The '80s revolutionized cinema by bringing an enormous collection of cult classics to the silver screen. During this decade of big hair and even bigger personalities, we got '80s horror favorites like The Evil Dead (1981) and Lost Boys. In addition, we also got toe-tapping dance movies like Footloose (1984) and Dirty Dancing (1987). Actresses Jennifer Gray and Molly Ringwald dominated Hollywood and were unstoppable, having both appeared in several '80s cult classics. Their names were everywhere, as they were among the biggest stars during the time.

Besides films starring Jennifer Gray and Molly Ringwald (and members of the Brat Pack), the '80s also gave us action-adventure masterpieces with the Indiana Jones series, as well as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial which has one of the most well-known and heartwarming aliens in cinema history, and is still one of Spielberg's best movies. Today, we are looking at some of the best cult classics that emerged from this memorable decade. While a cult classic is difficult to define, and many of these movies have become more mainstream in the past 30-40 years, they still retain a strong cult following and remain some of the best '80s cult classics.

7 The Goonies (1985)

The child cast of The Goonies on a mountain
Warner Bros. Pictures

“Hey, you guys!” Join a group of kids as they embark on an exciting adventure to find the legendary lost pirate treasure. The Goonies made every '80s kid believe the impossible was possible by showing what happens when a group of misfit children decide to abandon common sense and take a chance on a seemingly impossible treasure hunt. The film pulls inspiration from everyone’s favorite action-adventure heartthrob, Indiana Jones, by paralleling it in its style, wit, flair, and humor. Even if you haven’t seen either film, you can even see the similarities between the Goonies and the Raiders of the Lost Ark posters in terms of similar color schemes and gradient dark to light fonts.

6 The Breakfast Club (1985)

Cast of The Breakfast Club sitting
Universal Pictures

“Don't you forget about me.” The famous song from the band Simple Minds hits home when it plays during the credits for the '80s cult classic, The Breakfast Club. The song poses the theme of the film, which follows five high school students who are stuck at school on a Saturday to serve out detention. These students are all from different backgrounds and wouldn’t normally engage with one another during a normal school day.

Related: These 1980s Movies Had the Boldest ‘80s Fashion

However, circumstances force them together and, as the day goes on, each has a story to tell, making their classmates see them in a different light. The student’s bond, forming friendships and even romances. However, after their detention is over, they part ways, leaving the audience in wonder. Will the newfound friendships last, or will they forget about each other as the song suggests?

5 The Shining (1980)

Jack breaks down the door in The Shining
Warner Bros.

Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) suffers from writer’s block. He accepts a full-time, live-in position at the Overlook Hotel and soon moves in with his wife and son. However, things are not what they seem, and Jack soon discovers dark secrets hidden within the walls of the isolated hotel. Directed by Stanley Kubrick from the Stephen King book, the film has the perfect blend of art, entertainment, and horror. In addition, The Shining’s ambiguous plot is still speculated about today in a cult-like following of wild theories.

Perhaps that’s the reason the movie has aged so well and is still considered to be a horror masterpiece, as its secrets have yet to be fully explained. What exactly happened to Danny in room 237 (something the documentary about the film's cult following, Room 237, explores)? What does the baffling black-and-white photograph at the end of the film mean? The film is essentially a mystery and moviegoers love a good puzzle to muse over. When in doubt, you know a movie is a cult classic when only two words achieve icon status: “Here’s Jonny!”

4 Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

The cast of Ferris Buellers Day Off in a museum
Paramount Pictures

What happens when a high school senior decides to cut class and spend one last day before graduation having the time of his life? “Anyone? Anyone?” Shenanigans, mayhem, and craziness ensue. This film is a cult classic for several reasons. First, it indulges nearly every high schooler’s fantasy of cutting class, letting their imagination run wild, and getting away with it all.

Plus, throughout the film, Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) breaks the fourth wall a lot to offer life advice or to comment on his friends. Breaking the fourth wall is an uncommon technique as it can be jarring. However, in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, it adds a touch of intimacy, and it’s as if the viewers are among Ferris Bueller’s most trusted confidants and are in on his schemes. In addition, the film relies heavily on over-the-top deadpan humor and contains one of the most quoted classroom scenes ever: “Bueller… Bueller… Bueller…”

3 Beetlejuice (1988)

Beetlejuice
Warner Bros. Pictures

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlej-” Homeowners Adam and Barbara Maitland don’t realize they are dead until the unbearable Deetzes move into their house and proceed to redecorate the entire premises. The Maitlands want the new family out so they can live (or rest) in peace, as they are unable to leave their home under the penalty of a dire fate. In an attempt to banish this new and strange family living among them, they hire Beetlejuice, a freelance “bio-exorcist” to scare off the Deetzes.

Related: Movies From the 80s That We Couldn't Live Without

However, they quickly discover that Beetlejuice is more than they can handle but to vanquish him, they’ll have to say his name three times in a row, a task which Beetlejuice will do anything to prevent from happening. Directed by Tim Burton, the king of gothic fantasy and oddball films, this cult classic features one of the most bizarre, yet iconic dinner scenes ever.

2 The Princess Bride (1987)

The lovers hold each other in the forest while Ewels holds a sword
20th Century Studios

Do you want to know why The Princess Bride made this list? “As you wish.” The Princess Bride has it all: romance, adventures, epic sword fights, giants, and even a 6 fingered man. Believing to have lost her true love Westly in a shipwreck, Buttercup swears that she will never love again. She agrees to marry Prince Humperdinck, hoping this new relationship will drown her sorrow. However, she soon discovers Westly is still alive and wishes to break her engagement with the prince to marry him. While he agrees, Prince Humperdinck schemes in secret, hoping to outsmart Buttercup but proving to all that he is the true imbecile. Besides the action-packed story, The Princess Bride inconceivably contains some of the most quoted lines in movie history. “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”

1 Labyrinth (1986)

Bowie holds a ball in Labyrinth
TriStar Pictures

“Turn back, Sarah. Turn back before it’s too late” Labyrinth is one magical and mystical ride. Follow Sarah, (Jennifer Connelly) as she braves the monstrous Labyrinth, attempting to outsmart goblin king Jareth (David Bowie in a classic role) and all his tricks and empty promises. She has just 13 hours to solve the Labyrinth to save her baby brother Toby from being turned into a goblin. However, the maze is populated with strange and unique creatures, and not all of them can be trusted.

This musical adventure features classic songs from the legendary David Bowie. Favorites like “Magic Dance,” “Underground,” and “As The World Falls Down” helped shape the film into the musical classic it is. With its dreamy music, surreal settings, and bizarre characters, Labyrinth feels dreamlike. While it may have been a commercial failure, it eventually found a fanbase and is now a beloved cult classic.