10 top lists Check
  30. 1 new

    Batman

    1989, in 9 top lists Check
  31. 19 new

    Evil Dead II

    1987, in 9 top lists Check
  32. 97 new

    Ordinary People

    1980, in 9 top lists Check
  33. 85 new

    Poltergeist

    1982, in 9 top lists Check
  34. 24 new

    Predator

    1987, in 9 top lists Check
  35. 17 new

    Working Girl

    1988, in 9 top lists Check
  36. 91 new

    The Evil Dead

    1981, in 8 top lists Check
  37. 83 new

    Fast Times at Ridgemont High

    1982, in 8 top lists Check
  38. 5 new

    The Little Mermaid

    1989, in 8 top lists Check
  39. 64 new

    A Nightmare on Elm Street

    1984, in 8 top lists Check
  40. 84 new

    Pink Floyd: The Wall

    1982, in 8 top lists Check
  41. 44 new

    Top Gun

    1986, in 8 top lists Check
  42. 56 new

    Witness

    1985, in 8 top lists Check
  43. 57 new

    Beverly Hills Cop

    1984, in 7 top lists Check
  44. 13 new

    Heathers

    1988, in 7 top lists Check
  45. 14 new

    The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!

    1988, in 7 top lists Check
  46. 87 new

    Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

    1982, in 6 top lists Check
  47. 96 new

    Caddyshack

    1980, in 5 top lists Check
  48. 33 new

    Crocodile Dundee

    1986, in 5 top lists Check
  49. 50 new

    The Goonies

    1985, in 5 top lists Check
  50. 21 new

    Lethal Weapon

    1987, in 5 top lists Check
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Last updated on Apr 8, 2012;