15 Forgotten ’80s Action Movies That Set the Standard for Cool
The 1980s gave us some unforgettable action classics that defined a generation. There’s a treasure trove of overlooked gems that packed just as much punch.
These forgotten flicks invented many of the action movie tropes we take for granted today, from impossible stunts to quotable one-liners.
Grab your popcorn as we unearth 15 forgotten ’80s action movies that were way ahead of their time in the coolness department.
1. Raw Deal (1986)
Arnold Schwarzenegger wasn’t always the Terminator! In this criminally underrated mob thriller, Arnie plays a disgraced FBI agent who infiltrates the Chicago mafia to avenge his son’s passing.
The film features one of cinema’s most badass gun shop shopping sprees, where our hero literally buys enough firepower to start a small war.
When he finally unleashes bullet-riddled vengeance, his infamous line “They should have put me in a better mood” becomes an instant classic.
2. Black Rain (1989)
Michael Douglas dons a leather jacket as a New York cop pursuing a yakuza fugitive through Osaka’s neon-lit streets.
Ridley Scott’s direction transforms this culture-clash story into a visual spectacle that shaped cyberpunk vibes. The motorcycle chase is a high-octane marvel.
Fun fact: the Japanese cast’s language barrier with Douglas added authentic tension that shines on screen.
3. Blind Fury (1989)
Rutger Hauer as a blind Vietnam vet with a sword-cane? Yes please! This bonkers adaptation of the Japanese Zatoichi films somehow works perfectly as an ’80s action vehicle. Hauer trained for months to convincingly play a blind swordsman, and it shows in every meticulously choreographed fight sequence.
The film balances ridiculous premises (he can hear bad guys breathing from 50 feet away) with genuine heart, especially in scenes with the young boy he protects.
4. Cobra (1986)
Sylvester Stallone’s night-shade swagger peaks as Lieutenant Marion Cobretti, a leather-clad cop hunting a dangerous cult with his custom pistol.
Originally Stallone’s pitch for Beverly Hills Cop, this sleek thriller opens with a gripping supermarket standoff.
My cousin and I mimicked Cobretti’s aviators indoors for months, baffling my aunt.
5. The Hidden (1987)
Kyle MacLachlan plays an FBI agent with a secret, chasing alien parasites in this sci-fi action blend that predates Men in Black. Director Jack Sholder nails B-movie energy with humor and adrenaline.
The opening, where a banker robs his own vault to heavy metal, sets a bold tone for this fan-favorite gem.
6. Extreme Prejudice (1987)
Nick Nolte’s Texas Ranger squares off against childhood friend turned drug lord Powers Boothe in this explosive border tale directed by Walter Hill. The finale features one of the most ruthlessly choreographed shootouts ever filmed.
The film assembled a murderer’s row of character actors including Michael Ironside and William Forsythe as covert military operatives.
Legendary screenwriter John Milius (Apocalypse Now) contributed to the script, explaining the film’s testosterone-soaked dialogue and unflinching violence.
7. Streets of Fire (1984)
Billed as a “rock & roll fable,” this neon-soaked tale stars Michael Paré as a mercenary rescuing his ex (Diane Lane) from Willem Dafoe’s biker gang. Blending 1950s greaser vibes with ‘80s flair, Walter Hill crafts a timeless look.
Lane’s concert opener, “Nowhere Fast,” electrifies, making this musical-noir hybrid a visual standout.
8. Tango & Cash (1989)
Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell play mismatched cops framed for murder in this buddy action comedy that throws logic out the window in favor of pure entertainment. Their jailbreak sequence alone is worth the price of admission.
The film’s production was notoriously troubled, with three different directors and constant script rewrites. Somehow, this chaos translated into perfect chemistry between the leads.
Russell’s line “I’m the famous one, he’s the infamous one” perfectly captures the film’s self-aware charm.
9. Red Scorpion (1988)
Dolph Lundgren stars as a Soviet Spetsnaz operative who switches sides to help African rebels in this Cold War action spectacle.
Shot on location in Namibia, the film has a gritty authenticity other jungle action films lack. Behind the scenes, the film was partially funded by anti-communist South African government interests, giving it a bizarre political backstory.
Lundgren performs many of his own stunts, including a harrowing torture sequence where he’s hung from his wrists under the scorching African sun.
10. The Last Dragon (1985)
Martial arts meet Motown as Leroy Green (Taimak) seeks “the glow,” a mystical fighting power, in this vibrant Harlem tale. Vanity charms as the love interest, while villain Sho’nuff steals scenes. Berry Gordy’s Motown soundtrack fuels stylized fights.
I still yell “Who’s the master?” at the gym, startling everyone. The glowing finale blends ‘80s flair with skilled choreography.
11. No Retreat, No Surrender (1986)
Before Jean-Claude Van Damme was a household name, he played the villain in this shameless but entertaining Karate Kid knockoff.
A young karate student is trained by the ghost of Bruce Lee (yes, really) to face off against Van Damme’s Soviet fighter. The film’s low budget is evident in every frame, but the fight choreography is legitimately impressive.
Van Damme’s final showdown with protagonist Jason showcases the splits and high kicks that would become his trademark, making this an essential watch for JCVD completists.
12. Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985)
Fred Ward stars as a cop reborn as Remo, trained in the mystical Sinanju art by Korean master Chiun (Joel Grey). This conspiracy thriller dazzles with innovative action, like a thrilling Statue of Liberty scaffold fight.
Planned as a Bond-like franchise, it never took off, but Grey’s Chiun earned a Golden Globe nod despite casting debates.
13. Action Jackson (1988)
Carl Weathers takes the spotlight as Jericho “Action” Jackson, a Harvard-educated Detroit cop battling a corrupt magnate. Practical stunts, like Weathers’ splits between cars or leaping over a taxi, stun.
Vanity’s lounge singer role adds musical flair, while Craig T. Nelson surprises as a chilling villain.
14. 52 Pick-Up (1986)
Roy Scheider shines in this gritty John Frankenheimer thriller about a businessman blackmailed by criminals who have footage of his affair.
Unlike most ’80s action films, this one features a middle-aged protagonist who relies on wits over brawn. Based on an Elmore Leonard novel, the film features dialogue that crackles with tension and dark humor.
John Glover’s performance as psychotic ringleader Alan Raimy ranks among the decade’s most underrated villains. The film’s unflinching approach to violence and sexuality was shocking for its time.
15. Band of the Hand (1986)
Five troubled teens, trained by a Vietnam vet (Stephen Lang), become vigilantes in this Miami Vice-style thriller produced by Michael Mann. The group evolves from rivals to allies, battling Miami drug lords.
Featuring early roles by Lauren Holly and John Cameron Mitchell, plus a Bob Dylan title track, the Everglades training sequence builds gripping tension before the city showdown.