12 Amazing Films from 1984, an Incredible Year for Blockbusters

      These 12 remarkable films from 1984 will transport you back to a landmark year for blockbusters.

      1984 was significant not only for solidifying franchise culture but also for introducing a new rating: PG-13.

      It was a fantastic year for cinema, highlighted by these films from 1984 and many others:

      **Ghostbusters**

      Columbia – Credit: C/O

      While Ghostbusters was the highest-grossing film of 1984, it deserves to be on our list of essential films from that year for reasons beyond its box office success. This supernatural comedy is iconic across all genres and decades. Bill Murray certainly shines here, but he’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the stellar cast. We must commend Harold Ramis, Sigourney Weaver, and Rick Moranis as well. Frankly, every member of the Ghostbusters ensemble, including Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and others, is deserving of recognition.

      Though the special effects may not have aged flawlessly, it's unrealistic to hold a 1984 movie to today's standards. The original Ghostbusters has outmatched all its sequels, reboots, and legacy films.

      **Beverly Hills Cop**

      Paramount – Credit: C/O

      Recently, many people have revisited this classic, especially with the new release of *Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F*, featuring the seemingly ageless Eddie Murphy returning four decades later as Detroit cop and frequent West Coast visitor Axel Foley.

      1984 marked Eddie Murphy's final year on *Saturday Night Live*, and it was also the year he starred in *Beverly Hills Cop*, his first significant success without pairing him with a well-established co-star, unlike *Trading Places* and *48 Hrs*. Remarkably, Murphy was only 23 when this film debuted.

      Directed adeptly by action-comedy expert Martin Brest, Murphy’s debut as Axel Foley is a treat. While it follows a classic fish-out-of-water narrative, it doesn't skimp on the action.

      **The Terminator**

      Orion – Credit: Orion Pictures

      If you've only seen *Judgment Day*, the blockbuster sequel to *The Terminator* directed by James Cameron, you should experience Cameron's original. It's a starkly different film: a gritty horror flick that's violent, unabashedly shows nudity, and has a low-budget feel. *The Terminator* combines grindhouse aesthetics with a multiplex experience.

      It also played a key role in catapulting Arnold Schwarzenegger to fame. In this film, his imposing physicality and flat delivery work in his favor, presenting him as a cybernetic slasher.

      **Amadeus**

      Orion – Credit: C/O

      The 1984 Oscar race was, to be honest, lackluster. This fact serves as a strong argument against 1984 being a standout year for American cinema. Nevertheless, we must recognize the Academy Award winner, which is why we include *Amadeus*.

      Thankfully, Milos Forman’s film holds its ground as a worthwhile Best Picture winner, ranking among the top in that category. It’s an unconventional biopic of famed composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his rival Antonio Salieri.

      We regard it as a dual biopic since F. Murray Abraham took home the Best Actor award for portraying Salieri, not Mozart.

      **This is Spinal Tap**

      Embassy Pictures – Credit: C/O

      Although *This is Spinal Tap* did not invent the mockumentary genre, it is often celebrated as the best example of it. It features Christopher Guest, who later became known for his mastery of mockumentaries with films like *Best in Show*. (Rob Reiner directed this one, not Guest.)

      The film centers on the rock band Spinal Tap, which has seen better days. It’s endlessly creative, as a film must be to help define a new cinematic style. Many musicians commend the accuracy of the challenges that Spinal Tap faces.

      Indeed, this film, and we feel compelled to mention, goes to 11. It is one of five classic films made by the late, great Rob Reiner within a six-year timeframe.

      **Romancing the Stone**

      20th Century Fox – Credit: C/O

      Robert Zemeckis faced a dilemma. He was a promising young talent in the film industry and a disciple of Spielberg, but his first two films flopped (though *I Wanna Hold Your Hand* and *Used Cars* are now appreciated as good movies).

      Spielberg advised him that he needed a hit and that it had to be a work-for-hire project. The message was clear: prove you can direct a successful film, Bobby.

      Thus, Zemeckis seized the opportunity with the script for the adventure-romantic comedy *Romancing the Stone*. Michael Douglas plays the rogue lead, while Kathleen Turner portrays a romantic novelist seeking excitement in her life. This