Top Movies 1988

From Isao Takahata, starring Tsutomu Tatsumi, Ayano Shiraishi, Akemi Yamaguchi, Yoshiko Shinohara
Rated Not Rated

Grave of the Fireflies is a 1988 Japanese animated war drama film written and directed by Isao Takahata and produced by Studio Ghibli. It is based on the 1967 semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by Akiyuki Nosaka. The film tells the story of two siblings, Seita and Setsuko, and their desperate struggle to survive during the final months of the Second World War. After their mother is killed during an American firebombing raid on their city, the two are left to fend for themselves in a world where food and shelter are scarce. As the war continues, their bond is tested and their innocence is lost as they battle for survival. The film has been widely praised for its realistic and heartbreaking portrayal of innocent people suffering during wartime. It is widely considered to be one of the greatest anime films ever made, and has been praised for its emotional depth, its powerful message, and its beautiful animation.

From Giuseppe Tornatore, starring Philippe Noiret, Enzo Cannavale, Antonella Attili, Isa Danieli
Rated R

Cinema Paradiso is the story of the lifelong love affair between a young Sicilian boy and the cinema. Salvatore, the young boy, grows up under the watchful eye of Alfredo, the projectionist at Cinema Paradiso, a small movie theater in a rural Sicilian village. Together they share a special bond that teaches Salvatore about life, love, and friendship. After Salvatore leaves for Rome to pursue a career as a filmmaker, Alfredo passes away and Salvatore returns to pay his respects. Through flashbacks, Salvatore remembers the many moments of joy, sorrow, and enlightenment he experienced at the Cinema Paradiso. As his past and present intersect, Salvatore comes to understand the real meaning of cinema and the importance of life’s memories.

From John McTiernan, starring Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson
Rated R

Die Hard is a 1988 action film directed by John McTiernan and starring Bruce Willis as John McClane, an off-duty cop who is visiting his wife at her office Christmas party when terrorists take over the building. McClane is the only one who can stop them, as he is the only one who knows the layout of the building and has the skills to outwit the terrorists. He is forced to use all his resources -- including his wit, his will to survive, and a few cleverly placed explosives -- to save the hostages and bring the terrorists to justice.

From Hayao Miyazaki, starring Hitoshi Takagi, Noriko Hidaka, Chika Sakamoto, Shigesato Itoi
Rated G

My Neighbor Totoro is a magical animated film from the legendary Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki. The movie follows two sisters, Satsuki and Mei, who move to the countryside with their father to be closer to their mother, who is hospitalized due to an unknown illness. The sisters soon discover that the nearby forest is inhabited by magical creatures, including the giant cuddly Totoro. The girls join forces with Totoro and his companions to embark on a series of delightful adventures, while trying to protect the woods from being developed. Through the journey, the girls come to understand the importance of family, the power of friendship, and the beauty of nature.

From Errol Morris, starring Randall Adams, David Harris, Gus Rose, Jackie Johnson
Rated Not Rated

The Thin Blue Line is a 1988 documentary directed by Errol Morris that tells the story of Randall Dale Adams, a wrongfully convicted man who was sentenced to death for the murder of a Dallas police officer in 1976. The documentary investigates inconsistencies in the trial and interviews key people such as the prosecutor, police officers, and witnesses to determine how Adams was wrongly convicted. Through a combination of interviews, archival footage of the crime scene, and dramatic re-enactments, Morris paints a compelling picture of how a man could be wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death. With the help of the documentary, Adams was eventually released from prison in 1989 and exonerated. The Thin Blue Line is widely considered to be one of the most influential documentary films of all time and a landmark in crime journalism.

From Barry Levinson, starring Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise, Valeria Golino, Gerald R. Molen
Rated R

Rain Man is a 1988 American drama film directed by Barry Levinson and written by Barry Morrow and Ronald Bass. The film stars Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise, and Valeria Golino. It tells the story of an abrasive, selfish young wheeler-dealer, Charlie Babbitt (Cruise), who discovers that his estranged father has died and bequeathed all of his multimillion-dollar estate to his other son, Raymond (Hoffman), an autistic savant, of whose existence Charlie was unaware. Charlie is left with only his father's car and some cryptic tape recordings from an unknown woman. He sets out to find his brother in order to claim his inheritance. He eventually learns of Raymond's peculiar abilities and his experiences with Raymond cause Charlie to become more aware and accepting of his autism and the challenges it presents. Together, the two brothers embark on a cross-country journey of discovery and redemption.

From Katsuhiro Ôtomo, starring Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Sasaki, Mami Koyama, Tesshô Genda
Rated R

Akira is a 1988 Japanese animated sci-fi action film directed by Katsuhiro Ôtomo. Set in the post-apocalyptic Neo-Tokyo of 2019, the story follows the adolescent delinquent biker gang leader, Shōtarō Kaneda, as he and his gang battle the government and a powerful secret military project involving a young esper, Akira. As Kaneda and his gang become increasingly embroiled in the mystery surrounding Akira, they ultimately uncover a secret military plot to unleash a destructive psychic force known as Akira upon the world. The film features a mix of traditional animation and cutting edge computer animation, making it a pioneering work in the genre. The film is widely regarded as one of the greatest animated films of all time, and its influence on the medium can still be seen today.

From Alan Parker, starring Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe, Frances McDormand, Brad Dourif
Rated R

Mississippi Burning is a 1988 American crime drama film directed by Alan Parker. The film is set in 1964 Mississippi during the civil rights movement and focuses on two FBI agents, Rupert Anderson (Gene Hackman) and Alan Ward (Willem Dafoe), who investigate the disappearance of three civil rights activists. The agents attempt to locate the missing activists in a small rural town, and in the process, uncover the town's deep-rooted racism and violence. With the help of an African American local, they eventually solve the mystery of the missing activists and bring the perpetrators to justice. The film is a powerful and unflinching look at racism in the South during the civil rights era, and its themes of justice, equality, and the power of the human spirit remain relevant to this day.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, Joanna Cassidy, Charles Fleischer
Rated PG

Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a 1988 American live-action/animated comedy mystery film directed by Robert Zemeckis and produced by Steven Spielberg. It is based on Gary K. Wolf's 1981 novel Who Censored Roger Rabbit? The film stars Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, Charles Fleischer, Stubby Kaye, and Joanna Cassidy. The plot follows Eddie Valiant, a private detective in 1947 Hollywood, who must exonerate "Toon" Roger Rabbit, a cartoon character accused of murder. In the process, he uncovers a conspiracy that involves the studio boss, R.K. Maroon, and an evil criminal mastermind known as Judge Doom, who wants to take over Toontown. The film was a major box office success, grossing over $329 million worldwide against a budget of $70 million. It received critical acclaim from critics, who praised its use of traditional animation combined with computer-generated imagery and live action. The film also won three Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing, and Best Sound Effects Editing.

From Sidney Lumet, starring River Phoenix, Christine Lahti, Judd Hirsch, Jonas Abry
Rated PG-13

Running on Empty (1988) is a drama directed by Sidney Lumet and starring River Phoenix, Christine Lahti, and Judd Hirsch. The film follows a family on the run from the FBI for the last 17 years, living a never-ending road trip to evade the authorities. As the teenage son Danny (River Phoenix) attempts to build a normal life for himself, he is forced to live with the knowledge that it would mean risking his family's safety. When he falls in love with a girl, Danny must make a difficult decision between his family and his future, ultimately discovering that his identity is his own to choose.

From David Zucker, starring Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley, O.J. Simpson, Ricardo Montalban
Rated PG-13

The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! is a 1988 American comedy film starring Leslie Nielsen. The film follows the bumbling Police Lieutenant Frank Drebin (Nielsen) as he attempts to stop an evil terrorist plot to assassinate the Queen of England. Lt. Drebin is aided by the beautiful police officer Jane Spencer (Priscilla Presley) and by the quirky scientists Dr. Mainheimer and Dr. Skul. Along the way, Lt. Drebin foils the plans of the nefarious evil genius Vincent Ludwig (Ricardo Montalban) with a series of increasingly absurd pratfalls and sight gags. Packed with hilarious one-liners and zany physical comedy, The Naked Gun is a timeless comedy classic.

From Stephen Frears, starring Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer, Swoosie Kurtz
Rated R

Dangerous Liaisons is a 1988 period romantic drama film directed by Stephen Frears, starring Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Uma Thurman. The film follows the story of wealthy and beautiful aristocrats living in pre-Revolutionary France, who amuse themselves by playing dangerous games of seduction and betrayal. The Marquise de Merteuil (Glenn Close) and the Vicomte de Valmont (John Malkovich) are two former lovers who have become bitter rivals and seek to outdo one another in their games of love and manipulation. The stakes are raised when de Merteuil challenges Valmont to seduce the virtuous and young Madame de Tourvel (Michelle Pfeiffer). As the games continue, the consequences become increasingly dire and no one is safe from the web of deceit and betrayal.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel, Barbara Hershey, Paul Greco
Rated R

The Last Temptation of Christ is a 1988 drama film directed by Martin Scorsese. It is an adaptation of Nikos Kazantzakis's novel of the same name and tells the story of Jesus of Nazareth. The film follows Jesus' struggle with his faith, his human desires, and his destiny. He is tempted by visions of an idyllic life as a married man, with children and a normal existence, instead of having to sacrifice himself and accept his fate as the Son of God. Ultimately, Jesus chooses his divine mission over the temptations of the world. The film stars Willem Dafoe as Jesus and Harvey Keitel as Judas Iscariot. It also features Barbara Hershey, David Bowie, Harry Dean Stanton and Juliette Caton.

From Directors: Charles Crichton, John Cleese, starring John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, Michael Palin
Rated R

A Fish Called Wanda is a 1988 British-American comedy film directed by Charles Crichton and John Cleese, who also wrote the screenplay with their fellow Python member, Michael Palin. The film stars Jamie Lee Curtis, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Kevin Kline, and Kevin Kline. The story follows four London-based criminals who attempt to pull off a diamond heist. However, their plans are complicated by their attraction to each other and their greed for the money. The criminals are the bumbling Ken (John Cleese), the beautiful and manipulative Wanda (Jamie Lee Curtis), the animal-loving Otto (Kevin Kline) and their leader, George (Michael Palin). The film is a classic comedy of errors filled with plenty of twists and turns as the characters' schemes unravel and the diamond heist ultimately fails. The standout performance comes from Kevin Kline, who won an Academy Award for his hilarious portrayal of Otto. Despite the silliness and slapstick elements, the film is incredibly clever with its satirical take on the criminal underworld.

From Tim Burton, starring Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Michael Keaton, Annie McEnroe
Rated PG

Beetlejuice is a 1988 dark fantasy comedy directed by Tim Burton, starring Michael Keaton as the title character. The film follows the recently deceased couple Adam and Barbara Maitland (Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis) who try to scare away the new inhabitants of their former home, the Deetz family—led by society couple Charles and Delia (Jeffrey Jones and Catherine O'Hara)—with the help of a mischievous poltergeist named Beetlejuice. However, Beetlejuice has his own agenda and, after wreaking havoc in the house, he attempts to marry Delia and take over the world. The Maitlands must find a way to stop Beetlejuice's evil plan before it's too late.

From Martin Brest, starring Robert De Niro, Charles Grodin, Yaphet Kotto, John Ashton
Rated R

Midnight Run is a 1988 action-comedy directed by Martin Brest and starring Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin. The film follows bounty hunter Jack Walsh (De Niro) as he is tasked with transporting bond-jumper and former mob accountant, Jonathan "The Duke" Mardukas (Grodin) from New York City to Los Angeles. Along the way, Walsh and Mardukas are chased by a variety of people including mobsters, FBI agents, and rival bounty hunters, all of whom are after the $100,000 reward for capturing Mardukas. Along the way, the two men form a grudgingly-mutual respect for one another, despite their vastly different personalities and views on life. Despite the many obstacles they face, Walsh and Mardukas eventually make it to Los Angeles and Walsh collects the reward money.

From Pedro Almodóvar, starring Carmen Maura, Antonio Banderas, Julieta Serrano, Rossy de Palma
Rated R

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown is a 1988 Spanish comedy-drama film directed by Pedro Almodóvar. The story follows the life of an emotional and desperate woman, Pepa, as she attempts to track down her former lover, Iván, who suddenly left her without explanation. As she goes through her journey, she encounters a variety of colourful characters, all of whom are dealing with their own predicaments. Through Pepa's struggles, the film explores themes of love, betrayal and relationships. Ultimately, Pepa is able to come to terms with her past and move on with her life.

From Don Bluth, starring Pat Hingle, Gabriel Damon, Helen Shaver, Bill Erwin
Rated G

From Terence Davies, starring Pete Postlethwaite, Freda Dowie, Angela Walsh, Dean Williams
Rated PG-13

From Mike Leigh, starring Phil Davis, Ruth Sheen, Edna Doré, Philip Jackson
Rated PG

From Penny Marshall, starring Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia, John Heard
Rated PG

From Philip Kaufman, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Juliette Binoche, Lena Olin, Derek de Lint
Rated R

From John Sayles, starring John Cusack, Clifton James, Jace Alexander, Gordon Clapp
Rated PG

From David Cronenberg, starring Jeremy Irons, Geneviève Bujold, Heidi von Palleske, Barbara Gordon
Rated R

From Ron Howard, starring Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Warwick Davis, Jean Marsh
Rated PG