I have estimated that I have seen more than 1300 movies in my thirty-one years. That is more than 100 days spent devoting my time and attention to another world, a piece of history, or a romance so great it makes me fall in love all over again. Once, I laughed so loudly during a movie that I was told by the man sitting next to me that he enjoyed the movie even more just by hearing me laugh. On more than one occasion I cried all the way home after the movie. And more times than I can count, I have watched such frightening movies that I was too scared to sleep and called my mom to come and get me from a friends house.
Now that’s devotion – don’t you think? So much devotion in fact, that I have spent more time than I’d like to admit compiling a list of my all time favorite movies. When I got to more than 400 I decided to narrow it down to by top 50 by decade. The 80’s and 90’s were easy…kind of. But then came the 2000’s. Not only were these movies more recent, but I inadvertently spent much of my twenties (24-27ish to be exact) in a fantasyland so what better way to cope than to loose myself in the dreams, hopes, and desires that movies have to offer.
I almost didn’t write this blog because even with all the investigating and racking my brain, I knew that I would leave some out. Being the perfectionist I am (at certain things) I wasn’t sure that I could deal with a flawed list. But, after much consideration I decided that this was inevitable. With hundreds of movies being released each year I simply couldn’t remember every single film I have ever seen. Although I did research, not even those websites provided a list of every movie ever made – even though they claimed they did. So…in order alphabetically by year (not by preference), enjoy the unavoidably imperfect list of movies I love.
The 1980’s - Part 1 of 4
A few of these movies were part of weekend family outings that included a trip to the theatre. Others were watched years after they were released when I was more age appropriate. Most were experienced with my childhood best friend (she had cable) and scheduled into our weekly sleepovers where I was forced (yes, forced) to watch Nightmare on Elm Street or Friday the 13th over and over again. Those did not make the list. But these 50 did…
Annie (1982) – Who doesn’t love this one? It almost made me want to be an orphan too.
E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) – This is on everyone’s list…right?
The Dark Crystal (1982) – A favorite of mine since I was very young. So imaginative!
A Christmas Story (1983) – One of my brother-in-laws’ favorites too!
War Games (1983) – 1980’s computer hacking. Matthew Broderick is so good. I could watch this movie over and over again.
Beverly Hills Cop (1984) – This one gets funnier every time I watch it.
Ghostbusters (1984) – I am definitely going to call Ghostbusters if I ever cross paths with a not so friendly ghost!
Gremlins (1984) – Gizmo!
Muppets Take Manhattan (1984) – This is for sure my favorite of all the Muppet movies.
The Neverending Story (1984) – One of the best fantasy films ever made.
Sixteen Candles (1984) – Own it, love it. Just one of several great John Hughes films.
Back to the Future (1985) – After this movie I couldn’t wait until the day we could all time travel. I’m still waiting…
The Breakfast Club (1985) – This was the most watched of the Brat Pack movies. It seems like we rented it every weekend. I always told my best friend Katie that I hated it, but I secretly loved it!
Brewster’s Millions (1985) – Spend $30 million in 30 days; I could do it!
The Goonies (1985) – I own this movie and have probably watched it 100 times. It is one of my all time favorites.
Beverly Hills Cop (1984) – This one gets funnier every time I watch it.
Ghostbusters (1984) – I am definitely going to call Ghostbusters if I ever cross paths with a not so friendly ghost!
Gremlins (1984) – Gizmo!
Muppets Take Manhattan (1984) – This is for sure my favorite of all the Muppet movies.
The Neverending Story (1984) – One of the best fantasy films ever made.
Sixteen Candles (1984) – Own it, love it. Just one of several great John Hughes films.
Back to the Future (1985) – After this movie I couldn’t wait until the day we could all time travel. I’m still waiting…
The Breakfast Club (1985) – This was the most watched of the Brat Pack movies. It seems like we rented it every weekend. I always told my best friend Katie that I hated it, but I secretly loved it!
Brewster’s Millions (1985) – Spend $30 million in 30 days; I could do it!
The Goonies (1985) – I own this movie and have probably watched it 100 times. It is one of my all time favorites.
Teen Wolf (1985) - Michael J Fox was my first crush solely because of this movie.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) – Own it. Love it. Classic.
Flight of the Navigator (1986) – This is one of the first movies I remember watching in the theatre.
Labryinth (1986) – Kind of scary for a 6 year old. I haven’t seen it in years. Maybe this weekend…
The Money Pit (1986) – It wasn’t until Matt and I purchased our house that I was introduced to this movie. Matt kept referencing it, saying he hoped our house didn’t turn out to be a “money pit.” Later that fall I caught it on TV and very much enjoyed it. Tom Hanks and Shelly Long are amazingly funny.
Pretty in Pink (1986) – Another unforgettable John Hughes movie. I wish I had been a teenager in the 80’s.
Short Circuit (1986) – Number 5 is alive!
Stand By Me (1986) – Katie and I watched this movie at least 9,259 times during our childhood. She recently referenced it in her blog too. To be young again…
Batteries Not Included (1987) – I caught a few minutes of this movie on TV recently. Until then, I had completely forgot about it…and how much I adore it.
Adventures in Babysitting (1987) – Until I watched a clip from this movie on YouTube I did not think that I had ever seen it. But I have. And I love it! How could I not remember?
Hello Again (1987) – I think my sister and I rented this movie every weekend. Shelly Long is fabulous.
The Lost Boys (1987) – This movie reminds me of Katie. Another (kinda) scary one that she made me watch over and over.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) – Own it. Love it. Classic.
Flight of the Navigator (1986) – This is one of the first movies I remember watching in the theatre.
Labryinth (1986) – Kind of scary for a 6 year old. I haven’t seen it in years. Maybe this weekend…
The Money Pit (1986) – It wasn’t until Matt and I purchased our house that I was introduced to this movie. Matt kept referencing it, saying he hoped our house didn’t turn out to be a “money pit.” Later that fall I caught it on TV and very much enjoyed it. Tom Hanks and Shelly Long are amazingly funny.
Pretty in Pink (1986) – Another unforgettable John Hughes movie. I wish I had been a teenager in the 80’s.
Short Circuit (1986) – Number 5 is alive!
Stand By Me (1986) – Katie and I watched this movie at least 9,259 times during our childhood. She recently referenced it in her blog too. To be young again…
Batteries Not Included (1987) – I caught a few minutes of this movie on TV recently. Until then, I had completely forgot about it…and how much I adore it.
Adventures in Babysitting (1987) – Until I watched a clip from this movie on YouTube I did not think that I had ever seen it. But I have. And I love it! How could I not remember?
Hello Again (1987) – I think my sister and I rented this movie every weekend. Shelly Long is fabulous.
The Lost Boys (1987) – This movie reminds me of Katie. Another (kinda) scary one that she made me watch over and over.
Mannequin (1987) – There is a reason why a majority of these films remind me of my childhood best friend. I think all we did (other than prank call people and write in science books) was watch great 80’s movies. This one included.
Raising Arizona (1987) – I did not realize until I was writing this that the Coen brothers wrote this movie. They have the knack for making absolutely hilarious movies.
The Witches of Eastwick (1987) – Comedy, fantasy, horror. Whatever you call it…I call it fabulous. Cher is fantastic.
Beaches (1988) – Love, love, love Bette Midler.
Beetlejuice (1988) – I watched this one in the theatre with my family. A little freaky then, but a favorite now!
Big (1988) – Undoubtedly my favorite 80’s movie. I L-O-V-E Tom Hanks. I have the lines memorized word for word. “The space goes down, down baby, down, down the roller coaster…”
Raising Arizona (1987) – I did not realize until I was writing this that the Coen brothers wrote this movie. They have the knack for making absolutely hilarious movies.
The Witches of Eastwick (1987) – Comedy, fantasy, horror. Whatever you call it…I call it fabulous. Cher is fantastic.
Beaches (1988) – Love, love, love Bette Midler.
Beetlejuice (1988) – I watched this one in the theatre with my family. A little freaky then, but a favorite now!
Big (1988) – Undoubtedly my favorite 80’s movie. I L-O-V-E Tom Hanks. I have the lines memorized word for word. “The space goes down, down baby, down, down the roller coaster…”
Big Business (1988) – Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin make me laugh until I cry.
License to Drive (1988) – The Corey’s…need I say more?
Mystic Pizza (1988) – One of Julia Roberts’ first movies. And one of my many much loved Julia Roberts movies.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) – I had the Nintendo game.
Willow (1988) – Of all the movies my Grandparents could have owned, this was the one and only VHS I ever remember them having. It was a sort of early Lord of the Rings. Except Willow (a dwarf) was protecting a baby from an evil queen. It’s a definite favorite.
Dead Poet’s Society (1989) – Own it. Seen it a gazillion times. Carpe diem.
Dream a Little Dream (1989) – Katie and I watched this in the theatre. Or was it License to Drive? Either way, we saw it together. I didn’t get a lot of it at that time…kind of over my head for a 9 year old. But we loved the Corey’s so we just haaad to see it!
Field of Dreams (1989) – Summertime, baseball, Iowa, Kevin Costner…what’s not to love?
Heathers (1989) – Martha Dump truck!
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) – Need I say anything about this one.
Parenthood (1989) – This is another movie that I have practically memorized…”When your sliding into first…” It also stars Martha Plimpton whom has made an awesome comeback as Virginia on Raising Hope. Probably my 2nd all time favorite movie!
Say Anything (1989) – A great movie and a great song in an unforgettable scene. I wish a boy would have done that for me!
License to Drive (1988) – The Corey’s…need I say more?
Mystic Pizza (1988) – One of Julia Roberts’ first movies. And one of my many much loved Julia Roberts movies.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) – I had the Nintendo game.
Willow (1988) – Of all the movies my Grandparents could have owned, this was the one and only VHS I ever remember them having. It was a sort of early Lord of the Rings. Except Willow (a dwarf) was protecting a baby from an evil queen. It’s a definite favorite.
Dead Poet’s Society (1989) – Own it. Seen it a gazillion times. Carpe diem.
Dream a Little Dream (1989) – Katie and I watched this in the theatre. Or was it License to Drive? Either way, we saw it together. I didn’t get a lot of it at that time…kind of over my head for a 9 year old. But we loved the Corey’s so we just haaad to see it!
Field of Dreams (1989) – Summertime, baseball, Iowa, Kevin Costner…what’s not to love?
Heathers (1989) – Martha Dump truck!
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) – Need I say anything about this one.
Parenthood (1989) – This is another movie that I have practically memorized…”When your sliding into first…” It also stars Martha Plimpton whom has made an awesome comeback as Virginia on Raising Hope. Probably my 2nd all time favorite movie!
Steel Magnolias (1989) – Again…I love Julia Roberts movies. This one makes me laugh and cry at the same time.
The Burbs’ (1989) – Tom Hanks…enough said.
The Wizard (1989) – This movie brings back fond memories of me and my sister fighting over our Nintendo.
Troop Beverly Hills (1989) – This is another movie that was watched over and over again. Shelly Long is so funny. Girl Scouts in Beverly Hills…hilarious.
The Burbs’ (1989) – Tom Hanks…enough said.
The Wizard (1989) – This movie brings back fond memories of me and my sister fighting over our Nintendo.
Troop Beverly Hills (1989) – This is another movie that was watched over and over again. Shelly Long is so funny. Girl Scouts in Beverly Hills…hilarious.
Next: The 90’s. A decade where Mermaids ate Fried Green Tomatoes while Dazed and Confused. Forrest Gump was Clueless and Romeo + Juliet Scream Ever After in Pleasantville. We had American Pie at My Best Friend’s Wedding and watched Hope Float a Green Mile. In the end The Cider House Rules were broken with Cruel Intentions which provoked The Virgin Suicides.
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