Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!
If 1983 was a golden year for movies, then 1984 is the sequel you’ve been waiting for. Every film in the Top 10 list of 1984 is a belter, each standing the test of time, as worthy today they were some thirty-seven (gulp, has it been that long) years ago.
The year that gave us Steve Guttenberg as the loveable rogue ‘Mahoney’ in Police Academy, the capable Michael Douglas at his finest in Romancing the Stone, and teenage pinup Daryl Hannah in Splash. We saw the rise of the Karate Kid, everyone was dancing to Footloose and of course, in 1984 we all knew “who you gonna call…. Ghostbusters”.
Oh, what a year for the big screen!
Let’s not waste any more time, it’s time to find out the best movies of 1984.
Ghostbusters
When Ghostbusters unleashed itself on the world, little did we know the cultural phenomenon it would spawn. Cue, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson as the fearsome foursome, sent to uncover paranormal activity in New York City.
With Rick Moranis at his comedic best and Sigourney Weaver at her most seductive, it’s hard not to sing-along ‘Who you gonna call..’ with its famous soundtrack. With visual effects that were cutting edge for its time and a brilliant script that touches on comedy, horror and action all-in-one, it’s undoubtedly one of the top movies of 1984, if not the entire 80s.
IMDb: 7.8/10
Cast: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis
How to stream Ghostbusters
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
After the mega-success of ‘Raiders of the Lost Arc’, Spielberg returns with his epic sequel in the Indiana Jones franchise that’s still going strong.
The year is 1935 and Indiana (Harrison Ford) is now on the hunt for a magical Sankara stone. Packed with swashbuckling moves, epic stunts, and a menacing evil cult, it’s non-stop action throughout.
IMDb: 7.5/10
Cast: Harrison Ford, George Lucas, Kate Capshaw and more
How to stream Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Responsible for a whole generation of teenagers too afraid to sleep, Nightmare on Elm Street was one of the creepiest and top movies in 1984.
Written and directed by Wes Craven, it brings your worst nightmare to life: the indelible Freddy Krueger – a monstrous killer who invades teens in their sleep. Starring a young Johnny Depp as Glen Lantz, it’s a slasher-cult favourite.
IMDb: 7.5/10
Cast: Robert Englund, Johnny Depp, John Saxon and more
How to stream A Nightmare On Elm Street
Beverly Hills Cop
Look no further than Beverley Hills Cop as the top-grossing movie 1984. This action-thriller-comedy is pure eighties magic, thanks to a hint of cheekiness delivered by Eddie Murphy – aka rebellious police officer Axel Foley.
Bringing his cool Detroit swag to the wild streets of LA, Foley’s detective work takes him all the way in hunting down a murderer. But don’t worry, this 15 rated film is quite light-hearted, making it the box office number one movie in 1984.
IMDb: 7.3/10
Cast: Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, John Aston and more
How to stream Beverly Hills Cop
Gremlins
In the unlikeliest of all Christmas movies. Gremlins will make you feel warm inside, in this laughable fantasy horror.
Call them cute, call them critters, the Gremlins take over a small town, bringing mischief and mayhem to all they encounter. One of the top movies 1984, especially if you were a kid way back when.
IMDb: 7.3/10
Cast: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Howie Mandel and more
How to stream Gremlins
The Karate Kid
With a trillion quotable lines (‘Wax on, wax off’) and karate moves you’ll spend the rest of your life trying to perfect, The Karate Kid is a masterpiece in modern filmmaking.
The ever-loveable Mr. Miyagi begrudgingly takes on Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) as his apprentice, helping him to master the ancient art of karate and all it embodies to fend off local bullies.
IMDb: 7.3/10
Cast: Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Pat Morita and more
How to stream The Karate Kid
Romancing the Stone
In the highly contested list of top-grossing movies 1984, Romancing the Stone comes in eighth.
With a nod to Indiana Jones-type action, Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner) is a chick-flick novelist whose transported to another space and time, when she finds herself in Colombia to rescue her kidnapped sister. Instead, she finds Jack Colton (Michael Douglas) and the tension is palpable on and off-screen. Oh yeah, and there’ a gem they have to find too.
IMDb: 6.9/10
Cast: Kathleen Turner, Michael Douglas, Danny DeVito and more
How to stream Romancing The Stone
Police Academy
The first in the Police Academy ‘sextet’ series, is probably the best of them all. Here you’re introduced to an unlikely group of misfits, dropouts and underachievers, training to become the next serving officers on the force.
Complete with sound-effect beatboxer ‘Larvell Jones’, supersize giant ‘HighTower’ and over-enthusiastic mummy’s boy ‘Tackleberry’ the comedy is non-stop. Go into this film with an eighties mindset and you’ll find yourself adding it to your guilty pleasures list!
IMDb: 6.7/10
Cast: Leslie Esterbrook, Michael Winslow, Kim Cattral and more
How to stream Police Academy
Footloose
If you enjoyed Dirty Dancing, then add Footloose to your cheesy 80s film list of flicks. It’s got a bit of music, a bit of dancing, and a lot of high-school drama, as new boy Willard Hewitt discovers his new home has outlawed dancing and rock music (the outrage). Luckily, he’s the guy to change it.
IMDb: 6.6/10
Cast: Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, Sarah Jessica Parker and more
How to stream Footloose
Splash
You might say that Splash is a precursor to The Little Mermaid, in this familiar romantic tale.
A mermaid (Daryl Hannah) saves a man from drowning, they fall in love (20 years later) and face the ultimate dilemma. Torn between living the life she knows as a mermaid, or a new one with her love interest (Tom Hanks), what will she do? Fire up the VHS and find out.
IMDb: 6.3/10
Cast: Daryl Hannah, Tom Hanks, Eugene Levy and more