8 Best Movies of 1980

By Vlad Zakh · June 27, 2026

Drama thought provokingintense

A look back at 1980, one of cinema’s most memorable years, ranking the films that have best stood the test of time.

Superman II (1980) 01

Superman II (1980)

IMDb ★ 6.8

Superman must give up his powers for love just as three escaped Kryptonian criminals threaten Earth.

The Gods Must Be Crazy (1980) 02

The Gods Must Be Crazy (1980)

IMDb ★ 7.3

A Kalahari tribesman sets out to dispose of a Coca-Cola bottle that fell from the sky, believing it cursed.

Airplane! (1980) 03

Airplane! (1980)

IMDb ★ 7.3

A traumatized former pilot must overcome his fears to safely land a passenger plane after the crew falls ill.

The Blues Brothers (1980) 04

The Blues Brothers (1980)

IMDb ★ 7.7

Two brothers reunite their old band on a mission from God to save the Catholic orphanage where they grew up.

Raging Bull (1980) 05

Raging Bull (1980)

IMDb ★ 7.9

A talented but self-destructive boxer's jealousy and rage destroy his career and family.

The Elephant Man (1980) 06

The Elephant Man (1980)

IMDb ★ 8.1

A severely deformed man is rescued from a freak show by a doctor who helps restore his dignity.

The Shining (1980) 07

The Shining (1980)

IMDb ★ 8.2

A writer's winter caretaking job at an isolated hotel unleashes his descent into supernatural-fueled madness.

The Empire Strikes Back (1980) 08

The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

IMDb ★ 8.4

The Rebel Alliance suffers a devastating defeat as a young hero begins his training in the ways of the Force.

Vlad Zakh

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.