Feeling Nostalgic? The 15 Best ’80s Movies on Max May 2024

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Written By William Butterworth

Will Butterworth first started reporting on entertainment news when he was a kid in Barney pajamas giving news reports to his parents while sitting in a cardboard box. Now, he still sits in a cardboard box, but his audience has grown in number (at least that's what his mom tells him). Entertainment junkies unite!

Experience the magic of the 80s all over again! Discover the 10 best ’80s movies on Max that defined a generation. Get your hairspray and popcorn ready for these classic hits.

The Terminator (1984)

The Terminator
Image Credit: MGM.

When a cyborg from the future lands in the past, it’s intent on killing a pregnant woman. A human soldier also travels to the past to stop the cyborg before it can kill her. See Arnold Schwarzenegger at his best.

Spaceballs (1987)

Spaceballs
Image Credit: MGM.

Wish your Star Wars movies were a bit more campy? Then Spaceballs is for you. It’s a satire of the series and science fiction as a whole. Mel Brooks delivers another classic comedy with jokes and references you won’t soon forget.

Airplane! (1980)

Airplane
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

Some of the references you hear among a certain age group in society likely come from Airplane! It’s full of amazing one-liners that have ingrained themselves in pop culture. After the pilots become ill with food poisoning, an ex-fighter pilot has to land a plane full of zany passengers.

The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)

The Naked Gun From the Files of Police Squad
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

Leslie Nielsen was a national treasure providing hilarious comedic roles in his movies. This film has him starring as detective Frank Drebin. It’s a wonder how he even became a detective considering his incompetency. Drebin discovers there’s a plot to kill Queen Elizabeth II, and it’s up to him to foil those plans before it’s too late.

Predator (1987)

Predator 1
Image Credit: Twentieth Century Fox.

When a group of commandos head to Central America for a mission, it seems as though everything is going to be routine as usual. However, they slowly come to realize that they’re being hunted and pursued by an alien species intent on killing them all.

Platoon (1986)

Platoon
Image Credit: Relativity Media.

This film shows some of the brutality soldiers had to face during the Vietnam War. A new soldier ends up thrown into the war and finds himself pitted between two sergeants who have differing views on how to win the war.

Paris, Texas (1984)

Paris
Image Credit: Road Movies Filmproduktion.

A missing man for four years walks out of the desert one day. He tries to return to the life he left behind including reconnecting with his family. He might just find that life in the desert is preferable.

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

A Nightmare on Elm Street
Image Credit: New Line Cinema.

Teenagers find themselves slowly dying one by one after receiving a visit from a serial killer in their dreams. When you die in your dream, you die in real life. Staying awake has never been more difficult.

The Outsiders (1983)

The Outsiders
Image Credit: Warner Bros.

In a small town in Oklahoma, there isn’t much to do for boys except join a gang to feel bigger than themselves. A rivalry between two gangs becomes even more fraught after one side accidentally kills a member of the other side. All bets are off now.

The Fly (1986)

The Fly 1
Image Credit: Twentieth Century Fox.

This remake of the original thriller is one of Jeff Goldblum’s most famous. He plays a scientist tampering with experiments beyond his knowledge. One experiment goes horribly wrong, and he ends up slowly morphing into a fly-human hybrid.

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

When Harry Met Sally
Image Credit: MGM.

Two friends have to decide whether to take their friendship to the next level. There’s sexual attraction, but will it ruin their long-lasting friendship?

National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)

National Lampoons Vacation
Image Credit: Warner Bros.

It’s supposed to be a simple road trip to Wally World for a family vacation. It ends up becoming anything but simple. Follow the Griswold family as they attempt to have the best family vacation ever. It will certainly be a memorable one.

Batman (1989)

Batman
Image Credit: Warner Bros.

Everyone has their ideal actor for Batman. For many people, it was Michael Keaton in Batman. In this film, Batman ends up facing his biggest challenge yet–Jack Napier who ends up becoming the Joker.

Friday the 13th (1980)

Friday the 13th 1
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

It’s supposed to be another typical summer camp experience at Crystal Lake. However, this time, the counselors find themselves stalked by a serial killer. Will anyone survive this camping experience?

Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

Little Shop of Horrors
Image Credit: Warner Bros.

If you like your horror with a bit of comedy and music, then Little Shop of Horrors is right up your alley. A nerdy florist ends up obtaining a man-eating plant. The two conspire to make the florist successful in love and in wealth.

The 20 Best Science Fiction Movies of All Time: Enter a World Beyond Your Imagination

Star Wars A New Hope Lucasfilm LTD
Image Credit: Lucasfilm Ltd.

Get ready to explore galaxies far, far away and other realms beyond your imagination! Whether you’re a sci-fi nerd or just a major cinephile, we know you’re going to love these 20 best science-fiction movies of all time. From space battles to time travel, this list has it all. Grab your popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the greatest sci-fi films in this universe or any other.

The 20 Best Fantasy Movies of All Time: Enter a World Beyond Your Imagination

Lord Of The Rings Fellowship New Line Cinema
Image Credit: New Line Cinema.

Get ready to be enchanted as we explore the realm of fantasy films! Immerse yourself in captivating worlds and epic adventures with my handpicked selection of the 20 greatest fantasy movies ever made. From Middle Earth’s mystical landscapes to The Green Mile’s emotional depths, this list promises to transport you to extraordinary realms.

The 20 Best History Movies of All Time: Relive the Past Through the Magic of Film

Hidden Figures
Image Credit: Hopper Stone/Hopper Stone, SMPSP – © TM & © 2017 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.

Calling all history buffs and movie lovers! Get ready for a cinematic time travel experience with our top 20 history movies. From Schindler’s List’s powerful Holocaust narrative to the groundbreaking Hamilton musical, these films will immerse you in the most significant moments of human history. Prepare for a historical adventure like no other- and you won’t even need to leave your couch!