Top Movies Of 1986

From James Cameron, starring Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Carrie Henn, Paul Reiser
Rated R

Aliens is a science fiction action horror film directed by James Cameron and starring Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley. It is the sequel to the 1979 film Alien and the second installment in the Alien franchise. The movie follows Ripley as she returns to the planet where her crew encountered the hostile Alien creature, this time accompanied by a unit of space marines. After landing on the planet, the group discovers the Aliens have overrun the colony and are breeding rapidly. With time running out, the group must fight off the Aliens and find a way to destroy them before they reach Earth. Along the way they uncover the terrifying truth behind the Aliens and the sinister plans of the company who sent them there in the first place. With a mixture of horror, suspense, and action, Aliens is an enduring classic that stands the test of time.

From Oliver Stone, starring Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, Keith David
Rated R

Platoon is a 1986 American war drama film written and directed by Oliver Stone. Set during the Vietnam War, it stars Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, and Forest Whitaker. The film follows a group of American soldiers as they fight their way through the jungles of Vietnam and its moral quandaries. It is seen through the eyes of the protagonist, Chris Taylor (Sheen), who deals with the physical and emotional toll of the war. The film is a stark portrayal of the harsh realities of war and the struggles of the individual soldier. Platoon was a critical and financial success, winning the Academy Award for Best Picture and four other Academy Awards, and it has become a classic in the war genre.

From Rob Reiner, starring Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell
Rated R

Stand by Me is a classic coming-of-age film that follows four young boys in the small town of Castle Rock, Oregon. It is summertime, and eager to take advantage of their newfound freedom, the boys embark on a journey to find the body of a missing boy. Along the way, they form a strong bond and learn important life lessons as they face new adventures and confront danger and fear together. The film, which is based on the Stephen King novella "The Body," stars Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman and Jerry O'Connell as the four young boys. Directed and co-written by Rob Reiner, Stand by Me is a heart-warming and uplifting drama that celebrates the power of friendship and the importance of growing up.

From Hayao Miyazaki, starring Mayumi Tanaka, Keiko Yokozawa, Kotoe Hatsui, Minori Terada
Rated PG

Castle in the Sky is an animated film directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The film follows the adventures of a young girl named Sheeta, who is pursued by both pirates and agents of the government, all in search of a centuries-old floating castle known as Laputa. Sheeta has a mysterious crystal amulet that gives her the power to control the flight of Laputa. Along with a young boy named Pazu, they embark on a thrilling journey to find the legendary floating city in the sky. Along the way, they must outwit their pursuers, face secret societies, and discover the truth about Sheeta's mysterious past. In the end, they discover the truth about Laputa, its history, and their own destinies.

From Woody Allen, starring Mia Farrow, Dianne Wiest, Michael Caine, Barbara Hershey
Rated PG-13

Hannah and Her Sisters is a comedy-drama film written and directed by Woody Allen. The film follows three sisters, Hannah (Mia Farrow), Lee (Barbara Hershey), and Holly (Dianne Wiest), over the course of a year in Manhattan. Hannah is happily married to Elliot (Michael Caine), Lee is unhappily married to Frederick (Max Von Sydow), and Holly is an aspiring actress struggling through a series of failed relationships. As their lives entwine and unfold, each sister discovers new strength and courage, leading to unexpected life changes for all. Along the way, the trio share a comedic, yet bittersweet journey of family, relationships, and self-discovery, touching on themes of love, loss, and intimacy.

From John Hughes, starring Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, Jeffrey Jones
Rated PG-13

Ferris Bueller's Day Off is a 1986 American coming-of-age comedy film written, produced, and directed by John Hughes. The film stars Mathew Broderick as Ferris Bueller, a high school slacker who decides to take a day off from school and explore the city of Chicago with his best friend and girlfriend. Along the way, they get into all kinds of adventures and shenanigans, much to the dismay of Ferris' principal who is determined to catch him in the act. The film has become a classic of 1980s cinema and is known for its memorable scenes and memorable characters.

From David Lynch, starring Isabella Rossellini, Kyle MacLachlan, Dennis Hopper, Laura Dern
Rated R

Blue Velvet is a 1986 thriller-mystery film written and directed by David Lynch. The film stars Kyle MacLachlan as Jeffrey Beaumont, Laura Dern as Sandy Williams, and Dennis Hopper as Frank Booth. The story follows Jeffrey, a small town college student, as he investigates the disappearance of a local man. During his investigation, Jeffrey discovers a human ear in a field and takes it to the police station. After further investigation, he discovers a connection between the missing man and a local nightclub singer. Jeffrey then decides to follow the singer, Dorothy Vallens, to discover why she is connected to the missing man. Through his investigations, Jeffrey discovers a violent criminal underworld involving the singer, her captor, and a drug-addicted gangster. The film culminates with Jeffrey's confrontation with Frank Booth, the sadistic gangster, and his eventual rescue of Dorothy. Blue Velvet is noted for its dreamlike aesthetic, surreal visuals, and exploration of violence and sexual undertones. The film is considered a classic, and is often cited as one of the greatest films of the 1980s.

From Jim Jarmusch, starring Tom Waits, John Lurie, Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi
Rated R

Down by Law is a 1986 black-and-white crime-comedy directed by Jim Jarmusch. The film follows three unlikely cellmates, Zack, Jack and Roberto, as they attempt to escape from a New Orleans jail. Zack is an out-of-work radio DJ, Jack is a small-time pimp and Roberto is an Italian tourist who does not speak English. After their successful escape, the three men find themselves on the run from the law, struggling to survive in the Louisiana bayou. Along the way, they encounter colorful characters and obstacles, learning to rely on each other and to appreciate the beauty of the wilderness. As they make their way across the backroads of the South, they come to understand the meaning of freedom and friendship.

From David Cronenberg, starring Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis, John Getz, Joy Boushel
Rated R

The Fly is a 1986 sci-fi horror film directed by David Cronenberg. The story follows Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum), a brilliant but eccentric scientist whose experiment in teleportation goes horribly wrong when he accidentally merges his DNA with a housefly. As a result, Seth slowly begins to transform into a human-fly hybrid, gradually losing both his physical and mental capabilities. With the help of his love interest, Veronica (Geena Davis), Seth must try to reverse the effects of the experiment before it is too late. At the same time, he must also confront his inner demons and accept his horrific new form. The Fly is a gritty and thought-provoking examination of human identity and the horror of physical transformation.

From Oliver Stone, starring James Woods, Jim Belushi, Michael Murphy, John Savage
Rated R

From Roland Joffé, starring Robert De Niro, Jeremy Irons, Ray McAnally, Aidan Quinn
Rated PG

From David Anspaugh, starring Gene Hackman, Barbara Hershey, Dennis Hopper, Sheb Wooley
Rated PG

From John Woo, starring Lung Ti, Leslie Cheung, Chow Yun-Fat, Emily Chu
Rated Not Rated

From Jim Henson, starring David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, Toby Froud, Shelley Thompson
Rated PG

From Neil Jordan, starring Bob Hoskins, Cathy Tyson, Michael Caine, Robbie Coltrane
Rated R

From Michael Mann, starring William Petersen, Kim Greist, Joan Allen, Brian Cox
Rated R

From Robert Harmon, starring Rutger Hauer, C. Thomas Howell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jeffrey DeMunn
Rated R

From Leos Carax, starring Michel Piccoli, Juliette Binoche, Denis Lavant, Hans Meyer
Rated Unrated

From Randa Haines, starring William Hurt, Marlee Matlin, Piper Laurie, Philip Bosco
Rated R

From Directors: Ron Clements, Burny Mattinson, David Michener, John Musker, starring Vincent Price, Barrie Ingham, Val Bettin, Susanne Pollatschek
Rated G

From John Carpenter, starring Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall, Dennis Dun, James Hong
Rated PG-13

From Russell Mulcahy, starring Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, Clancy Brown, Roxanne Hart
Rated R

From Denys Arcand, starring Dominique Michel, Dorothée Berryman, Louise Portal, Pierre Curzi
Rated R

From Trevor Nunn, starring Helena Bonham Carter, Cary Elwes, John Wood, Michael Hordern
Rated PG-13

From Walter Hill, starring Ralph Macchio, Joe Seneca, Jami Gertz, Joe Morton
Rated R