Collider - 1980s

The 10 Best Films of the 1980s, Ranked

Michael Block — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 21:54:11 GMT

Every decade has its cinematic touchstones that establish its placement in movie history. The 1980s were no different. The decade saw an extraordinary number of sensational films that shaped Hollywood history. The decade featured feel-good films, high-concept original stories, groundbreaking practical effects, and the precursor to the rise of box office blockbusters. Through bold storytelling, earnest characters, and niche genres coming to the surface, the big screen ruled the '80s.

‘80s Fantasy Movies Whose Special Effects Put Modern Blockbusters to Shame

Lisa Nordin — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 22:03:11 GMT

Fantasy films have long captured the imaginations of audiences worldwide. With magical realms, otherworldly spectres, and mythical creatures, they tell rich and fascinating tales. With so many supernatural components contained within a fantasy movie, there is a real need for inventive and convincing special effects. If the presentation of the visual effects falls short, the illusion crumbles. Not only can poor effects bring viewers out of the world of the play, but they can also completely detract from any action taking place.

The 8 Greatest TV Casts of the '80s, Ranked

Kareem Gantt — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 11:09:11 GMT

Ah, the '80s. The decade when the neon was popping, the hair was close to heaven, and we all wanted to "Walk Like an Egyptian" while wearing our parachute pants. It's no question that the '80s changed the pop culture landscape, and that included TV as well. From the rich people's problems of Dallasto saccharine family sitcoms that always strive to teach us a lesson every week, TV in the 1980s was a sight to behold and offered everything to everyone in every genre.

The 10 Best '80s Fantasy Movies, Ranked

Dawson Nyffenegger — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:14:15 GMT

The 1980s were an incredible time for movies of all genres. From sci-fi to horror to comedy and everything in between, the decade was rife with some amazing movies that are still enjoyed by a wide variety of audiences, both young and old. Among these nostalgic and iconic flicks are films in the fantasy genre, which feature magic and monsters, or even worlds far beyond that of our own, all telling various imaginative stories based on fairytales or folklore.

10 Best Fantasy Books of the 1980s

Luc Haasbroek — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 21:19:14 GMT

Fantasy entered the 1980s still living under the enormous shadow of Lord of the Rings. Tolkien's influence had helped transform the genre into a publishing force, but it had also inspired countless novels built from increasingly familiar ingredients: quests, prophecies, magical artifacts, medieval kingdoms, and battles between clearly defined forces of good and evil.

The Best Rock Album of Every Year of the 1980s

Shawn Van Horn — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 20:27:15 GMT

People of a certain age will tell you that everything peaked in the 1980s. To them, in an era before the internet and social media separated everyone, this decade was when America was about joy and energy. This is an opinion many share about the state of rockmusic too. In the early 90s, as Nirvana and grunge took over, the genre got dark and sad. In the 80s, it wasn't so easy to label, with a variety of popular bands and sounds. These 10 albums epitomize the greatness of rock music in one of the last great decades for a dying breed of music.

7 Forgotten '80s Sitcoms That Have Aged Like Milk

Dyah Ayu Larasati — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 10:47:15 GMT

Nothing beats watching a sitcom after a long day — but some '80s sitcoms just wouldn’t sit well with today's audiences. The art of making people laugh is as timeless as the genre itself, and sitcoms are especially appealing because of their ensemble casts and episodic stories, making them easy to enjoy without committing to a serialized plot. While iconic hits like Seinfeldand modern favorites likeAbbott Elementary often dominate the conversation, plenty of underrated sitcoms are just as capable of delivering laughs.

10 Best Film Noir Movies of the '80s, Ranked

Daniel Boyer — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 00:55:15 GMT

Film noir has been the go-to for compelling entertainment since the Golden Age of Hollywood — back when this genre was first coined in the 1940s and '50s, when stylish black-and-white classics like Double Indemnity, Sunset Boulevard, and The Maltese Falcon captivated audiences with their blend of crime and drama, becoming timeless staples of the genre for decades. Today, it's still a current filmmaking style that has a huge impact on pop culture.

8 Greatest Hard Sci-Fi Movies of the '80s, Ranked

Remus Noronha — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 18:49:13 GMT

The 1980s were a landmark decade in science fiction cinema, bringing about a fundamental shift in how fans perceive hard science fiction. While space operas and blockbuster hits made waves, there were also several grounded and conceptually rigorous films that later grew to be hailed as some of the greatest sci-fi movies of all time. Driven by new special effects technologies, a fresh generation of directors, and a simmering socio-political landscape, sci-fi films of the decade saw a major shift from the philosophical, hopeful themes of the '70s to grittier, grimier, and often dystopian subjects.

10 Best Songs of the 1980s

Jeremy Urquhart — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 12:27:14 GMT

With the 1980s, there’s a bit of a sheen or polish to the decade’s music which might've once been looked down upon, but then naysayers seemed to come around to the decade again, 20 to 30 years later. Especially if you do a little digging beyond just the songs that topped charts, there really is a lot to love. Even with songs that were popular, there’s still a lot to love. Pop music’s not bad because it’s popular, and there is indeed both good and bad pop.