Top Grossing Movies of the 80's

Blockbuster Movies of the 1980's

Here is a short list of the top grossing movies of the 80's. There was a cute alien, two mega sequels, a caped crusader and an exploring archaeologist who could really handle a whip.

1. ET : The Extra Terrestrial (1982). ET raked in an astounding 435 Million. Not only making it, #1 in the 1980's, but also it is one of the highest grossing films of all time.

ET was so cute he just wanted to phone home. His favorite snack was Reese's pieces, and I am sure the Reese's company can thank him for his plug. Buy it here.

2. Star Wars Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983). The final episode in the Star Wars saga made 309 Million. 

The Empire was busy constructing a new Death Star, Han was getting rescued from the bounty hunters, and there was the final battle between Luke and Vader. Get it here.

3.) Star Wars Episode V- The Empire Strikes Back (1980). My personal favorite of the Star Wars Saga, brought box off receipts of 290 Million.

The opening in the frozen planet of Hoth was amazing. Intense battle scenes in the frozen tundra of the planet were awesome.

Vader takes Luke's hand clear off.

4) Batman (1989). Tim Burton brought a dark and surreal Gotham City to live in his vision of Batman. Controversy was abound , as Michael Keaton was cast as the caped crusader, but all that negative buzz was squashed after the film was released.

Batman was a great movie. Jack Nicholson seemed to revel in the role of the Joker, you could tell he really enjoyed it. He was born to play the part. You can buy it here.

Driven by Nicholson, Keaton , fantastic imagery and a stunning Kim Basinger, Batman amassed 251 million.

Unfortunately, future sequels which featured Val Kilmer and George Clooney as the caped crusader were pretty awful.

5. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). Harrison Ford traded in his Han Solo duds and became Indiana Jones, in this rollicking action/adventure classic.

He was everything an action hero should be - cunning, funny, charming, and one hell of a master with a whip.

Raiders made 245 million at the box office.

Other notable top grossing movies of the 1980's were the following:

Ghostbusters (1984) - 238 Million
Beverly Hills Cop (1984) - 234 Million
Back to the Future (1985) - 210 Million

Seen them all, loved them all, and can watch over and over again,

John Hughes Movies

Growing up in the 1980's, John Hughes movies in my opinion, had the most impact on my generation. No other film maker captured the period better than Hughes, and we all seemed to connect with the characters. 1980's  movies and film history were greatly impacted by this tremendous talent.



 Of course, my favorite in particular was The Breakfast Club (1985). Anyone who was in High School at the time could relate to the social classes represented , and the social implications of mixing together a brain, a jock, a princess, a basket case and of course a criminal.

Molly Ringwald was already established by earlier roles in Hughes movies, but for the others it was a breakthrough role. I really wanted to be John Bender (insanely played by Judd Nelson). Unfortunately I was not quite as harsh as Bender, but I knew some kids at my school who came close.

Anthony Michael Hall was perfect as the geek, Ally Sheedy captured the role of the head case, and Emilio Estevez was the jock, who of course had a major problem with the burnout John Bender.

Equally as impressive was the soundtrack to the film, which includes the classic 'Don't You Forget About Me'. You can get some Breakfast Club stuff here.

The following year, another great John Hughes movie was released, Ferris Bueller's Day off (1986). Ferris (Matthew Broderick ) was the crafty teen who could trick anyone, and was basically untouchable by those pesky adults, in particular Mr. Rooney.

He hot a real hot girlfriend Sloane and a timid best friend Cameron who he really had a way with talking him to anything.

Ferris had a bitch for a sister played by Jennifer Gray - who would later make a huge splash on screen with Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing. Get some Bueller merchandise here.

There were so many other great John Hughes movies, I could write all day them, perhaps be better to make an individual post for each, There was also Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles, Some Kind of Wonderful, She's Having a Baby, Uncle Buck and more.

Click here to find more John Hughes movies and merchandise. The man is a true legend.  From a child of the 80's - thank you Mr Hughes.