1980s Best Movies

When you think of the 1980s, a few images come to mind: shoulder pads, big hair, and all-cheesy-everything. However, the decade had more to contribute to pop culture than being known as the New Jersey of the 20th century. The 1980s were also an era for incredible classic movies, ones that shifted the film industry as we know it. From John Hughes’ The Breakfast Club to Steven Spielberg’s E.T., the best movies of the 1980s not only shaped its generation but inspired subsequent generations in every way imaginable.

Class of Nuke ‘Em High (1986)

Class of Nuke ‘Em High (1986) is a cult horror-comedy set in a high school located near a nuclear power plant, where a radioactive spill turns both teachers and students into grotesque mutants. The ensuing chaos leads to over-the-top, violent mayhem and absurd scenarios that satirize the effects of nuclear contamination and teenage rebellion. Blending outrageous humor, campy special effects, and Troma-style exploitation, the film offers a wild, offbeat critique of modern society’s nuclear anxieties and educational failures.

Thief (1981)

  This week on “Shat the Movies,” we’re diving into Thief (1981), Michael Mann’s gritty, neon-lit crime drama starring James Caan. Join us as we explore the world of Frank, a professional thief with a plan, as he navigates loyalty, betrayal, and the high cost of trust. We’ll discuss the...

Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)

  This week on “Shat the Movies,” we’re revisiting Some Kind of Wonderful (1987), a teen romance that’s all about love, friendship, and the search for identity. Join us as we dive into the love triangle between Keith, Watts, and Amanda, and explore how this John Hughes classic flips the...

Outland (1981)

  This week, Rob Will Taylor fills in for Dick Ebert to join Gene Lyons in breaking down the 1981 sci-fi thriller Outland, starring Sean Connery. Often described as “High Noon in space,” this overlooked gem takes us to Jupiter’s moon Io, where a hard-nosed marshal uncovers corruption, drug smuggling,...

Empire of The Sun (1987)

On this week’s episode of Shat the Movies, Gene and Big D dive into Steven Spielberg’s epic 1987 coming-of-age war drama, Empire of the Sun. Commissioned by loyal listener Jeff S., this film takes us on a journey through World War II-era Shanghai. Join us as we explore Spielberg’s masterful...

Halloween II (1981)

Halloween II (1981) picks up immediately where the original film left off, continuing the terrifying story of Michael Myers as he relentlessly pursues Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), now taken to a local hospital for her injuries. As Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasence) frantically searches for the escaped killer, Michael stalks the dark corridors of the hospital, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake. The sequel deepens the lore by revealing a shocking family connection between Laurie and Michael, making his rampage even more chilling and personal.

Just One of The Guys (1985)

When Terry Griffith (Joyce Hyser) loses her high school’s writing competition, she’s convinced that it’s because she’s a girl. So Terry decides to change high schools and pose as a boy to prove her point. Her brother, Buddy (Billy Jacoby), helps her pass as a guy so well that she is soon making friends with the boys at school, including the attractive Rick (Clayton Rohner), who becomes her new best friend. But her gender-swapping makes things difficult when she falls in love with him.

Withnail and I (1987)

Withnail and I (1987) is a British dark comedy following two struggling, eccentric actors—Withnail (Richard E. Grant), a flamboyant alcoholic, and Marwood, or “I” (Paul McGann), his neurotic friend—who escape their grim London lives for a chaotic, booze-soaked retreat in the English countryside. Their plans for relaxation quickly devolve into disaster as they face hostile locals, relentless rain, and Withnail’s lecherous Uncle Monty (Richard Griffiths). Filled with biting wit and bleak humor, the film explores themes of friendship, failure, and the search for meaning amid disillusionment.