Since the birth of the modern-day film industry, every decade has featured some movies that are utterly timeless. The 1980s are no exception: classics abound in every genre, from nail-biting thrillers to goofy comedies. Many movies from this time period are still tried-and-true favorites to this day.
Some of the best films of the 1980s feature well-known actors in unforgettable roles, inspiring true stories, and social commentary that was perfect for the climate of their day. They have stood the test of time because of how perfectly they fit into the film industry landscape when they were released, and still have plenty to offer present-day viewers. These iconic films are often imitated, but can never truly be duplicated - or remade.
9 Full Metal Jacket Showed The Human Side Of War
Stanley Kubrick's 1987 Vietnam War drama, Full Metal Jacket doesn't necessarily tell an original story, but it tells the story through a very original lens: the psychology embedded in the gritty, day-to-day interactions between a group of Marines as they go through basic training and enter the war. A standout performance in the film is Vincent D'Onofrio's Private Leonard "Gomer" Pyle, an overweight young man who is often the butt of everyone else's jokes. Private Pyle slowly descends into a mental breakdown as the plot progresses, which culminates in him executing their drill sergeant and then committing suicide. Kubrick's unique spin on the traditional war film has stood the test of time, and still resonates with modern audiences as-is - no remake required.
8 Ferris Bueller's Day Off Is A National Treasure
Ferris Bueller's Day Off was added to the National Film Registry in 2014, and it's easy to see why. Though there were many popular teen comedies in the 80s, this gem stood above the rest in terms of its witty dialogue and highly original concept. The film stars Matthew Broderick as a high school kid who just wants to play hooky from school but ends up going on some zany adventures in the process.
The cultural significance of the film is enough to preclude a remake, but there are also so many elements of the story that would be lost in translation if it were to be modernized. The iconic scenes with the red Ferrari, for example, would just not be as epic in a modern context.
7 Rain Man Started An Important Conversation
Dustin Hoffman's portrayal of Raymond, an autistic savant who unwittingly becomes the recipient of his late father's estate, is simply unforgettable. In an era in which ASD spectrum representation was way behind what it is today, Hoffman gave a respectable, mostly believable performance. Some controversy swirls around Rain Man, as some in the ASD community believe Raymond is an overgeneralization of savant syndrome, but many others believe he shed an accurate light on the struggles people with this condition face. Either way, the fact that this film started an important dialogue about ASD conditions over thirty years ago makes it one to remember, and nearly impossible to duplicate.
6 Blue Velvet Is A Gritty Noir Mystery
David Lynch's Blue Velvet isn't just a movie, it's an experience. It has been hailed as one of the greatest mystery films of all time by the American Film Institute and served as a springboard for several acting careers. Laura Dern and Isabella Rossellini, for example, were relatively unknown in the acting world before starring in this film.
The film is best known for its stunning cinematography, graphic violence (especially for the time), and disturbing subject matter. Some critics found the violence gratuitous, but it has generally been accepted as a necessary component of Lynch's artistic vision for the film. The film's shock value was a big part of what made it an instant classic but would be mostly lost if the film was remade in a modern context.
5 Do The Right Thing Captured A Moment
Spike Lee's groundbreaking 1989 film, Do The Right Thing depicts a neighborhood divided as racial tensions rise alongside the summer temperatures during a Brooklyn heatwave. Lee artfully combines comedy with a dark, difficult message about race relations of the time. In 1999, just ten years after its release, the film was added to the National Film Registry because of its contributions to the national cultural narrative.
The film features many incredible actors at the start of their careers, including Samuel L. Jackson and Rosie Perez. These performances alone make the film irreplaceable, but the cultural climate of the film is also very specific to the 1980s: the wardrobe, the music, and the characters' attitudes towards life. Retelling this story in a modern context would be telling a very different story - minus the amazing cast of characters.
4 Dead Poets Society Inspires Self-Expression
Based on a book by the same name, Dead Poets Society demonstrates the true power of innovative educational tactics in inspiring students. Robin Williams stars as Mr. Keating, an English teacher who inspires his jaded boarding school students to develop a love of poetry. Keating's instructional methods are a bit unorthodox, which leads to increased student engagement in his class.
Mr. Keating presents education as a revolutionary act, and some of his students are inspired to revive the eponymous club that Mr. Keating originally belonged to - despite it not being sanctioned by the school. Though the message of the film is timeless, it's highly unlikely that anyone could play a better Mr. Keating than the late Robin Williams - he won several awards and nominations for the role.
3 Raging Bull Is A Decorated Sports Drama
Martin Sorsese's Raging Bull is considered one of the greatest films of all time by the American Film Institute and has also been added to the National Film Registry of historically significant films. It was critically acclaimed from the moment it was released and has retained its title as a gold standard in its genre. Robert De Niro stars as boxer Jake LaMotta, whose life is detailed in the plot of the film. From the stunning black and white photography to the fascinating true story behind the screenplay, this film is a perfect example of stellar performances and high production value combined. It would be impossible to emulate.
2 Stand And Deliver Is An Iconic True Story
Based on the inspirational true story of Mr. Jaime Escalante, a teacher who took it upon himself to teach Calculus to a group of underprivileged students at James A. Garfield High School in East Los Angeles who could barely add and subtract at the beginning of the school year, Stand and Deliver is an inspirational and timeless film.
Stand And Deliver is the origin story of how a low-performing school became a place where students can succeed. In the wake of the real-life Mr. Escalante's death, the film was selected for inclusion in the National Film Registry for its cultural significance.
1 Back To The Future Is An All-Timer
It is rare for a movie to perfectly capture the essence of one decade, let alone two, but Back to the Future pulls it off. Directed and co-written by Robert Zemeckis alongside his writing partner Bob Gale, Back to the Future is an iconic movie that revels in the cliches of the 1980s and the 1950s while creating something wholly new and original.
It's impossible to look at a DeLorean without thinking of Mary McFly and Doc Brown's adventures through time in this classic trilogy, and the idea of anyone but Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd playing the iconic duo seems almost criminal.