The best 80s chick flicks that made us laugh and cry all at once
They’re the sort of films to watch with your best friends… but perhaps not your mother. And boy do we have some throwback classic chick flicks straight out of the eighties.
With lashings of cheesy one-liners, a sprinkling of Tom Cruise, tons of guys in uniform, and unapologetic romantic storylines, it’s time to get the girls over and pop open the prosecco… or should that be Cinzano!?
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Filled with sexual tension, a very famous orgasm scene, and will-they-won’t-they moments, When Harry Met Sally is the perfect snapshot of post-university life.
Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) couldn’t be less compatible, but when their paths cross a decade after first meeting, the ultimate friendship question resurfaces: can men and women ever be friends without sex getting in the way?
With sweet/hilarious clips from happily married couples interwoven, it’s one of the greatest 80s romance movies.
IMDb: 7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 89%
Cast: Meg Ryan, Billy Crystal, Carrie Fisher and more
How to stream When Harry Met Sally
Dirty Dancing (1987)
The essence of hen nights and girlie night’s in, Dirty Dancing is the ultimate chick flick.
We all know how it goes: baby, who loves dancing but not corners, is on a summer holiday with the family, when she meets dance instructor Johnny (Patrick Swayze). As love blossoms and her parents forbid her from seeing him, baby must find her inner voice. It’s also one of the trending 80s from coms on Netflix right now.
IMDb: 7/10
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 90%
Cast: Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Cynthia Rhodes and more
How to stream When Dirty Dancing
An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)
It was the movie that mums whispered about in the school playground, now you’re old enough to find out why.
Dust off the VHS and enjoy Richard Gere (Zack Mayo) in full U.S. Navy getup (and sometimes without) – in every young girl’s fantasy. When Zack falls in love with Paula (Debra Winger) whilst training to become a Navy Officer, he learns some important life lessons, not that you’ll notice anything other than that uniform <dribble>!
IMDb: 7/10
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 81%
Cast: Richard Gere, Debra Winger, Louis Gossett Jr. and more
How to stream When An Officer and a Gentleman
Overboard (1987)
The epitome of ’80s rom coms, you can’t help but love Goldie Hawn playing snobbish wife Joanna, who falls overboard her private yacht and suffers amnesia.
Cue Grant (Kurt Russel) swooping in as her faux-husband – except, you can’t take the bling-life outta the girl, as she struggles to adjust as a working mum. The charming film is made all the more precious, since Kurt and Goldie are one of Hollywood’s golden couples – be still my heart!
IMDb: 6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 74%
Cast: Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Edward Herrmann and more
How to stream Overboard
Top Gun (1986)
In this timeless ’80s movie Maverick (Tom Cruise) is a hotshot pilot vying for first place in The Top Gun Naval Fighter School, when he falls for instructor Charlie Kelly McGillis.
Back in the ’80s, VHS cassettes were worn down at the scene where Maverick takes her breath away! Watching it through the lens of an adult in 2021, the slow-kissing silhouetted love scene and deep thrusts seem less romantic, somehow. But it still serves to remind us why we heart Tom Cruise.
IMDb: 6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 83%
Cast: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Kelly McGillis and more
How to stream Top Gun
Romancing the Stone (1984)
Joan (Kathleen Turner) is a writer thrust into the jungle in search of her AWOL sister when she meets Jack (Michael Douglas) – who turns out to be not too dissimilar from the swashbuckling heroes she writes about.
Rumour has it that the duo was so close onset of this film that Douglas’ wife often turned up to keep a close eye. It all adds to a simply sizzling performance and on-screen chemistry, in this much-loved 80s rom com.
IMDb: 6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 69%
Cast: Kathleen Turner, Michael Douglas, Danny DeVito and more
How to stream Romancing The Stone
Working Girl (1988)
Girl power was well and alive in the eighties in the shape of Tess McGill (Melanie Griffith) – a savvy receptionist.
When her boss, Katharine (Sigourney Weaver) rips off her idea and later finds herself in hospital, Tess takes full advantage of the situation and takes revenge by stepping into her role. And then there’s lovely lovely Harrison Ford… Get the girls around and make an evening of it – it’s what Tess would have wanted.
IMDb: 6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 67%
Cast: Melanie Griffith, Harrison Ford, Sigourney Weaver and more
How to stream Working Girl
Desperately Seeking Susan (1985)
Way back when she was on the cusp of super-stardom, Madonna gave life to Susan – a drifter living in New York.
Meanwhile, bored housewife Roberta (Rosanna Arquette) crosses her path in a case of mistaken identity. Not gonna lie, the storyline is weak at best – so watch it for the fashion, the dance moves and the greatness of her Madge.
IMDb: 6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 62%
Cast: Rosanna Arquette, Madonna, Aidan Quinn and more
How to stream Desperately Seeking Susan
Flashdance (1983)
It’s time to grab your legwarmers and throw down some moves, in this celebration of female empowerment.
Exotic dancer by night, welder by day – is there anything Alex Owens can’t do? With the support of her boyfriend, she reaches for her dreams of getting into a dance company. This much-loved 80s girl movie is complete with a fully-energized soundtrack, oh what a feeling indeed.
IMDb: 6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 61%
Cast: Jennifer Beals, Michael Nouri, Cynthia Rhodes and more
How to stream Flashdance
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