1. “Thriller” by Michael Jackson
There’s a reason everyone still tries to nail the zombie dance. When “Thriller” debuted, it didn’t feel like a music video so much as a mini-movie, complete with costumes, makeup and a storyline that pulled you right in. Kids who were too scared to watch horror films somehow made an exception for this one. It became a cultural moment that made MTV impossible to ignore. The choreography, the werewolf transformation, and the Vincent Price voiceover all became instantly iconic. You didn’t just watch “Thriller,” you experienced it.
And once you saw it, you couldn’t look at music videos the same way. Suddenly, artists were thinking in terms of plot, special effects, and Hollywood-level ambition. Michael Jackson set a new standard for what a video could be. The ripple effects shaped the entire ’80s music landscape. It was the rare case where art and entertainment collided to create something unforgettable.
2. “Like a Prayer” by Madonna
Madonna was never afraid to push buttons, but “Like a Prayer” took things even further. The video mixed religious imagery with bold storytelling and instantly sparked controversy. Whether people loved it or hated it, they definitely talked about it. The flames, the crosses, and that unforgettable church scene all added up to something daring.
The video helped cement Madonna as the queen of reinvention. It also showed how visuals could deepen the message of a song and elevate pop music into something more layered. Advertisers may have backed away, but fans leaned in even harder. The result was a cultural moment that kept her at the center of every ’80s conversation.
3. “Take on Me” by A-ha
“Take on Me” is one of those videos that feels like stepping into a comic book. The mix of live action and rotoscope animation looked futuristic at the time and still holds up as something special. It told a fantasy-tinged story that instantly drew viewers in. When the hand reaches out of the comic panel, it was pure movie magic. Kids rewatched it over and over just to see how that world came to life.
It helped prove that music videos could be imaginative in ways people hadn’t even dreamed of yet. A-ha might have made a great pop song on its own, but the video pushed it into pop culture legend territory. Directors started thinking more visually afterward, leaning into bold ideas. And for fans, it became one of the coolest memories of MTV’s golden age.
4. “When Doves Cry” by Prince
Prince was already a force, but “When Doves Cry” made people pay attention to how he moved, not just how he sang. The video was stylish and moody, full of mirrored images, striking colors and Prince’s unforgettable charisma. It was sensual without being over the top. That opening bathtub moment became the kind of instantly recognizable image that shaped the decade.
This video reinforced Prince’s status as an artist who did things his own way. His creativity felt effortless but sophisticated. It pushed the boundaries of how a male pop star could express himself and inspired an entire wave of musicians who wanted to embrace both vulnerability and power. It was a turning point for music and visual style alike.
5. “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper
If joy had a soundtrack and a look, this video nailed it. Cyndi Lauper created a world where everyone felt invited to the party. The bright colors, quirky fashion and playful spirit made it endlessly rewatchable. Kids loved her energy, and adults couldn’t get the song out of their heads.
It also marked a moment when female artists embraced bold individuality. Lauper’s look felt personal and fun, not manufactured. The video helped establish her as a pop culture icon with something to say about freedom and self-expression. Decades later, the message still resonates.
6. “Sweet Child o’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses
Before this video came along, hard rock didn’t always dominate MTV. “Sweet Child o’ Mine” changed that by giving viewers a glimpse of the band’s raw, unpolished style. It felt like stepping into a rehearsal, complete with Slash’s top hat, Axl Rose’s swagger and that legendary guitar riff. It made rock feel accessible, not intimidating.
The video opened doors for other hard rock and metal acts, proving that MTV audiences were hungry for more than polished pop. Fans connected with the authenticity and the attitude. It made Guns N’ Roses household names practically overnight. And it helped reshape what mainstream rock looked like moving forward.
7. “Sledgehammer” by Peter Gabriel
“Sledgehammer” felt like a creative explosion on screen. Using stop-motion animation, claymation and surreal visual tricks, the video was unlike anything people had seen before. Every frame seemed to morph into something unexpected. It was playful, weird, and completely mesmerizing.
The video dominated award shows and inspired countless artists to experiment with animation techniques. Gabriel’s willingness to take risks paid off, solidifying the song’s place in music history. It also proved that music videos could stand on their own as works of art. That mix of inventiveness and charm helped define the decade.
8. “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson
“Billie Jean” wasn’t just a hit, it was the video that broke through MTV’s unspoken limitations. Michael Jackson’s dancing, combined with the glowing sidewalk and noir-style storyline, made the video feel both futuristic and classic. It was polished, stylish and endlessly rewatchable.
The massive success of “Billie Jean” helped push MTV toward featuring more diverse artists. It also set the stage for the network to become a global force in shaping trends. For fans, the video became the blueprint of cool. And for Jackson, it helped launch him into superstardom.
9. “Material Girl” by Madonna
“Material Girl” was Madonna at her most theatrical. The video lovingly recreated Marilyn Monroe’s “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” number from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, but with an ’80s edge. It was cheeky, glamorous, and full of visual flair. Viewers couldn’t help but be pulled in by its charm.
The video made Madonna synonymous with reinvention and pop culture savvy. She wasn’t just singing a song, she was creating an image layered with meaning. It also helped cement her role as a fashion icon. As far as ’80s videos go, this one is still instantly recognizable.
10. “Addicted to Love” by Robert Palmer
When people think of ’80s music videos, Robert Palmer surrounded by identically dressed models is one of the first images that comes to mind. The video played with the idea of glamour in a tongue-in-cheek way, and viewers loved its cool, minimalist style. The models’ blank expressions became part of the joke. It was simple but completely unforgettable.
Other artists tried to imitate the concept, but no one ever matched the original’s charm. It helped define the era’s aesthetic, blending fashion and music into something sleek and iconic. The video became Palmer’s signature visual moment. And it remains one of the most parodied and referenced videos in pop culture.
11. “Here I Go Again” by Whitesnake
This video helped cement the image of the rock star driving down the highway with wind in their hair. Tawny Kitaen dancing on the hood of a white Jaguar became a defining image of ’80s rock culture. Fans were instantly captivated. The video made the band feel larger than life.
It also underlined how much visuals mattered for hard rock bands during the decade. The mix of romance, rebellion and pure attitude hit all the right notes for MTV audiences. It gave Whitesnake one of the most memorable rock video moments of the decade. And it shaped how rock bands thought about image going forward.
12. “Walk This Way” by Run-DMC & Aerosmith
This collaboration blew open the doors between rock and hip-hop. The video showed the two groups literally breaking down a wall between genres, which made the symbolism clear and unforgettable. Seeing Aerosmith and Run-DMC perform together felt revolutionary at the time. It helped introduce rap to a broader MTV audience.
The impact didn’t stop there, though. The video reignited Aerosmith’s career and gave Run-DMC mainstream visibility. It also set the stage for future genre-blending collaborations. In a decade full of bold ideas, this one managed to stand out.
13. “Hungry Like the Wolf” by Duran Duran
Shot on location in Sri Lanka, this video felt like part music video, part adventure film. With its jungle chase scenes, dramatic visuals and cinematic style, it instantly pulled viewers into a totally different world. It made Duran Duran look glamorous and mysterious, which only added to their allure. MTV played it nonstop, and fans couldn’t get enough.
It helped transform the band into global superstars. The video also showed how traveling to exotic locations could create buzz and elevate a song’s image. It blended storytelling with stylish visuals in a way few bands had tried before. For many fans, it became the moment Duran Duran defined the look and feel of the ’80s.
