For all the sequels, remakes, reboots, and blockbusters that audiences have seen in the “streaming era,” not a single year comes close to reproducing the perfection of 1985 at the movies. Amazing stories of love and adventure, friendships that shaped childhoods, and Hollywood A-List talent just starting their careers.
Even with some less-than-successful entries in 1985, the focus remains on the hits, the ones people never forget; even the cult classics from 1985 still endure today—delighting new generations of viewers. While movies have changed drastically with CGI and the boom of superhero movies, 1985 will stand up against any other year and always come out on top.
Great Scott, It’s 1985!
When Back to the Future opened in 1985, there was no predicting that the film would become so ingrained in film culture that almost 40 years later it is still a movie people name as a favorite. It spawned two sequels, inspired one of the most popular cartoons of the past decade in Rick & Morty, and fans flock to meet its stars, Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd at conventions around the world. Fox’s Marty McFly is genuine, caring, adventurous, and charming as he travels back in time and meets his teenage parents. His friend Dr. Emmett Brown (Lloyd) is very much like his younger counterpart, but his craziness and energy steal the show. The friendship between the two makes this movie special and has stood the test of time (pun intended) because of that connection.
When it comes to friendship, another hit from 1985 sees a group of friends desperate to save their homes from a greedy developer, while outrunning a crime family on the Oregon coast—or rather, under. The Goonies delighted audiences with its mix of humor, adventure, Sloth and booby traps. At its core, The Goonies is all about counting on your closest friends to get you through everything from land developers to The Fratellis, all while following a centuries-old map to One-Eyed Willy’s lost treasure. Mikey Walsh (Sean Astin) is the leader of the Goonies, his antics driving his friends into the action. The movie could be released in theaters today and still manage to be a hit; it’s just that good.
Val Kilmer’s rise to stardom began with his role as Chris Knight in Real Genius—arguably his best, his smile on display for almost the entire movie as he butts heads with Professor Hathaway (William Atherton) with increasingly fun practical jokes despite the high stakes. Kilmer’s child-like presence is irresistible and brings undeniable charisma to the screen; his energy is matched by the supporting cast, specifically Jordan Cochran (Michelle Meyrink), a twitchy coed who steals every scene she’s part of—and Jon Gries is fabulous as Lazlo, the recluse who lives under the dorms.
The Range of 1985 is Unmatched
1985 is tremendous because it also brought Teen Wolf, Cocoon, and Clue to the big screen. All three are wildly different movies, but it shows just how fun 1985 was for moviegoers and studios alike.
In Teen Wolf, Scott Howard (Michael J. Fox…again!) is determined to be a local hero via basketball and acting. Scott’s stuck working for his father and playing second fiddle to his bombastic best friend, Stiles; not to mention the girl of his dreams doesn’t know he exists and she’s dating basketball god, Mick (Mark Arnold). All that changes under the full moon, and Scott becomes a celebrity overnight. The movie focuses on Scott being comfortable enough as a normal young man, letting the wolf stay hidden—with a little help from his best friend Boof (Susan Ursitti).
When video games or board games get movie adaptations, the results have historically been scattered, at best. Clue is an exception to this, a movie built on comedic timing and murder. Tim Curry is at his best in the final act of the movie, running all over the screen recreating every murder for the guests and the audience, one of the greatest performances of all time. The supporting cast is also phenomenal, including Mrs. White’s (the late, great Madeline Kahn) “flames” speech—a monologue people still use in their daily GIF cycle.
1985 brought audiences some of the highest-grossing and most beloved films of all time, but the one that stands out is Ron Howard’s Cocoon. With an amazing cast—including Don Ameche’s Best Supporting Actor Academy Award winning performance as Art—Cocoon brought a light-hearted touch to the idea of mortality in a group of Florida senior citizens. With a nearby pool acting as the proverbial Fountain of Youth, the group is faced with one simple question: What would you give up for immortality?
Why is this the best movie of 1985? Because it has everything. Morality, love, life, death, laughter, tears, aliens (yes, really!), and a view of senior citizens that isn’t about senility or sensationalism, but sensitivity and care. If you’ve never seen it, go find a DVD or Blu-ray now and take the time to appreciate it; especially because for some mysterious reason, you can’t stream this movie anywhere.
Cult Classic – Bruce Leroy? Bruce Leroy!
1985 also gave film fans one of the greatest cult classics of all time: The Last Dragon. Leroy Green (Taimak) is on a mission to find “The Master,” a man who will help him reach the final level and achieve The Glow—a visible aura that only a true Master can attain. Along the way he bumps heads with Eddie Arkadian (Christopher Murney), Rock (Mike Starr), Sho’nuff (Julius J. Carry III) and their henchmen as the battle for kung-fu supremacy heats up the New York City streets. The incredibly innocent Leroy also saves Ms. Laura Charles (Vanity) and love blossoms as she helps Leroy find that the answer to the burning question, “Who’s the Master?” is easily done; all Leroy needs to do is look in the one place he hasn’t. The movie touches on the stereotypes in martial arts movies, albeit in a very different manner. The action is great, the love story is pure, and the villains are formidable – and as both Christopher Murney and Mike Starr have said in interviews, the dialogue kept them creating on the fly.