Top Movies 1984

From Milos Forman, starring F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Elizabeth Berridge, Roy Dotrice
Rated R

Amadeus is a 1984 period drama film directed by Milos Forman and written by Peter Shaffer, based on his stage play of the same name. It is a fictionalized biography of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, told from the perspective of his rival, Antonio Salieri. The film stars F. Murray Abraham as Salieri and Tom Hulce as Mozart, and features Elizabeth Berridge, Jeffrey Jones, Roy Dotrice, and Simon Callow in supporting roles. Set in Vienna during the 18th century, the film chronicles the rise of Mozart and his struggles with his own insecurities, his relationships with his patrons, and the jealousy of Salieri. Amadeus was a critical and commercial success, earning eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Abraham. It won eight Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup, and Best Original Score. The film has since become a classic of the genre. It celebrates the genius of Mozart and challenges the audience to consider the mysteries of creativity and artistic genius.

From Sergio Leone, starring Robert De Niro, James Woods, Elizabeth McGovern, Treat Williams
Rated R

Once Upon a Time in America is an epic crime drama by legendary Italian director Sergio Leone. It follows the story of a group of Jewish gangsters in New York's Lower East Side from their childhood in the early 1900s to their turbulent adulthood in the Prohibition era. The film stars Robert De Niro as the gang's leader, Noodles, who experiences love, loss, and betrayal over the course of four decades. The movie is filled with dreamlike flashbacks, masterful directing, and stunning cinematography, making it a classic in the genre and a must-see for fans of mafia movies.

From James Cameron, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn, Paul Winfield
Rated R

The Terminator is a sci-fi action film directed by James Cameron, released in 1984. It follows Sarah Connor, a woman whose life is threatened by a cyborg from the future known as the "Terminator". The Terminator is a relentless killing machine sent back in time to assassinate Sarah before she can give birth to the future leader of a human resistance. In order to protect Sarah and her unborn son, a human soldier, Kyle Reese, is sent back from the future to help Sarah. As the Terminator hunts Sarah and Kyle, they must find a way to stop the unstoppable killing machine. With the help of a friendly scientist, Sarah and Kyle ultimately manage to avert disaster and destroy the Terminator.

From Wim Wenders, starring Harry Dean Stanton, Nastassja Kinski, Dean Stockwell, Sam Berry
Rated R

Paris, Texas is an acclaimed drama film directed by Wim Wenders. It tells the story of Travis Henderson (played by Harry Dean Stanton), a man who has been missing for four years. After being found wandering aimlessly through the desert of West Texas, Travis reunites with his brother, Walt (played by Dean Stockwell), and gradually begins to piece his life back together. Travis is determined to get back to his estranged wife, Jane (played by Nastassja Kinski), and their young son, Hunter (played by Hunter Carson). With the help of Walt and Jane, Travis begins to make sense of his past and face up to the mistakes he has made. In the end, the film culminates in a heartwarming reunion between Travis, Jane and Hunter.

From Mick Jackson, starring Karen Meagher, Reece Dinsdale, David Brierly, Rita May
Rated TV-MA

Threads is a British television drama, directed by Mick Jackson, that takes place in the city of Sheffield, England. The film portrays the devastating effects of a nuclear holocaust on the inhabitants of this city. It follows the lives of two families, the Kemps and the Becketts, as they struggle to survive in the days leading up to, during, and after the attack. It paints a bleak picture of the chaos and destruction that ensues, as well as the psychological effects that linger long after. Threads is a stark reminder of the human cost of war, and an important reminder of the need for peace.

From Rob Reiner, starring Rob Reiner, Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Kimberly Stringer
Rated R

This Is Spinal Tap is a 1984 mockumentary directed by Rob Reiner that follows the fictional British heavy metal band Spinal Tap. The film follows the band as they embark on a tour of the United States, and features a series of hilarious interviews, performances and misadventures. Along the way, they encounter a series of disasters, including one concert at which they inadvertently play to an audience of mostly Amish people. The film is a parody of the rockumentary genre, poking fun at the excesses and idiosyncrasies of rock stars, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest comedy films of all time.

From Ivan Reitman, starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis
Rated PG

Ghostbusters is a 1984 science fiction comedy directed by Ivan Reitman and starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson. The film follows three eccentric parapsychologists, played by Murray, Aykroyd and Ramis, who start a ghost-catching business in New York City. With the help of a fourth member (Ernie Hudson), an environmental health worker, and an obsessed ghostbuster fan (Sigourney Weaver), they battle an increasing stream of ghosts, demons, and other supernatural entities that threaten to take over the city. The film features special effects, comedy and a catchy theme song. Ultimately, the Ghostbusters are able to defeat the evil spirit of Gozer and save the city.

From Roland Joffé, starring Sam Waterston, Haing S. Ngor, John Malkovich, Julian Sands
Rated R

The Killing Fields is a 1984 British drama film directed by Roland Joffé, based on the true story of two journalists, Cambodian Dith Pran and American Sydney Schanberg. It follows their experiences in Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970s. During this time, the government forces the citizens to flee their homes and work in labor camps. Pran and Schanberg are separated and Pran becomes a refugee in Thailand, but continues to support Schanberg by sending him clippings of news and information. Schanberg is eventually able to escape Cambodia, but not before witnessing the horrors of the Khmer Rouge. The film follows Pran's struggles to survive and Schanberg's efforts to report on the war. It focuses on the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge, including the forced relocation of citizens, the execution of prisoners, and the torture of those who spoke out against the regime. In the end, the two journalists are reunited, and the film ends with a tribute to Pran's courage and courage of the people of Cambodia.

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring John Getz, Frances McDormand, Dan Hedaya, M. Emmet Walsh
Rated R

Blood Simple is a neo-noir thriller directed by Joel and Ethan Coen and released in 1984. The film follows the story of a Texas bar owner, Marty (Dan Hedaya), who hires a private detective to investigate and potentially kill his wife, Abby (Frances McDormand), and her lover, Ray (John Getz). The detective, Loren Visser (M. Emmet Walsh), carries out his mission, only for things to spiral out of control in a series of unexpected and violent consequences. As the story progresses, twists and turns lead to a conclusion that leaves the audience questioning the morality of the characters. With its dark and atmospheric tone, Blood Simple explores themes of betrayal, guilt, and revenge in a suspenseful and gripping manner.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Harrison Ford, Kate Capshaw, Ke Huy Quan, Amrish Puri
Rated PG

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is a 1984 American action-adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by George Lucas. The film is the second installment in the Indiana Jones franchise, and a prequel to the 1981 film Raiders of the Lost Ark. Set in 1935, a year before the events of Raiders, the film follows Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) and his sidekick Short Round (Ke Huy Quan) as they travel to India in search of a mystical stone. Along the way, they rescue an impoverished village, battle the evil Thuggee cult, and discover a hidden temple filled with secrets and treasure. With the help of his newfound allies, Willie Scott (Kate Capshaw) and Short Round, Indiana must recover a sacred stone and foil the sinister plans of the Thugs. With thrilling action sequences and iconic characters, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is an enduring classic of the action-adventure genre.

From Wes Craven, starring Heather Langenkamp, Johnny Depp, Robert Englund, John Saxon
Rated R

From Woody Allen, starring Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, Nick Apollo Forte, Sandy Baron
Rated PG

From Jim Jarmusch, starring John Lurie, Eszter Balint, Richard Edson, Cecillia Stark
Rated R

From Robert Benton, starring Sally Field, Lindsay Crouse, Ed Harris, Amy Madigan
Rated PG

From Barry Levinson, starring Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, Glenn Close, Kim Basinger
Rated PG

From Wolfgang Petersen, starring Noah Hathaway, Barret Oliver, Tami Stronach, Gerald McRaney
Rated PG

From Martin Brest, starring Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Lisa Eilbacher
Rated R

From Joe Dante, starring Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, John Louie
Rated PG

From John G. Avildsen, starring Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Elisabeth Shue, Martin Kove
Rated PG

From Alan Parker, starring Matthew Modine, Nicolas Cage, John Harkins, Sandy Baron
Rated R

From Norman Jewison, starring Howard E. Rollins Jr., Adolph Caesar, Art Evans, David Alan Grier
Rated PG

From John Carpenter, starring Jeff Bridges, Karen Allen, Charles Martin Smith, Richard Jaeckel
Rated PG

From John Hughes, starring Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, Justin Henry, Michael Schoeffling
Rated PG

From Roger Donaldson, starring Mel Gibson, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Edward Fox
Rated PG

From Alex Cox, starring Harry Dean Stanton, Emilio Estevez, Tracey Walter, Olivia Barash
Rated R