100 Films That Defined the 80's
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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79 new
Blade Runner
1982, in 36 top lists Check -
82 new
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
1982, in 30 top lists Check -
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 -
98 new
The Shining
1980, in 28 top lists Check -
45 new
Back to the Future
1985, in 25 top lists Check -
4 new
Do the Right Thing
1989, in 25 top lists Check -
99 new
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
1980, in 25 top lists Check -
31 new
Aliens
1986, in 24 top lists Check -
68 new
The Terminator
1984, in 24 top lists Check -
9 new
Akira
1988, in 22 top lists Check -
69 new
This Is Spinal Tap
1984, in 22 top lists Check -
12 new
Die Hard
1988, in 21 top lists Check -
88 new
The Thing
1982, in 20 top lists Check -
27 new
The Princess Bride
1987, in 19 top lists Check -
72 new
Scarface
1983, in 19 top lists Check -
8 new
When Harry Met Sally...
1989, in 16 top lists Check -
16 new
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
1988, in 16 top lists Check -
25 new
RoboCop
1987, in 15 top lists Check -
95 new
Airplane!
1980, in 14 top lists Check -
15 new
Rain Man
1988, in 14 top lists Check -
59 new
Ghostbusters
1984, in 13 top lists Check -
3 new
Dead Poets Society
1989, in 12 top lists Check -
20 new
Fatal Attraction
1987, in 11 top lists Check -
34 new
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
1986, in 11 top lists Check -
36 new
The Fly
1986, in 11 top lists Check -
62 new
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
1984, in 11 top lists Check -
41 new
Stand by Me
1986, in 11 top lists Check -
47 new
The Breakfast Club
1985, in 10 top lists Check -
18 new
Dirty Dancing
1987, in 10 top lists Check -
1 new
Batman
1989, in 9 top lists Check -
19 new
Evil Dead II
1987, in 9 top lists Check -
97 new
Ordinary People
1980, in 9 top lists Check -
85 new
Poltergeist
1982, in 9 top lists Check -
24 new
Predator
1987, in 9 top lists Check -
17 new
Working Girl
1988, in 9 top lists Check -
91 new
The Evil Dead
1981, in 8 top lists Check -
83 new
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
1982, in 8 top lists Check -
5 new
The Little Mermaid
1989, in 8 top lists Check -
64 new
A Nightmare on Elm Street
1984, in 8 top lists Check -
84 new
Pink Floyd: The Wall
1982, in 8 top lists Check -
44 new
Top Gun
1986, in 8 top lists Check -
56 new
Witness
1985, in 8 top lists Check -
57 new
Beverly Hills Cop
1984, in 7 top lists Check -
13 new
Heathers
1988, in 7 top lists Check -
14 new
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
1988, in 7 top lists Check -
87 new
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
1982, in 6 top lists Check -
96 new
Caddyshack
1980, in 5 top lists Check -
33 new
Crocodile Dundee
1986, in 5 top lists Check -
50 new
The Goonies
1985, in 5 top lists Check -
21 new
Lethal Weapon
1987, in 5 top lists Check
Last updated on Apr 8, 2012;