10 Trashy 1980s Movies That Are Nothing But Fun

The 1980s era is famous for its trashy movies, but some are nothing but fun. Some of the best movies of all time are a product of the ‘80s, a time which is known for being cheesy, over-the-top, and full of enthusiasm. The world of film changes with every passing year, but the 1980s produced some of the most notable titles in cinematic history.

Trashy films are generally considered projects with certain defining features, such as confusing storylines, poor special effects, cringeworthy acting, or bad jokes. While some controversial ‘80s movies are labeled as such because their message is lost in translation, others are referred to as trashy because of the lack of effort or poor reception. Regardless of their execution, these trashy ‘80s movies are still fantastic and enjoyable to watch.

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10 Body Double (1984)

A Story About Strange Coincidences & Badly Timed Arrivals

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Body Double RCrimeMysteryThriller

Body Double is a thriller film directed by Brian De Palma, starring Craig Wasson as Jake Scully, a struggling actor who becomes embroiled in a mystery involving a beautiful woman, Holly Body, played by Melanie Griffith. As Jake becomes obsessed with Holly, he finds himself entangled in a complex web of intrigue and deception.

Director Brian De Palma Release Date October 26, 1984 Cast Craig Wasson , Melanie Griffith , Gregg Henry , Deborah Shelton , Guy Boyd Runtime 114 Minutes Studio(s) Delphi II Productions , Columbia Pictures Writers Robert J. Avrech , Brian De Palma Main Genre Crime Expand

The Brian De Palma movie Body Double is wild to watch for the first time, and at a glance, it seems to be more of a sex-crazed romp title than anything else. Craig Wasson offers a decent performance as struggling actor Jake Scully, but his various interactions with Melanie Griffith as Holly Body are often so cringeworthy that it’s hard not to find it hilarious.

Body Double’s story is ridiculously over-the-top and seems rather unrealistic, but this adds to the charm of the film overall and creates some baffling, funny moments. The plot twists in Body Double are stupidly nonsensical. It feels like every character is secretly someone else, and Sam’s mask reveal at the climax of the movie is truly laughable.

Body Double
is unrealistic in almost every area, even for a thriller project, but the sheer absurdity of it still makes it a fun watch.

Scully’s string of bad luck and backstory isn’t the most inventive, and his involvement in the film’s events isn’t really motivated by his actions; he is simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Body Double is unrealistic in almost every area, even for a thriller project, but the sheer absurdity of it still makes it a fun watch.

9 Death Wish 3 (1985)

A Repeat Of The First Two Death Wish Movies

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Death Wish 3 RActionCrimeDrama

Death Wish 3 follows architect and vigilante Paul Kersey as he returns to New York City, where he is coerced by a corrupt police chief to combat rampant street crime instigated by a terrorizing gang. Released in 1985, this film continues the saga of Kersey’s quest for justice.

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*Availability in US Director Michael Winner Release Date November 1, 1985 Cast Charles Bronson , Deborah Raffin , Ed Lauter , Martin Balsam , Gavan O’Herlihy , Kirk Taylor , Alex Winter , Tony Spiridakis , Ricco Ross , Tony Britts , David Crean , Nelson Fernandez , Alan Cooke , Bob Lee Dysinger , Topo Grajeda , Barbie Wilde , Ron Hayes , Jerry Phillips , Joe Gonzalez , Francis Drake , Leo Kharibian , Hana Maria Pravda , John Gabriel , Mildred Shay , Kenny Marino Runtime 92 minutes Writers Don Jakoby Main Genre Action Expand

The third installment of Charles Bronson’s Death Wish movies, Death Wish 3, is often considered the best of the bunch. However, it is also a turning point in the franchise because of how it glaringly stands out from the other titles. Death Wish 3 feels like more of a caricature of its predecessors, with a badly paced story and strange editing choices.

Related Why Charles Bronson’s Death Wish Movie Was So Controversial Despite Being A Box Office Hit

Charles Bronson’s vigilante thriller Death Wish was a huge hit in the ’70s, but it also generated plenty of controversy for its depiction of violence.

Bronson’s Paul Kersey returns to New York for the first time in a decade and ends up avenging the death of his friend. This story is reflective of the first movie’s plot, but the increasing lunacy of Death Wish 3 means it doesn’t have the same impact.

Kersey’s killing spree lacks much of a motive, and these violent action sequences are far too long-winded. Death Wish 3’s final fight scene is a particular instance of this, and Kersey’s use of a rocket launcher is so amazingly over-the-top. While Death Wish 3 is undoubtedly rife with action and drama, it’s so overused that it becomes comical.

8 Hell Comes To Frogtown (1988)

A Low-Budget Sci-Fi Adventure

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Hell Comes To Frogtown RSci-FiActionComedy

Hell Comes to Frogtown is a 1988 post-apocalyptic film directed by Donald G. Jackson and R. J. Kizer. Starring Roddy Piper as Sam Hell, the film follows his journey through a dystopian world where mutant frogs have captured fertile women. Tasked with rescuing the captives to repopulate the human race, Hell navigates a treacherous landscape filled with unique challenges and adversaries.

Director Donald G. Jackson , R.J. Kizer Release Date January 29, 1988 Cast Roddy Piper , Sandahl Bergman , Cec Verrell , William Smith , Rory Calhoun , Nicholas Worth , Kristi Somers , Cliff Bemis , Brian Frank , Eyde Byrde , Julius LeFlore , Suzanne Solari , Lee Garlington , Dan Coplan Runtime 88 Minutes Writers Donald G. Jackson , Randall Frakes Main Genre Sci-Fi Expand

Hell Comes To Frogtown is a great cheesy ‘80s sci-fi movie to watch with friends, and it encapsulates the tone of the era brilliantly. The post-apocalyptic film focuses on Roddy Piper’s character, Sam Hell, who is nothing short of erratic throughout. Hell Comes To Frogtown has some wacky special effects, which is down to the low budget, but this makes it even more enjoyable to watch. The movie’s bonkers story and Hell’s fight scenes against the mutant amphibian creatures are cheesy, but this is also a staple of ‘80s science fiction.

Hell Comes To Frogtown is basically a wild Mad Max rip-off, but it fails to live up to the same standards when it comes to action. Hell’s battles against the humanoid frogs are plentiful, but they are also lackluster. Plus, the cringey one-liners and innuendos are so painful that they come full circle and end up being fantastically comical. Hell Comes To Frogtown’s poor quality works in its favor, though, and the film amazes audiences by becoming more ridiculous and cheesy with every passing minute in its runtime.

7 Spaceballs (1987)

The Ultimate Science Fiction Comedy

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10/10 Spaceballs PGAdventure Sci-FiComedy

Directed by Mel Brooks, Spaceballs parodies a number of beloved science fiction classics, most notably Star Wars. The film stars Bill Pullman as Lone Starr, a mercenary who helps rescue Princess Vespa from the clutches of the evil Spaceballs who wish to use her as a ransom. While on the run, Lone Starr, Vespa, and company are pursued by Spaceball commanders Dark Helmet and Colonel Sandurz, whose bumbling attempts to retrieve Vespa make up much of the comedy of the film. Bill Pullman stars as Lone Starr, with a further cast that includes Rick Moranis, John Candy, Daphne Zuniga, and Joan Rivers. 

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*Availability in US Director Mel Brooks Release Date June 24, 1987 Cast John Candy , Daphne Zuniga , Mel Brooks , Rick Moranis , Bill Pullman Runtime 96 minutes Studio(s) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributor(s) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Writers Mel Brooks , Ronny Graham , Thomas Meehan Expand

Spaceballs is a hilarious watch that parodies the Star Wars movies and several other overused sci-fi tropes from the ‘70s and ‘80s. However, Spaceballs is a film that tries to be trashy on purpose, and it achieves this beautifully. The performances from the star-studded cast, which includes the likes of Joan Rivers, Rick Moranis, and director Mel Brooks himself, are hysterical. The use of slapstick comedy and wordplay is terrible, but in a good way, and every gag is laid on so thick that even Spaceballs’ aliens could understand.

The best quotes from Spaceballs are all layered with stupid levels of irony, too. Even though Spaceballs is a parody and tries to be bad intentionally, that doesn’t mean it isn’t trashy. The story is sometimes nonsensical, and the comedy can be lazy. The jokes are heavy with toilet humor and inappropriate topics, and some often miss the mark. Despite this, it is still a feel-good title, easy to watch, and requires little to invest in. Spaceballs is definitely one of the very best sci-fi comedies ever made, but it is as equally trashy as it is good.

6 Chopping Mall (1986)

An Unintentionally Funny Horror Title

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10/10 Chopping Mall RComedyHorrorSci-Fi

Chopping Mall is a 1986 science fiction horror film directed by Jim Wynorski. Set in a shopping mall, the story follows a group of teenagers who become trapped inside overnight and must survive against a fleet of malfunctioning security robots. The film stars Kelli Maroney and Tony O’Dell, blending elements of horror and satire within a commercial retail setting.

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*Availability in US Director Jim Wynorski Release Date March 14, 1986 Cast Kelli Maroney , Tony O’Dell , Russell Todd , Karrie Emerson , Barbara Crampton , Nick Segal , John Terlesky , Paul Bartel Runtime 77 minutes Writers Jim Wynorski , Steve Mitchell Main Genre Comedy Expand

There are several cheesy sci-fi horror movies like Chopping Mall, but Jim Wynorski’s 1986 film is a notable one. Chopping Mall’s premise is simple, but the security robot’s takeover of a local shopping mall is even wackier than expected.

The pun title alone is enough to suggest that the movie is trashy, but the style of humor and special effects throughout Chopping Mall confirms it even more. Many of the deaths that occur are very obvious and easily predictable, and some are depicted on the screen so badly that they’re funny.

For example, the janitor’s electrocution.

Chopping Mall uses such badly animated sparks to show the man being shocked that it looks more like an animation skit than a scene from a horror movie. The movie tries to be a satire on consumerism, but it isn’t executed very well. Instead, this part of the narrative feels more like a wagging finger at teenagers who hang out at malls.Chopping Mall is undoubtedly an interesting take on slasher movies, but ironically, it never once sees a single slasher death. However, it’s also a movie that is so bad that it’s good again.

5 Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)

A Feel-Good Journey Through Time

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10/10 Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure AdventureSci-FiMusicComedyRomance

Starring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure follows the titular heroes, two high school students in 1980s California who must go on a time-traveling quest assembling historical figures in order to pass a history test and in doing so ensure a utopian future that they play a large part in. George Carlin stars alongside Reeves and Winter as Rufus. 

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*Availability in US Director Stephen Herek Release Date February 17, 1989 Cast Keanu Reeves , Alex Winter , George Carlin , Terry Camilleri , Dan Shor , Tony Steedman Runtime 90 minutes Studio(s) De Laurentiis Entertainment Group Distributor(s) De Laurentiis Entertainment Group Writers Chris Matheson , Ed Solomon Expand

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure is still an enjoyable watch, even if plenty of things about the film don’t hold up today. The highly unlikely storyline of the titular characters traveling through time to complete a school report can be excused because the movie comes under the sci-fi genre, although a lot of the logistics of it don’t make sense. Bill and Ted are also incredibly goofy, and their banter is quite one-dimensional, but it’s still easy to understand their less-than-intelligent sense of humor.

The main character’s primary traits are that they aren’t clever whatsoever. Although this can get old and predictable quickly, it also creates many opportunities for all manner of chaos, and their over-the-top and baffling escapades are simply brilliant to watch. Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure’s wacky quotes and the combination of slapstick comedy, sexual references, and overused swearing isn’t a new format whatsoever. However, the fact the film doesn’t take itself seriously or try too hard is appealing.

4 Road House (1989)

Patrick Swayze Takes On A Robin Hood Type Role

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Road House ActionThriller

With a story and screenplay by David Lee Henry and direction from Rowdy Herrington, Road House is a 1989 Action release starring Patrick Swayze in the lead role. Swayze steps into the shoes of James Dalton, a bouncer that is hired by a club owner to provide security for the establishment.

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*Availability in US Director Rowdy Herrington Release Date May 19, 1989 Cast Patrick swayze , Kelly Lynch , Sam Elliott , Ben Gazzara , Marshall R. Teague , Julie Michaels , Red West , Sunshine Parker Runtime 114 minutes Studio(s) United Artists Distributor(s) United Artists Writers R. Lance Hill , Hilary Henkin Main Genre Action Expand

Road House is an action movie in which its violence is often overshadowed by cheesiness. The film uses a heap of ‘80s tropes and relies on sexual themes a lot, but it still provides an overall enthralling story about a heroic bouncer in a fight against corruption. Patrick Swayze is overly macho and oozes stereotypical masculinity from start to finish as James Dalton, earning him a Golden Raspberry nomination for Worst Actor. One of Road House’s harsh realities is that it barely takes a break between action sequences, and another brawl happens just moments after the last one wraps up.

Strangely, Road House feels like a Western, but it isn’t. Recurring locations like the Dive Bar and the barn are very cowboy-esque, as well as Dalton’s need to protect his community and confidants from exploitation. However cheesy it may be, Road House’s story is still fun. Patrick Swayze’s wild fight scenes and Dalton’s cringey persona are too much at times, but the sheer ridiculousness of their frequency means that there isn’t any time to be bored. Plus, the film’s stellar soundtrack is enough to distract viewers from focusing on its uncomfortable moments too much.

3 Hobgoblins (1988)

A Low-Budget Reinterpretation Of The Gremlins

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Hobgoblins Not RatedHorrorComedySci-Fi

Hobgoblins, directed by Rick Sloane, follows a group of mischievous creatures that escape a studio vault. These creatures can grant fantasies but with fatal consequences. A security guard, along with his friends, must capture them before morning to prevent further chaos. Released in 1988, the film blends horror and comedy.

Director Rick Sloane Release Date July 14, 1988 Cast Tom Bartlett , Paige Sullivan , Steven Boggs , Kelley Palmer , Billy Frank , Tamara Clatterbuck , Duane Whitaker , James R. Sweeney Runtime 68 Minutes Writers Rick Sloane Main Genre Horror Expand

Rick Sloane’s Hobgoblins is considered one of the worst films of all time and is essentially a rip-off of Gremlins, but there’s plenty about it that makes it a fun watch. From the opening scenes, it’s clear that Hobgoblins’ budget is minimal, and the puppets used for the titular creatures aren’t great. Hobgoblins’ characters are ridiculously stereotypical, too, and they offer little much else than their primary trait.

However, the movie is full of comical moments and baffling, illogical adventures that make it easy to enjoy. A great example of this is the party scene. The hobgoblins make the fantasies of Kevin’s friends come true, which results in some stupidly funny instances.

The abrupt jumps between events are outrageously unrealistic, and every event is more erratic than the one before it, but this creates a hilarious watch.

Amy is usually a prude and wants to be a stripper, but after her wish comes true, it suddenly turns into a nightclub brawl between the humans and hobgoblins. The abrupt jumps between events are outrageously unrealistic, and every event is more erratic than the one before it, but this creates a hilarious watch.

2 Maximum Overdrive (1986)

One Of Few Stephen King Projects To Flop

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7/10 Maximum Overdrive RHorrorComedyAction

Written and directed by Stephen King, Maximum Overdrive is a 1986 horror movie about a group of people who are trapped at a truck stop when all the machines in the world, including trucks, cars, and lawn mowers, become sentient and homicidal.

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*Availability in US Director Stephen King Release Date July 25, 1986 Cast Emilio Estevez , Laura Harrington , Pat Hingle , Yeardley Smith , John Short , Ellen McElduff , Frankie Faison Runtime 98 minutes Studio(s) 20th Century Distributor(s) De Laurentiis Entertainment Group , 20th Century Writers Stephen King Expand

Two-time Golden Raspberry nominee Maximum Overdrive is the first and only Stephen King film that the man himself directs.Stephen King’s worst movie adaptation is unintentionally hysterical, which is a strange quality to see in a project from the author.

King’s films are usually dark and profoundly serious, but Maximum Overdrive is campy and isn’t as scary as it realistically should be. While the story about mechanical machines taking over is supposed to strike fear into audiences, it feels more like a gory parody of a children’s movie.

Related 10 Stephen King Adaptations That King Himself Criticized

Stephen King wrote a huge number of stories that were adapted for film, but while he’s the source of inspiration, it doesn’t mean he’s always a fan.

However, by suspending disbelief, Maximum Overdrive is a worthy watch. If viewers ignore plot holes, such as why some cars are safe but other machines are sentient, the film is enjoyable. Even though King isn’t content with his execution, Maximum Overdrive is still a fun film. The scenes of destruction and commotion are wild, and the characters are ludicrous, but the story makes sense and is simple to follow. King states that his directional choices in Maximum Overdrive are due to the influence of drugs, so it makes sense that it is so explosive.

1 Mannequin (1987)

A Sweet Yet Weird Love Story

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Mannequin (1987) PG

Mannequin (1987) is a romantic comedy about a young artist who creates a mannequin that comes to life. Set in a Philadelphia department store, the story follows the artist’s attempts to keep the secret of the living mannequin while developing a romantic relationship. The movie explores themes of creativity, love, and the pursuit of one’s dreams in a lighthearted manner.

Director Michael Gottlieb Release Date February 13, 1987 Cast Andrew McCarthy , Kim Cattrall , Estelle Getty , James Spader , G.W. Bailey , Carole Davis , Meshach Taylor , Steve Vinovich , Christopher Maher , Phyllis Newman , Phil Rubenstein , Jeffrey Lampert , Kenneth Lloyd , Jake Jundef , Harvey Levine , Thomas J. McCarthy , Pat Ryan , Glenn Davish , Steve Lippe , Lee Golden , Vernon R. DeVinney , Olivia Frances Williams , Charles Lord , Ben Hammer , Jane Moore , Jane Carol Simms , Judi Goldhand , Lara Harris , Dan Lounsbery , Kitty Minehart Runtime 89 Minutes Writers Edward Rugoff Main Genre Comedy Expand

Mannequin is an ‘80s movie with a baffling story, but it’s also a heartwarming and overall entertaining title. The romantic comedy focuses on a young artist who develops a love affair with a department store mannequin that has come to life, which is an extremely odd but unique plot. To make things even more confusing, Emmy isn’t just an object to display clothes, she is also the reincarnated personality of a woman from Ancient Egypt who reawakens in 1987’s Philadelphia.

Jonathan’s attempts to keep Emmy under wraps are too extreme, especially as she can only come to life under his gaze and nobody else, but it fuels their love, too. Mannequin lacks a lot of logic, but it’s lighthearted and warming, so it’s easy to look past the plot holes. The film’s soundtrack is astounding, with the title track earning Mannequin a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Mannequin tries hard to be sentimental to the point that it’s a little cheesy, but for a rom-com, it isn’t so sickly that viewers are put off.

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