The Best Movie Every Year Of The ’80s, According To Letterboxd

In a lot of ways, the 1980s was one of the most influential and important times in cinema history. There were some groundbreaking films released in terms of sci-fi epics, intense dramas, well-written comedies, shocking horror flicks, and so much more. However, not all of them can be the best.

Each year of the ’80s featured some major movies that will likely be remembered forever, yet only one can end up with the highest score among them on Letterboxd. The movie lovers of the popular website have given out ratings and these films have gone down as the best of the best annually in the decade.

1980 – The Empire Strikes Back (4.40)

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In 1977, Star Wars blew away audiences as an epic space opera that people didn’t even know was possible. The highly anticipated sequel arrived in The Empire Strikes Back and was arguably even better. It took what worked originally and only upped the stakes.

Iconic characters like Yoda, Lando, and Boba Fett were introduced, while the lore was expanded upon. Ending things on a shocking plot twist and cliffhanger only added to what made this such a special movie that was able to rate higher than any other film released in 1980. It’s actually the highest-ranked Star Wars movie on Letterboxd.

1981 – They Don’t Wear Black Tie (4.21)

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It’s understandable if you haven’t heard of They Don’t Wear Black Tie. The Brazilian film is in Portuguese and isn’t one of the biggest hits of the decade but clearly, the reviews were sparkling. Better known as Eles Não Usam Black-tie, it is based on a stage play of the same name.

The story centers on a working-class family where the father and son clash as the dad wants to strike against the job they work but the son chooses not to since he needs to support his pregnant wife. It’s worth seeking out this film that won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice International Film Festival.

1982 – Moral (4.34)

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Another international film, Moral is a Filipino coming-of-age drama. The movie focuses on a relatively simple premise as it sees a group of friends going through various things in the years following their graduation.

What makes the film work so well is how each of these characters experiences something different that keeps the viewer engaged. Moral also stood out for touching upon taboo subjects at the time. It’s actually the second entry in Marilou Diaz-Abaya’s trilogy of feminist films.

1983 – Nostalghia (4.20)

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Continuing the theme of international movies, Nostalghia is a Russian picture directed by Andrei Tarkovsky, who has gone down as one of the better filmmakers of his generation. In fact, he won the award for Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival for this movie.

Nostalghia follows a writer who visits Italy to research a famous Russian composer but begins to become homesick and has dreams of the nostalgia he feels for his homeland. Alas, it’s not one of the more popular works by Tarkovsky, yet those who have seen it tend to praise it.

1984 – Paris, Texas (4.33)

Stream On HBO Max & The Criterion Channel

At the center of Paris, Texas lies a pretty simple setup and that’s part of the genius of it all. Things focus on a drifter wandering out from the desert and struggling to get used to the world that he had been missing from for the past four years.

The film is a lengthy watch that really seems to reward those who stick around. At the Cannes Film Festival in 1984, it took home the coveted Palme d’Or as well as the FIPRESCI Prize and the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury. Though not a box office hit, the film was praised for its cinematography, performances, and deep themes.

1985 – Come And See (4.58)

Stream On The Criterion Channel

Russia was seemingly putting out some stellar films during the ’80s and they ended up with another winner in 1985. For reference, Come and See ranks higher than iconic and more popular films like The Breakfast Club and Back to the Future.

Come and See is based on a 1978 book titled I Am from the Fiery Village and is set during the Nazi occupation of Belarus during World War II. It follows a teenage boy who joins the resistance against his mother’s wishes and experiences the hardships of the Nazi regime. The anti-war movie is now considered by many to be one of the best in history.

1986 – The Sacrifice (4.23)

Stream On Kanopy

If you want further proof of how great Andrei Tarkovsky is as a filmmaker, all you have to do is see that he has yet another movie that scored the highest of its given year during the decade. This time around, it’s The Sacrifice, a Swedish drama that was the director’s third film as a Soviet expatriate.

Unfortunately, this also ended up being Tarkovsky’s final film as he passed away soon after. The Sacrifice tells the story of a retired actor and journalist who celebrates a birthday with his family just as a nuclear war begins. This was a Grand Prix winner at the Cannes Film Festival.

1987 – Where Is My Friend’s Home? (4.24)

Stream On The Criterion Channel

Yet another international film to score higher than any other released in its given year, Where is my Friend’s Home? comes straight out of Iran. It was written and directed by Abbas Kiarostami as the first entry in the Koker trilogy (all three films take place in Koker, Iran).

The film follows a young boy’s quest to return his schoolmate’s notebook to him because not having it could lead to expulsion. Though simple in premise, there are larger themes of civil duty, loyalty, and the beliefs of Iranian people.

1988 – Grave Of The Fireflies (4.36)

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Based on a semi-autobiographical short story of the same name, Grave of the Fireflies is one of the most memorable anti-war films ever released. It also happens to be one of the greatest animated films according to Letterboxd users, which is telling of how impressive it all is.

Grave of the Fireflies tells an emotional tale about two siblings who struggle to survive the ending of the Second World War and all of the hardships that come with that. It won a slew of awards and was heavily praised for the emotion, animation style, and powerful storytelling aspects.

1989 – Do The Right Thing (4.34)

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Spike Lee has gone down as one of the most influential directors in history. Although Do the Right Thing wasn’t his first film, it was arguably the one that truly cemented him as a great filmmaker, which included him earning a Best Original Screenplay Oscar nomination as a writer.

The movie takes place on a hot summer day in Brooklyn, New York, and explores the rising racial tension between the neighborhood’s Italian and Black residents. There are funny moments, memorable characters, and a heartbreaking climax that is sadly still relevant today.

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