Movies of the 1980s

From Aliensto Amadeus, get your fill of ’80s nostalgia with this movie bibleof all things bold, bizarre, and boisterous. We've diligently compiled a list of the most influential films of the 1980sthat's sure to please popcorn gobblers and highbrow chin-strokers alike. Adventurous, excessive, and experimental, ’80s cinema saw moviegoers get their kicks from pictures as wide-ranging as Blade Runner, Gandhi, and Blue Velvet.

Science fiction, horror, and action emerged as the defining genres of the decade, with non-human characters like E.T. winning the hearts of millions, and movies such asGhostbusters and Back to the Futurefused comedy and sci-fi to the delight of audiences everywhere. Inside this ’80s encyclopedia each movie masterpiece is profiled with stills, a synopsis, and cast, crew, and technical listings.

With high-concept Hollywood blockbusters, early CGI, and brilliant special effects, the 1980s saw the invention of a new reality, a movie-world so convincingly real—no matter now far-fetched—that spectators could not help but immerse themselves in it.