Remembering The 1980s In Film And Television
In the 1980s, they were built to last—even when they weren’t built on Rock ‘n Roll
If you don’t want to take our word that the 1980s was the Golden Age of modern Hollywood, these 15 films will convince you, and dispel any doubts.
15 Iconic movies of the 1980s
15 Iconic movies of the 1980s
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Sure, George Lucas’ Star Wars: A New Hope came out in 1977, and we had Return of the Jedi in 1983; but if the 1977 film was establishing characters and world-building, Empire was epic, cliffhanger storytelling and incredible twists in the tale. For countless fans, this is the best in the series - with no Ewoks in sight.
Harrison Ford, Anthony Daniels, Carrie Fisher, and Peter Mayhew in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) | Photo Credit: Sunset Boulevard
The Shining (1980)
Stanley Kubrick and Jack Nicholson effectively blended psychological horror with acting and weirdness on this one that continues to haunt watchers to this day. For many, it’s still the Daddy of the modern horror films.
Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance | Photo Credit: Warner Bros.
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Speilberg again, and this is the one that started it all, with Harrison Ford playing Indiana Jones. Along with Star Wars, this cemented the concept of ‘franchise films’. And to this day, is the template - as films such as The Mummy, National Treasure, and even Lara Croft, are salutes to Indiana.
Harrison Ford and Karen Allen in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) | Photo Credit: Lucas Film, Ltd.
E. T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
This may not have been Spielberg’s first film, but it will be the one he’ll be best remembered for - taking the creature from outer space concept, but turning the telescope around, and making the creature the one who needs saving from humans.
Blade Runner (1982)
From Ridley Scott, and loosely based on a Philip K. Dick novel, his warped vision of the future. While Scott subsequently directed Aliens in 1986, Blade Runner still stands as the prime example of set design and a director’s vision conjuring up a futuristic world.
Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard | Photo Credit: Sunset Boulevard
Scarface (1983)
Brian de Palma, who also directed The Untouchables in 1987, can call the 1980’s his decade. How many walls, to this day, will have the movie poster of Al Pacino playing this role of crazed drug lord Tony Montana.
Al Pacino as Tony Montana | Photo Credit: Universal Studios
Ghostbusters (1984)
A supernatural comedy film directed by Ivan Reitman, and written by Dan Akroyd and Harold Ramis, this film brought SNL alumni back for Hollywood success; and can be blamed for turning Bill Murray into an unlikely romantic lead.
Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, and Harold Ramis | Photo Credit: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Back to the Future (1985)
Robert Zemeckis directed this well-loved film series; and the blend of SciFi, adventure, comedy, romance, and nostalgia has inspired a whole slew of copycats over the decades - but this franchise continues to delight.
Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd in Back to the Future (1985) | Photo Credit: Universal Studios
Stand By Me (1986)
Based on a Stephen King story (The Body) and directed by Rob Reiner, this unassuming coming-of-age film came out of nowhere, struck a chord, and became the template for films about bonding among friends and being heart-warming and inspirational, while staying real.
River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Wil Wheaton, and Jerry O'Connell | Photo Credit: Columbia Pictures
Top Gun (1987)
That after 33 years, we’ll even be talking ‘sequel’ for this Tony Scott directed, Tom Cruise-led film, speaks volumes of what kind of imprint this aerial action/drama film made on the public, and has carried over generations.
Tom Cruise as Maverick | Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
The Princess Bride (1987)
A dismal fail in the box office when it first opened, this fairy tale romance adventure became a cult classic, with fans memorizing lines and copying accents. 33 years on, and it’s still a much-loved Rob Reiner film.
Cary Elwes and Robin Wright | Photo Credit: MGM
Blue Velvet (1986)
David Lynch had his Twin Peaks TV series to cement his weirdness and fame; but this was the neo-noir mystery film that truly put him on the map, and turned us into believers.
Isabella Rossellini and Kyle MacLachlan | Photo Credit: MGM
Pretty in Pink (1986)
It was the era of the John Hughes ‘factory’, and while The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles came out in ‘84, Pretty in Pink is considered by most as the ultimate Brat Pack cult classic - the plain Jane gets her Cinderella moment.
Molly Ringwald, Andrew McCarthy, Jon Cryer | Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Die Hard (1988)
The pulsating, hard-boiled action thriller film gets a reboot with Bruce Willis (then known for TV’s Moonlighting) being recast as an Action star. The hostage situation depicted here became copied in endless, subsequent, film iterations.
Bruce Willis as Detective John McClane | Photo Credit: Twentieth Century Fox
Beetlejuice (1988)
Tim Burton has directed a number of classics, but the deft mixture of Horror and Comedy that he concocted in this classic will live forever - and to this day, copycat films are created, inspired by the brilliant, bizarre, overflow of ideas.
Michael Keaton as Betelgeuse | Photo Credit: Warner Bros.
TV Shows
And television wasn't lagging far behind; here are 15 series that all had their very first season during the 1980’s. That so many of them carry resonance up to today, is case closed in terms of what they stand for when we’re talking television history and posterity.
15 Iconic TV Shows From The 1980s
15 Iconic TV Shows From The 1980s
Cheers (1982-1993)
As a sitcom set in a bar, with a cast of interesting characters, Cheers set the example of turning everyday people into comedy gold. Ted Danson lead the cast but audiences would have their favorites.
Kirstie Alley, Woody Harrelson, Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammer, John Ratzenberger, George Wendt, and Rhea Perlman | Photo Credit: Paramount Television
21 Jump Street (1987-1991)
Johnny Depp! Should I add anything to describing this series?
Johnny Depp, Richard Grieco, Holly Robinson Peete, Peter DeLuise, Dustin Nguyen, Steven Williams | Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox Television
Dynasty (1981-1989)
Family Drama meets Lifestyle of the Rich & Famous, with Queen Bitches all ready to pounce.
John Forsythe, Linda Evans, Pamela Sue Martin | Photo Credit: Aaron Spelling Productions
Family Ties (1982-1989)
Introduced us to Michael J. Fox, and was an endearing family sitcom that perfectly reflected the Reagan era, ex-hippie parents raising a conservative Republican son.
Michael J. Fox, Justine Bateman, Meredith Baxter, Tina Yothers, and Michael Gross | Photo Credit: Paramount Television
The Golden Girls (1985-1992)
This well-loved series played it so smart, giving us rib-tickling comedy, but supplied by a feisty group of over-aged women, living in Miami, and making fun of themselves to our delight.
Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan, Bea Arthur, and Betty White | Photo Credit: NBC Universal, Inc.
L.A. Law (1986-1994)
Birth of the legal drama that wasn’t centered on just one personality a la Perry Mason, but the entire law firm.
Corbin Bernsen, Harry Hamlin, Jill Eikenberry | Photo Credit: Gene Trindl
Married... with Children (1987-1997)
A sit-com that redefined the kind of characters we’d laugh at. As rather than offering us lovable, inspiring people to look up to, we were gleefully given slackers, white trash and delinquents. Hilarious!
Christina Applegate, David Faustino, Katey Sagal, Ed O'Neill, and Buck | Photo Credit: Embassy Television
Miami Vice (1984-1990)
Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas, in a crime fiction series that set the word on style and coolness in the 1980’s. We may laugh today about how stylized it all was, but it really was the rage back then.
Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas | Photo Credit: NBC Universal, Inc.
Moonlighting (1985-1989)
Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis in a RomCom that introduced us to what became the trademark Willis wry humor - and yes, Willis actually has a fullhead of hair here.
Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd | Photo Credit: ABC Photo Archives/ABC
Murder, She Wrote (1984-1996)
Mystery series that helped define the era, with Angela Lansbury as a mystery writer and amateur sleuth. Much loved and still missed by many.
Angela Lansbury | Photo Credit: Gene Trindl
Roseanne (1988-1997)
Roseanne Barr and John Goodman starred in this dysfunctional family relationship sitcom. It made big stars of the two, turning them into household names.
John Goodman, Roseanne Barr, Sara Gilbert, Michael Fishman, Alicia Goranson | Photo Credit: Paramount Television
Seinfeld (1989-1998)
Comedy on TV will always see this show as the apotheosis of taking stand-up comedy and turning it into sitcom Gold. It is missed by audiences all over the world up to this day.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, Michael Richards | Photo Credit: West-Shapiro
St. Elsewhere (1982-1988)
Hospital drama of the day-to-day realities, and not the miracle cures of other medical dramas. Dark humor mixed with the routine to show how they cope with different situations.
Ed Begley Jr., Mark Harmon, David Morse, Howie Mandel, Cynthia Sikes, William Daniels, Ed Flanders, Terence Knox, Eric Laneuville, Sagan Lewis, Norman Lloyd, Kim Miyori, Christina Pickles, Kavi Raz, Nancy Stafford | Photo Credit: National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
The Simpsons (since 1989)
Created by Matt Groening, this animated family sitcom airs up to today, so I don’t even have to write about this with any hint of nostalgia. It’s dysfunctional family played for laughs.
Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Dan Castellaneta, Yeardley Smith
MacGyver (1985-1992)
An action/adventure series that starred Richard Dean Anderson, and constantly amazed us in terms of being resourceful and getting out of tight situations by using everyday objects. Your James Bond on a budget.
Richard Dean Anderson | Photo Credit: 2011 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc./Paramount Televsion
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