Top 80s films of all time

30 years ago this week, The Breakfast Club was released – and being a teenager in the ‘80s was suddenly the coolest thing to be. To celebrate its grown-up birthday, we’ve selected our favourite ‘80s films of all time.

By Bernadette FallonPublished: 17 February 2015

Hair, Face, Head, Nose, Human, Mouth, People, Eye, Comfort, Social group,

St Elmo’s Fire, 1985

Fun, Drink, Alcohol, Alcoholic beverage, Barware, Drinkware, Tableware, Distilled beverage, Liqueur, Bottle,

Another coming of age classic, which reunited Breakfast Club stars Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson and Ally Sheedy with Demi Moore, Andrew McCarthy and Rob Lowe. Often wrongly credited to ‘80s film guru John Hughes, it was in fact directed by Joel Schumacher.

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Pretty in Pink, 1986

Hat, Coat, Fashion accessory, Costume accessory, Headgear, Sun hat, Costume hat, Costume, Vintage clothing, Gesture,

The ‘princess’ from The Breakfast Club Molly Ringwald took the lead role in this off-beat teen comedy and her eclectic style inspired a fashion movement known as ‘thrown together from second-hand clothes shops’. John Hughes wrote the screenplay, Howard Deutch directed.

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Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, 1986

Hair, Photograph, Leisure, Vehicle door, Interaction, Travel, Youth, Conversation, Windshield, Automotive window part,

Another classic from Breakfast Club creator John Hughes; never before has making a break for the hills seemed so attractive.

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Stand By Me, 1986

Footwear, Leg, Denim, Jeans, People in nature, Luggage and bags, Bag, Track, Crew, Backpack,

A move away from the classic ‘80s teen format, this ‘coming of age’ film focuses on a younger group of boys (among them River Phoenix and Kiefer Sutherland), who hike across the countryside to see the dead body of a missing child. Directed by Rob Reiner, it’s more heart-warming than it sounds!

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Dirty Dancing, 1987

Ear, Nose, Mouth, Forehead, Happy, Mammal, People in nature, Romance, Interaction, Love,

Directed by Emile Ardolino, it’s slightly more insipid than its early ‘80s counterparts but such an ‘80s classic that we had to include it. As well as for the memorable line uttered by Baby (Jennifer Grey), ‘I carried a watermelon’.

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Dead Poets Society, 1989

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More memorable lines – admit it, you were moved to tears at the end when John Keating’s (Robin Williams) English class stood on their desks to salute him with the words ‘O Captain! My Captain’. Even writing it now wrings a tear …

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Who Framed Roger Rabbit? 1988

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Whatever you thought of the story, the combination of live action alongside clever animation that allowed Bob Hoskins to cavort with a busty rabbit was a visual joy to watch. Directed by Robert Zemeckis.

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Beverley Hills Cop, 1984

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Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley shot to international stardom in this Martin Brest directed comedy set in Beverley Hills. Best remembered for Murphy’s rather foul-mouthed repartee, softened by that infectious laugh.

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Top Gun, 1986

Jacket, Leather jacket, Leather, Costume, Acting, Fictional character, Movie, Hero,

The open road, the roaring motorbike, Tom Cruise in leathers, Kelly McGillis tossing blonde hair and ‘Take My Breath Away’ soaring above the action made this – fairly light on plot, though there is an unexpected death – romance one to watch. Meg Ryan takes a supporting role and went on to bigger things after, Tony Scott directed.

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The Breakfast Club, 1985

The best ‘80s film of them all? We think so. Tell us your favourite on Twitter, tweet @GHmagazine.

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