8 Recent Movies That Feel like ’80s Classics

Nostalgia gets a lot of mileage these days. Take a show like Stranger Things. While successful on its own merits, it is undeniable that the pang for the 1980s “simpler times” is a defining factor in the series’ longevity. TV seems to be the perfect vehicle for immersing viewers in a decade, with multiple episodes able to tackle it from different angles over the course of multiple seasons, to the point where it very much feels like a product of that timeframe.

For film, capturing a past decade can be a bit more of a challenge, but these 10 movies pulled it off and not only brought us back to the era, but made us believe they could have been the very product of the time.

‘Psycho Goreman’ (2020)

Siblings Mimi (Nita-Josee Hanna) and Luke (Owen Myre) discover and resurrect a violent intergalactic tyrant named Psycho Goreman. Yet, the all-powerful killer is bound by a magical gem in possession of Mimi, who turns him into a reluctant friend. Together, the three navigate everyday life, with PG playing the role of reluctant friend, as well as protector, as intergalactic forces come to claim revenge.

Growing Up Psycho

Many horror movies attempt to pay homage to the ’80s, but few are successful at capturing the endearing aesthetic and vibes of the decade as much as Psycho Goreman. Over-the-top, fueled by a childlike obsession with the macabre, the Steven Kostanski film brings a nostalgic chaos to the screen that will leave viewers feeling immersed in the beloved era of horror cinema that offered outrageous premises and special effects in abundance.

‘Before I Change My Mind’ (2022)

Set in 1987 in a town in Alberta, Canada, Before I Change My Mind follows a non-binary teenager, Robin (Vaughan Murrae), as he navigates the complexities of school life and personal identity. It is during this time that he makes an unlikely friendship with Carter (Dominic Lippa), the school bully. Together, the two form a complicated bond and engage in increasingly perilous attempts to fit in.

The Struggle to Find Oneself Has Always Been There

A poignant and timeless coming-of-age story, Before I Change My Mind became acclaimed for its nuanced and authentic approach to exploring gender identity within the backdrop of a small town. Set in the late ’80s, the movie not only captures the era aesthetically through fashion, music, and cultural references. However, what makes the movie feel fully immersive in the era is its subtle humor, awkwardness, and melodramatic yet playful tone very much attuned with the vibes of many ’80s coming-of-age film.

‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story’ (2022)

A satirical biopic of famed musician “Weird Al” Yankovic (played by Daniel Radcliffe) follows the singer’s rise from secretive accordion enthusiast to the global stage. A gross exaggeration of his rise, being billed as the greatest musician of all time, falls in line with Yankovic’s loud, proud, and adored persona. The movie also surrounds itself with many icons of the era, including a fictional romance with Madonna.

Rising to Stardom in the ’80s

There is enough of a modern polish on Weird: The Al Yankovic Story that it is hard to say it feels directly out of the ’80s, but if you immerse yourself in the illusion. The highlighting of the era where he first found success, it is hard not to want this to be the objective reality of events in the decade that saw Weird Al become a cultural icon. Of course, the countless cultural references, the tunes, and the kind of humor that was more prevalent in the ’80s being featured, do not hurt the film’s feeling like a product of the era.

‘The Fablemans’ (2022)

The Fabelmans offers a semi-autobiographical film by Stephen Spielberg that touches on his early influences that got him interested in cinema. The story follows Sammy Fabelman (Gabriel LaBelle), growing up in a post-World War II America, who becomes captivated by the screen after seeing The Greatest Show on Earth. This leads to him obtaining his first camera, and starting to make movies with his family, which changes in tone and approach as he himself gets older.

Spilberg’s Reflections on the Past and His Love of Cinema

Heartfelt storytelling at its best from Stephen Spielberg, it is hard not to fall in love with The Fablemans and its homage to the drive for people to make art. While the film is set in the 1950s and 1960s, it taps into the sentiments and cinematic style that would come to define Spielberg’s early career. Moreover, the film-within-a-film angle showed a young Sammy Fabelman experimenting with techniques that would become integral to shaping ’80s cinema.

‘The Black Phone’ (2022)

13-year-old Finney Blake (Mason Thames) finds himself abducted by a mysterious figure who has been plaguing the community and sending them into a collective fear. While imprisoned, he discovers a black rotary phone, which, while not connected to anything, gives him access to those who were murdered previously. Through calls, Finney finds help in those warnings and is instructed on how to survive.

Terror in the Style and Tone of an ’80s Horror

Compelling performances and a dark, moody atmosphere made the character-driven horror Black Phone a smash hit, enough to warrant a sequel. While set in the 1970s, the film visually and in its execution takes more influence from the ’80s. Notably, the warm color tones, grainy textures, and a phenomenal synth-heavy score feel pulled directly from the era. Storywise, Black Phone also feels retro, like watching an ’80s Stephen King film, which became part of its appeal.

‘Willy’s Wonderland’ (2021)

A silent and enigmatic drifter (played by Nicholos Cage) finds himself the sole employee of a location known as Willy’s Wonderland. As he gets to work, he soon learns that the animatronics turn deadly at night. However, that is not going to stop him from doing his job, as he slays the robots and carries on his day, needing a paycheck to repair his car and get out of town.

Into the Ball Pit

A simple yet effective dark comedy, Willy’s Wonderland has a paper-thin plot, instead relying on the performance of Nicolas Cage to push the movie forward. The film is reminiscent of Five Nights at Freddy’s, which already takes influence from the ’80s when animatronic child-themed restaurants were at the height of popularity. However, not being attached to a modern property, and Willys Wonderland more falling in line with classic B-movies in style and delivery, makes it feel like a movie straight out of the ’80s.

‘Summer of ’84’ (2018)

15-year-old Davey Armstrong (Graham Verchere) and his friend group suspect local police officer Wayne Mackey (Rich Sommer) is actually the serial killer who has thrown their town into a panic. Over the course of summer break, Davey leads the investigation using walkie-talkies and surveillance in the hopes of catching Wayne in the act of murdering a kid. However, the deeper they get into the investigation, the more dangerous it becomes.

A Film by ’80s Kids for ’80s Kids

From the makers of Tubro Kid, another film that is a love-letter to ’80s cinema, Summer of ’84 found praise for its strong cast, compelling mystery, and a dark coming-of-age tale reminiscent of others of the decade. Here, no details were spared to place the film historically, thematically, and visually in the year of 1984, offering an authentic portrayal of the decade with a lovely macabre tale of small-town murder. While not as popular as Turbo Kid, Summer of ’84 has an undeniable authenticity that makes it an ideal nostalgic trip to the ’80s.

‘Snack Shack’ (2024)

14-year-old friends, A.J. Carter (Conor Sherry) and Moose Miller (Gabriel LaBelle) are born hustlers, and often find themselves in trouble for figuring out ways to earn money. When they decide to brew their own beer and sell it in secret, the subsequent fallout places them in hard times. They decide to purchase the local “Snack Shack” at the town’s pool to drum up business, yet soon find they are over their heads and start to conflict over a mutual love interest.

Blending Thoughtful Coming of Age with Raunchy Comedy of the ’80s

Snack Shack, taking place in 1991, somewhat bridges the two decades with its indulgent juvenile comedy; you could say it falls between Animal House (1978) and Porky’s (1981) to touch on many of the comedy trends popular during the transition between decades. Still, the aesthetics, like wood paneling basements, fashion, and celebration of summer, all scream ’80s. At the same time, the movie presents a poignant coming-of-age film with a dark, yet not too heavy, comedic edge that has it nestled comfortably in the vibe of the decades cinema.