80 Greatest '80s Movie Moments

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

The Moment: Meg Ryan proves to Billy Crystal that orgasms can be faked. We’ll have what she’s having.

Only In The '80s: ...did Rob Reiner make films this good.

If It Was Made Today: It wouldn’t be faked, putting the 'O' in OMG.

Blade Runner (1982)

The Moment: Dying Rutger Hauer bemoans the loss of some pretty cool-sounding memories. “C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate?” That we’d like to see.

Only In The '80s: ...would a replicant have more soul than a human. After that, the hero isn't human, either.

If It Was Made Today: What do you mean, “if?” Ridley revisits this one every decade.

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

The Moment: It’s that time of the month for Yank tourist David Naughton.

Only In The '80s: ...did they create make-up effects so good they had to invent a new category at the Oscars.

If It Was Made Today: Judging by The Wolfman , they’d still hire Rick Baker for the prosthetics… and then use CGI to do the actual transformation.

Airplane! (1980)

The Moment: So many to choose from, but few have become standards in real-life the way as Leslie Nielsen’s reply to the question, “Surely, you can’t be serious?”

Only In The '80s: ...did so many people get called Shirley.

If It Was Made Today: Stryker’s feed line would be “What you yapping ‘bout, mother-fucker?” and the Doc’s reply: “This is some serious shit, and don’t be calling me no’ mo-fo, fool.”

Back to the Future (1985)

The Moment: George McFly finally mans up and throws the most important punch of not only his life, but his unborn son Marty’s, too.

Only In The '80s: ...was high-concept this emotionally grounded. One punch = a zillion character beats.

If It Was Made Today: George McFly would be played by Jesse Eisenberg and Biff Tannen by Jonah Hill .

Aliens (1986)

The Moment: Ripley goes womano a womano with the Alien Queen, thanks to an exosuit cargo-loader... “Get away from her, you bitch!”

Only In The '80s: ...could a woman take on the action-movie behemoths and grab an Oscar nomination.

If It Was Made Today: Ripley would be half-alien.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

The Moment: An assassin with sharp moves and a fearsome blade stands in Indy’s path. He hasn’t got the time for a fight…so he simply shoots him.

Only In The '80s: ...could the star catch dysentry, bugger up a big action set-piece and still get the biggest laugh in the film.

If It Was Made Today: Five-minute swordfight with bad CGI.

The Shining (1980)

The Moment: Jack Nicholson smashes through a door with an axe and announces, “Heeeere’s Johnny!” even though his name is Jack. Crazy, huh

Only In The '80s: ...would people have a chance of getting that Nicholson’s ad-lib was a reference to chat show host Johnny Carson.

If It Was Made Today: “Here’s Piers!” doesn’t have quite the same ring although (for different reasons) it’s just as terrifying.

The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

The Moment: “No, I am your father.” The big shock for anybody who hadn’t figured out that Darth Vader’s name pretty much spells out ‘Dark Father.’

Only In The '80s: ...did George Lucas have the sense to hand over the writing and directing reins to other people.

If It Was Made Today: Three words... The last is Binks.

E.T. The Extra Terrestrial (1982)

The Moment: Chased by the Feds, Elliott deploys the magical alien being in his basket to send his bike flying into the air and, in one still-startling moment, directly in front of the moon.

Only In The '80s: ...could a single image encapsulate all that was wondrous about the decade’s blockbusters. Basically: if it didn’t have Amblin’s seal of approval, it ain’t worth squat.

If It Was Made Today: The cops would probably have walkie-talkies instead of guns... Oh.