Photo Credit (Freepik)

The 1980s were a watershed moment in the history of action films. This decade saw the birth of numerous renowned action franchises, including Top Gun, Road House, The Terminator, and a few 007 films, among many more. All of these films have amazing heroes, strong conflicts, and plenty of high-energy action situations.

Of course, not every 1980s action film earned the same kind of attention as Die Hard or Lethal Weapon. Even though they haven’t set box office records or received major accolades, many of these films are nevertheless a lot of fun to see. The stories may be clichéd, and the action may be exaggerated, but this is sometimes exactly what audiences want to watch. When looking for a new movie to watch, these 1980s action films guarantee to deliver all of the fun, corny action that moviegoers crave.

Tom Sellick in the film Runaway (1984).
When looking for an action movie that promises endless enjoyment, Runaway (1984) is a great place to start. Runaway, written and directed by Michael Crichton, the original creator of Jurassic Park, is set in an alternate reality of the 1990s in which robots have become commonplace. Of course, this is going to create its own set of difficulties, which is why the main characters are part of a special police unit dedicated solely to dealing with malfunctioning and violent robots.

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Before Harrison Ford took on the role, George Lucas originally cast Tom Selleck as Indiana Jones. What would have occurred if that had actually happened?

Tom Selleck, Cynthia Rhodes, and Kirstie Alley lead the cast of Runaway, with Gene Simmons, Kiss singer/guitarist, as the villain. As if the cast wasn’t enough to keep the audience entertained, the sci-fi action flick includes a plethora of bizarre devices and weapons, including heat-seeking “smart bullets,” spider-like killing machines, and, of course, dozens of robots. Runaway may not have been a tremendous success when it was released, but all of these components combine to create a film that will keep spectators entertained for hours.

The Wraith (1986)
In The Wraith (1986), a man is seen wearing a helmet and holding a gun.
Fans of car-based action sequences may want to see The Wraith, a 1986 action fantasy film directed by Mike Marvin. Nick Cassavetes portrays Packard Walsh, the sleazy head of a gang of vehicle thieves. Walsh is eventually endangered by the entrance of Jake Kesey (Charlie Sheen), a mysterious guy with a supernatural car capable of not only reaching great speeds but also reconstructing itself after being damaged. The introduction of these two people foreshadows a spectacular showdown.

The unique picture is packed with everything action fans want to see: fantastic characters, thrilling motor racing, and plenty of explosions.

The Wraith is a one-of-a-kind blend of high-speed action sequences with fantasy themes that are not commonly found in action films. The unique picture is packed with everything action fans want to see: fantastic characters, thrilling motor racing, and plenty of explosions. The Wraith is not an Oscar-worthy masterpiece, but the picture obviously understands its audience and delivers them plenty of what they want to watch.

Nighthawks (1981).

Nighthawks is a 1981 action film starring Sylvester Stallone and Billy Dee Williams as New York City cops seeking an international terrorist played by Rutger Hauer. The film, directed by Bruce Malmuth, chronicles the tense and deadly cat-and-mouse game between law enforcement and the crafty fugitive, providing a graphic depiction of urban crime and counterterrorism efforts.

Sylvester Stallone and Billy Dee Williams feature in Bruce Malmuth’s 1981 crime-driven action thriller Nighthawks, which follows a pair of competent NYPD policemen who are assigned to a new team entrusted with combating the most serious dangers to America and its citizens. The film contains many twists and turns, as well as high-tension situations. Of course, any great action film must have a fascinating villain, and Nighthawks surely has one in Wulfgar (Rutger Hauer), who serves as a true agent of mayhem in New York City.

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Nighthawk’s relentless action takes place in a variety of venues, including subway stations, bars, and even a Roosevelt Island tramway car. The film promises tremendous stakes, massive explosions, and Stallone in disguise (more than once). While Nighthawks nearly quadrupled its box office budget, it has been eclipsed by other action films from the era. Nonetheless, it promises everything action fans want from the movies they watch.

Remo Williams, The Adventure Begins (1985)
Guy Hamilton directed Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins, an action-comedy film. Fred Ward plays a former New York City officer who is recruited into a covert government group and trained by a Korean martial arts teacher (Joel Grey). The film chronicles his journey as he takes on the new persona of Remo Williams to combat high-level corruption.

Sometimes a title perfectly captures the essence of a film. This certainly appears to be the case for Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins, which is as goofy as it is action-packed, making it a wonderfully entertaining film for aficionados of the genre’s comedic elements. The film stars Fred Ward as a New York City cop who is reluctantly recruited to train as an assassin for a secret agency, giving him the new name Remo Williams. The film also stars Joel Grey, who received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance.

Although some (if not most) of the film’s elements have aged poorly, Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins will undoubtedly provide steady amusement. Part of the film’s appeal stems from the absolute absurdity of its different parts, such as miraculously escaping bullets, running on water, fighting on top of the Statue of Liberty, and so on. These occurrences may not reflect a deep, intricate plot, but they do ensure that Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins is entertaining from start to finish.

Running Scared (1986).
Running Scared is a 1986 action comedy film directed by Peter Hyams. It stars Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines as two Chicago police detectives who are given a second chance after almost getting killed on the job. Faced with a dangerous drug lord, they consider retirement while using their unique cooperation to bring the criminal to justice.

Part of the allure of action as a genre stems from its ability to blend effortlessly with other forms of film. For example, the 1986 picture Running Scared successfully blends action and comedy into a single pleasant film. The film stars Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines as two Chicago cops who decide to retire so they may run a bar together in Key West. Before they can move south, however, a personal link drives them to solve one more case.

Running Scared is a film that never takes itself too seriously, instead playing on the absurdity of its subject to deliver hilarious moments of humor.

The undeniable chemistry between Crystal and Hines, combined with the enormous score, keeps fans fascinated throughout the film. Running Scared demonstrates that humor and action can work well together when matched properly.

Gleaming the Cube (1989).
Gleaming The Cube is a 1989 film starring Christian Slater as Brian Kelly, an adolescent skateboarder who discovers a conspiracy while investigating the death of his adopted brother. The film, directed by Graeme Clifford, combines action and drama in a setting inspired by Southern California’s skating culture. Tony Hawk and other professional skateboarders make appearances, adding to the film’s accurate depiction of the sport.

Graeme Clifford’s 1989 film Gleaming the Cube combines action genre cliches with the exhilaration of skating. Christian Slater starred in the film as Brian, an underperforming high school student who utilizes his skateboarding abilities to investigate his adopted brother’s death. Even though the main character is a high school student, the film contains dramatic action and high-stakes violence.

Gleaming the Cube is packed with shootouts and skateboard tricks from start to finish, making it a lot of fun for audiences. This overlooked picture has something for everyone, including action, camaraderie, romance, and an appearance by skateboarding superstar Tony Hawk. Furthermore, Gleaming the Cube contains a heartfelt story at its center, highlighting the lengths that a boy will go to for his sibling.

Eye of Tiger (1986)
Eye of the Tiger is an action drama film starring Gary Busey as Buck Matthews, a Vietnam War veteran who returns to his hometown to avenge his brother’s murder. The film, released in 1986, chronicles Buck’s brutal encounter with a biker gang and crooked cops.

Nothing sets the stage for an explosive action film quite like a straightforward vengeance plot. This lays the stage for Eye of the Tiger, a 1986 action film starring Gary Busey as Buck Matthews. When Buck returns to his hometown after being unfairly imprisoned for years, he discovers that it has fallen under the malevolent domination of a motorcycle gang commanded by a guy only known as Blade. When Buck’s wife is murdered by gang members, he resolves to expel every last member of his beloved town, dead or alive.

The film contains numerous motorcycle stunts, explosions, and an exciting climax featuring a bomb-dropping crop duster.

Eye of the Tiger is packed with dramatic shootouts and gratifying revenge, making it an unappreciated action thriller. The film contains numerous motorcycle stunts, explosions, and an exciting climax featuring a bomb-dropping crop duster. Like many great action films, Eye of the Tiger does not require an extremely intricate plot to satisfy its viewers. Buck is simply a man who wants to give people what they deserve, and viewers are sure to have a great time watching him do it.

The Long Riders (1980)
Western movies are another prominent genre that is blended with action films. The Long Riders, a 1980 Walter Hill film, is a good example of the action/Western blend. The Long Riders tells the story of the James-Younger gang in post-Civil War America. The film portrays the outlaws led by Jesse James and Cole Younger in an unusually sympathetic light, making it a one-of-a-kind addition to the Western genre. Despite underperforming at the box office, the picture earned positive reviews from reviewers.

Aside from its unusual take on the contentious characters it depicts, what truly distinguishes The Long Riders is its casting. The film portrays the characters through multiple sets of brothers, staying true to the sibling dynamics that existed in the genuine James-Younger gang. This includes the famous families of the Quaids (Dennis and Randy), the Guests (Christopher and Nicholas), the Keaches (James and Stacy), and the Carradines (David, Keith, and Robert). The natural chemistry of these sibling groups keeps the characters interesting to observe.

Iron Eagle Cover
Top Gun was not the only action film about two friends flying planes that was produced in 1986. Sidney J. Furie’s gripping film Iron Eagle tells the story of Doug Masters, a man rejected from the United States Air Force who must team up with Chappy, a Vietnam veteran played by Louis Gossett Jr., to save his father, who is about to be hanged in a foreign country. Together, they hijack two military jets and set out to save Doug’s father.

Viewers of Iron Eagle will most likely have to suspend their disbelief because the plot is certainly out of the ordinary. For those who can do this, however, the film is filled with corny, action-packed pleasure from beginning to end. Iron Eagle is an excellent choice of movie to watch when you want to unwind and enjoy some exciting action without having to think too much. Furthermore, the air combat segments provide thrilling high-altitude action.

Blind Fury, led by Hauer’s magnetic performance, has the ideal balance of action and comedy, as well as a healthy dose of heart. Many action films have portrayed characters going to tremendous lengths to save those they care about, but none do it quite like Blind Fury. After all, there aren’t many films where the main character is a blind sword master. Blind Fury, with its novel concept and plenty of heart and humor, is a wonderful (and delightfully corny) alternative for a fun action film.