10 Movies From The ‘80s You Forgot Were Box Office Hits

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The 1980s were a hugely successful time for movies, with so many popular films being released that some inevitably faded from memory. The decade is often seen as a high point in film history, because the biggest hits weren’t just entertaining, they were also well-made – and the ones we still remember are classics for good reason.

After a tough economic period in the 1970s, people had more money to spend on entertainment like movies, leading to many successful films. Surprisingly, the rise of VHS and other home video options didn’t hurt ticket sales – in fact, they continued to climb throughout the 80s, thanks in part to the kinds of movies Hollywood began producing.

We still remember a lot of the biggest movies from the 1980s, but some have been largely forgotten. And even when we do remember them, we often forget just how successful they were at the box office. The 80s offered a huge variety of popular films, from wild comedies to big-budget action movies.

Stir Crazy (1980)

The 1980 comedy Stir Crazy, starring Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor, was a huge success, earning over $100 million in theaters (according to The Numbers). It was the third highest-grossing film of that year. The movie follows two friends who are wrongly convicted and have to learn to navigate life in prison. Stir Crazy was the second of four films to feature the popular comedic pairing of Wilder and Pryor, and it heavily relied on their on-screen chemistry.

It’s rare for a comedy to be this successful nowadays, but Stir Crazy kicked off a wave of chart-topping comedies in the 1980s. While the movie has some funny moments, it’s understandable why Stir Crazy isn’t as well-remembered today. It’s a decent film worth rediscovering, but it doesn’t quite reach the level of the decade’s most iconic comedies.

Arthur (1981)

Despite being a much-loved comedy from the early 1980s, the financial success of Arthur is often forgotten. The film tells the story of a wealthy man who risks losing his inheritance when he falls in love with someone his family doesn’t approve of. Starring Dudley Moore, it earned $95 million at the box office, a significant return on its $7 million budget (according to Box Office Mojo).

Despite finishing fourth in box office earnings for the year, Arthur was made with a much smaller budget than the three films that outperformed it. In fact, it was one of the least expensive movies to reach the top 10 that year. While its box office numbers weren’t huge, the film’s impact was significant, helping to define comedy in the 1980s. The follow-up movie and remake weren’t successful, but the original Arthur remains a classic.

The Verdict (1982)

Starring a brilliant Paul Newman, The Verdict is a fantastic but often overlooked film that did well when it was first released. Newman plays a lawyer who has fallen from grace and takes on a medical malpractice case hoping to rebuild his career and confidence. Despite a relatively small $16 million budget, the film earned over $50 million at the box office (according to Box Office Mojo), making it a successful movie.

Although it just missed making the top 10, finishing in 11th place, the film didn’t come close to the box office success of movies like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. While its financial performance was significant, it also received five Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Picture. The film is a fantastic combination of strong writing and acting, and remains as captivating today as it was in the 1980s.

Never Say Never Again (1983)

James Bond films are usually box office hits, but Never Say Never Again is a bit unusual. Sean Connery returned as Bond to prevent SPECTRE from using nuclear weapons. Importantly, this film wasn’t made by the usual Bond production company, Eon Productions, so it’s not considered part of the official Bond storyline.

Released alongside Octopussy, this film paved the way for 1983’s Battle of the Bonds. Though Octopussy was a top-10 hit, this one didn’t achieve the same success. Still, it earned $160 million (according to The Numbers). Unfortunately, it’s frequently considered one of the weaker Bond movies and is often overlooked due to its low quality and its status as a non-official installment in the series.

Tightrope (1984)

Clint Eastwood consistently attracts audiences, and even some of his lesser-known films, like Tightrope, have been successful. In Tightrope, he plays a police officer determined to catch a serial killer preying on sex workers. While a bit grittier than many of his other movies, Eastwood’s popularity helped the film earn $48 million at the box office (according to Box Office Mojo).

Although not a blockbuster, Tightrope still had a good year, finishing 13th overall. What’s particularly impressive is that it earned all its money within the United States. It might not be Clint Eastwood’s greatest thriller, but Tightrope deserves credit for its intense and uncompromising story. Unfortunately, it’s often overlooked because Eastwood has made so many other popular and acclaimed films.

Witness (1985)

Harrison Ford is one of the most consistently successful actors in Hollywood, turning films into hits for decades. In the movie Witness, he plays a detective who goes undercover in an Amish community, and quickly finds himself at odds with their lifestyle. Beyond being a gripping thriller, Witness is also a beautifully crafted film.

According to reports, Witness grossed $65 million, though some less reliable sources claim it earned over $100 million. It performed very well in 1985, finishing just outside the top five highest-grossing films – a remarkable feat considering three movies that year exceeded $150 million. Beyond the box office numbers, Witness is a truly underrated film, and it’s probably been overshadowed by some of Harrison Ford’s more famous movies.

Ruthless People (1986)

Okay, let me tell you about a seriously underrated comedy. Everyone knows the Zucker/Abrahams team – they’re comedy gold, right? But somehow, Ruthless People always gets left out of the conversation. It’s a really dark and twisted story about a couple who kidnap their former boss’s wife, only to discover he has some pretty messed up plans of his own. Honestly, it’s a completely different vibe than their other films – much more cynical and biting. If you think you know their style, this movie will definitely surprise you. It’s a black comedy through and through, and I highly recommend checking it out if you’re looking for something a little different.

Although Ruthless People has a very dark sense of humor, it was a financial success, earning $70 million and becoming the eighth highest-grossing film of the year (according to Box Office Mojo). Critics generally loved the movie, but its cynical style might prevent it from being a timeless comedy. Unlike many other comedies from the 1980s, Ruthless People isn’t quite lighthearted enough for repeated viewings.

The Secret Of My Success (1987)

Michael J. Fox became a huge star after his role in Back to the Future. In The Secret of My Success, he plays a young man who pretends to be an executive, even though he’s really just working in the mailroom. The movie tried to satirize the world of 1980s business, but it wasn’t very successful.

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Even though critics weren’t overly impressed, The Secret of My Success was a big financial hit, earning over $110 million (according to Box Office Mojo). While released alongside popular films like Lethal Weapon, it’s largely been forgotten, and for good reason. The movie has its funny moments, but its promising concepts are wasted due to a weak script that doesn’t fully explore its potential.

A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

Widely considered a hilarious classic, A Fish Called Wanda is a standout comedy from the 1980s. The movie follows a group of criminals who attempt a diamond robbery, but their own personal shortcomings lead to a series of funny mishaps. Featuring comedic stars like John Cleese and Kevin Kline, the film also proved Jamie Lee Curtis had excellent comedic timing.

Earning over $60 million at the box office, A Fish Called Wanda nearly cracked the top 10 films of 1988. That year saw significant growth in movie ticket sales, with five films earning over $100 million, and the comedy was a successful part of that trend. While still funny and remembered as a great movie, its impressive box office performance isn’t often highlighted.

Black Rain (1989)

Though often overlooked now, Black Rain was a major box office success and has gained a dedicated following. The film stars Michael Douglas as a New York City police officer who travels to Japan to extradite a criminal, becoming entangled in the Japanese criminal world. While Black Rain has everything you’d expect in a fantastic movie, it isn’t without its flaws.

Despite its flaws, Black Rain earned over $130 million worldwide (according to Box Office Mojo). While it didn’t perform well in the US, it was a hit internationally, and that success shouldn’t be overlooked. Ultimately, audiences weren’t put off enough to prevent it from being profitable.

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2025-12-21 20:21