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  1. News

10 Great Movies You Love That Are Set in the '80s

Sharon Knolle
December 20, 2017 - 1 min read

It's the 20th anniversary of "The Wedding Singer" -- time to feel old, everyone. While you break out your "Thriller" jacket and listen to Spandau Ballet, you can also bask in these other great movies set in the '80s. Did your favorite make the list?

'The Wedding Singer' (1998)

This charming rom-com, in which Miami Vice" to Madonna.

'Atomic Blonde' (2017)

Charlize Theronn kicking ass in 1989 Berlin (before the wall came down), all set to fantastic synth tunes like New Order's "Blue Monday" ? Yes, please! We could watch this all day.

'Sing Street' (2016)

A teen in '80s Dublin forms a New Wave band, just so he can ask the girl he likes to be in their video! This marvelous musical is like taking a time machine back to the '80s!

'Hot Tub Time Machine' (2010)

A magical hot tub takes our heroes back to the '80s, where they confront frattish jerk Blaine (future Winter Soldier Sebastian Stan), who's convinced they're commie spies from Russia! Because, you know, the Cold War and all. Highlights include Michael Jackson jokes, "Where's the Beef" references, and so much DayGlo.

'Everybody Wants Some!!' (2016)

Richard Linklater's "spiritual sequel" to "Dazed and Confused" follows a bunch of baseball-loving freshman in the week before college starts in 1980. Tunes include Devo's "Whip It", Gary Numan's "Cars," and Foreigner's "Urgent."

'Donnie Darko' (2001)

With alt-'80s songs like "The Killing Moon" and "Love Will Tear Us Apart," this mind-bending cult classic is set in a bleaker '80s than we usually see in movies. And did it start the trend of slowed-down songs with Gary Jules's haunting cover of "Mad World"?

'American Psycho' (2000)

"Do you like Huey Lewis and the News?" You couldn't set this movie about yuppie serial killer Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) in any other era. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have to return some videotapes.

'The House of the Devil' (2009)

Ti West's slow-building horror film about a babysitter's bad, bad night is so authentically retro, it feels like it was made in the '80s. Right down to the high-waisted jeans, puffed sleeves and Walkman jam to The Fixx's "One Thing Leads to Another."

'24 Hour Party People' (2002)

An irreverent look at Factory Records, the British label that gave us such bands as Joy Division and New Order. Steve Coogan stars as Tony Wilson, the founder of the label. A must for anyone into the "Madchester" music scene of the '80s.

'Adventureland' (2009)

Set in the summer of 1987, where college grad James (Jesse Eisenberg) has to scrap his dreams of going to Europe and work at a run-down amusement park in Pennsylvania, where he bonds with Emily (Kristen Stewart). The soundtrack includes The Cure, INXS, and Bowie.

movieswedding singer
Sharon Knolle
Article by Sharon Knolle
Freelance Writer

Sharon has been writing for Moviefone since 2009 and has also written for IMDB, USA Today, TV Guide and Forces of Geek.

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