Light, camera, heavy on the action! From fashion to music and movies, '80s were an iconic decade that left their mark on entertainment history. Back then, no genre of '80s film was more popular than action. Stars like Harrison Ford, Bruce Willis, and Arnold Schwarzenegger brought rough, determined, and unforgettable characters to life. How many of them will you remember from our top 25?
We've tried to stick to the originals, but it wasn't always possible. '80s action films were so popular that the sequels sometimes outperformed the first release. A great number of them went on to spawn their own series. The actors were just that good!
After reading about them, you'll want to set aside a day or two to binge action's all time favorites. Have you seen all 25 of of them, or do you have a few more to check off your list? Either way, hang on to your hats and bookmark this page so you can say, "I'll be back."
All the products listed on this page were handpicked by our talented writers with our readers in mind. To be completely transparent, we may receive a small compensation if the links provided are used to purchase a product. We hope you enjoy our recommendations as much as we enjoyed finding them for you.
United Artists, Valkyrie Films
25. "Red Dawn"
During their careers, Jennifer Gray and Patrick Swayze shared more than one set. Before "
Dirty Dancing
," they were cast members in the 1984 action film "
Red Dawn
." With a storyline that played on the remnants of Cold War fear, high school students do their best to defend themselves and their community from a Russian invasion. The 2012 remake included Jeffrey Dean Morgan of "The Walking Dead" fame.
Where to watch:
Stream "Red Dawn" or get the Blu Ray on Amazon.
The Ladd Company, Shaw Brothers, Warner Bros.
24. "Blade Runner"
It's impossible to list the best '80s action movies without mentioning "
Blade Runner
." Deckard, played by Harrison Ford, is trapped in a law enforcement job that makes sees him hunting down futuristic androids. When he falls in love with one and tries to escape the gaze of LAPD, it's non-stop action! The story is based on sci-fi legend Philip K. Dick's "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.”
Where to watch:
Rent or buy it here.
Kings Road Entertainment, The Movie Group
23. "Kickboxer"
Jean-Claude van Damme's career hasn't seen a lot of action lately, but back in the '80s, he was all the rage. His appearance in 1989's "
Kickboxer
" was the first of a long running series of "Kickboxer" films, but the others received none of the attention of the original. With a storyline full of brotherly vengeance and martial arts, it's easy to see why it was such a hit.
Watch it here:
It's free with Amazon Prime.
Paramount Pictures, Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Eddie Murphy Productions
22. "Beverly Hills Cop"
Grossing a whopping $316 million at the box office, "
Beverly Hills Cop
" helped define the '80s action genre. To solve his friend's murder, Officer Axel Foley leaves Detroit and heads to California. Jam packed with Eddie Murphy's signature style of comedy meets tough guy, it's worth revisiting.
Where to watch:
Rent "Beverly Hills Cops" on Amazon.
Paramount Pictures
21. "The Untouchables"
No '80s action movie list would be complete without including "
The Untouchables
." An all-star cast that includes Robert de Niro, Kevin Costner, and Sean Connery brings to life the mobster tale of Al Capone and Eliot Ness. Set in Prohibition era Chicago, its classic appeal never gets old.
Where to watch:
Rent or buy it on Amazon.
Warner Bros., The Guber-Peters Company, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
20. "Batman"
Directed by Tim Burton and starring Jack Nicholson as The Joker, 1989's "
Batman
" took the comic book story to new heights. When The Joker pits Gotham's underworld against the rest of the city, Bruce Wayne must put on the mask and defend both the world and the girl he loves. It's an essential addition to any '80s movie collection.
Where to watch:
Buy, rent, or stream on Amazon.
Orion Pictures
19. "Robocop"
Things in dystopian Detroit are going just fine for Alex Murphy. That is, until he joins the city's robocop program. Once he learns about their sinister plans, he starts a bionic, one man revolution against the entire department. "
Robocop
" is a futuristic, action-packed, mindbender of a film!
Where to watch:
Rent or buy it on Amazon
.
Silver Pictures, Star Partners II Ltd.
18. "Road House"
In 1989's "
Road House
," it's Dalton's job to keep the peace as a bouncer at the roughest bar in town. Played by Patrick Swayze, Dalton is more than meets the eye. A PhD who uses both his brains and his brawn to do his work, he finds himself trying to bust up a corrupt crime ring. For fans of '80s action movies, it's a must-have.
Where to watch:
Buy or rent it on Amazon
.
Braveworld Productions, Home Box Office (HBO), Keith Barish Productions
17. "The Running Man"
"
The Running Man
" is based on a short story written by Stephen King when he was publishing under the name of Richard Bachman. Adapted to the screen in 1987, the frightening, dystopian story is carried out masterfully by Arnold Schwarzenegger. As he runs for his life on a sadistic game show, he finds ways no one's ever imagined to survive. It will keep you on the edge of your seat!
Where to watch:
Watch it free with Amazon Prime.
SLM Production Group, Silver Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox
16. "Commando"
During the '80s, Arnold Schwarzenegger was considered action film royalty. In 1985's "
Commando
," his performance as Matrix left audiences begging for me. When his daughter is kidnapped by an evil dictator, he makes it his mission to take him out. It's so exciting that the film was nominated for five awards.
Where to watch:
Rent, buy, or watch for free with your HBO trial on Amazon.
Columbia Pictures, Delphi Films, Black Rhino Productions
15. "Ghostbusters"
Some consider "
Ghostbusters
" a comedy, but it's non-stop '80s action. Bill Murray and crew deliver flawless performances even when they face the toughest of paranormal entities like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man and Slimer. You'll laugh, but you'll never be sorry that you watched it again.
Where to watch:
Rent or buy it on Amazon.
Paramount Pictures, Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films
14. "Top Gun"
Would it even be an '80s list without mentioning "
Top Gun
?" Everyone tries to warn Maverick that his attraction to Charlie will take away from his pilot training, but he doesn't let it stop him. The mid-air adventure that makes your heartbeat faster took home the People's Choice Award in 1987. Watch it again, and you'll see why.
Where to watch:
Free with Amazon Prime.
Paramount Pictures, Lucasfilm
13. "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark"
Steven Spielberg's "
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
" was such a smash hit that it became the first in a series of Indiana Jones films. Starring Harrison Ford as Hawaiian-born Indiana, it's constant action from the first frame. During casting, Spielberg wanted Tom Selleck to play the part.
Where to watch:
Rent it or buy it on Amazon.
Anabasis N.V., Cinema '84, Elcajo Productions
12. "First Blood"
Hot on the heels of his success with "
Rocky
," Sylvester Stallone was ready to get back on the movie set. Few fans realize that he was actually a co-writer for "
First Blood
," but everyone recognizes him as John Rambo. When Rambo is harassed by a local sheriff, he suffers a flashback that sends him on a violent spree. Thankfully, his former commander is able to save him before authorities intervene.
Where to watch:
Rent it or buy it on Amazon.
Paramount Pictures, Lawrence Gordon Productions
11. "48 Hrs"
Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy are the perfect screen combination in "
48 Hrs
." Nolte plays a rebel cop named Jack Cates who is forced to enlist the help of a prisoner, Murphy as Reggie Hammond, to catch an escapee. In order to stop the killing spree, they must learn to trust and respect each other. Heart pounding moments meet with moments of comedy, making "
48 Hrs
" a nearly perfect 80's action film.
Where to watch:
Rent or buy on Amazon.
Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, U-Drive Productions
10. "Back to the Future"
Sci-fi films are usually less quirky that "
Back to the Future
," but that's what made it stand out in 1985. An unusual tale of a time traveling teenager named Marty McFly and his eccentric friend Doc, the movie offers audiences plenty of light hearted moments, but it also has exciting moments that rival any other '80s action film released during the decade.
Where to watch:
Rent or buy on Amazon.
Warner Bros., Silver Pictures
9. "Lethal Weapon"
Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh aren't your usual partners, but their most recent case forces them to work together and learn to get along in "
Lethal Weapon
." Hailed as one of the best action-comedy films every released, Mel Gibson and Danny Glover keep things interesting as they try to bring Gary Busey's character down. It's one '80s action film you don't want to miss.
Where to watch:
Rent it or buy it on Amazon.
Universal Pictures
8. "The Blues Brothers"
When Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi made the jump from the small screen to the big screen, "
The Blues Brothers
" was taken to a new level. Originally a skit on "Saturday Night Live," the lovable duo finds themselves reuniting after a stint in prison. Determined to save an orphanage, they set out to raise money the only way they know how. It's a legendary film, and any true '80's buff will want to watch it again and again.
Where to watch:
Rent or buy on Amazon.
Twentieth Century Fox, Brandywine Productions, Pinewood Studios
7. "Aliens"
The only reason we can't include the first iconic "Alien" is because it was released in the '70s. That's ok, though. The follow-up, "
Aliens
" is just as good. Sigourney Weaver returns as Lt. Ripley, and this time she's out for vengeance. Directed by James Cameron and grossing over $180 million, it's intense enough to make you cover your eyes during the scary parts.
Where to watch:
Rent it or buy it on Amazon.
Jay Weston Productions, The Malpaso Company
6. "Heartbreak Ridge"
Sgt. Highway is pushy, odd, and not exactly what his newer recruits had in mind for their training. Clint Eastwood's believable portrayal in "
Heartbreak Ridge
" gave an authentic edge to the action film. In fact, his performance earned him an award for best actor from the NAACP.
Where to watch:
Rent or buy on Amazon.
Columbia Pictures, Delphi II Productions, Jerry Weintraub Productions
5. "The Karate Kid"
Rather than allow himself to get bullied, Daniel agrees to take karate lessons from Mr. Miyagi. By focusing most of the film on Daniel's training, "
The Karate Kid
" takes a different approach to action films. Still, it's an approach that worked! Not only did the movie perform better than ever expected, it also launched Ralph Macchio into heartthrob territory.
Where to watch:
Rent, buy, or watch free with Showtime on Amazon.
AVCO Embassy Pictures, International Film Investors, Goldcrest Films International
4. "Escape from New York"
Prisoner Snake Plissken can earn a pardon if and only if he use his skills as a former special operations officer to save the president. His chance at redemption isn't easy, and there's enough action to earn a spot at number four on our list. "
Escape from New York
" proved that Kurt Russell was not an action star to be ignored.
Where to watch:
Rent it or buy it on Amazon.
Cinema '84, Euro Film Funding, Hemdale
3. "The Terminator"
Sarah Conner fights for her life when a futuristic assassin targets her. Directed by James Cameron long before "
Titanic
," it's the quintessential '80s action movie. Although Arnold Schwarzenegger had already made his mark in the genre, "
The Terminator
" pushed his legendary status over the top. It's one of those movies that never gets old.
Where to watch:
Rent it or buy it on Amazon.
Twentieth Century Fox, Lawrence Gordon Productions, Silver Pictures
2. "Predator"
Once again proving that he's the king of action films, 1987's "
Predator
" was a hit for Arnold Schwarzenegger. As Dutch, he's in charge of rescuing government officials from a hostage situation. Once he and his team enter the jungle, they realize that they're being hunted by something far more sinister than they expected. It will have you glued to the screen!
Where to watch:
Rent or buy on Amazon Prime.
Twentieth Century Fox, Gordon Company, Silver Pictures
1. "Die Hard"
Whether you consider "Die Hard" a Christmas movie or not, you can't argue about it's place at number one. Bruce Willis solidified his place on the action screen with his portrayal of John McClane. When a group of terrorists target a holiday party, McClane is left to rescue the survivors all by himself. You'll laugh, you might even cry, but more than anything, you want to watch it again and again.
Where to watch:
Rent it, buy it, or watch for free with your HBO subscription on Amazon.
