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Summary
The eighties get some of the most iconicaction moviesof all time , but only a favorable few spawned the franchises that are still associated with this epoch . For the residuum , one classic picture show was not enough to secure a succession of sequels – or sometimes even a unmarried follow - up – despite democratic acclaim from fans . As a resolution , there are a surprising phone number ofgreat LXXX action moviesthat are yet to build on their legacy , for all their initial success .
Many of the biggest action motion-picture show franchise began in the 1980s . Hits likeDie Hard , Lethal Weapon , Rambo , and many more all owe their success to the testosterone - drench appetites of hearing throughout the decade . Considering the success of these multi - installment franchises , it ’s no wonder that other film seek to emulate them . However , capturing the magic of a movie likeDie Hardis not as simple as it seems . Some movies usher in type and account that seem perfect for next installments , only for vital skepticism or hearing unemotionality to jump the plan . However , an military action moving-picture show not suffer a sequeldoesn’t imply it did n’t deserve one .
10Cobra (1986)
Stallone’s violent cult classic
Like many uniquely 80s action movies , Cobraoffers the winning combination of Sylvester Stallone and overweening force . Stallone plays the for good - make a face Lt . Marion " Cobra " Cobretti – a maverick cop who does n’t care for slightness like communications protocol , collateral damage , and obeying the jurisprudence he ’s supposed to uphold . Although the pic was critically pan , Cobrawas a huge financial strike – piddle $ 160 million against a $ 25 million budget . Stallone ’s character , with his signature tune sunglasses and submachine hitman , has become an LXXX cult ikon , relieve oneself it even more surprising that the standalone feature never spawned a franchise .
9Blue Thunder (1983)
Roy Schieder gets to the chopper
The 80s was a gilt age for outrageous Salmon Portland Chase succession , butBlue Thunderis a rare model of a movie that brings some naive realism to bear on all the ridiculousness . star Roy Schieder as helicopter pilot Frank Murphy , the movie blends classic 80s action with a cut political message about the rise of authoritarianism and the dangers of a police state . Colorado - written byAlien ’s Dan O’Bannon , Blue Thunderhas been the subject of multiple attempt follow - ups and remakes , yet plans have never materialized into anything concrete . However , with its apposite theme of surveillance and confederacy , there has arguably never been a better time forBlue boom 2 .
2024 may potentially be one of the greatest years for action movies , with challenging original and telling dealership releases on the fashion .
8Red Dawn (1984)
Sheen and Swayze take on the communists
Like everything in the 1980s , the action at law genre was regulate by the ongoing Cold War . Many film used tensity with the Soviet Union as background inspiration , get the conspiratorial atm and fright of nuclear war lend authenticity to imagined dystopian future . Red Dawntook a different approach . The film very literally imagined an undefended conflict between the Soviets and America , in which the United States came under occupation . This heavy - handed plot did n’t stop the movie from finding an audience , get to $ 38 million against a $ 17 million budget . Although a remake followed in 2012 , it ’s somewhat surprising thatRed Dawnnever got a sequel give its provocative world - edifice .
7Midnight Run (1988)
De Niro tracks down The Duke
Not just agreat eighty action movie , but one of the salutary eighties moving-picture show , period , Midnight Runwon vital and commercial acclaim upon spill . Starring Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin as a bounty Orion and his butt , the movie is at the same time affecting , thrilling , and hilarious . Its success and bequest makes it all the more surprising that it never received a right follow - up . Admittedly , threeMidnight Runsequels were produced . Yet they were all made for television , featured neither De Niro nor Grodin , and contained none of the elements that made the original such a success .
6Tango & Cash (1989)
Stallone and Russell team up
As two of the eighties great action wiz , Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell seemed like the perfect leads for the next major 80s natural process enfranchisement . regrettably , their quislingism onTango & Cashfailed to deliver on the promise of its protagonists . As the titulary cop duo , Stallone and Russell failed to recapture the vigour and camaraderie that had made Mel Gibson and Danny Glover such a success inLethal Weapontwo old age earlier . However , despite a poor critical execution , it is still somewhat surprising thatTango & Cashnever got a subsequence , consider its solid box office haul of $ 120 million .
These action movie Italian sandwich do n’t just kill a few bad hombre , they wage full - scale state of war against US Army , resulting in some ridiculously high kill counts .
5Big Trouble In Little China (1986)
Kurt Russell and John Carpenter bomb at the box office
In some way , it ’s extremely unsurprising thatBig fuss in Little Chinanever spawned a enfranchisement . On an estimated budget of $ 19 - 25 million , the movie made just over $ 11 million , stimulate director John Carpenter to lose faith in Hollywood and the movie industry . However , despite disappointing financials , the movie remains one of the best 80 activity films ever . Both a subversion of and homage to definitive warriorlike arts moving picture , the cinema has enjoyed a Renascence since its release and is widely regarded as a furore classic . Although hearsay proceed to circulate about a Dwayne Johnson - led reboot , large difficulty in Little Chinaremains a continuation - less standalone .
4Road House (1989)
Kurt Russell wants you to be nice
Until ratification of theJake Gyllenhaal remake / reboot , Road Houseseemed destined to stay another obscure Patrick Swayze activity picture show . The low - budget fad classic made over $ 61 million against a $ 15 million budget , produce one of the decade ’s most notorious activity spark advance , and gas some of the genre ’s most recognisable dialogue , yetfailed to head to any meaningful follow - up – except for a direct - to - videodisk sequel in 2006 . While technically not as standalone as other accounting entry on this list , it ’s all the same surprising that a character like the original Dalton was never given the prospect to re-emerge in a properRoad Housesequel .
3Commando (1985)
Arnie eats green berets for breakfast
A quintessential Schwarzenegger movie , Commandohas all the ingredients to make a typical 80s action mechanism flick . Schwarzenegger stars as Special Forces colonel John Matrix , who is thrust to wage a one - man state of war against villainous enemies after his girl is abduct . Expertly mingle violence and humor , Commandowas receive generally positively by critic , was a major box office smash , and spawn a succession of imitators . However , Schwarzenegger ’s character has not been seen since , despiteCommando ’s pattern seeming to be perfectly suited for comeback .
2The Running Man (1987)
Schwarzenegger wins Squid Game
AlthoughThe Running Manfailed to make as big a corner role splash as many of the star ’s other hits , subsequent vent have proved thatThe Running Man ’s premise would have been consummate for a franchise . LikeSquid Game , the moving-picture show imagines a fancied violent game show , in which contestants are forced to battle for their lives to be in with a chance of dodging . hearsay of aRunning Manremake and/or sequel have persisted since 2021 , yet for now the motion-picture show remains the series ' solitary episode – a surprising pity , present its relevant social comment and cult appeal .
With monumental hits like Inception , Terminator 2 , and The Matrix , the most influential action movies of all time are dead mindblowing .
1They Live (1988)
He’s all out of bubblegum
Despite going moderately against the grain of the 80saction movietemplate by taking a deliberately slow and more satirical approach to minutes , They Livenonetheless remain one of the ten ’s greatest cult hit . Roddy Piper ’s scattergun , sunglass , and bubblegum - free-base threats have all become part of the pop finish dictionary , with their preponderance making the lack of aThey Livesequel even more surprising . In an era where conspiracy theories and societal restraint are key worry , the original movie feels more seasonable than ever . However , while plans for a remake have been in the offing since 2010,They Liveremains a major miss franchise chance .
