The 8 Most Tubular '80s Movies of All Time
The 1980s stand out as a golden era for blockbuster films that captivated audiences — from heartwarming tales of friendship to epic space battles to time travel. Let's take a look back at the top eight highest-grossing movies worldwide from the '80s.
1. 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' (1982) — $792.9 million
When Steven Spielberg's heartwarming science fiction film premiered on June 11, 1982, adults and children alike rushed to the theater to watch a young boy named Elliott befriend a stranded, lovable alien and help him return to his home planet.
The movie ultimately won four Academy Awards®, including Best Original Score and Best Visual Effects.
Did you know?
- Designers created the face of E.T. based on a combination of Carl Sandburg, Albert Einstein, and a pug dog.
- When "E.T." executives approached Mars Incorporated about using M&M's® candy as a central plot point in the movie, Mars execs declined — and that's how Hershey's Reese's Pieces® earned a starring role in the biggest movie of the decade.
2. 'The Empire Strikes Back' (1980) — $538.4 million
On May 21, 1980, movie-goers couldn't wait to return to theaters for the second installment in the wildly popular "Star Wars" trilogy. Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher did not disappoint, as Luke Skywalker trained with master Yoda to become a Jedi Knight and the Rebel Alliance fought against the Galactic Empire.
The Academy handed the film two Oscars® for Best Sound and Special Achievement Award for Visual Effects.
Did you know?
- To have a mask-wearing monkey play Yoda, the original plan was.
- Most of the cast and crew did not know about the famous line and plot twist, "No, I am your father," until the last minute.
3. 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade' (1989) — $474.2 million
On May 24, 1989, audiences flocked to theaters to watch their favorite archaeologist Indiana Jones search for the Holy Grail and fight the Nazis.
Featuring a surprise appearance by Sean Connery as Indy's father, this well-received third installment of the "Indiana Jones" action-adventure series won an Academy Award for Best Sound Effects Editing.
Did you know?
- In real life, Harrison Ford is only 12 years younger than his on-screen father Sean Connery.
- The scene in which Indiana Jones fights Nazis while driving a tank over a cliff was filmed entirely without CGI.
4. 'Batman' (1989) — $411.5 million
In 1989, Michael Keaton brought DC Comics character Batman to life on the big screen. The Dark Knight of Gotham City faced off with Jack Nicholson's clownishly homicidal Joker, kicking off a decades-long string of superhero movies.
The following March, "Batman" took home the Oscar for Best Art Direction.
Did you know?
- Designers constructed the Batmobile on a Chevrolet Impala chassis.
- The studio received thousands of letters protesting the casting choice of Michael Keaton as Batman.
5. 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981) — $389.9 million
Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones character originally took the world by storm in 1981 with the premiere of "Raiders of the Lost Ark." In this iconic action-adventure, audiences enjoyed some face-melting fun as Indiana Jones raced to find the holy Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis could harness its power.
"Raiders" took home four Academy Awards, including Best Visual Effects and Best Sound.
Did you know?
- The idea for the famous scene in which Indiana Jones is chased by a rolling boulder came from a Scrooge McDuck comic book.
- Melted dental wax and gelatin were used to make the Nazis' faces "melt" at the end of the movie.
6. 'Back to the Future' (1985) — $388.8 million
Teenager Marty McFly and oddball scientist Doc Brown flew into movie-goers' hearts when "Back to the Future" premiered on July 3, 1985. This feel-good comedy featured McFly accidentally traveling back in time from 1985 to 1955 in a modified DeLorean. He disrupts his own parents' meet-cute and spends the rest of the movie trying to get them back together — and get himself back to the future.
The following spring, "Back to the Future" won the Oscar for Best Sound Effects Editing.
Did you know?
- Originally, the casting team chose Eric Stoltz to portray Marty McFly — but Stolz was deemed too serious for the role, and so Michael J. Fox took over. The rest is history.
- The pivotal, intricate clock tower scene was filmed in only one night.
7. 'Top Gun' (1986) — $357.3 million
In 1986, the action drama "Top Gun" propelled Tom Cruise to superstardom, as he portrayed a daring young pilot attending the United States Navy's elite fighter weapons school. Audiences rooted for Cruise's character as he navigated intense competition with the other pilots, romance with a civilian instructor, and the loss of his best friend.
"Top Gun" took home the Academy Award for Best Original Song, "Take My Breath Away."
Did you know?
- The actors in "Top Gun" had to undergo actual flight training for the film.
- U.S. Navy recruitment skyrocketed after the release of "Top Gun."
8. 'Ghostbusters' (1984) — $295.2 million
"Who you gonna call?" Everyone learned the answer to this question in 1984, when three eccentric parapsychologists set up a ghost-catching business in the hit comedy "Ghostbusters." Audiences poured into theaters to watch actors Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson save New York City from a giant walking marshmallow.
Even though the public adored "Ghostbusters," the Academy didn't show it much love at the Oscars. Although "Ghostbusters" received nominations for two categories, including Visual Effects, it took home none.
Did you know?
- Many of Bill Murray's lines were unscripted — he improvised them.
- The towering Stay Puft Marshmallow Man costume cost about $20,000.
These eight legendary films didn't just set box office records; they also left their own unique mark on popular culture - so much so that many children today love these movies just as their parents did.
References: The 100 Greatest Movies of the 1980s | 60 Totally '80s Movies We All Need Right Now | Top Lifetime Grosses
