8 Best Movies of 1984

By Vlad Zakh · June 28, 2026

A look back at 1984, one of cinema’s most memorable years, ranking the films that have best stood the test of time. In Once Upon a Time in America (1984): An aging gangster returns to New York decades later to confront the ghosts of his violent youth. Worth seeking out is Paris, Texas (1984): An amnesiac drifter reunites with his young son and searches for the wife he abandoned years earlier.

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

IMDb ★ 7.4 RT 93% Metacritic 76

A disfigured killer stalks and murders teenagers in their dreams, where he cannot be stopped.

Directed by Wes Craven · 1h 31m · Rated R

7 wins & 8 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: HBO Max Amazon Channel, Philo, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC, HBO Max · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

TMDB ★ 7.4

A documentary crew follows an aging heavy metal band through a disastrous, chaotic American tour.

Directed by Rob Reiner · 1h 22m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: HBO Max Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Killing Fields (1984)

TMDB ★ 7.5

A journalist and his local guide struggle to survive the brutal Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia.

Directed by Roland Joffé · 2h 22m · Rated R

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Ghostbusters (1984)

TMDB ★ 7.5

Three eccentric parapsychologists start a business capturing supernatural pests terrorizing New York City.

Directed by Ivan Reitman · 1h 45m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, YouTube TV · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Terminator (1984)

IMDb ★ 8.1 RT 90% Metacritic 84

A cyborg assassin is sent back in time to kill the mother of humanity's future savior.

Directed by James Cameron · 1h 48m · Rated R

9 wins & 8 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+, YouTube TV, AMC, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Amadeus (1984)

IMDb ★ 8.4 RT 90% Metacritic 87

A rival composer's consuming jealousy of Mozart's genius drives him toward obsession and ruin.

Directed by Miloš Forman · 2h 40m · Rated PG

Won 8 Oscars43 wins & 15 nominations

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Paris, Texas (1984)

IMDb ★ 8.1 RT 95% Metacritic 81

An amnesiac drifter reunites with his young son and searches for the wife he abandoned years earlier.

Directed by Wim Wenders · 2h 25m · Rated R

Won 1 BAFTA Award16 wins & 12 nominations total

Where to watch

Stream: HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Once Upon a Time in America (1984)

IMDb ★ 8.3 RT 86% Metacritic 75

An aging gangster returns to New York decades later to confront the ghosts of his violent youth.

Directed by Sergio Leone · 2h 19m · Rated R

Won 2 BAFTA Awards11 wins & 13 nominations

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

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.

8 Best Movies of 1984

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

The Killing Fields (1984)

Ghostbusters (1984)

The Terminator (1984)

Amadeus (1984)

Paris, Texas (1984)

Once Upon a Time in America (1984)

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