I am a child of the 90s. Bright pink stirrup pants, the boy band craze, and the 2nd golden age of Disney animated movies are the cultural touchstones from my childhood. Although I was born in the mid-80s, I was too young to be cognizant of the pop culture references pervasive at the time. And for some reason, my film courses in college neglected the cinematic gems of the 1980s. Therefore, I am on a mission to fill that gap in my cinematic knowledge. 

First step - consult with experts. 

If you were alive and in your teens (or older) during the 80s, you can be considered an expert. I have discovered that people are VERY opinionated about the films generated in this decade. And motivated to make very specific recommendations. 

Second step - generate THE LIST.

What started as a few conversations and a scribbled list on a few scraps of paper has turned into an extensive, categorized and prioritized list of 80s movies. I have tried to gather a breadth of films that span the decade, samples different genres and covers studio, independent and cult classics. Special thanks to Lloyd who took the list to the next level and made the bulk of recommendations.

Third step - watch the films. report back.

I am re-calibrating my senses back to the 80s. Big hair will not offend me, ridiculous plots will become the norm, sub-par effects will be breakthrough and impressive. I will endeavor to re-frame my mentality to appreciate these films as a nostalgic representation of the 80s. Additionally, I will be diligent in reporting back my thoughts, impressions and analysis on the films reflection or impact on 80s society/culture. 

Thanks for joining me on this journey. Here’s the list in case you want to review. I hope that you fondly remember films from your youth, perhaps even discover new flicks to watch, and feel free make additional suggestions. This will take me a long time to watch all these films, but I gladly accept the 80s challenge. Cheers!

48 Hours
Amadeus
Beetlejuice
Big
Blood Simple
Blow Out
Blues Brothers
Born on the 4th of July
Brazil
Breakfast Club
Caddyshack
Cinema Paradiso
The Color of Money
Dark Crystal
Dead Alive
Die Hard
Do The Right Thing
Eight Men Out
Empire of the Sun
Excalibur
Evil Dead
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Field of Dreams
Flashdance
The Fly
Full Metal Jacket
Ghostbusters
Glory
Goonies
Grave of the Fireflies
Gremlins
Heathers
History of the World Part I
Hoosiers
Howard the Duck
Karate Kid
La Bamba
Labyrinth
Ladyhawke
Last Dragon
Lean On Me
Legend
The Legend of Billy Jean
Lethal Weapon
Lucas
Matewan
National Lampoon’s Vacation
The Natural
Neverending Story
The Outsiders
Pale Rider
Platoon
Purple Rain
Rain Man
Raising Arizona
Rambo
Ran
Real Genius
Revenge of the Nerds
Robocop
Rocky
Say Anything
Shogun Assassin
Short Circuit
Sixteen Candles
Some Kind of Wonderful
Somewhere In Time
Stand and Deliver
Stand By Me
The Thing
Time After Time
Time Bandits
Top Gun
Trading Places
TRON
Tucker: The Man and His Dream
The Untouchables
Wall Street
War Games
Willow
Young Guns