The 10 Best Movies Of 1989 & How To Steam

1989 was an action-packed year of blockbuster hits.

From caped crusaders to ghost-busting experts and maverick police officers, there’s a certain theme amongst the top-grossing movies 1989, don’t you think!?

With the occasional rom-com and family movie to balance it out, 1989 was quite a memorable year in movie making.

Here are our best movies of 1989.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Never failing to bring in the crowds, the third Indiana Jones instalment was one of the top-grossing movies in 1989.

Indiana (Harrison Ford) finds himself on a mission to rescue his father who disappears whilst searching for the Holy Grail. But he’s not the only one after this historical relic, as Jones is thrown straight back into all the action.

IMDb: 8.2/10

Cast: Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Alison Doody and more

Dead Poets Society

Rigid standards, conformity, tradition – John Keating (Robin Williams) is having none of it at Welton Academy. His unorthodox approach to teaching earns him the respect and attention of his students, less so of those in charge.

His inspiring approach to academia flows over into their personal lives, reminding them of two very important words: carpe diem. With another epic performance from Williams, you’ll be jumping on your table shouting ‘O Captain, My Captain’ guaranteed.

IMDb: 8.1/10

Cast: Robin Williams, Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard and more

Back to the Future, Part II

Picking up where Back to the Future left off, Michael J Fox reprises his role as Marty McFly, with Dr. Brown in tow.

Leaping to the future – 2015 (yes we are that old), Marty needs to sort out a family problem, before returning to 1985. But with every action having a knock-on effect, Biff is now running down Hill Valley, and their only hope of restoring the present is to return to the past… 1955 to be precise.

Are you still with us? Don’t try to figure it out, just go with it!

IMDb: 7.8/10

Cast: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson and more

When Harry Met Sally

A stalwart in any top movies 1989 list, ‘When Harry Met Sally’ follows the intertwined lives of loveable Harry (Billy Crystal) and a very particular Sally (Meg Ryan), as they go from college friends to eventual lovers years later.

With a dialogue reminiscent of Woody Allen movies, great on-screen chemistry, and that iconic ‘yes, Yes, YES’ scene’ (you know the one), it strikes all the perfect notes as one of the most enduring rom-coms of all time.

IMDb: 7.6/10

Cast: Meg Ryan, Billy Crystal, Carrie Fisher and more

Batman

Setting the benchmark for all future superhero movies to follow, Tim Burton’s ‘Batman’ was financially and critically successful, as the number 1 box office movie in 1989, taking a cool $251.19 million. And cool is the word, as Michael Keaton takes on the role of Bruce Wayne, fighting crime in Gotham City.

Coming face-to-face with The Joker (somewhat overplayed by Jack Nicholson) and love interest Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger), there’s a stellar cast in this dark action movie.

IMDb: 7.5/10

Cast: Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger and more

Field of Dreams

When farmer Ray (Kevin Costner) gets the calling to build a baseball field on his land, he does just that, with the blessing of his wife.

Greeted by players of the past emerging in ghost-form, it’s a nostalgic trip down memory lane, especially for those who love baseball.

IMDb: 7.5/10

Cast: Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta and more

Lethal Weapon 2

Bringing all the action to the box office in 1989, Lethal Weapon 2 sees the return of Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Murtaugh (Danny Glover) – the mismatched LAPD officers, restoring order to the streets.

This time, the duo stumble across South African diplomats dabbling in illegal activity, with fast-paced action to follow. It was highly praised as a deserving follow-up in the Lethal Weapon filmography. 

IMDb: 7.2/10

Cast: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci and more

Ghostbusters II

Ghostbusters Venkman (Bill Murray), Ray (Dan Aykroyd) and Egon (Harold Ramis) return to give us more of the good ghostbusting stuff we’ve come to love.

With slime, ghouls and the ever-loveable Tully (Rick Moranis) to look forward to, it’s reminiscent of the original movie, albeit oozing slightly less energy.

IMDb: 6.6/10

Cast: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and more

Honey I Shrunk the Kids

Oh the lovely Rick Moranis, whatever happened to him? If you don’t know what we mean, then don’t waste a minute longer seeking this movie out!

The film every child of the eighties begged their parents to watch, ‘Honey I Shrunk the Kids’ shows what happens when crazy inventions go wrong and children are shrunk to a quarter of an inch high. With epic visual effects that still hold up, one of the top-grossing movies 1989 remains a family favourite.

IMDb: 6.4/10

Cast: Rick Moranis, Amy O’Neill, Jared Rushton and more

Look Who’s Talking

Call it a guilty pleasure, call it John Travolta’s most forgettable role, but ‘Look Who’s Talking’ turned out to be the unlikely box office 1989 hit.

New single-Mum Mollie (Kirsty Alley) is navigating the challenges of parenthood, whilst not so discreetly looking for a partner/father for her child. But the weird bit … is that the baby talks – albeit only to the viewer, and weirder still, it’s voiced by Bruce Willis.

That’s the eighties for you.

IMDb: 5.9/10

Cast: Kirstie Alley, John Travolta, Bruce Willis and more

See Also:

• Looking Back: The 10 Best Movies Of 1988
• Looking Back: The Top 10 Best Movies Of 1987