11 Most Rewatchable Movies of 1986
The ’80s gave us some incredible movies across all genres that are still great even on the 50th rewatch. The year 1986, in particular, had some great hits and interesting films that are still worth catching in the 2020s, whether to applaud it for its legacy or laugh at how outdated it is.
The late ’80s also saw a rise in VHS rentals, which meant movies could be rewatched again and again, and were less likely to be forgotten by pop culture. Here are some of our favorite rewatches of films that were released in 1986. Feel free to debate in the comments and help us add to it!
Top Gun
When Top Gun hit theaters in May 1986, it quickly became the highest-grossing film in the United States that year. Directed by Tony Scott and starring Tom Cruise as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, the film followed elite Navy pilots training at the Fighter Weapons School. Cruise had already been building momentum in his career, but this was the movie that turned him into a full-fledged movie star and made the film just as relevant today, with its sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, released in 2022. Add in the soundtrack, with “Danger Zone” and “Take My Breath Away,” and it’s the kind of movie you probably love to rewatch.
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About Last Night
Based on a play by David Mamet, About Last Night took a more grounded approach than most romantic films at the time. Rob Lowe and Demi Moore play a couple figuring out what a real relationship actually looks like, including the awkward, complicated parts that are often glossed over.
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Pretty In Pink
Written by John Hughes and directed by Howard Deutch, Pretty in Pink became one of the defining teen movies of the decade. Molly Ringwald stars as Andie, a high school student dealing with friendships and a complicated love triangle. The soundtrack, especially “If You Leave,” also plays a big role in why it still feels tied to that era and exciting to revisit.
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Who could forget this classic? Directed by John Hughes, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off follows a high school senior who decides to skip school and spend the day in Chicago. Matthew Broderick leads the film, with Alan Ruck and Mia Sara rounding out the trio. It’s endlessly rewatchable because of how many scenes still stand out today and how many quotes there are to recite.
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Back to School
Rodney Dangerfield stars as Thornton Melon, a wealthy businessman who enrolls in college to help his son. The film has Dangerfield’s rapid-fire comedy style, which means there’s almost always another joke coming. The supporting cast, including Sally Kellerman and Sam Kinison, adds to the fun.
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Aliens
Directed by James Cameron, Aliens took the original Alien and shifted it into something more action-driven while holding its own against the original blockbuster. Sigourney Weaver returns as Ripley, this time joining a group of marines investigating a lost colony.
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Stand By Me
Directed by Rob Reiner and based on a novella by Stephen King, Stand by Me follows four boys traveling through Oregon to find the body of a missing child, with Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman and Jerry O’Connell leading the cast. What keeps people coming back to it is how honest it feels and how the story focuses so much on the friendship between the boys.
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Little Shop of Horrors is a musical directed by Frank Oz, about a florist who discovers a plant that feeds on human blood. Rick Moranis plays Seymour and it became a cult classic for its mix of comedy, catchy tunes and horrors. Songs like “Suddenly, Seymour” keep its legacy alive, while many of the practical effects behind Audrey II are still great.
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The Fly
David Cronenberg’s The Fly was not just a masterpiece of visceral body horror excellence, thanks to the groundbreaking make-up work of Chris Walas and Stephan Dupuis, but also a deeply tragic story about the terrifying cost of unchecked ambition. Performances from Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis transformed the B-movie adaptation into a haunting, emotionally grounded tragedy that elevated it far beyond its horror roots. The result was a gruesome yet strangely poignant exploration of love, loss, and the horror of losing control over one’s own body. And a massive box-office hit in 1986.
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Hoosiers
Directed by David Anspaugh, Hoosiers tells the story of a small-town Indiana high school basketball team that makes a run at the state championship in the ’50s. Gene Hackman stars as Coach Norman Dale, with Dennis Hopper earning an Academy Award nomination for his supporting role. It’s a familiar underdog story and that ending is still one that people go back to, even if they’ve seen it multiple times.
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Platoon
Directed by Oliver Stone, Platoon is based on Stone’s own experiences in Vietnam. Charlie Sheen plays a young soldier caught between two very different leaders, played by Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger. It’s not the easiest watch on this list, but it’s one people return to because of its tension and drama. For those who love war films, it is an ’80s must watch.
