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. The Money Pit (1986)
Directed by Richard Benjamin, ‘The Money Pit’ is a comedy-drama that centers on a happy couple, Walter Fielding (Tom Hanks) and Anna Crowley (Shelley Long). After being asked nay told to vacate their home, they are forced to buy a new one that is available at a suspiciously low cost. No sooner do they move in than they realize why. From stairs collapsing to their bathtub falling through the floor to the electrical grid malfunctioning, the issues are numerous. This takes a toll on their relationship as well. Will Walter and Anna be able to afford the renovation of their house and their relationship simultaneously?
A loose adaptation of the ‘Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House’ (1948), which itself is adapted from the 1946 novel of the same name by Eric Hodgins, ‘The Money Pit’ is a thoroughly entertaining drama garnished with the perils and perks of owning a home. It can be watched 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. Scarface (1983)
Brian De Palma’s ‘Scarface’ offers one of Al Pacino’s most iconic characters, Tony Montana. The crime drama centers on Montana as he moves up the ladder of crime, from a Cuban immigrant to a Miami druglord. As he gains more power, his enemies increase manifold, and he starts getting paranoid about who is with him and who isn’t. A downfall is imminent unless he finds a way to vent out what’s inside him. Unfortunately, the windows are closing fast. Is it too late for him? ‘Scarface’ has made its way into the list of films that every cinema connoisseur should watch. It can be streamed here.
5. Field of Dreams (1989)
Starring Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, and Ray Liotta, Phil Alden Robinson’s ‘Field of Dreams’ is a sports fantasy drama. The beautiful narrative centers on Ray Kinsella, who lives on his corn farm with his family. After a mysterious voice leads him to build a baseball diamond in his cornfield, the ghosts of legendary baseball players arrive to play. However, Ray wonders about the voice that resulted in all this, and soon, a truth is revealed, one that is underscored by his strained relationship with his late father, a die-hard baseball fan. With three Academy Award nominations to its name, along with many other accolades, ‘Field of Dreams’ is a must-watch. You can stream it here.
4. Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
An immortal high school drama directed by Amy Heckerling, ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’ showcases the lives of a group of high school teenagers at Ridgemont High School as they navigate the raw urges of teen-age, including love, drugs, and sex. At the center of it all is Stacy Hamilton (Jennifer Jason Leigh) who dreams of dating a guy but ends up being a love triangle with Mark Ratner (Brian Backer) and his friend Mike Damone (Robert Romanus). There is also Stacy’s stoner classmate Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn), who often lands on the receiving end of strict teacher Mr. Hand’s (Ray Walston) harsh reprimands. Considered historically and culturally important by the United States National Film Registry, ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’ is based on Cameron Crowe’s book ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High: A True Story.’ You can watch the film 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
