The 1980s were arguably one of the best decades. Crazy colors, side ponytails, and spandex made for a totally awesome time. Throughout the years, a lot of those things went out of style. However, one thing that will never become outdated is the music.
Soundtracks from 1980s movies will always be some of the best compilations of songs you will ever find. Whether you're living your best day in a John Hughes movie, or spending a summer at Mountain Lake Lodge, these soundtracks are a blast from the past. Here we have, in no particular, the top 10 1980s movies with the best soundtracks.
10 Flashdance (1983)
What a feeling! This dance-themed flick completely dominated the '80s. With songs like "Manic" by Michael Sembello, "Manhunt" by Karen Kamon, and "Seduce Me Tonight" by Cycle V, this soundtrack stayed at number one on the charts for over two weeks. Flashdance tells the story of Alex Owens, played by Jennifer Beals. A welder and exotic dancer who has dreams of becoming a ballerina.
This soundtrack has been certified platinum six times, and sold more than 200 million copies. The music received nine Grammy Award-winning nominations, including an Album of the Year nod for all the artists on the album, and won three, one of which was for Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special that went to all the songwriters credited.
Lets daaaaance! Both the movie and the song may be one of the catchiest pairs in movie history. You just can't help but get up and dance when you hear Kevin Bacon yell that iconic line. With only nine tracks being released in '84, this movie easily makes our top 10. Staples like "Let's Hear it for the Boy", "Holding Out for a Hero", and "Almost Paradise" helped this soundtrack jump to the top of the billboard.
Footloose stayed at number one for two months. It contained six Billboard Top 100 hits, two of which hit number one, Kenny Loggins' "Footloose" and Deniece Williams' "Let's Hear it for the Boy". Mike Reno and Ann Wilson's duet, "Almost Paradise", reached number seven.
8 Dirty Dancing (1987)
How could you not have hungry eyes with Patrick Swayze around? And while we're at it, nobody puts baby in the corner. There are so many amazing songs in this movie that they equal one knock-out album. "I've Had the Time of my Life" became the unofficial anthem of every teen girl in the late '80s. Ask anybody, and they can tell you exactly how to call their lover boy.
With 32 million copies worldwide, Dirty Dancing became one of the best-selling albums of all time. It spent 18 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart and has been certified platinum 14 times. With songs like "Love is Strange" by Mickey and Sylvia, "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Frankie Valli, and "Do You Love Me" by the Contours, it's easy to see why this soundtrack is as popular as it is.
7 Back to the Future (1985)
Great scot! Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox brought sci-fi magic to the big screen, but throw in the soundtrack and you've got a masterpiece. Composer Alan Silvestri delivers scores that are out of this world, while hand-picked songs like "The Power of Love", "Back in Time", and "Johnny Be Goode" bring the movie full circle.
The soundtrack spent 19 weeks on the Billboard 200 and peaked at number 12. "The Power of Love" by Huey Lewis and the News was the group's first chart topper and was also certified gold and nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
6 The Breakfast Club (1985)
The Breakfast Club shows us the cliques really don't matter when you're landed with a Saturday detention. In John Hughes' Brat Pack classic, these five teens from different parts of life band together to make the most of their day. With killer hits like "We Are Not Alone" by Karla DeVito that can make just about anybody jump out of their seat at a library and dance. But the real crown jewel that'll get a glorious fist pump is, of course, Simple Minds' "(Don't You) Forget About Me".
The soundtrack has turned into a cult classic, even with its rough beginning. Simple Minds international hit is played at both the beginning and end of the credits. It has become synonymous with both the movie and with a mighty fist pump into the air.
5 Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
Fast Times at Ridgemont High is the epitome of classic hits from the '80s. With legendary musical artists like Led Zeppelin and Stevie Nicks, it's easily the most 80s movie on this list. Based on a true story, this book-turned-movie was adapted from Cameron Crowe's experience undercover at Clairemont High School. It chronicles a year in the life of a group of students with strict teachers, after-school jobs, and awkward encounters.
The movie's soundtrack peaked at number 54 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart. A lot of the songs in the movie were released as singles. Jackson Browne's "Somebody's Baby", and Sammy Hagar's cover of The Tymes' "So Much in Love" both made it on the Billboard Top 100.
4 The Blues Brothers (1980)
The Blues Brothers is a classic 1980s film that introduced a whole new generation to R&B and Soul music. This musical comedy starred John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as the iconic Blues Brothers. The duo come together in an attempt to raise money and save the orphanage where they grew up.
Starring alongside them are some of the biggest names in music history: James Brown, Ray Charles, and Aretha Franklin. The album sold over a million copies with hits like "Gimme Some Lovin'", "Shake a Tail Feather", and "Sweet Home Chicago."
3 Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. This John Hughes classic was one of the best teen comedies that still holds up today. Ferris Bueller, played by Matthew Broderick, plays hooky from school and has quite the adventure. The memorable moments mixed with unforgettable music are still being parodied to this day in films like Deadpool and Limitless.
Despite the impressive list of songs ranging from "Oh Yeah" by Yello, "Danke Schoen" by Wayne Newton, and "Twist and Shout" by The Beatles, an official soundtrack wasn't released until 30 years after the movie premiered. Hughes didn't think anyone would like this wide range of songs on a single album.
2 Say Anything (1989)
A lazy senior, a boombox, and a valedictorian equal a classic 1980s rom-com. John Cusack plays Lloyd Dobler who spends his summer wooing the girl of his dreams, Diane Court. It soon became every girl's fantasy to have "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel blasted at them from a boombox. That moment became such a classic that it has been copied in a number of movies, like Night at the Roxbury.
Both the film and the soundtrack are considered to be much smarter than the standard teen fare of the era. With songs like "Taste the Pain" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, "Keeping the Dream Alive" by Freiheit, and "One Big Rush" by Joe Satriani this movie will be a classic for generations to come. The soundtrack to Say Anything is a reflection of the film's storyline.
Filled with a mix of alternative rock, pop, and soulful ballads, the music shares the emotions of young love, personal growth, and relationships. Featuring standout tracks such as Peter Gabriel's iconic "In Your Eyes," which serves as the film's unforgettable romantic anthem, and songs by artists like The Replacements, Depeche Mode, and Fishbone, the soundtrack creates a rich auditory backdrop that beautifully complements the on-screen moments.
1 Sixteen Candles (1984)
In John Hughes' directorial debut, Sixteen Candles is about a young girl name Samantha whose parents forget her 16th birthday. Being overshadowed by her sister's wedding only makes matter worse. Molly Ringwald stars as shy sophomore Samantha "Sam" Baker with her eyes set on senior Jake Ryan, played by Michael Schoeffling. Samantha finds herself caught in a whirlwind of romantic mishaps, including an unrequited crush on the popular Jake Ryan. With the help of her eccentric friends, a quirky exchange student named Long Duk Dong, and a memorable school dance, Samantha is able to navigate her way to the start of a great 16th year.
The soundtrack to Sixteen Candles is a vibrant and nostalgic collection of 1980s music that perfectly captures the spirit of youthful exuberance and teenage angst. Filled with iconic pop hits, new wave gems, and heartfelt ballads, it transports listeners back to the era of big hair, high school crushes, and unforgettable moments. From The Thompson Twins' infectious "If You Were Here" to Simple Minds "Don't You (Forget About Me)," the soundtrack weaves a sonic tapestry of love, longing, and coming-of-age emotions, serving as the perfect sonic backdrop to the film's timeless tale of teenage dreams and unforgettable firsts.
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