The 1980s gave us some of the most iconic movies in film history, but if we're being honest, some of them haven't aged well. (Neither have these 90s movies, honestly).
While they might've been considered harmless fun at the time, many have plot lines, jokes, and general themes that wouldn't fly in today's more socially conscious world.
From problematic gender dynamics to outdated stereotypes and downright disturbing antics, here are 10 cringy '80s movies that would never be made today.
1. Heathers (1988)
New World Pictures
In 1989, Heathers was viewed as a bold, dark satire on high school social hierarchies. Viewers watched Veronica, played by Winona Ryder, and her psychotic boyfriend J.D., portrayed by Christian Slater, as they embarked on a murder spree. Each of their kills was also disguised as suicide.
Back then, the idea of teens turning against each other in such a violent way was considered an edgy, basically absurd take on high school drama. But today, school violence is no longer a far-fetched idea.
2. Dream a Little Dream (1989)
Vertron Pictures
Dream a Little Dream seems like another lighthearted body-swap comedy on the surface, but it has a pretty unsettling subplot.
It follows a teenage boy who ends up possessed by the spirit of an old man due to a bizarre accident. Then, while navigating this weird predicament, he also falls for a girl named Lainie, who's stuck in an abusive relationship.
That premise alone might sound strange, but how Lainie's situation is addressed is even worse. Not only do her parents dismiss her concerns, but they actively side with her abusive boyfriend!
In fact, they threatened to uproot their entire family because she refused to sleep with him. Can you imagine this working on the big screen today?
3. Revenge of the Nerds (1984)
20th Century Fox
This '80s movie about bullied misfits finally getting their vengeance has some problematic content that really hasn't aged well. First of all, it contains a lot of racist and homophobic jokes.
Moreover, the so-called "revenge" the nerds take on their bullies involves them breaking into a sorority house, stealing underwear, and secretly installing cameras to spy on the women inside. It's just plain creepy.
4. Sixteen Candles (1984)
Universal Pictures
Even though Sixteen Candles is remembered for its coming-of-age story and sweet romantic moments, it also features one of the most offensive Asian stereotypes: Long Duk Dong.
The foreign exchange student is reduced to an embarrassing caricature, and every time he appears on screen, a gong sound effect actually plays. As if the audience didn't already get the "joke."
5. Zapped! (1982)
Embassy Pictures
Zapped! is another '80s movie with a premise that would definitely be deemed too wild today.
After a science lab explosion gives a high school student telekinetic powers, he uses his newfound abilities to literally tear girls' clothing off. Sure, it's a raunchy teen comedy, but it arguably toes the line into harassment.
6. Can't Buy Me Love (1987)
Touchstone Pictures
In Can't Buy Me Love, young Patrick Dempsey plays Ronald, a socially awkward high schooler who ditches his dream of buying a telescope and instead spends $1,000 to bribe the most popular girl in school into pretending to be his girlfriend.
Spoiler alert: the plan works, and Ronald transforms from a lovable underdog into an arrogant guy who treats his friends like trash.
Yet the issue with this movie isn't just the idea that money can buy love and social status. It's that Ronald gets let off the hook without much consequence. He still gets the girl and learns a conveniently shallow lesson about staying true to himself.
7. Weird Science (1985)
Universal Pictures
If you haven't been able to tell already, teen comedies in the '80s loved to embrace nerds. Weird Science took this to a whole new level.
Two geeky teenagers use their computer to create the "perfect woman," who isn't just beautiful but also has supernatural powers. If that isn't eyebrow-raising enough, the boys treated the woman more like a wish-granting object than an actual person.
8. Fatal Attraction (1987)
Paramount Pictures
Some elements of Fatal Attraction could hold up today. After all, psychological thrillers about obsessive relationships are still a Hollywood staple.
Even so, this film takes things to an extreme that would be hard to pull off now. Perhaps the most shocking scene is when Alex, a woman whose brief affair spirals into obsession, boils a pet rabbit alive.
What's worse is that the filmmakers used a real (albeit already dead) rabbit for the shot.
9. Mr. Mom (1983)
Twentieth Century Fox/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
In 1983, the idea of a stay-at-home dad was comical. Today, it's simply called parenting.
Mr. Mom follows Jack, a father who takes on household duties while his wife returns to work. Unsurprisingly, it leans heavily into outdated gender stereotypes and portrays Jack as utterly clueless when it comes to housework and childcare. Meanwhile, his friends and strangers treat him like a failure for stepping into a traditionally female role.
10. A Christmas Story (1983)
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
This last one might be controversial, as A Christmas Story is a holiday classic. Even so, there are some cringeworthy moments in this 80s movie.
First of all, there's the infamous scene in the Chinese restaurant where the servers' accents are exaggerated for laughs. Plus, there are outdated parenting techniques, like kids getting their mouths washed out with soap for swearing or being threatened with corporal punishment.
Aside from all that, the largest issue is how the plot revolves around a 9-year-old begging for a rifle. Given the current climate of school safety, a movie mixing kids and firearms wouldn't fly today.
What do you think of these cringy '80s movies? Did we miss any? Let us know on Facebook!
