Being a kid back in the 80’s was an awesome time to be alive
1989 stands out as an iconic year in cinema history, closing out a decade of extraordinary cultural shifts and technological advancements especially in the realms of special FX.
1989: An epic year for Cinema
From the dark alleys of Gotham to the time-warped streets of Hill Valley, each of these movies released in 1989 offered a unique escape and its high standard and quality of blockbusters from this year made a big impact on popular culture that is still being felt today.
With these movies being so iconic, you’ll probably want to know where you can stream them and we’ve got you covered here if the nostalgia urge means you need to see them again.
Batman
The streets of Gotham City were never the same after Tim Burton’s Batman emerged from the shadows. With Michael Keaton’s portrayal of the Dark Knight and Jack Nicholson’s iconic take on the Joker, this film redefined superhero cinema with its dark aesthetic and fast paced story.
Batman wasn’t just a movie; it was a cultural landmark that showed a new face of heroism to a generation and was the most hyped movie of 1989 thanks to ‘Bat-Mania’ and lets not forget its brilliant soundtrack from Prince meant a Cinema trip to see this was compulsory!
Where can you watch Batman today?
Batman is available to watch on Now TV in the UK and Prime Video and HBO in the US.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
The whip-cracking hero, Indiana Jones, returned in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, taking teenagers on a quest not just for the Holy Grail but for the meaning of family. The third instalment, directed by Steven Spielberg, offered a perfect blend of action, history, and adventure, solidifying Indy’s place in the annals of adventure lore and a film that is just as much fun to watch today as it was in ’89 and was the perfect end to a trilogy that helped shape 80’s cinema.
Where can you watch Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade today?
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is available to watch on Disney Plus in the UK and US.
Back to the Future Part II
Back to the Future Part II took what teenagers loved about the original and propelled it into a future filled with flying skateboards and self-lacing sneakers. Robert Zemeckis’ visionary sequel offered a glimpse of the future that was as imaginative as it was comical, and it ensured Marty McFly’s time-traveling escapades would never be forgotten.
Where can you watch Back to the Future 2 today?
Back to the Future 2 is available to watch on Now TV in the UK and Fubo TV in the US.
Ghostbusters II
The proton-pack-wearing, ghost-trapping gang returned in Ghostbusters II, proving once more that a mix of supernatural thrills and comedic spills was a winning formula. This sequel brought the original beloved cast back together for another round of ectoplasmic fun, endearing itself to a new legion of fans.
Where can you watch Ghostbusters 2 today?
Ghostbusters 2 is available to watch on Now TV in the UK and is not on any streaming services in the US at present.
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
In Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, size really did matter. This film shrunk its characters but expanded its imagination, as teenagers reveled in the lawn-sized jungle adventure. It was a story of ingenuity and survival that showcased Rick Moranis’ comedic genius and sparked a fascination with the microscopic world.
Where can you watch Honey I Shrunk The Kids today?
Honey I Shrunk The Kids is available to watch on Disney Plus in the UK and US.
The Karate Kid Part 3
The final instalment of the iconic Karate Kid trilogy hit the cinema in 1989 and saw Daniel Larusso and Mr Miyagi be split apart thanks to the scheming Terry Silva. Luckily all is well in the end and this brought to a close one of the most loved 80’s movie series that’s still hugely popular today thanks to Cobra Kai on Netflix.
Where can you watch The Karate Kid Part 3 today?
All the Karate Kids including part 3 are available to watch on Netflix in the UK and US.
Look Who’s Talking
Look Who’s Talking took the concept of a baby’s inner thoughts and gave it a voice, literally, with Bruce Willis’ hilarious voice-over. This rom-com from director Amy Heckerling was as heart-warming as it was humorous and saw two further sequels although this is still regarded as the best of the bunch.
Where can you watch Look Who’s Talking today?
Look Who’s Talking is available to watch on Netflix in the UK and Paramount Plus in the US.
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure wasn’t just a movie; it was an invitation to ride in a phone booth to the past. Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter brought their characters to life with such genuine charm that it became impossible not to root for these two bodacious slackers. It offered a hilarious romp through history and a reminder that everyone has the potential to be excellent to each other and of course…Party on Dudes!
Where can you watch Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure today?
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure is available to watch on Amazon Prime in the UK and Apple TV+ in the US.
A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child
Horror flicks came into their prime in the 80s , and A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child continued to haunt teenagers dreams with Freddy Krueger’s latest escapades. The fifth instalment of this horror franchise blended surreal nightmare sequences with the anxieties of impending adulthood, a combination that most likely resonated with its predominantly teenage audience. When it came to big screen horror, Freddy Kruger ruled supreme back in the 80s.
Where can you watch A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child today?
A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child is not available to stream in the UK, however in the US its on HBO Max.
The ones that got away
Naturally, there were plenty more movies that were big in 1989.
A notable one was The Little Mermaid which brought Disney’s animated movies back to the forefront and led the way to countless other movies such as Aladdin, Hercules and the Lion King in the 90s as well as the buddy cop favourite Lethal Weapon 2 and of course one of the best Christmas movies ever, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation would have made this roundup if they came out in any other year its just that 1989 for cinema was phenomenally good which we think you’ll agree with us on.
