Top 10 Greatest 80s Movies You've NEVER Seen

Did you know that the title character of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” was inspired by an 80’s horror film? “Night of the Comet” is a charming and witty take on a zombie apocalypse, with two female leads who buck stereotypes in a pair of fun, fashion-forward outfits. They play arcade games, own their sexuality, and really know how to hold their own in a dangerous situation. You can see the Buffy inspiration, right? This film is both delightfully of its time and surprisingly well-aged, with a beautifully saturated color palette to boot. A remake of the movie has been in the works for some time now but, if it comes to fruition, we think it’ll be hard for it to beat the original.

While everyone appreciates a good original story, sometimes you just can’t beat the strangeness of real life. In 1978, a man named Melvin Dummar went to court after apparently being named in the estate of philanthropist and film producer Howard Hughes. The jury came to the conclusion that the will was a forgery, but writer-director duo Bo Goldman and Jonathan Demme found the tale compelling enough to translate to screen anyway. This became “Melvin and Howard,” an endearing dramedy that went on to land two wins at the Academy Awards - one for its screenplay, and the other for actress Mary Steenburgen. Although it has fallen into obscurity in recent years, the simple story works just as well today as it did in 1980.

This is one film that you won’t want to watch on an empty stomach or you may end up craving ramen more than ever before. Marketed as a “ramen Western,” a play on the spaghetti Western, “Tampopo” is a film about a truck driver whose stop at a noodle shop sends him on a quest to perfect the art of noodle making. Hoping to help save the struggling business of the title character, Gorō travels from restaurant to restaurant, noting the best and worst of her competitors’ signature dishes. Even through subtitles, the film’s sharp sense of humor shines, and its attention to culinary detail makes it the perfect love letter to good food and those who make it.

Visually impressive, narratively engaging dystopian sci-fi was all the rage in the 80’s. Films like “Blade Runner,” “They Live,” and “RoboCop” have remained in the public imagination for decades, in some cases even spawning modern merchandise and sequel films. Unfortunately, “Brazil” is often left out of the conversation, particularly in America. The British film presents a darkly comedic take on an intensely bureaucratic dystopia, commenting on everything from government hyper-surveillance to plastic surgery addiction. From the director of “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” “Brazil” is filled with some unforgettably stylish imagery. This includes a number of dream sequences that not only beautifully contrast with the film’s harsh modern world but give us a deeper understanding of its hapless protagonist.

You’ve probably heard of “Tall Girl,” but have you heard of “The Tall Guy?” Thankfully, this 80’s romcom has nothing to do with that maligned 2019 Netflix film. Jeff Goldblum and Emma Thompson have so much chemistry that you’ll likely be able to overlook a few missteps, such as an ill-advised foray into adultery. The pair also get to flex their comedic chops, demonstrating their natural instinct for pitch perfect comedic timing. Sure, not all of the film has aged flawlessly, but overall “The Tall Guy” is so funny and endearing that it’s hard to care.

Director Sidney Lumet is a master filmmaker, responsible for a number of classic films including “12 Angry Men”, “Dog Day Afternoon,” and the now-cult flick, “The Wiz.” With such a strong filmography, a few gems are bound to get lost in the shuffle. One of these is “Prince of the City,” a neo-noir about a cop exposing police corruption from within. Its gripping tale of right and wrong was well-executed enough to receive praise from “Rashomon” director Akira Kurosawa. The film was even used for training by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. While it’s certainly on the lengthy side, clocking in at nearly three hours, if you’re a fan of the crime genre, you’ll consider it time well spent.

In many ways, “Desert Hearts” could be considered a pretty run-of-the-mill romance. A recent divorcee moves states for a fresh start, and quickly becomes enamored with a confident young local. What makes the film stand out from the crowd is that its love story is between two women. Considered one of the first mainstream releases to “de-sensationalize” lesbianism, “Desert Hearts” is a film by lesbians for lesbians. It’s sweet, down-to-earth, and easily relatable - and for that, it was revolutionary. In the lead roles, Helen Shaver and Patricia Charbonneau elevate the film into something truly great, giving performances that feel lived in and well-rounded. You could imagine yourself knowing these women, and that goes a long way in fostering true acceptance.

Made on a budget of just $500,000, “Liquid Sky” is the definition of an independent film, employing little known actors and foregoing permits for their downtown New York shoot. It’s as weird as it is wonderful, portraying drug-fueled city night life with queer protagonists and a science fiction slant. A celebration of the outsider, “Liquid Sky” was a surprise hit in its time, becoming the most successful independent film of 1983. Its wardrobe, lighting, and makeup also make for some instantly iconic imagery, sure to stick with viewers long after its credits roll. If you’re still not convinced, just check out this delightfully 80’s dance sequence:

After being presumed dead for four years, Travis Henderson is found walking aimlessly through a desert in West Texas. Taken in by his brother, Walt, and his wife, Travis slowly begins to open up about his time away, and attempts to reconnect with his estranged son, Hunter. It’s a simple and slow-paced story, but never an uninteresting one, with a deep and nuanced understanding of the complexity of human emotions and relationships. You really feel for Travis in spite of his many faults, and may even begin to root for him as he sets out across a beautifully shot Southwest landscape to find the mother of his son.

War is a notoriously difficult topic to portray on film. While there are numerous movies on the subject, many of them have faced criticism for glorifying real life death and trauma for entertainment. “Come and See” exists in stark contrast to these war films, depicting the harrowing tale of a teenager fighting to survive in Nazi-occupied Belarus. The film’s anti-war message was so important to its filmmaker that he fought the Soviet Union’s censorship boards for eight years in order to get it made. And that tireless effort paid off. Although criminally underseen, “Come and See” was named one of the greatest films of all time in a 2022 directors poll by “Sight & Sound.”