Action / Buddy / Comedy / Boxing
1980
Any Which Way You Can
Any Which Way You Can: courage and heroism, and why this 1980 movie still matters.
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Explore the genre
Action movies from the 80s
Action movies exploded during the 1980s, mixing larger-than-life heroes, practical stunt work, car chases, gunfights and increasingly ambitious blockbuster spectacle.
From lean thrillers to martial arts, buddy movies and science-fiction action, the decade helped define a style of action filmmaking that remains instantly recognisable.
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Explore 80s action
180 movies so far
Action movies
Action / Science Fiction / Adventure
1980
Battle Beyond the Stars
Battle Beyond the Stars: fear and family, and why this 1980 movie still matters.
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Action / Science Fiction / Adventure / Fantasy / Comedy
1980
Flash Gordon
Brash heroics, operatic spectacle and a Queen soundtrack — Flash Gordon wears its pulp heart on its sleeve.
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Romantic Comedy / Musical / Pirate / Live Action
1980
Popeye
Popeye: family and parents protecting their children, and why this 1980 movie still matters.
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Biographical / Drama / Boxing / Historical / Historical Drama / Action / Sport / Neo-noir / Period Drama
1980
Raging Bull
Raging Bull: family and courage, and why this 1980 movie still matters.
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Action / Adventure / Science Fiction
1980
Raise the Titanic
Raise the Titanic: exploitation, and why this 1980 movie still matters.
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Science Fiction / Adventure / Action / Fantasy / Epic / Space Opera
1980
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
A harsher lesson in heroism: mentorship, bad luck and the cost of growing up in a galaxy far, far away.
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Action / Science Fiction / Fantasy
1980
Superman II
Love, duty and a handful of Kryptonians — Superman II asks what a hero gives up to be human.
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War / Action / Drama
1980
The Dogs of War
The Dogs of War: authority and the safety of home, and why this 1980 movie still matters.
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Action / Drama / Crime
1980
The Exterminator
The Exterminator: family and fear, and why this 1980 movie still matters.
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Biographical / Thriller / Action
1980
The Hunter
The Hunter: mortality and lifespan and the safety of home, and why this 1980 movie still matters.
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Comedy Thriller / Comedy Drama / Action / Comedy
1980
The Stunt Man
The Stunt Man: authority and freedom, and why this 1980 movie still matters.
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Action Comedy / Martial Arts
1980
The Young Master
The Young Master: heroism and courage, and why this 1980 movie still matters.
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Action / Martial Arts / Crime
1981
An Eye for an Eye
An Eye for an Eye: courage and authority, and why this 1981 movie still matters.
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Crime / Mystery / Political Thriller / Neo-noir / Drama / Suspense / Action / Independent / Police Procedural / Thriller / Psychological Drama / Psychological Thriller / Crime Drama / Crime Thriller
1981
Blow Out
A detective story where the clues are on a tape, and the investigator listens harder than anyone else.
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Fantasy / Monster / Adventure / Action / Sword-and-sandal
1981
Clash of the Titans
A labour of gods, monsters and one man who won't be pushed around.
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Action / Thriller / Science Fiction / Post-apocalyptic / Prison / Dystopian
1981
Escape from New York
Escape from New York: freedom and heroism, and why this 1981 movie still matters.
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Fantasy / Action / Drama / Sword And Sorcery / Medieval
1981
Excalibur
Myth, a sword and a man being made — Excalibur still asks what makes a king.
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Thriller / Action / Spy
1981
For Your Eyes Only
A quieter Bond with teeth — revenge, a sunken spy ship and surprisingly human stakes.
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Action / Science Fiction / Monster / Horror / Adventure
1981
Galaxy of Terror
Galaxy of Terror: fear and parents protecting their children, and why this 1981 movie still matters.
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Action / Drama / Science Fiction
1981
Knightriders
Knightriders: family and courage, and why this 1981 movie still matters.
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Action / Adventure / Thriller / Road Movie / Dystopian
1981
Mad Max 2
Petrol, fury and a man who would rather ride away — Mad Max 2 still hits like a fistful of sand.
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Vigilante / Rape And Revenge / Girls With Guns / Horror / Drama / Thriller / Exploitation / Neo-noir / Action / Crime / Crime Drama / Crime Thriller / Independent / Mystery / Suspense
1981
Ms. 45
Ms. 45: family and the safety of home, and why this 1981 movie still matters.
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Action / Crime / Thriller / LGBTQ-related
1981
Nighthawks
Nighthawks: the safety of home and authority, and why this 1981 movie still matters.
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Action / Science Fiction / Adventure
1981
Outland
Outland: family and mortality and lifespan, and why this 1981 movie still matters.
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Action / Treasure Hunt
1981
Raiders of the Lost Ark
A museum-minded professor, a globe-trotting chase and a very particular taste in religious artefacts.
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Thriller / Science Fiction / Mystery / Horror / Action
1981
Scanners
Telepathy, corporate control and one of cinema’s most unforgettable practical stunts.
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Action / Thriller / Drama / Crime
1981
Sharky's Machine
Sharky's Machine: the safety of home and authority, and why this 1981 movie still matters.
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Action / Thriller / War
1981
Southern Comfort
Southern Comfort: mortality and lifespan and loss, and why this 1981 movie still matters.
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Buddy / Action Comedy / War
1981
Stripes
A ragged platoon, one endlessly inventive idiot, and the sort of male friendship that still makes you grin.
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Adventure / Drama / Action / Sexploitation
1981
Tarzan, the Ape Man
Tarzan, the Ape Man: family and parents protecting their children, and why this 1981 movie still matters.
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Action Comedy / Road Movie / Sport
1981
The Cannonball Run
The Cannonball Run: authority and fear, and why this 1981 movie still matters.
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Action / Buddy / Thriller / Comedy / Crime
1982
48 Hrs.
Two days, one cop who cuts corners, and the partner he absolutely didn't ask for.
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Tech Noir / Cyberpunk / Thriller / Neo-noir / Dystopian / Film Noir / Science Fiction / Drama / Action / Crime / Crime Drama / Crime Thriller
1982
Blade Runner
Four engineered years, a handful of memories and a detective who isn’t sure he wants to do his job.
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Action / Rape And Revenge / Thriller / Science Fiction / Drama
1982
Class of 1984
Class of 1984: family and the safety of home, and why this 1982 movie still matters.
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Action / Fantasy / Adventure / Sword-and-sandal / Sword And Sorcery
1982
Conan the Barbarian
A musclebound quest that talks about steel, fate and how to be remade by violence.
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Action / Thriller / Rape And Revenge / Crime / Vigilante
1982
Death Wish II
Death Wish II: family and the safety of home, and why this 1982 movie still matters.
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Action / Thriller / Spy
1982
Firefox
Firefox: family and the safety of home, and why this 1982 movie still matters.
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Action Thriller / Drama / War / Action
1982
First Blood
A small-town arrest turns into a jungle lesson about soldiers nobody taught to come home.
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Action / Science Fiction
1982
Megaforce
Megaforce: fear and friendship, and why this 1982 movie still matters.
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Drama / Action / Boxing
1982
Rocky III
Rocky III: mortality and lifespan and courage, and why this 1982 movie still matters.
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Action / Thriller / Science Fiction / Adventure
1982
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan: parents protecting their children and fear, and why this 1982 movie still matters.
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Science Fiction / Science Fiction Comedy / Superhero / Horror / Science Fiction Horror / Comedy Horror / Comedy / Adventure / Action / Monster / Drama / Science Fiction Action / Black Comedy / Thriller
1982
Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing: freedom and fear, and why this 1982 movie still matters.
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Fantasy / Action / Science Fiction / Sword And Sorcery
1982
The Beastmaster
The Beastmaster: family and parents protecting their children, and why this 1982 movie still matters.
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Fantasy / Action / Sword And Sorcery
1982
The Sword and the Sorcerer
The Sword and the Sorcerer: family and freedom, and why this 1982 movie still matters.
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Horror / Science Fiction / Mystery / Body Horror / Science Fiction Horror / Monster / Drama / Splatter / Thriller / Survival / Action / Suspense
1982
The Thing
A frozen outpost, a dog, and a man who must choose who to trust — The Thing still knows how to make suspicion feel like a physical thing.
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Action / Science Fiction / Adventure / Cyberpunk
1982
Tron
A film about authorship, arcade‑style justice and a man who literally has to fight for his credit.
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Crime / Action / Thriller / Science Fiction
1983
Blue Thunder
A maverick pilot, a flying surveillance machine and a paranoid 1980s that still feels eerily familiar.
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Horror / Mystery / Drama / Thriller / Supernatural Horror / Supernatural / Fantasy / Action / Teen / Suspense / Science Fiction
1983
Christine
Obsession, adolescence and a car that won't let go.
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Horror / Adventure / Thriller / Mystery / Natural Horror / Suspense / Drama / Action
1983
Jaws 3-D
Jaws 3-D: freedom and authority, and why this 1983 movie still matters.
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Action / Martial Arts / Thriller / Crime
1983
Lone Wolf McQuade
Lone Wolf McQuade: heroism and parents protecting their children, and why this 1983 movie still matters.
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Action / Spy
1983
Never Say Never Again
Sean Connery comes back, the nukes go missing, and the old Bond gets a very 1980s second act.
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Thriller / Action / Spy / Adventure
1983
Octopussy
A Fabergé egg, a travelling circus and the Cold War — Bond still does spectacle like a Trojan horse.
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Gangster / Drama / Crime / Thriller / Crime Thriller / Crime Drama / Suspense / Police Procedural / Neo-noir / Action / Epic
1983
Scarface
A refugee's hunger for respect turns into reckless rule — and a very expensive mess.
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Science Fiction / Adventure / Fantasy / Action
1983
Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi: mortality and lifespan and mortality, and why this 1983 movie still matters.
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Rape And Revenge / Action
1983
Sudden Impact
Sudden Impact: fear and friendship, and why this 1983 movie still matters.
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Science Fiction / Comedy / Action
1983
Superman III
Superman III: our relationship with technology and courage, and why this 1983 movie still matters.
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Action / War / Drama
1983
Uncommon Valor
Uncommon Valor: parents protecting their children and family, and why this 1983 movie still matters.
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Romance / Neo-noir / Erotic Thriller / Action / Drama
1984
Against All Odds
Against All Odds: family and greed, and why this 1984 movie still matters.
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Action / Buddy / Buddy Cop / Comedy
1984
Beverly Hills Cop
A fast-talking cop, a culture clash and a synth hook.
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War / Drama / Action
1984
Birdy
Birdy: family and the safety of home, and why this 1984 movie still matters.
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Crime / Neo-noir / Film Noir / Drama / Suspense / Independent / Horror / Thriller / Action / Crime Thriller / Crime Drama
1984
Blood Simple
A small-town crime with very big, very stupid consequences — and Ray is at the centre of the mess.
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Action / Mystery / Spy / Crime
1984
Cloak & Dagger
Cloak & Dagger: family and freedom, and why this 1984 movie still matters.
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Action / Fantasy / Sword And Sorcery
1984
Conan the Destroyer
Conan the Destroyer: courage and love, and why this 1984 movie still matters.
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Action
1984
Dune
A sandstorm of prophecy, politics and prodigy — and Paul Atreides stands square in the middle of it.
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Action / Thriller / Science Fiction / Horror
1984
Firestarter
Firestarter: family and parents protecting their children, and why this 1984 movie still matters.
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Fantasy / Comedy Horror / Monster / Action / Adventure / Comedy / Science Fiction / Buddy / Ghost
1984
Ghostbusters
A ragged band of scientists, a sardonic frontman and a city that refuses to behave — Ghostbusters still sells the joke.
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Action / Adventure / Treasure Hunt
1984
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
A globetrotting pulp rush that’s equal parts kid-rescue thriller and teeth-grinding ritual horror.
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Science Fiction / Science Fiction Comedy / Action / Comedy Horror / Zombie / Post-apocalyptic / Horror / Comedy
1984
Night of the Comet
Sisters, malls and a comet — Night of the Comet is a B-movie that learned how to be fun and oddly wise about survival.
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Action / Thriller / Propaganda / Disaster / Coming-of-age / War / Adventure
1984
Red Dawn
Red Dawn: family and freedom, and why this 1984 movie still matters.
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Treasure Hunt / Action Comedy / Romance / Romantic Comedy
1984
Romancing the Stone
A romance novelist, a smuggler, an emerald and a jungle: the adventure that taught Joan Wilder to stop waiting and start kicking.
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Action / Science Fiction / Crime
1984
Runaway
Runaway: our relationship with technology and family, and why this 1984 movie still matters.
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Action / Science Fiction / Adventure
1984
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: our relationship with technology and family, and why this 1984 movie still matters.
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Action / Musical / Thriller / Drama
1984
Streets of Fire
Streets of Fire: courage and authority, and why this 1984 movie still matters.
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Teen / Science Fiction / Fantasy / Action / Children's
1984
Supergirl
Supergirl: love and power, and why this 1984 movie still matters.
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Romance / Drama / Teen / Martial Arts / Coming-of-age / Action
1984
The Karate Kid
A teenager, a handyman, and the long, strange apprenticeship that taught a generation how to stand up for themselves.
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Science Fiction / Science Fiction Comedy / Action / Adventure / Coming-of-age
1984
The Last Starfighter
A trailer-park teenager, an arcade cabinet and a very old-school call to adventure.
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Action / Science Fiction / Drama / Mystery / Biographical / Time-travel
1984
The Philadelphia Experiment
The Philadelphia Experiment: loss and authority, and why this 1984 movie still matters.
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Heist / Crime / Drama / Comedy Drama / Action
1984
The Pope of Greenwich Village
The Pope of Greenwich Village: greed and consumerism, and why this 1984 movie still matters.
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Sci-Fi / Action
1984
The Terminator
A relentless machine, a desperate human, and a future that won't wait.
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Crime / Erotic Thriller / Action / Slasher / Neo-noir
1984
Tightrope
Tightrope: family and the safety of home, and why this 1984 movie still matters.
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Action / Thriller / Spy / Adventure
1985
A View to a Kill
A View to a Kill: freedom and courage, and why this 1985 movie still matters.
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Martial Arts / Action / Ninja
1985
American Ninja
American Ninja: family and courage, and why this 1985 movie still matters.
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Action / Thriller / Crime
1985
Code of Silence
Code of Silence: family and mortality and lifespan, and why this 1985 movie still matters.
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Action / Thriller / War
1985
Commando
A retired commando, his kidnapped daughter and a short, very noisy principle: family first.
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Horror / Science Fiction Horror / Action / Zombie / Thriller / Drama / Independent / Splatter / Post-apocalyptic / Mystery / Suspense / Dystopian
1985
Day of the Dead
A bunker drama with zombies, a scientist who won a festival, and a soldier who won't listen.
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Crime / Action / Rape And Revenge / Vigilante
1985
Death Wish 3
Death Wish 3: authority and fear, and why this 1985 movie still matters.
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Horror / Thriller / Suspense / Drama / Mystery / Action / Supernatural Horror / Supernatural / Zombie
1985
Demons
Demons: freedom and friendship, and why this 1985 movie still matters.
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Action / Science Fiction / Adventure / Military Science Fiction / Drama
1985
Enemy Mine
Enemy Mine: humanity and mortality and lifespan, and why this 1985 movie still matters.
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Action / Spy / Comedy / Romantic Comedy
1985
Gotcha!
Gotcha!: freedom, and why this 1985 movie still matters.
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Action / Thriller / Spy / Propaganda / Martial Arts / Christmas / War
1985
Invasion U.S.A.
Invasion U.S.A.: fear and authority, and why this 1985 movie still matters.
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Action / Fantasy / Treasure Hunt / Comedy
1985
King Solomon's Mines
King Solomon's Mines: freedom and courage, and why this 1985 movie still matters.
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Action / Adventure / Dystopian / Post-apocalyptic / Science Fiction
1985
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome
A gladiator ring, a methane economy and one reluctant road warrior — Mad Max still knows how to make survival feel personal.
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Action Comedy / Martial Arts / Crime / Police
1985
Police Story
Police Story: freedom and authority, and why this 1985 movie still matters.
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Action / Thriller / Drama
1985
Rambo: First Blood Part II
Rambo: First Blood Part II: courage and freedom, and why this 1985 movie still matters.
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Fantasy / Adventure / Action / Sword And Sorcery
1985
Red Sonja
Red Sonja: freedom and courage, and why this 1985 movie still matters.
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Action / Drama / Boxing / Christmas
1985
Rocky IV
Rocky IV: courage and mortality and lifespan, and why this 1985 movie still matters.
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Action / Thriller / Survival / Drama / Prison / Adventure
1985
Runaway Train
Runaway Train: freedom and mortality, and why this 1985 movie still matters.
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Western / Action
1985
Silverado
Four strangers ride into town. One of them makes you care.
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Adventure / Comedy / Children's / Treasure Hunt / Action / Pirate / Family
1985
The Goonies
A scrappy band of kids, a busted attic map and Mikey’s stubborn heart — that’s The Goonies in a nutshell.
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Romantic Comedy / Treasure Hunt / Action
1985
The Jewel of the Nile
The Jewel of the Nile: parents protecting their children and heroism, and why this 1985 movie still matters.
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Action / Martial Arts / Drama
1985
The Last Dragon
The Last Dragon: courage and power, and why this 1985 movie still matters.
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Action / Thriller / Martial Arts / Buddy Cop / Comedy / Drama / Detective
1985
The Protector
The Protector: family and parents protecting their children, and why this 1985 movie still matters.
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Crime / Thriller / Action / Drama
1985
To Live and Die in L.A.
Obsession, counterfeit identities and a freeway chase that won't behave.
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Romantic Comedy / Science Fiction / Fantasy / Science Fiction Comedy / Buddy / Teen / Action
1985
Weird Science
Fast talk, bad luck and a very literal wish come true — with consequences.
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Action / Horror / Thriller / Science Fiction Horror / Adventure / Science Fiction / Monster / Suspense / War / Science Fiction Action
1986
Aliens
Motherhood, marines and monsters: why Ripley still makes Aliens sing.
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Action / Fantasy / Martial Arts / Comedy
1986
Big Trouble in Little China
A swaggering trucker, ancient sorcery and a Chinatown that hides a very odd basement — this is John Carpenter being playful and dangerous at the same time.
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Action / Horror / Science Fiction
1986
Chopping Mall
Chopping Mall: our relationship with technology and freedom, and why this 1986 movie still matters.
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Action / Thriller / Crime
1986
Cobra
Cobra: courage and authority, and why this 1986 movie still matters.
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Science Fiction / Adventure / Comedy Horror / Horror / Comedy / Action
1986
Critters
Critters: freedom and family, and why this 1986 movie still matters.
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Fantasy / Adventure / Thriller / Action / Swashbuckler
1986
Highlander
Immortality, loneliness and very sharp swords.
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Superhero / Science Fiction Comedy / Action / Comedy
1986
Howard the Duck
Howard the Duck: courage and heroism, and why this 1986 movie still matters.
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Action / Thriller / War
1986
Iron Eagle
Iron Eagle: parents protecting their children and heroism, and why this 1986 movie still matters.
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Action / Horror / Science Fiction / Comedy
1986
Maximum Overdrive
Maximum Overdrive: humanity and freedom, and why this 1986 movie still matters.
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Crime / Action / Thriller / Buddy Cop / Drama
1986
Murphy's Law
Murphy's Law: parents protecting their children and mortality, and why this 1986 movie still matters.
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War / Drama / Action
1986
Platoon
A soldier’s education in moral compromise — and why Chris Taylor still matters.
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Crime Comedy / Action / Slapstick
1986
Police Academy 3: Back in Training
Police Academy 3: Back in Training: authority, and why this 1986 movie still matters.
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Crime / Action / Thriller
1986
Raw Deal
Raw Deal: authority and family, and why this 1986 movie still matters.
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Crime / Comedy / Action / Buddy / Buddy Cop
1986
Running Scared
Running Scared: heroism and freedom, and why this 1986 movie still matters.
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Drama / Sport / Action / Thriller
1986
The Color of Money
Fast Eddie returns, and the lesson is not just about pool.
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Action / Thriller
1986
The Delta Force
The Delta Force: parents protecting their children and heroism, and why this 1986 movie still matters.
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Action / Fantasy / Comedy / Adventure
1986
The Golden Child
The Golden Child: parents protecting their children and mortality, and why this 1986 movie still matters.
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Action / Horror / Thriller / Slasher / Road Movie
1986
The Hitcher
A lift you regret for the rest of your life.
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Romance / Drama / Teen / Martial Arts / Coming-of-age / Action
1986
The Karate Kid Part II
A seaside sequel about duty, dancing and learning when not to fight.
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Action / Science Fiction / Adventure / Super Robot
1986
The Transformers: The Movie
A loud, fast, slightly brutal toy advert that somehow turns a brash kid into a leader.
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Action / Drama / Romance / Melodrama
1986
Top Gun
A roaring, macho thrill ride — but it’s Maverick that keeps the heart beating.
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Teen / Comedy / Action
1987
Adventures in Babysitting
A one-night odyssey that turns babysitting into a crash course in grown-up choices.
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Action / Buddy Cop / Comedy
1987
Beverly Hills Cop II
Beverly Hills Cop II: authority and family, and why this 1987 movie still matters.
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Crime / Action / Thriller / Vigilante
1987
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown: freedom and family, and why this 1987 movie still matters.
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Crime / Action / Western / Thriller / Drama
1987
Extreme Prejudice
Extreme Prejudice: greed and authority, and why this 1987 movie still matters.
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Crime / Action / Thriller / Buddy / Buddy Cop / Christmas
1987
Lethal Weapon
A buddy cop movie with a suicide note in its pocket and an unpredictable heart.
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Fantasy / Adventure / Superhero / Action / Sword And Sorcery
1987
Masters of the Universe
Masters of the Universe: heroism and freedom, and why this 1987 movie still matters.
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Crime / Action / Political Thriller
1987
No Way Out
No Way Out: mortality and friendship, and why this 1987 movie still matters.
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Sport / Drama / Action
1987
Over the Top
Over the Top: family and greed, and why this 1987 movie still matters.
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Action / Science Fiction / Horror / Thriller / Suspense / Science Fiction Horror / Adventure / Monster / Science Fiction Action
1987
Predator
A squad of soldiers, a silent hunter — and mud becomes a weapon.
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Comedy / Action / Crime / Black Comedy / Comedy Drama / Thriller / Crime Comedy / Crime Drama / Crime Thriller
1987
Raising Arizona
A robber who wants a nursery more than a life of crime — and it’s the contradiction that keeps the laughs coming.
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Sci-Fi / Action
1987
RoboCop
A murdered cop rebuilt as a product — RoboCop still asks who gets to sell justice.
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Action / Buddy / Buddy Cop / Comedy / Romantic Comedy / Detective
1987
Stakeout
Stakeout: the safety of home and love, and why this 1987 movie still matters.
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Science Fiction / Action / Speculative Fiction
1987
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace: courage and parents protecting their children, and why this 1987 movie still matters.
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Science Fiction / Action / Horror / Buddy Cop / Thriller
1987
The Hidden
The Hidden: mortality and lifespan and mortality, and why this 1987 movie still matters.
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Thriller / Action / Spy
1987
The Living Daylights
A leaner Bond, a staged defection and a Cold War that still bites.
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Comedy Drama / Teen / Action / Hood / Drama
1987
The Principal
The Principal: authority and courage, and why this 1987 movie still matters.
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Action / Science Fiction / Dystopian
1987
The Running Man
Television as theatre of cruelty — and one man who won't shoot.
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Gangster / Historical / Action / Biographical / Drama / Crime / Historical Drama / Thriller / Crime Thriller / Crime Drama / Police Procedural / Suspense / Trial / Period Drama
1987
The Untouchables
A straight-arrow in crooked times: mentorship, morality and a very noisy stairwell.
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Action / Martial Arts / Crime
1988
Above the Law
Above the Law: freedom, and why this 1988 movie still matters.
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Action / Blaxploitation / Comedy
1988
Action Jackson
Action Jackson: heroism and courage, and why this 1988 movie still matters.
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Action / Thriller / Spy / Martial Arts / Drama
1988
Black Eagle
Black Eagle: courage and parents protecting their children, and why this 1988 movie still matters.
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Action / Martial Arts / Biographical
1988
Bloodsport
Kumite, loyalty and a very particular kind of 80s machismo.
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Buddy / Drama / Crime / Action / Hood
1988
Colors
Colors: authority and loss, and why this 1988 movie still matters.
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Comedy / Action / Adventure
1988
Crocodile Dundee II
Crocodile Dundee II: friendship and parents protecting their children, and why this 1988 movie still matters.
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Action
1988
Die Hard
One cop, a Christmas party gone wrong and a marriage he can't ignore.
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Crime / Action / Thriller / Mystery
1988
Frantic
Frantic: our relationship with technology and mortality and lifespan, and why this 1988 movie still matters.
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Crime Comedy / Buddy / Road Movie / Action Comedy
1988
Midnight Run
A cross-country manhunt that’s really about two very different men learning how to care — and how to argue for money.
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Horror / Science Fiction / Fantasy / Action
1988
Phantasm II
Phantasm II: freedom and mortality, and why this 1988 movie still matters.
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Action / Thriller / War
1988
Rambo III
Rambo III: courage and heroism, and why this 1988 movie still matters.
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Buddy Cop / Action
1988
Red Heat
Red Heat: authority, and why this 1988 movie still matters.
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Action / Adventure / Buddy Cop / Crime / Thriller
1988
Shoot to Kill
Shoot to Kill: family and the safety of home, and why this 1988 movie still matters.
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Action / Crime / Romance / Thriller
1988
Tequila Sunrise
Tequila Sunrise: love and the safety of home, and why this 1988 movie still matters.
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Action / Science Fiction / Action Thriller / Dystopian / Thriller / Science Fiction Action / Horror / Science Fiction Horror / Black Comedy / Adventure / Suspense
1988
They Live
Sunglasses, slogans and a man who will not let you look away.
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Neo-noir / Buddy / Crossover Fiction / Fantasy / Live-action/animated / Comedy
1988
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
A private eye, a jittery rabbit and a very British fondness for messing about with genre.
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Comedy / Western / Action / Buddy / Drama
1988
Young Guns
Young men, a murdered mentor and a young Billy the Kid riding herd on revenge and loyalty.
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Neo-noir / Action / Superhero
1989
Batman
A stylish, strange take on Gotham where the man behind the cowl keeps the picture grounded.
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Action / Martial Arts / Drama
1989
Best of the Best
Best of the Best: mortality and lifespan and family, and why this 1989 movie still matters.
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Action / Thriller / Suspense / Buddy Cop / Drama
1989
Black Rain
Black Rain: family and parents protecting their children, and why this 1989 movie still matters.
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Action / Science Fiction / Post-apocalyptic / Cyberpunk
1989
Cyborg
Cyborg: mortality and heroism, and why this 1989 movie still matters.
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Action / Horror / Science Fiction / Monster / Science Fiction Horror / Suspense / Thriller / Adventure / Natural Horror / Drama
1989
DeepStar Six
DeepStar Six: fear and parents protecting their children, and why this 1989 movie still matters.
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Biographical / Period Drama / War / Action / Historical Drama / Epic / Drama / Medieval
1989
Henry V
A king who can rouse a nation — and a film that makes you count the cost.
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Action Comedy / Adventure / Treasure Hunt
1989
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: freedom and parents protecting their children, and why this 1989 movie still matters.
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Action / Comedy / Buddy Cop
1989
K-9
K-9: fear and authority, and why this 1989 movie still matters.
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Action / Thriller / Rape And Revenge / Martial Arts
1989
Kickboxer
Kickboxer: heroism and courage, and why this 1989 movie still matters.
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Action / Thriller / Buddy / Buddy Cop
1989
Lethal Weapon 2
Diplomatic immunity, dangerous loyalty and one very unstable partner — Lethal Weapon 2 thrives on its personalities.
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Action / Spy
1989
Licence to Kill
Licence to Kill: greed and freedom, and why this 1989 movie still matters.
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Thriller / Drama / Action / Prison / Crime
1989
Lock Up
Lock Up: fear and freedom, and why this 1989 movie still matters.
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Action / Thriller / Crime
1989
Next of Kin
Next of Kin: family and authority, and why this 1989 movie still matters.
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Action / Buddy / Buddy Cop
1989
Renegades
Renegades: authority and parents protecting their children, and why this 1989 movie still matters.
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Action / Thriller / Martial Arts / Drama
1989
Road House
Stoic bouncer, small-town chaos and very particular rules about where to throw a punch.
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Action / Science Fiction / Adventure
1989
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier: humanity and power, and why this 1989 movie still matters.
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Action / Buddy / Crime
1989
The Killer
A hitman who wants to make amends — and a cop who can't stop watching him try.
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Comedy / Action
1989
Three Fugitives
Three Fugitives: family and parents protecting their children, and why this 1989 movie still matters.
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Comedy / Buddy Cop / Action
1989
Turner & Hooch
Turner & Hooch: authority and friendship, and why this 1989 movie still matters.
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