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Grab yourself a New Coke, throw on your brightest leg warmers, and travel back to the future with a home entertainment system that, like, beams in movies from, like, outer space or something. It’s called “Netflix,” and it’s, like, a video store in the cloud. Far out, right?
If you’re finding yourself scrolling through Netflix in need of a retro fix — or if you’re a big Stranger Things stan and want to see some of its influences — we’ve got you covered on some of the greatest movies available to stream from the decade. Strap yourself in and enjoy the best 80s movies on Netflix.
For more recommendations, check out our list of the best 90s and 2000s movies on the platform or the best shows and movies on Netflix.
Editor’s note: This article was updated March 2023 to include Fletch and Parenthood.
She’s Gotta Have It (1986)
Run Time: 1 hr 24 min | Genre: Black-and-White Comedy Drama | Director: Spike Lee
Cast: Tracy Camilla Johns, Redmond Hicks, John Canada Terrell, Spike Lee, Raye Dowell
She’s Gotta Have It is the fascinating debut of Spike Lee’s singular filmmaking voice. A black-and-white dissection of sexual identity, the patriarchy, slut-shaming, and the undue pressures put on black women. It features a terrific lead performance from Tracy Camilla Johns, a stunning deconstruction of male-crafted “Hollywood endings,” and a worldview so ahead of its time in 1986 that it was readapted for a two-season Netflix show in 2017. It also — and here I will give a content warning for sexual assault — features the worst scene Lee has ever committed to celluloid: and those are his words, not mine. At one point in the narrative, one of the three male suitors desperate to lock Nola (Johns) down into a form of oppressive monogamy, the most performatively “nice” of the three, rapes her.
Lee, speaking to Deadline, had this to say about this scene: “If I was able to have any do-overs, that would be it. It was just totally…stupid. I was immature. It made light of rape, and that’s the one thing I would take back. I was immature and I hate that I did not view rape as the vile act that it is. I can promise you, there will be nothing like that in She’s Gotta Have It, the TV show, that’s for sure.” If you’re willing to contextualize this depiction as an artifact of the shortcomings of historical perspectives, or even read it as being in dialogue with the rest of the film’s chaotic renderings of progressive ideals (i.e. monogamy can never work under our patriarchy because of horrible senses of entitlement and trauma like this), She’s Gotta Have It remains an alive arrival of a lively filmmaker. — Gregory Lawrence
Labyrinth (1986)
Run Time: 1 hr 41 min | Genre: Musical Fantasy | Director: Jim Henson
Cast: Jennifer Connelly, David Bowie, Brian Henson, Frank Oz
There aren’t many movies in any genre more bursting with imagination than Labyrinth, Jim Henson‘s high fantasy puppetry extravaganza. Sixteen-year-old Sarah Williams (Jennifer Connelly) is frustrated with watching her baby brother…until the child is carried off by a pack of goblins, led by the Goblin King (David Bowie, just astonishingly iconic in this role). Sarah descends into a jaw-droppingly vibrant maze of monsters and mayhem to find her brother, encountering everything from a helpful dward named Hoggle (Brian Henson) to the Bog of Eternal Stench. Labyrinth is so dang impressive on a technical level that it’s a must-watch for pretty much any age, but it’s especially an irreplaceable gem as something to show a generation raised on CGI. This movie proves you can actually create magic with your hands. –Vinnie Mancuso
Hard Lessons (1986)
Run Time: 1 hr 33 min | Genre: Biography Drama | Director: Eric Laneuville
Cast: Denzel Washington, Lynn Whitfield
Also known as The George McKenna Story, Hard Lessons is another inspiring teacher flick. Denzel Washington stars as the principal of George Washington Preparatory High in South Los Angeles, who attempts to rid the school of gangs, drugs, and violence. Despite its low budget, Hard Lessons is a beautiful movie about a determined principal. Denzel Washington’s grounded and powerful performance sets it apart from other made-for-TV movies of the time. – Taylor Gates
Fletch (1985)
Run Time: 1 hr 38 min | Genre: Mystery Comedy | Director: Michael Ritchie
Cast: Chevy Chase, Joe Don Baker, Dana Wheeler-Nicholson
Based on the popular Fletch novels by Gregory Mcdonald, the 1985 film follows the titular character, a reporter played by Chevy Chase, as he is offered an enormous amount of money to kill a millionaire — by the millionaire himself, as he has just received a terminal cancer diagnosis. However, things get more complicated when he discovers the man isn’t ill, and his investigation puts his own life at risk. The film was a critical and commercial success, noted for its sharp comedy and excellent performance by Chase. – Taylor Gates
Parenthood (1989)
Run Time: 2 hr 4 min | Genre: Comedy Drama Family | Director: Ron Howard
Cast: Steve Martin, Tom Hulce, Rick Moranis, Martha Plimpton
Legendary director Ron Howard helms Parenthood, a funny, heartfelt, and relatable film about three adult siblings and the various struggles they go through raising their children. There’s Gil (Steve Martin), a sales executive who learns his kids need therapy while his wife becomes pregnant with another child; divorced Helen (Dianne Wiest), whose ex wants nothing to do with the childrearing; Susan (Harley Jane Kozak), who clashes with her husband on the decision regarding whether to grow their family; and Larry (Tom Hulce), the youngest sibling with a gambling problem who discovers he has a child from a one-night stand. The film was nominated for two Oscars, including Best Supporting Actress for Dianne Wiest. – Taylor Gates
Road House (1989)
Run Time: 1 hr 54 min | Genre: Action Thriller | Director: Rowdy Herrington
Cast: Patrick Swayze, Kelly Lynch, Sam Elliott
Patrick Swayze(Dirty Dancing) dominates in Road House, a late 80s action thriller about toxic masculinity and unfettered violence. Swayze plays the tough and unencumbered Dalton, a man with expert martial arts training who is summoned to Missouri in hopes of cleaning up The Double Deuce, a sleazy bar preferred by troublemakers. Director Rowdy Herrington lives up to his name in Road House – a film crowded with fist-fights, explosions, and brawls. Although the attempt to include romance and thrills is dramatically overshadowed by the exciting action, Road House attempts to make room for story, along with highlighting Swayze’s undeniable magnetism. – Yael Tygiel
Quiet Victory (1988)
Run Time: 1 hr 40 min | Genre: Biography Drama | Director: Roy Campanella II
Cast: Pam Dawber, Michael Nouri
Another superior made-for-TV movie affair is Quiet Victory: The Charlie Wedemeyer Story, which follows a high school teacher and football coach who refuses to give up after being diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Though he’s only given a year to live, Charlie (Michael Nouri) continues coaching the team, as he’s determined to help them win their first championship. Quiet Victory is definitely a tear-jerker and a great addition to the sports movie genre. – Taylor Gates
