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- With audiences’ love of 80s cult films set to be re-ignited by the release of the critically lauded Evil Dead Rise, it seems an appropriate time to look back on some of the most cherished cult movies from the decade of big hair and even bigger explosions. From horror hits like The Evil Dead to sci-fi adventures, coming-of-age comedies, and barnstorming blockbusters, the 80s still stands as the gold standard for cult cinema.
The decade of the 1980s was the golden age of cult movies, producing some spectacular films that have garnered a popular following as they have aged. More than forty years later, they still feel as fresh and exciting as they did when they were released.
These films produced small but dedicated pools of fans, earning their status as cult classics. Through the love and attention they have provided these films, they have gone on to become pop-culture landmarks, inspiring and capturing the imagination of modern-day moviegoers and filmmakers.
Updated on April 20, 2023, by Ryan Heffernan:
With audiences’ love of 80s cult films set to be re-ignited by the release of the critically lauded Evil Dead Rise, it seems an appropriate time to look back on some of the most cherished cult movies from the decade of big hair and even bigger explosions. From horror hits like The Evil Dead to sci-fi adventures, coming-of-age comedies, and barnstorming blockbusters, the 80s still stands as the gold standard for cult cinema.
13 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' (1982)
This hilarious coming-of-age flick packs in some of the biggest stars we now know in the 21st century. The ensemble works perfectly together in this most righteous movie, featuring Judge Reinhold, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and a young Sean Penn.
Based on writer Cameron Crowe's actual high school experiences and directed by genius Amy Heckerling, Fast Times at Ridgemont High features a group of kids just being kids. If you look closely, you might even be able to spot an extra by the name of Nicolas Cage.
12 'Flash Gordon' (1980)
A B-grade sensation of action sci-fi entertainment, Flash Gordon was released in 1980 and has been loved ever since. As one of the earliest comic book adaptations, accompanied by an iconic soundtrack by Queen, it won viewers' hearts instantly.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was originally the first choice to play the quarterback until Sam J. Jones won the part. The cheesy space opera includes some iconic British performers, including future James Bond star Timothy Dalton and Brian Blessed, who delivered the famous quote-worthy line "Gordon's alive!".
11 'Highlander' (1986)
A Franco-American actor playing an immortal Scotsman (Christopher Lambert) and a Scotsman playing an immortal Spaniard (Sean Connery) – what could be better? The fight for immortality in both 16th-century Scotland and 1980s New York has stolen the hearts of viewers over and over again.
Another entry with a catchy soundtrack provided by Queen, the Russell Mulcahy film was filled with epic sword fights and a terrifying villain in The Kurgan played by prolific actor Clancy Brown. Spawning several sequels and spinoffs, the film gains more adoring fans every screening.
10 'Videodrome' (1983)
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Blondie vocalist Debbie Harry starred in this David Cronenberg classic. Famous for graphic body horror films, Cronenberg succeeded in gaining support from major Hollywood studios in making Videodrome.
The film gained a massive following by pushing the constraints of censorship to a new level. A dramatic orchestral score accompanies the satirical and subversive themes of the film. Bombing at the box office didn't stop this Cronenberg staple from being welcomed into the cult classic hall of fame.
9 'An American Werewolf in London' (1981)
John Landis' horror-comedy shook the world in 1981 and even took home a historical win for the first Oscar for Best Makeup on its way to becoming a reputable hit of 80s horror. A celebrated staple of monster horror, it has endured the test of time quite remarkably, being passed down through the generations to imbue new fans with its paralyzing terror.
The seamless blend of horror and comedy in An American Werewolf in London offers something for fans of both, the genres combining and creating a huge following still active today.
8 'They Live' (1988)
Horror/sci-fi director John Carpenter was something of a master of 80s cult films. While not his biggest hit of the decade, They Live has garnered a dedicated fanbase thanks to its wondrous mix of 50s-style science-fiction thrills and 80s action excess.
It follows a drifter whose life is invigorated with purpose when he discovers a pair of sunglasses that reveal society’s elite to be aliens using mass media to brainwash humanity. A fun-loving picture with a penchant for social satire, it has only grown more prominent as the Western world’s obsession with media outlets has evolved.
7 'The Goonies' (1985)
Richard Donner's The Goonies introduced the world to actors such as Josh Brolin and Sean Astin and took audiences on an epic swashbuckling adventure. In fact, it was so infectious that most viewers wanted to join the rag-tag gang and help them save the goon docks and their homes.
The treasure hunt for One-Eyed-Willie's ship filled with gold and jewels, all the while in pursuit by the criminal family, The Fratelli's, offers viewers a timeless 80s adventure that absolutely anyone can enjoy.
6 'The Fly' (1986)
Another Cronenberg classic, The Fly made use of groundbreaking special effects and Jeff Goldblum's acting prowess to maximum effect. Fans were both disgusted and enthralled by the horrifying visuals, with Goldblum's Seth Brundle's slow transformation into a huge fly something no one can forget.
The tragic love story between Seth and Ronnie (Geena Davis) is just as compelling as Seth's horrific transformation: their relationship is doomed as soon as Seth shows her his working teleporter.
5 'The Thing' (1982)
Kurt Russell is the poster boy of 1980s cult movies, appearing in numerous classics throughout the decade. The Thing is one of the most beloved John Carpenter films but didn't start that way. It was met with instant criticism but later became emblematic of the 80s after being released on home video and television.
The Thing is now considered a landmark horror film. From its terrifying practical effects to its ensemble cast, and themes of paranoia and isolation, this film has endured well into the present day.
4 'Big Trouble in Little China' (1986)
Another Russell/Carpenter masterpiece, this classic flopped at the box office but is a winner in the audience's hearts. Big Trouble in Little China is a genre-busting work, blending action, comedy, satire, and adventure with Chinese mythology and the immigrant experience. It took time to gain its followers, but they came in full force when it did.
Once again, Russell is playing an anti-hero, fighting the evil Lo Pan (James Hong) and helping his friend (David Dun) save his kidnapped fiancée. The unique soundtrack to the film works alongside the expert martial arts, exhibiting the skill and talent needed for its perfect fight scenes.
3 'The Lost Boys' (1987)
Vampires, Corey Haim, Corey Feldman, and Echo and the Bunnymen – what more could viewers want? This iconic and influential film gave the audience lines such as "Death by stereo" and "They're only noodles, Michael."
Joel Schumacher's black comedy is often considered the beginning of the teen vampire films, changing the sub-genre into what viewers know now. Performances from the young, then-unknown cast (featuring Kiefer Sutherland and Jason Patric) lead The Lost Boys' cast of misfits. Who wouldn't want to be friends with The Frog Brothers?
2 'Escape From New York'(1981)
Yet another appearance from Kurt Russell, Escape From New York, sees Russell play the eye-patch-wearing, gun-toting anti-hero Snake Plissken as he tries to save the President (Donald Pleasence) from the futuristic maximum-security prison that is Manhattan Island in exchange for his own freedom.
Another Carpenter film, this sci-fi action flick gives little background to Russell's character, yet audiences fell in love with him anyway. A look into the dystopian world where crime roams free still impacts those today, making it effortlessly translatable for decades.
1 'The Evil Dead' (1981)
Based on director Sam Raimi's short film Within the Woods, The Evil Dead saw Bruce Campbell fight off some pesky demons in a cabin in the woods. The film was the springboard for Raimi, Campbell, and even producer Joel Coen of the Coen Brothers.
The strict budget restraints restricted the movie's production, yet it only made it better. The shaky camera and the practical special effects all make for one huge fan favorite which is just as scary now as it was in 1981.