1980s Best Movies

A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

In this uproarious heist comedy, seductive con artist Wanda (Jamie Lee Curtis) and her bumbling lover Otto (Kevin Kline) team up with a hapless barrister (John Cleese) to steal a fortune in jewels. But as double-crosses pile up and loyalties shift, the eccentric crew finds themselves in a hilarious tangle of romance, greed, and deception. With razor-sharp wit and memorable performances, A Fish Called Wanda delivers a riotous blend of crime and comedy that will leave audiences laughing out loud.

The Little Mermaid (1989)

In Disney’s beguiling animated romp, rebellious 16-year-old mermaid Ariel (Jodi Benson) is fascinated with life on land. On one of her visits to the surface, which are forbidden by her controlling father, King Triton, she falls for a human prince. Determined to be with her new love, Ariel makes a dangerous deal with the sea witch Ursula (Pat Carroll) to become human for three days. But when plans go awry for the star-crossed lovers, the king must make the ultimate sacrifice for his daughter.

Cloak & Dagger (1984)

With his mother dead and his father, Hal Osborne (Dabney Coleman), busy working, 11-year-old Davey (Henry Thomas) spends his time immersed in video games, often dreaming up espionage stories featuring imaginary spy Jack Flack (also Coleman). When Davey sees the murder of an FBI agent, the dying man hands him an Atari video game cartridge with military secrets. No one believes his story, and Davey is forced to go on the run, escaping from attempts on his life with Flack’s guidance.

Less Than Zero (1987)

Clay (Andrew McCarthy) comes home to Los Angeles after his first semester of college and encounters some disturbing developments. His former lover, burgeoning model Blair (Jami Gertz), has begun to abuse cocaine. But her addiction pales in comparison to the drug dependency of her new boyfriend, Julian (Robert Downey Jr.), who’s also Clay’s childhood buddy. Clay tries to help them get sober, but the process is complicated by Rip (James Spader), a callous dealer Julian is indebted to.

Wildcats (1986)

Molly McGrath (Goldie Hawn) is following her dreams when she quits her cushy girls track coaching position at Prescott High to become the boys football coach at inner-city Central High. Even though she’s faced with both racial and gender prejudices, she whips the team into shape, so they can compete against Prescott High in the final. All the while, Molly is also dealing with her ex-husband, Frank Needham (James Keach), who is trying to get custody of their two young daughters.

Revenge of the Ninja (1983)

After his family is brutally murdered by rival ninjas, Cho Osaki (Sho Kosugi) relocates to America, hoping to leave his violent past behind. But when betrayal strikes again, Cho is forced to unleash his deadly skills to protect his son and exact vengeance on his enemies. Packed with electrifying martial arts sequences and intense action, Revenge of the Ninja delivers a thrilling journey of honor, revenge, and ninja mastery that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.

The Return of The Living Dead (1985)

When foreman Frank (James Karen) shows new employee Freddy (Thom Mathews) a secret military experiment in a supply warehouse, the two klutzes accidentally release a gas that reanimates corpses into flesh-eating zombies. As the epidemic spreads throughout Louisville, Ky., and the creatures satisfy their hunger in gory and outlandish ways, Frank and Freddy fight to survive with the help of their boss (Clu Gulager) and a mysterious mortician (Don Calfa).

Ordinary People (1980)

Tormented by guilt following the death of his older brother, Buck, in a sailing accident, alienated teenager Conrad Jarrett (Timothy Hutton) attempts suicide. Returning home following an extended stay in a psychiatric hospital, Conrad tries to deal with his mental anguish and also reconnect with his mother, Beth (Mary Tyler Moore), who has grown cold and angry, and his emotionally wounded father, Calvin (Donald Sutherland), with the help of his psychiatrist, Dr. Berger (Judd Hirsch).