1. Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)
While John Hughes is mostly remembered for The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful often gets overlooked. This teen romance flips the typical Hughes formula, following a working-class boy who’s torn between his tomboy best friend and the popular girl he’s always admired. It’s heartfelt, funny, and grounded in a way that makes it one of his more mature high school stories.
The movie gave us standout performances from Eric Stoltz, Lea Thompson, and Mary Stuart Masterson, whose portrayal of Watts made her one of the coolest characters of the decade. Even though it didn’t reach the same iconic status as Hughes’ other films, many fans who revisit it now appreciate its emotional depth and bittersweet tone. It’s the kind of movie that resonates differently when you watch it as an adult, which makes it a rediscovery worth celebrating.
2. Electric Dreams (1984)
Electric Dreams is one of those quirky ’80s films that perfectly captures the era’s fascination with technology. It tells the story of a love triangle between a man, a woman, and a computer that suddenly develops feelings. It’s whimsical, funny, and a little strange, but it also captures the anxieties people were beginning to have about technology entering their daily lives.
The film featured a memorable soundtrack, including Giorgio Moroder’s music and the hit song “Together in Electric Dreams.” While it wasn’t a big hit in theaters, it developed a cult following for its charm and offbeat premise. In today’s world of smart devices and AI, its story feels almost prophetic. Fans are starting to revisit it and appreciating it in a whole new light.
3. Streets of Fire (1984)
This movie was billed as a “rock & roll fable,” and it truly feels like a neon-lit fever dream of the ’80s. Streets of Fire combines action, music, and a retro-futuristic setting where a mercenary tries to rescue a kidnapped rock star. With its pulsing soundtrack and stylized visuals, it feels like part musical, part action movie, and part comic book brought to life.
The film starred Diane Lane, Michael Paré, and Willem Dafoe in one of his early villain roles. Though it wasn’t a box office success, it became beloved among cult movie fans who appreciated its bold style. Its soundtrack, especially songs like “I Can Dream About You,” gave it some staying power. Now, people are rediscovering it as one of the most stylish forgotten gems of the decade.
4. My Bodyguard (1980)
Before the ’80s became defined by blockbusters, there were smaller, heartfelt films like My Bodyguard. The movie follows a bullied teen who befriends a misunderstood older kid, played by Adam Baldwin, who becomes his protector. It’s a touching coming-of-age story about friendship, loyalty, and learning to stand up for yourself.
Critics at the time praised it for being more honest than many teen films of the era. Baldwin’s quiet but powerful performance made the film resonate, and it influenced later high school dramas. While it doesn’t get as much attention as John Hughes’ films, those who revisit it are reminded of how tender and grounded it feels. Fans today often call it one of the most underrated teen films of the ’80s.
5. Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)
Adapted from Ray Bradbury’s novel, this Disney-produced fantasy-horror film was darker than most kids’ movies of the time. It tells the story of two boys who discover that a sinister carnival has come to their town, led by the mysterious Mr. Dark. With eerie visuals and a haunting tone, it’s a movie that left quite an impression on those who saw it as kids.
Unfortunately, it didn’t do well at the box office, partly because it was too scary for younger audiences and too whimsical for adults. But over the years, fans of Bradbury and gothic storytelling have rediscovered it. Today, it stands as one of the more daring Disney experiments of the era. Its atmosphere still holds up, and it’s gaining more appreciation among fans of dark fantasy.
6. Night of the Comet (1984)
This cult favorite blends science fiction, horror, and comedy in a very ’80s way. The story follows two valley girl sisters who find themselves among the few survivors after a comet wipes out most of humanity. They face zombie-like creatures, shady scientists, and the challenges of surviving in a deserted Los Angeles.
With its mix of campy humor and genuine post-apocalyptic tension, it became a late-night cable classic. Catherine Mary Stewart and Kelli Maroney brought a lot of charm to their roles, making the movie both fun and oddly empowering. While it was never a mainstream hit, fans are rediscovering it as a perfect time capsule of ’80s style and storytelling. It’s the kind of movie that feels even more fun the second time you watch it.
7. The Last Starfighter (1984)
Every kid who grew up playing arcade games could relate to The Last Starfighter. The movie follows a teenager whose video game skills land him a spot as a real-life starfighter pilot in an intergalactic war. It was one of the first films to use extensive computer-generated imagery, making it groundbreaking at the time.
While it didn’t make as much money as Star Wars, it built a devoted fanbase. Its themes of wish fulfillment and adventure still resonate with audiences today. Fans are now revisiting it as an underrated pioneer of sci-fi filmmaking. Talks of a sequel or reboot keep bringing it back into conversations, proving its lasting appeal.
8. The Legend of Billie Jean (1985)
This movie became an anthem of teenage rebellion in the ’80s, even if it didn’t achieve huge box office success. Helen Slater stars as Billie Jean, a young woman who fights for justice after being wronged, leading to her becoming an accidental folk hero. The story tapped into themes of empowerment and fairness that still feel relevant.
Pat Benatar’s “Invincible” gave the movie an unforgettable anthem, adding to its cult status. Slater’s strong performance made Billie Jean a relatable character for teens who felt powerless. Over time, fans have revisited the movie and embraced it as a symbol of standing up for what’s right. Its message has aged well, making it feel surprisingly modern today.
9. Runaway (1984)
Tom Selleck starred in Runaway, a futuristic thriller about a cop who specializes in stopping malfunctioning robots. When a new type of killer robot hits the streets, he has to stop a villain played by Gene Simmons of KISS. The film was packed with suspense, gadgets, and that unique ’80s vision of the future.
Though it wasn’t a huge hit, it’s fun to look back at now because of how it imagined technology. Some of its ideas, like smart homes and robotics in everyday life, feel eerily ahead of their time. Fans are starting to revisit it both for its campy charm and its surprisingly clever take on the dangers of tech. It’s one of those hidden gems that sci-fi fans enjoy rediscovering.
10. Cloak & Dagger (1984)
This family adventure combined Cold War espionage with a kid’s imagination. Henry Thomas, fresh off E.T., plays a boy who stumbles onto real spy secrets while also living in a fantasy world where his toy soldier comes to life. The mix of childlike wonder and real danger gave the movie a unique tone.
It didn’t get the same love as other kids’ adventure movies like The Goonies, but it still captured a generation of young viewers. Over the years, fans have found it again and praised its mix of thrills and innocence. Today, it feels like an overlooked treasure in the wave of ’80s family adventure films.
11. Explorers (1985)
Explorers gave audiences one of the earliest glimpses of Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix as kids with big dreams. The story follows a group of friends who build their own spaceship and travel to meet aliens. It combined childhood imagination with sci-fi adventure in a way that felt magical.
The film didn’t perform well initially, partly because it was rushed to theaters. But over time, its charm and sense of wonder made it a beloved cult classic. Fans rediscover it today as an underrated piece of ’80s sci-fi that captured the spirit of youthful curiosity. It’s a movie that still sparks a sense of wonder.
12. House (1985)
This horror-comedy blended scares with dark humor in a way that stood out from other horror films of the era. The story follows a writer who moves into a haunted house, only to face bizarre creatures, ghosts, and even alternate dimensions. It’s weird, funny, and creepy all at once.
While it had a small following in the ’80s, it eventually faded behind bigger horror hits like Nightmare on Elm Street. In recent years, fans of quirky horror have rediscovered it and appreciated its unique style. Its mix of laughs and scares feels ahead of its time, making it a fun rediscovery.
13. The Wraith (1986)
The Wraith is part supernatural revenge story, part car-racing action flick, and completely ’80s. Starring Charlie Sheen, it tells the story of a mysterious figure who returns from the dead to take revenge on a gang. With its mix of car chases, rock music, and sci-fi elements, it feels like pure drive-in fun.
The movie didn’t get a lot of attention when it came out, but it built a cult following. Today, people are revisiting it as a high-octane example of ’80s excess and creativity. Its car stunts and eerie premise make it stand out from other forgotten action films of the time. It’s a rediscovery that’s thrilling for fans of both action and horror.
14. The Manhattan Project (1986)
This overlooked thriller tackled some pretty heavy themes for a teen movie. It tells the story of a genius teenager who builds a nuclear bomb as part of a science fair project. What starts as youthful curiosity quickly spirals into a high-stakes conflict with the government.
The film had an intriguing premise that made it stand out from typical high school comedies of the ’80s. While it never became a mainstream hit, it’s being revisited now for its smart mix of suspense and moral questions. Fans see it as a film that was ahead of its time in raising concerns about technology and responsibility.
15. Ladyhawke (1985)
This fantasy film gave audiences a magical love story with a medieval setting. Michelle Pfeiffer and Rutger Hauer play lovers cursed so that he becomes a wolf at night while she turns into a hawk by day. Matthew Broderick plays the thief who gets caught up in their quest to break the curse.
The film combined romance, fantasy, and adventure in a way that felt both sweeping and intimate. While it wasn’t a major success, it built a strong fanbase over the years. Today, people revisit it for its heartfelt performances and its unique blend of fairy tale and epic fantasy. It remains one of the most underrated love stories of the ’80s.
16. Krull (1983)
Part fantasy, part sci-fi, Krull was one of the most ambitious but underappreciated movies of its time. It told the story of a prince on a quest to rescue his bride from an alien overlord, with the help of a mystical weapon called the Glaive. With castles, monsters, and spaceships, it tried to blend genres in a way few films dared.
Although it didn’t perform well at the box office, it gained cult status over the years. Fans today revisit it for its imaginative world-building and unique visuals. It may not have had the polish of Star Wars or Lord of the Rings, but it carved out its own niche as a daring ’80s fantasy. For many, rediscovering Krull feels like unearthing a lost treasure.
