The Best Movies Set in the 80s

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Honestly, it feels like everyone’s obsessed with the 80s right now. And it really hit a fever pitch with Stranger Things. That show is just soaked in 80s references – everything from the horror movies it clearly loves to storylines that feel ripped straight out of a film by directors like Joe Dante, John Carpenter, or even Spielberg. Stranger Things isn’t alone, though. We’re seeing a lot of TV and movies lately choosing the 80s as their backdrop, and it’s pretty clear the decade is having a major moment.

Love for the 1980s is still going strong. We’ve seen popular comebacks like the new Bill & Ted movie, and Top Gun: Maverick became a huge blockbuster. Whether it’s the music, fashion, or just a feeling of fun, many of us are fascinated by this decade. Here’s a look at some of the best recent films that take place in the 80s.

‘Summer of 84’ (2018)

As a huge fan of 80s horror, I was completely blown away by Summer of 84. Seriously, some critics were even calling it the best horror film of the decade! Even though it came out in 2018, it’s set in 1984 and perfectly captures the vibe of those classic teen horror movies we all loved. The story reminded me a lot of The ‘Burbs – it’s about a group of teenagers who start to suspect their seemingly normal police officer neighbor is hiding something really dark.

Though Summer of 84 is clearly inspired by classic teen horror movies, what really stands out is its ability to feel both nostalgic and original. It’s hard not to compare it to The Burbs, but Summer of 84 takes a much more unsettling and frightening turn, lacking the humor that defined the earlier film.

‘Joker’ (2019)


Warner Bros. Discovery

Released in 2019, Todd Phillips’s film Joker was a huge success in theaters. The movie tells the story of Arthur Fleck (played by Joaquin Phoenix in a standout performance), a struggling comedian with mental health problems. Set in 1981, it shows how his unhappiness leads him down a path of crime and violence, ultimately becoming the infamous Batman villain.

The 1980s shown in the movie Joker feels different from how it’s usually portrayed on screen. You won’t see the bright colors and bold fashion often associated with that decade. Instead, the film presents a bleak and disheartening world, and that’s a key element of its success. By setting the story—and the fictional city of Gotham—in a realistic version of the 1980s, director Todd Phillips makes it believable that a character like The Joker could actually exist.

‘Mandy’ (2018)


RLJE Films

Nicolas Cage is truly one of a kind as a movie star, and that’s never been clearer than in the wildly bizarre and terrifying film, Mandy. The movie, set in 1983, stars Cage as Red Miller, a lumberjack whose life is turned upside down when his girlfriend, Mandy (Andrea Riseborough), is abducted by a dangerous religious cult aided by a terrifying biker gang with demonic tendencies.

Mandy is a wildly violent and bizarre horror film focused on revenge. It’s a creatively stunning and truly original second feature from writer and director Pan Cosmatos, following his equally unusual film, Beyond the Black Rainbow. Nicolas Cage delivers a powerfully unhinged performance, fully embracing the role and creating a captivating character. Mandy is easily one of the most memorable – and strangest – films set in the 1980s.

‘The Final Girls’ (2015)


Stage 6 Films

Released in 2015, The Final Girls is a clever horror-comedy where a group of modern teenagers find themselves inside a classic 1980s slasher film called Camp Bloodbath. They become part of the movie, both as characters and potential victims. The film playfully acknowledges and celebrates the familiar, often cheesy, elements of 80s horror. While it didn’t get a huge amount of attention upon release, critics generally liked it, highlighting its fresh approach and funny moments.

This movie is a clever, funny send-up of classic 80s horror films, seen through the perspective of today’s teenagers. It expertly recreates the look and feel of those old movies – and that attention to detail makes the humor even more effective. But what really stands out about The Final Girls is its surprising amount of genuine emotion and heart.

‘Rocketman’ (2019)


Paramount Pictures

As a film buff, I was completely captivated by Rocketman, the 2019 biopic about Elton John. Seriously, no one lived the 80s quite like him, and the movie really captures that energy. Taron Edgerton does an amazing job playing the iconic musician, taking us through his incredible journey – from his early years as a young prodigy, to the whirlwind of becoming a global superstar, and the really tough times with addiction. Dexter Fletcher, who also directed Bohemian Rhapsody, really knows how to tell these musical stories, and this one follows Elton John’s life all the way through to his comeback in the 80s.

Similar to other successful music biopics, Rocketman is both a lively tribute to its subject and a surprisingly honest portrayal of the difficulties of fame and the struggles of being an artist. The film cleverly uses Elton John’s iconic songs to show what his character is feeling throughout the story – upbeat tracks capture his joy, while slower ballads emphasize his sadness, adding depth to his emotional arc alongside the acting and script.

‘Blinded by the Light’ (2019)


Entertainment One

Blinded by the Light, sometimes called Music of My Life, tells the true story of journalist Sarfraz Manzoor and his passion for Bruce Springsteen’s music. The film is set in 1987 in Luton, England, and follows Javed (Viveik Kalra), a British-Pakistani Muslim teen whose life is transformed when he discovers Springsteen’s songs and finds meaning in the lyrics.

As a total movie and music fan, I really loved Blinded by the Light. It’s fun to see all the amazing 80s style, but it’s also a really thoughtful film. It doesn’t shy away from what Britain was like under Margaret Thatcher and the prejudice Pakistani Muslims dealt with back then. But honestly, what struck me most was how central Bruce Springsteen’s music is to the story. It’s not just a soundtrack; his lyrics really speak to Javed and, eventually, even his dad. Those songs about hard work and family? They’re universal, and the movie beautifully shows how music can truly bring people together, no matter where they’re from.

‘I, Tonya’ (2017)

“I, Tonya” tells the true story of figure skater Tonya Harding (played brilliantly by Margot Robbie) and the events surrounding the infamous 1994 attack on her competitor, Nancy Kerrigan, which captured global attention. Directed by Craig Gillespie, this darkly comedic film follows Tonya’s life from her challenging upbringing in 1980s Oregon, through her success as a skater, and ultimately to the Olympic scandal that defined her career.

The movie I, Tonya is rare for a comedy – it’s funny without making light of the serious crime at its center. While it’s full of dark humor, it’s also surprisingly heartfelt. Another strength of the film is its incredible attention to detail, with costumes, hair, and sets all perfectly recreating the time period.

‘Totally Killer’ (2023)


Amazon Prime

Totally Killer is a fun, nostalgic movie that pays homage to 1980s classics like Back to the Future and Friday the 13th. The story follows Jamie (Kiernan Shipka) whose mother is killed by a serial killer who first struck 35 years prior. Determined to stop him, Jamie travels back to 1987 and teams up with her teenage parents (Olivia Holt and Luchyln Munro) to catch the killer before he can begin his spree.

I absolutely loved Totally Killer! It’s a fantastic slasher film, but what really sets it apart is the humor. The way they use time travel – it reminded me of Back to the Future – is brilliant. Watching this modern teenager experience the 80s was just hilarious, especially seeing her reaction to how different things were back then – people were so much more casual about things like safety, drinking, and even smoking around kids! But it’s not just funny; it’s genuinely scary too. It delivers all the jump scares, thrills, and unexpected twists you’d want in a horror movie.

‘Bumblebee’ (2018)


Paramount Pictures

Bumblebee serves as both an origin story for the Transformers movies and a fresh start for the series. The film is set in 1987 and follows Bumblebee as he crash-lands on Earth after a major battle. After a fight with an enemy robot, he loses his voice and memory. When a teenager named Charlie discovers him in a junkyard, Bumblebee begins to transform, and Earth becomes caught up in a larger robotic war. Throughout it all, Charlie and Bumblebee develop a close friendship.

The Transformers series was a huge hit in the 1980s, and the new movie cleverly uses that era. This allows for fun fashion, music, and classic cars – including Bumblebee’s original Volkswagen Beetle form. However, beyond the nostalgic details, Bumblebee is a surprisingly heartwarming story about two characters who help each other find what they’ve been searching for. While it’s a more focused story on characters than other Transformers movies, it still delivers the exciting robot action fans expect.

‘Everybody Wants Some!!’ (2016)


Paramount Pictures

Richard Linklater considers his 2016 film, Everybody Wants Some!!, a follow-up to his earlier movie, Dazed and Confused. Everybody Wants Some!! follows Jake (Blake Jenner), a college freshman baseball player, as he begins his time at a small Texas university. The film focuses on the fun he has getting to know his teammates in the days leading up to the start of classes. The movie also stars Zoey Deutch, Tyler Hoechlin, Glen Powell, and Wyatt Russell.

It’s still debated whether Everybody Wants Some!! lives up to the classic Dazed and Confused. But on its own merits, the 2016 comedy is a smart and fun trip down memory lane. Like other films by director Richard Linklater, it doesn’t focus much on a complicated story, instead prioritizing interesting characters, relatable themes, and a specific mood. The film’s best quality is how realistically it captures the experience of college life in the 80s. With witty conversations, insightful moments, and well-developed characters, Everybody Wants Some!! is a charming and often overlooked look at the joys of youth and freedom.

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2026-03-21 18:40