If you grew up watching the films of the 1980s, it’s more likely that you remember the experience of seeing the movies rather than an exact memory of any reviews they earned.
In the present, IMDb rankings have been letting viewers make their voices known even if they don’t review a flick.
However, there are some great 1980s movies that have shockingly bad IMDb ratings.
That’s why Watch With Us has put this brief guide together to help you find these lost classics.
‘St. Elmo’s Fire’ (1985)
Do you remember the Brat Pack? St. Elmo’s Fire has the most members of that unofficial group in a single movie, with Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Judd Nelson and Andrew McCarthy in a coming-of-age classic by director Joel Schumacher. But judging from that low IMDb rating, it’s apparently not as beloved as we thought it was.
The film follows a group of friends from college as they navigate personal demons and romantic drama while attempting to sort out what they really want from their lives. Contemporary critics have torn it apart, but the film lives on largely through the “St. Elmo’s Fire” theme song, which will continue to play on classic rock stations until the end of time.
‘Alien Nation’ (1988)
The best incarnation of Alien Nation is the TV series that was based on the film. But the movie is pretty good too. In the near future of 1991, aliens called Newcomers have settled on Earth, and they’re largely second-class citizens. Sam Francisco (Mandy Patinkin) is one of the first Newcomers to become a detective in the Los Angeles Police Department. And his first partner, Matthew Sykes (James Caan), doesn’t exactly care for Newcomers.
Despite their initial animosity, Francisco and Sykes find common ground pretty quickly. And they need to watch each other’s backs as they uncover a conspiracy that could enslave every Newcomer on Earth. The film leans harder into the cop storyline than its sci-fi trappings, but it’s a lot better than the reviews gave it credit for.
‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ (1985)
Desperately Seeking Susan is the reason why Madonna became a movie star during the ’80s. This was her first leading role in a major movie, and she even played the title character, Susan Thomas. However, most of the film is about Roberta Glass (Rosanna Arquette), a married woman who envies Susan’s freedom despite never having met her in person.
When Susan gets mixed up in the death of a mobster and some very valuable stolen earrings, Roberta is mistaken for Susan and promptly loses her memory. A guy named Dez (Aidan Quinn) helps Roberta because he believes that she is Susan, and she believes it too. Meanwhile, Roberta’s husband, Gary Glass (Mark Blum), comes searching for his wife, while a dangerous man, Wayne Nolan (Will Patton), is hunting both Susan and Roberta to reclaim the stolen earrings.
‘Tequila Sunrise’ (1988)
Tequila Sunrise had a dream cast for the ’80s, with Mel Gibson, Kurt Russell, Michelle Pfeiffer and the late Raul Julia in the leading roles. It was also a box-office hit despite its dismal reviews from movie critics. Gibson plays Dale “Mac” McKussic, an ex-drug dealer who is trying to go straight. Mac’s best friend is Detective Lieutenant Nick Frescia (Russell), a man who has been ordered to investigate him.
The one thing that Mac and Nick have in common besides their friendship is their love for restaurant owner Jo Ann Vallenari (Pfeiffer), and her relationship with both men is complex. Julia’s role is a bit of a spoiler, so we’ll refrain from explaining his role in the story. This film was popular upon its release, and yet now seems largely forgotten nearly four decades later.
