Image credit: Apple TV+, Netflix, United Artists, Prime Video
There's no denying that the 80s was a time of some of the coolest movies ever made.
Soundtracks for these movies became the playlists of a generation, filled with songs that still get stuck in your head today.
1. "Repo Man" (1984) Rotten Tomatoes score: 98%
In Los Angeles, disenchanted punk Otto becomes a repo man under the tutelage of Bud, repossessing cars with a motley crew of societal dropouts, until they're all entangled in the pursuit of a Chevrolet Malibu with a deadly and otherworldly cargo in its trunk.
2. "This is Spinal Tap" (1984) Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%
A mockumentary following Spinal Tap, one of England's loudest bands, as they embark on a disastrous United States tour, navigating mishaps, misunderstandings, and the absurdities of rock 'n' roll fame.
3. "Manhunter" (1986) Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
Former FBI profiler Will Graham comes out of retirement to catch a serial killer known as "The Tooth Fairy" by using his ability to empathize with psychopaths, enlisting the help of imprisoned cannibal Hannibal Lecktor and putting his own psyche at risk.
4. "Stand By Me" (1986) Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
Four young boys set out on a two-day trek across the Oregon wilderness to find the body of a missing local boy, encountering various obstacles and bonding deeply over personal stories, fears, and the realization of the harsh realities outside their childhood innocence.
5. "The Breakfast Club" (1985) Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%
Five high school students from different walks of life endure a Saturday detention under a power-hungry principal, finding common ground and deep connections through shared secrets and personal revelations.
6. "To Live and Die in L.A." (1985) Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%
After his partner is murdered by a counterfeiter, Secret Service agent Richard Chance becomes obsessed with taking down the criminal, embarking on a dangerous and unauthorized operation that blurs the lines between right and wrong.
Flash Gordon, a New York Jets football player, along with Dale Arden and Dr. Hans Zarkov, finds himself on the planet Mongo fighting against the tyrannical Ming the Merciless to save Earth from destruction.
Axel Foley, a wisecracking Detroit cop, goes off the books to investigate his best friend's murder in Beverly Hills, using unconventional methods and his quick wit to unravel a sophisticated smuggling operation while clashing with the local police.
Samantha Baker's 16th birthday goes unnoticed by her family amidst the chaos of her sister's wedding, leading her through a day of teenage angst, unrequited love, and the hope of catching the attention of her crush.
10. "Thief" (1981) Rotten Tomatoes score: 80%
Frank, a professional safecracker looking to leave his life of crime behind, takes on one final job for the mafia to secure his future, only to find himself trapped in a web of double-crosses and corruption.
11. "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" (1982) Rotten Tomatoes score: 78%
High school students navigate the complexities of adolescence, including romance, jobs, and education, at Ridgemont High, with Jeff Spicoli, a carefree surfer, facing off against his history teacher, Mr. Hand, in a battle of wits and wills.
12. "Pretty In Pink" (1986) Rotten Tomatoes score: 75%
Andie, a girl from the wrong side of the tracks, must choose between her childhood sweetheart and a rich but sensitive playboy, navigating the social divides and emotional dilemmas of high school romance.
Frances "Baby" Houseman, vacationing with her affluent family at a Catskills resort, rebels against her father's expectations by learning to dance and falling in love with Johnny Castle, the resort's dance instructor, leading to a summer of self-discovery, romance, and a climactic dance performance that defies social boundaries.
14. "The Blues Brothers" (1980) Rotten Tomatoes score: 72%
Jake and Elwood Blues, on a "mission from God," reunite their old band to save the Catholic home where they were raised, dodging the police, neo-Nazis, and country bands along a musical road trip through Illinois.
The Kid, a talented but troubled musician in Minneapolis, struggles with his personal demons, a tumultuous relationship with his father, and a romantic and professional rivalry, as he seeks fame and redemption through his performances at the First Avenue nightclub.
16. "The Big Chill" (1983) Rotten Tomatoes score: 71%
After the suicide of their friend, a group of former college friends gathers over a weekend in a South Carolina winter house, rekindling old friendships, reigniting old flames, and confronting the paths their lives have taken since their youth.
17. "Clue" (1985) Rotten Tomatoes score: 71%
Six guests, a butler, and a maid gather at a mysterious mansion for a dinner party where they find themselves embroiled in a murder mystery, with multiple endings revealing the true killer(s) in a comedic twist on the classic board game.
Connor MacLeod, an immortal Scottish swordsman, must confront the last of his immortal opponents, a brutal barbarian who lusts for the fabled "Prize," through centuries of combat, leading to a final showdown in modern-day New York City.
19. "Conan the Barbarian" (1982) Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%
Conan, seeking vengeance for the massacre of his tribe, navigates a savage world of sorcery and monsters, culminating in a deadly confrontation with Thulsa Doom, the cult leader who enslaved him as a child.
A glowing orb terrorizes a young girl with a collection of stories of dark fantasy, eroticism, and horror that explore the sinister side of human nature and the depths of the unknown.
21. "Rocky III" (1982) Rotten Tomatoes score: 66%
After suffering a defeat by the ruthless boxer Clubber Lang, who has also caused the death of his trainer Mickey, Rocky Balboa seeks guidance from his former rival Apollo Creed, leading to a grueling training that reignites Rocky's fighting spirit for a rematch against Lang.
This animated film follows four generations of a Russian Jewish immigrant family of musicians, tracing their journey through American music history, dealing with hardships, love, and the pursuit of their musical legacy, culminating in the rock 'n' roll era.
Two socially awkward teenagers, Gary and Wyatt, create a perfect woman, Lisa, using their computer, leading to a series of wild and fantastical adventures that teach them about confidence, friendship, and the complexities of love.
24. "Mannequin" (1987) Rotten Tomatoes score: 20%
Jonathan Switcher, an aspiring artist, discovers that a mannequin he created for a department store window is actually a cursed Egyptian princess, Emmy, who comes to life only for him, leading to a romantic and comedic adventure as they try to evade capture and break the curse.
When Earth passes through the tail of a rogue comet, machines worldwide come to life and turn homicidal, leading a group of survivors trapped in a North Carolina truck stop to fight for their lives against a fleet of murderous trucks led by a massive semi-trailer.
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