<<< See the Top 10 of 1984

Ah, 1985, when we're really hitting our superficial stride. Michael Jackson and gang perform "We Are the World," and Live Aid is staged, both to combat African hunger. The 49ers take down Superbowl XIX against Miami. In one of the stranger marketing campaigns in history, New Coke debuts, flops, and gets replaced by Classic Coke. The Nintendo game system is released. Ronald Reagan begins his second term in office

David Lee Roth leaves Van Halen. Michael Jackson purchases the rights to a slew of Beatles songs. Guns N' Roses form, and Devo call it quits.

Bruce Springsteen, Duran Duran, Don Henley, Phil Collins, Eddie Murphy ("Party All the Time") and Tina Turner all enjoy success.

And in the world of cinema, the top 10 movies of 1985 are:

1. Back to the Future
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Stars: Michael J Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover, Claudia Wells
Why a Fave? It took the cross-generational, feel-good summer blockbuster to a new level. Watching the movie today makes me remember the '80s nostalgically. Plus, who doesn't like to let their film geek flag fly with a well-timed "McFly?!"

2. Color Purple
Director: Steven Spielberg
Stars: Oprah Winfrey, Danny Glover, Whoopi Goldberg, Margaret Avery, Willard E. Pugh
Why a Fave? Super performances by all and brilliantly directed by Spielberg (who some insist was snubbed for a Best Director award). This film, based on an Alice Walker novel, really shows how multi-talented Oprah is.

3. Out of Africa
Director: Sydney Pollack
Stars: Meryl Streep, Robert Redford, Klaus Maria Brandauer
Why a Fave? It won 7 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. Isn't that enough?

4. Fletch
Director: Michael Ritchie
Stars: Chevy Chase, Joe Don Baker, Dana Wheeler-Nicholson, Richard Libertini, Tim Matheson
Why a Fave? It has Chevy Chase at his very best. "You using the whole fist, Doc? "

5. Pee-Wee's Big Adventure
Director: Tim Burton
Stars: Paul Reubens, Elizabeth Daily, Mark Holton, Diane Salinger, Judd Omen
Why a Fave? Because it was such goofy fun. Because it had such a great tagline in "The story of a rebel and his bike." Because the late Phil hartman was a writer on the movie. Because it gives a unique perspective to Paul Reubens' other life.

6. Silverado
Director: Lawrence Kasdan
Stars: Kevin Kline, Scott Glenn, Kevin Costner, Danny Glover, Brian Dennehy, John Cleese, Linda Hunt
Why a Fave? It took the western and gave it an '80's spin: big budget, big stars, big plot.

7. Brazil
Director: Terry Gilliam
Stars: Jonathan Pryce, Kim Greist, Michael Palin, Robert De Niro, Katherine Helmond, Bob Hoskins, Ian Holm
Why a Fave? Because the visuals matched up with the zaniness so perfectly.

8. Cocoon
Director: Ron Howard
Stars: Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley, Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy, Maureen Stapleton, Gwen Verdon, Steve Guttenberg, Brian Dennehy, Jack Gilford
Why a Fave? This movie had everything: old folk love, aliens, eternal life, adventure, and Steve Guttenberg.

9. St. Elmo's Fire
Director: Joel Schumacher
Stars: Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Andrew McCarthy, Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson
Why a Fave? While not a great movie by any means, this makes the cut because it captures the ridiculousness of the '80s so perfectly. This is the Hollywood "brat pack" at its worst.

10. The Breakfast Club
Director: John Hughes
Stars: Emilio Estevez, Paul Gleason, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy
Why a Fave? Because this captures the Hollywood "brat pack" at its best, thanks to the writing and directing skills of Hughes. This goes down in history as one of the best high school movies ever.

Discuss the best movies of 1985 in the Film.com forums.

<<< See the Top 10 of 1984

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