Harsh Vardhan
Step into the neon-soaked era of excess and nostalgia as we journey through the cinematic gems of the 1980s, now readily available on Netflix. In a time when mullets were cool, and synthesizer music ruled the airwaves, the silver screen was graced with unforgettable classics that defined a generation. Our curated list transcends time, bringing you the best of the 1980s, from iconic blockbusters to hidden indie treasures. Whether you’re a fan of heart-pounding action, heartwarming coming-of-age tales, or supernatural adventures, Netflix has your retro cravings covered. Join us as we rekindle the magic of the ’80s, one movie at a time.
15. Ek Jaan Hain Hum (1983)
An Indian Hindi-language directed by Rajiv Mehra, this movie stars Rajiv Kapoor, Tanuja Samarth, Divya Rana, and Shammi Kapoor. In true Bollywood fashion, the film tells the story of a girl and boy who fall in love. However, while the boy’s parents agree to their marriage, the girl’s parents have other plans, including getting her married to a U.S. resident. Things worsen for the boy when he is accused of arson, with evidence pointing that he set fire to the girl’s father’s property. As per the boy’s father, the only way for the boy to avoid imprisonment is to prove that he is mentally ill. But for how long? To know what happens eventually, you can stream the movie here.
14. Duniya (1984)
An Indian Hindi-language (Bollywood) film directed by Ramesh Talwar, it stars one of India’s greatest actors of all time, Dilip Kumar, along with other hugely popular veteran actors Rishi Kapoor, Ashok Kumar, Amrita Singh, Pran and Amrish Puri. The film follows Mohan Kumar, who is framed for murder and sentenced to 14 years in prison. Once he is released, he decides to take revenge on the three people who framed him, namely Jugal Kishore, Bhandari, and Balwant. However, things are bound to get complicated as Kumar’s estranged son, Ravi, who doesn’t know that Kumar is his father, joins Jugal Kishore’s gang and is told to kill Kumar. Will Kumar end up killing his son in his thirst for vengeance? To find out, you can watch the film here.
13. Quiet Victory (1988)
‘Quiet Victory: The Charlie Wedemeyer Story’ is a touching television film directed by Roy Campanella II. This inspirational true story revolves around Charlie Wedemeyer, a high school football coach and teacher who, at age 31, was diagnosed with ALS, a debilitating illness. Despite his physical challenges, Charlie continues to coach his football team while his wife, Lucy, supports him tirelessly. The film stars Michael Nouri as Charlie Wedemeyer and Pam Dawber as Lucy. Their unwavering determination and love form the heart of the story, making ‘Quiet Victory’ a testament to the power of the human spirit and resilience in the face of adversity. Feel free to check out the movie here.
12. Adam: His Song Continues (1986)
This Robert Markowitz directorial is a sequel to ‘Adam’ (1983), which showcases the tragic true story of the kidnapping and murder of 6-year-old American kid Adam Walsh. He was kidnapped from a mall in Hollywood, Florida, on July 27, 1981, and only his severed head was recovered in a drain in rural Indian River County, Florida. It showed how publicity by Adam’s parents, John and Reve Walsh, threw light on the sheer absence of ways for the authorities to find missing children. ‘Adam: His Song Continues’ picks up from where the first part ended and shows John and Reve striving to raise national awareness about the issue of missing children. The cast includes Daniel J. Travanti as John Walsh and JoBeth Williams as Reve Walsh, respectively. You can watch the film here.
11. Strange Voices (1987)
Directed by Arthur Allan Seidelman, ‘Strange Voices’ revolves around a young girl named Suzanne, portrayed brilliantly by Nancy McKeon, who is gripped by schizophrenia. Struggling to understand her reality, Suzanne experiences haunting auditory hallucinations, leading her into a world of confusion and fear. The film dives deep into the harrowing effects of mental illness, portraying Suzanne’s internal battles with sensitivity and empathy. Seidelman’s direction, coupled with McKeon’s compelling performance, paints a vivid and heartbreaking picture of the challenges faced by individuals dealing with mental health issues, shedding light on the importance of compassion and understanding. You may watch ‘Strange Voices’ here.
10. Dostana (1980)
Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Shatrughan Sinha, and Zeenat Aman, ‘Dostana’ is an Indian Hindi-language movie directed by Raj Khosla. The film tells the story of two childhood friends, Vijay Varma and Ravi Kapoor. While Vijay is a police officer, Ravi is a barrister. While they have given each other the word that they won’t interfere in each other professional lives, their personal lives get complicated when they fall in love with the same girl, Sheetal Sahni. This allows Vijay’s old nemesis, Mr. Dagga, to create a barrier between the two best friends. You can watch the movie here to find out how things turn out for the two.
9. The Ryan White Story (1989)
‘The Ryan White Story’ is a biographical drama based on the life of American teenager Ryan White, who was the poster child for AIDS all across America after being banned from his school in Russiaville, Indiana, for the same. Born in 1971, Ryan was a hemophiliac, and he contracted AIDS from the factor VIII blood treatment he received for his hemophilia. He was diagnosed with the disease in December 1984 and passed away on April 8, 1990, at the age of 19. The film shows what Ryan and his mother, Jeanne, had to go through, be it in terms of gossip, judgment, and mistreatment, all of which were due to the lack of knowledge and misconceptions about AIDS. The film stars Lukas Haas as Ryan White, Judith Light as Jeanne White, Sarah Jessica Parker, and George C. Scott. You can watch it here.
8. Twins (1988)
Ivan Reitman’s comedy drama ‘Twins’ stars Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger as non-identical twin brothers Julius and Vincent. Both are products of scientific experiments, but while Julius is the perfect human specimen, Vincent is flawed in almost every way. The former was raised in a lab, while the latter grew up in an orphanage. When Julius discovers that he has a brother, he sets out to find him so that they can search for their mom, who is seemingly alive. However, Vincent’s criminal background gets them involved in risky stuff, and only if they work together can they get out of it. Co-starring Kelly Preston and Chloe Webb, ‘Twins’ is a cult film with two beloved actors doing what they do best: entertain us. The movie can be streamed here.
7. Too Young The Hero (1988)
‘Too Young the Hero,’ directed by Buzz Kulik, is a poignant made-for-TV film that tells the remarkable true story of Calvin Graham, portrayed by Rick Schroder. Set during World War II, the movie follows Calvin, a 12-year-old boy who lies about his age to enlist in the U.S. Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Despite his youth, he valiantly serves aboard the USS South Dakota, demonstrating incredible bravery during combat. The film explores themes of courage, sacrifice, and determination, showcasing Calvin’s inspiring journey as he battles adversity on the front lines. Schroder’s compelling performance and Kulik’s sensitive direction make this movie a heartfelt tribute to an extraordinary young hero. You can stream ‘Too Young The Hero’ here.
6. Sea of Love (1989)
Al Pacino and Ellen Barkin star in Harold Becker’s neo-noir erotic thriller ‘Sea of Love,’ which focuses on a burned-out detective bent on finding a serial killer hunting men from the newspapers’ dating columns. During his investigation, he meets the enigmatic divorcée Helen Cruger, and a steamy romance begins. As intimate as they become, neither has any idea that the killer is nearby and is tracking their moves. With compelling performances, ‘Sea of Love’ turns you on both with its love scenes and its gripping plot that, despite being predictable at times, holds onto your attention. It can be streamed here.
5. The Karate Kid (1984)
John G. Avildsen’s cult classic martial arts drama ‘The Karate Kid’ focuses on a bullied Italian-American kid who is trained by a war veteran to defend himself and take part in a martial arts tournament against his bullies. We meet seventeen-year-old Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), who has just shifted from New Jersey to Los Angeles with his widowed mom and soon locks horns with the martial arts-trained ex-boyfriend of his new love interest only to get himself beaten up. Japanese immigrant Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) intervenes during one such fight and decides to train Daniel for the Under 18 All-Valley Karate Championship tournament so that he can compete against his prime bully and defeat him. Co-starring William Zabka and Elisabeth Shue, ‘The Karate Kid’ spawned a franchise, including merchandise, which is still going strong. You can watch the movie here.
4. Out of Africa (1985)
Sydney Pollack’s epic romance ‘Out of Africa’ stars Meryl Streep as Karen Blixen, an aristocrat who arrives at her husband’s coffee plantation in Africa and discovers he is having an affair. Then she meets Robert Redford’s Denys, a hunter who prefers a simple lifestyle as opposed to Karen’s posh one. Moreover, both have personalities that cannot be tamed and the friction that occurs when these two forces collide results in the sparks of romance. The question is, can they afford to be in love? With colonialism as its backdrop, ‘Out of Africa’ is a multiple-award-winning drama that is as beautiful visually as it is emotionally. The film is based on Danish writer Karen Blixen’s memoir. You can watch it here.
3. Stand by Me (1986)
Based on Stephen King’s novella ‘The Body,’ ‘Stand by Me’ is a gripping coming-of-age drama that follows four kids (River Phoenix, Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O’Connell) who set off on a quest to find a missing 12-year-old kid named Ray Brower. It is not the search but the experiences that the kids have along the way that make the film one-of-a-kind.
With self-discovery at its heart, ‘Stand by Me’ is a reminder that it is not age but experience that makes us grow. The film received the Jackie Coogan Award for Outstanding Contribution to Youth Through Motion Picture at the 8th Youth in Film Awards and an Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium. You can watch it here.
2. She’s Gotta Have It (1986)
This landmark independent film launched Spike Lee’s career as a director. Written, directed, and produced by Lee, the film follows the “sexually charged” graphic artist Nola Darling as she tries to navigate her love life that is divided among three individuals, Jamie Overstreet, Greer Childs, and Mars Blackmon, each guy with a different mindset. A powerful take on African American women and their struggle in society during the time, ‘She’s Gotta Have It’ was no less than a phenomenon when it came out. The film stars Tracy Camilla Johns, John Canada Terrell, Tommy Redmond Hicks, and Spike Lee. You can watch it here.
1. Hard Lessons- The George McKenna Story (1988)
Starring Denzel Washington, Lynn Whitfield, and Akosua Busia, ‘The George McKenna Story’ is directed by Eric Laneuville. The movie is a biographical drama based on George McKenna, former principal of the Washington Preparatory High School in Los Angeles. McKenna successfully managed to bring an end to the gang and drug culture that was prevalent inside the school premises and which affected the students as well as the parents. How he did it and reformed the school is what we see in the movie. You can stream it here.
Read More: Best 1970s Movies on Netflix
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