What are the best action movies of the 1980s?

Explosive one-man armies, unstoppable robots, and sci-fi hunters defined a decade of pure adrenaline. From blockbuster legends to cult classics, the 80s had it all. Cast your vote!

1

Die Hard

A New York cop battles terrorists in a Los Angeles skyscraper on Christmas Eve in this quintessential action thriller.

2

The Terminator

A cyborg assassin travels back in time to kill the mother of humanity's future leader, spawning an iconic sci-fi franchise.

3

Predator

An elite military team encounters an extraterrestrial hunter in the jungle, combining sci-fi horror with explosive action.

4

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Archaeologist Indiana Jones races against Nazi forces to find the legendary Ark of the Covenant in this adventure-action classic.

5

The Empire Strikes Back

The rebels face their greatest challenge as Darth Vader hunts them across the galaxy in this iconic Star Wars sequel.

6

Aliens

Ripley returns to a xenomorph-infested colony with space marines for a high-octane sci-fi action battle.

7

Return of the Jedi

Luke Skywalker confronts the Empire and his dark destiny in the original trilogy finale.

8

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Indiana Jones teams with his father to find the Holy Grail while battling Nazis across the globe.

9

Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior

In a post-apocalyptic wasteland, Max leads a community against savage marauding gangs in breathtaking vehicular combat.

10

Lethal Weapon

A by-the-book cop is paired with a suicidal loose cannon detective, creating one of cinema's greatest buddy-cop partnerships.

11

Beverly Hills Cop

A street-smart Detroit detective goes undercover in Beverly Hills to solve his friend's murder with wit and attitude.

12

Bloodsport

Jean-Claude Van Damme competes in an illegal underground martial arts tournament in this 80s cult action classic.

13

Big Trouble in Little China

A truck driver battles an ancient sorcerer beneath San Francisco's Chinatown in this action-fantasy cult classic.

14

Commando

A retired colonel launches a one-man rescue mission to save his kidnapped daughter from a ruthless dictator.

15

Rambo: First Blood Part II

Rambo is sent on a covert mission to rescue POWs in Vietnam, unleashing explosive one-man-army action.

16

RoboCop

A slain Detroit officer is resurrected as a cyborg law enforcement machine in this violent sci-fi action satire.

17

First Blood

A Vietnam veteran is pushed to the breaking point by a hostile sheriff, unleashing his deadly combat training.

18

Top Gun

A hotshot fighter pilot competes for top honors at the Navy's elite fighter weapons school while navigating rivalry and romance.

19

Escape from New York

In a dystopian future where Manhattan is a maximum-security prison, a mercenary must rescue the President.