Movies

12 Forgotten 1985 Movies That Deserve to Be Rediscovered

BBG News

40 summers ago, a multitude of timeless movies were released, such as “Back to the Future,” “Cocoon,” “The Goonies,” and “Fletch.” Theaters were buzzing in 1985, implying that some worthy films were overshadowed by these blockbusters. Instead of or perhaps alongside revisiting those cherished classics this summer, it might be worth giving overlooked movies a chance. Some of these films have gained a cult following, while others have been largely forgotten. Despite their age, they all share one trait: you can still appreciate them without feeling any shame today.

Cat’s Eye

Horror anthology films can provide plenty of enjoyment when executed well, yet they can struggle with consistency due to their loosely connected chapters. The trilogy “Cat’s Eye,” written by Stephen King, is one such example that doesn’t completely escape these highs and lows. It features strong adaptations from two stories originally published in King’s 1978 collection, “Night Shift.” The cat vs. troll story, specifically crafted for the film to highlight Drew Barrymore following her role in the mediocre adaptation of another King work, “Firestarter,” was added. Despite not significantly boosting Barrymore’s career, which later saw a resurgence in the early ’90s, this movie remains enjoyable thanks to its mildly cheesy nature. After all, what can one truly criticize when the final confrontation is between a tabby cat and a small monster?

Ladyhawke

In the ’80s, there was no shortage of fantasy films gracing the silver screen, but only one stood out as a unique tale where Michelle Pfeiffer and Rutger Hauer portrayed medieval lovers who transformed into a hawk and a wolf respectively due to a curse. Add to that mix Matthew Broderick as a quick-witted thief, directing by Richard Donner of Superman and The Omen fame, and you’ve got Ladyhawke, an intriguing film that was slightly offbeat in its execution. Both Pfeiffer and Broderick were fresh from hit movies (Scarface and WarGames respectively), yet neither had much experience in this genre, which might explain why Warner Bros. found it challenging to effectively promote the movie. This summer, revisit the era when studios dared to take on ambitious projects like Ladyhawke with its endearing quirks.

Stick

By the mid-’80s, Burt Reynolds had built a notable career as a witty action hero, with memorable roles in films like “Gator,” “Smokey and the Bandit,” and “Sharky’s Machine.” He also demonstrated strong directorial skills and an ability to choose quality scripts. So, when he chose to star in and direct the adaptation of Elmore Leonard’s novel “Stick,” there was no reason to expect anything less than a fun, pulpy movie. Unfortunately, after Reynolds submitted his version, Universal executive Sid Sheinberg demanded extensive revisions, resulting in a significantly altered film that didn’t resonate with audiences. Despite its flaws, the source material is compelling, and the cast, including Candice Bergen, Charles Durning, and George Segal, delivers solid performances. While the ’80s produced better steamy action thrillers, it also produced many worse ones. Today, “Stick” might be worth revisiting as a somewhat rough but enjoyable movie about tough guys, their female counterparts, and the dangerous deals they get involved in.

Read More: 25 ’80s Movie Sequels That Shouldn’t Have Been Made

Gotcha!

In acknowledgement of his due recognition: Despite being perceived as a secondary leading man, Anthony Edwards showcased an impressive array of films in the 80s, ranging from his awkward nerd character in “Revenge of the Nerds” to his role as the ill-fated Goose in the original “Top Gun”. Sandwiched between these iconic roles, he starred in “Gotcha!”, a Cold War action comedy set in Paris, where a college student (Edwards) becomes entangled in dangerous intrigue after meeting a mysterious woman (Linda Fiorentino). The film boasts European locales, quirky plot devices, and a climax centered around the titular paintball-style game. Yet, “Gotcha!” failed to achieve blockbuster status, possibly due to the lack of star power between Edwards and Fiorentino, as well as oversaturation of similar films in the market at that time. However, this doesn’t make it a poor film; instead, consider watching it alongside “Top Secret!”, both being examples of how Hollywood humorously addressed Cold War anxieties before Rocky defeated Drago, effectively resolving the conflict for good.

Creature

It’s clear that not every creature in a movie can be as extraordinary as an Alien, no matter how much effort is put into it. The evidence lies in many of the Alien sequels and prequels. In the 80s, particularly the mid-’80s, when practical effects dominated, films with limited budgets had to work extra hard to disguise budget constraints. Creature serves as a good illustration – the special effects were handled by a company that had recently worked on Jaws 3D, and despite their later success in landing the Aliens gig, they were restricted by the movie’s $1 million budget. While it may fall short visually, Creature compensates with an eerie ambiance, boosted by the presence of Klaus Kinski, who lends a sense of otherworldly weight that many similar films lacked. Unfortunately, such movies would soon find themselves being directly released on video, but watching Creature will remind you of the times when Alien-inspired thrillers were still regulars at your local cinema.

Ordeal by Innocence

The triumph of “Glass Onion” has given rise to a series, renewing enthusiasm for traditional Agatha Christie murder mysteries and even resurfacing some original Christie tales on the silver screen, thanks to Kenneth Branagh’s Poirot film trilogy. However, it’s worth noting that earlier adaptations of Christie’s works are also noteworthy, such as “Ordeal by Innocence,” where Donald Sutherland portrays a paleontologist who unwittingly becomes embroiled in a friend’s murder trial when he discovers he can corroborate his friend’s alibi. The ensemble cast, featuring Faye Dunaway, Christopher Plummer, and Ian McShane, is top-notch; add to that some music from Dave Brubeck, and you’ve got a solid 90 minutes of enjoyable viewing. (Extra credit goes to Cannon Films, the creators of B-movies, whose ’80s flair was so iconic it inspired its own documentary.)

D.A.R.Y.L.

When asked to name a film from the 80s about a likable character who is revealed to be a highly advanced robot, many would choose “Short Circuit”. However, a year prior, we were introduced to “D.A.R.Y.L.”, where Barret Oliver played the lead role as a robot named Data-Analyzing Robot Youth Lifeform (Daryl), who was adopted by an ordinary couple after his creator released him. Daryl, unaware of his past in the lab, thinks he’s just an amnesiac boy until his extraordinary abilities start emerging. Though predictable, if you reminisce about a time when movies showed computers solving miracles and every third film culminated in a confrontation between civilians and government officials, this movie still offers plenty of enjoyment.

The Stuff

Similar to many outstanding sci-fi and/or horror films, The Stuff offers two layers of enjoyment. For those who appreciate satirical undertones, they can anticipate one of the decade’s most delightfully subversive critiques on American consumerism. However, if you prefer watching people losing their sanity over an irresistibly sweet substance that transforms into a popular snack food craze, this film more than delivers. Its disappointing box-office performance might have been due to marketing strategies that overlooked the movie’s comedic aspects, which is unfortunate; hidden within the plot reminiscent of Body Snatchers are numerous witty comments on societal values, along with a few eccentric appearances from actors like Abe Vigoda, Clara Peller from the “Where’s the beef?” commercial, and others.

Silverado

By the mid-80s, the Western genre was on the brink of extinction, partly due to the lasting impact of the box office disaster “Heaven’s Gate” in 1980. Occasionally, cowboys would appear at the cinema, and “Silverado,” released in 1985, is a strong representative of a genre film that likely would have done better if it had been launched during a different era — or perhaps not during the summer when “Back to the Future” was dominating the box office, while Clint Eastwood’s “Pale Rider” rode in and snatched away its remaining success. The plot is typical for Westerns, but that’s expected; watch it for Lawrence Kasdan’s skilled direction and a talented ensemble consisting of Danny Glover, Brian Dennehy, Rosanna Arquette, Jeff Goldblum, Scott Glenn, John Cleese, and Kevins Kline and Costner. Hoo-ah!

Explorers

We’ve been discussing how ‘Back to the Future’ ruled the box office in the summer of 1985, outperforming any other science fiction films. For instance, ‘Explorers’, a delightful coming-of-age movie directed by Joe Dante, was also released that year. This film features Ethan Hawke, making his screen debut, as a teenage boy who dreams of creating a circuit board. He shares this design with his friend, River Phoenix (also debuting), and together they enlist the help of a more streetwise kid from school. Their creation, a diagram for an indestructible force field, allows them to travel vast distances at high speeds. They construct a spaceship using parts from a local junkyard. Just like most of Dante’s films, it’s funny, occasionally surprising, and ultimately heartwarming; imagine it as a sci-fi version of ‘Stand by Me’, and you’ve got the idea right!

Volunteers

In 1984, Tom Hanks and John Candy were up-and-coming actors who gained more prominence after their collaboration in the comedy film “Splash”. The success of this movie opened doors for numerous high-profile projects for both, one of which was “Volunteers” that came out the following year. In this film, Tom Hanks portrays Lawrence Bourne III, a wealthy Ivy League graduate who finds himself in debt and decides to swap lives with his roommate, embarking on a flight to Thailand to work for the Peace Corps. On the plane, he encounters Tom Tuttle (played by John Candy) and Beth Wexler (Rita Wilson), setting off a storyline involving Communist brainwashing, a dangerous drug lord, and Bourne’s transformation from an awkward character to a respectable individual. Although it contains some jokes that may not be as funny today, “Volunteers” remains a wacky ’80s comedy with a talented cast, or for those who want to see the early onscreen romance between Hanks and Wilson before they were married in real life – consider giving it a watch!

80s Movies That Could Never Be Made Today

Big (1988)

In this movie, although individual recollections may vary, here’s the gist: Tom Hanks portrays an adult version of Josh Baskin, a 12-year-old boy whose wish to grow up is fulfilled by a carnival fortune teller machine. After his transformation, Hanks’ character, Josh, flees from home to New York City where he secures a job at a toy company. The story becomes peculiar when we consider that Josh deceives his family into believing he was kidnapped for months and barely recalls his loving mother while enjoying life in a luxurious Soho apartment. By the end of the film, he also develops romantic feelings for one of his colleagues (Elizabeth Perkins’ character). Although it’s not explicitly shown onscreen, it’s heavily suggested that Josh, being a 12-year-old trapped in an adult’s body, may have had intimate relationships. This movie was not just financially successful, but also catapulted Tom Hanks into becoming America’s beloved heartthrob. The 1980s were undeniably peculiar.

Can’t Buy Me Love (1987)

80’s films often featured socially awkward individuals attempting to gain acceptance in desirable social groups through deception or monetary means. In the movie “Can’t Buy Me Love”, a typical nerd, portrayed by Patrick Dempsey, uses the money he saved for a telescope to instead bribe a popular girl (Amanda Peterson) into feigning a relationship with him. The scheme proves successful, and soon Dempsey’s character becomes excessively cool, behaving rudely towards others. This film seems to convey the message that money can purchase love, and people may tolerate abhorrent behavior if they perceive you as fundamentally good-natured, which might not resonate as positively today.

Dream a Little Dream (1989)

In the movie “Dream a Little Dream,” there’s a less pleasant and rather unusual plot compared to other ’80s films. This story revolves around a teenager named Lainie (played by Meredith Salenger), who is in a harmful relationship with an abusive boyfriend. A classmate, played by Corey Feldman, finds himself emotionally attached to her and attempts to help her escape this toxic bond.

The plot takes a dark turn when Lainie’s parents support her abusive boyfriend instead of their own daughter, even considering moving the entire family due to her refusal to comply with the boyfriend’s violent demands after he hit her. The situation worsens when Lainie’s mother drugs her (unbeknownst to the audience at this point), supposedly for her own good.

This disturbing storyline, understandably, led to a sequel being produced.

Heathers (1989)

In 1989, the topic of high school students harming or even killing each other wasn’t as sensitive as it is now. A movie called “Heathers,” about a girl (Winona Ryder) and her new boyfriend (Christian Slater) who try to eliminate their rivals in a way that makes it look like suicides, was seen as dark satire on teenage cliques back then. Nowadays, such violence among kids isn’t comedy; it’s a sad reality. Despite this, “Heathers” remains popular enough that filmmakers have attempted to modernize it. Interestingly, when the Paramount Network rebooted “Heathers” for television a few years ago, they almost showed that the movie couldn’t be remade today – the premiere of the show was constantly delayed due to real-life school shootings. Eventually, the show did air, but it was heavily edited; the final episode was actually a combination of the last two episodes.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)

In the initial sequel of “Indiana Jones”, the character Indiana Jones and his companions encounter an Indian cult called Thuggee, who have kidnapped children from a neighboring village to force them into labor in a mine. The entrance to this mine is concealed beneath a palace, where Indy is invited to a dinner featuring exotic dishes such as snakes and monkey brains. This portrayal of Indian culture and cuisine, which some might find offensive and inaccurate, could potentially cause controversy in the 2020s. Furthermore, this film was so unsettling that it led many young viewers to be frightened, leading the Motion Picture Association (MPAA) to introduce a new PG-13 rating for movies that were too intense for a PG rating but not violent enough for an R rating. Today, if a movie intended for families featured a villain who brutally extracted hearts from their victims’ chests, it would likely cause alarm!

Revenge of the Nerds (1984)

The long-standing comedy film, despite its theme revolving around mistreated outcasts, exhibits an unexpectedly harsh edge. It is peppered with offensive humor, including homophobic and racist remarks, as well as a plotline where a group of fraternity nerds seek revenge on a sorority by invading their house and surreptitiously spying on them using hidden cameras. This leads to the main nerd character deceiving a popular girl by pretending to be her boyfriend, eventually having sexual relations with her under false pretenses. Notably, she falls in love with him despite his deception. A remake was attempted in the mid-2000s, but it collapsed at the last minute prior to filming. This could be due to the fact that the only way this movie resonates in the 21st century is through a reboot that critiques the idea that socially awkward individuals deserve love, fame, or success simply because they faced some bullies.

Short Circuit (1986)

In case you recall, “Short Circuit” was a heartwarming comedy about an intelligent robot who unexpectedly develops consciousness and defies its military programming. If it’s been a while since you last watched it, you might not remember that the significant side character, the roboticist Ben Jabituya, portrayed by Fisher Stevens, was Indian but appeared in brownface. This character became so well-liked that he became the (non-robot) main character in the sequel, “Short Circuit 2”. Although “Short Circuit” was a hit in the 1980s, Fisher Stevens has since expressed regret for the role, stating it continues to haunt him and he would not reprise that part again.

Sixteen Candles (1984)

John Hughes is largely known for his clever and empathetic portrayals of teenagers in movies such as ‘The Breakfast Club’, ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’, and ‘Sixteen Candles’. However, this sensitivity was not consistently present in all of his characters or films. For instance, revisiting ‘Sixteen Candles’ now, one might find it difficult to accept the presence of Long Duk Dong, a foreign exchange student who appears to embody numerous Asian stereotypes. This character is even accompanied by a gong sound effect whenever he appears on screen. In later years, Molly Ringwald, the star of ‘Sixteen Candles’, admitted in a piece for The New Yorker that Long Duk Dong was a “grotesque stereotype”. This essay also critically examined Hughes’ films’ portrayal of women and casual homophobia, which have made his works significant relics of their time rather than contemporary reflections.

Soul Man (1986)

In 1986, an unexpected comedy titled “Soul Man” was produced. This film follows the story of a self-indulgent college student named Mark (played by C. Thomas Howell), who manages to gain admission to Harvard Law School only to find out that his wealthy father won’t cover the tuition fees. In a desperate attempt to secure an African American scholarship, Mark resorts to excessive tanning pills and a wig in an effort to change his appearance. Remarkably, this questionable disguise works temporarily. While the movie seems to have good intentions by poking fun at Mark’s ignorance, much of its humor is startlingly insensitive. It’s more likely that we will see a remake of “Gigli” in the 2020s than “Soul Man”.

Zapped! (1982)

In the film “Zapped!”, a teenager acquires telekinetic powers and employs them to embarrass girls he dislikes by forcefully stripping their clothes in public. Remarkably, this character is portrayed as the movie’s protagonist. Following an experiment gone wrong, Scott Baio’s character, Barney, gains supernatural mental abilities, which he subsequently misuses against almost every woman in his circle of life – even the girl at school who shows him kindness. (When he attempts to lift her shirt and she resists, he utilizes his powers to do so.) It’s important to note that sexual content is a common theme in movies, dating back over a century. However, “Zapped!” repeatedly portrays abuse as a source of humor.

Read More

2025-06-12 00:26

Previous post ‘I Cried’: Tom Felton Revealed The Moment During His Draco Malfoy Fitting For Cursed Child That Made Him Very Emotional
Next post 13 of the late Brian Wilson’ s finest songs to revisit