The '80s action genre became increasingly popular, giving rise to numerous cult hits such as Cobra, Red Dawn, and Road House. Classic '80s action flicks, such as Highlander, The Lost Boys, and The Goonies, achieved cult status through critical acclaim.
The 1980s was a golden age for action movies, characterized by high-octane action, with numerous movies leaving an enduring legacy and becoming cult classics.
Many classic films from the 1980s have become cult classics, enjoying dedicated followings and lasting popularity. While some of these films achieved moderate success at their release, they have since gained recognition and appreciation as they have become part of popular culture. With the constant growth of the media and film industry, many fans are now revisiting classic films to explore what they offered in earlier decades. This has resulted in the discovery of numerous great and influential movies within the action genre that have gained cult status and continue to attract fans.
Sylvester Stallone was undoubtedly one of the biggest action stars of the 1980s, with a significant impact on the genre. He played the role of Marion Cobretti in the film "Cobra," which was a successful sequel and became a cult classic. However, Stallone's career faced a setback when the film received negative reviews, resulting in its cancellation. Despite this, the movie remains a beloved film among fans, with a potential revival in the future.
Red Dawn, a thrilling dystopian film that became a cultural phenomenon in the 1980s, portrays a terrifying World War III erupting in the wake of the dissolution of NATO. A group of teenagers, dubbed the Wolverines, bravely resist the Soviet threat, risking their lives to fight back against the oppressive regime. The film received mixed reviews but achieved significant acclaim for its innovative approach and powerful performances. Notably, Red Dawn was the first PG-13-rated film released in the United States, setting a benchmark for the genre.
In 2012, a remake starring Chris Hemsworth further captured the essence of the original story, captivating audiences with its gripping narrative and unforgettable characters. Red Dawn's enduring legacy is a testament to its timeless themes and enduring appeal.
Road House is a cult classic that every horror fan must watch. It is a must-see for any horror enthusiast.
Another action classic starring Patrick Swayze, Road House, is about a man hired to protect a new club from rampant crime in the area. The movie is incredibly compelling, with some dramatic twists and turns when Swayze's character, James Dalton, is hired to protect the club. Dalton's incredible combat skills and intelligence are put to the test when he becomes the primary target for local criminals. This cult classic movie has also been remade in 2024, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Conor McGregor.
6 Flash Gordon
1980
Bloodsport was one of the most successful cult films of the 1980s. The film saw JCVD enter a lethal martial arts competition where participants were frequently seriously injured or even killed. The film was a runaway financial success, earning several times its budget (via The Numbers), and launched a franchise with several sequels. However, Bloodsport is certainly the biggest success of the series, and gained cult status among fans of the film in the years after the movie was released.
When Highlander was first released in 1986, it achieved early success in certain foreign markets, including the UK and Italy, but outside of these territories, it was relatively unknown. The movie has since garnered critical acclaim and gained a cult status, cementing its status as one of the most celebrated and influential space-action films of all time. Starring renowned actors such as Sean Connery, Kevin Kline, and Michael Keaton, Highlander's quirky visuals, imaginative setting, and humor-laced narrative have left a lasting impact on audiences.
In 1985, a gathering of immortal warriors from centuries-long war convene in New York for a deadly battle for the enigmatic "Prize." Connor MacLeod, born in 16th century Scotland, emerges as a key player in the fight to prevent the Prize from falling into the hands of his treacherous nemesis, Kurgan.
Some comic book films didn't quite make an impression on viewers in theaters, but home video and streaming can give them a whole new audience.
From the director Joel Schumacher, The Goonies is a beloved movie of the 1980s that transcends multiple genres. It features an action-comedy-horror storyline with themes of childhood, friendship, and overcoming adversity. The movie follows the adventures of Michael and Sam, two young boys who move with their divorced mother to a small town in California. Their new home is filled with strange and eerie elements, and they soon find themselves entangled in a web of secrets surrounding the community. The film's critical and commercial success led to its enduring popularity and status as a cult classic in the decades since its release.
When a small Oregon community is threatened by the foreclosure of their homes, a group of young misfits who called themselves the Goonies set out to find an ancient treasure in order to save the town. From a story by Steven Spielberg and a screenplay by Chris Columbus, Richard Donner's The Goonies is an iconic adventure film that has captivated audiences for over three decades. With a cast comprising the talents of Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Corey Feldman, Ke Huy Quan, Jeff Cohen, Robert Davi, and Joe Pantoliano, The Goonies is a cinematic masterpiece that continues to resonate with audiences of all ages.
Escape From New York was initially met with skepticism by the studio, as they lacked confidence in the project and decided not to promote the marketing for it. Despite this, the film gained critical acclaim for its satirical analysis of political and current events, with its stars including Emilio Estevez who played a punk rocker who was fired after assaulting a co-worker. The film also featured supernatural elements and comedy that elevated it, making it a cult classic that continues to gain popularity to this day.
John Carpenter takes on the roles of writer, composer, and director in Escape from New York, a post-apocalyptic sci-fi film where a large portion of New York City is transformed into the largest prison in the world, with all criminals in the United States sentenced there. When the President is kidnapped and taken abruptly into the heart of the prison, the government will turn to former soldier turned convict Snake Plissken to rescue him within 24 hours in exchange for a full pardon of his crimes.
Escape from New York is a dystopian action film by legendary horror director, John Carpenter. The movie stars Kurt Russell, in a fictional 1997, where the United States is overrun by crime and has to convert Manhattan Island into a dedicated maximum security prison. Russell plays an ex-soldier and convicted criminal who is offered the chance to earn his freedom when terrorists hijack Air Force One and crash it into the dangerous island. The movie received praise initially, but the decades since its release have seen it evolve to become one of the best cult action films of the '80s.