Grab yourself a New Coke, throw on your brightest leg warmers, and travel back to the future with a home entertainment system that, like, beams in movies from, like, outer space or something. It’s called “Netflix,” and it’s, like, a video store in the cloud. Far out, right?
If you’re finding yourself scrolling through Netflix in need of a retro fix — or if you’re a big Stranger Things stan and want to see some of its influences — we’ve got you covered on some of the greatest movies available to stream from the decade. Strap yourself in and enjoy the best 80s movies on Netflix.
For more recommendations, check out our list of the best 90s and 2000s movies on the platform.
Blade Runner (1982)
1 hr 57 min | Sci-Fi | Ridley Scott
Cast: Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos
If you ask your brain to conjure up an image of “cyberpunk,” it will likely produce something close to the incredible aesthetics present in Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner, a cult classic unfairly chopped and maligned upon its initial release which has only grown more and more in stature and influence as the years go by (luckily for you, Netflix has the “Final Cut”). Harrison Ford stars as Rick Deckard, a tired and frayed cop on the case to find a group of rogue replicants (cyborgs), including the instantly iconic Rutger Hauer and Daryl Hannah. The specifics of the case, in a narrative based on Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, feel indebted to noir — from Ford’s Bogart-on-downers performance to Sean Young’s ambiguously motivated love interest. But Scott, alongside DP Jordan Cronenweth and production designer Lawrence G. Paull, catapulted these time-honored genre tropes into a sleekly depressing neo-future, all rainstorms and skyscrapers and images that live on the uncanny edge between familiarity and shock.
The film has an awful lot to say about the ambiguity of human identity in an increasingly inhuman world, from Young’s belief that she’s human even though she’s a replicant, to Hauer’s impassioned (and improvised!) speech about his false memories fading like tears in the rain, to the coyness with which Scott plays the truth of his protagonist’s humanity (or lack thereof). All of this, combined with the film’s patient pace, makes it feel like a warm bowl of wire soup, where boundaries and labels and answers to questions mean less than giving yourself over to the tempting textures of stylish singularity. Also: Shout-out to its very, very good sequel, the Denis Villeneuve-directed Blade Runner 2049. — Gregory Lawrence
She’s Gotta Have It (1986)
1 hr 24 min | Black-and-White Comedy Drama | Spike Lee
Cast: Tracy Camilla Johns, Redmond Hicks, John Canada Terrell, Spike Lee, Raye Dowell
She’s Gotta Have It is the fascinating debut of Spike Lee’s singular filmmaking voice. A black-and-white dissection of sexual identity, the patriarchy, slut-shaming, and the undue pressures put on black women. It features a terrific lead performance from Tracy Camilla Johns, a stunning deconstruction of male-crafted “Hollywood endings,” and a worldview so ahead of its time in 1986 that it was readapted for a two-season Netflix show in 2017. It also — and here I will give a content warning for sexual assault — features the worst scene Lee has ever committed to celluloid: and those are his words, not mine. At one point in the narrative, one of the three male suitors desperate to lock Nola (Johns) down into a form of oppressive monogamy, the most performatively “nice” of the three, rapes her.
Lee, speaking to Deadline, had this to say about this scene: “If I was able to have any do-overs, that would be it. It was just totally…stupid. I was immature. It made light of rape, and that’s the one thing I would take back. I was immature and I hate that I did not view rape as the vile act that it is. I can promise you, there will be nothing like that in She’s Gotta Have It, the TV show, that’s for sure.” If you’re willing to contextualize this depiction as an artifact of the shortcomings of historical perspectives, or even read it as being in dialogue with the rest of the film’s chaotic renderings of progressive ideals (i.e. monogamy can never work under our patriarchy because of horrible senses of entitlement and trauma like this), She’s Gotta Have It remains an alive arrival of a lively filmmaker. — Gregory Lawrence
Christine (1983)
1 hr 50 min | Supernatural Thriller Horror | John Carpenter
Cast: Keith Gordon, John Stockwell, Alexandra Paul, Robert Prosky, Harry Dean Stanton
Is there a more perfect match imaginable than John Carpenterand Stephen King? Both creators always find a way to combine pulp and prestige into the perfect genre vehicle. If you’re looking for a King adaptation about an evil car, then you are much better off with Christine than you are with Maximum Overdrive. Carpenter does a great job at leaning into the coming-of-age elements of the story and isn’t afraid to show the corrupting power that Christine has over Arnie Cunningham (Keith Gordon). John Stockwell and Alexandra Pauls’ last stand against the demented car remains one of the most ridiculously entertaining sequences that Carpenter ever created. –Liam Gaughan
1 hr 56 | War Drama | Stanley Kubrick
Cast: Matthew Modine, Adam Baldwin, Vincent D’Onofrio
Don’t let anyone tell you that Full Metal Jacketis only half of a great movie. The film’s first hour, which focuses on the brutalization of Private Gomer Pyle (Vincent D’Onofrio) during his training, is absolutely devastating. However, seeing Pyles’ fellow soldiers struggle to retain their humanity within the confusion of the Vietnam War is just as captivating. It’s messy, chaotic, and utterly deprived, just as it should be. Kubrick has been interested in the dehumanizing effects of war since his directorial debut Fear and Desire, and Full Metal Jacket is perhaps his most incendiary condemnation of violence.- Liam Gaughan
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
1 hr 31 min | Supernatural Slasher | Wes Craven
Cast: John Saxon, Ronee Blakley, Heather Langenkamp, Amanda Wyss, Nick Corri, Johnny Depp, Robert Englund
Although the sequels turned him into a bit of a comedian, it’s easy to forget how utterly terrifying Robert Englundis as Freddy Krueger in the original A Nightmare Before Elm Street. Wes Craven’s original masterpiece is still one of the scariest slasher movies ever made. Craven created some of the most terrifying images in horror film history; from Freddy’s hand emerging in the bathtub to Glen Lantz’s (Johnny Depp) graphic death, A Nightmare on Elm Street is iconic for a reason. Even if most of the sequels faltered in comparison, Heather Langenkamp at least got to do Nancy Thompson justice in A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warrior and Wes Craven’s New Nightmare. Englund is also enjoying a bit of a resurgence recently thanks to his work on Stranger Things 4.- Liam Gaughan
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
1 hr 37 min | Christmas Comedy | Jeremiah S. Chechik
Cast: Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Randy Quaid, Juliet Lewis, Johnny Galecki
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacationis so great that it doesn’t even matter if you haven’t seen the first two Vacation movies. Although the Vacation franchise spawned countless imitators that tried to perfect the offbeat family comedy, Christmas Vacation has what most knock-offs don’t: the magic of John Hughes. Hughes understood that even at its most ridiculous, the franchise needed to have a heart. Sure, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) is a goofball, but he does have his kids’ best interests in mind. Christmas Vacation is easily both the most heartwarming and funniest entry in the series. It transcended the Vacation franchise to become a bonafide holiday classic in its own right. –Liam Gaughan
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
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1 hr 36 min | Romantic Comedy | Rob Reiner
Cast: Meg Ryan, Billy Crystal, Carrie Fisher, Bruno Kirby
When Harry Met Sallyis an iconic ‘80s rom-com for a reason. Set over 12 years, this movie follows the relationship of Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) and Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) as they meet, reconnect, become friends, and eventually fall in love. They start loathing each other as they drive from Chicago to New York City together after their college graduation, hoping to never see the other person again once they arrive at their destination. Harry is dating Sally’s best friend, and they soon realize that they have nothing more in common. But as the universe continues to bring them together in unexpected ways over the years, they develop a deep friendship and understanding of each other that leads to something more. The chemistry between Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal helps their enemies-to-friends-to-lovers journey feel real and keeps you invested in their relationship from beginning to end. Even though the fashion is clearly from the ‘80s, Harry and Sally’s story feels timeless. – Brynna Arens
Once Upon a Time in America (1987)
3 hr 49 min | Epic Crime | Sergio Leone
Cast: Robert De Niro, James Woods, Elizabeth McGovern, Joe Pesci, Burt Young, William Forsythe
Revisit the gangster classic and last film from legendary director Sergio Leone. Once Upon a Time in America tells the story of two friends, Noodles (Robert De Niro) and Max (James Woods), as they rise to power as gangsters in New York City, but their friendship begins to break down as they differ on where they want their business to go. The film explores betrayal, greed, and loss through flashbacks and flashforwards in Noodles’ opium-induced mind. There are no clear heroes or villains in this nearly four-hour film, yet it stands tall as one of the best films from the genre that is well worth your time. – Meredith Loftus
Steel Magnolias (1989)
1 hr 58 min | Comedy Drama | Herbert Ross
Cast: Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Julia Roberts, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis
Steel Magnolias is a staple of the chick flick genre – and for good reason. A beautician (Daryl Hannah) moves to a small town in Louisiana, where she befriends a group of women. Over the years, these six women see each other through the highs and lows of life. The ensemble of powerhouse women rounding out this tight-knit of friends includes Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, and Julia Roberts; this film actually helped launch Roberts’ career. Steel Magnolias celebrates the power of female friendship through the melodrama of small-town life, making it a great pick for a movie night with friends. – Meredith Loftus
The Blue Lagoon (1980)
1 hr 45 min | Romantic Survival Drama | Randal Kleiser
Cast: Brooke Shields, Christopher Atkins, Leo McKern, William Daniels
Perhaps one of Brooke Shields’ most famous roles, The Blue Lagoon tells the story of two young children who find themselves trapped on a deserted island. As they grow older, they being to experience attraction to each other, eventually falling in love and exploring their sexuality. Despite being critically panned, The Blue Lagoon was in the top 10 highest-grossing films of the year, and Néstor Almendros’ cinematography was nominated for an Academy Award. – Taylor Gates
Police Academy (1984)
1 hr 36 min | Comedy | Hugh Wilson
Cast: Steve Guttenberg, Kim Cattrall, Bubba Smith, George Gaynes
A film so successful that it spawned six sequels, Police Academy explores what happens when there’s a shortage of police officers and the department is required to take on any recruit – no matter what their skill level. The police chief (George R. Robertson) is so outraged that he vows to make the program as difficult and painful as possible to weed people out. Among this group is Carey (Steve Guttenberg), a criminal who has the option to either go through the program or end up in prison, and Karen (Kim Cattrall), another cadet he eventually falls in love with. If you’re in the mood for some crude, slapstick humor, look no further. – Taylor Gates
Endless Love (1981)
1 hr 56 min | Romantic Drama | Franco Zeffirelli
Cast: Brooke Shields, Martin Hewitt, Shirley Knight
Based on the Scott Spencer novel of the same name, Endless Love follows Jade (Brooke Shields) and David (Martin Hewitt), a pair of teens living in the Chicago suburbs. The two fall in love and start a passionate relationship, causing Jade to become distracted. After her grades drop, her father forbids her from seeing David until the end of the term. David goes to extreme lengths to convince him to reverse his decision – with devastating results. The tale of erotic deception was mostly panned by critics. The theme song of the same name by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie, however, became a smash hit, earning Oscar, Golden Globe, and multiple Grammy nominations. – Taylor Gates
Lean on Me (1989)
1 hr 48 min | Biographical Drama | John G. Avildsen
Cast: Morgan Freeman, Beverly Todd, Robert Guillaume
From Freedom Writers to Stand and Deliver, Dangerous Minds to Dead Poets Society, the inspiring teacher movie is a tried-and-true subgenre, and Lean on Me is one of the best. The film stars Morgan Freeman as Joe Louis Clark, a principal at an inner city school in New Jersey. As dedicated as he is intense, Joe goes to extreme measures to improve the students’ education and their lives. Made even more inspiring by the fact it’s based on a true story, Lean on Me is sure to move you. – Taylor Gates
Hard Lessons (1986)
1 hr 33 min | Biography Drama | Eric Laneuville
Cast: Denzel Washington, Lynn Whitfield
Also known as The George McKenna Story, Hard Lessons is another inspiring teacher flick. Denzel Washington stars as the principal of George Washington Preparatory High in South Los Angeles, who attempts to rid the school of gangs, drugs, and violence. Despite its low budget, Hard Lessons is a beautiful movie about a determined principal. Denzel Washington’s grounded and powerful performance sets it apart from other made-for-TV movies of the time. – Taylor Gates
Quiet Victory (1988)
1 hr 40 min | Biography Drama | Roy Campanella II
Cast: Pam Dawber, Michael Nouri
Another superior made-for-TV movie affair is Quiet Victory: The Charlie Wedemeyer Story, which follows a high school teacher and football coach who refuses to give up after being diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Though he’s only given a year to live, Charlie (Michael Nouri) continues coaching the team, as he’s determined to help them win their first championship. Quiet Victory is definitely a tear-jerker and a great addition to the sports movie genre. – Taylor Gates
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