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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Explore the genre
War movies from the 80s
War movies of the 1980s looked at conflict from dramatically different perspectives, ranging from large-scale action to deeply personal stories about soldiers and civilians.
Vietnam, the Second World War and other conflicts became the setting for films examining survival, friendship, trauma, duty and the human cost of war.
31 movies so far
War movies
Science Fiction / War / Mystery / Time-travel
1980
The Final Countdown
The Final Countdown: fear and isolation, and why this 1980 movie still matters.
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Drama / Historical / War / Submarine
1981
Das Boot
Authority, steel and a very small boat: why Der Alte still steers Das Boot.
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Drama / War / Prison / Association Football
1981
Escape to Victory
Escape to Victory: freedom, and why this 1981 movie still matters.
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War / Drama
1981
Eye of the Needle
Revisiting Eye of the Needle and the reasons it still deserves to be watched.
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Historical / War
1981
Gallipoli
A sprinting friendship that runs straight into history — and doesn't let you look away.
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Biographical / Drama / Romance / War
1981
Reds
A movie about witness, appetite and the private cost of public conviction.
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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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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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Drama / War / Romance
1982
The Year of Living Dangerously
The Year of Living Dangerously: mortality and lifespan, and why this 1982 movie still matters.
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Horror / War / Drama / Supernatural Horror / Fantasy / Suspense / Thriller / Mystery
1983
The Keep
The Keep: family and parents protecting their children, and why this 1983 movie still matters.
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Comedy Drama / War
1983
To Be or Not to Be
To Be or Not to Be: family and the safety of home, 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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War / Drama / Action
1984
Birdy
Birdy: family and the safety of home, and why this 1984 movie still matters.
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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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Action / Thriller / War
1985
Commando
A retired commando, his kidnapped daughter and a short, very noisy principle: family first.
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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 / 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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War
1986
Heartbreak Ridge
Heartbreak Ridge: parents protecting their children and mortality and lifespan, 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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War / Drama / Action
1986
Platoon
A soldier’s education in moral compromise — and why Chris Taylor still matters.
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Drama / Biographical / War
1986
Salvador
Salvador: family and parents protecting their children, and why this 1986 movie still matters.
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Drama / Coming-of-age / War
1987
Au revoir les enfants
Au revoir les enfants: family and friendship, and why this 1987 movie still matters.
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War / Coming-of-age / Drama
1987
Empire of the Sun
A child's obsession with flight becomes the lens for war, survival and a very awkward apprenticeship in adulthood.
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War / Drama
1987
Full Metal Jacket
Two halves, one soldier: Joker carries Kubrick’s Vietnam from drill yard to Huế.
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Comedy Drama / War / Comedy
1987
Good Morning, Vietnam
A loud, furious hello from a man who thinks radio can fight censorship and loneliness at once.
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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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War / Drama / Biographical
1989
Born on the Fourth of July
A patriot’s faith, broken and rebuilt — Ron Kovic keeps the film honest.
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War / Drama / White Savior / Epic / Historical
1989
Glory
Glory: fear and heroism, 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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