Sometimes the best films with fabulous eighties atmosphere, vibes, and music are films that aren’t from that decade.
Set in the 80s
So when a user in a popular forum asked, “What’s the best movie set in the 80s that wasn’t filmed in the 80s? Two of the favorites I mentioned discussing this once are Donnie Darko and Adventureland, but many disagreed.”
They continued, “I suspect we’ll see more of these in the coming years in an attempt to cash in on Stranger Things, but we had quite a few in the previous decades as well.” People had plenty to say, and these are the nominated films encompassing eighties vibes but aren’t actually from the 80s.
1. Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)
I love Hot Tub Time Machine. More so because I can relate to it quite a bit. My group of buddies would do a yearly ski trip back in the 80s but now we’re all married (mostly), doing our own thing, and aren’t as close like back in the day.
2. The Wedding Singer (1998)
The Wedding Singer is the first Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore film in their trilogy of romantic comedies. It tells the story of Robbie Hart (Sandler), a wedding singer who is stood up at the altar. He befriends a waitress who is engaged to a massive jerk. As Robbie helps Julia plan her wedding, they fall in love. The movie has the best music and is a laugh-out-loud eighties vibe all around.
3. Everybody Wants Some!! (2016)
Everybody Wants Some is an American teen comedy sports flick about college baseball players in 1980s Texas. It follows a first-year college student and his baseball teammates, a wild group of disco-dancing partyers chasing skirts.
4. American Psycho (2000)
American Psycho is a black comedy horror film based on Bret Easton Ellis’ novel of the same name. It follows Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), an investment banker who leads a double life as a serial killer in New York City. American Psycho is a satirized 1980s story demonstrating white-collar culture and consumerism. The film’s supporting roles include Willem Dafoe, Jared Leto, Justin Theroux, and Reese Witherspoon.
5. Fargo (1996)
Set in 1987, Fargo is a black comedy crime story that follows Marge, a pregnant Minnesota police chief, as she investigates roadside homicides. The homicides occur after a miserable car salesman hires two criminals to kidnap his wife to extort a hefty ransom from her wealthy father. The film stars Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, and Peter Stormare.
6. White Bird in a Blizzard (2014)
White Bird In A Blizzard. It really captures the feeling of the time. It’s not 100 percent perfect on the look of the time, but it feels more like what I remember from that decade than other films set in the 80’s.
7. Beyond the Black Rainbow (2010)
Set in 1983, Beyond the Black Rainbow is a Canadian sci-fi horror film that tells the story of a woman with ESP. She’s heavily sedated and tries to escape from her captivity at Arboria Institute, a secluded commune.
8. No Country for Old Men (2007)
No Country for Old Men is an American neo-Western crime thriller film set in the desert landscape of 1980, West Texas. After finding the gruesome aftermath of a drug deal while out hunting, Llewelyn (Josh Brolin) cannot resist taking the cash left behind. However, soon he is hunted by a merciless killer and Sheriff Bell (Tommy Lee Jones).
9. It (2017)
It is a story based in the 1980s on Stephen King’s novel of the same name. It follows a group of outcasted teenagers called The Losers’ Club. In addition to being regularly harassed by a group of bullies, an eponymous being, It, terrorizes the teens. It takes the shape of whatever the kids are frightened of, emerging from the sewer to feed on children every 27 years in Derry, Maine.
10. Joker (2019)
Set in 1981, Joker gives an origin story to Batman’s infamous villain, The Joker. It follows Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), a mentally-ill clown by day and an aspiring stand-up comedian by night. He cares for his mother in a crime-ridden and deteriorating Gotham City. The film demonstrates Fleck’s descent into madness while giving audiences a taste of understanding why he wants to watch the world burn.
This article was inspired by this thread and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Cents + Purpose.
More From Cents + Purpose
10 Movie Soundtracks That Are Amazing From Beginning to End
Have you ever watched a movie where the introduction music starts playing, and you catch yourself bobbing your head? One hour in, and your neck starts hurting because you can’t stop?
Someone asked on a popular online forum, “Which movie soundtrack slaps from beginning to end?” Here are some of the top-voted responses.
10 Movie Soundtracks That Are Amazing From Beginning to End
14 Celebrities People Are Embarrassed To Admit They Find Attractive
You are talking with your friends, and the subject of who is the hottest celebrity comes up. Everyone is saying all the typical answers you figured to hear. Then it comes to your turn, and you say your celebrity crush’s name, and everyone looks at you with a puzzled look.
14 Celebrities People Are Embarrassed To Admit They Find Attractive
10 Popular Bands People Think Have the Worst Lead Singers
There are so many iconic bands out there with lead singers that carry the band into success. However, there are just as many that have lead singers fans believe are holding their band back. Someone posed the question on a popular online forum asking, “What band has the worst lead singer?” Here are some of the top-voted responses.
10 Popular Bands People Think Have the Worst Lead Singers
13 Actors People Think Are Immediate Turn-Offs When Cast in a Role
Even the most famous actors can’t please all their critics. Who is one actor you can’t stand watching, no matter their role? A popular online forum shared their opinions on this topic – these were the top-voted actors that immediately turned them off.
13 Actors People Think Are Immediate Turn-Offs When Cast in a Role
Early Brad Pitt Movies That Were a Hit and Still Hold up Today
As one of Hollywood’s most famous leading men for decades, there’s no denying Brad Pitt has had a long list of successes in his career. But do any of his early hits still hold up today?
Early Brad Pitt Movies That Were a Hit and Still Hold up Today
Elizabeth Ervin
Elizabeth Ervin is the owner of Sober Healing, a website that provides information about addiction, recovery, mental wellness, spirituality, and resources to help people succeed in rebuilding their lives. Elizabeth has education and experience with addiction, healing, and spiritual studies. She is passionate about learning, teaching, and loving her neighbor.
