ICYMI (in case you missed it), we recently took a trip to the movies in the 80s with the best films to watch from that decade.
Today, we’re breaking down the actors from the 1980s who swept us off our feet back in the day with their fantastic talent. From Tom Cruise to Molly Ringwald to John Cusack, these famous actors played roles in iconic films that are still loved today.
See the films they starred in, where to watch those films, what people are saying about those films in 2021, and what these celebs look like today!
1980s Celebs: Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise movies from the 80s:
Taps (1981): Watch Taps on Hulu
Risky Business (1983): Buy or rent Risky Business on Amazon Prime
The Outsiders (1983): Buy or rent The Outsiders on Amazon Prime
Losin’ It (1983): Buy or rent Losin’ It on Amazon Prime
All the Right Moves (1983): Watch All the Right Moves on iTunes.
Legend (1985): Buy or rent Legend on Amazon Prime
Top Gun (1986): Buy or rent Top Gun on Amazon Prime
The Color of Money (1986): Watch The Color of Money on Cinemax or Amazon
Rain Man (1988): Watch Rain Man on Netflix
Cocktail (1988): Watch Cocktail on Hulu
Born On The Fourth Of July (1989): Watch Born On The Fourth Of July on Hulu
Two of these 1980s movies, Risky Business, and Top Gun, made Tom Cruise the famous actor today. Tom Cruise is starring in two movies coming soon to theaters: Top Gun: Maverick and Mission Impossible: 7.
What people are saying about Tom Cruise’s 80s films in 2021:
I don’t care what anyone else says – I could watch 1980s Tom Cruise movies forever ? pic.twitter.com/uxit4nZeFk
— Kristi R ? (@lightscameramom) March 8, 2021
That’s, it, that’s the tweet
What does look like now?
1980s Celebs: Molly Ringwald
Molly Ringwald movies from the 80s:
Tempest (1982): Buy or rent Tempest on Amazon Prime
Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone (1983): Buy or rent Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone on Amazon Prime
Sixteen Candles (1984): Buy or rent Sixteen Candles on Amazon Prime
The Breakfast Club (1985): Watch The Breakfast Club free on Peacock
Pretty in Pink (1986): Buy or rent Pretty in Pink on Amazon Prime
P.K. and the Kid (1987): P.K. and the Kid is not currently available to stream
The Pick-up Artist (1987): Watch The Pick-up Artist with STARZ on Amazon Prime
For Keeps (1988): Buy or rent For Keeps on Amazon Prime
Fresh Horses (1988): Buy or rent Fresh Horses on Amazon Prime
Molly Ringwald became a famous actor far beyond the massive teen star she was in the 1980s. You may be able to see a 1980s Molly Ringwald teen movie by renting out a movie theater.
What people are saying about Molly Ringwald’s 80s films in 2021:
I just want to know how molly ringwald went from 1980s icon to a mom on the secret life of the American teenager
— Emalyn! (@emalynmuzzy) February 26, 2021
Same. But we can agree she’s a 1980s icon!
What does Molly Ringwald look like now?
John Cusack movies from the 80s:
Class (1983): Watch Class with HBO Max on Prime.
Sixteen Candles (1984): Buy or rent Sixteen Candles on Amazon Prime
Grandview, U.S.A. (1984): Watch Grandview, U.S.A free on Youtube.
The Sure Thing (1985):
Better Off Dead (1985):
The Journey of Natty Gann (1985):
Stand by Me (1986):
One Crazy Summer (1986):
Hot Pursuit (1987):
Broadcast News (1987):
Tapeheads (1988):
Eight Men Out (1988):
Say Anything (1989): Buy or rent Say Anything on Amazon Prime
Fat Man and Little Boy (1989):
John Cusack has gone on to star in movies in the 1990s, 2000s, 2010s and is now in a TV series Utopia on Amazon.
What people are saying about John Cusack’s 80s films in 2021:
Been a huge fan of yours since the 80s. Long live the Cusack!
— ┴opp qɐuʞs (@boilertech15) April 4, 2021
What does John Cusack look like now?
Nicolas Cage movies from the 80s:
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982): Buy or rent Fast Times at Ridgemont High on Amazon Prime.
Valley Girl (1983): Buy or rent Valley Girl on Amazon Prime
Rumble Fish (1983):
Racing with the Moon (1984):
The Cotton Club (1984):
Birdy (1984):
The Boy in Blue (1986):
Peggy Sue Got Married (1986):
Raising Arizona (1987):
Moonstruck (1987):
Vampire’s Kiss (1989):
Never on Tuesday (1989):
Time to Kill (1989):
Nicolas Cage was born Nicolas Kim Coppola and is the nephew of the famous director Francis Ford Coppola and changed his name to avoid nepotism claims.
What people are saying about Nicholas Cage’s 80s films:
I like the 1980s Nicholas Cage.
— Jacy Knoth (@JLKnoth) July 17, 2013
1980s Nicholas Cage disagrees pic.twitter.com/rceLAMtLn7
— ✨ Superman ✨ (@Superman_in_TO) May 8, 2020
What does Nicholas Cage look like now?
Click here for the most recent picture we have of Nicolas Cage.
1980s Celebs: Meg Ryan
Meg Ryan movies from the 80s:
Rich and Famous (1981):
Amityville 3-D (1983):
Top Gun (1986): Buy or rent Top Gun on Amazon Prime
Armed and Dangerous (1986):
Promised Land (1987):
Innerspace (1987):
D.O.A. (1988):
The Presidio (1988):
When Harry Met Sally (1989): Buy or rent When Harry Met Sally on Amazon Prime
Meg Ryan’s last film Ithaca was released in movie theaters and to streaming in 2016. She appeared on Good Morning America to discuss the movie:
Since then, Meg Ryan has stepped back from acting and has commented on the impact of becoming a famous actor in Hollywood, “You’re at a disadvantage as a young, famous person because you don’t know who’s telling you the truth. I’m not complaining — there are so many advantages to being famous — but there are fundamental disadvantages for a part of your brain, your self, your soul. My experiences were too limited.”
What people are saying about Meg Ryan’s 80s films in 2021:
1980s Meg Ryan is my 3L vibe somehow pic.twitter.com/BNFt5I1t1h
— ☆ K.G.M. ☆ ? (@CanPanicNow) March 8, 2021
What does Meg Ryan look like now?
1980s Celebs: Patrick Swayze
Patrick Swayze movies from the 80s:
The Outsiders (1983): Buy or rent The Outsiders on Amazon Prime
Uncommon Valor (1983):
Grandview, U.S.A. (1984):
Red Dawn (1984):
Youngblood (1986):
Dirty Dancing (1987): Buy or rent Dirty Dancing on Amazon Prime
Steel Dawn (1987):
Tiger Warsaw (1988):
Road House (1989):
Next of Kin (1989):
Patrick Swayze’s role in the 1987 hit Dirty Dancing earned him a Golden Globe nomination, and then he went on to be nominated again in 1991 for the movie Ghost and again in 1996 for To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar cementing his status as a famous actor.
What people are saying about Patrick Swayze’s 80s films in 2021:
I weighed Dirty Dancing and Back to The Future but they both take place in decades that aren’t the 80s!
— Katrina Haydon (@katrinabhaydon) February 25, 2021
What does Patrick Swayze look like now?
Unfortunately, Patrick Swayze is no longer with us. R.I.P. He passed away on September 14, 2009. The good news is you can likely see some of Patrick Swayze’s iconic films in the theater. I recently rented a movie theater at the theater near me and watched Ghost on the big screen.
1980s Celebs: Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy movies from the 80s:
48 Hrs. (1982):
Trading Places (1983):
Best Defense (1984):
Beverly Hills Cop (1984): Buy or rent Beverly Hills Cop on Amazon Prime
The Golden Child (1986):
Beverly Hills Cop II (1987):
Coming to America (1988): Buy or rent Coming to America on Amazon Prime
Harlem Nights (1989):
Eddie Murphy has enjoyed a long career in Hollywood. His appearances in Saturday Night Live between 1980 and 1984 springboarded his career, and since then, Eddie Murphy has gone on to appear in over 40 feature films. As a Hollywood A-lister, Eddie Murphy has received many awards and accolades, including a 2007 Academy Award nomination and Golden Globe win for Dreamgirls.
What people are saying about Eddie Murphy’s 80s films in 2021:
I’ll stand next to you! Love the 1980s Eddie Murphy. pic.twitter.com/kzxdrFpOrR
— David Kapsner ??♂️???????? (@david_kapsner) March 6, 2021
What does Eddie Murphy look like now?
1980s Celebs: Emilio Estevez
Emilio Estevez movies from the 80s:
Tex (1982):
The Outsiders (1983): Buy or rent The Outsiders on Amazon Prime
Nightmares (1983):
Repo Man (1984):
The Breakfast Club (1985): Watch The Breakfast Club free on Peacock
St. Elmo’s Fire (1985): Buy or rent The Outsiders on Amazon Prime
That Was Then… This Is Now (1985):
Maximum Overdrive (1986):
Wisdom (1986):
Stakeout (1987):
Young Guns (1988):
Never on Tuesday (1989):
Emilio Estevez was coined as the president and treasurer of the “Brat Pack” in a 2006 New York Magazine article that looked back at the original 1985 New York Times article.
What people are saying about Emilio Estevez’s 80s films in 2021:
One of the greatest films from #TheBratPack #TheOutsiders ? Matt Dillon, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez and Tom Cruise #80s pic.twitter.com/86eaCr2C3Y
— Hayley King (@HazeKing12) April 6, 2021
What does Emilio Estevez look like now?
Check out his appearance on the Kelly Clarkson show
Spilling secrets and surprises on the next Kelly! Don’t miss Emilio Estevez, @AricaHimmel, Chef @KAkunowicz and a very special #RadHuman helping fellow mamas in her community! pic.twitter.com/fIRiogZ13n
— The Kelly Clarkson Show (@KellyClarksonTV) April 11, 2021
1980s Celebs: Carrie Fisher
Carrie Fisher movies from the 80s:
The Empire Strikes Back (1980): Buy or rent The Empire Strikes Back on Amazon Prime.
The Blues Brothers (1980): Buy or rent The Empire Strikes Back on Amazon Prime.
Under the Rainbow (1981):
Return of the Jedi (1983): Buy or rent The Empire Strikes Back on Amazon Prime.
Garbo Talks (1984):
The Man with One Red Shoe (1985):
Hannah and Her Sisters (1986):
Hollywood Vice Squad (1986):
Amazon Women on the Moon (1987):
The Time Guardian (1987):
Appointment with Death (1987):
The ‘Burbs (1989):
Loverboy (1989):
She’s Back (1989):
When Harry Met Sally (1989): Buy or rent When Harry Met Sally on Amazon Prime
Carrie Fisher was so much more than Princess Leia; she had a Hollywood career as a famous actress that spanned more than 5 decades. She’s been in many top movies, but many of the most celebrated films are the ones she did in the 1980s, such as When Harry Met Sally and The Blues Brothers.
What people are saying about Carrie Fisher’s 80s films:
every movie released in the last thirty years wishes it were a carrie fisher movie from the 1980s
— daniel (@DJMashdPotatoez) November 14, 2020
What does Carrie Fisher look like now?
Carrie Fisher died in December 2016. R.I.P. Thankfully, she lives on in the movies she made throughout her 50-plus year career in Hollywood as a famous actress. You can still see some of her iconic roles on the big screen by renting a movie theater.
1980s Celebs: Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford movies from the 80s:
The Empire Strikes Back (1980): Buy or rent The Empire Strikes Back on Amazon Prime.
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981):
Blade Runner (1982):
Return of the Jedi (1983): Buy or rent The Empire Strikes Back on Amazon Prime.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984):
Witness (1985):
The Mosquito Coast (1986):
Frantic (1988):
Working Girl (1988):
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989): Buy or rent The Empire Strikes Back on Amazon Prime.
After starting his acting career in 1966 in Dead Heat on a Merry Go Round with just two lines, the 1980s landed Harrison Ford, a continuation of his portrayal as Hans Solo in the Star Wars franchise and added a second iconic character, the Indiana Jones franchise.
What people are saying about Harrison Ford’s 80s films in 2021:
Over the past couple weeks, I’ve watched the first 3 Indiana Jones movies and the original Star Warses in quick succession and I don’t think I appreciated the utter handsomeness of 1980s Harrison Ford. Which makes me wonder what the Mt Rushmore of era-specific handsome actors is pic.twitter.com/wMXOYHAlY6
— Kerri ? (@kafvautour) April 10, 2021
What does Harrison Ford look like now?
Check out Harrison Ford’s interview with Vanity Fair here:
Let us know which is your favorite on Twitter.
More Like This: Best feel-good 80s movies to watch, straight from a Gen Xer
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