1. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
   Dirty Dancing
2. Driving Miss Daisy
   Aliens

Audiences certainly 'had the time of their lives' when "Dirty Dancing" was released in 1987. With Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in the lead roles in this movie of forbidden love and dancing, lots of raunchy dancing was an instant hit! The soundtrack was great, too!

1. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
   Dirty Dancing
2. Driving Miss Daisy
   Aliens

A beautiful story of the relationship between an older lady and her chauffeur, "Driving Miss Daisy" was directed by Bruce Beresford and released in 1989. It starred Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy in the lead roles and went on to win four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actress.

1. Footloose
   Dirty Dancing
2. Aliens
   E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

Kevin Bacon dancing. Lots of Kevin Bacon dancing. Throw in some teenage rebellion, a fire and brimstone preacher (who hates dancing and rock music) and you have one of the favorite teen dramas of the 1980s. "Footloose" stars a dancing Kevin Bacon, John Lithgow, and Lori Singer. It also had an incredible soundtrack.

1. Aliens
   Top Gun
2. Footloose
   ET

'I feel the need, the need for speed!' Yes, "Top Gun" was an instant classic when released in 1986. A story about pilots from the elite Top Gun school of the U.S. Navy, it features dogfights, real fights and, of course, a love affair! Audiences love it all!

1. Risky Business
   16 Candles
2. The Breakfast Club
   Raging Bull

Who doesn't remember "The Breakfast Club"? It's probably John Hughes' best teen flick of the 1980s. The stellar cast included '80s teen princess Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez and Judd Nelson.

1. Top Gun
   Footloose
2. Aliens
   Gorillas in the Mist

"Gorillas in the Mist" tells the real-life story of Dian Fossey, an American primatologist who studied the mountain gorillas of Africa, Rwanda in particular. Fossey was brutally murdered in 1985, many believe as a result of her conservation efforts and anti-poaching stance. Sigourney Weaver played the role of Fossey in the movie which was nominated for ​five Academy Awards.

1. Top Gun
   Aliens
2. The Shining
   An Officer and a Gentleman

Women all over the world swooned at the sight of Richard Gere in a U.S. Navy uniform at the release of "An Officer and A Gentleman" in 1982. The movie also starred Debra Winger and Louis Gossert Jr.

1. An Officer and a Gentleman
   The Blue Lagoon
2. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
   Driving Miss Daisy

Fairly risky for 1982, "The Blue Lagoon" tells the story of two teenagers who are stranded on a deserted island. Based on a novel by Henry De Vere Stacpoole, "The Blue Lagoon" was directed by Randal Kleiser and features Brooke Shields.

1. Footloose
   Aliens
2. Glory
   9½ Weeks

"9½ Weeks" was based on a book by Elizabeth McNeill and starred Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger. Rourke was ordered to lose 30 pounds before filming to make sure he looked in tip-top conditions.

1. 9½ Weeks
   Risky Business
2. La Bamba
   The Blue Lagoon

1983's "Risky Business" starred Tom Cruise and Rebecca de Mornay in the lead roles. Interestingly, the sunglasses worn by Cruise in the movie saw a 2000 percent spike in sales after its release. Just shows you what a bit of product placement can do, right?

1. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
   Dirty Dancing
2. Driving Miss Daisy
   Aliens

In space, no one can hear you scream. In the cinema, however, they certainly could! A sequel to "Alien" from the 1970s, "Aliens" saw Sigourney Weaver reprise her role as Ripley. And again, she kicked Alien butt!

1. The Breakfast Club
   Dirty Dancing
2. Driving Miss Daisy
   The Karate Kid

What a brilliant bit of fun 1984's "The Karate Kid" is. Pat Morita is a delight as Mr. Miyagi and his training of Ralph Macchio's Daniel is legendary.

1. Gorillas in the Mist
   Raging Bull
2. Top Gun
   Dirty Dancing

Directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, "Raging Bull" tells the story of boxer Jake LaMotta, both inside and outside the ring. "Raging Bull" won two Oscars, including Best Actor for De Niro.

1. Witness
   Poltergeist
2. 9½ Weeks
   Glory

A winner of two Oscars, 1985's "Witness" stars Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis and a young Lukas Haas. It centers on a young Amish boy (Haas), the witness to a murder and Ford's police character who has to protect him until the trial.

1. Top Gun
   Footloose
2. Witness
   WarGames

With the Cold War still in full swing, 1983's "WarGames" struck a chord with many. In it, David (Matthew Broderick) thinks he is playing a computer game when actually, he could be starting World War III. "WarGames" also starred Ally Sheedy and was directed by John Badham.

1. WarGames
   Youngblood
2. Poltergeist
   Raiders of the Lost Ark

As part of the Brat Pack, Rob Lowe's star was shining brightly in the mid 1980s. In 1986, he starred in "Youngblood," a hockey movie directed by Peter Markle. It also starred Patrick Swayze and Cynthia Gibb.

1. Youngblood
   Driving Miss Daisey
2. Amadeus
   E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

Starring F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce and Elizabeth Berridge, "Amadeus" tells the story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart through the eyes of Antonio Salieri, a composer so jealous of him that he claimed to have murdered him. It won eight Oscars,​ including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director.

1. Amadeus
   Scarface
2. The Shining
   Aliens

Directed by Brian de Palma, written by Oliver Stone and with Al Pacino in the lead role, "Scarface" is 1983's tour de force! At the time, the 203 'F' words in the movie were the most for any film.

1. The Karate Kid
   Youngblood
2. Scarface
   Chariots of Fire

The true story of Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell, two British athletics, one a Jew and the other a Christian, and their preparation for the 1924 Olympics and the Games themselves. "Chariots of Fire" won four Oscars, including Best Picture.

1. The Shining
   Raiders of the Lost Ark
2. Raging Bull
   Gorillas in the Mist

Based on a Stephen King novel of the same name, "The Shining" was directed by Stanley Kubrick and stars Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duval. It tells the story of man driven mad by an evil spirit while with his family in an isolated hotel during winter.

1. Raiders of the Lost Ark
   Chariots of Fire
2. Born on the Fourth of July
   Poltergeist

Tom Cruise portrays Vietnam veteran Ron Kovic who returns to the United States from his tour of duty paralyzed. Kovic turns into an anti-war protester after he believes his country abandoned him. "Born on the Fourth of July" was written and directed by Oliver Stone.

1. Glory
   La Bamba
2. An Officer and a Gentleman
   Raiders of the Lost Ark

"Glory"tells the story an all-black volunteer unit fighting for the Union during the American Civil War. It stars Denzel Washington and Matthew Broderick. Washington won an Oscar for his portrayal of Private Trip.

1. La Bamba
   The Right Stuff
2. Born on the Fourth of July
   The Blue Lagoon

"The Right Stuff" tells the story of the astronauts chosen for the Mercury space program. It stars Sam Shepard and Ed Harris amongst others and was directed by Philip Kaufmann.

1. The Right Stuff
   Dead Poets Society
2. 9½ Weeks
   Risky Business

A true '80's classic, "Dead Poets Society" sees Robin Williams play the role of John Keating, an English teacher who inspires his students to 'seize the day.' Sadly, tragedy brings everything crashing down. This movie was nominated for four Oscars, winning one.

1. Dead Poets Society
   The Shining
2. An Officer and A Gentleman
   Great Balls of Fire!

Starring Dennis Quaid and Winona Ryder, "Great Balls of Fire" tells of the rise and fall of rock 'n roll star Jerry Lee Lewis.

1. The Right Stuff
   Platoon
2. The Blue Lagoon
   The Breakfast Club

Directed by Oliver Stone, 1987's "Platoon" has a stellar cast, including Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger and Willem Dafoe. It tells of the horrors of the Vietnam War.

1. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
   Dirty Dancing
2. Driving Miss Daisy
   Aliens

Directed by Steven Spielberg, "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" was released in 1982 and became an instant classic. And rightly so! A cute alien, a friendship made in the stars and attempts to keep E.T. from authorities kept audiences enthralled.

1. The Blue Lagoon
   La Bamba
2. Footloose
   Top Gun

Richie Valens was an up and coming rock 'n roll star when he died in a plane crash that also killed Buddy Holly and the Big Boppa. Valens was only 17 years old. "La Bamba" tells his story with Lou Diamond Phillips in the lead role.

1. Platoon
   Witness
2. WarGames
   Stand and Deliver

1988's "Stand and Deliver" tells the story of Jaime Escalante, a math teacher who refuses to give up on his students, despite the troubles they go through. He teaches them math in an unconventional way, preparing them for an exam no one expects them to overcome.

1. Footloose
   Driving Miss Daisy
2. Raging Bull
   Raiders of the Lost Ark

Released in 1980, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" had everything... a swashbuckling storyline, a brilliant lead character, action galore and plenty of humor! Directed by Steven Spielberg, it led to two further movies in the 1980s, "The Temple of Doom" and "The Last Crusade."

1. The Karate Kid
   Poltergeist
2. An Officer and a Gentleman
   The Shining

Did you know that Steven Spielberg was one of the screenplay writers on "Poltergeist"? This horror film from 1982, directed by Tobe Hooper and starring JoBeth Williams, had audiences jumping in the aisles.

1. Stand and Deliver
   The Color of Money
2. An Officer and a Gentleman
   Footloose

In "The Color of Money," Fast Eddie Felson (Newman) takes on a new protege (Cruise) to teach the tricks of pool hustling. Paul Newman won an Oscar for his portrayal of Fast Eddie.

1. Blue Velvet
   The Color of Money
2. Witness
   WarGames

Directed by David Lynch, "Blue Velvet," released in 1986, features Isabella Rossellini, Kyle MacLachlan and Dennis Hopper. Lynch was nominated for an Oscar but didn't win.

1. Gorillas in the Mist
   Aliens
2. All the Right Moves
   Glory

Another '80s movie, another with a Tom Cruise appearance. "All The Right Moves" was one of the actor's earliest movies and sees Cruise as a small town high school football player. It also stars Lea Thompson and Craig T. Nelson.

1. Glory
   Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
2. The Shining
   9½ Weeks

After the success of "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" followed in 1984. Harrison Ford was back in the role of Indy with Steven Spielberg behind the camera. In true fashion, the movie is a delightful action drama filled with dry humor, tons of action and more. A worthy follow-up​ indeed.

1. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
   Raging Bull
2. Scarface
   Staying Alive

A follow-up from "Saturday Night Fever," "Staying Alive" sees John Travolta back in the role of Tony Manero. Tony is now trying to make it big... on the biggest stage in New York, Broadway. Interestingly, Sylvester Stallone is credited as a writer for the movie.

1. Out of Africa
   Staying Alive
2. Stand and Deliver
   Platoon

Sydney Pollack's "Out of Africa" was one of the massive films of the decade. It starred Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, eventually winning seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director.

1. Amadeus
   Out of Africa
2. Great Balls of Fire!
   Wall Street

Another great Oliver Stone film, "Wall Street" follows a young stockbroker determined to make it to the top... fast. It stars Charlie Sheen and Michael Douglas who took the Oscar home for Best Actor for his performance.

1. Wall Street
   Road House
2. Cocktail
   Top Gun

By 1989, Patrick Swayze was a household name, thanks to "Dirty Dancing." In "Roadhouse," he plays a bouncer fighting for the locals in a corrupt town. "Road House" also stars Kelly Lynch and Sam Elliot.

1. The Color of Money
   Road House
2. Cocktail
   Platoon

Another Tom Cruise movie from the 1980s! In this one he is a bartender who takes a job in Jamaica and falls in love. Standard stuff, really...