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So I mentioned an old movie, that I was remembering fondly, to a friend of mine the other night. Even though he is quite the movie buff, he was drawing a blank on this particular movie. So it got me thinking. There are a bunch of movies that I watched while growing up, that to this day I still remember as GREAT movies. For the most part, I’m not talking blockbusters or trilogies, as they are obvious movies that most children of the 80s may remember fondly. Now I’m not claiming all these movies are ‘hidden gems’ or that they flew under the radar. Some may have even been quite successful, as I haven’t done a lot of research into overall earnings or any of that. However, none were in the top 5 grossing movies the year they were released.

(Note: These are not listed in any particular order)

1. Krull (1983) (imdb)

Let’s start with this movie as it was the one I mentioned to Peter that started me thinking on this topic. I loved this movie as a kid. The cyclops; horses running on fire; magic; criminals as heroes; spider woman; black fortress; shape shifters; and of course, the ultimate weapon, The Glaive. As a kid, all of it was terribly exciting and new. Not too mention the movie spawned a board game that my friends and I would play all the time.

Now Eric over at www.film.com doesn’t have much good to say about this movie, saying that, “Full of magic, sorcery, and adventure, yet still really boring.” And maybe if I first saw it at an older age, maybe I would have agreed with some of his ‘issues’ with the movie. But I didn’t, I saw it young, I loved it and I will forever be bias when it comes to this movie.

2. Can’t Buy Me Love (1987) (imdb)

A great movie. This came out in 1987, I was starting grade 10 and I was a lot like Ronald. Quiet, shy, not too popular; and here was a guy just like me, turning it all around and getting the girl of his dreams. The more I think about it, this may have been the movie that actually converted me to a chick flick lover.

The premise is, Ronald is a geeky kid who saved up a $1000 mowing lawns over a few summers. He is at the mall going to buy a telescope with his earnings when he sees the most popular girl in school in dire straits. He comes to her aid and offers her his money, if she’ll pretend to be his girlfriend for a month, hoping it will make him cool. It’s an up and down roller coaster ride after that.

3. The Goonies (1985) (imdb)

Come on, you KNEW this one had to make the list! Action, Adventure and Comedy. Not to mention criminals, pirates and a monster. What kid in the 80s didn’t love this movie? I doubt it’s premise requires any explanation as if you weren’t alive in the 80s, you’re probably not interested in this topic anyway. And if you were, I’m fairly certain you’re already familiar with this movie.

4. Lucas (1986) (imdb)

Corey Haim in his first lead role plays a young, geeky kid who gets a crush on a girl a couple of years older than him. However, she likes the football star, played by Charlie Sheen. Again, this may have appealed to me for many of the same reasons ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ did. None the less, I remember really liking this movie as a kid. Then again, maybe I had a small crush on the lead actress as she was the same girl from ‘Goonies’, Kerri Green.

5. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) (imdb)

As soon as we talk about the 80s we know, somewhere along the way, a John Hughes movie will be discussed. I liked many of his movies growing up, but I didn’t want this list to be a tribute to Hughes (Maybe in another post). With movie like Chevy Chase’s ‘Vacations’; Molly Ringwald’s ‘The Breakfast Club’ and other teen classics; John Candy’s ‘Planes, Trains & Automobiles’ and other gems; not to mention ‘Weird Science’; Hughes had a multitude of great movies in the 80s.

However, Ferris gets the nod in this post. The main character talking directly too us throughout the movie was extremely cool. As was Ferris himself. Everything, always worked out for Ferris Beuller. He lived the charmed life, and it was envious. Can I get an amen? Anyone? Anyone? Anyone?

6. Big Trouble in Little China (1986) (imdb)

“Just remember what ol’ Jack Burton does when the earth quakes, and the poison arrows fall from the sky, and the pillars of Heaven shake. Yeah, Jack Burton just looks that big ol’ storm right square in the eye and he says, ‘Give me your best shot, pal. I can take it.’”

Jack Burton. God love ‘em! Kurt Russell was awesome in this movie as the ‘way out matched, but never say die’ hero. Mystical villains, chinese magic, china town gangs and the swaggering idiot who must take them all on. I think after ‘Tombstone’ (sorry, it was in the 90s) this is my second favorite Russell movie.

7. Stand by Me (1986) (imdb)

Maybe not as many as John Hughes, but Rob Reiner directed his share of great 80s movies as well. In fact, unlike John Hughes, I’ve deemed two of Reiner’s movies worthy of making the list. This is the first one. Loved how it was narrated by one of the kids all grown up, and therefore was the telling of a childhood adventure shared with friends. Just a average weekend in a small town. Yet I loved going along for the journey.

When I thought of this movie, I also thought of “It”. As it sort of started off with the same deal, as a narration of a childhood adventure. However, I really disliked the ending of that movie. That clown, and even the ‘light’, had created one of the coolest, scariest villains I had seen up to that point. Then with 5 minutes left in the movie, they totally flip the script and ruin the villain. Luckily, it wasn’t even a candidate for this list as it came out in 1990.

8. The Princess Bride (1987) (imdb)

The second Rob Reiner movie to make the list. I had to put this one on the list as it had it all. Comedy, Adventure, Romance, more Comedy. Like ‘Stand By Me’, it had some narration which I’m starting to realize I must like in movies. Almost every character in this movie was cool to watch, in their own way.

9. The Lost Boys (1987) (imdb)

Before there was Buffy; before there was Twilight; there was ‘The Lost Boys’! A 2 Corey’s movie (Haim and Fieldman, for those living under a rock) brought vampires into the 20th century. Keither Sutherland was awesome in this movie. And yes, I know there was a sequel, but I hardly think it counts when it came out 21 years after the original.

10. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) (imdb)

I know! Yes, it had sequels! Yes, they weren’t separated by 21 years! Yes, it was the top grossing movie of 1981! Yes, having this movie in my lists absolutely breaks the rules set forth at the beginning of this post! Guess what? I DON’T CARE!!! I’m sorry, but this is probably the single most memorable movie of the 80s for me. I LOVED IT! I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!

And I know, if I add this one, it opens up discussions that I should add movies from series like Star Wars, Rambo, Rocky and Back to the Future; not too mention Ghost Busters, Karate Kid, Gremlins(the first one) and possibly Porky’s. Or top grossing films like E.T. and Top Gun. And while all those are worthy additions, they are excluded by the rules set forth above. But sorry, Raiders of the Lost Ark gets a free pass, simply because it is just too huge a part of my movie childhood to ignore. Not that the others weren’t as well. But of them all, this one ranks the highest, thus qualifying it with exemption status, giving it the 10th and final spot on this list.

So there you have it. Childhood movies that stick with ya. Other movies that could have just as easily made the list, if I had thought of them first, include:

Willow (1988) (imdb)
Tron (1982) (imdb)
Footloose (1984) (imdb)

In fact, I would probably bump Lucas for Willow, but it’s late; I’m tired; and I’m going to bed.

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