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 8, 1981 - The Burning Premieres in Theaters

On This Day: May 8, 1981 - The Burning Premieres in Theaters

On May 8, 1981, the slasher film The Burning premiered in theaters. Directed by Tony Maylam, the movie was inspired by the urban legend of the Cropsey killer and centered on a summer camp caretaker who returns to stalk and murder teenagers after being horribly disfigured in a prank gone wrong...
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On This Day: May 7, 1988 - Salsa Premieres in Theaters

On This Day: May 7, 1988 - Salsa Premieres in Theaters

On this day May 7, 1988, the dance drama Salsa premiered in theaters. Directed by Boaz Davidson, the film starred Robby Rosa of Menudo fame as a young man determined to become the king of the salsa dance floor while balancing friendship, romance, and ambition. Rodney Harvey co-starred along with...
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On This Day: May 7, 1982 - Forbidden World Premieres in Theaters

On This Day: May 7, 1982 - Forbidden World Premieres in Theaters

On this day May 7, 1982, the sci fi horror film Forbidden World premiered in theaters. Directed by Allan Holzman and produced by Roger Corman, the film starred Jesse Vint and Dawn Dunlap and followed a space traveler sent to a remote research station where a genetic experiment has gone violently...
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On This Day: May 7, 1982 - Death Valley Premieres in Theaters in the U.S.

On This Day: May 7, 1982 - Death Valley Premieres in Theaters in the U.S.

On this day May 7, 1982, the horror thriller Death Valley premiered in theaters all over the U.S. Directed by Dick Richards, the film followed a young boy who becomes the target of a serial killer while on a road trip with his mother and her new boyfriend through the Arizona desert. The cast...
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On This Day: May 7, 1982 - Paradise Premieres in Theaters

On This Day: May 7, 1982 - Paradise Premieres in Theaters

On this day May 7, 1982, the romantic adventure film Paradise premiered in theaters. Directed by Stuart Gillard, the film starred Phoebe Cates and Willie Aames as two young lovers who find themselves stranded in the Middle East and must survive in a remote oasis after escaping from danger...
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On This Day: May 7, 1982 - Diner Premieres in Theaters in the U.S.

On This Day: May 7, 1982 - Diner Premieres in Theaters in the U.S.

On this day May 7, 1982, the coming of age comedy drama Diner premiered in theaters all over the US. Directed by Barry Levinson in his feature debut, the film starred Steve Guttenberg, Daniel Stern, Mickey Rourke, Kevin Bacon, Timothy Daly, and Ellen Barkin in a nostalgic story about a group of...
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On This Day: May 6, 1988 - Jack’s Back Premieres in Theaters

On This Day: May 6, 1988 - Jack’s Back Premieres in Theaters

On this day May 6, 1988, the psychological thriller Jack’s Back premiered in theaters. Directed by Rowdy Herrington, the film starred James Spader in a dual role as twin brothers caught in the middle of a modern day Jack the Ripper style killing spree in Los Angeles. The cast also featured...
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On This Day: May 6, 1988 - Shakedown Premieres in Theaters

On This Day: May 6, 1988 - Shakedown Premieres in Theaters

On this day May 6, 1988, the action crime thriller Shakedown hit theaters, directed by James Glickenhaus and starring Peter Weller and Sam Elliott. The film followed a street smart cop and a burned out defense attorney who team up to expose corruption within the New York City police force while...
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On This Day: May 6, 1988 - Dead Heat Premieres in Theaters

On This Day: May 6, 1988 - Dead Heat Premieres in Theaters

On this day May 6, 1988, the action horror comedy Dead Heat premiered in theaters. Directed by Mark Goldblatt, the film starred Treat Williams and Joe Piscopo as a pair of detectives who uncover a bizarre plot involving reanimated criminals. The cast also featured Darren McGavin, Lindsay Frost...
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On This Day: May 6, 1983 - Still Smokin Premieres in Theaters

On This Day: May 6, 1983 - Still Smokin Premieres in Theaters

On this day May 6, 1983, Cheech and Chong’s comedy film Still Smokin premiered in theaters. Directed by Tommy Chong, the movie blended sketch comedy with a loose storyline that followed the duo as they were mistakenly invited to an international film festival in Amsterdam. The film featured...
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On This Day: May 6, 1988 - Jack’s Back Premieres in Theaters

On This Day: May 6, 1988 - Jack’s Back Premieres in Theaters

On May 6, 1988, the psychological thriller Jack’s Back premiered in theaters. Directed by Rowdy Herrington, the film starred James Spader in a dual role as twin brothers caught in the middle of a modern day Jack the Ripper style killing spree in Los Angeles. The cast also featured Cynthia Gibb...
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On This Day: May 5, 1989 - Signs of Life Premieres in Theaters

On This Day: May 5, 1989 - Signs of Life Premieres in Theaters

On May 5, 1989, the independent drama Signs of Life premiered in theaters. Directed by John David Coles, the film starred Beau Bridges and Vincent D’Onofrio and featured a strong supporting cast including Arthur Kennedy, Kevin J. O’Connor, Will Patton, Georgia Engel, Kathy Bates, Mary-Louise...
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On This Day: May 5, 1989 - Listen to Me Premieres in Theaters

On This Day: May 5, 1989 - Listen to Me Premieres in Theaters

On May 5, 1989, the teen drama Listen to Me premiered in theaters. Directed by Douglas Day Stewart, the film starred Kirk Cameron and Jami Gertz as college students competing on a national debate team. The cast also included Roy Scheider, Amanda Peterson, George Wyner, Anthony Zerbe, Quinn...
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On This Day: May 4, 1984 - The Bounty Premieres in Theaters

On This Day: May 4, 1984 - The Bounty Premieres in Theaters

On May 4, 1984, the historical adventure film The Bounty premiered in theaters. Directed by Roger Donaldson, the film starred Mel Gibson as Fletcher Christian and Anthony Hopkins as Captain Bligh in a retelling of the famous mutiny aboard the HMS Bounty. The cast also included Edward Fox and...
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On This Day: May 4, 1984 - Alphabet City Premieres in Theaters

On This Day: May 4, 1984 - Alphabet City Premieres in Theaters

On May 4, 1984, the crime drama Alphabet City premiered in theaters. Directed by Amos Poe, the film starred Vincent Spano as a young drug dealer in New York City who is forced to choose between loyalty to his criminal life and saving his family. The cast also featured Jami Gertz and Michael...
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On This Day: May 4, 1988 - The House on Carroll Street Premieres in Theaters

On This Day: May 4, 1988 - The House on Carroll Street Premieres in Theaters

On May 4, 1988, the political thriller The House on Carroll Street premiered in theaters. Directed by Peter Yates, the film starred Kelly McGillis as a magazine editor who uncovers a government conspiracy in 1950s America. The cast also included Jeff Daniels and Mandy Patinkin in supporting...
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On This Day: May 4, 1984 - Breakin’ Premieres in Theaters

On This Day: May 4, 1984 - Breakin’ Premieres in Theaters

On May 4, 1984, Breakin’ premiered in theaters, bringing street dance and hip hop culture to the big screen during the early rise of breakdancing in America. Directed by Joel Silberg, the film starred Adolfo Shabba Doo Quinones, Michael Boogaloo Shrimp Chambers, and Lucinda Dickey in a story...
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On This Day: May 4, 1984 - Sixteen Candles Premieres in Theaters

On This Day: May 4, 1984 - Sixteen Candles Premieres in Theaters

On May 4, 1984, Sixteen Candles premiered in theaters, marking the directorial debut of John Hughes. Starring Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, and Michael Schoeffling, the film told the story of Samantha Baker whose family forgets her sixteenth birthday while she secretly pines for the most...
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On This Day: May 3, 1985 - Private Resort Premieres in Theaters

On This Day: May 3, 1985 - Private Resort Premieres in Theaters

On May 3, 1985, the teen comedy Private Resort was released in theaters. Directed by George Bowers, the film starred a young Johnny Depp in one of his first movie roles alongside Rob Morrow, Emily Longstreth, Toni Azito, Dody Goodman, Leslie Easterbrook, and Hector Elizondo. Set at a luxury...
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On This Day: May 3, 1985 - Gymkata Premieres in Theaters

On This Day: May 3, 1985 - Gymkata Premieres in Theaters

On May 3, 1985, the martial arts action film Gymkata was released in theaters. Directed by Robert Clouse, the movie starred Olympic gymnast Kurt Thomas as a U.S. athlete recruited by the government to compete in a deadly international competition in a fictional country. Gymkata gained attention...
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