Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies

80 Greatest '80s Movie Moments

Features
By Simon Kinnear published 9 May 2011

We're calling it the grEighties for short

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Return of the Jedi (1983)

The Moment: Admiral Ackbar realises what most of us already suspected. “It’s a trap!”

Only In The '80s: ...would a prawn get the film’s best line.

If It Was Made Today: Ackbar would speak in dodgy, borderline-racist patois.

Three Amigos (1985)

The Moment: Steve Martin, Martin Short and Chevy Chase seek an audience with the Singing Bush, but it's too busy singing.

Only In The '80s: Read the cast list back. Say no more.

If It Was Made Today: Double Oscar-winner Randy Newman would probably be too expensive to play the Bush.

A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

The Moment: Inventive Python-esque payback, as mad Kevin Kline gets his c-c-c-comeuppance from stuttering Michael Palin via steamroller.

Only In The '80s: ...would Cleese, Palin, Curtis and Kline be starring together in a film rather than being a firm of solicitors.

Latest Videos From
You may like
  • Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone in The Godfather. The 20 best movies on Paramount Plus to watch right now
  • Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles in Sonic 3 The 25 best movies on Prime Video to watch right now
  • Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights 20 best movies on HBO Max to watch right now

If It Was Made Today: It'd be called The King’s Speech , and wouldn't be half as much fun.

Chariots of Fire (1981)

The Moment: The opening race along the beach - apparently set in the 1920s, but it sounds totally modern and synth-tastic.

Only In The '80s: ...would Vangelis’ score soundtrack every single instance of somebody going faster than walking pace.

If It Was Made Today: Soundtrack by the Chemical Brothers.

Street Trash (1988)

The Moment: A hobo drinks toxic booze while sitting on the loo...and melts down the bog.

Only In The '80s: ...could a director get away with using blue paint as ‘melted’ make-up.

If It Was Made Today: We like to think Rutger Hauer's forthcoming Hobo With A Shotgun is a spiritual sequel.

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Young Sherlock Holmes and the Pyramid of Fear (1985)

The Moment: Alan Rowe's young not-yet-a-Doctor Watson hallucinates being attacked by malevolent cakes.

Only In The '80s: ...would a guy go from directing this mentalness to winning an Oscar within three years.

If It Was Made Today: They'd try and make an entire film about a killer eclair.

Dirty Dancing (1987)

The Moment: Jennifer Grey gets put in a corner. Patrick Swayze isn't a happy fella.

Only In The '80s: ...could girl power propel a movie into the record books as the first to sell one million copies on home video.

If It Was Made Today: It'd better be good. You think fanboys get the hump when their faves are remade, wait until Hollywood faces the wrath of the fangirls.

The Vanishing (1988)

The Moment: Gene Bervoets agrees to be knocked out by self-confessed psycho Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu so he can discover exactly what happened to his missing girlfriend. Big mistake.

Only In The '80s: ...did the decade's most effective chiller come out of Holland.

If It Was Made Today: No need to wait. They remade it in the 1990s, with the same director, and ruined things with a happy ending. Avoid.

The Goonies (1985)

The Moment: A generation's favourite gang is completed as Chunk does the Truffle Shuffle.

Only In The '80s: ...did kids in kids' movies have such personality.

If It Was Made Today: Disney-trained automatons, the lot of 'em.

Midnight Run (1988)

The Moment: The ultimate mis-matched buddies start as they mean to go on, as Robert De Niro threatens to add “fistophobia” to Charles Grodin’s list of ailments.

Only In The '80s: ...could movie cussing be this poetic.

If It Was Made Today: It’d lack the poetry.

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8

Current page: Page 1

Next Page Page 2
Simon Kinnear
Read more
Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone in The Godfather.
Streaming Services The 20 best movies on Paramount Plus to watch right now
 
 
Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles in Sonic 3
Amazon Prime Video The 25 best movies on Prime Video to watch right now
 
 
Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights
Movies 20 best movies on HBO Max to watch right now
 
 
The Lion King is undoubtedly one of the best movies on Disney Plus
Movies The 30 best movies on Disney Plus to watch right now
 
 
Keanu Reeves as FBI Agent Johnny Utah and Patrick Swayze as Bodhi "Bodhisattva" in the movie Point Break.
Hulu The best movies on Hulu to watch right now
 
 
Sam Rockwell as The Man From the Future in Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die
Sci-Fi Movies Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die got me in the mood for more time-travelling fun and these 6 sci-fi comedies fit the bill
 
 
Latest in Movies
Inde Navarrette as Nikki in Obsession
Horror Movies YouTuber Curry Barker opens up on the pressures of making his first feature film Obsession
 
 
Rey and Ben Solo in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars Movies New Star Wars book features Rey and Ben Solo crumbs – but it will be enough to make Reylos everywhere happy
 
 
M. Night Shyamalan
Thriller Movies M. Night Shyamalan teases that his next thriller is his highest-rated movie with test audiences
 
 
Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne during The Batman
DC Movies The Batman 2 casting is being drip-fed by Matt Reeves and DC fans think they know who's coming next
 
 
Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda in The Legend of Zelda
Live Action Movies Shigeru Miyamoto says the live-action Zelda movie is hitting theaters a week sooner than planned
 
 
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Fantasy Movies Peter Jackson "didn't think much" of directing The Hunt for Gollum because Andy Serkis "knows [him] better than anyone"
 
 
Latest in Features
Lego Minas Tirith on a wooden surface, with multiple minifigures visible
Toys & Collectibles Lego Minas Tirith may beat a fan favorite, and my number-one Lego set
 
 
A minotaur readies their weapon, from the Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era opening cinematic movie
Strategy Games Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era hotseat makes me feel like it's 2003 again
 
 
Antony Starr as Homelander  in The Boys season 5 episode 7 trailer
Superhero Shows The Boys season 5, episode 7 recap: Easter eggs, cameos, and who dies
 
 
Brass: Pittsburgh box on a table in front of a window
Board Games Fan-favorite strategy board game sequel Brass: Pittsburgh features the "most innovative mechanisms and dynamics" its designer could imagine
 
 
Final Fantasy 14
Final Fantasy 7,000 hours in, Final Fantasy 14 lost me with Dawntrail – but Evercold's changes might win me back
 
 
Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle in The Punisher: One Last Kill
Marvel TV Shows Does The Punisher: One Last Kill have a post-credits scene?
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Rey and Ben Solo in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
    1
    New Star Wars book features Rey and Ben Solo crumbs – but it will be enough to make Reylos everywhere happy
  2. 2
    The Mandalorian and Grogu team are "secretly" hoping to make a sequel set deeper in the Outer Rim, says star Sigourney Weaver
  3. 3
    How to find all Forza Horizon 6 Treasure Cars
  4. 4
    Amiibo support is coming to Star Fox, and these three figures will unlock your exclusive in-game goodies
  5. 5
    Gen V star bids farewell to her character, but The Boys showrunner suggests it's not the end for her

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...