Top 10 Iconic Movie Scenes of the 1980s

These unforgettable movie moments are pure cinematic nostalgia. For this list, we’ll be looking at the most impactful moments from films released in the 1980s. Our countdown includes “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”, "The Shining", “Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back”, and more! What 80s movie moment sticks with you the most? Be sure to tell us in the comments!
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#Film
#80s
#StarWars

[@WatchMojo]

What 80s movie moment sticks with you the most? Be sure to tell us in the comments! For more great movies, check out our playlist!: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpS4o6mQl9WWh8U

[@Jeremiah_Rivers76]

The golden idol and Vader’s revelation will always remain timeless.

[@ciscodeer9094]

What Die Hard didn't get an honorable mention ?

[@awesomegirl5190]

Bike chase from ET

[@coryakabueze4541]

Et is my favorite alien movie

[@ciscodeer9094]

@@coryakabueze4541 mine's too lol

[@justapeacefulmanwhosbornin7291]

“Johnny B. Goode” is also one of my several favorite scenes from ‘Back to the Future.’

[@jacobmilligan8777]

You know a movie is good when you say, “..one of several favorite scenes” from said movie.

[@BFA100]

Tom Cruise's scene in Risky Business when he dances to Bob Seger's Old Time Rock And Roll in his house.

[@bluenoseguitarman]

I expected that on the list for sure!

[@Kritacul]

Two movies left out was Ghost Busters and Big. Those were MASSIVE movies in the 80s and so many iconic scenes from both.

[@justapeacefulmanwhosbornin7291]

‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’, the best ‘Indiana Jones’ movie ever made is turning 40 this year.

[@broush42]

Not sure I've ever seen Raiders of the Ark. Hope this comment isn't Lost on you.

[@justapeacefulmanwhosbornin7291]

@@broush42 Awkward. Anyway, I fixed my mistake. 😅

[@markzuckergecko621]

Yikes, why do I have to be so old? Really started to hit me when the kids of athletes that I remember watching started playing pro sports.

[@alextownley9388]

The Last Crusade is superior.

[@broush42]

@@justapeacefulmanwhosbornin7291 well done! And yes it's a spectacular spectacle.

[@toplaycool21]

This video alone shows how great 80s movies are.

[@poolside123canadian7]

And, according to the Breakfast Club, marijuana. 😅

[@TanisC]

💯

[@craigbagnall4503]

Amen to that

[@byMidnyt]

That and the number of iconic scenes that are missing.

[@robroy6374]

damn right!

[@DominickRuocco]

I'm so glad that I grew up in the 80's. What a time to be ALIVE!

[@GiantMike86]

not even a mention for terminators "i'll be back"

[@valentinaminauro352]

True

[@GH-bz2vl]

Yeah, that movie deserved at least an honorable mention. I'm sure before long they'll do a Top 20 one of these anyways.

[@darioburstin2418]

Isn't that in T2? That's a 90's movie

[@GiantMike86]

@@darioburstin2418 nah first said it in the first one, police station scene.

[@comicqueen2003]

The most iconic movie moment of the 80s is the shopping mall car chase from blues brothers

[@heatherdierks6376]

One of my all time fave movies!! I can watch on repeat ❤️

[@mike_outdoors4918]

So many moments to choose from, but here's three from some of my favourites: 1. The arrival of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man in Ghostbusters 2. The piano scene in Big 3. John Maclaine shouting "Welcome to the party pal" in Die Hard 👍

[@taylorwatts9391]

Seriously the pool scene in Fast Times at Ridgemont High doesn’t even get mentioned!!! You couldn’t get more iconic than that! 😤

[@BrettBoozeReviewsNOLA]

I said the same thing

[@davidz2562]

It's the best teen film of all time. I don't understand why it isn't recognised as such.

[@apersonandaperson]

Question. Why wasn’t the first temporal Relocation in BTTF on this list? The famous words “88 MPH!” Extremely iconic!

[@ChristianBaleNutjob]

Make your own BTTF one if you don’t like the choice.

[@apersonandaperson]

@@ChristianBaleNutjob obviously you don’t get what I’m saying.

[@sprittel]

Yeah the whole of the Twin Pines Mall scene is my choice for most iconic scene of all time, you get to see some serious shit! ...it contains both the first and second temporal displacement!

[@apersonandaperson]

@@sprittel yeah, it’s my favourite part of the BTTF part 1 film.

[@mr.decencykeepinitreal6348]

Tony Montana: “Say hello to my little friend!” *blasted the door away* I love ‘Scarface’, one of my several favorite remake movies.

[@izokas2421]

Tears in rain is just one of the best scene ever

[@ganumon1984]

The Crane Kick is another Iconic Scene from the 80s you missed. This, “Wax On, Wax Off”, and “I Am Your Father” are my favorite iconic scenes from the 80s

[@codyhiginbotham6616]

The 80s was the best decade for classics/great movies

[@williamsummerson1204]

No1 is not just the greatest movie scene of the 80s but it's one of the greatest of all time.

[@christophervanburen8923]

That was really a stellar list. Excellent choices.

[@jamalvargas6146]

Terminator The Police Station Shootout Scene Arnold Schwarzenegger at his most badass

[@TimTimmay]

“SCREW YOUR FEEDOM” - Arnold (2021)

[@rmannayr2129]

ALL OF THESE SCENES ARE ICONIC!

[@gregorynetus5557]

I miss the 1980s.all those are really good.word up son

[@jordimonahan3922]

Can you make Top 10 iconic movie scenes in the 90s please

[@TanisC]

YESSS!

[@elliejane72]

How can Footloose be completely be skipped over even in “honorable mentions “? Most of these movies you know the scenes even if you’ve never watched the movies but Blade Runner over Footloose? Never in my life have I seen that. Way off the mark there.

[@Kritacul]

I could literally watch EVERY movie in this list(including honorable mentions) and have no problem with it.

[@chadgaming8288]

With Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back revelation of Darth Vader’s iconic line, “No, I am your father,” line, I was completely starstruck when I watched it on DVD back in the early 2000s. But, after seeing the original Karate Kid when it was on Netflix, it was like watching Avengers: Endgame and watching the Rocky/Creed films. Cheering Daniel LaRusso on, I have to watch Cobra Kai now. I’ve only watched one episode, but I forgot about how it went down.

[@garveyneal1672]

I'm still waiting for you do top 10 best animated films of each year (1980 - 1989)

[@mr.decencykeepinitreal6348]

Luke Skywalker: “He told me you killed him.” Darth Vader: “No, I am your father.” My number one favorite scene from ‘Star Wars Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back.’ 😃

[@indiecinemaster4699]

But not as impactfull on the 80s as E.T. ...

[@jackrodakthemovieguy1726]

This could easily be a top 100

[@ZachMaster26]

This is another one of those lists that SHOULD be a Top 20

[@CatLadyDee]

This should have been a top 20. Neverending Story, Artex's death on the swamps was a moment burned into my brain.

[@briannahlabelle2458]

I wish I could be as bold as Ferris! That would be so epic

[@frankmoniz1467]

The battle over Metropolis in Superman II, the 'lighting up' scene in 9 to 5, the finale audition in Flashdance, attack on the lighthouse in The Fog, caught between two trucks in The Hitcher........krakatoa! - I LOVE THE 80S!

[@jacobmaverickbueller.671]

Where's Tom Cruise singing and dancing to Old Town Rock And Roll from Risky Business? That is so iconic.

[@justapeacefulmanwhosbornin7291]

“Here’s Johnny!”

[@haleylafferty9870]

So iconic

[@b_rad5651]

This easily could've been a top 20 list. You missed the Crane Kick from Karate Kid. And Batman's entrance or the Batwing in front of the moon scene should've been an honorable mention.

[@vinhtran123]

The best decade EVER!

[@kingoftheswing38]

F'n Full Metal Jacket man!!!!! A God Damn Legendary list right here 💯🔥💪💪

[@mytdck1]

Chase scene to end the Blue’s Brothers deserve a mention.

[@CaptTerrific]

You could have a top 100 for 1982 alone

[@valentinaminauro352]

True

[@egalejat4477]

Yesterday is history" "Tomorrow is mystery" "Today is gift" "That why it's called present"😂😂😂🙏🙏

[@tigerclaw8775]

That line is from Kung Fu Panda told by Master Oogway!

[@scarletttyson4622]

could you do a 90,s list of this?

[@en-peiliu1714]

I love how the narrator says "Here's Johnny" like how it was said.

[@onefour45]

With the honorable mentions alone, this list must've been a hard challenge for the WM fam. They did a great job. 🙏🏾

[@tychobrodie]

Tropic Thunder parodying the Platoon scene is so damn good

[@serendavies7375]

I love the 80s!

[@valentinaminauro352]

I was a teenager in the '80s it was the best time of my life so much Fun😎🔥☠️💣💫🙏✌️

[@TanisC]

@@valentinaminauro352 I'm so jealous!! I was born in the 80's, but didn't get a chance to enjoy it!😭

[@serendavies7375]

@@valentinaminauro352 I'm glad you enjoyed it! 👍

[@Justsomething247]

I love WatchMojo's Videos

[@andrewpappas9311]

As a musician myself I will always love that Johnny B. Goode scene from Back to the Future, so fucking good.. At the same time I’m surprised that “This Goes to 11” from This Is Spinal Tap wasn’t on here, such an iconic scene

[@blueraccoon1088]

Okay I have to admit a friend of mine seen original empire strikes back in theaters when he was little. If I had time machine delorean I'd go back to see it

[@manueltapia1859]

Fun fact: the guitar that Marty is playing was not Made until 1959. Elliot flying is always nostalgic.

[@lunarose698]

I always jam out with Marty Mcfly when he performs in stage!

[@EricThigpen]

Well, I guess this list is all a matter of personal opinion, but I think the water chair scene from 'Flashdance' was infinitely more iconic than any scene from 'Footloose' (just look at the amount of times the scene has been parodied over the years). Other movie scenes that should definitely be on the list: the Pillsbury dough boy scene from 'Ghostbusters' (instead of 'Back to the Future'), the dinner scene from 'Beetlejuice' (instead of 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off'), and the transformation scene from 'An American Werewolf in London'.

[@DrCory48]

Cool top 10

[@Zodia195]

I love Princess Bride and as amazing as that Duel was, I felt that Inigo's line "Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die" was more iconic.

[@Chocobear555]

The bike scene in "E.T.," should be #1.

[@daftgeartv]

Everyone in the comments is providing you with a part 2 of this list, I'll add one more, the scene where Andy's mom checks Chucky for batteries on Child's Play.

[@mrgrumblebunny3708]

I can't believe "I want my $2!!" from Better Off Dead was not listed!

[@justapeacefulmanwhosbornin7291]

Top 10 best Superman-inspired characters of all time.

[@Enr227]

We loved John Hughes and all other 80s teen movies for showing us what it’s like to be wealthy and privileged with absolutely no gratitude, just entitlement.

[@mlggamer5296]

I can't remember if I have also saw When Harry met Sally but I know about that scene for a while

[@mr.decencykeepinitreal6348]

Top 10 best Batman-inspired characters of all time.

[@bignut_inthebutt9468]

Weird idea but ok

[@jomirife]

Está aqui mais alguém de Portugal ?

[@solomonrichards599]

Scarface was so awesome, that nobody minds, that this was pretty much the only film Al Pacino did in the 80s

[@marcosramos6074]

What about Ghostbusters, Terminator, Aliens, Big, Legend, Labyrinth, Police Academy. The 80's what a time!

[@cadillacdeville5828]

Dirty dancing is one my favorites

[@jasonrandom372]

Fun fact: When Star Wars Episode 5 first premiered. David Prowse the guy in the Darth Vader suit thought James Earl Jones was going to say," No Obi Wan killed your father."

[@kagemaru259]

The "Testing the blood" scene from The Thing. Rambo holding the knife to Teasle's throat and telling him to "Let it go" in First Blood. Mickey dies in Rocky 3. Christie Brinkley in the Ferrari in National Lampoon's Vacation. Indy shoots the Cairo Swordsman in Raiders Of The Lost Ark. Phoebe Cates getting out of the pool and removing her top in Fast Times At Ridgemont High. Peter gets slimed in Ghostbusters. Marty's first glimpse of the time machine and its first demonstration in Back To The Future. The T-800 saying "I'll be back." in The Terminator. Ellen Ripley confronting the Alien Queen while wearing the Power Loader suit, saying "Get away from her you BITCH!" in Aliens. "I AM serious. And don't call me Shirley". from Airplane! Daniel using the crane kick on Johnny in The Karate Kid. Batman crashing through the skylight to rescue Vicky Vale from the Joker in Batman. Freddy Krueger's first appearance in A Nightmare On Elm Street. Riggs meets Murtaugh in Lethal Weapon. "Be afraid. Be VERY afraid." from The Fly. Chunk meets Sloth in The Goonies. Lord Humongous' introduction in The Road Warrior. "I feel the need. The need...for SPEED!" in Top Gun. The first transformation in An American Werewolf In London. Tom Cruise dancing in his underwear to "Old Time Rock N Roll" in Risky Business. "They're here!" from Poltergeist. Hulk Hogan asking the limo driver "What's that smell!!?" and being answered with "Du...Du..DOOKEY!!!" in No Holds Barred (ok, just kidding on that one, seeing who was paying attention).

[@angiedawnmoody3519]

Iconic scene for me is when Leonard Lawrence(Gomer Pyle)shot Seargent Major Hartman and then himself in Full Metal Jacket....I'm surprised it was not on this list or even mentioned?? Such a sad scene

[@navidadbella]

Ummm what about the dancing scene with Tom Cruise in “Risky Business”? 🤔

[@briannahlabelle2458]

But Tom hanks piano scene or the swimming away with daryl Hannah’s mermaid character or the karate kid scene would been a good one to add

[@Wiiguy1606]

I'm just waiting for the 90s decade

[@kershabeaver3312]

Aww the 80s

[@maquinadotempo1955]

@watchmojo, you described the bike chase scene, which happens in the afternoon and has the whole gang but showed the classic and more deserving night scene, which has Elliot and E.T. looking for a place to build E.T.’s “telefone”. C’mon… this is a huge mistake.

[@denisepayne9858]

The Terminator meets Sarah Conner for the first time!

[@SurrealSurrender]

No Officer and a Gentleman?! Ghostbusters?! Risky Business?!

[@sanmarzano4010]

Suggestion for a next top: Top 10 Netflix’s Castlevania Fights

[@marcel19lange84]

I'm amazed by the fact that Deadpool did most of the scenes even the honourable mentions 😂👌

[@vincentcloud]

They don't make movies like these anymore. All of them classics.

[@FD2003Abc]

Never saw "Say Anything." Was hever a big P. Gabriel fan anyway.

[@alexhidalgo7110]

I am your father Scarface last stand is awesome as hell The et bike chase scene is best ever

[@blairmcauley2497]

The 80’s is my favorite decade the breakfast club is my favorite movie

[@miguelgamesbr6285]

HEEEEEEEEEERREESS… JONNY!!!!!!!!

[@mlggamer5296]

I know all of These Scenes whether I've seen the movies or not. As long as there are parodies you will have already been spoiled so was the spoiler alert necessary? probably not. Fairly OddParents and others brought me up in those movies now I can look back and be like "ah now I get the reference" but of course the only ones I've actually seen ET and empire strikes back and dirty dancing

[@peterparker.4493]

You forgot the cinema cry scene in Cinema Paradiso (1988)

[@goodwillhumping7904]

correction: ET used the force to send the bikes soaring through the air

[@bgreene110]

You bastards that eat scene almost had me crying about missing my child hood lol

[@KevinWood44]

Horrible list. Flashdance last audition, Footloose prom, Neverending Story, Karate Kid Crane kick not wax on/off, Ghostbusters Stay Puft, Terminator I'll be back (only one if the most iconic lines in movie history) BIG chopsticks on piano....

[@TanisC]

"No!! It can't be! It can't be!!" "What did you do Ray?!!" "(Bewildered Face)....it's the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man." I LOVE THAT SCENE!❤

[@KevinWood44]

@@TanisC "Whoa whoa whoa nobody choosed anything.....did u choose anything? No. Did u? No. I didn't choose anything..........." (All turn and look at Ray) I couldn't help it, it just popped in there. WHAT? WHAT just opped in there? LOOK!!!!!! No, it can't be, it can't be... Great scene!

[@williamsummerson1204]

I hope that empire strikes back or return of the jedi is on here.

[@CodyFairlessLee]

I like SAY ANYTHING... and I love E.T.: THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL!

[@killingragethrowback]

Tears in the rain is only an honorable mention? No Crossing the streams? What about the death of Optimus Prime which scarred all the kids?

[@metalloadedbakedpotato4382]

Really, no mention when Phoebe Cates gets out of the pool in Fast times at Ridge mount high. Also when Christine repairs herself.

[@TanisC]

FOOTLOOSE!!💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽

[@ciscodeer9094]

Most Iconic scenes in the 80's should have went to the following...... 1.)The Terminator 2.)Die Hard 3.)The Predator 4.)Commando 5.)Bloodsport 6.)Aliens 7.)Return of the Jedi 8.)Who Framed Roger Rabbit 9.)Robocop 10.)Batman

[@mandalorianscum1138]

I can make a top 500 of iconic 80's scenes from my head! The 80's where movie heaven! Nothing even comes close!

[@carolinelowe6304]

Fun fact the Beatles did NOT write twist and shout they just covered the song

[@GamerFunOriginallyAarush]

⭐️

[@Duelinator]

No wonder the Empire Strikes Back is the best Star Wars Sequel in history

[@ellechim9302]

I have seen all these movies but I must admit that I dont remember some of those scenes and havent seen them referenced anywhere. I kinds miss one of the most iconic scenes in cimena history that wasnt even mentioned: "they're here".... I think you mistook "great scenes" with "iconic scenes". Like with number 10. You show the iconic scene with the guy in his bathrope but then pick the parade scene....

[@trexadvent4726]

Can you do a versus video between DC's Hitman(Tommy Monaghan) and Marvel's Punisher?

[@thegreenrose147]

Here!