The Karate Kid (1984)

John Avildsen (“Rocky”) directs another underdog story — a real crowd-pleaser that honors karate and friendship. The bullied teenager (Ralph Macchio) is a little too precious, but Pat Morita’s Oscar-nominated turn as Mr. Miyagi gives the film its heart.

d: John Avildsen | imdb.com | trailer | You’re the best.

Ghostbusters (1984)

Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis play parapsychologists who save New York City from ghosts and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man in a winning comedy and special effects blockbuster. Murray perfects his comic persona as Dr. Peter Venkman.

d: Ivan Reitman | imdb.com | trailer | the whole movie | the song

Streets of Fire (1984)

Director Walter Hill (“Warriors”) shoots post-World War II America like a film noir MTV video, a world where Willem Dafoe’s shotgun-wielding gang kidnaps rock star Diane Lane, and the brooding Michael Pare saves her in a kick-ass sledgehammer fight.

d: Walter Hill | imdb.com | trailer | Inside “Streets of Fire”
“Tonight Is What It Means to Be Young” | “I Can Dream About You”
The Independent | Roger Ebert | Salon

Footloose (1984)

Serious execution problems: There isn’t enough dancing, and the music isn’t good enough. Kevin Bacon, the new kid in a town where dancing and rock and roll are banned, needs more dirt under his fingernails. Yet there’s a good idea for a film in there somewhere.

d: Herbert Ross | imdb.com | trailer | “Holding Out for a Hero”

Angel (1984)

Donna Wilkes is a 15-year-old, straight-A student (Molly) by day and a hooker (Angel) at night in an almost-good exploitation film with several nude scenes. She is also the target of necrophiliac serial killer John Diehl, who disguises himself as a Hare Krishna.

d: Robert Vincent O’Neill | imdb.com | trailer | whole movie
trailers | Angel | Avenging Angel | Angel III: The Final Chapter

Personal Best (1982)

Mariel Hemingway plays as an Olympic-caliber pentathlete, and Scott Glenn is her demanding coach. The film excels at presenting the beauty and grace of the athletes through slow motion and the complications of girlfriends competing against each other.

d: Robert Towne | imdb.com | Arm wrestling | the first part