Rediscovering Forgotten 80s Movie Gems: Celebrating 40 Years Of Cinematic Underdogs
The summer Of 1985 was a blockbuster season, dominated by iconic hits like “Back To The Future.” However, amidst these giants, many solid, but less commercially accomplished, movies were overshadowed. As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of these 1985 releases, it’s time to revisit and appreciate some of these forgotten 80s movie treasures. Many of those films got bumped to the margins while those massive hits raked it in.
Unearthing The Overlooked Films Of 1985
Rather of rewatching the usual classics, let’s explore films that deserve a second look. Some are cult favorites, others have faded into obscurity. All are worthy of recognition, four decades later.
“Cat’s Eye”: A Trilogy Of terror
Horror anthologies, when executed well, offer diverse scares. “Cat’s eye,” penned by Stephen King, features three tales connected by a cat with psychic abilities. This feline is on a mission to save a young Drew Barrymore from a troll. While consistency varies across segments, solid adaptations from King’s “Night Shift” collection make it worthwhile. The climax, a battle between a tabby and a tiny monster, offers cheesy fun.
“Ladyhawke”: A Medieval Romance With A Twist
Amidst the ’80s fantasy boom, “Ladyhawke” stood out. Michelle Pfeiffer and Rutger Hauer star as cursed lovers: she transforms into a hawk by day, he becomes a wolf by night. Matthew Broderick adds comic relief as a pickpocket. Directed by Richard Donner (Superman, The Omen), “ladyhawke”, a charmingly uneven oddity, struggled to find its audience despite its star power. The studio, Warner Bros. struggled to market the film sucessfully.
“Stick”: Reynolds Tackles Leonard
Burt reynolds, known for playing wisecracking heroes, starred in and directed an adaptation of Elmore Leonard’s “Stick.” However,studio interference led to notable changes,prompting Leonard to disavow the film. Despite its imperfections, “Stick” boasts a strong cast including Candice Bergen, Charles Durning, and George Segal, delivering a pulpy crime thriller. Although the decade gave us better steamy action thrillers, it also gave us a bunch that were far worse.
“Gotcha!”: Cold War Comedy
Anthony Edwards, before “Top gun,” starred in “Gotcha!,” a Cold war comedy. he plays a college student in Paris who gets entangled in intrigue with Linda Fiorentino. exotic locations, absurd MacGuffins, and a paintball game tie the plot together. While neither star was a major draw, “Gotcha!” offers lighthearted fun, reflecting Hollywood’s approach to easing cold War anxieties. Book yourself a double feature of this and Top Secret!, and relive the ways in which Hollywood helped us laugh off our USSR paranoia in the months before Rocky whooped Drago’s ass and put all that conflict to rest forever.
“Creature”: An “Alien” Homage
Not every “Alien”-inspired film can match the original. “Creature” arrived during the era of practical effects. Despite budget constraints, it offers a chilling atmosphere and features Klaus Kinski. The film’s effects team later worked on “Aliens,” showcasing the experience gained. “Creature” evokes nostalgia for a time when such thrillers graced local theaters.
“Ordeal By Innocence”: Christie Mystery
The success of “Glass Onion” has rekindled interest in agatha Christie adaptations. “Ordeal by Innocence” stars Donald Sutherland as a paleontologist investigating a murder. With a stellar cast including Faye Dunaway and Christopher Plummer, and a score featuring Dave Brubeck, it delivers 90 minutes of solid entertainment, courtesy of Cannon films. The cast, which also features Faye Dunaway, christopher Plummer, and Ian McShane, is superb.
“D.A.R.Y.L.”: A Robot With Amnesia
Before “Short Circuit,” there was “D.A.R.Y.L.,” about a military-grade robot youth lifeform. Barret Oliver stars as Daryl, adopted by a family after escaping the lab. Suffering from amnesia, Daryl discovers his superhuman abilities. While predictable, it appeals to those who miss the era of computer-can-do-anything plots and government standoffs.
“The Stuff”: Consumerism Satire
“The Stuff” functions on two levels: a satire of American consumerism and a horror film about an addictive snack food. The movie probably suffered at the box office reception probably had a lot to do with marketing that minimized the movie’s comedic elements. However,woven into the Body Snatchers-style plot is a lot of pointed humor about our cultural priorities,not to mention a handful of cuckoo cameos from Abe Vigoda,”Where’s the beef?” commercial star Clara Peller,and others. It’s a gleefully subversive “Body Snatchers”-style plot.
“Silverado”: A Western Revival
the Western genre,struggling in the mid-’80s,saw a solid entry with “Silverado”. Released during the “Back to the Future” craze, it was easily overshadowed.Still, with Lawrence Kasdan’s direction and a cast including Danny Glover, Kevin Costner, and Kevin Kline, it delivers a classic Western tale. The story’s pretty standard, but that’s par for the course for Westerns.
“Explorers”: Sci-Fi Coming-Of-Age
Also battling “Back to the Future” was “Explorers,” a Joe Dante-directed sci-fi film. Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix make their film debuts as teenagers who build a spaceship from a circuit board in a dream. A silly, tender adventure, it resembles a sci-fi “Stand by Me.”
“Volunteers”: Comedy In Thailand
Tom Hanks and John Candy reunited after “Splash” in “Volunteers.” Hanks plays a gambler who joins the Peace Corps in Thailand to escape debt. The plot involves Communist brainwashing, drug lords, and Bourne’s conversion. While some gags are dated, it offers wacky ’80s comedy with a great cast, plus the onscreen romance of Hanks and Rita Wilson.
notable 80s Movie Sequels That Shouldn’t Have Been Made
| Movie Title | Reason |
|---|---|
| “Jaws 3-D” | Questionable special effects and a weak storyline failed to capture the terror of the original. |
| “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” | Hampered by budget cuts and a preachy plot, it disappointed fans and critics alike. |
| “Rambo: First Blood Part II” | Over-the-top action and a simplistic narrative diluted the more grounded themes of the first film. |
| “Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo” | Widely mocked for its nonsensical plot and overuse of dance sequences, it became a symbol of 80s excess. |
Why These Films Still Resonate today
These 80s movie underdogs offer a unique glimpse into the era’s filmmaking trends. They showcase the creativity and risk-taking that sometimes get lost in the shadow of blockbuster success. Many 80s movie lovers will say these films provide a refreshing alternative to today’s CGI-heavy productions, emphasizing storytelling and character advancement.
Furthermore,revisiting these 80s movie gems allows us to appreciate the actors and directors before they reached their peak,providing a nostalgic journey back to a simpler time in Hollywood.The imperfections and quirks of these films often add to their charm, making them endearing cult classics.
Pro Tip: Seek out these movies on streaming services or at local video stores for a truly retro experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Forgotten 80s Movies
- What makes these forgotten 80s movies worth watching? They offer unique insights into filmmaking trends, emphasize storytelling, and provide a refreshing alternative to CGI-heavy productions.
- Where can I find these obscure 80s movie titles? Check streaming platforms like Amazon prime Video, Tubi, and Shudder, or visit local video stores.
- What are some common themes in these overlooked 80s movie? Cold War anxieties, consumerism satire, and unique subgenres like medieval fantasy and sci-fi coming-of-age stories.
- How do these forgotten 80s films compare to modern blockbusters? they often stand out due to practical effects, character-driven narratives, and quirky charm.
- Why were these 80s movies not as successful as other films of their time? Factors include intense competition, studio interference, marketing challenges, and the absence of big-name stars.
What are your favorite hidden 80s movie gems? Which of these films will you be revisiting this summer?
Share your thoughts and recommendations in the comments below!
