Two Year Enter; One Year Leaves!
by Donna Cooper
It goes with out saying—at least in my opinion—that the 80’s was the best decade for film. When we were on the brink of a technological revolution, originality and superb imagination flowed like water. Remakes of old films were few and far between and teen angst was a common theme thanks to directors like John Hughes, and Studios weren’t afraid to take risks in casting unknowns in their films.
The Eighties made actors like Michael J. Fox, Matthew Broderick, Patrick Dempsey, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kevin Bacon and Kim Catrall household names. Movies like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986), Beverly Hills Cop (1984), and National Lampoons Vacation (1983) became classics. So, with so many great films released through out the decade, how can one choose which year produced the best movies?
Well, we’ve narrowed it down to what we think are the best two years. However, unable to decide amongst ourselves here in the creative department, we’ve decided to open up the question to everyone. Help us decide. Which year do you think is better? Many more movies were released with in these two years that were just as fantastic, but for the sake of time we’ve whittled the list down to the top 10 best movies of that year (in no particular order) and listed some honorable mentions:
April 29th, 2008 at 7:30 am
Can I vote for both?
If not, 1987
April 29th, 2008 at 8:01 am
I’m voting for 1987… but only because of Mannequin….
My biggest comments:
1. Overboard should never be scaled down to just an “honorable mention”. We’re talking Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell which just screams classic cinema, best movie ever
2. Hamburger Hill?
3. I hate that Tears for Fears, “Everybody wants to rule the world” is now in my head after reading the title Real Genius
April 29th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Back to the Future. The Goonies. The Breakfast Club. This isn’t even a contest, 1985 for the win.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Ummm, the best movie of ALL time was in 1987, Dirty Dancing. As far as I’m concerned, there is no other year for movies!!!!!
April 29th, 2008 at 10:07 am
The top six of 1985 are some of my favorites (I just watched The Goonies again on Sunday). The Princess Bride is worth two favorites, but it doesn’t make 1987 better. Mannequin was great at the time, but her soft nice voice has become deep and crusty, along with the 2008 visual, so minus one previous favorite there. I know, there’s more to the movie, but in my opinion, not this movie.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Irwin Fletcher rules! 1985 got my vote by a long shot.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:19 am
I am actually a little disappointed that Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1985) isn’t even on the honorable mentions list! Come on! Helen Hunt, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Shannen Doherty from 90210!
April 29th, 2008 at 11:09 am
I’m definitely on the 1987 bandwagon train. Except a little disappointed that Robocop was not on the list. How the what? “Dead or Alive, you are coming with me.” This filmed some of the worst sequels ever to come after a hit. However, the real surprise is that Untouchables missed this list. It was, and still is, a great mob/gangster movie. And who doesn’t like that kind of film. I agree with leaving off the top grosser that year, 3 Men and a Baby. Uggghhh.
But let’s take a closer look at 1985 - The Color Purple was left off, and coming from the Gen-X team that developed this list I can possibly see why, but still a good film, as well as Out of Africa. No love for Whoopi or Sydney? But here’s some I thought would have made the list - Commando, the Governor’s rip roaring, barely discernible quotes, cigar chomping bravisimo? Or the other man’s man’s movie - Rocky IV? This is where we kick Russia’s arse and take no names, plus avenge Apollo Creed’s death. U-S-A, U-S-A. However the real surprise is the missing of the Jewel of the Nile. No Indiana Jones wannabe allowed?
April 29th, 2008 at 11:20 am
This was excruciating — Spaceballs by far is one of my favorite movies ever. But, I gave it up to 85 because I absolutely loved the Goonies so… as far as movies we left out — we had a very long laundry list of movies that didn’t make it on here because we narrowed it down. Seriously tho - Out of Africa against Mad Maxx — uh it was a no brainer…
April 29th, 2008 at 11:31 am
very very hard choice, but its got to go to ‘87. But Predator just an honorable mention? two governors in the same movie? Apollo Creed back from the dead? I mean thats the movie that pushed it over the edge for me!
April 29th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Seriously People! 1987!! We are talking Monster Squad, Dirty Dancing and Spaceballs! If that isn’t the trificta of awesomeness I don’t know what is!
April 29th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
I could plead a case for ‘86 with movies like Labrynth and my personal fave Peggy Sue Got Married, but given the choices, I’m going ‘85 on this…because of some other movies that were awesome and totally left off the list–How about The Color Purple and Legend? I heart 85.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
I must remind you all…for the sake of not irritating the movie gods…this is not a comprehensive list. Some very VERY good movies were left off the list, simply because they don’t please the masses quite as much as the movies listed. They are in no particular order of importance…just narrowed down for the sake of time.
Enjoy! 1986 “coulda been a contender!” But, alas…it is not. Sorry. 
April 29th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
1985 without a doubt!! The top 5 are Jodi favorites!
April 29th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Wow pretty good list on both sides to debate which is best year for flicks, however after much thought and a few missing greats, such as “The Untouchables” and the “Last Emperor” I go for 1987… come on space balls, planes trains and automobiles… classic funnies….
April 30th, 2008 at 6:54 am
As long as I’m still living in the 80’s (sayings, movies, NOT clothes) then I am unable to decide.
‘That was OUR TIME. OUR TIME down here. It’s all over the second you ride up that bucket’ to the millenium.
April 30th, 2008 at 7:54 am
Okay, okay…I have to concede…The Untouchables WAS a great movie. I’m sorry it didn’t make the final cut. But, they were on the complete list! I didn’t forget about ‘em.
April 30th, 2008 at 8:03 am
I’m leaning towards 85……4 of those movies also had sequels…..and when you think 80’s…..you think the brat pack…..weird science st elmos….breakfast club goonies…..all those remind me of all the 80’s movies….those stars connect me with other 80’s greats….the outsiders…..Vacation….uncle buck….great outdoors….87 seems more memorable for 80’s heart felt war movies and love stories
April 30th, 2008 at 9:01 am
wow this is one hard decision… the goonies, weird science, real genius… cocoon… then you add in desperately seeking susan and teen wolf… argh… but the lost boys is one of my hands down all time favorite movies - along with monster squad, the princess bride and dirty dancing… this is unfair… and planes, trains and automobiles definitely classic… sorry but i’m going to have to go with 1987
April 30th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
85 buddy ! hard to choose but i agree with shaggy , brat pack and sequels …. damn i was in seventh grade ! memories !!!
April 30th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
You know my answer 1985!!!! I loved Madonna, the brat pack and Weird Science, Fletch, and my kids today (ages 11 and 16) LOVE the goonies!!!!!! To me, it’s not a contest. 1987 had some great movies but they were more serious and one’s that you didn’t want to watch again with a group of friends and laugh. And how can ANYONE not like Summer Rental with John Candy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hilariously funny!!!!!!!!!!
April 30th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
What a lowbrow list — some of the most puerile taste in movies here.