Brits’ favourite 80s movies revealed – with iconic classic taking top spot

DIRTY Dancing, Back to the Future and E.T. have been named the best 80s movies ever. The 1987 classic starring Patrick Swayze won 12 awards after its release – including an Academy Award for best music. SWNSDirty Dancing ranked first in the top 40 films of the 80s[/caption] A poll of 2,000 adults found 43 per cent believe filmmaking has never been better than the era of big hair and legwarmers. Top Gun, Die Hard and The Terminator also appeared in the top 10. While one in 10 consider Raiders of the Lost Ark to be among the best from that decade. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Hanks and Tom Cruise were named the most iconic 80s stars. With Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Ridley Scott coming in as the most influential directors of the decade. A spokesperson for Lottoland, which commissioned the research to celebrate its range of retro games, said: “80s movies have some serious nostalgia power. “Many of the films on the list are popular with younger people who weren’t even around in the decade, and we’re even seeing the clothes and music coming back around now which I never thought I’d witness again. “It goes to show how truly iconic the 80s were, and I’m sure it’s one of the reasons our vintage games are becoming so popular, they take you back to a time of big hair and even bigger movies.” The research went on to find a third believe they should remake E.T. and 22 per cent would welcome a modern rendition of The Goonies. With the 2022 version of Top Gun (Maverick) being almost as good as the original for 16 per cent. Whereas only three per cent believe the latest release of Footloose in 2011 was on par with the 1984 classic. This might be why 35 per cent have encouraged their children to watch films from the 80s. As 66 per cent feel passionate about keeping films from the decade alive for future generations, with exactly six in 10 claiming “they don’t make films like they used to”. And more than half even wish they could turn back time and relive the 80s all over again, according to the stats by OnePoll. The Lottoland spokesperson added: “It’s great to see how many people want to keep their favourite classics alive and even encourage their own kids to watch them. “And for those one in five people who wanted a Goonies remake, our own Goonies-themed game might be right up your alley.” TOP 40 BEST FILMS FROM THE 80S “Dirty Dancing” (1987) – Directed by Emile Ardolino “Back to the Future” (1985) – Directed by Robert Zemeckis “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982) – Directed by Steven Spielberg “Top Gun” (1986) – Directed by Tony Scott “Die Hard” (1988) – Directed by John McTiernan “The Terminator” (1984) – Directed by James Cameron “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981) – Directed by Steven Spielberg “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) – Directed by Irvin Kershner “Ghostbusters” (1984) – Directed by Ivan Reitman “Aliens” (1986) – Directed by James Cameron “The Goonies” (1985) – Directed by Richard Donner “The Shining” (1980) – Directed by Stanley Kubrick “Rain Man” (1988) – Directed by Barry Levinson “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (1989) – Directed by Steven Spielberg “Airplane!” (1980) – Directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi” (1983) – Directed by George Lucas “The Blues Brothers” (1980) – Directed by John Landis “Blade Runner” (1982) – Directed by Ridley Scott “Fatal Attraction” (1987) – Directed by Adrian Lyne “Gremlins” (1984) – Directed by Joe Dante “The Karate Kid” (1984) – Directed by John G. Avildsen “Batman” (1989) – Directed by Tim Burton “Beetlejuice” (1988) – Directed by Tim Burton “The Little Mermaid” (1989) – Directed by Ron Clements, John Musker “Big” (1988) – Directed by Penny Marshall “The Breakfast Club” (1985) – Directed by John Hughes “When Harry Met Sally” (1989) – Directed by Rob Reiner “Stand by Me” (1986) – Directed by Rob Reiner “Scarface” (1983) – Directed by Brian De Palma “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986) – Directed by John Hughes “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984) – Directed by Wes Craven “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” (1988) – Directed by Robert Zemeckis “Beverly Hills Cop” (1984) – Directed by Martin Brest “The Untouchables” (1987) – Directed by Brian De Palma “The Color Purple” (1985) – Directed by Steven Spielberg “Flashdance” (1983) – Directed by Adrian Lyne “Lethal Weapon” (1987) – Directed by Richard Donner “Full Metal Jacket” (1987) – Directed by Stanley Kubrick “Platoon” (1986) – Directed by Oliver Stone “The Princess Bride” (1987) – Directed by Rob Reiner