In our near and dear movie future, we will have a plethora of Ghostbusters, potentially a new Indiana Jones and even the return of Twin Peaks. Our insatiable nostalgia is being spoon-fed left and right, but there’s no true ’80s experience like the real thing (sadly, Say Anything… isn’t streaming yet). Here are some of the best, most nostalgic and generally ’80s-est ’80s movies streaming on Netflix:
Heathers
Directed by Michael Lehmann
Cast: Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, Shannen Doherty
Quite possibly the ultimate in teen dark comedy, Heathers remains a classic, thanks to its sharp script, delightfully over-the-top performances and timeless premise: High school is hell.
Coming to America
Directed by John Landis
Cast: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones
While leaving us wanting more at SNL 40 and news that he’ll be appearing in Lee Daniels’ Richard Pryor biopic, we’re experiencing an Eddie Murphy resurgence, and it’s a welcome one. Get reacquainted with some of his classics, including this story of a prince who goes to New York in search of a wife.
Stand By Me
Directed by Rob Reiner
Cast: Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell
The coming-of-age film by which all others are gauged, this story of four boys on a journey to find a dead body owes all to the performances of its four leads, including the gone-too-soon River Phoenix.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Directed by John Hughes
Cast: Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara
Do we even need to discuss? For the precious few for whom the only Bueller experience they’ve had is thanks to that episode of The Goldbergs, this seminal John Hughes film is a must.
Dirty Dancing
Directed by Kenny Ortega
Cast: Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey
If you spent your youth avoiding this movie because you wrote it off as a “chick flick,” this is your chance to see why Patrick Swayze was as badass on the dance floor as he was ripping out throats in Road House.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
Directed by Robert Zemeckis
Cast: Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd
This three-time Academy Award winner was a groundbreaking achievement in animation, and an even more groundbreaking achievement in filling our nightmares well into adulthood. Thanks, Judge Doom.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Directed by John Hughes
Cast: Steve Martin and John Candy
This movie should not be only reserved for holiday viewing. The road trip comedy to end all road trip comedies is worthy of year-round enjoyment.
Trading Places
Directed by John Landis
Cast: Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd, Jamie Lee Curtis
Murphy isn’t the only one having a career reboot. After years and YEARS of trying, Aykroyd is finally getting the modern-day Ghostbusters universe he’d always dreamed of.
Airplane
Directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker
Cast: Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, Leslie Nielsen, Lloyd Bridges
There’s a reason why we still quote this movie. It holds up so well that we forgive it for the endless parade of Friedberg and Seltzer movies it ultimately inspired.
Beverly Hills Cop
Directed by Martin Brest
Cast: Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold
The action-comedy is a tricky thing. Where it might succeed in one area, it may fail spectacularly in another. This movie nailed it in both regards. Imagine a world where it starred the man it was originally written for: Sylvester Stallone.
