When we think about the 80’s we can easily visualize big poofy hair, platform shoes and neon colors. While on the other hand, some of us think of the great fashion and the intriguing lifestyle of the typical 80’ kid. These ideas surely come from the beautiful and funny teen movies of their time. Brought to us by the brilliant directors are the Top 10 80’s movies;
- The Breakfast Club
- Pretty in Pink
- Footloose
- Weird Science
- Teen Wolf
- 16 Candles
- Lost Boys
- Teen Witch
- Heathers
- The Gremlins
#10. The Gremlins (1984)
Its Christmas time and a kind father goes out on a hunt to find the perfect Christmas present for his son. When he comes across an antique store in Chinatown he finds what is called a Mogwai.
Cute Little Gizmo!
This movie begins all lovey furry and cute until you wet it, feed it after midnight and all hell breaks loose. In this comedy horror the main character Billy gets a new pet he calls Gizmo. But when water is accidentally spilled on Gizmo he multiplies and these new Mogwais trick Billy into feeding them after midnight. After tricking Billy, they turn into reptile like Gremlins and when they’re let loose; terrorize the whole town. 
Yet, what makes this movie so good? We get to watch cute little Gizmo be the hero in this battle between Gremlins and humans. “For its time as well, all the special effects were carried out pretty well” says my own mother.
#9. Heathers (1988)
Based on what teens believe high school to be, we meet the popular clique in this black comedy movie. All three Heathers come together and decide to invite Veronica into their little group who’s good at forging people’s handwriting.
The Heathers use her ability to embarrass other people until one day Veronica gets tired of their mischievous ways and meets a rebellious outsider named J.D. Veronica and J.D. try to get back at the leader of the Heathers clique and actually end up killing her from a “prank”. They’re then left to make it seem like it was merely suicide by a troubled teen. Other incidents occur where they kill other teens making it seem as if it were a suicide all initially planned by J.D. and so Veronica is left to try and end his crazed rampage. 
Although funny, Heather is the movie to watch and get a jump out of and even realize the problems teens will face
in high school. 
#8. Teen Witch(1989)
Louis is a normal teenage girl struggling through the high school life trying to fit in. She has a crush on the hottest boy in school and is made fun of by teachers and the popular girls. Until one day she has a small bike accident and knocks on the first door she sees for help. Little did she know that she was a reincarnated witch and on her 16th birthday she’d have her own powers. With her newly obtained powers Louis uses them to become popular and get back at the mean girls.
However, throughout the process the real beauty of this movie is the cute 80’s nostalgia we see as Louis rises to the top and creates her own happy ending.
Yeah, Louis used her gifts to give her bestie some confidence. Too cool.
#7. The Lost Boys(1987)
Who doesn’t like a good ol’ vampire movie? 
When two boys move to Santa Carla with their mom, Michael, Sam’s older brother, comes across a pretty girl named Star. Michael gets a little thing for her but when he sees that she’s with this motorcycle gang, he’s determined to get her somehow.
Michael joins the gang through an “initiation” that turns him into a half vampire. This ain’t no Buffy the Vampire Slayer but it’s up to Sam and two brothers he meets at a comic book store to help him kill the head vampire in this gang of blood suckers. 
As it turns out, it’s the only way to get Michael, Star and a little boy, Laddie, back to normal. “Sleep all day. Party all night. Never grow old. Never die. It’s fun to be a vampire” in this phenomenal 80’s horror and teen flick.
#6. 16 Candles(1984)
Samantha’s entire family is getting ready and excited for her older sister’s wedding and on the day of her 16th birthday no one remembers. Feeling like no one understands her she tries to get through the day of the most embarrassing moments in her life. Especially when Jake, the most popular and attractive boy at school, finds a “quiz” with secrets about him on it from the lovely Sam. 
At the senior dance, Sam discovers Jake asked about her and seems to be intrigued by her. After her sister Ginny’s wedding Jake waits for her in front of the chapel and Sam finally gets something good from an exhausting week, funny but romantic at the same time.
After Ginny’s Wedding..
#5. Teen Wolf(1985)
Everyone knows the 2011 show, Teen Wolf, but not everyone knows where it actually originated. It all started with the seventeen year old basketball player Scott Howard who was tired of being “normal” and one day his wish for being “different” came true. While at a party Scott started feeling a little funny and rushed home locking himself in the bathroom. So after he finds himself transformed into a werewolf, his dad has transformed into a werewolf
as well, and learns that it runs in the family. With some fur and all Scott even attained some new strengths.
What’s truly great about Teen Wolf, is how society is so accepting of a teenage werewolf who got some major basketball skills and we get to watch how it all plays out.
#4. Weird Science(1985)
A teen sci-fi movie with the two usual every day nerds Gary and Wyatt are left home alone for the weekend, a t-v and a computer. No one would ever expect anything to go wrong until they watched Frankenstein. Wanting to do a little experimentation the two boys came to try and form the perfect woman on their computer. 
For an extra boost Wyatt and Garry hack in to the government’s main frame, connecting it to a barbie doll and when they press enter lightning hits the house and from smoke appears a beautiful woman they name Lisa. Lisa even has superhuman abilities she uses to help Gary and Wyatt “loosen up” and get the boys into a whole lot of potential trouble.
Wise Words From Lisa.
Nothing is really cooler than the special effects and comical scenes in this awesome 80’s movie. 
#3. Footloose(1984)
“He’s a big-city kid in a small town” with an upbeat heart and a passion for dancing. Kevin Bacon plays Ren McCormack in the amazing musical drama, Footloose. Ren and his mom move into town and later meets the reverend’s rebellious daughter.
Ren learns that music and dancing aren’t allowed in Beaumont. But whos ever heard of a town where music and dancing isn’t aloud? After a while Ren starts making friends with all the other kids who wish they could have music back.
Ren to Willard; “If I gotta get in front of that council you’re gonna have to learn how to dance”
However, they all end up deciding that they want to have a senior prom and all the seniors put their hopes on Ren to convince the city council to let them have a prom and dance the night away.
Prom NIght
#2. Pretty In Pink(1986)
After being stood up Andie goes to prom anyways
In another great John Hughes American teen romantic comedy-drama, we get to watch the struggle for Andie and Blane to be together. They have to face the problems brought by the judgments made from their friends due to the difference in their social classes and cliques. Andie a working-class girl and Blane a “richie” kid, face many problems in trying to work things out.
But at some point when Jeff, Blane’s “best friend”, starts pressuring him on what his friends and parents will think starts distancing himself from poor Andie who’s oblivious to what’s going on. Andie is left broken hearted when Blane stands her up and Duckie surprisingly ends up escorting her to prom. Only the way the movie ends is the cutest ever and you’d simply have to check out how fab Pretty in Pink is yourself!
#1. The Breakfast Club(1985)
As always, the best is saved for last, and the most brilliant, the most recognized 80’s teen movies of them all is the Breakfast Club. It’s all about these five stereotypical kids that obviously belong to certain cliques in high school and on a Saturday show up for detention. Sadly they’re all stuck together for almost nine hours locked in library,supervised by the assistant principal Mr.Vernon and having to stay quiet for the entire time writing a one thousand word essay describing who they think they are. Being the rebel and criminal Bender is said to be he does the complete opposite and goes roaming along the school hallways for fun and to get marijuana from his locker. Everyone else follows along hoping not to get in trouble by Bender.
The “Brat Pack”; avoiding trouble from the assistant principal at it’s best.
At one point, after smoking it they all decide to sit together to talk about why they’re in detention, yet slowly, their conversation veers off into deeper topics. Not only do they start talking but they start bonding and making something of this Saturday they have. 
And it’s after a while, that they all realize they’re not so different as they thought they were. So, within the conversations they have and and the actions they do are wonderful messages that could apply to any teen.
Whether you were born in the 70’s, 80’s or 90’s and have not seen this movie it is obvious that everyone, at some point in their lifetime have heard of the Breakfast Club because it is that fab. If not then it is beyond utterly Important, which I suggest you, to go and watch it. Yeah, I mean now, so shoo!
Young N' Wild 
I loved this article. The graphics were great also.