If You Don’t Stop And Look Around Once In A While, You Could Miss It.
1985 wasn’t just another year at the movies, it was a full-on cultural explosion. Time travel, detention halls, boxing rings, pirate treasure, and even dream-stalking villains all hit the big screen in one glorious wave of 80s magic. These movies from 1985 weren’t just box office hits, they were the ones that made us quote lines in the cafeteria, wear questionable outfits, and hum movie soundtracks on repeat.
1. Back to the Future
🏆 Most Likely to Make You Wish for a DeLorean (and a Flux Capacitor)
Marty McFly and Doc Brown became instant pop culture icons in this perfect blend of sci-fi, comedy, and teen drama. From 1950s diners to prom-night guitar solos, Back to the Future delivered adventure, heart, and enough catchphrases to last a lifetime.
💬 Classic Quote: “Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.”
🎥 Best Scene: Marty shredding “Johnny B. Goode” at the Enchantment Under the Sea dance.
🎶 Soundtrack Highlight: Huey Lewis & The News – “The Power of Love”
🍿 Fun Fact: Michael J. Fox filmed the movie at night while still shooting Family Ties during the day.
2. Fletch
🏆 Most Disguises Per Minute (and the Best Fake Names)
Chevy Chase owned this role as investigative reporter Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher, a sarcastic, quick-witted chameleon who talked his way into (and out of) trouble.
💬 Classic Quote: “It’s all ball bearings nowadays.”
🎥 Best Scene: Fletch posing as “Dr. Rosenpenis” in a hospital.
🎶 Soundtrack Highlight: Harold Faltermeyer’s jazzy synth score
🍿 Fun Fact: The character Fletch was author Gregory Mcdonald’s favorite creation and Chase’s favorite role.
3. The Goonies
🏆 Most Likely to Convince You Friendship Solves Pirate Booby Traps
Few films scream “childhood adventure” like The Goonies. A group of misfits take on treasure maps, skeleton-filled caves, and a family of crooks, all while showing the power of sticking together.
💬 Classic Quote: “Goonies never say die!”
🎥 Best Scene: Sloth and Chunk’s friendship sealed with a Baby Ruth.
🎶 Soundtrack Highlight: Cyndi Lauper – “The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough”
🍿 Fun Fact: The cast wasn’t allowed to see One-Eyed Willie’s pirate ship set until filming their real reactions.
4. Pee-Wee's Big Adventure
🏆 Most Iconic Bicycle Obsession in Movie History
Tim Burton’s directorial debut turned Pee-wee Herman’s stolen bike into the focus of one of the strangest, most delightful road trip movies ever.
💬 Classic Quote: “I know you are, but what am I?”
🎥 Best Scene: Pee-wee’s “Tequila” bar dance in cowboy boots.
🎶 Soundtrack Highlight: Danny Elfman’s whimsical score
🍿 Fun Fact: Burton and Elfman teamed up here for the first time; a partnership that defined both their careers.
5. Mask
🏆 Most Heartfelt Film That Will Break You (In a Good Way)
Cher and Eric Stoltz star in this moving drama about Rocky Dennis, a boy with a facial condition navigating adolescence and love. It’s equal parts inspiring and tear-inducing.
💬 Classic Quote: “Don’t tell me I can’t do something.”
🎥 Best Scene: Rocky helping his blind girlfriend “see” colors with hot and cold stones.
🎶 Soundtrack Highlight: Bob Seger – “Roll Me Away”
🍿 Fun Fact: Cher won the Best Actress award at Cannes for her performance.
6. Rocky IV
🏆 Most Punches Thrown in the Name of International Diplomacy
This wasn’t just a boxing match—it was America vs. the Soviet Union, fought with bulging biceps and synth-rock anthems. Rocky IV is the definition of 80s over-the-top glory.
💬 Classic Quote: “If I can change, and you can change, everybody can change!”
🎥 Best Scene: Rocky’s snowy Russian wilderness training montage.
🎶 Soundtrack Highlight: Survivor – “Burning Heart”
🍿 Fun Fact: Dolph Lundgren hit Stallone so hard during filming, Stallone ended up in the ICU for eight days.
7. Teen Wolf
🏆 The Only Sports Film Where Chest Hair Gets Top Billing
High school teen Scott Howard discovers he’s a werewolf—and suddenly becomes the most popular kid around. Equal parts goofy and heartfelt, the film is a fuzzy reminder that embracing your weirdness can be a superpower.
💬 Classic Quote: “You are an animal!”
🎥 Best Scene: Scott slam-dunking mid-game as Teen Wolf.
🎶 Soundtrack Highlight: Mark Safan – “Win in the End”
🍿 Fun Fact: The movie was filmed before Back to the Future but released after, making Michael J. Fox a double 1985 superstar.
8. The Jewel of the Nile
🏆 Most Romantic Comedy with More Sand than Love Letters
Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, and Danny DeVito returned for this action-comedy sequel. Exotic adventures, dangerous villains, and witty banter made it another fun romp for fans of Romancing the Stone.
💬 Classic Quote: “We’re in the middle of a desert, and you’re wearing a sweater!”
🎥 Best Scene: Jack and Joan bickering mid-escape in the desert.
🎶 Soundtrack Highlight: Billy Ocean – “When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going”
🍿 Fun Fact: The Billy Ocean music video featured Douglas, Turner, and DeVito lip-syncing as his backup singers.
9. Clue
🏆 Most Fun You’ll Have Watching People Die in a Mansion
Based on the board game, Clue blended murder, farce, and razor-sharp dialogue. Tim Curry led a killer ensemble (literally) in a whodunit so funny it spawned multiple endings.
💬 Classic Quote: “Flames… on the side of my face.”
🎥 Best Scene: The frantic finale where Curry’s butler re-enacts the entire evening at lightning speed.
🎶 Soundtrack Highlight: John Morris’ playful orchestral score
🍿 Fun Fact: Depending on which theater you went to, you could see a different ending.
10. Police Academy 2
🏆 Most Likely to Make You Try Annoying Sound Effects at Home
The bumbling group of cadets returned for more slapstick chaos. While not high art, the sequel delivered plenty of sight gags and Michael Winslow’s unmatched vocal sound effects.
💬 Classic Quote: “Move it, move it, move it!”
🎥 Best Scene: Winslow saving the day with sound effects that confuse the criminals.
🎶 Soundtrack Highlight: Robert Folk’s upbeat comedy score
🍿 Fun Fact: This was the first film in the series without director Hugh Wilson, but it still became a box-office hit.
11. Weird Science
🏆 Most Questionable Use of a Computer Since Oregon Trail
Two nerdy teens accidentally create the woman of their dreams—Lisa—through a bizarre computer experiment. The result? Chaos, parties, and a surprisingly sweet lesson about self-confidence.
💬 Classic Quote: “So, what would you little maniacs like to do first?”
🎥 Best Scene: Lisa materializing after the experiment goes haywire. Obviously.
🎶 Soundtrack Highlight: Oingo Boingo – “Weird Science”
🍿 Fun Fact: The shower scene with Lisa was improvised because the actors were so nervous.
12. The Breakfast Club
🏆 The Detention That Defined a Generation
John Hughes created the ultimate teen movie by locking five very different high schoolers in a library for a Saturday detention. Cliques crumbled, walls broke down, and 80s audiences everywhere realized we’re all a “basket case” in some way.
💬 Classic Quote: “We’re all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that’s all.”
🎥 Best Scene: Judd Nelson’s slow-motion fist pump on the football field.
🎶 Soundtrack Highlight: Simple Minds – “Don’t You (Forget About Me)”
🍿 Fun Fact: The actors and Hughes improvised many of the conversations that made it into the final script.
13. Cocoon
🏆 Best Retirement Plan Ever (Aliens Included)
When a group of seniors stumble upon a life-giving alien secret, they rediscover joy and youth. Part sci-fi, part heartwarmer, Cocoon proved that age is only a number (especially with extraterrestrial help).
💬 Classic Quote: “We’re all part of the same team.”
🎥 Best Scene: The seniors glowing with youthful energy in the alien pool.
🎶 Soundtrack Highlight: James Horner’s emotional score
🍿 Fun Fact: Don Ameche won an Oscar at age 77 for his role in this film.
14. A Nightmare on Elm Street 2
🏆 Most Likely to Make You Fear Bedtime Forever
Freddy Krueger returned sharper than ever in this sequel, turning dreams into nightmares with a mix of horror and surreal imagery. It’s one of the weirdest in the franchise but undeniably memorable.
💬 Classic Quote: “You’ve got the body, I’ve got the brain.”
🎥 Best Scene: Freddy bursting out of Jesse’s body in a terrifying transformation.
🎶 Soundtrack Highlight: Christopher Young’s creepy score
🍿 Fun Fact: This film is now a cult favorite for its campy, subtext-heavy take on Freddy lore.
15. Rambo: First Blood Part II
🏆 Most Explosions Packed into a Single Bandana
Sylvester Stallone doubled down on action heroics as Rambo, sent back to Vietnam on a rescue mission. Exploding arrows, mud camo, and a body count that defied logic made this a pure adrenaline ride.
💬 Classic Quote: “To survive a war, you gotta become war.”
🎥 Best Scene: Rambo rising out of the mud to ambush an enemy.
🎶 Soundtrack Highlight: Jerry Goldsmith’s intense score
🍿 Fun Fact: This was the second-highest-grossing movie of 1985—right behind Back to the Future.
What did we miss? Comment below what 1985 films you think deserve a spot on the must-watch list!
What was the #1 movie in 1985?
Back to the Future was the highest-grossing movie of 1985. With a DeLorean, a flux capacitor, and Marty McFly’s skateboarding skills, how could it not be?
What movies were in theaters in 1985?
1985 was packed with hits: Back to the Future, The Breakfast Club, The Goonies, Rocky IV, Teen Wolf, Clue, and more. Basically, the year the 80s peaked at the box office.
What was the biggest movie flop of 1985?
While Back to the Future crushed it, Legend (with Tom Cruise and Tim Curry) stumbled hard at the box office. Gorgeous visuals, but audiences weren’t buying tickets in ’85.