Top 10 Movies of 1985
It was the high time for teen movies and adventure flicks that remain classics to this day. Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we count down our picks for the top 10 movies of 1985. For this list, we've looked at the lasting cult status of some of the biggest hits of the year in question, as well as the films that were loved by critics and audiences.
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#10: “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome” (1985)
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Starring Mel Gibson in his prime, this Australian movie is the third instalment of the “Mad Max” franchise. Troubled former Main Force Patrol officer “Mad” Max is roaming the desert after nuclear activity has destroyed nearly all of civilisation. Soon he finds himself at the mercy of Bartertown’s evil ruler played by the timeless Tina Turner. The action adventure flick was a success with audiences and critics alike, though its box office returns were a bit less than the previous two films. Thirty years later, director George Miller returned to the universe of “Mad Max” in one of the most anticipated movies of 2015 with “Mad Max: Fury Road” and Tom Hardy in the title role.
#9: “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” (1985)
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If you weren’t born yet in the ‘80s, then we should tell you that “The Pee-wee Herman Show” was a successful stage show that was initially for adults, but was later developed into a beloved children’s TV series. But before the television program, Warner Bros. decided to make a feature-length film based Paul Reubens’ character, and hired Tim Burton to direct what would ultimately be his feature length film debut. “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” became such a hit that it spawned a sequel, earned cult status and led to the studio rehiring Burton to make more movies for them in the late ‘80s.
#8: “Commando” (1985)
Our next entry stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as an ex-Delta Force operative who discovers all the other members of his unit have been murdered and that his daughter has been kidnapped. Turns out that an ex-South American dictator wants him to execute a political assassination in exchange for his daughter’s life, so the colonel launches a one-man mission against the mercenaries. Needless to say, the movie is full of testosterone and explosions, which explains why it grossed over $200 million. The cult classic was also praised for its tongue-in-cheek humor.
#7: “Cocoon” (1985)
This science fiction film by director Ron Howard tells the story of a group of senior citizens who find themselves accidentally rejuvenated after they swim in the pool neighboring their retirement home. Little do they know that their neighbors are peaceful aliens from Antarea that have come to collect their fellow Antareans that had been left cocooned at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean thousands of years ago. Rather unique for its mixture of science fiction and sentimental comedy, “Cocoon” was a critics’ darling that won 2 Oscars - 1 for Best Visual Effects and 1 for Best Supporting Actor by Don Ameche. It was also a box office smash and spawned a sequel 3 years later.
#6: “After Hours” (1985)
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Perhaps one of the lesser-seen Martin Scorsese classics, the next movie on our list is a black comedy set in the streets of - you guessed it - New York. When regular guy Paul meets a pretty girl in a cafe, he has no idea that he is about to have the worst night of his life. What ensues from their meeting is a series of very unfortunate events that eventually brings things full circle. Although lighter in spirit, the cult film is undeniably Scorsese, full of dark humor and a tribute to the city that doesn’t sleep, even after hours.
#5: “The Goonies” (1985)
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Our next entry was adapted by Chris Columbus from a story by Steven Spielberg, and although the latter didn’t direct the film, it has all the components of a Spielberg adventure movie. When a group of boys decides to try saving their homes from foreclosure, they accidentally unearth an old treasure map that leads them on an adventure to find the booty-covered remains of One-Eyed Willy – a pirate from the 17th century. The movie is a quotable cult classic today, it has spawned a series of video games, and there have been talks of a possible sequel since 2007.
#4: “The Color Purple” (1985)
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Based on the Pulitzer-prize-winning novel of the same name, this period piece was the most talked about drama in 1985. Directed by Steven Spielberg, it follows the trials and tribulations of a young African-American girl living in the early 20th century. However, it is not only about the difficulties of being African-American in the United States at the time, but also about being a woman. The film received 11 Academy Award nominations, and although it didn’t win any, it remains one of the most important movies of the year.
#3: “Brazil” (1985)
This undeniable sci-fi classic comes from none other than director Terry Gilliam, whose dystopian vision of a bureaucratic future still resonates with cinephiles today. Starring Jonathan Pryce as a sick-of-his-job government employee, the film follows him as he tries to correct an error that killed the wrong man and in turn makes Sam Lowry an enemy of the state. The film stands out among other science fiction movies from 1985 for its social commentary, in addition to being an example of weird and even psychedelic-like filmmaking. “Brazil” was also rightly nominated for 2 Oscars for Original Screenplay and Best Art Direction and unsurprisingly became a cult flick.
#2: “The Breakfast Club” (1985)
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1985 was a big year for director John Hughes, whose teen movies could be funny and sad in subtle ways that still resonate with audiences today. When five high school students meet in detention, they appear as stereotypes to each other, and to the audience. There is the jock, the pretty girl, the weird one, the nerd, and so on... But as the day progresses, they begin to pour their hearts out to each other in both hilarious and heartbreaking ways. Although few critics took the film seriously at the time, the coming-of-age flick has grown into a classic, and is one from an era when teen movies had substance.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honourable mentions:
- “The Purple Rose of Cairo” (1985)
- “Re-Animator” (1985)
- “Kiss of the Spider Woman” (1985)
- “Lost in America” (1985)
- “St. Elmo’s Fire” (1985)
#1: “Back to the Future” (1985)
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Starring Michael J. Fox in his most iconic role, our number 1 pick is a movie that successfully mixed all the genres that were popular in 1985. There is action, there is comedy, adventure and sci-fi. There are even some pretty good sound effects, for which the film actually won an Oscar. With his Nikes and his skateboard, Marty McFly is sent 30 years back in time and he has to make sure his parents meet so that he can ensure his own existence. Critically and commercially successful, “Back to the Future" was the year’s biggest flick and went on to grow into a successful franchise.
Do you agree with our list? What is your favorite movie from 1985? For more entertaining top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
