I’ve had a ton of fun looking back at the movies from the 1980s. I grew up on these films and I’ve been making my way through them year by year. Today we stop in 1985 to look at five of the best films from that year. While 1985 wasn’t as rich with great movies as the previous year, there were still a number of fantastic flicks many of which have stood the test of time. There were a wide range of films that covered nearly every genre and a few turned out to be all-time classics. So considering all of that I won’t go as far as to call this the definitive list. But I firmly believe that these five films from 1985 are absolutely phenomenal.
#5 – “BACK TO THE FUTURE”
I know that this would be #1 on most people’s list and I understand why. It’s a film from 1985 that many do regard as a true timeless classic. While I don’t personally hold it up that highly, I do think it’s a very good film that deserves to be on this list. The whole idea behind “Back to the Future” is just plain fun. It’s also a very “80s” movie that remarkably still holds up well today. Sure a lot of it is due to the nostalgia factor, but just as much is due to the great characters and numerous memorable lines. Michael J. Fox will always be remembered for his role as Marty McFly and watching him trying to get out of his time-jumping predicament is a blast.
#4 – “FRIGHT NIGHT”
Just disregard the lame sequels and poor remake. The original “Fright Night” from 1985 was a great horror picture written and directed by Tom Holland. There were several things that made “Fright Night” stand out. It didn’t just follow the same overused horror movie formula. It cleverly incorporated humor and homage into its creepy vampire tale. There are several laughs mixed in with the frights and the constant tips of the hat to the old classic B-movie horror pictures and television shows really works. But it also features some really good makeup effects from a time when we weren’t dependent on computers to enhance our films. Sure it’s a tad corny at times but that is easy for me to forgive. I’m still a big fan of “Fright Night”.
#3 – “COMMANDO”
Laugh at me or say what you want but “Commando” is still one of my favorite action movies from the 1980s. This was one of the movies that launched Arnold Schwarzenegger into stardom and one of the original ‘one man army’ action pictures that became pretty common later in the decade. “Commando” is brimming with great action, super cheesy one-liners, and a bullet filled finale that I probably watched 100 times growing up. It certainly didn’t win an Oscar and Arnie didn’t earn accolades for his performance. But there are so many memorable moments and I still love watching this wild romp today. The amount of cheese is only surpassed by the body count, but the entertainment value is through the roof. So call me what you want but I do love “Commando”.
#2 – “THE BREAKFAST CLUB”
Talk about a movie that is right at home in the 80s! “The Breakfast Club” remains one of my favorite films from writer and director John Hughes. While this movie is loaded with hilarious moments, it also takes a serious look at a number of weighty teen problems that were often times glossed over during that time. Teen rebellion, social outcasting, suicide, peer pressure, parental pressure – it’s all addressed in a smart and responsible way. But it’s also a film that has fun. 80’s regulars Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, and Anthony Michael Hall each give great performances. But it may be the late Paul Gleason as the merciless assistant principal who steals the biggest laughs. “The Breakfast Club” is such a wonderful film and even as it approaches 30 years old it still doesn’t miss a beat.
#1 – “MASK”
We see so many ‘based on a true story’ movies these days and new biopics seem to pop up routinely. But few have ever carried the emotional pop that you’ll find in the 1985 drama simply titled “Mask”. The movie tells the true story of Roy “Rocky’ Dennis, a boy born with a severe cranial disorder. He’s had to grow up with his incurable facial disfigurement but you would never know it by being around him. His great attitude, chipper demeanor, and ambitious dreams make being around him infectuous. Eric Stoltz is fantastic as Rocky but it’s Cher who really blows me away. She plays his single mother who has had her share of personal troubles but is 100% dedicated to supporting her son. I won’t ruin the ending for you but let me just say if you haven’t seen “Mask” please do. It’s an unforgetable experience.
So there they are – 5 Phenomenal Movies from 1985. What do you think? See something I missed? Disagree with any of my choices? If so please take time to share your comments below. I would love to hear your thoughts on the movies of 1985!
Keith & the Movies 
I’d have Fright Night at the top of the list, but all the others are good as well. I’m getting ready for my year long 30th anniversary review of 1984, a better year than 1985 but you found some good ones.
Oh 1984 was a better year. Not sure if you caught my list for that year but it was incredibly hard to narrow down. Great to hear the love for Fright Night. I still adore that picture.
Tremendous list Keith, TBC i think only gets better (the nostalgia factor increases at least) with time. Mask I have to see, I had no idea Cher was in it. lol
Definitely should see Mask. Cher is in it and she is fabulous. Check it out.
A vintage year! I’d forgotten about Mask, saw it as a teenager on TV in the late 80s or early 90s and found it really moving. I might give that another watch now. Good list with some interesting choices Keith.
Michael J Fox had a good year – Teen Wolf came out in 1985 too.
I’d go for Back To The Future, Witness, The Goonies, Brewster’s Millions and The Breakfast Club. Wait…Pale Rider. Can I have six? Haha.
I hear you. On good years like this, these lists are hard to do. 1985 was good. Not as good as 84 but still a great year. Thanks for reading.
Nice list and great to see The Breakfast Club on.
Thanks man. The Breakfast Club just had to make it.
Very good list. I would personally call Breakfast Club the best of the bunch, but I understand putting Mask at the top. It has a lot going for it, too.
Thanks. It’s good to hear someone else who appreciates Mask. It’s such a strong film. There were several other good movies from that year that I hated to leave off the list.
Mask is very strong. I don’t think it stands the test of time a well as Breakfast Club, which is why I would order the two differently, but Mask still brings a lot of good to the table.
What other movies are you thinking about?
There are several that come to mind. Fletch, Pale Rider, Runaway Train, Rambo, Silverado, and several others.
I actually haven’t seen most of those (Rambo being the main exception), so I got nothing … 🙂
I guess that’s not surprising. I was very young in 1985.
One or two you missed:
Return of the Living Dead
The Goonies
Weird Science
Clue
Teen Wolf
Pee Wee’s Big Adventure
Real Genius
Better Off Dead
Gymkata
Day of the Dead
Rambo
Spies Like Us
European Vacation
Brewster’s Millions
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome
The Last Dragon
Just One of the Guys
Krush Groove
Explorers
My Science Project
The Color Purple
Godzilla 1985
Re-Animator
Well I wouldn’t say I missed them. It would be hard to fit all of those in a top 5 list. 😉
I can say that almost all of those got hefty consideration.
1985 was a gnarly year!
It really was. 84 and 85 put out a lot of movies that are still beloved today.
Mask, really? Where’s The Goonies? Brazil? Clue? Pee Wees Big Adventure? Re-Animator? Fletch?
I’ll take Mask over those for sure. Goonies, Reanimator, and Fletch are really good though.
Fright Night!!! Another good list, Keith. Keep ’em coming!
Thanks bro. I love me some Fright Night!
I love all of your choices, The Color Purple would be my #1.
Thank you. I’m surprised you’re the first to mention The Color Purple. I remember liking it but it never really stuck with me. Been years since I’ve seen it.
I’ve only actually seen Back to the Future from your list! Yep, not even The Breakfast Club! I’d probably stick The Goonies on my list though.
C’mon man! You gotta see Commando! That’s an 80’s cheesefest classic! 😉
Glad to see Phenomenal 5 back. The only one I haven’t seen is #1, but I like most of your choices.
Thanks Ruth! Anxious for you to see Mask. Soooo good!
Ok Keith, I’ll give it a shot at some point. Btw, did you see The Book Thief? That might be a good one to see w/ your kids.
No I haven’t. It’s not showing here. It’s one of my most eagerly anticipated films. It looks right up my alley.
Just posted my review on it, let me know what you think.
Awesome! Thanks for the heads up. I’ll definitely check it out.
Great list – 1985 was a good year for movies.
Thanks! You’re right, great year. It and 1984 put out some great classics.
COMMANDO!!! Fun stuff 😀
“Let off some steam Bennett”
Ha! Best scene 😀
Nice list, Keith! My favorite would be ‘Out of Africa’ and ‘Goonies’.
Thanks. Surprisingly you’re the first person to mention Out of Africa. I was always kind of lukewarm with it. Certainly not a bad film but it never really swept me away.
Ah, well, if you appreciate Meryl as much as I do and the thought of Robert Redford as a love interest you’d be swept away. The cinematography is outstanding and the music great, oh and the book…it’s my idea of a chick-flick. 😉
I do remember the cinematography being fabulous. I do like Streep. Redford, not as much.
Nice list, definitely a couple there to add to my (ever increasing) to-watch. Especially #1, which has entirely slipped under my radar somehow!
Hey thanks! Mask didn’t stand out as one of those 80’s classics even though it was generally well received by critics. That’s just one reason I’m thrilled to get the word out about it. It’s a great movie.
I haven’t seen Fright Night or Mask, but I *love* that you included Commando! That movie is ridiculously awesome.
Absolutely had to put Commando! Tons of cheesy fun.
Out of these I have to admit that I have not seen either Fright Night or Mask.
Two very different but very good movies. Fright Night is a very old school horror picture. I just have a real soft spot for it. Mask is a potent and moving drama. You should really give them a watch.
I LOVE Back to the Future.
As good as “Back to the Future” is, some parts of it have undeniably dated very badly. No matter which way you frame it, Lorraine’s near-rape is so jarringly out-of-place in such a family-oriented film that it left a really bad taste in my mouth, which I’m sure (or at least, I hope) wasn’t Zemeckis’s intention at all. Still a classic, though.