12 Underrated 80's Films To Watch
The 80's were full of some classic films, but here are some that I think are underrated and worth watching.
Every time I seem to mention films that I think are “underrated”, somebody normally tells me one or more aren’t actually that, and sometimes, maybe they’re right, but the problem is that “underrated” means something different depending on who you ask.
Now, none of these films are lost masterpieces of course, and none of them are going to suddenly replace the biggest classics of the decade, but they are movies that I’ve enjoyed over the years and found myself recommending far more often than their reputation would suggest, even if some of them also did get some award nominations.
Night of the Comet (1984)
This is one of those movies that immediately puts me in a good mood, as everything about it screams 1980s, but it also never feels trapped by the decade it came from either, featuring with a funny, self-aware attitude that makes it very easy to enjoy, and every time I revisit it, I’m reminded how much charm can make up for a limited budget.
The Last Dragon (1985)
The Last Dragon is simply pure joy, and it’s impossible for me to watch it without smiling at least a few times, as the whole thing seems to operate on its own wavelength, packed with so much personality, feeling like the kind of movie that could only have been made in the good ol’ 1980s.
Class of 1984 (1982)
Don’t expect a fairly standard thriller with this one, as it’s much darker and meaner than you might be prepared for, and while a lot of movies from this era have become softened by nostalgia, this one still has that rough around the edges charm, which is a huge part of its appeal.
The Brother from Another Planet (1984)
Probably the most unique film on this list, and the more movies I watch, the more I appreciate filmmakers who are willing to tell stories in unusual ways, and I also just love how strange it is, where it’s the scenes and moments you will remember, rather than the plot points, which is usually a sign a movie has done something right.
My Science Project (1985)
This movie feels like somebody emptied an entire notebook of ideas onto the screen, but without much idea about how to actually translate it to the screen, but that’s also what makes it fun, as it’s bursting with imagination in a way that a lot of modern studio films aren’t.
And even if some of it barely makes sense at times, it’s a movie that’s certainly swinging for the fences, and one that’s not terrified of taking risks, with an energy to it that I find incredibly likable.
Summer School (1987)
One of my favorite comfort-watch comedies from the decade, and it’s the kind of movie I’ll randomly put on and end up finishing even if I only meant to watch a few minutes.
The humor isn’t trying to reinvent comedy, and the characters aren’t especially deep, but it works, so maybe that’s why I think it deserves more love, even if comedy is obviously incredibly subjective.
Deadly Friend (1986)
Deadly Friend is a very strange movie, which is probably the main reason I remember it so well, and when people talk about Wes Craven, this is rarely the first title that comes up, which is understandable considering some of the films attached to his name, but I still think this one gets dismissed a little too easily, and it’s a film that has tons of personality, and personality goes a long way with me.
Wanted: Dead or Alive (1986)
Many action films in the 80’s got buried under the sheer number of them being released during the decade, as the 1980s were packed with larger-than-life action stars and massive blockbusters, with a lot of solid films ended up getting lost in the shuffle, so whenever I revisit this one, I’m reminded how much I simply enjoy straightforward action movies that don’t overcomplicate things - it’s confident, entertaining, and never wastes your time.
Little Monsters (1989)
When I was younger, this one actually felt like a fun fantasy film, but when I watched it again as an adult, I realized how weird, dark, and unsettling it actually is, as it has this very specific imagination behind it that you don’t see much anymore, where the movie feels completely committed to its own bizarre world, and I respect that.
Running on Empty (1988)
Out of everything on this list, this might be the one I most strongly feel deserves a larger audience, as there’s something refreshingly honest about it, where it never feels like it’s trying to manipulate your emotions, it simply lets the story and performances do the work, and the older I get, the more I also seem to appreciate films that want to trust their audiences.
Cutter’s Way (1981)
This movie has a solid enough reputation among film fans, but I still think it deserves a bigger audience, and it’s a film where everything about it feels slightly unpredictable, even when nothing dramatic is happening, there’s still a serious quiet tension underneath the surface that keeps pulling you forward, and I love movies that feel a little dangerous, ones that don’t give the audience exactly what they might be expecting, and Cutter’s Way has that quality in abundance.
Chopping Mall (1986)
I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who loves Chopping Mall for sensible reasons, because people love it for how utterly ridiculous it is - the title is ridiculous, the premise is ridiculous, and half the fun comes from how enthusiastically it embraces its own absurdity.
This is exactly the kind of movie I put on when I want to have fun, as it’s endlessly entertaining, and completely aware of what kind of experience it’s delivering.
Sometimes that’s all I need.
So those are my picks - some have become cult favorites, some are genuinely overlooked, and some probably have more fans than I realize.
What are some underrated movies from the 80’s you would recommend?
Night of the Comet rocks.
The 80s didn’t just make films. They made worlds. Even the strangest titles carried a kind of handmade ambition you don’t see anymore. What people call underrated is often just work that was made with personality instead of permission.