In a drive to appeal to a broader audience, manyR-rated movie franchises changed to PG-13over the years.
Now, we miss the classic R-rated traits that’ll forever be associated with ’80s cinema.
Sleazy and gory horror movies were a standard affair in the 1980s.
So, some of the most iconic ’80s characters are extremely violent slasher villains.
One such classic villain, the choice for many a Halloween costume today, is the needle-fingered Freddy Krueger.
Directed by Paul Brickman, the film explores themes of adolescence, responsibility, and the pursuit of success.
Plus, who can forget his iconic dance toOld Time Rock and Roll?
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s performance as the titular character cemented Mr. Olympia’s place in Hollywood as an action hero.
It is a Herculean task to choose just one great ’80s horror movie to revisit all the time.
However, one of the horror movies that I personally love to rewatch isMy Bloody Valentine.
My Bloody Valentinetakes the attributes of our favorite slasher movies and franchises and reinvigorates the formula.
It is one of the most perfect slasher movies ever made.
Custom Image by Yeider Chacon
Her final dance, set to Irene Cara’sWhat A Feeling, is perhaps my most rewatched movie scene.
As RoboCop, Murphy combats crime and corruption, while grappling with memories of his former human life.
The story unfolds against the backdrop of the Nevada desert.
A Nightmare on Elm Street, released in 1984, explores the terror faced by a group of teenagers haunted in their dreams by Fred Krueger, a vengeful spirit. As they confront a series of mysterious deaths, Nancy Thompson uncovers the truth about Krueger’s dark past and seeks to stop him.
During testing, he inadvertently merges with a housefly, leading to unforeseen consequences.
They’re all unique, gory, and thought-provoking, and they all test the limits of body horror.
However, my favorite for a rewatch is perhaps always going to beThe Fly.
In back-to-back years, John McTiernan made two iconic action movies that would both inspire long-running franchises.
Both are endlessly rewatchable, but I prefer thebest Christmas movie.
The film takes its time moving from set piece to set piece, but never lags for a second.
Risky Business is a 1983 comedy-drama film starring Tom Cruise as Joel Goodsen, a high school student who experiences a wild adventure while his parents are away. When Joel’s desire for freedom leads him to make some questionable decisions, he finds himself entangled in complications that challenge his morals and future. Directed by Paul Brickman, the film explores themes of adolescence, responsibility, and the pursuit of success.
The Terminator, directed by James Cameron and released in 1984, features a cyborg assassin sent back in time to eliminate Sarah Connor, the mother of a future resistance leader. As the relentless machine pursues its mission, a human warrior is sent to protect her and secure humanity’s survival.
The Untouchables, directed by Brian De Palma, is a crime drama set during Prohibition-era Chicago. The film stars Kevin Costner as Eliot Ness, a federal agent determined to bring down the notorious gangster Al Capone, portrayed by Robert De Niro. Alongside Sean Connery as seasoned officer Jim Malone, Ness forms an elite team to combat organized crime, focusing on the legal strategy to dismantle Capone’s empire.
My Bloody Valentine is a Canadian-made horror/slasher film that follows a group of people who decide to throw a party for Valentine’s Day to disastrous results. The dance, which had been banned for two decades prior due to a tragic mining incident it had caused, is brought back, only for those involved to incur the wrath of a miner as he picks them off one by one.
Flashdance is a 1983 romantic drama directed by Adrian Lyne. The film stars Jennifer Beals as Alex Owens, a steel mill worker by day and nightclub dancer by night, who aspires to be a professional ballerina. The story follows her journey of passion, determination, and the pursuit of her dreams, set against the backdrop of Pittsburgh’s industrial landscape.
RoboCop is a 1987 science fiction action film directed by Paul Verhoeven. Set in a dystopian Detroit, the film follows Alex Murphy (Peter Weller), a critically injured police officer transformed into a cyborg law enforcement unit. As RoboCop, Murphy combats crime and corruption, while grappling with memories of his former human life. The film explores themes of identity, corporate power, and the ethical implications of advanced technology in law enforcement.
Desert Hearts is a 1985 romantic drama directed by Donna Deitch. Set in 1959, the film follows a repressed literature professor who, while awaiting her divorce, encounters a life-altering attraction to a spirited young woman named Cay. The story unfolds against the backdrop of the Nevada desert.
The Fly follows scientist Seth Brundle as he makes a groundbreaking teleportation experiment. During testing, he inadvertently merges with a housefly, leading to unforeseen consequences.
Die Hard follows NYPD officer John McClane as he attempts to rescue hostages, including his estranged wife, from terrorists who have overtaken a Los Angeles skyscraper. Released in 1988, this action film is noted for its central character’s resourcefulness and determination in overcoming overwhelming odds with limited assistance.
