The 80s saw many excellent and popular films. These include “The Breakfast Club,” “Dead Poets Society,” “Heathers,” and “The Outsiders.” However popular these films were, hundreds more have been forgotten. Although only some people remember these movies, the films below were excellent in their own right.
To compile a list of the best but also forgotten movies of the 80s, 24/7 Tempo consulted numerous sources, including IMDb. Let’s look at the best but forgotten movies of the 80s.
1. After Hours
Griffin Dune in After Hours (1985)
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- Year: 1985
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama
Griffin Dunne stars as Paul Hackett in the underrated movie, “After Hours.” Paul Hackett lives a dull and lonesome life and desperately needs excitement. One day, after meeting a new woman named Marcy, he ventures out to SoHo. While looking for a good time, Paul experienced more than he bargained for.
The night’s results lead Paul to experience a ton of weirdness and chaos throughout, giving the audience plenty to laugh at.
2. My Bodyguard
Matt Dillon in My Bodyguard (1980)
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- Year: 1980
- IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family
Chris Makepeace is Clifford Peache in this teenage drama. He arrives at a new school and immediately has to deal with a bully named Melvin Moody, played by Matt Dillon. When Chris grows annoyed with dealing with the bully, he hires Ricky Linderman, played by Adam Baldwin, as his bodyguard.
The two form an unlikely friendship. However, this friendship has its challenges.
3. Three O’Clock High
Annie Ryan, Casey Siemaszko in Three OClock High (1987)
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- Year: 1987
- IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
- Genre: Comedy
In the movie “Three O’Clock High,” there is another bully versus geek kid plot. Jerry Mitchell, played by Casey Siemaszko, receives an assignment via the school to write a story about one particular kid. The problem? This fellow high schooler, Buddy Revell, is a bully. Buddy is also known to be violent.
Buddy challenges Jerry to a fight after school. While Jerry wants to get out of it, eventually, he succumbs and faces the bully.
4. Vanishing Act
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- Year: 1986
- IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
- Genre: Mystery
“Vanishing Act” is a made-for-television movie based on the play “Trap for a Single Man.” Harry Kenyon is a newly married man, honeymooning with his wife, Christine. The movie starts with Mr. Kenyon in search of his wife.
While searching for Christine, a woman appears out of nowhere, claiming to be his wife. Mr. Kenyon is distraught and claims this woman is, in fact, not his wife. However, all the townspeople, including the priest, insist this is the woman he arrived with. Throughout the movie, audiences are pulled into the mystery of what happened to Christine and whether this mystery woman is her.
5. The Hidden
Michael Nouri, Ed ORoss, Richard Brooks in The Hidden (1987)
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- Year: 1987
- IMDb Rating: 7/10
- Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
In the Sci-Fi film “The Hidden,” a police officer and FBI agent duo are flabbergasted when otherwise agreeable people become violent.
The movie starts with Jack DeVries, played by Chris Mulkey, robbing a bank and killing several people. Although he eventually is shot by police, onlookers have a difficult time piecing together his odd behavior. Throughout the movie, the audience is privy to the actual reason for the behavior change and watches as the search for answers seems out of grasp.
6. Fortress
Rachel Ward in Fortress (1985)
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- Year: 1985
- IMDb Rating: 7/10
- Genre: Thriller
“The Fortress” sees Rachel Ward perform excellently as Sally Jones. Sally is a schoolteacher who has to find the courage and strength to save herself and eight students who have been kidnapped for ransom.
When Sally manages to help herself and her students escape to a “fortress,” she realizes a hard truth. She is going to have to kill the kidnappers, and she can’t do it by herself. Internally, she has a moral dilemma but sees no other way out. The children will have to help her.
7. Right to Kill?
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- Year: 1985
- IMDb Rating: 7/10
- Genre: Crime Drama
“Right to Kill?” is a made-for-television movie. It stars Frederic Forrest, Christopher Collet, Justine Bateman, and Karmin Marcelo. Based on the true story of Richard and Deborah Jahnke, the movie draws audiences in with the ethical question: Is it ever okay to kill someone abusive?
8. The Legend of Billie Jean
Christian Slater, Helen Slater in The Legend of Billie Jean (1985)
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- Year: 1985
- IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
- Genre: Action
“The Legend of Billie Jean” is a movie that highlights social movements, oppression, the role of the media in public perception, and generational division. While it’s not a true story, it is based on events inspired by a young girl, Debra Gallaway.
Helen Slater portrays Bille Jean. She is rebellious, defiant, and unafraid to stand up for what is right. When an incident leads Billie Jean and her brother to become outlaws, she cuts her hair and evolves into a voice for the oppressed. (Look at the best movies that defined the boomer generation here.)
9. Just One of the Guys
Joyce Hyser, Billy Jayne, Clayton Rohner, William Zabka in Just One of the Guys (1985)
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- Year: 1985
- IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
“Just One of the Guys” features Joyce Hyser as Terry Griffith. Terry is an aspiring journalist who is primed and ready to spend her summer working at the local newspaper. However, when she doesn’t get the internship, Terry believes it’s because she’s a girl.
With the help of her brother, she decides to disguise herself as a boy at another high school. She is determined to prove that sexism played a role in her being passed over for a position she believes she was otherwise perfect for.
10. American Dreamer
JoBeth Williams, Tom Conti in American Dreamer (1984)
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- Year: 1984
- IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
- Genre: Comedy, Crime, Romance
JoBeth Williams plays Cathy Palmer in this comedy about a homemaker. Cathy is a ghostwriter who pens stories about an international spy, Rebecca.
After Cathy is hit by a car, she wakes up thinking that she is the spy Rebecca. What happens next is full of comedy and romance.
11. Hostage Flight
Barbara Bosson plays wife of a police captain in the television series Hill Streets Blues, 1981. (Photo by NBC/Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images)
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- Year: 1985
- IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
- Genre: Thriller
“Hostage Flight” is a thriller that encompasses what nightmares are made of. During a domestic flight, an airplane is taken hostage by terrorists. These terrorists are holding the flight passengers and crew hostage while also murdering many people.
Eventually, with the stealth and help of one cop and many crew and passengers, the terrorists are apprehended. Afterward, the question comes to the surface: what now?
12. Final Jeopardy
Michael Cavanaugh in Final Jeopardy (1985)
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- Year: 1985
- IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
- Genre: Drama, Mystery
“Final Jeopardy” is a made-for-television movie starring Richard Thomas and Mary Crosby. These small-town folks are stranded in the dangerous parts of New York City.
During the night, they come face to face with dangers and gang members. This thriller takes the audience on a compelling ride as Marty and Susan Campbell fight to save their lives.
13. One Crazy Summer
John Matuszak in One Crazy Summer (1986)
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- Year: 1986
- IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
- Genre: Comedy and Romance
“One Crazy Summer” stars both John Cusack and Demi Moore. Cusack portrays “Hoops” McCann, a young man looking to enter the Rhode Island School of Design. However, when he doesn’t receive the scholarship, he takes a trip to Nantucket with his best friend.
Happenstance brings them in the path of the singer Cassandra Eldridge, played by Moore. “Hoops,” along with Cassandra and his friend, goes on a crazy ride, and he quickly realizes it will be one crazy summer.
14. Shag
Bridget Fonda, Annabeth Gish, Page Hannah in Shag (1988)
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- Year: 1988
- IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
- Genre: Comedy, Romance, Drama
Phoebe Cates portrays Carson, a woman in the 1960s who is about to get married. With their teenage years quickly fading in the review mirror, Carson vacations with her three best friends, Melaina, Pudge, and Luanne. During their Myrtle Beach vacation, the girls further cement their friendship, and their futures become more apparent.
15. The Bedroom Window
Steve Guttenberg, Isabelle Huppert in The Bedroom Window (1987)
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- Year: 1987
- IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
- Genre: Thriller
Terry is a man deep in an affair with his boss’s wife, Sylvia—their romp after midnight leads to witnessing a young woman being attacked. Sylvia is afraid to go to the police; otherwise, her affair may be exposed, so Terry goes for her.
One problem, though, is that by lying to the police, Terry quickly becomes the main suspect.
16. Flashpoint
Kris Kristofferson in Flashpoint (1984)
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- Year: 1984
- IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
- Genre: Drama, Action
“Flashpoint” stars Kris Kristofferson, Treat Williams, and Rip Torn. Additionally, it is an action drama movie based on George Lafountaine’s book.
When Bobby Logan and Ernie Wyatt find a long-buried Jeep in the desert, they are surprised by the contents. These include a skeleton, 800,000 dollars in cash, and a rifle. This surprise finds the pair running from the FBI to save their lives.
17. Getting It Right
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- Year: 1989
- IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
“Getting It Right” is a low-key comedic drama about a 31-year-old man who still lives at home with his parents. He seems to be getting it wrong constantly. However, now he is determined to “get it right.”
He finds himself tangled up with three different women who couldn’t be more different from one another. Throughout the movie, he learns he must choose who he truly wants to be with.
18. License to Drive
Corey Feldman, Corey Haim, Heather Graham, Michael Manasseri in License to Drive (1988)
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- Year: 1988
- IMDb Rating: 6.3/10
- Genre: Comedy
“License to Drive” stars both Corey Haim and Corey Feldman. Haim plays Les Anderson, a young teen ready for his driver’s license. However, things go differently than planned when he flunks the test.
Determined to impress the girl he has his eye on, Anderson drives his grandfather’s Cadillac anyway—this rash attempt to appear cool leads to an unforgettable and chaotic night.
19. Knightriders
Knightriders (1981)
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- Year: 1981
- IMDb Rating: 6.3/10
- Genre: Drama
The traveling Renaissance fair troupe focuses on jousting while riding motorcycles. Within their inner circle, there has been bickering, financial issues, and pressure from outside sources, like cops.
As their family dynamics start to crack under pressure, will they be able to maintain what the group has built?
20. The Principal
Jim Belushi in The Principal (1987)
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- Year: 1987
- IMDb Rating: 6.3/10
- Genre: Drama
Jim Belushi plays Rick Latimer, a divorcee who smashes up a lawyer’s car. The reason? This lawyer was on a date with his ex-wife after granting their divorce. Instead of being fired, Rick Latimer is moved to a high school known for gangs, violence, and drugs. (Speaking of dramas, these are the most heart-wrenching on-screen moment in film history.)