Top 10 Underrated Movies of the 1980s

Various movies from the ‘80s are regarded as some of the best of all time. These are not those movies, although maybe they should be. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 underrated movies of the 1980s.

For this list, we’re looking at movies released between 1980 and 1989 that remain mysteriously overlooked or forgotten over the years and often suffered from a modest box office performance or general lack of acknowledgment, despite their quality.

Based on the novel written by former Secret Service agent Gerald Petievich, this film was among the ‘80s’ most exciting. The story centers on a Secret Service agent who vows revenge against a counterfeiter who killed his partner. It sounds cliché, but the car chases and shootouts throughout themovie are so exciting, and the L.A. setting is so beautifully shot with such style, that it stands apart from other thrillers of the time. That, along with William Petersen’s and Willem Dafoe’s intense performances, makes this film an underrated gem.

A true ‘80s treasure, this film stars Corey Haim, a young Charlie Sheen, and marks Winona Ryder’s big screen debut. We watch as Lucas experiences heartbreak for the first time when his two best friends, including the one he has a crush on, fall in love with each other. Sure, it sounds a little corny, butthe cast plays their characters so well that we can’t help but feel for them. It’s a movie about real teenage experiences, not just sex and drugs, and therefore, is both realistic and poignant.

Depending who you ask, proper adaptations of Stephen King’s works are few and far between. But “The Dead Zone” definitely qualifies as a proper adaptation. Released four years after King’s novel, the story follows a teacher who wakes from a coma to discover he has psychic abilities. Christopher Walken gives one of his most underrated performances in this film, as he is both relatable and sympathetic in the main role. The story, like most ofKing’s, is intense, emotional and characteristically eerie, proving to be one of the best movies of the year.

“Local Hero,” a film about an American oil representative who travels to Scotland to purchase land for his company, may not sound very exciting, but it packs a hell of a punch. The characters of this film are fascinating, human, and hilarious with performances that deftly carry the weight of their complexity. Writer and director Bill Forsyth evokes both emotion and laughs, and his efforts won him a BAFTA for Best Direction. It’s a small film, but one that encompasses more quality than some of Hollywood’s best.

If this movie were released today, with the horror comedy hybrid genre booming, it would definitely be more popular. The film follows Roddy Piper’s character (yes, that Roddy Piper) as he discovers a pair of sunglasses that let him see the truth about consumerism, advertising and that the ruling class is concealed aliens. Not only is the movie scary and fantastically absurd, it also provides thoughtful commentary on the rich, the economic statusof America, and the influence of mass media on the general population. Not bad for a silly sci-fi movie starring a wrestler.

Notable for being director Michael Mann’s major film directorial debut, “Thief” is just as powerful and exciting as any of his other movies. Adapted from a novel written by real thief John Seybold, it tells the story of a thief performing a job for the mafia. The film stars James Caan, and like usual, he is terrific in the role, embodying a professional thief perfectly. “Thief” is heart stopping at its best moments, proving to be an exciting and intelligent film that broke boundaries of what a thriller could accomplish.

A great merger of Western and vampire films, “Near Dark” perfectly blends the two genres together, but never loses the unique touch that makes each one memorable. The movie is directed by Kathryn Bigelow, now a big name A-lister, and received favorable reviews and later a cult following. However, it was released too soon after more successful vampire movies, being overshadowed by their success. Even so, as a young man becomes involved with a group of nomadic vampires, the audience is treated to a tour-de-force of beautifully shot sequences, lots of blood, and even some genuine emotion.

Action comedies are a winning combination, and this is certainly the case with “Something Wild,” an underrated gem starring the always-fantastic Jeff Daniels as a man who is taken on an adventure by a free-spirited woman. While it certainly isn’t as popular as it deserves to be due to its quirkiness, it has obtained a cult following and has been hailed as one of Daniels’ funniest, most overlooked roles. It also has plenty of tonal shifts to keep the movie interesting, and it makes for one unpredictable ride.

One of Brian De Palma’s masterpieces, “Blow Out” sees the director at the top of his game and features an A-list cast, including the outstanding John Travolta and John Lithgow. Negative word of mouth spread after the movie premiered due to its dreary story about a sound effects technician who discovered audio evidence of an assassination. As such, it performed poorly at the box office and never reached an audience. The ending only adds tothe film’s depravity, and makes for an emotional, yet unforgettable movie experience.

Before we look at our most underrated film of the 80s, here are a few honorable mentions:
- “Return to Oz” (1985)
- “Angel Heart” (1987)
- “The Brave Little Toaster” (1987)
- “The Black Cauldron” (1985)

When we say comedy, the gritty Martin Scorsese is probably not the first person to pop into your head, but his funny bone shines in this film about a man who runs into misadventures as he makes his way home. Scorsese had successfully dabbled in comedy prior to this with “The King of Comedy,” but “After Hours”’ outrageous, fun and relatively simple premise makes it a true gem. Scorsese even won himself the Best Director award at theCannes Film Festival, and the movie remains darkly hilarious, but sadly overlooked to this day.

Do you agree with our list? What movie from the ‘80s do you consider underrated? For more quality top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.