7 Movies From the 1980s You Forgot Were Awesome

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Many films from the 1980s are now considered classics. Some, like Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Airplane!, Raging Bull, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, were immediately recognized as great. Others, such as Blade Runner, The Thing, and The Shining, gained their reputation over time. However, the following movies, while loved by many, aren’t generally considered classics of the decade. Despite this, they deserve to be appreciated just as much as those well-known masterpieces.

Whether you’re into crime dramas or feel-good stories like a classic car sales movie, these films from the 1980s are definitely worth watching. Add them to your list for your next movie night!

7) Midnight Run

Buddy comedies are a classic movie formula, and Midnight Run is a standout example. It’s often compared to 48 Hrs., and deciding which one is better from the 1980s is tough.

The success of a movie often hinges on the chemistry between its lead actors and their ability to portray contrasting characters. In Midnight Run, Robert De Niro is perfectly cast as the determined bounty hunter chasing Charles Grodin, who plays a desperate, fleeing businessman. We genuinely feel both De Niro’s annoyance and Grodin’s fear, and as the film progresses, the connection that develops between them feels completely believable.

6) Used Cars

Kurt Russell is famous for his action roles, but he’s also a surprisingly funny actor. This comedic talent was clear in the movie Used Cars, which was his first major adult role after growing up performing in Disney films like live-action features. He did briefly return to Disney for voice work the following year in The Fox and the Hound, but Used Cars marked a real turning point in his career.

Comedies often feature characters constantly trying to outdo each other, and the film Used Cars does this particularly well. Even though the story revolves around competitive characters, it remains funny and engaging. Robert Russell is charming in the lead role, and Joe Flaherty (known from Freaks and Geeks) and Jack Wardon (Heaven Can Wait) deliver especially strong performances in supporting roles.

Stream Used Cars for free with ads on The Roku Channel.

5) Halloween III: Season of the Witch

The movie Halloween III: Season of the Witch aimed to change the Halloween series into a collection of unrelated scary stories, but it wasn’t successful. Audiences were expecting to see Michael Myers, the masked killer from the first two Halloween films, and were disappointed when he wasn’t in it.

Over time, people have come to appreciate how unique and strange Halloween III is. It’s not a perfectly logical movie, but if you’re open to a story about a bizarre scheme to harm children with Halloween masks – and robots that are part of the plan – you’ll probably enjoy it.

4) Silkwood

Silkwood is a difficult film to watch, but it’s important. It powerfully shows the high cost of standing up for what’s right when facing a powerful and profit-driven corporation.

Like all Meryl Streep films, her acting is a standout, but Cher and Kurt Russell also deliver excellent performances—Cher is arguably even better than in Moonstruck. With confident direction from Mike Nichols, this movie is the perfect companion to Erin Brockovich for anyone interested in whistleblower stories.

Stream Silkwood for free on Hoopla.

3) The Dead Zone

While often praised as a great Stephen King adaptation, The Dead Zone is truly a standout film in its own right. It’s also a significant work by director David Cronenberg, demonstrating his ability to blend his distinctive style with the established voice of another talented author.

Just like the novel it’s based on, The Dead Zone has a well-paced and engaging plot. It follows a familiar pattern – beginning with a tragic event, then showing how the main character develops a unique ability he uses to assist others, and finally culminating in a showdown with a dangerous villain. It’s similar to a superhero’s origin story.

Stream The Dead Zone on fuboTV.

2) Thief

Before directing films like Heat and The Last of the Mohicans, Michael Mann started his career with the sleek and atmospheric crime drama Thief. The film stars James Caan as a professional safe-cracker hoping to leave his criminal life behind. It’s a character study that effectively creates a sense of mounting pressure and confinement for the main character.

Michael Mann’s Thief is a fantastic film, boasting thrilling heist scenes, a well-written script, and excellent performances from James Caan and Tuesday Weld. The movie is further enhanced by a perfectly matched soundtrack from Tangerine Dream.

Stream Thief on MGM+.

1) To Live and Die in L.A.

While William Friedkin is most famous for films like The French Connection and The Exorcist, To Live and Die in L.A. is equally impressive. It truly captures the atmosphere of 1980s Los Angeles, arguably even better than Miami Vice.

If you enjoyed Miami Vice, you’ll likely appreciate this film. To Live and Die in L.A. feels like a more realistic and unpredictable take on that same vibe, and it also boasts a fantastic soundtrack. Both this movie and Manhunter showcase William Petersen’s knack for a specific, compelling tone, and it suits him well. It’s also fun to see a young Willem Dafoe as the villain before his breakout role in Platoon. Overall, To Live and Die in L.A. is a thrilling and engaging film from start to finish.

Stream To Live and Die in L.A. on The Roku Channel.

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2026-01-09 00:19