Estimate Time: 4-6 minutes
I love the 1980s. I have no idea why, but I do. Okay, maybe not the fashion, but the music and movies—those I adore. Recently, an article from Rolling Stone, “The 100 Greatest Movies from the 80s,” stumbled into my feed. Looking it over for my favorite pieces of cinema, nostalgia set in, and quite a few of my tried-and-true made their list. And to my surprise, there was a lot I had never even heard of! Below are a few that I highly recommend and a few I haven’t seen yet but will soon!
Recommendations from the Rolling Stone List
The Little Mermaid: The original movie was released in 1989, and it was so lovely. At the ripe age of 13, I can recall humming the lyrics to class every day and finally embracing my natural red hair because, finally, a Disney princess looked like me! My future self would do a speech during my freshman year of college about sexual innuendos on various Disney movie VHS cases and inside the films. If you didn’t know, the original photo of King Tritan’s castle on the cover of the VHS was extremely phallic. So much so that Disney had the art redone and re-released.
Back to the Future: If you know, you know. If you don’t know, go watch it. There is currently a Broadway musical based on the film, but I’m not sure how I feel about that.
Ghostbusters: There are so many reasons to love this movie, and the fact that there was a recent one with Paul Rudd makes me even happier. Bill Murray will forever be my favorite in this one.
Big: My heart. Every time I see this playing on television, I stop and watch. We all want a man who can still connect to his inner child, who can play and love and feel without any armor to protect him. This movie means way more to me as an adult than it did when my twelve-year-old self saw it for the first time with her grandmother.
The Empire Strikes Back: Dare I say the best of all the Star Wars movies? This is where we learn who Luke Skywalker’s father really is and how much Han Solo loves Princess Leia. It was the best tragic movie I had ever seen. As a young teenager, watching all three movies on a Sunday afternoon back to back was bliss.
Honorable Mentions
These favorites did not make the Rolling Stone list but are worth watching. Enjoy.
Sixteen Candles: Jake Ryan. It’s really all you need to know. The dreamiest high school senior jock falling for the nerdy sophomore girl. We can all relate.
Can’t Buy Me Love: Patrick Dempsey as the nerd who falls for the popular girl and gets her. Yes. Just Yes.
The Lost Boys: Vampires. What a teenage movie with vampires looked like before the Twilight Saga, and yes, it scared the crap out of my younger self. Kiefer Sutherland, Corey Feldman, Corey Haim (who remembers the Corey’s?) Jason Patric and Jamie Gertz all stared in this one. So good…I may have to fire it up during Halloween this year.
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun: Yes, we do, and guess who stars in this lovely little teen romantic comedy. Sarah Jessica Parker, before the Carrie Bradshaw days!
Homework
These are the movies I am embarrassed to say I have not seen but that made the Rolling Stone list. Don’t judge me—they are now on my list!
- Sophie’s Choice #53
- Wing’s of Desire #34
- Scarface #96
- 48 Hours #72
- Caddyshack #69