(3) Beverly Hills Cop vs. (14) They Live
(3) Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
Eddie Murphy, the Axel F theme, Beverly Hills excess, action-comedy, and one of the decade’s most charismatic lead performances make this a heavyweight contender. It helped define Murphy’s career and established a style of fast-moving action comedy that would be copied throughout the decade.
(14) They Live (1988)
John Carpenter’s satire of consumerism, advertising, wealth, conformity, and media manipulation is deeply rooted in the 1980s. Its sunglasses, hidden messages, famous fight scene, and highly quotable dialogue have given it tremendous cult staying power. It may be a lower seed, but it remains one of the decade’s sharpest cultural commentaries.
