It's hard to make a list of the best ’80s movies because, honestly, the decade
was a pretty glorious time when it comes to film (and shoulder pads). And
thanks to the age of streaming, it's easier than ever to revisit your favorites on
platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. Tubular.
In a time before superhero movies reigned supreme at the box office, the best
’80s movies offered up a full range of genres. There are the iconic teen movies
like Pretty in Pink and The Breakfast Club, created by filmmaker John
Hughes (and often starring Riverdale mom Molly Ringwald), or darker,
angstier fare like Heathers and Beetlejuice. If action movies are more your
thing, you've got Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Beverly Hills Cop, or Die
Hard to choose from. In the romance department, Coming to America and
The Princess Bride will satisfy. Or you can go on adventures with Marty McFly
in Back to the Future or the gang in The Goonies.
See? So many options—and you don't even need to leave the comfort of your
couch. Here the 55 best ’80s movies available to stream right now. (And if
you're still on a nostalgia kick after that, check out our guide to the best ’90s
movies now streaming or listen to the best '80s songs playlist.)
In a time before superhero movies reigned supreme at the box office, the best
’80s movies offered up a full range of genres. There are the iconic teen movies
like Pretty in Pink and The Breakfast Club, created by filmmaker John
Hughes (and often starring Riverdale mom Molly Ringwald), or darker,
angstier fare like Heathers and Beetlejuice. If action movies are more your
thing, you've got Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Beverly Hills Cop, or Die
Hard to choose from. In the romance department, Coming to America and
The Princess Bride will satisfy. Or you can go on adventures with Marty McFly
in Back to the Future or the gang in The Goonies.
This movie has it all. A plot you can get behind (three working women finally get even
with their "sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot" boss). Three icons in the starring
roles (Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin, and Jane Fonda). And a theme song that became one of
the biggest Billboard hits of the entire decade (written by Parton, of course).
In a time before superhero movies reigned supreme at the box office, the best
’80s movies offered up a full range of genres. There are the iconic teen movies
like Pretty in Pink and The Breakfast Club, created by filmmaker John
Hughes (and often starring Riverdale mom Molly Ringwald), or darker,
angstier fare like Heathers and Beetlejuice. If action movies are more your
thing, you've got Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Beverly Hills Cop, or Die
Hard to choose from. In the romance department, Coming to America and
The Princess Bride will satisfy. Or you can go on adventures with Marty McFly
in Back to the Future or the gang in The Goonies.