Movies are a huge part of our society.
There is nothing more relaxing than picking out a movie that you have been waiting to see, turning your brain off, and watching while you relax for the night. As for people who were privileged enough to be alive in the 80’s, well let’s just say that movies meant a whole lot to them and they took a lot of life lessons from them along the way. So we put together a list of movies that mean a lot to us 80’s kids.
1. Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)
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Bill ( played by Alex Winter) and Ted (played by Keanu Reeves) are high school friends that are determined to start a band, there’s just one problem: they are facing an F in their history class, which would lead to Ted be sent to military school. Luckily, the are helped by a man from the future, Rufus (played by George Carlin), who is certain their band would be perfect for his era. Rufus lets the boys use his time machine to collect historical facts for their history project so that they can pass.
This movie teaches us a lot about the past, but also to rely on the help of friends when facing a tough struggle. It’s better to go through something together than alone. And you never know who might have a time machine handy.
2. Short Circuit (1986)
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A robot is struck by lightning, giving it human emotions and intelligence. He receives help and shelter from an animal-loving pacifist (played by Ally Sheedy).
This movie shows that friends can come in all forms and compassion might just be exactly what someone, or something, needs. It reminds us to be kind to things that are different than us.
3. Twins (1988)
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Two fraternal twins are born by experiment and separated at birth. Julius (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) and Vincent (played by Danny DeVito) are dead, or at least, that is what their mother (played by Bonnie Bartlett) is told. Vincent grew up to be a street hustler while Julius was raised by a scientist (played by Tony Jay) and grew up humble and smart, but still naive. Julius find out about his family and begins his search for them.
This movie taught us to never give up on family, even when people are shooting at you. It also reminded us that differences in personalities really can be beneficial.
4. Top Gun (1986)
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When the very talented fighter pilot Maverick (played by Tom Cruise) is sent to the Top Gun school he is immediately outcasted by the others due to his cockiness and recklessness. This movie taught us about love, enemies, and friendship. It showed us how important it is to get along with the people you work with and the value of being humble.
5. The Breakfast Club (1985)
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Five very different high school students share a Saturday detention with the power-hungry principal (played by Paul Gleason). The students include bad boy John (played by Judd Nelson), rich girl Claire (played by Molly Ringwald),the outcast Allison (played by Ally Sheedy), prodigy Brian (played by Anthony Michael Hall) and the athlete Andrew (played by Emilio Estevez). As the day goes on each student reveals their background. By the end of detention, they all see each other differently than before.
This film taught us that looks should never be what we make our first judgment upon. It taught us to get to know someone first because we have no idea what they are going through behind closed doors.
6. Wargames (1983)
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High school student David Lightman (played by Matthew Broderick) was searching for video games when he hacked into a military supercomputer. He started a game of Global Thermonuclear War, which ends up making the supercomputer activate the nation’s nuclear arsenal in response the threat he wasn’t aware he made to the Soviet Union. He must stop the next WWIII!
The lesson behind this film is this: don’t hack into government software. Also, sometimes it’s the most ordinary people who have incredible gifts, even if those gifts threaten the world with another war.
7. An American Werewolf In London (1981)
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College students David ( played by David Naughton) and Jack (played by Griffin Dunne), get attacked by a wolf while on a backpacking trip. David gets bit, but Jack was killed by the wolf. While in the hospital David can’t stop having horrible nightmares about his friend’s warnings that he is turning into a werewolf. He considers committing suicide before he is forced to live as a beast.
For starters, when backpacking, bring a weapon. Secondly, werewolves are obviously real, so don’t doubt them. In all honesty, I think this film has a deeper meaning, and that is to accept your demons instead of hiding them or hating yourself over them. Everything has a cure and that cure is definitely not suicide.
8. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
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After the murder of his close friend, Axel Foley (played by Eddie Murphy) pretends to go on vacation to Beverly Hills, but is really tracking the killer. He touches base with his friend Jenny Summers (played by Lisa Eilbacher) and becomes suspicious of her boss, Victor Maitland (played by Steven Berkoff). With everything working against him, he struggles to find his friend’s killer.
This movie taught us to follow our gut, even when people are doubting us. It also shows us what loyalty and determination look like.
9. Back To The Future (1985)
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Marty McFly (played by Michael J. Fox) takes a time machine back to the ’50s when his friend Doc (played by Christopher Lloyd) has an experiment go wrong. While in the ’50s he is forced to make sure his parents (played by Crispin Glover and Lea Thompson) fall in love or he will cease to exist. On top of that, he has to return to the present to save his friend Doc. This movie is one of the best classics I’ve ever seen. It teaches us about friendship, bravery, and courage. It teaches us to think outside the box and to never give up.
10. Dead Poets Society (1989)
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New English teacher, John Keating (played by Robin Williams) begins work at an all-boys preparatory school famous for ancient traditions and elite standards. He slowly starts to make a difference with his unique approach to teaching among students who face extreme pressure from their families. Soon, the students Neil Perry (played Robert Sean Leonard), Todd Anderson (played Ethan Hawke) and others learn to embrace themselves and pursue their dreams.
This movie just goes to show the meaning of embracing who you are in a world that is trying to make you something else. It teaches us to stay true to ourselves because that is the best person we will ever be.
11. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
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E.T, an alien, becomes lost and stranded on Earth until a boy named Elliott (played by Henry Thomas) finds him and becomes his friend.Him and his siblings become attached to the alien and decide to keep him a secret in their home. It works until E.T. becomes very ill which results in government intervention making things very difficult.
This movie teaches us about doing what is best for other’s even if it’s not what you want for yourself. It is a true example of friendship, understanding, and compassion.
12. Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981)
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The government hires Dr. Indiana Jones to find the Ark of the Covenant, which is believed to still hold the ten commandments. Proving to be very dangerous and difficult for Jones, he discovers agents of Hitler are also after the Ark.
These movies taught us all the meaning od adventure, determination and sticking to your word. No matter what obstacle he faced, Indy always pulled through and never gave up.
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