Entertainment
The 8 Most Fun Movies of the 1980s, Ranked
An era of excess and exuberance, the 1980s is fondly remembered for its unrestrained sense of style, its appetite for daring new horizons, and the many ways in which it saw technological advancements transform the world. Unsurprisingly, the movies of the ‘80s hold some very similar qualities, with the cinema of the decade today being renowned for its pioneering, genre-blending bravado, its unreserved sense of action awe, and its innovative use of filmmaking tools like practical special effects and early CGI.
It was also a decade of fun-loving cinema. Many movies were designed to be epic experiences that excite and enthrall, and while not every picture from the era has aged gracefully, many of the best have endured as beloved classics that people still return to 40 years later for a dose of gleeful escapism and enchanting joy. From some of the decade’s most defining action masterpieces to sci-fi adventure gems that are the pinnacle of movie magic, these eight ‘80s flicks stand as some of the most fun pictures the medium has ever seen.
8
‘Evil Dead 2’ (1987)
Wedged between the frenetic indie chills of The Evil Dead and the comedic fervor of Army of Darkness, Evil Dead 2 thrives as a faultless marriage of humor and horror that stands as one of the greatest mid-trilogy movies of all time as it soars off the back of Sam Raimi’s inspired, kinetic direction and Bruce Campbell’s iconic performance. He stars as Ash Williams, a university student who takes his girlfriend to a remote cabin for a getaway only to find himself plunged into a waking nightmare when he plays an audio tape that summons the spirits of the dead.
While there are plenty of frights and thrills on offer, Evil Dead 2 handles them with a sense of infectious fun that makes every jolting jump scare feel like an eruption of chaotic excitement. This approach is beautifully complimented by the film’s eccentric mixture of cartoonish gore and slapstick comedy, which works in tandem with its fast-paced storytelling and Campbell’s committed performance to create a spectacle of bloodshed and bravado that makes for one of the most maniacally magnificent movies ever made.
7
‘Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure’ (1989)
There’s an old adage that states, “if it’s stupid, but it works, it ain’t stupid.” This applies to few comedy movies quite as well as it does the irreverent 1989 cult classic, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Powered by the winning chemistry between stars Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, it follows the two titular high school heavy metal heroes as they receive help from a time traveler to pass their history assignment by journeying to pivotal historical moments to return with key figures who will aid them in their presentation.
Charming, goofy, and smart enough to never outstay its welcome, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure blends the absurdity of its premise with a cheerful tale of friendship and teenage ambition that has the ability to endear itself to everyone. Bereft of cynicism and mean-spirited judgment, it delivers 90 minutes of chaotic time-travel lunacy that is never anything but a triumphant treat of escapist glee and shambolic hilarity, no matter how many times it is rewatched and enjoyed anew.
6
‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (1981)
Steven Spielberg is undoubtedly one of the defining filmmakers of the ‘80s, a pioneer of blockbuster brilliance who spent the decade churning out some of the most agelessly exciting movies ever made. Raiders of the Lost Ark is among his greatest triumphs in the realm of sheer cinematic fun, with the rollicking action-adventure classic blending fast-paced thrills with old-fashioned serial charm as it follows archaeologist Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) in his globe-trotting quest to locate the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can acquire it and use its power for evil.
Contrary to much of the machismo of the decade, Raiders of the Lost Ark thrives at realizing Indy as a deeply relatable hero who relies on luck and his wits to accomplish his mission without dying. Further enhanced by its ravishing action set pieces, Spielberg’s absorbing directorial style, John Williams’ iconic score, and the relentless tempo of the story, Raiders of the Lost Ark is a fiery, fun-filled masterclass in action blockbuster cinema at its most engaging that is every bit as enjoyable today as it was when released 45 years ago.
5
‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ (1988)
Meshing together the joys of 20th century cartoon chaos with a clever reinvention of old-school film noir, Who Framed Roger Rabbit is an icon of ‘80s cinema that excels even today as one of the most delightfully unhinged and creative movies mainstream comedy has ever seen. Set in a world where animated critters and humans co-exist, it follows a private detective in 1940s L.A. who struggles to overcome his prejudice against “toons” when he becomes the last hope of movie star Roger Rabbit (Charles Fleischer), who has been framed for the murder of a Hollywood studio exec.
Bob Hoskins’ ability to give a convincing performance and conjure a sense of chemistry while acting against thin air is a feat to behold, as is the sheer creative might of the innovative blending of animation and live-action. It would be easy to remember Who Framed Roger Rabbit for its groundbreaking ambition, and while that is a significant part of the film’s legacy, the 1988 classic is rightfully heralded by many today primarily for its magnetic madcap humor, crafty toying with film noir tropes, and its air of pervasive playfulness that has seen it endure as one of the most energetic and fun films of all time.
4
‘Die Hard’ (1988)
Throughout cinematic history, there has been no better decade for action than the 1980s. Die Hard stands tall among the very best movies the genre has ever seen as it combines its era’s penchant for all-out explosive excess with razor-sharp screenwriting, relentless high-stakes thrills, and one of the greatest movie heroes of all time. It follows John McClane (Bruce Willis), a NYPD cop visiting his family in L.A. for the holidays when his estranged wife’s office Christmas party is taken hostage by a crew of European terrorists. McClane enters a deadly battle of wits against Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) to save the hostages before time runs out.
More than just a masterpiece of action cinema, Die Hard actively recalibrated the style of the genre by implementing the contained suspense of its confined setting and reinventing machismo heroism with an air of vulnerability and human flaws. Coupled with its frenetic pacing, ensemble of unforgettable characters, and its underlying festive fun, Die Hard is the pinnacle of action movie awe that, even almost 40 years on, remains the gold standard of blockbuster cinema.
3
‘Back to the Future’ (1985)
Back to the Future has been receiving high praise from critics and fans alike for 41 years now, and somehow all the acclaim isn’t enough to truly recognize its brilliance. Bolstered by a masterful screenplay, a litany of unforgettable characters, and genre-blending perfection, every second of the sci-fi adventure delivers ecstatic excitement as it follows 17-year-old Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) who, after traveling 30 years back in time and interrupting a pivotal moment in his parents’ relationship, must save his own existence by saving their first date all while trying to figure out a way to return to 1985.
Its adventurous spirit is never anything short of triumphant, while its comedy fun, sci-fi spectacle, and romantic charm are all deftly entwined to make for one of the most addictive and absorbing viewing experiences in cinematic history. From the one-liners to the heroic triumphs, the quirky joyousness, and even to Alex Silvestri’s enthusing score, every element of Back to the Future works in tandem to deliver what is one of the most engrossing and innocently fun movies ever made.
2
‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)
A playful spin on fantasy storytelling that pokes fun at the genre’s tropes while finding new ways to perfect them, The Princess Bride is the ultimate post-modern fairy tale. A rollicking adventure accentuated by inflections of enrapturing hilarity and a touching heart of romantic earnestness, the ‘80s cult classic is the epitome of cinematic fun. Operating with a beautiful story-within-a-story premise, it largely transpires in the magical realm of Florin as a farmer-turned-swashbuckler journeys to rescue his love from a forced marriage to a cruel prince with help from a friendly giant and a vengeful Spaniard.
A beautiful concoction of Rob Reiner’s astute direction and William Goldman’s infectious writing, The Princess Bride brims with enrapturing fun and intoxicating adventure. Every single character is brought to the screen with popping personality and precision, while sequences like the duel atop the Cliffs of Insanity and Inigo Montoya’s (Mandy Patinkin) fateful clash with the man who murdered his father make some of the most entertaining and emotionally gratifying action sequences of all time. Absorbing, charming, and relentlessly enthusiastic, The Princess Bride embodies cinematic fun at its most vibrant and universally accessible.
1
‘Airplane!’ (1980)
When done well, spoof comedy makes for one of the most enjoyable forms of cinematic entertainment. No movie in the subgenre has proven this quite like Airplane!, with the 1980 comedy classic delivering multiple laughs every minute as it lampoons the disaster movies of the 1970s with acidic wit, hilarious wordplay, and a healthy appetite for unbridled comic absurdity. It transpires aboard a commercial flight as a vicious bout of food poisoning runs through the passengers and crew, leaving a traumatized ex-fighter pilot to land the plane safely while Dr. Rumack (Leslie Nielsen) sees to the sick.
Complimented by its strait-laced delivery, Airplane! revels in the juxtaposition of high-stakes tension—a point accentuated by Elmer Bernstein’s score—and sheer lunacy, giving it a certain unpredictability that allows every gag, even the background ones viewers won’t see until a second watch, to land with uproarious results. Its success and lasting cultural impact have inspired parody comedy movies over the past 46 years, but none have come close to matching the hysterical brilliance and sheer fun lunacy that Airplane! delivers with every single second of its 88-minute runtime.
Airplane!
- Release Date
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July 2, 1980
- Runtime
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88 minutes
- Director
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Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker
- Writers
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Arthur Hailey, Hall Bartlett, John C. Champion, Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker
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