On This Day in 80s Movies

Step back into the golden age of cinema with our ‘On This Day in 80s Movies’ section. Every day, we revisit the film releases and cinematic events that defined the decade. From blockbuster premieres to groundbreaking achievements in filmmaking, explore the moments that made the 80s a landmark era for movies.

Welcome to the We Love the Eighties Community

This community is dedicated to the music, movies, television, games, radio, and pop culture that defined the 1980s. It is a place for people who lived the decade, as well as those who appreciate what made it unforgettable. Members use this forum to check in during live radio blocks, share weekly listening memories, and talk about what the music, shows, and moments of the 80s bring back for them. Guests are welcome to browse selected discussions, while full participation requires registration. If you would like to understand the intent behind this community and how it is curated, you can read more here: About This Community. Explore current conversations, share your memories, and take part in a community built around real 80s experiences.

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On This Day: May 20, 1987 - Beverly Hills Cop II Premiered in Theaters

On This Day: May 20, 1987 - Beverly Hills Cop II Premiered in Theaters

On this day May 20, 1987, Beverly Hills Cop II premiered in theaters and became one of the biggest box office hits of the year. Directed by Tony Scott, the film brought back Eddie Murphy as the fast talking Detroit detective Axel Foley. He reunited with Judge Reinhold and Ronny Cox while John...
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On This Day: May 20, 1983 - Tough Enough Premiered in Theaters

On This Day: May 20, 1983 - Tough Enough Premiered in Theaters

On this day May 20, 1983, the drama film Tough Enough premiered in theaters. Directed by Richard Fleischer, the movie starred Dennis Quaid as a struggling country singer who enters a tough man fighting contest to earn extra money. The cast also featured Pam Grier, Warren Oates and Stan Shaw...
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On This Day: May 20, 1983 - Spacehunter Adventures in the Forbidden Zone Premiered in Theaters

On This Day: May 20, 1983 - Spacehunter Adventures in the Forbidden Zone Premiered in Theaters

On this day May 20, 1983, the sci fi action film Spacehunter Adventures in the Forbidden Zone premiered in theaters. Directed by Lamont Johnson, the movie starred Peter Strauss, a young Molly Ringwald, Ernie Hudson and Michael Ironside. Released during the wave of early 80s science fiction, the...
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On This Day: May 19, 1989 - Miracle Mile Premiered in Theaters

On This Day: May 19, 1989 - Miracle Mile Premiered in Theaters

On this day May 19, 1989, the apocalyptic thriller Miracle Mile premiered in theaters. Directed by Steve De Jarnatt, the film starred Anthony Edwards and Mare Winningham in a tense race against time after a man accidentally learns that a nuclear war is about to begin. The film begins as a...
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On This Day: May 19, 1989 - How I Got into College Premiered in Theaters

On This Day: May 19, 1989 - How I Got into College Premiered in Theaters

On this day May 19, 1989, the teen comedy How I Got into College premiered in theaters. Directed by Savage Steve Holland, the film followed a high school senior’s frantic efforts to get accepted into college to be near the girl of his dreams. The cast featured Anthony Edwards, Lara Flynn Boyle...
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On This Day: May 19, 1989 - Fright Night Part 2 Premiered in Theaters

On This Day: May 19, 1989 - Fright Night Part 2 Premiered in Theaters

On this day May 19, 1989, Fright Night Part 2 premiered in theaters as the sequel to the cult horror hit Fright Night. Directed by Tommy Lee Wallace, the film continued the story of Charley Brewster and Peter Vincent as they once again battled the undead. Returning stars included Roddy McDowall...
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On This Day: May 19, 1989 - Road House Premiered in Theaters

On This Day: May 19, 1989 - Road House Premiered in Theaters

On this day May 19, 1989, the cult action classic Road House premiered in theaters. Directed by Rowdy Herrington, the film starred Patrick Swayze as Dalton, a mysterious and skilled bouncer hired to clean up the Double Deuce, a rowdy bar in a small Missouri town. The cast also featured Ben...
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On This Day: May 18, 1984 - Making the Grade Hit Theaters

On This Day: May 18, 1984 - Making the Grade Hit Theaters

On this day May 18, 1984, the teen comedy Making the Grade premiered in theaters. Directed by Dorian Walker, the film starred Judd Nelson, Jonna Lee, Gordon Jump, Walter Olkewicz, Ronald Lacey and Dana Olsen. It brought a prep school twist to the classic class clash formula of the 1980s, earning...
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On This Day: May 18, 1983 - The Moon in the Gutter Premiered in Theaters

On This Day: May 18, 1983 - The Moon in the Gutter Premiered in Theaters

On this day May 18, 1983, the French psychological drama The Moon in the Gutter premiered in theaters. Directed by Jean Jacques Beineix, the film starred Gérard Depardieu and Nastassja Kinski and was known for its striking visuals and stylized cinematography. Despite high expectations following...
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On This Day: May 17, 1985 - Ordeal by Innocence Premiered in Theaters in the U.S.

On This Day: May 17, 1985 - Ordeal by Innocence Premiered in Theaters in the U.S.

On this day May 17, 1985, the mystery thriller Ordeal by Innocence premiered in theaters in the U.S. Directed by Desmond Davis, the film starred Donald Sutherland and Faye Dunaway and was based on the 1958 novel by Agatha Christie. The story followed a man who returns home years after the murder...
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On This Day: May 16, 1983 - Deadly Eyes Premiered in Theaters

On This Day: May 16, 1983 - Deadly Eyes Premiered in Theaters

On this day May 16, 1983, the horror film Deadly Eyes premiered in theaters. Directed by Robert Clouse, best known for Enter the Dragon, the film starred Sam Groom, Scatman Crothers and Sara Botsford. Loosely based on the novel The Rats by James Herbert, Deadly Eyes offered a gruesome take on...
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On This Day: May 16, 1980 - The Long Riders Premiered in Theaters

On This Day: May 16, 1980 - The Long Riders Premiered in Theaters

On this day May 16, 1980, the Western film The Long Riders premiered in theaters. Directed by Walter Hill, the movie told the story of the infamous James Younger Gang and was noted for its unique casting choice. Real life brothers portrayed the outlaw siblings, including James and Stacy Keach...
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On This Day: May 16, 1980 - Fame Premiered in Theaters

On This Day: May 16, 1980 - Fame Premiered in Theaters

On this day May 16, 1980, the musical drama Fame premiered in theaters, directed by Alan Parker and starring Irene Cara, Barry Miller, Lee Curreri and Gene Anthony Ray. The film followed a group of aspiring performers at New York City's High School of Performing Arts as they navigated the...
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On This Day: May 16, 1986 - Top Gun Premiered in Theaters

On This Day: May 16, 1986 - Top Gun Premiered in Theaters

On this day May 16, 1986, Top Gun premiered in theaters across the United States, launching Tom Cruise into superstardom and delivering one of the most iconic films of the decade. Directed by Tony Scott and starring Tom Cruise as Pete Maverick Mitchell and Val Kilmer as Iceman, the film combined...
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On This Day: May 15, 1987 - Ishtar Released in Theaters

On This Day: May 15, 1987 - Ishtar Released in Theaters

On this day May 15, 1987, the adventure comedy Ishtar was released in theaters, directed by Elaine May and starring Dustin Hoffman, Warren Beatty, Isabelle Adjani and Charles Grodin. Despite featuring two of Hollywood’s biggest stars and a well known director, the film became one of the most...
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On This Day: May 15, 1987 - The Gate Released in Theaters

On This Day: May 15, 1987 - The Gate Released in Theaters

On this day May 15, 1987, the supernatural horror film The Gate was released in theaters, bringing a mix of practical effects, heavy metal lore and childhood terror to the big screen. Directed by Tibor Takács, the film starred Stephen Dorff in his feature debut alongside Kelly Rowan, Jennifer...
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On This Day: May 15, 1981 - The Fan Released in Theaters

On This Day: May 15, 1981 - The Fan Released in Theaters

On this day May 15, 1981, the psychological thriller The Fan was released in theaters. Directed by Edward Bianchi and starring Lauren Bacall, Michael Biehn, Maureen Stapleton and James Garner, the film explored the dangerous obsession of a fan who turns violent when his favorite actress does not...
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On This Day: May 15, 1981 - The Harlem Globetrotters Appeared on Gilligan’s Island in a Made for TV Movie

On This Day: May 15, 1981 - The Harlem Globetrotters Appeared on Gilligan’s Island in a Made for TV Movie

On this day May 15, 1981, NBC aired The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan’s Island, a two hour made for TV movie that brought together one of television’s most iconic casts with the world famous basketball entertainers. Airing from 8:00 to 10:00 PM, the special attracted over 15 million viewers...
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On This Day: May 14, 1986 - Sweet Liberty Released in Theaters

On This Day: May 14, 1986 - Sweet Liberty Released in Theaters

On this day May 14, 1986, the comedy film Sweet Liberty was released in theaters. Written and directed by Alan Alda, who also starred in the film, it featured an ensemble cast including Michael Caine and Michelle Pfeiffer. The movie offered a satirical look at the collision between academic...
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On This Day: May 14, 1982 - The House Where Evil Dwells Released in Theaters

On This Day: May 14, 1982 - The House Where Evil Dwells Released in Theaters

On this day May 14, 1982, the supernatural horror film The House Where Evil Dwells was released in theaters. Directed by Kevin Connor and starring Edward Albert, Susan George and Doug McClure, the film blended American horror with a Japanese ghost story setting, offering a unique East meets West...
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