11 Essential Films from 1984: A Year of Groundbreaking Blockbusters

      These 11 essential films from 1984 will transport you back to the blockbuster era of four decades ago.

      **Ghostbusters**

      Columbia – Credit: C/O

      In 1984, Ghostbusters not only topped the box office, but it also earns its spot on our must-see list for being an iconic supernatural comedy that transcends genre and era. While Bill Murray shines, he is merely part of an exceptional ensemble that includes Harold Ramis, Sigourney Weaver, and Rick Moranis. Truly, the entire Ghostbusters cast deserves recognition, featuring talents such as Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson.

      Although the special effects may not hold up today, it's unrealistic to expect perfection from a film made in 1984. Numerous sequels, reboots, and legacy films have followed, but the original Ghostbusters still stands out.

      **Beverly Hills Cop**

      Paramount – Credit: C/O

      Many viewers are revisiting this classic owing to the recent release of Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, where the seemingly ageless Eddie Murphy reprises his role as Detroit cop Axel Foley after four decades.

      1984 marked Eddie Murphy's final year on Saturday Night Live, and it was also the year of his breakout film, Beverly Hills Cop, where he starred without a more established co-star, unlike his previous hits, Trading Places and 48 Hrs. Remarkably, Murphy was only 23 years old when Beverly Hills Cop was released.

      Masterfully directed by Martin Brest, Murphy's debut as Axel Foley is a joy to watch. It’s a timeless fish-out-of-water narrative, packed with action.

      **The Terminator**

      Orion – Credit: Orion Pictures

      If you've only seen Judgment Day, the massive blockbuster sequel to The Terminator directed by James Cameron, it's worth checking out the original. It's a distinctly different film: a gritty horror story that's violent, unreserved in its nudity, and low-budget. The Terminator merges grindhouse aesthetics with blockbuster appeal.

      It’s also one of the films that launched Arnold Schwarzenegger into superstardom. In this role, Schwarzenegger's imposing physique and stoic acting style work perfectly; he embodies a horror movie slasher in a cybernetic form.

      **Amadeus**

      Orion – Credit: C/O

      The 1984 Oscar race was, frankly, underwhelming. This serves as a counterargument for 1984 not being regarded as a peak year for American cinema. Nonetheless, the Academy Award for Best Picture cannot be overlooked, which is why we've included Amadeus.

      Fortunately, the film directed by Milos Forman is a strong contender, landing in the upper tier of Best Picture winners. It's an unconventional biopic focused on the renowned composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, along with Antonio Salieri. It’s considered a dual biopic, especially since F. Murray Abraham earned the Best Actor award for portraying Salieri rather than Mozart.

      **This is Spinal Tap**

      Embassy Pictures – Credit: C/O

      While This is Spinal Tap did not invent the mockumentary, many still regard it as the quintessential example of the genre. It features Christopher Guest, who later became a master of mockumentary filmmaking with works like Best In Show. (Rob Reiner directed this film.)

      This is Spinal Tap follows the once-great rock band Spinal Tap, showcasing their decline. The film is packed with inventive humor, as it helps define this filmmaking style. Many musicians appreciate the accuracy in depicting the band’s trials and tribulations.

      Yes, this film, and we feel compelled to mention, goes to 11.

      **Romancing the Stone**

      20th Century Fox – Credit: C/O

      Robert Zemeckis faced a challenge: he was a promising young filmmaker under Spielberg's mentorship, but his first two films had flopped (now seen as underrated, I Wanna Hold Your Hand and Used Cars).

      Spielberg advised him that he needed to deliver a hit, leading Zemeckis to take on the script for the adventurous romantic-comedy Romancing the Stone. Michael Douglas plays a rogue, teaming up with Kathleen Turner, a romance novelist seeking excitement in her life. The film was a success, allowing Zemeckis to pursue his passion project: a little movie called Back to the Future.

      **A Nightmare on Elm Street**

      New Line Cinema – Credit: C/O

      The American slasher genre has its tentpoles, with Halloween and Friday the 13th as notable franchises from the 1970s, and A Nightmare on Elm Street emerged in 1984 to establish its own franchise.

      Freddy Krueger stands alongside Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees as iconic horror villains, but he distinguishes himself with his quippy nature, contrasting the silent demeanor of the others. He also kills you in your dreams, giving A Nightmare on Elm Street a trippy twist on the slasher film.

      Look out for a young Johnny