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

The 1980s were a golden period at the box office, and the decade produced so many hits that some were bound to be forgotten. Often considered one of the pinnacles of cinema history, the popular films of the 1980s blended blockbuster appeal with deft filmmaking, and many of the classics are well-remembered for a reason.

Coming out of the economically depressed 1970s, audience members had more cash to spend at the cinema, and box office hits were common. The advent of home video technology did nothing to slow the box office boom, and ticket sales continued to skyrocket throughout the decade. This was spurred in part by Hollywood’s approach to film in the 1980s.

While many of the highest-grossing ’80s movies are remembered today, others have faded to the background. Even if the films are remembered, it’s often forgotten just how much money they raked in at the box office back in the day. From outrageous comedies to bombastic action flicks, there was no shortage of hit movies to see in the 1980s.

Stir Crazy (1980)

Snagging over $100 million at the box office (via The Numbers), Stir Crazy finished as the third highest-grossing movie of 1980. The Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor comedy sees the duo play wrongfully imprisoned friends who adjust to jailhouse life. The second of four Pryor and Wilder comedies, Stir Crazy banked on their chemistry.

Such unbelievable success for a comedy is practically unheard of today, but Stir Crazy was just the first of many comedies to top the charts in the ’80s. The bleak humor makes for a few chuckles, but Stir Crazy has faded for a reason. It’s a worthy forgotten gem, but hardly one of the iconic comedy classics of the 1980s.

Arthur (1981)

There’s no denying that Arthur is still one of the most beloved comedies of the early 1980s, but it’s box office success has been overlooked. A drunken playboy is cut off from his family when he decides to pursue love instead of marrying for convenience. The Dudley Moore classic earned $95 million (Box Office Mojo) against a $7 million budget.

Finishing fourth on the year, Arthur was made for considerably less than the three films it finished behind. Furthermore, it was one of the cheapest movies in that year’s top 10. Its financial success pales in comparison to its legacy, and it helped shape the ’80s comedy landscape. The sequel and remake were duds, but the original was untarnished.

The Verdict (1982)

Anchored by a stellar performance from Paul Newman, The Verdict is an unsung gem that found success when it first released. Newman stars as a disgraced lawyer who takes a medical malpractice case to rehab his image and get his self-esteem back. Grossing over $50 million against a $16 million budget (Box Office Mojo), The Verdict was a modest hit.

It narrowly missed the top 10 (finishing in 11th), but landed miles behind films like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The movie’s financial success was important, but it also earned five Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. The film is a brilliant melding of writing and acting, and is still just as compelling now as it was back in the ’80s.

Never Say Never Again (1983)

The James Bond franchise rarely struggles at the box office, but Never Say Never Again is an interesting case. Sean Connery donned the tux once again to play Bond as he tries to stop SPECTRE from using nuclear weaponry. The Thunderball remake was not an official Eon production, thus it wasn’t canon.

Released the same year as Octopussy, it set up 1983’s Battle of the Bonds. While Octopussy finished in the top 10, Never Say Never Again did not. However, it did make $160 million (The Numbers). The movie is often ranked among the worst Bond films, and it is forgotten because of its quality and lack of canonical status.

Tightrope (1984)

Clint Eastwood has always been a draw, and forgotten box office hits like Tightrope litter his extensive catalog. Eastwood stars as a cop who must stop a serial killer who is targeting the city’s sex worker community. A bit darker than his usual fare, Eastwood’s appeal led the film to a $48 million box office (Box Office Mojo).

While modest in scale, it’s noteworthy that Tightrope finished 13th on the year. It’s box office success was made all the more impressive by the fact that it earned all of its money domestically. It isn’t the best Clint Eastwood thriller, but Tightrope still deserves praise for its unflinching plot. Sadly, it’s overshadowed by many of Eastwood’s better flicks.

Witness (1985)

Few actors have had the same box office consistency as Harrison Ford, and he’s been spinning movies into gold for decades. In Witness, he plays a detective who is tasked with infiltrating an Amish community, but he soon clashes with their way of life. Besides being a compelling thriller, Witness is a well-made piece of cinematic art.

The Numbers lists Witness at $65 million, though more dubious sources put it above $100 million. It landed in the top 10 for 1985, and almost in the top five. It was an incredibly stacked year, with three movies making over $150 million. Money aside, Witness is a forgotten gem, and it’s likely overlooked because of Ford’s bigger movies.

Ruthless People (1986)

The pairing of the Zuckers and Jim Abrahams has produced comedy and financial gold, but Ruthless People is almost universally overlooked. A desperate couple kidnap the wife of an ex-boss, only to learn the boss has his own dark plans. A black comedy in every sense of the word, Ruthless People is a far cry from the other Zucker/Abrahams movies.

Despite its very bleak tone, Ruthless People scored $70 million (Box Office Mojo), and was the eighth highest-grossing film of the year. Reviews are universally positive, but the movie is somewhat hindered by its own dark approach to humor. In contrast to other ’80s comedies, Ruthless People is just a bit too cynical to be enjoyed again and again.

The Secret Of My Success (1987)

After Back to the Future, Michael J. Fox was one of the biggest stars of his era. In The Secret of My Success, he plays a young professional who cons his way into a company’s boardroom while actually working in its mailroom. Attempting to spoof the corporate landscape of the ’80s, the comedy mostly missed the mark.

Despite middling reviews, The Secret of My Success grossed over $110 million (Box Office Mojo). Though muscling in against movies like Lethal Weapon, the Michael J. Fox vehicle is forgotten for a reason. The comedy lands sometimes, but it’s wealth of interesting ideas is squandered in a lackluster script that never goes far enough.

A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

Uproariously funny, A Fish Called Wanda is one of the brightest spots in ’80s comedy. A band of con-men and criminals team up for a diamond heist, but their own flaws cause their plans to go humorously awry. Starring comedy legends like John Cleese and Kevin Cline, the film also showed that Jamie Lee Curtis could be a cut-up too.

Making over $60 million (Box Office Mojo), A Fish Called Wanda almost broke 1988’s top 10. With five movies making over $100 million, the growth at the box office was evident, and the comedy took its fair share. Still hilarious today, A Fish Called Wanda isn’t forgotten as a great film, but it’s huge box office haul isn’t often discussed.

Black Rain (1989)

Black Rain has nearly reached cult classic status, but the forgotten blockbuster didn’t struggle in the financial department. It stars Michael Douglas as a NYPD cop who escorts a criminal back to Japan, only to get drawn into the country’s underworld. Ridley Scott’s neo-noir thriller has all the pieces of a great film, but is far from perfect.

Audiences didn’t seem to notice and Black Rain made over $130 million (Box Office Mojo). The majority of its gross came internationally, and it sagged at the domestic box office. Its style couldn’t help overcome its flaws, and there’s a reason that domestic audiences largely rejected it. Nevertheless, international success is still success.