1984 gave us a little bit of everything. Horror icons, action heroes we still watch on the big screen today, revolutionary documentaries, and so much more. When you look back on the year, it seems nearly impossible to believe all of the work that came out that year actually came out in that short of a time frame.
Let’s look at some of the most essential movies of 1984.
‘The Terminator’
James Cameron’s original action sci-fi thriller, like so many of his films, pioneered new forms of visual effects to create one of the most iconic movie “monsters?” of all time in the form of a giant metal endoskeleton. The film inspired nearly half a dozen film sequels in the succeeding decades, seasons of TV, video games, you name it.
The humble beginnings of the franchise are so intriguing to look back on when examining the film on its individual merits. There is an indie griminess to the film that shines through the blocking, the occasionally spotty cutting in action scenes, and the general vibe that the team was inventing a new form of action storytelling as they were going.
The story itself isn’t anything revolutionary, but the craft and form still feels so singular. There is a haunting sense of romanticism to the original film that never quite returns in any of the sequels that sets the original apart as a wholly unique miracle of a film.
A Nightmare on Elm Street
‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’Credit: New Line Cinema
Another multi-generational franchise starter, A Nightmare on Elm Street cemented Freddy Krueger as one of the most iconic horror baddies of all time, and carved Wes Craven’s name into the horror filmmaker hall of fame.
The original film, as well as many of its sequels have become staples during the Halloween season every year. The original film boasts a star-studded cast, jaw-dropping practical effects, a beautiful score, and the ability to terrify anyone out of prioritizing one of the most important elements of our physical health: getting a good night’s sleep.
Horror is always harnessed most effectively when it preys on something that you either cannot control, or can’t live without. A Nightmare on Elm Street happens to do both.
Stop Making Sense
‘Stop Making Sense’Credit: A24
Talking Heads’ iconic concert film Stop Making Sense has made a large resurgence in recent years thanks to A24s 4K restoration and rerelease, however, its influence on concert films and documentary work of the time is hard to overlook. It is widely regarded as the greatest concert film of all time, with David Byrne’s iconic oversized suit being a visual centerpiece that has been parodied and homaged in the media ever since.
The concert itself isn’t particularly concerned with a specific area or album of Talking Heads that may have been big at the time. The catalogue of performance ranges from their earliest works, to their most recent singles. The direction by Jonathon Demme showcases the potential of versatility in such a confined, pre-determined space. The preservation of the environment is otherworldly, as even over forty years later, you still feel like you’re in that concert hall experiencing it all for the first time. It’s not one to miss.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom’Credit: Walt Disney Studios
You all knew this one was coming. One of the most infamous movies of all time from a business perspective, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is credited alongside Gremlins with creating the PG-13 rating. After lots of angry messages from parents after that traumatizing double-play, director and producer Steven Spielberg advocated for the new rating, with approval coming in almost immediately.
The film itself still absolutely rocks. Despite certain conversations of poor country representation, and audiences generally preferring Raiders and Last Crusade, the film has some of the most daring pacing for a blockbuster of its time. It’s action set piece after action set piece with very little room to breathe. Its scale is absolutely massive, with each new sequence containing some form of elaborate theme park-style spectacle. It’s a feast for the eyes, and deeply educational for anyone who wants to learn how to hold tension and prolong action scenes as much as possible.
Ghostbusters
‘Ghostbusters’Credit: Columbia Pictures
Clearly the theme of the day is franchise starters, because the original, classic Ghostbusters is once again responsible for nearly half a dozen follow-up films, TV spin-offs, video game tie-ins, you name it.
The little horror-comedy that could, the film holds a humble charm to it that is enough to make any battle-hardened, modern-day audience member swoon with delight. Its blending of comedy and horror in a mostly family-friendly fashion made it the perfect introduction to both genres for countless kids of the time, and beyond. It still holds one of the greatest jump scares of all time in its classic “get her!” moment, and its endless quotability along with the iconic song tie-in makes it one of the most iconic films of all time.
Honorable Mentions
There are plenty more films from throughout 1984 that deserve just as much love as the ones above.
- Amadeus
- Once Upon a Time in America
- Beverly Hills Cop
- Gremlins
- The Karate Kid
- This is Spinal Tap
- Footloose
- Purple Rain
- Body Double
- Paris, Texas
- Stranger Than Paradise
- Blood Simple
- Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
- Star Man
- Repo Man
- Police Academy
