The biggest difference between the ’80s and the films that come out now is that there were more than just blockbusters playing in theaters back then.
During the ’80s, even unheralded adult dramas or unexpected genre flicks could go on to become cult classics on cable even if they didn’t connect in theaters.
Now, it’s one of Watch With Us‘ favorite decades for films, which is why we’re recommending four ’80s movies that are worth rewatching.
You can find our picks and their streaming homes below, but two of them are leaving on December 31.
4. ‘Stand by Me’ (1986)
The late Rob Reiner‘s Stand by Me is one of the best Stephen King adaptations anyone has ever done, even when compared to Reiner’s Misery a few years later. Instead of a horror film, this is a coming-of-age story for four boys in 1959: Gordie Lachance (Wil Wheaton), Chris Chambers (River Phoenix), Teddy Duchamp (Corey Feldman) and Vern Tessio (Jerry O’Connell).
Each of the boys is facing problems at home or at school, which is one of the reasons that they go on an extended trip to find a dead body in the mistaken belief that they’ll be hailed as heroes for finding it. There are some contemplative and empathetic discussions along the way, as well as danger from Ace Merrill (Kiefer Sutherland) and his gang. Even after nearly four decades, the ending still has an emotional impact.
Stand by Me is streaming on Netflix.
3. ‘Scarface’ (1983)
In retrospect, Al Pacino‘s Tony Montana is kind of cartoonishly over-the-top in Scarface, especially with his faux-Cuban accent. It’s still a ridiculously entertaining film about the rise and meteoric fall of a man who went from a refugee to the most powerful drug lord in Miami. Tony starts from nothing and builds himself up through sheer force of will and ruthlessness.
Tony’s undoing comes from his arrogance and his weakness for women, including his trophy wife, Elvira (Michelle Pfeiffer). His need to control his sister, Gina (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), is also one of his downfalls. The movie doesn’t create suspense about the price Tony pays for his hubris, but it’s really fun to watch and endlessly quotable.
Scarface is streaming on Netflix until December 31
2. ‘The NeverEnding Story’ (1984)
The NeverEnding Story starts with sullen pre-teen Bastian Bux (Barret Oliver) reading a mysterious book he just can’t put down. While hiding out from bullies in the attic of his school, Bastian loses himself in the story of a young warrior, Atreyu (Noah Hathaway), and the Childlike Empress (Tami Stronach), who needs his help to save the mystical land of Fantasia from the Nothing.
For a realm like Fantasia, the Nothing represents the death of imagination and an evil that won’t stop until it consumes everyone who lives there. And the longer Bastian reads the story, the more he seems to be a part of it. The book itself and Bastian’s vicarious adventures as Atreyu are more than just chance, and everything hinges upon the former’s ability to realize that he has a role to play as well.
The NeverEnding Story is streaming on Prime Video.
1. ‘Gremlins’ (1984)
In 1984, Gremlins was so scary that it helped create the PG-13 rating. It seems a little tame four decades later, but the title characters can still be truly menacing in this Christmas horror comedy. Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan) was given three simple rules to follow when he was given a Mogwai, Gizmo (voiced by Howie Mandel). And Billy broke all three.
Gizmo never gives in to the temptation that transforms his fellow mystical creatures into sinister Gremlins, and those horrific monsters terrorize a small town on Christmas Eve. If Billy and his girlfriend, Kate Beringer (Phoebe Cates), can’t find a way to stop the spread of the Gremlins, then it’s going to be a very dark Christmas for everyone.
Gremlins is streaming on HBO Max.
