80s Movies – Top 5 “So Bad They’re Good”

On Monday, I posted about the one movie from the 80s I can’t stand. Mostly though, I have an appreciation for all 80s movies – the good, the bad and the ugly! Today I’m counting down my top 5 movies that were so bad they were actually good. Because sometimes there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a really bad viewing experience!

5. Satisfaction

I am such a big fan of band-centric movies. Any type of band, any type of music, it’s one of my fave movie sub-genres. So, of course I had to check this one out, especially because it stars Justine Bateman, i.e. Mallory from Family Ties! She plays Jennie, leader of a band who needs to travel south for an audition. The whole movie is pretty stupid, but the cast is awesome, with Julia Roberts and also Liam Neeson, who hooks up with Mallory… I mean, Jennie.

4. Look Who’s Talking

I double dare you to pretend you didn’t love this movie in the 80s. EVERYONE loved it! John Travolta was at the height of his fame, and Kirstie Alley was the gorgeous new starlet to make it big. In the movie we could hear what Kirstie’s baby is thinking and it’s 80s-hilarious – partly because baby Mikey is voiced by tough-guy actor Bruce Willis!

3. Xanadu

People talk a lot of trash about Xanadu, but it is a personal favorite of mine. It’s got Olivia Newton-John, Gene Kelly (tap dancing!) and Michael Beck; lots of dancing; roller skating; singing and awesome 80s hair. So, I ask you, what is NOT to love?

2. The Pirate Movie

I was surprised a few years ago when I canvassed some Internet friends and found out almost no one knew about / remembered this amazing musical. The Pirate Movie is an updated version of Pirates of Penzance, with Kristy McNichol and Christopher Atkins (from Blue Lagoon) in the lead roles and the incredibly dashing Ted Hamilton as the Pirate King, all singing the classic original songs, with some new 80s-style tunes thrown in for good measure. It’s a fun, silly movie that laughs at itself and lets you laugh along with it.

1. Surf Nazis Must Die

This deserves a place on the list on the strength of its title alone! It starred no one you’ve ever heard of, and made no one famous. It is set after an earthquake destroys the California coastline and (for some reason) a bunch of gangs take over the beach, including a neo-Nazi gang. Unlike other gang movies, for example The Warriors, which is an excellent look at futuristic gang life, Surf Nazis Must Die is just stupid. But thoroughly enjoyable!