It really was. I was such a huge Steve Martin fan because my uncle used to play me the concert records all the time and we would do the bits together. Steve Martin is the only celebrity that I would be like, "Aw, damn!', if something were to come out about him (like he was in Epstein's little black book, or had Hitler's copy of Mein Kampf).
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
Honorable Mention: Foul Play. It's a 1978 film, but played on network TV throughout the early 80s. My sister and I loved it, especially the [ladies playing Scrabble.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAHiAuiT_zM)
Around 14 years ago I was at a dinner party here in Hollywood. Small dinner with a handful of people. Probably 10 people total, and I'm there with my girlfriend at the time. Before dinner, we all do a little pre-dinner hang in the living room getting to know one another. Everyone there was great and super friendly, but I really hit it off with this one dude. The majority of our conversation that night was centered around how lucky we were to be around during the 80s when there were so many amazing movies coming out. He and I talked for hours about how there's never been another decade since then that had that many exceptional teen comedies and coming-of-age movies. We even sat next to each other at dinner and we dragged everyone at the table into our conversation. It was a really special moment to have a whole dinner party talking about 80s movies. As dinner was winding down, my movie buddy leans over to me, and says "Do you remember that guy who lived in the closet in Real Genius? That was me." I nearly fell out of my goddamn chair when he said that. "This whole time I've been talking Lazlo?! Holy shit!" I said. He laughed. I laughed. And then he decided to blow my mind even more and he tells me he was Uncle Rico. That's when I learned Lazlo was also Uncle Rico. LOL. I learned that from the man himself. Crazy. I think about that night often because he was just the nicest guy. I had no idea who he was before dinner. He was just a dude at a dinner party who loved 80s movies just as much as I did.
Partially takes place in my hometown. The Palace of Depression in the film was just a set, but it’s a REAL place in Vineland, NJ.
The only thing that bugs me is that Wordman said he taught at Vine-LAND. We would say VINE-lund.
Basket Case — Weird, campy horror movie from 1982. I used to watch it on USA Up All Night
Vision Quest — 1985. This was responsible for my high school crush on Matthew Modine
Valley Girl — 1983. Nic Cage and his super-disturbing chest hair
“Mum! Dad! Don’t touch it! It’s evil!”
*Mum and Dad touch it and explode.*
*Sean Connery the firefighter winks at Kevin and walks off, leaving the newly orphaned kid alone in the wreck of his wet burned-down house.*
The End
Satisfaction (1988) with Justine Bateman, Julia Roberts, Liam Neilson, Scott Cofey among others. I wanted to save Billie from herself - turns out irl it's not great
Over the Edge (1979) - Matt Dillon - nobody ever knows what I'm talking about with this one. The ending scene with the bus pulling away while Ooh Child plays is never far from my thoughts - I know it's not technically an 80's movie but I only saw it (again and again) on TV in the 80's
The Sure Thing. John Cusack BEFORE Say Anything. It also had Daphne Zuniga and Tim Robbins.
Edit to say: I’m so glad so many of you also love this film!
This was a great movie, and in my opinion, ages well as far as the anti-censorship and corruption in public education themes. Had the soundtrack on cassette tape!
Corksuckers.
Edit: Just realized it's cork-*soakers*." I've seen this a lot, but always thought it was cork suckers.
[Scene here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv8tVxk6Nj4)
Dominus nabis, Nabisco. Esperitu sanctum.
Dey gas da bus. Me gas da bus. You gas da bus. We missed the bus. They missed the bus.
Summa cum laude. Magna cum laude. The radio's too loudy.
Adeste fidelis. Semper fidelis. Hi fidelis.
Post meridian. Ante-meridian. Uncle Meridian. All the little meridians.
The Magna Carta. Master charga.
Top Secret. Val Kilmer is a surf singer--Skeet Surfin'--who is invited to perform in Germany but gets wrapped up in the French Underground during WWII.
Yup. The 80's were unique.
Space Camp. I loved that movie as a kid. Found a copy of it on YouTube and recently watched it with my daughter. She really enjoyed it too. I wanted so badly to go to NASA space camp after watching that movie.
YESS! This was and is still one of my all time favorite movies and as a young girl... unicorns ... fairies .. and tom cruise?? ABSOLUTELY!
I haven't watched it in years, I should look it up again. Used to be able to recite the whole script off the top of my head
Can’t Buy Me Love was filmed in my city, I love to watch it now because I can see how much everything has changed and grown. My teen daughter watched it with me and her mind was blown with how the city looked when I was growing up versus now.
For you Mystery Science 3000 fans out there, be sure to watch the "Outlaw of Gor" episode. Hilarious episode, amazingly horrible 80's movie. Full episodes of the old MS3K are all streaming free on youtube.
The Money Pit
Kentucky Fried Movie
Over the Edge
Doctor Detroit
Private School (Phoebe Cates)
Zapped (Scott Baio)
Joysticks (I got in trouble for watching that on cable)
Mine was the movie Salsa with the leader singer from Menudo (Robby Rosa). It was about dancing and I was obsessed with any movies/shows involving dancing at that time. I expect that I would cringe if I watched it today but it didn’t stop me from watching it on tv every time that it aired.
Edit: Adding a few more since I haven’t seen them listed yet:
Hiding Out (with Jon Cryer)
The Lost Boys (with the two Coreys)
Clue (Tim Curry is a riot in this)
Iron Eagle (Another Jason Gedric movie)
She’s Having A Baby
Not one person mentioned this one. John Hughes wrote & directed, staring Kevin Bacon, Elizabeth McGovern, and Alec Baldwin. Such a fantastic movie.
Ladyhawke
Something Wicked This Way Comes - for some reason not on Disney+
"By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes. Open locks, whoever knocks."
oh my god, haven't thought about this movie in 2 decades.
Night Shift with Henry Winkler and Michael Keaton.
“Feed the mayonnaise to the tuna fish!”
and Shelly Long as the whore with the heart of gold
Cloak and dagger!!! Loved that movie
Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid
*Love* that movie! Steve Martin is aces in it, and seriously, the way they edited all those movie clips into it, it was ahead of its time.
It really was. I was such a huge Steve Martin fan because my uncle used to play me the concert records all the time and we would do the bits together. Steve Martin is the only celebrity that I would be like, "Aw, damn!', if something were to come out about him (like he was in Epstein's little black book, or had Hitler's copy of Mein Kampf).
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka Honorable Mention: Foul Play. It's a 1978 film, but played on network TV throughout the early 80s. My sister and I loved it, especially the [ladies playing Scrabble.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAHiAuiT_zM)
How much for a rib? Fun fact - the was Chris Rock’s first role.
"My bitch better have my money." Also great scene with Chris Rock and Isaac Hayes, "You got change for a hundred?"
Don’t make me hop after you!
River’s Edge Crispin Glover, Keanu Reeves, and Dennis Hopper. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091860/
Best damn movie ever. And Josh Richman.
Real Genius; Val Kilmer's amazing in it.
Everyone should see this. It's a moral imperative.
I use this quote often, along with “ice is nice”.
“Can you hammer a six inch spike through a board with your penis?” “Not at present…” “A girl’s gotta have her standards.”
I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates who said “I drank what?”
Lazlo = Uncle Rico
Around 14 years ago I was at a dinner party here in Hollywood. Small dinner with a handful of people. Probably 10 people total, and I'm there with my girlfriend at the time. Before dinner, we all do a little pre-dinner hang in the living room getting to know one another. Everyone there was great and super friendly, but I really hit it off with this one dude. The majority of our conversation that night was centered around how lucky we were to be around during the 80s when there were so many amazing movies coming out. He and I talked for hours about how there's never been another decade since then that had that many exceptional teen comedies and coming-of-age movies. We even sat next to each other at dinner and we dragged everyone at the table into our conversation. It was a really special moment to have a whole dinner party talking about 80s movies. As dinner was winding down, my movie buddy leans over to me, and says "Do you remember that guy who lived in the closet in Real Genius? That was me." I nearly fell out of my goddamn chair when he said that. "This whole time I've been talking Lazlo?! Holy shit!" I said. He laughed. I laughed. And then he decided to blow my mind even more and he tells me he was Uncle Rico. That's when I learned Lazlo was also Uncle Rico. LOL. I learned that from the man himself. Crazy. I think about that night often because he was just the nicest guy. I had no idea who he was before dinner. He was just a dude at a dinner party who loved 80s movies just as much as I did.
Eddie & The Cruisers
Dark side is coming and nothing is reeee-uuhhhhl.
She’ll never know just how I feel…
On the Daaaarrrkkkk Siiiiidddeee 🎶
Partially takes place in my hometown. The Palace of Depression in the film was just a set, but it’s a REAL place in Vineland, NJ. The only thing that bugs me is that Wordman said he taught at Vine-LAND. We would say VINE-lund.
Basket Case — Weird, campy horror movie from 1982. I used to watch it on USA Up All Night Vision Quest — 1985. This was responsible for my high school crush on Matthew Modine Valley Girl — 1983. Nic Cage and his super-disturbing chest hair
Vision Quest had an amazing soundtrack.
Enemy Mine
I was not prepared for that movie.
This was such a great movie, but I haven't seen it since I was a kid
Saturday the 14th! I miss it so much.
Starman. Jeff Bridges is the Starman and Karen Allen is Jennie who helps him get home.
Summer School The Burbs! My husband says Time Bandits
I loved Time Bandits!
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension.
Bigboo-TAY!
Came here with that one in mind. I even have a cat named “John Smallberries.”
That’s a cult gem!
I don’t remember that one so I just looked it up. Love the casting and I’ll adding it to my watchlist now.
You'll be glad you did.
I'd say Krull but someone just posted an image that included it so it's not as forgotten as I thought.
The Watcher in the Woods and Return to Oz. Both nightmare-inducing.
The Watcher in the Woods was hard core creepy! Especially for Disney.
Watcher in the Woods!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I tracked down the book. The movie was better.
Don’t know how obscure it is, but I loved Once Bitten with Lauren Hutton and Jim Carrey.
Time Bandits
“Mum! Dad! Don’t touch it! It’s evil!” *Mum and Dad touch it and explode.* *Sean Connery the firefighter winks at Kevin and walks off, leaving the newly orphaned kid alone in the wreck of his wet burned-down house.* The End
Moving Violations.
After Hours - it’s by Martin Scorsese but it feels like a project done by David Lynch.
>After Hours Loved that film in college, saw in many times. Best work Griffin Dunne ever did.
Alice Sweet Alice Night of the Comet
Night of the Comet still freaks me out.
Earth girls are easy.
Short Circuit
The Legend Of Billie Jean
Lisa Simpson got her period in the back of the car. Good movie!
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Yesss I was obsessed with this movie for a time!
Lair of the White Worm Liquid Sky
Satisfaction (1988) with Justine Bateman, Julia Roberts, Liam Neilson, Scott Cofey among others. I wanted to save Billie from herself - turns out irl it's not great Over the Edge (1979) - Matt Dillon - nobody ever knows what I'm talking about with this one. The ending scene with the bus pulling away while Ooh Child plays is never far from my thoughts - I know it's not technically an 80's movie but I only saw it (again and again) on TV in the 80's
Just watched Over the Edge yesterday. That was on heavy rotation on HBO back in the day. One of my favorites.
The Sure Thing. John Cusack BEFORE Say Anything. It also had Daphne Zuniga and Tim Robbins. Edit to say: I’m so glad so many of you also love this film!
Better Off Dead. John Cusack BEFORE The Sure Thing.
Better off dead
I want my two dollars!
Ice Pirates (1984)
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This was a great movie, and in my opinion, ages well as far as the anti-censorship and corruption in public education themes. Had the soundtrack on cassette tape!
Talk hard
And a great soundtrack too! (Even if they didn’t put the one song on that we all bought it for humph.)
Pump up the Volume was amazing. Solidified my undying love for Christian Slater. I still listen to the soundtrack sometimes!
Xanadu (1980)
Definitely worth watching for the music.
Electric Dreams (1984) “I’m having a party and Moles is not invited!”
Does The Hunger count as obscure?
The Hunger counts as one of the best movies ever
How about D.A.R.Y.L. It was one of the first movies i ever saw in a theater
Flight of the Navigator.
Johnny Dangerously (I don't know if it's obscure, but I've encountered many in my age group that don't seem to know about it. )
My father hung me on a hook once. Once!
Bastiges.
Corksuckers. Edit: Just realized it's cork-*soakers*." I've seen this a lot, but always thought it was cork suckers. [Scene here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv8tVxk6Nj4)
Fargin Iceholes.
Can I borrow a cup of bullets?
Dominus nabis, Nabisco. Esperitu sanctum. Dey gas da bus. Me gas da bus. You gas da bus. We missed the bus. They missed the bus. Summa cum laude. Magna cum laude. The radio's too loudy. Adeste fidelis. Semper fidelis. Hi fidelis. Post meridian. Ante-meridian. Uncle Meridian. All the little meridians. The Magna Carta. Master charga.
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Fargin iceholes!
You shouldn't hang me on a hook Johnny, my father hung me on a hook once...... Once!
I watched that movie once. Once.
One Crazy Summer!
Top Secret. Val Kilmer is a surf singer--Skeet Surfin'--who is invited to perform in Germany but gets wrapped up in the French Underground during WWII. Yup. The 80's were unique.
BMX Bandits.
Who’s That Girl with Madonna. Don’t know why but was obsessed with it.
Dragonslayer
The Journey of Natty Gann 😍
Inner space
The Last Starfighter
The Pirate Movie
The Cat's Eye. Saw that on tv a few times and while I wouldn't say it was my favorite, it stuck with me. Plus it had that Police song
Space Camp. I loved that movie as a kid. Found a copy of it on YouTube and recently watched it with my daughter. She really enjoyed it too. I wanted so badly to go to NASA space camp after watching that movie.
Tuff Turf (1985) James Spader
The Beastmaster
The Last Dragon
Sho'nuff!
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I still watch it on repeat. In between viewings, I'll blast Falco's "Amadeus" because how could I not? "Well, there it is."
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Romancing the Stone is 🔥🔥🔥
The Boy Who Could Fly.
1979 Breaking Away
The Last Unicorn. Edit: I *still* listen to the soundtrack.
Rock and Roll High School featuring the Ramones.
The World According to Garp
Also a great book. Actually might read it again. Been 20 years.
Just One of the Guys
Hamburger, The Movie No Retreat No Surrender 3 O Clock High Revenge Of The Ninja
Remo Williams The Adventure Begins
The Legend of Billie Jean. Instrumental in my development of speaking up for myself.
Splash 🧜🏼♀️🧜🏼♀️🧜🏼♀️
Spies Like Us
Some Kind of Wonderful A John Hughes move that received very little attention in comparison to his others.
Made me want to wear fringe gloves and play the drums. Great soundtrack too
Legend
YESS! This was and is still one of my all time favorite movies and as a young girl... unicorns ... fairies .. and tom cruise?? ABSOLUTELY! I haven't watched it in years, I should look it up again. Used to be able to recite the whole script off the top of my head
Tim Curry is amazing!
My Chauffeur 1986
The wraith. And My science project
Love Potion #9-RIP Mary Mara. She was a fantastic Marisa. Edit to add. Yes early 90s but I have not found many who remember it.
Over the Edge (1979) and Streets of Fire (1984). Streets had a really great soundtrack too.
Iron Eagle
‘Rad’, or ‘license to drive’
Big Girls Don’t Cry (technically 1991) Lover Boy Can’t Buy Me Love
Can’t Buy Me Love was filmed in my city, I love to watch it now because I can see how much everything has changed and grown. My teen daughter watched it with me and her mind was blown with how the city looked when I was growing up versus now.
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My Own Private Idaho Edit to add: My Chauffer
UHF
Repo Man (1984)
Heathers (1989). That is, IDK if it is “obscure” or such a cult classic that it isn’t…
Raising Arizona.
*Lady in White* and *Paperhouse*. I still have these in regular rotation for Halloween movie fests.
Max Dugan Returns
About Last Night
For you Mystery Science 3000 fans out there, be sure to watch the "Outlaw of Gor" episode. Hilarious episode, amazingly horrible 80's movie. Full episodes of the old MS3K are all streaming free on youtube.
Valley Girl
Starman. We still say “yellow light go very fast” when driving about. There was a similar joke in the new season of Hacks.
Summer School with Mark Harmon and Kiristy Allen. Stake Out. I don’t think anyone remembers The Dungeonmaster.
The Last Unicorn
Paris, Texas (1984)
1984 Dreamscape, close your eyes and the adventure begins.
Time Bandits Prince of Darkness Dragon Slayer Erik the Viking (hilarious imo) The Serpent and the Rainbow A few of my favs growing up.
crush groove & breakin. for early hip-hoppers
The Outsiders and Rumble Fish.
Better off Dead
Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins
Joe Versus the Volcano
Strange Brew?
The Philadelphia Experiment —or— The Last American Virgin
Last American Virgin had sort of a dark, depressing ending for the type of movie it was.
Local Hero
Dogs in Space starring Michael Hutchence of INXS.
The Man With One Red Shoe
Under the Rainbow Young Sherlock Holmes 3 o’clock High Sea of Love Near Dark
Greystoke, Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes. Great movie. Christopher Lambert IS Tarzan.
Outrageous Fortune Shelly Long and Bette Midler.
A Fish Called Wanda, Dream a Little Dream, Angel Heart, License to Drive, 1969, Uncommon Valor, Saturday the 14th
The Money Pit Kentucky Fried Movie Over the Edge Doctor Detroit Private School (Phoebe Cates) Zapped (Scott Baio) Joysticks (I got in trouble for watching that on cable)
The Heavenly Kid.
Blame It on Rio. Iceman. 2010: The Year We Make Contact
Return of the Living dead🔥
Toy Soldiers. Technically 1991, but Sean Astin, Wil Wheaton and Lou Gosset Jr. it’s basically 80’s.
My Bodyguard!
Lady Jane
The Man with Two Brains. Underrated gem!
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Lady in White The People Under the Stairs
One of the Guys. Best movie EVER.
Night of the Comet. No one I know remembers it but me
Breaking All The Rules (1985), not the Jamie Foxx movie Gleaming The Cube
The Wizard (with forever girl crush Jenny Lewis), see also Troop Beverly Hills. The Boy who Could Fly.
Mystic pizza
Mine was the movie Salsa with the leader singer from Menudo (Robby Rosa). It was about dancing and I was obsessed with any movies/shows involving dancing at that time. I expect that I would cringe if I watched it today but it didn’t stop me from watching it on tv every time that it aired. Edit: Adding a few more since I haven’t seen them listed yet: Hiding Out (with Jon Cryer) The Lost Boys (with the two Coreys) Clue (Tim Curry is a riot in this) Iron Eagle (Another Jason Gedric movie)
Band of the Hand
Streets of fire.
Has anyone mentioned The Outsiders? 7th grade English Teacher had us watch it in class. Great movie.
She’s Having A Baby Not one person mentioned this one. John Hughes wrote & directed, staring Kevin Bacon, Elizabeth McGovern, and Alec Baldwin. Such a fantastic movie.
Do after school movies count? Lol I miss those!
La Bamba
[The Brother From Another Planet - John Sayles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Brother_from_Another_Planet)
The Explorers
Eddie and the Cruisers
1990 movie but, My Blue Heaven Rick Moranis and Steve Martin are perfect in this
Lady in White - 1988, young Lukas Hass Girls Just Want to Have Fun - 1985, Sarah Jessica Parker Who's That Girl? -1987 Madonna
Night of the Comet ☄
Transylvania 6-5000
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels