Entertainment
33 '80s Movies You Watched At Sleepovers
Paramount Pictures
I don’t miss curfew, cafeteria food, or first period P.E. But what I do miss about childhood can be summed up in one legendary kid ritual: the sleepover. Few adult experiences can match the magic of piling way too many grade schoolers or teens into a living room with sleeping bags, enough junk food to feed an army, and, most importantly, a stack of movies. Communal movie-watching always out-ranked pranks and makeovers on my sleepover to-do list. And most of the movies I wanted to watch with my friends came out of one particular decade. Keep clicking through to see how many of these 33 ‘80s movies you watched at sleepovers.
Now, sleepovers aren’t quiet affairs, so it’s always best to pick a few movies that everyone (or most everyone) has seen already. That way, when dad shows up with pizza or a friend gets an IM from a crush, no one’s experience will be ruined. Re-watching movies also increasing the party’s ability to quote, sing, or dance along — way preferable to just silently watching. A sleepover marathon should also have range. Think a teen sex comedy followed by a slasher flick followed by a musical. Were these ‘80s flicks a part of your overnight repertoire? Read on to find out.
The Goonies
A bunch of regular kids get caught up in a search for buried treasure, and they don't make timeless movies like this anymore.
Back To The Future
Marty McFly and his mad scientist neighbor go back in time where the teen has the strange duty of making sure his parents get together. You could say it was his "density."
Dirty Dancing
Not only did my friends and I know every word to this movie, we knew every move. Where's my pleasing arc?
Friday The 13th
Scaring yourselves half to death is a sleepover tradition, and the '80s schlock horror canon had you covered in that area.
Heathers
Just call it Really Mean Girls. This hella dark satire skewered Queen Bee culture before Lindsay Lohan was even born.
St. Elmo's Fire
I based all my expectations of college and post-college life on this Brat Pack dramedy.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Rebellion without consequences: the teenage dream. Ferris Bueller is a cultural icon and the charm of this movie never dims.
The Outsiders
It was easier to get through the assigned school reading of this novel knowing that there was a movie adaption stacked with '80s heartthobs like Rob Lowe, Tom Cruise, and Matt Dillon.
The Princess Bride
A fairy tale for almost grown-ups.
Child's Play
The cheesier the concept, the better, as far as sleepover horror is concerned. A possessed doll goes on a killing spree in this franchise originator.
The Lost Boys
Two brothers move to Santa Clara with their mom and find out that the cool kids aren't actually kids at all: they're immortal vampires dead-set on maintaining their way of life. Or death.
Sixteen Candles
Jake Ryan. That's all you need to know.
Big
A cautionary tale about growing up too fast, Big's goofy premise is grounded by leading man-boy, Tom Hanks.
Footloose
And the 2011 remake isn't half-bad either.
Labyrinth
The source of many a strange and consuming crush on David Bowie.
Purple Rain
Movie musicals don't get more regal or sexy than Purple Rain, Prince's masterpiece.
Ghostbusters
You could get a couple scares in with your comedy with the original Ghostbusters...unless you ain't afraid of no ghost, of course.
The Little Mermaid
If you haven't belted "Part Of Your World" in a nightgown through a mouth full of whipped cream, have you really lived?
When Harry Met Sally
The hyper-verbal friends-to-lovers romantic comedy instilled an early yen for Nora Ephron's wit and wisdom.
Mystic Pizza
Hey hey hey, it's America's Sweetheart Julia Roberts in her first major role.
Mannequin
A window dresser falls in love with one of his mannequins (played by a young Kim Cattrall). There's a scathing feminist critique in here somewhere, but for now, just enjoy the weirdness.
Clue
A favorite of all budding comedy nerds. Why pull out the board game when you can watch Tim Curry and Madeline Kahn mug through the impossibly funny movie version?
Fright Night
Why are there so many vampire movies on this list? Because those creatures of the night symbolize forbidden sexuality, duh.
Beverly Hills Cop
An R-rated comedy for after the parents go to bed. Eddie Murphy made the graceful leap from Saturday Night Live cast member to genuine movie star.
Grease 2
Quality-wise, it can't hold a candle to the original. But Grease 2 is so off-track, so gloriously bad that it somehow comes full circle back to good again.
Overboard
Long-time real life couple Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell star as a socialite struck with amnesia and the carpenter who claims that she's his wife in order to teach her a lesson about humility.
Say Anything
Still searching for my Lloyd Dobler over here.
Fatal Attraction
Adult relationships are super complicated. Also, don't ever leave your bunny alone with Glenn Close.
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
Two slackers take a trip through time to come up with the best history report ever. You'll never pronounce Socrates the correct way again.
Teen Witch
Stage your own rap battle to "Top That"!
Flashdance
The '80s had the follow-your-dreams dramas on lock, like this one about a small-town welder with dreams of making it as a dancer.
Risky Business
Tom Cruise + Ray-Bans + Billy Joel = a sleepover winner.