The 1980s was a decade of significant change in the film industry, marked by the emergence of new technologies, the birth of the blockbuster, and the introduction of a new breed of action stars. It saw the release of some of the most successful and beloved movies of all time, many of which still hold a special place in the hearts of audiences today. From epic adventures to heartwarming dramas, these films dominated the box office and impacted popular culture.

This article will look at the biggest box office successes of the '80s, ranked by their worldwide gross. Get ready to relive the magic of some of the most iconic movies of all time!

10 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom- Mine Cart Chase
Distributed by Paramount Pictures

Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom was released as a prequel to the 1981 film Raiders of the Lost Ark and the second installment in the Indiana Jones franchise. Set in 1935, this action-packed film follows Indy on a quest to find a missing sacred stone and rescue enslaved children from the evil Thuggee cult. Upon its release, Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom received mixed reviews from both fans and critics. Some criticized the film for its intense violence, while others praised its thrilling action and adventure. However, the critical response to the film has improved over time, and it is now widely regarded as a classic in the action-adventure genre.

Despite the initial mixed reception, the film was a huge box office success, grossing over $333 million on a production budget of $28.17 million. This success helped establish the Indiana Jones franchise as one of the most popular and lucrative in film history.

9 Rain Man (1988)

rain man
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc

Directed by Barry Levinson and starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman, Rain Man tells the touching story of a young, selfish man named Charlie Babbitt who embarks on a road trip with his estranged, autistic savant brother Raymond. Along the way, Charlie learns to appreciate his brother's unique gifts and talents, and the two develop a close bond. Upon release, Rain Man was met with critical acclaim and quickly became a box office smash hit, grossing over $354 million worldwide. In fact, the movie was the highest-grossing film of the year, surpassing even blockbuster action movies and science fiction epics. Its success can be attributed to its powerful performances, especially Dustin Hoffman's portrayal of Raymond, which earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor.

In addition to its commercial success, Rain Man was widely recognized for its impact on the public's understanding of autism. The film's honest and compassionate portrayal of an autistic character helped to break down stereotypes and misconceptions about autism and sparked meaningful conversations about the condition.

8 Top Gun (1986)

TopGun1986-Paramount
Paramount Pictures

Directed by Tony Scott and starring Tom Cruise as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, a young and confident naval aviator, Top Gun follows the elite pilots of Fighter Weapons School as they compete to become the best of the best. With its pulse-pounding aerial scenes, electrifying soundtrack, and memorable characters, the film was an instant hit with audiences, grossing over $356 million worldwide.

Its box office success cemented Tom Cruise's status as a leading man and turned Top Gun into a cultural phenomenon, with its iconic imagery and quotes becoming part of the popular lexicon. The film was also praised for its technical expertise and attention to detail. From the realistic flight scenes to the expertly choreographed dogfights, Top Gun was a testament to the art of filmmaking, showcasing the latest advancements in special effects technology and thrilling audiences with its explosive action sequences.

RELATED: The Best Adventure Movies of the 1980s, Ranked

7 Back to the Future (1985)

back to the future 1985 lou's cafe
Universal Pictures

Regarded as one of the top sci-fi movies of all time by the American Film Institute, Back to the Future tells the story of Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox), a high school student with a knack for guitar playing. He accidentally travels back in time and must make his high-school-aged parents fall in love to secure his return to the present. The film is a masterpiece, featuring a heartwarming and humorous storyline, and was praised by critics for its tight construction.

It was an instant success after its release, grossing over $385 million globally and becoming the highest-grossing film of 1985.

6 Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
Paramount Pictures

The famous Indiana Jones franchise debuted in 1981 with Raiders of the Lost Ark, which featured the iconic Fedora hat-wearing, whip-wielding hero Indy (Harrison Ford). In the movie, Indian Jones, an adventurer and archeologist is hired by the U.S. government to recover the long-lost Ark of the Covenant before the Nazi Germans can get a hold of it. Upon its debut, the movie became an instant hit, with audiences propelling the character of Jones onto the very top of the cinematic world. The film is packed with action and adventure, which it received critical praise for and has come to be deemed as one of the greatest movies ever made.

It was also wildly successful at the box office, grossing over 389 million dollars, making it the highest-grossing film of 1981.

5 Batman (1989)

batman-1989
Warner Bros.

In the final year of the 1980s, the arrival of the first modern superhero and one of the most popular Batman installments took the movie world by storm. With Jack Nicholson playing the infamous Joker and Michael Keaton playing Bruce Wayne, Batman (1989) follows the story of Bruce Wayne/Batman, a vigilante from Gotham city, as he attempts to keep citizens safe by battling evil forces, especially the clownishly homicidal Joker. Upon release, the film received positive responses from its audience and became critically acclaimed, with most critics praising its production design and Batman and the Joker's performances.

Batman was successful at the box office, grossing over $411 million worldwide from a budget of 48 million dollars.

4 Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)

Darth Vader from Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
20th Century Fox

Set against the backdrop of a galactic civil war, Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi is the final installment of the original Star Wars trilogy and follows the journey of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo as they face off against the evil Empire and its formidable leader, Darth Vader. The epic conclusion to the classic story is filled with thrilling action, touching moments, and classic Star Wars instances that have become iconic in pop culture. Return of the Jedi was a box office sensation, earning over $475 million worldwide. However, the film is often seen as the worst of the original trilogy despite being a commercial and critical success.

RELATED: The All-Time Best 80s Movies Ever Made, Ranked

3 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade- Elsa Schneider
Distributed by Paramount Pictures

Starring Harrison Ford as the iconic archaeologist-adventurer, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is the third film in the classic Indiana Jones franchise. It follows Indiana as he embarks on a perilous quest to find the Holy Grail, a journey that takes him across the globe and pits him against Nazis, dangerous cults, and other obstacles. Along the way, he is joined by his father, played by Sean Connery, in a touching and humorous portrayal that adds depth to the film.

The much-awaited sequel received positive responses from critics and its audience upon its release, with some noting that it was more comedic and lighter than its predecessor. The film was a financial success at the box office, grossing over $475 million globally, making it the highest-grossing of the first three movies and the highest-earning film of 1989.

2 Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Yoda training Luke
20th Century Fox

Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, a sequel to Star Wars (1977) and the second film in the Star Wars series, follows Sky Walker (Mark Hamil) as he begins Jedi training to master the force and face Darth Vader. The film is an excellent timeless classic and is considered the best sequel in the overall series due to its snappier dialogue and heightened emotions. With its well-known storyline, The Empire Strikes Back received a positive response upon its debut and is considered one of the greatest films ever made. It is also critically acclaimed, with some critics stating that it is dark and sinister but more evolving than its predecessor.

The movie scored big at the box office, grossing over $538 million worldwide, making it the second highest-grossing film of the 80s.

1 E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

e.t.-the-extra-terrestrial-1982-1 (1)
Universal Pictures

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a science fiction story of a young boy named Elliott (Henry Thomas) who befriends a stranded alien and helps him return home, all while evading the attention of government agents. Through its heartwarming and emotional story, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial explores themes of friendship, loneliness, and the search for belonging. The film's innovative use of special effects and its touching story captivated audiences and quickly made it a cultural phenomenon.

It even received a certified approval rating of 99% on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie was wildly successful at the box office, grossing $399.8 million domestically and $796 million globally from a budget of 10.5 million, making it the highest-grossing film of the 80s.