The 1980s were considered by many to be a golden age of film and pop culture. Many of the most iconic movies of all time, such asBack to the FutureorDie Hard, were released during this decade. Those who long for the glory days, or even the younger-gen kids who feel nostalgic, will find a lot to love in movies like these.
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Thankfully, streaming services have huge catalogs of 80s movies available for people to watch at any moment.Hulu, for instance, has a large collection of not only 80s classics, but perfect watches for family movie nights or a romantic evening. These movies are great recommendations for a wholesome 80s movie night.
Updated July 21, 2025, by Blaise Santi:Like with any streaming service, Hulu’s library of classic movies rotates every so often. This means iconic movies may only be on the service for a limited amount of time before they go away again. Because of this, it can be hard to keep track of which movies are still available to watch on the service, not to mention which additional subscriptions or add-ons Hulu users will need to access them. Nevertheless, there are still plenty of great wholesome ’80s movies on Hulu for movie lovers to enjoy.
11The Muppets Take Manhattan
The Muppets have been staples of the entertainment industry for many decades. Created by Jim Henson, each generation has had plenty of opportunities to cherish the comedy of Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and many many more. This love for the Muppets has certainly stretched to the silver screen,with movies likeThe Muppets Take Manhattan.
10About Last Night
This 1986 rom-com-dram stars Rob Lowe and Demi Moore asyoung lovers navigating a complicated committed relationship. Based on the David Mamet playSexual Perversity in Chicago, it’s certainly more of an adult movie compared to some of the other great wholesome eighties movies on Hulu. Nevertheless, its two stars certainly carry this heartwarming, realistic screen romance.
While many critics panned the movie for its play-centric flaws, such as long scenes of just dialogue, other critics like Roger Ebert showered it in praise for its realism. It was also a stunning display for Lowe and Moore as members of the Brat Pack, which was the name given to actors in the 80s appearing in movies likeThe Breakfast ClubandSt. Elmo’s Fire.
9Short Circuit
The 1980s were a fruitful decade for science fiction, with popular movies likeBack to the FutureandE.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. However, it was also fruitful for sci-fi movies like the future franchisedShort Circuit. This movie, directed bySaturday Night Fever’s John Badham, centers around a robot voiced by Tim Blaney who comes to life.
After its debut in 1986, grossing more at the box office than movies likeLittle Shop Of HorrorsandThree Amigos, the movie saw later success in the video rental sphere. This success later spawned a 1988 sequel, as well as a video game for the Commodore 64. However, in recent years, the movie has come under fire for the casting of Fisher Stevens.
8Dirty Dancing
Dirty Dancingis one of the most iconic movies of the 1980s. Starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, the movie centers around a woman who falls in love with her dance teacher. Aside from its critical praise, the movie even got attention at the Oscars, Golden Globes, and Grammys for the iconic needle drop of “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life.”
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Aside from being a wholesome romantic movie,Dirty Dancinghas also been praised in recent years for its depiction of abortion. It’s not hyperbolic to say thatDirty Dancinghas had more influence over movies than any of the many other great eighties movies on Hulu. Just the ending dance sequence alone puts it in the league of some of the greatest movies of all time.
7Big
Before Tom Hanks was winning Oscarsfor his performances inPhiladelphiaandForrest Gump, he was mainly known as a go-to comedy star. After appearing in the sitcomBosom Buddies,Hanks was cast by another sitcom star, Penny Marshall, in her movieBig, which became the first female-directed movie to gross over $100 million at the box office.
Bigwas also a turning point for Hanks' own career. The story centers around a young boy who wishes to be older and wakes up to find himself in the body of Tom Hanks. The movie is worth watching just to see Tom Hanks navigate New York City from the perspective of a child, especially as he ends up in FAO Schwartz iconically playing The Walking Piano.
6Terms Of Endearment
Terms of Endearmentis a quintessential tear-jerker, as per usual with the work of James L. Brooks. However, there’s a reasonthis movie won five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. It’s hard to not adore this movie, which centers on the relationship between a mother and daughter.
The movie also features an incredibly strong cast with its leads, Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger. The supporting actors include legends like John Lithgow, Jack Nicholson, Danny Devito, and Jeff Daniels. It even received a sequel in 1996,The Evening Star, with MacLaine reprising her role from the first movie.
5The Breakfast Club
When it comes to the 1980s, no director perfectly captured the feeling of a generation more than John Hughes. With movies likeFerris Bueller’s Day Off, Sixteen Candles, andPretty in Pink, his work has influenced many filmmakers today. However, none have touched audiences quite as much asThe Breakfast Club.
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The Breakfast Clubfollows five teenagers from different walks of life spending their Saturday in detention together. It features some breakout performances from actors like Molly Ringwald and Judd Nelson. Aside from its amazing quotability and emotional depth, it features an iconic needle drop of “Don’t You (Forget About Me).”
4Peggy Sue Got Married
Francis Ford Coppola is mostly known for directingThe Godfather, but mob movies weren’t his only big achievement. Coppola also directedPeggy Sue Got Married, a comedy released in 1986 starring Kathleen Turner. The movie follows a woman who transports back to high school while dealing with a tough marriage in the present.
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Alongside Turner, the movie has many future stars in its supporting cast. This includes Nicolas Cage, Jim Carrey, Catherine Hicks, and even Coppola’s daughter Sofia, who would go on to become an acclaimed director of her own. Suffice it to say,Peggy Sue Got Marriedis a much breezier watch thanThe Godfather.
3Moonstruck
Moonstruckis often considered to be one of the greatest romance movies of all time. Released in 1987, the movie sees an acting tour de force made out of pop star Cher. In the movie, Cher plays Loretta, a widowed woman who gets engaged again, only to find herself falling in love with her fiance’s younger brother leading up to the wedding.
Loretta’s romantic interest in this movie is played byNicolas Cage, who gives a career-defining performance as Ronny. Not only is this movie incredibly witty and smart, but it’s also brimming with romance and chemistry between its two unexpected leads. Still, it’s a movie that will rarely disappoint audiences who sit to watch it.
2Akira
This 1988 movie is an adaptation of the manga series of the same name. At the time it was released, it was the most expensive anime movie ever made. It was well worth it, as the animated action movie has since become a significant factor in pop culture’s shift toaccept Japanese art and movies in Western culture.
Akirais set in a dystopian 2019, following Shotaro, a biker whose friend Tetsuo finds he has telekinetic abilities after a motorcycle crash. The movie was influential not only to anime but to many other genres as well, such as the cyberpunk aesthetic. Watching this movie is a reminder of how important and influential foreign movies can be.
