1. Real Genius (1985)
Before nerd culture was cool, Real Genius gave us a smart, quirky look at teen geniuses navigating college life and secret government projects. Val Kilmer steals the show as the effortlessly brilliant and endlessly sarcastic Chris Knight, delivering one of his most charming performances before Top Gun. It blends teen comedy with Cold War paranoia in a way that feels surprisingly fresh.
The movie isn’t just about lasers and practical jokes, though—there’s an emotional core to it too. It explores burnout, the pressure to succeed, and the idea that intelligence doesn’t have to come at the cost of fun. For anyone who loved Weird Science or Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, this one hits the same nostalgic notes with a geekier twist. It’s a cult classic for a reason, and it’s begging to be rediscovered.
2. Working Girl (1988)
Working Girl might be remembered for its big hair and even bigger shoulder pads, but it’s so much more than just an ‘80s fashion time capsule. Melanie Griffith stars as Tess McGill, a secretary from Staten Island with big ideas and no connections, who dares to climb the corporate ladder when her boss (played icily by Sigourney Weaver) steals her pitch. With Harrison Ford playing her charming but grounded love interest, the chemistry and tension are top-tier.
The movie nails that mix of underdog ambition and office politics, with just enough romance to keep it light. Griffith’s performance is both vulnerable and determined, and Carly Simon’s “Let the River Run” gives the whole thing a triumphant, cinematic feel. It’s one of those rare films that manages to be empowering, funny, and completely rewatchable. If it’s been a while since you’ve seen it, now’s the perfect time to revisit Tess’s walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and remember just how good this one really is.
3. The Secret of My Success (1987)
Michael J. Fox was riding high off Back to the Future when this workplace comedy hit theaters, but it’s somehow fallen off most people’s radar. In The Secret of My Success, he plays a recent college grad who fakes his way into a top executive job while also working in the mailroom. The plot is ridiculous, but the energy is pure ‘80s wish fulfillment.
Fox brings his signature mix of charm and hustle, and the film has all the trappings of an ‘80s business fantasy—big hair, big offices, and bigger egos. The soundtrack is wall-to-wall pop hits, including that infectiously catchy title song by Night Ranger. It’s fast-paced, funny, and full of those wide-eyed moments of ambition that made Fox so relatable. Rewatching it now feels like uncovering a time capsule full of shoulder pads and optimism.
4. Summer School (1987)
On paper, a movie about a gym teacher forced to teach summer school sounds like a snooze, but Summer School is full of unexpected heart and hilarious moments. Mark Harmon plays the reluctant teacher who slowly bonds with a misfit group of students, including two horror movie-obsessed teens who stage elaborate gory pranks. It’s the kind of movie that doesn’t try too hard, and that’s what makes it work.
There’s a surprising sweetness to the way the characters evolve, especially as Harmon’s slacker persona starts to crack. And with a supporting cast that includes a young Courtney Thorne-Smith and Kirstie Alley, it’s packed with familiar faces. It’s not flashy or groundbreaking, but it’s endlessly rewatchable. If you’re craving a feel-good comedy that doesn’t take itself too seriously, this is one to queue up.
5. Dead Poets Society (1989)
While it was a major critical success at the time, Dead Poets Society tends to get overshadowed in pop culture by other teen dramas of the decade. But Robin Williams’ role as the passionate English teacher John Keating remains one of the most quietly powerful performances of his career. Set in a rigid 1950s prep school, the film explores how a group of boys are transformed by Keating’s unorthodox lessons about poetry, passion, and the importance of thinking for yourself.
It’s a deeply emotional story that doesn’t rely on melodrama—it builds slowly, letting the characters and their internal struggles take center stage. The young cast, including Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard, give beautifully understated performances that still feel raw today. And of course, the phrase “Carpe Diem” became a cultural rallying cry for a reason. If you haven’t seen it in a while, it’s absolutely worth rediscovering—not just for its message, but for its honest, aching beauty.
6. Streets of Fire (1984)
It called itself a “rock & roll fable,” and that’s pretty much what Streets of Fire delivers. A mix of musical, action flick, and dystopian noir, it follows a tough ex-soldier (Michael Paré) who returns home to rescue his rock star ex-girlfriend (Diane Lane) after she’s kidnapped by a biker gang. The plot is wild, but the style is what makes it unforgettable.
Directed by Walter Hill, the movie is packed with neon-lit visuals and a pounding soundtrack featuring Jim Steinman’s epic power ballads. It feels like something dreamed up in a music video fever dream—but somehow, it works. Willem Dafoe plays a terrifying villain in rubber overalls, and you just have to see it to believe it. It flopped when it came out, but it’s since developed a serious cult following.
7. All of Me (1984)
Steve Martin and Lily Tomlin team up for this body-switching comedy that’s way smarter than it sounds. Martin plays a lawyer who accidentally ends up sharing his body with the soul of a wealthy, dying woman—played by Tomlin—who had plans to transfer her spirit into a younger woman. What follows is a hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt story about learning to work together and, eventually, care for someone very different from yourself.
Martin’s physical comedy is absolutely next-level here, especially as he plays both himself and Tomlin’s spirit in the same body. Their chemistry is sharp, and Tomlin delivers her usual blend of elegance and wit. The movie manages to be both slapstick and thoughtful, which is a rare balance. It might not get talked about as much as The Jerk or Roxanne, but it’s one of Martin’s best performances—and a true hidden gem.
