What Is The Most 80s Movie Ever?

Sign up for Nebula and CuriosityStream to watch the extended version of this video curiositystream.com/patrickhw...
There were over 1,200 movies released in the U.S. during the 1980s. I figured out which one was the MOST 80s.
►Help support this channel on Patreon / patrickhwillems
►Exclusive merch store.nebula.tv/collections/p...
►Talk about this video on reddit / thrillems
______________________________________
CAST & CREW
Chloe Holgate as Chloe
Siddhant Adlakha / siddhantadlakha
Jake Torpey / jrtorpey
Mike Curran / mikel_curran
Brian Metolius www.brianmetolius.com/
Raven Thigpen
Ryan Alva
Emma Logsdon / msmegalodon
______________________________________
TWITTER: / patrickhwillems
INSTAGRAM: / patrickhwillems
______________________________________
Some Additional Music by Epidemic Sound
______________________________________
SEND US SOME MAIL:
Patrick Willems
P.O. Box 380333
Brooklyn, NY 11238
0:00 Cold Open
05:52 Essay Intro
11:50 The Ten Contenders
22:04 Round 1 - Aesthetics
33:35 Round 2 - The Film Industry
48:30 Round 3 - Music
1:03:03 Round 4 - Politics
1:03:31 Middle Narrative Scene
1:05:25 Back to Politics
1:15:53 Round 5 - American Culture
1:27:30 Final Results
1:31:45 Ad Read
1:34:41 Final Scene

[@aidenf.4900]

The reason Back to the Future is the most 80s movie is because it's set in the 50s. Nothing more 80s than romanticizing the 50s.

[@fairlyodd922]

I'd argue BttF pointedly doesn't romanticize the 50s. It makes a point to show that seediness existed at the time (George being a peeping Tom, Lorraine being assaulted, teens being horny af)

[@InsaneFame]

50s was peak America, we knew in the 80s and we know today.

[@BrendanJSmith]

@@InsaneFame no it wasn't. The '60s was.

[@edward4840]

@@InsaneFameyou're right man, segregation was the peak of America

[@Memfys]

I'd argue that's what American Graffiti already did in the seventies. Although it's set in the early sixties.

[@sophiaro4593]

Okay so who's gonna start the petition for Patrick to do this for literally every other decade?

[@zer0luv]

With more political rants from Patrick's dad!

[@reflectsonlife]

And I bet that in every decade, the winner will still be a kitchy tropey propaganda film 🤭

[@Evan-wu2rs]

@@reflectsonlife 60s would be fs be I wonder what Patrick would come up with for the most 90s movie

[@Evan-wu2rs]

after looking through some of the top grossing 90s movies men in black one is my choice for the most 90s movie

[@insertnamehere5602]

What is the most 1890s movie?

[@groundoctopus]

the big one that I think is missing is The Terminator! It has an 80's action star, a super synth-heavy soundtrack, nuclear angst, a "big hair while listening to a walkman" scene and the neon-heavy 'tech noir' vibe.

[@TobeWilsonNetwork]

Yeah that felt unaddressed. Maybe it’s too much of a small art film by comparison

[@Crowens]

Borderline horror slasher too and those were all the rage in that era too

[@viceversar-do1cn]

Liquid Sky and Videodrome are MY notable absentees.

[@ioannad1857]

10000% agree

[@azn1011]

i think The Terminator would fit into the category of having 80's aesthetics but still being able to have been made in any decade.

[@wehpudicabok6598]

Minor correction: The score for Thrashin' was written by Barry Goldberg, not Barry Goldwater as Patrick said. Though, it would have been kind of amazing for the 1964 Republican presidential nominee to wind up making the music for a 1986 movie about skateboarding.

[@wiseauserious8750]

Haha well done

[@napesdrk1174]

Watched Thrasher and Rad 100 times each.

[@messedupfmj]

Would this be Dr. Barry Goldberg, older brother of Adam F. Goldberg?

[@waynechapman9823]

I have to admit I was a bit startled when Barry Goldwater's name was mentioned!

[@wildmarjoramdieselpunk6396]

@@napesdrk1174Where is Rad here? I mean you have the movie, but then all the recorded loaned copies that is so 80s.

[@mrflipperinvader7922]

I want to hear Patrick's dad going into full detail about his Regan rant

[@d00dufd00dz]

Exclusive on Nebula

[@henryglennon3864]

Also, kudos to the delivery on the line "You didn't barge in here like some sort of French prince."

[@MariaVosa]

I didn't think I could love him more. I stand corrected!

[@JacobTCannon]

wonder when he got to the air traffic controllers' strike, feels like a day two talking point to me

[@ekoostic]

#releasethepatdadcut

[@contracostaexpert]

How do you NOT give Jennifer Beals 80s Hardbody points.

[@numb3r5ev3n]

right?

[@LSOP-]

100%

[@jkapp374]

I don't think that was actually Jennifer Beals body that you saw in most of Flashdance, if I remember correctly it was actually a dancer that they would cut back and forth to that was her body double for a lot of those camera shots... Jennifer Beals was definitely a gorgeous actress but that wasn't her body

[@LiamMarcon]

@@jkapp374 Sounds like it's even more deserving of the point.

[@rufus231]

@@jkapp374 The dancer in the final dance scene was a man wearing a wig.

[@SuPeRNinJaRed]

The only thing that Rocky IV needed for a perfect 100 would be an unabashedly, undeniably 80s subtitle... Rocky IV: Only Heroes Bleed Red, White & Blue (Return of the Electric Boogaloo)

[@jasonblalock4429]

And a scene at a mall!

[@HAL-st4ll]

In Germany it was called "Rocky 4 - The Fight of the Century"

[@MrProy33]

Fast Times at Ridgemont High gets my vote for the comedy category. It had everything--surfer culture, mallrats,a photomat reference, fast food with costumes, an explanation of the different cliques, pointless nudity, great soundtrack, and it spawned so many '80s careers--Sean Penn, Judge Reinhold, JJL, Forest Whittaker, etc.

[@wildmarjoramdieselpunk6396]

Are any of his picks set in a mall? There should be at least one.

[@SenorChistoso]

Like, your parents are never the low points of your videos, always a decent presence, but today they really stole the show! Your dad's rant had me fucking howling!

[@saml302]

Pat's dad gets a rant??? omg can't wait edit: i want the whole thing Pat #ReleasetheWillemsCut

[@ProfDCoy]

Yeah, just started watching this, and I'm already wishing the video would hurry up and get to Pat's dad's rant.

[@Venomfan88]

I want nothing more than an extended cut of Patrick's dad explaining Ronald Reagan.

[@speelbergoMF]

I’d sign up for nebula for his three day anti Reagan rant

[@sudoscientist]

+1 for an extended/Nebula release of Pat's dad's rant. Please. The people need it.

[@jliller]

At first I was surprised Robocop didn't make the cut, but on second thought (especially after seeing all the categories) it makes sense. It's made by Orion and feels like it could have only been made in the 1980s, but it's more a reaction to the decade than an embrace of it. It would also fail miserably in the music-related scoring round.

[@wrestlingguy8722]

It's also set in a weird alternative future

[@ZappBranniglenn]

@@wrestlingguy8722 I bet the I'D BUY THAT FOR A DOLLAR hard cut could earn 5 points in the American Culture category alone, but you're probably right.

[@Draliseth]

As someone who could argue that RoboCop is their favorite film ever, I totally get your point. It's very critical of the culture of when it was made.

[@thewishfulfilmmakerhsu]

Being directed by a Dutch filmmaker, Verhoeven's sci-fi films (Robocop, Total Recall, Starship Troopers) are kind of an outsider's observation/critique/satire on what he sees in 80s US society's problems, politics, media, culture, etc. It's a lot more aware of what it's doing formality wise, closer to Scarface than Rocky IV. (Which is why it's great)

[@chrisdoe2659]

Top Gun definitely deserves a few more points for "Inspired by recent real world events". The dogfight in the finale is basically a retelling of the Gulf of Sidra Incident which happened just a few years earlier.

[@rjichi]

I’m surprised The Lost Boys didn’t make the cut. It’s a very 80s movie!

[@MrRichtermo]

I second that! 🤟Kiefer Sutherland actually made the mullet a thing in that movie! Everything else about the movie was also 80ies SF! 🥰

[@anthonydelfino6171]

Documentaries don't count

[@thomascuerden9421]

Would love other retrospective analysis videos like this for the 90's, 2000's etc.

[@aliceramenhead]

@@treborkroy5280 ??? Legally Blonde was released in 2001

[@tallyprestin1881]

The most 90's movie would likely be The Crow. It was grunge, lots of flannel, South by the cure, didn't have a giant star, and features a desire to tear down the face of the 80's.

[@johnnypopstar]

The most '90s movie would put the apostrophe in the proper place, for one thing.

[@treborkroy5280]

@@aliceramenhead yeah man, I know...jeez

[@69johndz]

@@johnnypopstar Wow. Did you come here just to be a grammar Nazi? WTF. However, since you are the one that opened this can of worms, you might want to educate yourself before correcting others (unless you can provide reputable proof of your assertion that this is a hard and fast rule). 1) Both forms are acceptable in every day usage and on an academic level. People use '80s, 80's, and 80s interchangeably. No one cares. It is entirely up to the writer and their style. 2) Neither is "technically" correct. However, both are accepted. 3) '80s - an abbreviation of 1980s 80's - belonging to the 1980s 80s - multiple variations of the 1980s If I were to be pedantic, I would argue that Tally's use of "90's" is acceptable because they are talking about a film belonging to the 1980s. However, their use of "80's" would be incorrect because they are referring to the collection of 1980's dates as a whole and therefore would be the "80s". However, like I said, no one cares. 🙄

[@pedrosimas2642]

The Norm Macdonald's bit "you guessed it: Frank Stallone" was BRILLIANT. Thank you, Patrick.

[@brainfat1]

The older I get the more I appreciate what Frank Stallone did. Sure, not the best performer, but his hits are very eighties in a good way.

[@drewcobern]

I’m actually kind of shocked “Wall Street” didn’t make the list. It would have been the first thing that came to mind when posed with the question.

[@gabrielledebourg2487]

I think it’s critique of ‘80s yuppie culture is what makes it “timeless”; after all, American Psycho came out in 2000 and Wolf of Wall Street in 2013.

[@Leave_Angry]

Patrick's dad taking the hot seat is a payoff I never expected but fully appreciate. Happy Holidays to the whole Willems family, both actual and crew!

[@colonelweird]

By the way, 50s nostalgia actually got big in the 70s: Happy Days (and Laverne and Shirley), Grease, Sha Na Na, American Graffiti, The Last Picture Show... all from the 70s.

[@JayTemple]

I'll put an asterisk on Sha Na Na. They played at Woodstock, which was in 1969, but I'll concede that they hit their peak in the 70's.

[@joshuabissey]

It makes sense that 50s nostalgia would take hold in the 70s, the same way 80s nostalgia is raging today. In both eras, Americans saw their nation as being in decline and rightly understood that some recent "progress" was - not really progress at all.

[@NotSoNarrowCast]

There used to be a nice 20ish year gap in nostalgia, but it seems to have sped up recently -- one thing for sure, the 70s came back HUGE in the late 90s and 2000s

[@kananimiranda3376]

@@joshuabisseyi do feel like we are finally heading into 90’s nostalgia with all those 90’s bands coming out with their 30 year anniversary concerts though. Zoomers are wanting and wearing doc martins (which are no longer made well 👎) and platform shoes like steve maddens. Now just waiting for the music breakout/reaction like the switch from guns and roses to nirvana seemingly the next day.

[@thinkingallowed7042]

Peggy Sue Got Married, Back to the Future, biopics of Marilyn Monroe and James Dean. From the 1980s.

[@ericriley5126]

I love how thorough this is, really great. Only pushback I'd offer is for Round 3 on music, in Elvis Mitchell's doc "Is that Black Enough for You", he talks about how the music synergy youre talking about actually started with the boom of blaxploitation films in the 70's. Id definitely check out his doc, super informative, great work as always Patrick

[@JayFingers]

Very true. 💯

[@cgrenadier]

I was just about to type the same thing, well done!

"Back to the Future" checks a lot of those marks. It is about ambition, it is about sucess, the soundtrack was orchestral, but there were also songs by Huey Lewis that were hits. It is about "a better, simpler America"... Marty literally travels to that era! It stars Michael J. Fox, who was shooting "Family Ties" at the time, a series about a young man who was all about greed, success and Reagan´s America.

[@jamesdagg4518]

The ultimate 80s movie is this. Valley Girl. The reason? As this was the old Romeo and Juliet story, it portrayed it as 2 different sets of 80s groups. The ones that liked rock and punk music vs the New wave. It was a fashion battle between the clean valley types vs the dirty punk rockers. The hair, the clothes, the makeup and all the great music make Valley Girl the movie that personifies the 80s. More so than Fast Times which would rank second, then Breakfast Club.

[@MontegomeryLoL]

I want a video of Patrick talking about all the dumb but interesting movies of the 80s we've all forgotten.

[@TankTaur]

Yes! Going through some of the weirdest discoveries he made during his research would be fun to watch!

[@forstudentpower]

That's why god made Red Letter Media for us lol

[@ABoyNamedArt]

Patrick Explains Miami Connection? PATRICK EXPLAINS MIAMI CONNECTION

[@FallenStarFeatures]

You just watched it.

[@sjnmhn]

He forgot Arnold's Predator, Terminator and Rambo Stallone!!

[@heyim8552]

My girlfriend read the title and immediately said “probably Rocky IV” and…. whaddyaknow! I’d love to see more of these for other decades. Good shit Patrick

[@jasonblalock4429]

LOL, yep. Same here. If you'd just asked me "what's the most 80s movie ever?" it's what I'd have picked off the top of my head.

[@geminijinxies7258]

This was great! Using my own rules I would pick "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" (1985). Now please do one about the movies from the 90s! And please include the silly but extremely 90s gem "Hackers" (1995).

[@Keenath]

The fact that 80s filmmaking turned towards the 50s isn't *to blame* on Spielberg and Lucas -- that's the natural force of the nostalgia cycle, they're just among the most notable and successful to come from it. In the 80s, the current generation of filmmakers (i.e. in their 30s and 40s) were the ones who grew up during the 50s and made movies that throwback to that period (but with more modern technology and points of view), the same way today's current crop of up and coming filmmakers grew up in the 80s and we're seeing a big boom in 80s throwback media.

[@user-vi4xy1jw7e]

Every generation does this. I see the 2010s and 2020s get so much flack for looking at past decades when every other decade did the same thing. Lol

[@gemmamoon5998]

I'm a little surprised Footloose isn't on this list: it's got Kenny Loggins, cursive opening title, government regulation as the bad guy, MANY montages, small-town simplicity, teen audience, 3 top-10 hits, high concept, inspired by a real-world news story, and has tons of Americana

[@LuckPuddle]

Maybe because it’s based on events in the 1970’s?

[@gemmamoon5998]

@@LuckPuddle It was actually inspired by a town that finally ended its ban on dancing in 1980.

[@LuckPuddle]

@@gemmamoon5998 I thought the ban started in 77, 78? I’m just spitballing his reasons.

[@gemmamoon5998]

@@LuckPuddle in at least one of the towns it’s based on, the ban had been around since the 1890s

[@charliedemottwildey8575]

Patrick's dad going in on Reagan is beautiful

[@michaelmartin4552]

Actually, there was a lot of real world events in Top Gun. It seemed like every other month there were encounters between US and Soviet fighters, or close allies of the Soviets like Libya. The navies of both nations were often doing events in real life just like were depicted in the movie. And it was just a couple of years after the Gulf of Sidra incident (1981) where 2 Tomcats shot down two Libyan Su-22 fighters. That is the real life incident that was the direct inspiration for the climax of the film.

[@kevreax]

Love this concept! Please do a version for the 90's, 00's and 10's

[@anthonydelfino6171]

90s is easy. Clueless hands down the most 90s movie out there. Covers a LOT of the aesthetics that made the decade, was another in a large series of movies that were thinly veiled adaptations of classic works (this was a loose adaptation of Jace Austen's Emma) Has the skater culture, grunge culture, ska, shows cutting edge emergent 90s technology... Though he might throw it out as being a movie that could be made at any time (even though I disagree, I don't think past the 90s this would be a VERY different movie)

[@LaurentLaSalle]

I was expecting the 80's home computer boom, with movies like Electric Dreams or WarGames, to play a much bigger part in your rankings. Not that I think it would have change the results, but I'm a bit surprised by the absence of this quintessential 80s theme.

[@BurritoKingdom]

Rocky 4 had a robot Butler that was reprogrammed by Paulie to be female. Rocky 4 would still get points.

[@jrdougan]

Real Genius

[@Redrally]

I think Patrick would genuinely love the TV show 'Halt and Catch Fire'

[@reflectsonlife]

This. And the Fitness boom. Also seems to have been overlooked.

[@brainfat1]

Weird Science could not be made today.

[@bosH0g]

I really enjoyed the technical breakdown of the Aesthetics and Industry of the time. I hope you do one about the 90s that explains why everything looks beige

[@pyroshell5652]

You didn't catch the Fight Club-esque frame clip at the end? It's at 1:35:08

[@methos-ey9nf]

@@pyroshell5652 caught it thanks!

[@kamilziemian995]

This video-essay is a pure gem.

[@davidmockbro]

I seriously cannot stop thinking about this video. The beginning hook was terrific, and the structure of the various rounds was so engaging!

[@ShadesMP5]

How could "Earth Girls Are Easy" not even be mentioned as THE most 80s movie ever? Let alone nominated. I would love to see how Earth Girls are Easy scores because it's a perfect snapshot of 1987-1988 Los Angeles. Not only is it a movie that could ONLY be made in the 80s. But a movie that could ONLY be made in the late 80s. The music being a then MTV style musical vehicle for Julie Brown, the fashion, the consumerism/TV culture, references to 50s sci-fi, the simple love story, and the social cultural commentary, The "High concept" pitch: "3 Aliens (Jeff Goldblum, Then Unknown Jim Carrey, and Then Unknown Damon Wayans) land in The Valley LA 1988 and get mixed up with yuppie Geena Davis hijinks ensue." I could go on but this movie is SO totally 80s that it inspired the Britney Spears Iggy Azalea music video "Pretty Girls"

[@jaredcheeda]

Buckaroo Bonzai is the more 80's movie with Jeff Goldblum. Jim Carrey is more 90's.

[@burntvirtue]

@@jaredcheeda Not when he's in a movie from 1988 wtf

[@ShadesMP5]

@@jaredcheeda Buckaroo Bonzai is a comic book movie that could be made today. The 80s is not a part of the plot. Did you not watch the video?

[@williamjones9839]

That's the first movie I thought of too but, by the rules of the video, if it had been made in 1990, or 1991, I don't think it would have been all that different.

[@kandigloss6438]

@@ShadesMP5 While I won't argue that the film should have been included in this video the film is completely bonkers, there is no way it could have been made in this era of mainstream comic book films.

[@RandomEntry13013]

I appreciate being told where the essay starts. I never skip, but it's nice to be given the option, shows consideration. Thanks for being awesome and providing options Patrick. You are one of the kings of pop culture video essays imho.

[@mariar.8126]

I’m surprised that “Better Off Dead” didn’t make the list. Yes, you mentioned that teen comedies could be shot in any era but aesthetics-wise everything about that movie screams that it was made in the 80s, not to mention the tropes and soundtrack. Same goes for “Risky Business”🤓

[@kananimiranda3376]

Yes risky business! But i guess if he had to choose only one tom cruise movie, top gun seems more 80’s only in my opinion though.

[@yourfriendwill]

yeah better off dead & UHF both seemed like serious contenders to me idk

[@davidmockbro]

I really enjoyed watching this without ads on Nebula 😄 thank you for helping create that and being a part of it.

[@AlmostPerfectMedia]

I disagree with the dismissals of movies because "they could work in any era" because what makes those particular stories so captivating is the era. American Pie doesn't match up to Breakfast Club because of the sentiments of the time. When Harry Met Sally can only exist in a time before cellphones. Yes, they're "universal" stories, but every "universal" story is an artefact of its time.

[@wildmarjoramdieselpunk6396]

Agreed. The Breakin 2 story of people helping their community is a pretty big theme of many movies. Purple Rain is a biopic. I could cite other examples.

[@morgansimpson315]

I feel you not ending on a freeze frame was a missed opportunity. 😂

[@davidanderson2519]

Your research, editing, and analysis is on another level. Bravo! Excellent production.

[@jmscme]

Wonderful video. Hope you do it again for some of the other decades!

[@SkipperJane]

Ok, I’m going to add one more to the 80s movie music discussion at 50:00 - Vangelis. He did work on a lot of non-contemporaneous 80s films (Blade Runner, Chariots of Fire), but when I think of 80s synth soundtracks I think of him first.

[@wildmarjoramdieselpunk6396]

Yeah, there aren’t any Vangelis movies on here. Or Jerry Goldsmith.

[@Jayk129]

“The Secret of My Success” was by Night RANGER, the awesome 80’s band that performed hits like “Sister Christian” and “You Can Still Rock in America”. Night THRASHER is a Marvel Comics skateboard themed superhero and leader of The New Warriors the group responsible for the inciting incident in the comics version of Civil War. Also another Music round mistake: The composer for Thrashin’ was Barry Goldberg. Barry Goldwater was a conservative Republican Senator from Arizona and the GOP nominee for President in 1964. I can see how it would be easy to mix up those two.

[@Haulinbassracing]

Josh brolin hates thrashin, but still loves skateboarding. Fun fact

[@kananimiranda3376]

Also in secret of my success it has that famous “oh yeah, oooo oh oh, oh yeah, chica chica” song in it. So 80’s.

[@KingKogi]

New sub, loved this video essay. And as a fellow KZbinr, I appreciate you hand-laying out the ad breaks to not interrupt the sections, rather, you manually placed them between the rounds for the perfect “commercial” break 🙇🏼‍♀️ 👏🏼

[@glazdarklee1683]

As one who began the 1980s graduating from high school and ended it being a married man starting a family, you nailed it. Also, we own the same tablecloth as your parents. Kinda proud of that.

[@samuelbarber6177]

You could say the Cold War plays a small role in Scarface as Tony’s coming to America is very much as a result of the Fidel Castro regime in Cuba, which was a major part of the Cold War, but it’s barely an inviting incident.

[@riz3310]

“Regime”

[@marthademovimaus5140]

But the Pacchino version is a remake of an old black and white gangster movie, and the same plot could be made today (Willems' criteria for disqualifying the other movies).

[@jaakkomikkonen1909]

1:02:37 I can’t believe Patrik missed a chance here to go for ”Rocky IV keeps rising up to meet the challenge of its rivals” 😅

[@BhiphopJones]

I really appreciate your effort in producing this wonderful video and discussion. Chefs kiss.

[@StreetHierarchy]

Tony Scott's use of the graduated filter probably makes him the most 80s director.

[@wildmarjoramdieselpunk6396]

The Hunger should have also been on there! His use of over the top style but for vampires too!

[@InsaneFame]

The Breakfast Club is the iconic 80s coming of age film with the biggest influence on both film and culture in general.

[@MariaVosa]

I really think it should have been included over Thrashing or that breakdance movie. Soundtrack, montages, teenagers, freeze frame, turning a great goth girl into non-threatening girlfriend material - the works!

[@nealsf]

100 percent. Has all the tropes the 80s is known for … and what I think of when I think 80s!

[@wildmarjoramdieselpunk6396]

@@MariaVosaYeah, but goth makeovers on talk shows got big in the 90s. TBC was ahead of the curve. :)

[@andyhynesvideography]

Total Recall (although released in 1990) to me always felt like this last great primordial death-cry towards the ultra-violent action of the 1980''s. It was like a sign-off.

[@CasualNaps]

There were quite a handful in 1990 movies greenlit, shot and produced that carried the flavor of the 80's, it's almost a transitional category in and of itself.

[@wildmarjoramdieselpunk6396]

@@CasualNapsNo one mentions that. As someone who went to high school in the 80s but graduated in the 90s, there is definitely overlap.

[@poprocks187]

Super appreciate and respect the amount of time and effort (and math) put into this video. Happy holidays, Patrick

[@osifracrat]

I'd like to give an honorary mention to Repo Man (1984). The soundtrack online I think makes it a contender especially over Breakin 2 and Invasion USA.

[@Jason-br5ow]

And in one scene you can see Staying Alive on a theater marquee.

[@BTroit]

They did a "Special Edition" Top Gun soundtrack release in 2006. Which included songs such as The Final Countdown, Can't Fight This Feeling, and The Power of Love. None of which were in the movie at all (or even referenced). I think the people in charge of re-issuing the album just liked them and because they were 80s songs the figured it was close enough.

[@JayFingers]

Dude… “Gotcha” was one of my faves as an ‘80s kid. 🤣🤣🤣

[@Morbos1000]

Before I clicked on the video, and therefore having all 80s movies to pick from, I decided my choice was Rocky IV. It was great to see it not only made the short list but actually won! It really does fulfill your criteria of showing to a person out of time to explain a lot about the 80s.

[@aldeayeah]

I was torn between Rocky 4 and Top Gun.

[@Not-Great-at-Gaming]

Being a teen in the 80s, I said Rocky IV before even watching it.

[@elizabethpemberton8445]

A fun one to watch if you haven’t: Adventures in Babysitting. I was a teenager then and adored it. Admitting that a couple of months later during college freshman week apparently turned a dude (who, to be fair, did become one of my closest friends) off from me almost completely, because hipsters have been around a LOOONG time.

[@wildmarjoramdieselpunk6396]

Definitely needs more movies on this list with female leads. I feel this 80s list is lopsided.

[@r8chlletters]

It’s hard to believe Earth Girls Are Easy wasn’t on your list…how much more 80s could you get?

[@r8chlletters]

Seriously, you need to consider some categories if you would choose any movie over that one to be quintessentially 80s.

[@cegalo12]

Amazing video, Patrick! Karate Kid is so 80s that it deserved an honorable mention. It would be awesome if this becomes a series with the sequels: what's the most 90s movie? what's the most 2000s movie? what's the most 2010s movie?

[@chrisrj9871]

prequels, too! 70s, 60s, 50s, 40s... Somebody get him a magic wand.

[@snex000]

The most 90s movie is The Crow and it's not even close.

[@jbvtran]

I love how educational your videos are!

[@aarontisdelle9744]

A really great job man. I thoroughly enjoyed how you broke things down and graded these movies. I'd love to see one on the 90s but understand this probably took a good piece of your soul to wade through all these 80s flix so.... Keep up the good work. I appreciate it.

[@jojolopez9158]

How was John Carpenter's They Live not a contender!? It's the most 80's movie to ever 80's!! Big guns, Bigger biceps, synth music, fighting the government, Iconic one liners, explosions! If you've ever seen it you'll surely agree!

[@historybuff1483]

Didn’t have the soundtrack though

[@distantcomets]

The fact that this channel drops an hour and a half analysis and has bonus footage elsewhere is mind blowing. Thanks for this delightful breakdown. If someone had asked me what I thought before I saw this, I'd have likely said Rocky IV but not quite known why. Thanks for giving me the data to back it up!

[@Elnis888]

Great video! I was born in '77, so this soaked me in nostalgia! Extremely well made as well!

[@Saskobest]

Amazing work done here! so much research, salute

[@jliller]

You missed a point for Top Gun. The official soundtrack includes "Top Gun Anthem" by Harold Faltermeyer. It wasn't released as a single like "Axel F" was, but it's arguably the third-most recognizable song on the entire soundtrack (after "Danger Zone" and "Take My Breath Away", obviously).

[@maxcoseti]

He did mention it tho

[@andrewduong2740]

Hey Lana... Lana...

[@ChicagoRonin]

As someone who was 10 years old in 1983, I'd like to point out that only one of your candidate films had a song spoofed by Weird Al Yankovic. And that would be . . . Rocky IV ("Living in America" by James Brown, spoofed as "Living with a Hernia" by Weird Al). In addition, am I the only one who thought that when Patrick said he was going to celebrate near the end, he'd be headed to Tony Montana's mountain of cocaine?

[@brasswirebrush]

Funnily enough, Weird Al also spoofed "Eye of the Tiger" from Rocky III

[@Bliss467]

This was your best video essay yet without a doubt

[@thecountscastle4860]

This content is totally rad !!!! Keep up the amazing work !!!!

[@namesurname5080]

omg can't believe it's another almost two hour long video, this is just what i need rn, thank you!

[@TaylorAlexander]

I think the 1986 movie "Rad" would have fared well on this scoring system. The production company ONLY made movies in the 80's, it's targeted at teens, it is all about BMX bikes, it is an underdog story, the outfits are all 80's, and I'd have to watch it again to catch more. Regardless of the score I recommend the movie to anyone who wants to see a hidden gem. And I would love you forever if you used Patrick's system and worked up a full score!

[@patrickmullowney4220]

Awesome work! Cannot wait to see more...

[@flip_moto]

This whole video breakdown is brilliant. Kudos.

[@Panthror]

Loved this, great rating system! Now please do it for "the most 90's movie" (and tell us why it is 'Space Jam').

[@SamAronow]

False; the most '90s movie is either _True Romance, Die Hard With a Vengeance,_ or _The Fugitive._ Detached irony, inventive action, a weird sort of indulgence of squareness, and authority figures who are always depicted respectfully even if they're the antagonists. _That's_ '90s cinema in a nutshell.

[@Assywalker]

I'd go with Spice World :)

[@Reecer77]

It's easily Reality Bites. No comparison. Faux-intellectual college students navigating a complex world unprepared and scorning yuppies, plus all the aesthetic stuff in spades.

[@MoonSafariFilms]

The Crow

[@ElRook]

Monkeybone

[@samuelbarber6177]

In the ‘80s masterpieces bit, people always forget Sergio Leone’s epic crime drama Once Upon A Time In America, starring Robert De Niro and also starring James Woods, Elizabeth McGovern, Joe Pesci, Burt Young, Tuesday Weld and Treat Williams. The film is told in a series of flashbacks set between 1918 and 1968. Seriously, absolutely awesome film, people need to see it more, don’t let the 3h 49m run time scare you.

[@SamAronow]

I saw the long cut. My whole life people had told me how epic it is and "it's the story of your people!" I hated it.

[@1998Cebola]

I think it's less of it being forgotten and more of it not being very good.

[@cloudtx]

I watched Once Upon a time in America a year ago. It's a really good movie but it's flawed. There were some elements of the "present timeline" that didn't go along with the things shown in the past, particularly the final twist with James Woods character which I didn't buy at all. Also, the length is just way too excessive. I've watched a fair amount of 3h movies and they all have a tough task of keeping your interest alive throughout. I was kinda bored at certain points though ironically enough it was in first part of the movie as opposed to most movies that get boring in the middle or at the end. Still, a solid movie and I can definitely see why some people put it at the top of the rankings for crime dramas. It's a bit flawed for me though.

[@Lord_englishgent]

@@cloudtx it's an opium dream, the only reality is the beginning when he walks in the opium den, and the past, but all future elements are in his mind, hence when there are 40s cars in the 60s in the end. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5W8lX93oNilsLM

[@cloudtx]

@@Lord_englishgent That's an interesting theory. It does make me see the movie in a different light. Though honestly? It doesn't help with my perceived issues with the film. Still, thank you for bringing that up.

[@m0b5pawn94]

Fantastic video. It be cool to see this done for more decades

[@samanthachia1491]

Thank you for the research that went behind this video. It was an awesome watch and the results was very...scientific. For sure.

[@MattMamba24]

Always enjoy your ability to blend film history with a clever way to give your own personal thoughts and observations about a variety of films; while also being able to create original material as well! Hope you have a happy holiday season, and I always look forward to what you have to offer next!

[@andrewbair7810]

I'm throwing in a bonus film as an honorable mention for an ultimate 80's movie. 1986's Rad. You've got BMX racing, fantastically absurd 80's fashion, small town guy working to defeat the corporate overlords by defying all of the odds to win the big race, pre Full House and white color criminal Lori Loughlin, a BMX dance off to the tune of Send Me an Angel, an epic 80's soundtrack and a sassy foul-mouthed, younger tomboy sister. It's the complete 80's package.

[@drucktown5]

Came here to shout this out. Well played sir.

[@helpyourcattodrive]

Amazing, Patrick. Loved this.

[@maximrukinov3101]

This video is brilliant. Thank you, Patrick!

[@oldmanpence4803]

An ambitious effort, I stand-up applaud you! Especially like a Nebula and Lindsay Ellis shout out! As an extremely old man child, this really got me. Loved the review and criticism of multiple 80s movies, and would actually love to pick your brain about those forgotten 80s gems like you mentioned. Cheers!

[@CharlesRBiggs]

You are so cool! This is phenomenal. Thanks for thoughtful and extremely entertaining essay.

[@numb3r5ev3n]

Funfact: Vince Dicola also did the synth-heavy soundtrack for Transformers the movie.

[@kit2770]

Really enjoyed this. Great video 👍

[@danielduff]

I feel like having innovative special & practical effects is kind of a big 80s staple that should also maybe have been a category. It fits nicely in the high concept and franchise categories, and was something that was hyper focused in that decade. The 70s had a ton of big effects movies for sure, but the 80s doubled down. And by the 90s, things were moving towards CGI, which is where we still are now.

[@JCIce007]

There could been a two categories for cocaine. 1. Does it appear on screen? (Obviously Scarface would dominate) 2. How apparent is it that people making the movie were on it? (Maximum Overdrive or Lifeforce might set the standard. But of the nominees, both films by Cannon would get some points. Flashdance could do well. Perhaps, still more points for Rocky IV on account of James Brown)

[@pg13]

It was the 80s. I think you can take the cocaine "as read" in everything.

[@pdzombie1906]

My favorite 80s most representative movie of the decade is Ghostbusters: the EPA is the bad guy, scientists (between intelligent and frivolous) go into bussiness, great one hit wonder theme, protagonists save the world from an invading outsider, and despite all this, it's just a comedy... Also American Psycho if we talk about the most commenting movie on the 80s... Thanx, Patrick and crew!!!

[@professorskye]

Excellent work and sound conclusion.

[@kevinmurphy6970]

Keep going Patrick. Becoming one of the best channels around.

[@EchoCian]

There should have also been a category for total amount of sweat in ounces. I know that's related to hard bodies, but these clips really made the sweat feel like a distinct character. (Though practically this just would have given the winner even more of a lead.)

[@GenerationNextNextNext]

All the sweat was to show just how hard they were working. To remind us that hard work pays off...in Hollywood.

[@grahamarms8247]

This is one of my favorite videos on youtube

[@cyrollan]

I just love this channel!

[@codyeasonBGR]

I can't believe you are making things approaching two hours. Amazing just amazing. You and your team are doing such good stuff congratulations.

[@GuyEdwards001]

Patrick, your 80s scoring metodology is amazing--I grew up in the 80s and feel I have an even better understanding of how I felt when I watched those movies. Thanks to you, I didn't just learn about cinema--I learned about myself.

[@kananimiranda3376]

Greed is good.

[@double-a4834]

I've often had this discussion with my friends, One Crazy Summer wins every time. It's got big stars at early points in their career, class struggle of poor people versus the nasty rich, Bobcat Goldthwait as the nutbar sidekick, 80's music and voiceover, the best 'gettin-it-done' montage, and the hero overcomes his shortcomings and gets the girl in the end...a close second is BattleTruck

[@PareshMathur]

I am ill today and this video definitely helped. Thanks!

[@alejoparedes2388]

Patrick, I love you. Thank you for your amazing work. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your whole family.

[@baosia]

Thrashin' holds a special place in my heart for being renamed "the skateboard massacre" in Sweden, also featuring the first time I ever heard Swedish in an American movie. Helt otroligt man... Also, shout out to the Patricks parents. Never change.

[@GuyTheArtist]

I love this video! You’ve done a labor of love for the 80s

[@jasonhunter2819]

Welp, I've canonized Patrick's father as one of the greats of all time