Best of '80s: 10-Film Collection: Volume 2

Poltergeist (1982)

"They’re here." At first, the ghosts haunting the Freelings’ new home seem playful, rearranging furniture and interfering with their TV reception. Then, little Carol Anne (Heather O’Rourke) is abducted into their netherworld, and her parents (Craig T. Nelson, JoBeth Williams) fear they may have lost their child to specters with more malevolent intentions. Produced by Steven Spielberg and directed by Tobe Hooper; Zelda Rubenstein, Beatrice Straight co-star. 114 min. C/Rtg: PG

National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)

Hop in the Family Truckster with Clark W. Griswold (Chevy Chase), a Chicago family man who leads his brood on a madcap trek to L.A. amusement park Walley World. Along the way, the Griswolds encounter out-of-control cars, an ill-tempered dog, a beautiful model (Christie Brinkley), and hillbilly cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid). Beverly D’Angelo, Anthony Michael Hall, Dana Barron, Imogene Coca, and John Candy also star; Harold Ramis directs from a script by John Hughes. 99 min. C/Rtg: R

The Outsiders (1983)

Set in 1960s Oklahoma, Francis Ford Coppola’s exciting adaptation of the classic S.E. Hinton tale chronicles a bitter gang war between the working-class "greasers" and the upscale "socs." When a violent encounter results in the death of a rival gang member, greasers Ponyboy (C. Thomas Howell) and Johnny (Ralph Macchio) must go on the run from the law, forcing them to grow up before their time. The supporting cast features a host of future stars, including Diane Lane, Matt Dillon, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, and Tom Cruise. 91 min. C/Rtg: PG-13

The Neverending Story (1984)

Enter a fantastic world where the strongest power is the power of the imagination. When he comes across a book that can project the reader into its story, a young boy (Barret Oliver) becomes part of a wondrous adventure in a land of flying dragons, evil wolves, gnomes, and a warrior-child who must fight to save it from destruction. Noah Hathaway, Tami Stronach, Gerald McRaney co-star; directed by Wolfgang Petersen. 92 min. C/Rtg: PG

Gremlins (1984)

Sure, Gizmo, the furry little creature young Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan) gets for Christmas, is cute and cuddly--until he gets wet and multiplies. And when the offspring eat after midnight, they’re transformed into vicious reptilian monsters that terrorize the citizens of the small, sleepy town of Kingston Falls. This darkly comic horror gem from director Joe Dante and producer Steven Spielberg also stars Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, and the great Dick Miller. 106 min. C/Rtg: PG

The Goonies (1985)

This fun-filled adventure epic from producer Steven Spielberg and writer Chris Columbus concerns the Goonies--a group of friends who embark on a perilous adventure with hopes of finding some lost pirate treasure. Along the way, they encounter booby traps, a family of bumbling crooks, a candy bar-loving monster with a heart of gold, and plenty of excitement. Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Martha Plimpton, Corey Feldman, and Anne Ramsey star. 90 min. C/Rtg: PG

Little Shop Of Horrors (1986)

Frank Oz directed this film version of the Off-Broadway musical based on the 1960 horror movie spoof. At a flower shop, nebbish employee Seymour (Rick Moranis) dreams of a better life with a co-worker (Ellen Greene). But after he stumbles upon a plant from outer space that requires human flesh to grow, he begins to feed it people-with hilarious results. With Steve Martin and the voice of Levi Stubbs. Alan Menken-Howard Ashman songs include "Dentist," "Suddenly, Seymour." 94 min. C/Rtg: PG-13

Funny Farm (1988)

Harried urbanites Andy (Chevy Chase) and Elizabeth Farmer (Madolyn Smith) trade in city life for the "simplicity" of a small-town New England farm so Andy can take the time to write a novel...only to encounter strange neighbors, wild woodland creatures, marital woes, unforeseen expenses, and a decaying house. Good-natured rustic comedy, directed by George Roy Hill, also stars Kevin O’Morrison, Joseph Maher. 101 min. C/Rtg: PG

Beetlejuice (1988)

Who do two newly deceased spirits go to when the house they haunt is taken over by obnoxious mortals? The "bio-exorcist" known as "Beetlejuice," of course, to run the humdrum humans out! Michael Keaton is frighteningly funny as the "ghost with the most" in the hit horror comedy from director Tim Burton. Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin, Catherine O’Hara, Jeffrey Jones, and Winona Ryder co-star. 92 min. C/Rtg: PG

Batman (1989)

Tim Burton’s blockbuster comic book adaptation pits playboy-turned-dark knight detective Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton) against the ghoulishly garish Joker, played with relish by Jack Nicholson. Can Batman stop the Joker’s evil scheme to poison everyday household and beauty products with the deadly chemical Smilex? Kim Basinger supplies the love interest as photographer Vicki Vale. With Robert Wuhl, Michael Gough, Pat Hingle, Billy Dee Williams, and Jack Palance. 126 min. C/Rtg: PG-13