The 1980s was a very particular time for cinema.
After all, most ofthe best movies of the ‘80sdid not define the era.
Though best known for horror (The Thingcould have made this list),They Liveis here instead.
There are several reasons for this.
The biggest reason, however, would be its themes of consumption and subliminal messaging.
As it turns out, it’s for reasons both good and bad.
Image via 20th Century Studios
The synthesizer-heavy score of this crime epic alone qualifies it asa movie that feels exceptionally ’80s.
The screenplay was written by Oliver Stone, the first big break in the decade that launched his career.
Overall,Scarfaceencapsulates the time period and cinematic sensibility very well.
Along withScarface, this movie renders the inclusion of a slasher film on this list unnecessary.
These aren’t insults, though;RoboCoptreads a nice line between B-movie and greatness.
1983’sReturn of the Jedi, however, is not.
Image via Paramount Pictures
It’s easily the weirdest and sloppiest installment of the original trilogy.
That random dance number makes the viewer wonder, “Why is this happening?”
without a good answer, which is another marker of this particular decade.
Interestingly,Return of the Jediwas bothpart of a hugely influential mega-hit and a mediocre product of its time.
Meanwhile,the anti-Soviet message here is so aggressivethat it could only come from this decade.
NEXT:‘The 25 Greatest Movies of the 1980s, Ranked’
Image via Universal Pictures
Image via Universal Pictures
Image via Universal Pictures
Image via Lucasfilm
Image via Orion Pictures
Image via Warner Bros.
Image via MGM
