Sometimes the choice on Netflix can be overwhelming! Do you simply watch a movie? Binge a TV series to the point where you lose yourself completely and weep at the blank screen before you? Or do you go for some intellectual soul searching with a documentary that will make you shut down all your social media accounts for fear of being monitored by Big Brother/Facebook? Decisions decisions! If you’re into your classic retro films and are in need of a definitive 80s movies list, then look no further! Because here are 7 of the best 80s movies on Netflix that you can watch right now! No no, thank you!
One - Teen Witch 1989
Mood: Something with a touch of supernatural teenage angst!
Synopsis: Unpopular, nerdy teenager Louise (Robyn Lively, older sister of Blake Lively!) becomes friends with a weird old lady who tells her she is a reincarnated witch. On her 16th birthday Louise inherits her magical powers and instead of using them for the greater good… she uses them to become popular and hook up with the high school heartthrob. Of course.
What’s Right With This: All the super attractive people! (Massive crush on Robyn Lively!) The 80s fashion and of course the impromptu break out of a rap and music video montages!
Whats Wrong With This: The fact that we are taught that essentially you should change yourself in order for someone to love you! Awkward. BUT this was the 80s where stories of perfectly average people being successful wasn’t really a thing!
Random Trivia: This film was originally sold as being the female version of Teen Wolf (say whaaat?!) until they probably realised that was indeed a horrendous idea!
Two - The Dark Crystal 1982
Mood: Something fantastical that will make you say, “this is definitely too scary to be a kids film!”
Synopsis: Puppet animated movie from the creative genius that was Jim Henson. Two Gelflings Jen and Kira, battle it out against the evil Skeksis (who have been malevolently using the crystal for thousands of years) to save their planet Thra.
What’s Right With It: The fact that it’s a cult classic Jim Henson film wins! The puppetry and storytelling are also on another level!
What’s Wrong With It: Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security with the puppets because this ain’t Sesame Street! This film (and the equally awesome prequel The Age of Resistance), are pretty dark. I definitely hid behind a cushion or two when watching!
Random Trivia: The baby from Jim’s Henson’s other 80s cult film classic, Labyrinth is the son of Brian Froud who was the conceptual designer on The Dark Crystal. The now grown up Labyrinth baby worked as a puppeteer on the Netflix series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.
Three - The Terminator 1984
Mood: Something loud with fast paced action.
Synopsis: A naked cyborg assassin (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is sent from the future to kill Sarah Connor, the mother of the son who will later become the leader of the resistance against the machines in a post-apocalyptic nightmare. Makes sense right?! A soldier is also sent back to 1984 to protect Connor from the murderous machine. Lots of violent death scenes and gun fire ensues!
What’s Right With It: If you’re looking for action and lots of dramatic testosterone flying across the screen, then you’re onto a winner! This film was the beginning of a franchise and led way to an arguably better sequel where Arnie isn’t so much of a crazed killer!
What’s Wrong With It: The violence can be a bit squeamish but the visual FX are dated so the gross moments that shocked in the 80s may not have the same impact now.
Random Trivia: Schwarzenegger tried to change the iconic line “I’ll be back” to “I will be back.” However, director James Cameron soon told him to just shut up and do the line as it was written!
Four - Dirty Dancing 1987
Mood: Something cheesy but fun that would go great with a glass of wine!
Synopsis: A musical romantic drama about a young lady called Baby who falls in love with a dance teacher (Patrick Swayze) at a holiday camp in the 60s. There’s illicit love, class wars between the working class and elite, lots of sweaty dancing and an abortion storyline that went WAY over my head when I watched this as a kid!
What’s Right With It: The soundtrack is pretty decent! You will definitely know at least one song and you WILL definitely attempt to do the lift with your partner or pet!
What’s Wrong With It: It’s slightly cheese on toast and holds the title of being one of the best chick flick movies ever. So, if that’s not your bag, turn back now!
Random Trivia: The scene where Baby and Johnny are rehearsing, and Baby keeps laughing wasn’t staged. Jennifer Grey got the giggles and the look of annoyance on Swayze’s face was genuine!
Five - Annie 1982
Mood: Something light and happy that may inspire jazz hands!
Synopsis: A musical comedy about an orphan named Annie who is swept away from her horrible orphanage and the mean (but hilarious!) Miss Hannigan, to live with billionaire Daddy Warbucks. Expect lots of show tunes, dance numbers and wistful daydreams of when the hell will your own billionaire come along and rescue you!
What’s Right With It: Carol Burnett who plays Miss Hannigan! When I was a kid, I just saw her as a crazy drunk lady, but now I see her as my spirit animal! Her one liners and comedy timing are fantastic and well worth the watch.
What’s Wrong With It: If you are averse to people generally bursting into song at any given moment, then the overly happy songbook of Annie may not be the one!
Random Trivia: Bette Middler was first choice to play Miss Hannigan and Sean Connery was approached to play Daddy Warbucks but declined as he didn’t want to look bald!
Six - Mississippi Burning 1988
Mood: Something serious and thought provoking.
Synopsis: Based on the real life murders of James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner in 1964 Mississippi. This movie tells the harrowing story of the civil rights struggle and the investigation into the Ku Klux Klan.
What’s Right With It: The subject matter might be pretty full on and hard at times, but it’s a great piece of cinema that depicts the reality of society between white and black people in 1960s America.
What’s Wrong With it: Some scenes are hugely upsetting, violent and controversial, especially when you know that blatant injustices like that occurred and are still occurring today. So if you are looking for something fluffy and warm, then be aware that this film will probably move you to a passionate rant on how messed up the world is by the end credits.
Random Trivia: The actual family of the three murdered men, Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner were not happy with the film as they felt it distorted too much of the truth and was more fiction than fact.
Seven - Ghostbusters II 1989
Mood: Something fun and silly.
Synopsis: The sequel in a much loved franchise following the Ghostbusters as they take on the evil Vigo who wants to take over the world/New York City! The fantasy comedy with big names such as Dan Ackroyd, Bill Murray and Sigourney Weaver is set five years after the original Ghostbusters as they try to repair the damage of wrecking the city from their previous quest to save the world!
What’s Right With It: Although the storyline is somewhat crazy, the calibre of great actors and comedians really makes this movie. You can’t really hate on it when Bill Murray’s face is on the screen!
What’s Wrong With It: The special FX are dated and seem a little silly at times, but then it’s an 80s fantasy movie about ghosts and evil spirits headlined by comedians! So you can forgive it!
Random Trivia: The young lad who tells Ray that according to his dad “the Ghostbuster are full of crap” is played by the director Ivan Reitman’s son, Jason Reitman. He later grew up to direct films Up in the Air and Juno.
