5 Great 1980s Action Movies Nobody Talks About

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Action movies are still popular today, from superhero blockbusters to team-up thrillers like *Play Dirty*. However, many consider the 1980s and 1990s to be the golden age of the genre. We’re focusing on the 1980s now, but instead of the well-known hits, we’re highlighting fantastic action films – including some that mix genres – that deserve a wider audience. These are movies that weren’t huge blockbusters when they came out, or have faded from public memory over the years.

We left out some of the biggest action movies from the era – like the James Bond films from the 80s, *Escape from New York*, *The Road Warrior*, *Raiders of the Lost Ark*, *48 Hrs.*, *Conan the Barbarian*, *Tron*, *Beverly Hills Cop*, *The Terminator*, *Commando*, *Aliens*, *Die Hard*, *Lethal Weapon*, *Predator*, and all the *Rambo* films. These movies already have huge, dedicated followings, so they didn’t need to be included.

5) Southern Comfort

Walter Hill initially appears to be a war movie, but it’s actually a tense action thriller reminiscent of *Deliverance*. The story centers on a group of Louisiana National Guard soldiers practicing in a local bayou. When they borrow canoes from some local hunters and try to playfully intimidate them with blank ammunition, the hunters respond with real bullets. This quickly turns the training exercise into a desperate fight for survival, similar to the plot of *And Then There Were None*.

Southern Comfort is a strong film thanks to several key elements. Director Walter Hill delivers his usual confident touch, and the cast is excellent, featuring memorable performances from Keith Carradine (known for Deadwood), Powers Boothe (from The Avengers), and Fred Ward of Tremors.

Stream Southern Comfort for free with ads on Tubi.

4) Midnight Run

Buddy cop and action-comedy movies remain popular, as evidenced by Prime Video’s recent success with *Heads of State* featuring Idris Elba and John Cena. However, it’s been a while since we’ve seen a truly standout film in this genre. Movies like *The Nice Guys*, *21 Jump Street*, *Bad Boys*, *Kiss Kiss Bang Bang*, *Hot Fuzz*, and *Men in Black* all successfully blended action and comedy, with each film leaning slightly more into one than the other.

Alongside classics like those mentioned, *Midnight Run*, with Robert De Niro and the late Charles Grodin (known from *King Kong*), really stands out. While only one of the main characters is a police officer, the film perfectly captures the fun, back-and-forth energy that made ’80s buddy cop movies like *Lethal Weapon*, *48 Hrs.*, and *Beverly Hills Cop* so enjoyable and worth watching again and again.

Stream Midnight Run for free with ads on Tubi.

3) Bloodsport

It’s true that *Bloodsport* might not fully fit on this list. However, it was a huge success for Cannon Films in 1988, especially considering its low budget, and Jean-Claude Van Damme remains a well-known actor.

We’re including this film because, while Jean-Claude Van Damme went on to star in many movies after this one, most weren’t very good. As a result, many people probably dismissed *Bloodsport* without giving it a chance. That’s a shame, because it’s a charming film with a great connection between Van Damme and Donald Gibb.

Stream Bloodsport for free with ads on Tubi.

2) To Live and Die in L.A.

William Friedkin is famous for directing the acclaimed films *The French Connection* and *The Exorcist*. However, three other movies he made are just as worthy of attention. These include *Sorcerer*, which he made after his initial successes, and his last film, *Killer Joe* (2011).

I think *To Live and Die in L.A.* is one of the greatest neo-noir action thrillers ever. What really grabbed me was how unpredictable it was – there’s one scene in particular that totally threw me for a loop. Plus, the acting is fantastic, especially from John Pankow and William Petersen (you might recognize him from *CSI*!), and Willem Dafoe is a truly menacing villain. Even the soundtrack by Wang Chung adds to the atmosphere. It’s a movie that feels fast-paced, but it also stays with you long after you’ve watched it.

Stream To Live and Die in L.A. for free with ads on Tubi.

1) Black Rain

Despite having a significant budget increase in 1989 and a talented cast including Michael Douglas, Andy Garcia, and director Ridley Scott, the film *Black Rain* has largely faded from public memory, remaining popular only among a small group of dedicated fans. The story follows two NYPD detectives tasked with extraditing a Yakuza member to Japan, a mission that quickly becomes dangerous and threatens their survival.

While *Black Rain* occasionally tries to do too much with its story, it largely succeeds thanks to Michael Douglas’s charisma, some impressive action sequences, and its distinctive, atmospheric visuals – all bathed in fog and neon. It’s a classic cult film, and it’s easy to see why.

Stream Black Rain on Hoopla.

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2025-10-18 02:12