1. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
In the summer of 1982, it felt like absolutely everyone was lining up to see this gentle little movie about a lost alien and the boy who befriends him. Kids brought E.T. lunchboxes to school and tried to make their bicycles fly off the driveway just like Elliott did. The film had heart, humor, and a sense of wonder that turned it into a true cultural event. Even people who rarely went to the movies suddenly found themselves buying tickets and passing around tissues.
Lines like “E.T. phone home” slipped into everyday conversation almost overnight. The soundtrack was everywhere, and so were those glowing finger toys. It was the kind of film families went to see together, then talked about all the way home in the car. Few movies of the decade created that kind of shared, warm feeling.
2. Back to the Future
When this time traveling comedy adventure arrived in 1985, it quickly became the movie everyone quoted at school and at work. Michael J. Fox made Marty McFly feel like a regular kid who just happened to have a DeLorean in his garage. Audiences loved the mix of humor, action, and a story that bounced between decades. Suddenly people everywhere were joking about flux capacitors and 1.21 gigawatts.
The movie turned into an instant classic that felt fresh and rewatchable even after multiple viewings. It was the kind of film friends dragged each other to see again and again. The catchy theme music seemed to follow you everywhere you went. For a while, it was impossible to escape the fun of this one.
3. The Breakfast Club
Teenagers in 1985 felt like this movie understood them in a way few films ever had before. Five students sitting in Saturday detention became symbols for every high school stereotype imaginable. People talked about which character they related to most, and the debates were serious business. It was funny, honest, and surprisingly emotional for a movie set almost entirely in a library.
The film also had a soundtrack that defined the decade, especially the song “Don’t You (Forget About Me).” Lines from the movie were repeated in hallways and cafeterias across the country. It gave teens a voice and made adults pay attention too. Even today, people remember exactly how it made them feel.
4. Top Gun
In 1986, suddenly everyone wanted to wear aviator sunglasses and quote cocky fighter pilots. This high flying action movie turned Tom Cruise into a full blown superstar almost overnight. The combination of jet sequences, romance, and unforgettable music made it a massive hit. People walked out of theaters talking about volleyball scenes and daring aerial stunts.
The soundtrack dominated the radio, especially “Danger Zone” and “Take My Breath Away.” Kids pretended to be Maverick on playgrounds, and adults dreamed about joining flight school. It was loud, flashy, and perfectly designed for the decade. For a long time, it seemed like no other movie could match its cool factor.
5. Ghostbusters
If you were alive in 1984, you probably heard the question “Who you gonna call?” at least a thousand times. This comedy about a team of paranormal exterminators was everywhere that year. The theme song played nonstop, and kids begged for Ghostbusters toys and backpacks. It managed to be spooky and hilarious at the same time.
People lined up to see it multiple times, and then quoted it endlessly afterward. Slimer became a pop culture icon, and the logo showed up on T-shirts across the country. It was one of those rare movies that appealed to both kids and adults equally. The buzz around it felt impossible to escape.
6. Dirty Dancing
By 1987, this romantic drama had turned into a word of mouth sensation that nobody saw coming. Suddenly everyone was trying to practice that famous lift at weddings and school dances. Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey became instant favorites, and the soundtrack sold millions. The movie was passed around like a secret among friends until it became a full blown craze.
Lines like “Nobody puts Baby in a corner” were repeated constantly. It was the kind of film groups of friends went to see together and then talked about for weeks. Even people who claimed they did not like love stories found themselves swept up in it. The excitement around this movie just kept growing.
7. Raiders of the Lost Ark
When Indiana Jones burst onto screens in 1981, moviegoers felt like they were watching a brand new kind of hero. The film was packed with adventure, humor, and unforgettable action scenes. People left theaters buzzing about snakes, rolling boulders, and that daring opening sequence. It reminded audiences how much fun movies could be.
The character became instantly recognizable, and kids everywhere wanted fedoras and toy whips. It was one of those films that turned casual movie fans into lifelong devotees. Friends argued about their favorite scenes and went back to see it again. The excitement surrounding it lasted the entire decade.
8. Batman
The summer of 1989 belonged completely to this dark and stylish superhero blockbuster. Everywhere you looked, there were Batman shirts, posters, and lunchboxes. People argued about whether Michael Keaton was the right choice, and then rushed out to buy tickets anyway. The movie felt huge even before it opened.
Jack Nicholson’s Joker became a pop culture obsession, quoted and imitated constantly. The moody tone and bold visuals made it unlike any comic book movie before it. Prince songs from the soundtrack played on the radio all season long. For a few months, it seemed like Gotham City was the center of the universe.
9. The Goonies
This 1985 adventure turned ordinary kids into treasure hunting heroes, and audiences adored every minute of it. It felt like the ultimate neighborhood fantasy brought to life on the big screen. Groups of friends went together and imagined finding secret maps in their own attics. The film had humor, heart, and just the right amount of danger.
Quotes from the movie became instant playground classics. Sloth shouting “Hey you guys” echoed everywhere that year. It was one of those films that made kids feel brave and adventurous. Even adults could not resist getting caught up in the fun.
10. Beverly Hills Cop
Eddie Murphy ruled the box office in 1984 with this fast, funny action comedy. The movie mixed laughs and thrills in a way audiences had not quite seen before. People repeated Murphy’s jokes and impressions constantly after seeing it. The catchy instrumental theme music seemed to play everywhere.
It turned Murphy into one of the biggest stars of the decade. Friends recommended it to each other, and theaters stayed packed for weeks. The film felt modern, energetic, and totally cool. For a while, it was the movie everyone insisted you had to see.
11. Flashdance
In 1983, this stylish drama about a welder with big dance dreams became an unexpected sensation. Suddenly leg warmers and off the shoulder sweatshirts were the height of fashion. The soundtrack produced hit after hit, and people talked about the audition scene endlessly. It was the kind of movie that inspired copycat dance routines everywhere.
Even people who never cared about dance movies found themselves humming the songs. The film had a simple story but enormous cultural impact. It turned Jennifer Beals into a star and made workout fashion mainstream. For months, it seemed like everyone wanted to feel the music.
12. Fatal Attraction
This 1987 thriller sparked conversations in offices, living rooms, and hair salons across the country. People left the theater stunned and immediately needed to talk about what they had just seen. Glenn Close delivered a performance so intense that audiences could not stop discussing it. The movie turned the phrase “bunny boiler” into part of everyday language.
It was edgy, shocking, and a little scary for mainstream audiences. Couples debated the characters and argued about the ending. The film proved that adult dramas could still be massive box office hits. For a time, it was the most talked about movie around.
13. When Harry Met Sally…
By 1989, this romantic comedy had everyone chatting about friendship, love, and that unforgettable diner scene. People debated whether men and women could really just be friends. Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal felt like real people instead of movie characters. The film mixed humor and heart in a way audiences instantly connected with.
Friends went together and compared their own relationships to the story on screen. The dialogue was quoted constantly, especially one very famous lunch order. It became a go to favorite for date nights and group outings. The movie closed out the decade on a smart and charming note.
14. Gremlins
In 1984, this odd mix of comedy and creature chaos took theaters completely by surprise. Kids begged their parents for Gizmo dolls, even if they secretly found the movie a little scary. The story of cute pets turning into mischievous monsters was impossible to forget. People talked about the rules for feeding Mogwai like they were real.
It became one of those movies families watched together and then discussed for days. The blend of holiday cheer and wild mayhem felt totally unique. Fans debated whether it was funny or frightening, and most decided it was both. Either way, it was definitely one of the decade’s most memorable hits.
