Moviefone santa logo
Trending
'Avengers: Doomsday' Teaser
'The Odyssey' Trailer
'Supergirl' Teaser
'Madden' Teaser
Buy TicketsHighlightsNew MoviesTV ShowsStreamingMovie ChartsVideosWhat to WatchIn TheatersMovie TheatersComing SoonMovie ReviewsMoviefone TVMade In HollywoodNewsCelebritiesNetflixPrime Video
The SubstanceThe SubstanceConclaveConclaveThe AccountantThe AccountantA Real PainA Real PainFlowFlowZero DayZero DayThe White LotusThe White LotusParadiseParadiseSeveranceSeveranceYellowjacketsYellowjackets
Highlights
  1. News

10 Great Movies You Love That Are Set in the '80s

Sharon Knolle
December 20, 2017 - 1 min read
Google transparent preferred source badge

It's the 20th anniversary of "The Wedding Singer" -- time to feel old, everyone. While you break out your "Thriller" jacket and listen to Spandau Ballet, you can also bask in these other great movies set in the '80s. Did your favorite make the list?

'The Wedding Singer' (1998)

This charming rom-com, in which Miami Vice" to Madonna.

'Atomic Blonde' (2017)

Charlize Theronn kicking ass in 1989 Berlin (before the wall came down), all set to fantastic synth tunes like New Order's "Blue Monday" ? Yes, please! We could watch this all day.

'Sing Street' (2016)

A teen in '80s Dublin forms a New Wave band, just so he can ask the girl he likes to be in their video! This marvelous musical is like taking a time machine back to the '80s!

'Hot Tub Time Machine' (2010)

A magical hot tub takes our heroes back to the '80s, where they confront frattish jerk Blaine (future Winter Soldier Sebastian Stan), who's convinced they're commie spies from Russia! Because, you know, the Cold War and all. Highlights include Michael Jackson jokes, "Where's the Beef" references, and so much DayGlo.

'Everybody Wants Some!!' (2016)

Richard Linklater's "spiritual sequel" to "Dazed and Confused" follows a bunch of baseball-loving freshman in the week before college starts in 1980. Tunes include Devo's "Whip It", Gary Numan's "Cars," and Foreigner's "Urgent."

'Donnie Darko' (2001)

With alt-'80s songs like "The Killing Moon" and "Love Will Tear Us Apart," this mind-bending cult classic is set in a bleaker '80s than we usually see in movies. And did it start the trend of slowed-down songs with Gary Jules's haunting cover of "Mad World"?

'American Psycho' (2000)

"Do you like Huey Lewis and the News?" You couldn't set this movie about yuppie serial killer Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) in any other era. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have to return some videotapes.

'The House of the Devil' (2009)

Ti West's slow-building horror film about a babysitter's bad, bad night is so authentically retro, it feels like it was made in the '80s. Right down to the high-waisted jeans, puffed sleeves and Walkman jam to The Fixx's "One Thing Leads to Another."

'24 Hour Party People' (2002)

An irreverent look at Factory Records, the British label that gave us such bands as Joy Division and New Order. Steve Coogan stars as Tony Wilson, the founder of the label. A must for anyone into the "Madchester" music scene of the '80s.

'Adventureland' (2009)

Set in the summer of 1987, where college grad James (Jesse Eisenberg) has to scrap his dreams of going to Europe and work at a run-down amusement park in Pennsylvania, where he bonds with Emily (Kristen Stewart). The soundtrack includes The Cure, INXS, and Bowie.

movieswedding singer
Sharon Knolle
Article by Sharon Knolle
Freelance Writer

Sharon has been writing for Moviefone since 2009 and has also written for IMDB, USA Today, TV Guide and Forces of Geek.

From Our Partners

The Best Family Movies To Watch This Holiday Season NewsOne
The Best Family Movies To Watch This Holiday Season 
The ‘Harlem’ Season 3 Trailer Brings Romance, Drama And Eye CandyHello Beautiful
The ‘Harlem’ Season 3 Trailer Brings Romance, Drama And Eye Candy
Young Black Actors To Watch In 2025NewsOne
Young Black Actors To Watch In 2025

Related News

Every Guillermo del Toro Movie Ranked From Worst to Best
Every Guillermo del Toro Movie Ranked From Worst to Best
The 20 Most Terrifying Horror Films of the Last Decade
The 20 Most Terrifying Horror Films of the Last Decade
17 Terrifying Horror Movies You've (Probably) Never Seen
17 Terrifying Horror Movies You've (Probably) Never Seen
Watch the Marvel Movies in Story Order
Watch the Marvel Movies in Story Order
Every Live Action Superman Movie and TV Show Ranked
Every Live Action Superman Movie and TV Show Ranked
Every Jurassic Park Movie and TV Show Ranked
Every Jurassic Park Movie and TV Show Ranked

More News on Moviefone

Best TV Shows of the 21st Century: First 25 Years
Best TV Shows of the 21st Century: First 25 Years
Best Films of the 21st Century: First 25 Years
Best Films of the 21st Century: First 25 Years
TV Review: ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Volume 1 and 2
TV Review: ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Volume 1 and 2
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Stays Top of the Box Office
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Stays Top of the Box Office
Matthew McConaughey and Zoe Saldaña Starring in ‘Positano’
Matthew McConaughey and Zoe Saldaña Starring in ‘Positano’
Every James Cameron Directed Movie Ranked
Every James Cameron Directed Movie Ranked
  • New Movies
  • Movies In Theaters
  • Movies Coming Soon
  • Movies Streaming Now
  • TV Shows
  • Best Movies
  • Best TV Shows

Follow Moviefone

FacebookXInstagramYouTubeLinkedInRedditTikTokNewsletterWidgets

Movie and TV Reviews

Top Movies

The Substance poster
The Substance
Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself?
71
Conclave poster
Conclave
What happens behind these walls will change everything.
72
The Accountant poster
The Accountant
Calculate your choices.
71

Top Series

Zero Day poster
Zero Day
Truth has been weaponized.
70
The White Lotus poster
The White Lotus
Same luxury. New reservations.
76
Paradise poster
Paradise
It was never just about the bunker.
76

Latest Trailers

'Shrinking' Season 3 Trailer2:12'Shrinking' Season 3 Trailer
'Stranger Things' Season 5 Finale Trailer1:25'Stranger Things' Season 5 Finale Trailer
'Madden' Teaser29s'Madden' Teaser
'Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man' Teaser57s'Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man' Teaser
'Avengers: Doomsday' Teaser1:20'Avengers: Doomsday' Teaser
'The Odyssey' Trailer1:53'The Odyssey' Trailer
Moviefone xmas logo
MoviesTV ShowsStreamingShowtimesWhat to WatchVideosNews
AboutContact UsSitemapTerms of ServicePrivacy Policy
FacebookXInstagramYouTubeLinkedInRedditTikTokNewsletterWidgets
Google preferred source badge
Copyright © 2025 Moviefone Media LLC
Asset 1This product uses the TMDb API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDb.