10 Amazing Overlooked Treasures of the 1980s

      We explore ten wonderful, overlooked films from the 1980s; how many have you watched…?

      The 1980s was a diverse blend of cinema. Blockbusters and franchises were on the rise, and the success of home video allowed films to thrive outside of theaters. While movie fans have always formed dedicated groups, the concept of cult cinema truly blossomed in the 80s, largely due to the rise of VHS. Since then, it has only gained traction.

      The decade produced many captivating successes, inflated failures, and peculiarities that captured some level of fascination, yet a significant number of films have been somewhat unjustly forgotten over time. Here are ten hidden gems from the 80s…

      Body Double

      It wasn’t Carrie or Blow Out; it was poorly received by critics in comparison to the more well-regarded Dressed to Kill and didn’t attract audiences like The Untouchables or Scarface.

      Brian De Palma has delivered numerous notable films and has often ventured into Hitchcockian thrillers. Body Double stands as a polarizing, love/hate, and somewhat forgotten De Palma film that emerged amid some of his finest works. Essentially, De Palma amplified his already intensified style and unabashed excess, creating a De Palma Thriller on Crack in the twisted, outrageous, yet (if you embrace it) brilliant Body Double. There’s a hint of satire for the Hitchcock-inspired sub-genre that was prominent in Hollywood at that time. Craig Wasson plays an effectively awkward and occasionally uncomfortable protagonist tangled in a murder scheme, while Melanie Griffith performs admirably. Visually stunning, it serves as a technical masterclass, much like De Palma's best films, and I believe it is underrated in his collection.

      The Wraith

      If you enjoy The Crow, High Plains Drifter, Pale Rider, The Stranger, and Dolph Lundgren’s Missionary Man, then a mysterious figure arriving in town to dismantle a ruthless gang of criminals—who is also a former victim returned from the dead—will intrigue you. That’s precisely the premise of The Wraith, which features the classic 80s trope of the sci-fi super vehicle, with the hero (played by none other than Charlie Sheen) speeding around in a modified black Dodge Charger. Sheen goes up against a gang of delinquents led by Nick Cassavetes. Although the film is absurd, it’s incredibly entertaining.

      Given that our vengeful spirit drives a sleek, high-tech sports car, it’s no surprise that much of the action consists of car chases. There are some exceptional set pieces with impressive practical effects and stunts. Ah, the good old days of practical action. Sheen may come off as oddly bland, despite his mysterious character, but both Cassavetes and Randy Quaid bring a fun energy, making it an enjoyable experience.

      The Man With Two Brains

      This screwball and delightfully morbid comedy, crafted by the dream team of Carl Reiner (director, writer), Steve Martin (star, writer), and Kathleen Turner, seems to lack the appreciation it deserves. Martin portrays a brilliant neurosurgeon who weds a gold-digger (Turner) but then falls for a brain in a jar that can telepathically communicate with him.

      A joyful homage to silly B-movies and the comedic style of figures like Jerry Lewis, this film allows Martin to showcase his comedic strengths. The Man With Two Brains is highly entertaining, consistently humorous, and often charming.

      Nighthawks

      Two undercover cops in New York, known for bending the rules and challenging authority, are enlisted to join a task force aimed at thwarting an international terrorist causing havoc in the City. Sylvester Stallone and Billy Dee Williams play long-time partners tasked with stopping Rutger Hauer. As characters, they inevitably succeed, but as actors, neither Williams nor Stallone can match the magnetic brilliance of Hauer.

      Nighthawks, released after Rocky but before First Blood, is a largely forgotten yet underrated thriller in Stallone’s career. While it may not achieve the iconic status of Rocky or Rambo, nor be as notoriously bad as Rhinestone or as cultish as Demolition Man, it remains a solid action thriller. The film has an oddly stylistic feel reminiscent of the previous decade, yet it successfully creates tension in the high-stakes pursuit of Wolfgang (Hauer).

      Roadgames

      This outstanding Australian thriller features Stacy Keach and Jamie Lee Curtis and is a hidden treasure likely to satisfy fans of films like The Hitcher, Breakdown, Joy Ride, and Duel. Keach plays a truck driver who suspects that a green car he has encountered is being operated by a serial killer targeting solitary women. As he tries to uncover the killer, he inadvertently becomes a suspect himself.

      Much like Duel or The Hitcher, we are treated to vast, desolate landscapes filled with tension and action. Both Keach and Curtis deliver solid performances, yet Roadgames lacks the