The 1980s were a golden age for movies, giving us countless classics that still hold a special place in our hearts. From adventurous comedies to heartwarming dramas, these films shaped the childhood memories of an entire generation. However, as times change, so do our sensibilities and cultural norms.
Looking back at some of these beloved 80s flicks, it’s clear that many of them contain elements that wouldn’t be accepted in today’s more socially conscious world. Here’s a list of 18 popular 80s movies that might raise eyebrows if they were released today.
Blade Runner
While a sci-fi masterpiece, this film’s treatment of its female characters is problematic by modern standards. The replicant Pris is highly sexualized, and there’s a scene where Deckard’s behavior towards Rachael borders on sexual assault. The power dynamics in their relationship are also troubling.
Revenge of the Nerds
While marketed as a fun underdog story, this movie has not aged well at all. It features numerous scenes of carnal misconduct, including a character committing sexual assault by deception. The film also relies heavily on stereotypes and makes light of voyeurism and non-consensual filming.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
This action-adventure classic contains several elements that would be considered culturally insensitive today. The portrayal of India and its culture is full of stereotypes and inaccuracies. The depiction of the villains plays into harmful “exotic savage” tropes, and the representation of Hinduism is often disrespectful.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
This mix of cartoon and real-life characters has some jokes that adults might question now. Jessica Rabbit’s character is drawn in a way that we might see as too grown-up for a family movie today. Some of the cartoon violence, while funny, might seem a bit much for kids now. The film’s view of women and some of its jokes about different groups wouldn’t fit in movies made today.
Back to the Future
This beloved time-travel adventure contains some elements that are cringe-worthy by today’s standards. The subplot involving Marty’s mother developing a crush on him is uncomfortable, to say the least. The film also contains some racial stereotypes and downplays the seriousness of sexual harassment.
Rambo: First Blood Part II
This action movie shows a very simple view of war. It treats Vietnamese people as faceless bad guys. The hero kills many people and it’s shown as cool. While exciting, the movie ignores the real pain of war and paints other cultures badly.
The Karate Kid
This popular underdog story has some outdated ideas about different cultures. The movie sometimes makes Asian culture look mysterious in a way that’s not quite right. Some of the bullying scenes might seem too harsh for a kids’ movie today. The relationship between Daniel and Mr. Miyagi, while meaningful, has moments that we might see as uncomfortable now. Even though it teaches good lessons about hard work, parts of the movie show how our understanding of different cultures has changed.
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure
This comedy about time travel has some jokes that wouldn’t work well today. The way it shows people from history is often based on silly stereotypes. The movie doesn’t have many important female characters, which we’d try to change now. Some of the slang and behavior of the main characters might seem disrespectful in a modern movie. Even though it’s a fun story, it shows how our ideas about including different kinds of people in movies have changed.
Scrooged
This Christmas movie update has some mean-spirited humor. It makes fun of homeless people and people with mental health issues. There are also some sexist jokes about women. While trying to teach a lesson about kindness, the film often punches down on vulnerable groups.
Tootsie
A man dresses as a woman to get a job. The movie makes jokes about trans people and treats women unfairly. It shows the man becoming a better person by pretending to be a woman. While it tries to talk about gender issues, it does so in a way that’s not okay today.
Big Trouble in Little China
This action movie set in Chinatown has some problems with how it shows Chinese culture. It often relies on old stereotypes about Asian people and their traditions. The main character sometimes acts in ways that seem disrespectful to the culture he’s visiting. While the movie tries to be respectful, it shows how our understanding of different cultures has grown a lot. It’s an example of how we’re much more careful now about representing all cultures fairly in films.
Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise
Like the first movie, this sequel has lots of creepy sexual behavior. The nerds trick women into having sex with them. There are racist stereotypes of Japanese people. The movie treats sexual assault and racism as funny pranks instead of serious issues.
Airplane!
This comedy has many jokes that we’d think twice about today. Some of its humor makes fun of different groups in ways we now see as hurtful. The movie’s jokes about women often treat them unfairly. While many people still find it funny, a lot of its humor wouldn’t be okay in a movie made now. It shows how much our ideas about what’s okay to joke about have changed.
Can’t Buy Me Love
A boy pays a popular girl to pretend to be his girlfriend. The movie treats the girl like something that can be bought. It sends messages that being popular is the most important thing. While trying to be a sweet teen romance, it actually shows some unhealthy relationship ideas.
Teen Wolf
This werewolf comedy has some outdated views on masculinity. The hero only becomes popular and good at sports when he turns into a wolf. There are also some stereotypes about different groups in high school. While fun, the movie suggests you need to change who you are to be liked.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
This popular teen movie has some things in it that we might see differently now. Ferris tricks his friends and family, and the movie makes it seem cool instead of wrong. There are also some jokes about gay people that wouldn’t be okay today. Though it’s still funny, some parts of the movie don’t match how we think about treating others now.
Flashdance
This funny movie has some problems that people might not like now. Janine, the secretary, gets treated badly at work, but the movie acts like it’s funny. There’s also a weird ghost scene that brings up questions about permission. While many people love this movie, parts of it don’t match how we think about treating others at work today.
The Breakfast Club
This famous teen movie shows some unhealthy relationships that we see differently now. There’s a scene where a boy looks up a girl’s skirt without asking, which isn’t okay. The movie also sends a strange message about how girls should act around mean boys. Even though it was groundbreaking then, some parts of the story are troubling to watch today.
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