The Ten Commandments of 1980s Films

      The films of the ’80s introduced numerous iconic tropes that have remained influential in cinema.

      Our admiration for these movies inspired us to present them as a set of 10 Commandments, ensuring that all fans of ’80s cinema can honor these principles.

      Here are the 10 Commandments of ’80s Movies, with respect to the original source.

      I — Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods Before Me

      Karen Allen and Harrison Ford in Raiders of the Lost Ark. – Credit: Paramount

      Movies from the ’80s explored various supernatural themes while showing great reverence for Judeo-Christian beliefs: Vampires feared crosses and holy water, characters frequently engaged in prayer, and adulterers often faced dire consequences.

      Raiders of the Lost Ark set the standard in 1981, as Indiana Jones spends an immense amount of time trying to outsmart Belloq, the Nazi collaborator archaeologist who persistently pilfers the artifacts Indy strives to recover.

      Despite Indy’s relentless punches thrown at Nazis, they ultimately fall to divine judgment when they foolishly open the Ark while looking on.

      II — Thou Shalt Not Make Unto Thee Any Graven Image, Because That’s Kenner’s Job

      Spaceballs – Credit: C/O MGM

      The phenomenon of movie tie-in toys, which began with the 1977 release of Star Wars, skyrocketed in the 1980s, with any film boasting franchise potential accompanied by an array of exciting merchandise.

      How significant were toys in this era? Mel Brooks shared in his memoir, All About Me!, that during the creation of his Star Wars parody, Spaceballs, he presented the script to George Lucas, who had just one stipulation.

      “He mentioned that if I produced toys based on my Spaceball characters, they would resemble Star Wars action figures,” Brooks recounted. “And that would lead to conflicts with his lawyers and studio's business affairs department. He thus approved my satirical take on Star Wars, provided that I wouldn’t market any action figures.”

      This interaction inspired the scene in Spaceballs where Brooks’ character, Yogurt, unveils his secret weapon:

      “Merchandising! Merchandising is where the real money from the movie is made! Spaceballs the T-shirt! Spaceballs the coloring book! Spaceballs the lunchbox! Spaceballs the breakfast cereal! Spaceballs the flamethrower! The kids really love that one.”

      III — Thou Shalt Not Take the Name of the Lord in Vain

      Martin Short, Steve Martin, and Chevy Chase in The Three Amigos. – Credit: C/O Orion Pictures

      Rather than invoking the Lord’s name in vain, ’80s films presented a variety of creative insults like numb nuts, dweeb, and countless others.

      Some of these expressions would not be acceptable in today’s more sensitive climate.

      Others, however, continue to resonate, such as Steve Martin’s array of insults in The Three Amigos: “You dirt-eating piece of slime, you scum-sucking pig, you son of a motherless goat!”

      IV — Remember the Dance, to Keep It Holy

      Kevin Bacon in Footloose. – Credit: C/O Paramount Pictures

      Certain towns in ’80s films prohibited dancing, which was fortuitous, leading to the creation of the entire movie Footloose.

      But there were many other memorable dance moments in ’80s cinema, such as the iconic dance scene in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, the prom in Pretty in Pink where Andie (Molly Ringwald) wears the titular color, and the prom in Just One of the Guys where Terri (Joyce Hyser) reveals her true identity. And of course, the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance where Marty McFly plays wingman for his parents in Back to the Future. (We know, that technically took place in the ’50s).

      The night of the significant dance was paramount in ’80s films. Even Footloose culminated in an emblematic dance once the adults acknowledged the truth. This leads us to the next commandment:

      V — Honor Thy Father and Mother Even Though They Aren’t as Smart as You

      Ally Sheedy in The Breakfast Club. – Credit: C/O Universal Studios

      In ’80s films, it was a rule that children and teenagers often surpassed adults in intelligence — and morality, too.

      As Ally Sheedy’s Allison Reynolds expressed in The Breakfast Club, “When you grow up, your heart dies.”

      These films also conveyed that kids and teens were better than adults at skipping school (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), almost starting and then averting nuclear crises (WarGames), creating toys (Big), and even salvaging marriages (Back to the Future).

      VI — Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery, Especially While Inhabiting Someone Else’s Body

      Michael Douglas and Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction – Credit: C/O Paramount Pictures

      The ’80s witnessed a surge in body