Most Underrated Action Movies of the 80s, Ranked

The ’80s was a classic era for the movie industry that gave us classic movies Batman, E.T., and Command. While today’s movies may draw us in with their stunning special effects and complex cinematography, the nostalgic appeal of the ’80s never really fades. We could even say that the movies of the ’80s made possible the movies of today.

Updated: January 2023: To keep this article fresh and relevant by adding more information and items, this article has been updated by Dylan Reber.

For action buffs, the golden age of the 1980s of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone and Bruce Willis is impossible to forget. Action blockbuster masterpieces ranging from RoboCop and terminator until First blood and Predator, remain some of the most memorable films of the decade. But ’80s action encompasses more than these classics. A slew of underrated (but very fun) romps were obscured by the shadows of Stallone, Schwarzenegger, and Van Damme. So for this list, let’s bring to light some of the most sensational and underrated action films of the 1980s.

10/10 Black Rain (1989)

Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Michael Douglas, Black rain is a movie that lacks a proper storyline with its flat characters and inaccurate portrayal of the city of Osaka. However, it makes for a good watch thanks to the exceptional action sequences and visuals. Charlie (Andy Garcia) and a New York cop (Michael Douglas) witness a gruesome murder at a bar, but manage to apprehend the killer right away. They then discover that the killer, Sato, is a member of the infamous Japanese Yakuza. So he must be transported to Japan for his trial, where the tables turn when the Yakuza free him from custody. Nick and Charlie must work together to scour the Yakuza underworld in search of the criminal, battling numerous enemies along the way.

9/10 Maniac Agent (1988)

Maniac agent, starring Bruce Campbell and Tom Atkins, is a great watch for fans of campy ’80s action. The plot involves a young New York City cop being framed for the city’s increasing murders. His girlfriend teams up with a detective to catch the maniacal cop and prevent her boyfriend from disappearing behind bars. The movie’s ridiculously low budget doesn’t stop it from being recognized for some of its shockingly gruesome scenes, classic car chases, and the latest police carnage that will stick in your mind for quite some time (we’ll see if it happens in the upcoming remake). William Lustig shows off his impressive acting skills; the film is well directed and offers equal parts horror, suspense, mystery and witty dialogues, which will keep fans entertained all the way through.

8/10 Cobra (1986)

You might be wondering how an ’80s Sylvester Stallone movie could be underrated, but the man a lot of movies over the decade. Some of them like Cobra, were doomed to slip under the radar. This one is on the list by the rule of cool, and it hardly gets cooler than Stallone in shades. He plays a hard-boiled street cop who goes after a radical cult calling themselves “The New World.” What we get from the clash of Stallone and this cult is a wildly brutal action extravaganza. The film even had to be censored to avoid the MPAA’s dreaded X rating. While we may never see the original cut, Cobra is still worth checking out.

7/10 Best of the Best (1989)

The widowed father (Eric Roberts) of a five-year-old son must represent the United States of America in a karate tournament against a Korean national team. Roberts gives viewers some of the most action-packed sequences in the entertainment industry, making this film quite the hidden gem of the 1980s. Accompanied by the right amount of sentiment and perfect martial arts sequences, The best of the best is in fact one of the best (See Dead End Follies review, for example). The dialogue is perhaps a bit too cheesy (even for an action film), and the acting falls short at times; however, melodrama is essential for any movie that wants to be an emotional powerhouse.

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6/10 Project A (1983)

Jackie Chan is a legendary action star, known worldwide for his mind-boggling stunt work and fight choreography. While certain 1980s Chan films such as Police story, have become classics of the action genre, others remain underappreciated gems from one of the actor’s most prolific periods. years 1983 Project A is one such film, a comedic action romp through 19th century Hong Kong spearheaded by Chan and frequent collaborator Sammo Hung. The two make a perfect pair to take on the pirates (yes, pirates) that plague Hong Kong’s naval police. Striking a wonderful balance between comedy and martial arts-based action, the film features one of the most dangerous stunts of Chan’s career in a clock tower scene.

5/10 Action Jackson (1988)

With Carl Weathers, Craig T. Nelson and Sharon Stone, Action Jackson is one of the best action comedy movies of the 1980s (though famed critic Roger Ebert disagreed entirely). Depicting the stereotypes at the time of its release, this movie is usually judged to be so silly it’s amazing. Action Jackson is packed with ridiculous action from start to finish, and it hits just the right levels of cheesiness to make it a true undiscovered gem of the eighties. Another important thing to note is that this film was the return of the black hero to Hollywood, which was a significant achievement as the past has not always been kind to black Hollywood actors in big roles.

4/10 Streets of Fire (1984)

This little-known film from director Walter Hill is sure to become a guilty pleasure for new fans. This so-called masterpiece is visually far ahead of its time. It is also one of the few films to make it to the love story genre with rock and roll action. Starring Dianne Lane as the kidnapped rock ‘n’ roll singer, Willlem Dafoe as the gang leader and Michael Pare as the ex-boyfriend who tries to save the singer. Streets of fire has developed a cult following. From incredible sets and colorful costumes to brilliant rock performances and action sequences, this film leaves no room for dull moments. There are, of course, things that can be criticized about this film, such as the laughable dialogue and horrific posters, but they explain the very details that most viewers overlook. When a story flows as well as it enters it Streets of firecan you excuse many small problems.

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3/10 Police Story 2 (1988)

While the original Police story widely regarded as an action masterpiece, the sequel, Police story 2, has not received the same attention. Fans of Jackie Chan may be full of praise, but it remains a lesser known film among the general public. Despite its modest reputation, Police story 2 is just as fun and frantic as the original. Chan returns as heroic cop Chan Ka-kui, who can’t seem to stay out of trouble with both rival gangs and his police superiors. The story follows a similar pattern to the first Police story; but here is more at stake; the comedy more subdued and the action fiercer. Of course, Chan’s stunt work is the real star of the show, and one explosive sequence towards the end of the film is guaranteed to leave you breathless.

2/10 The Killer (1989)

Although American studios dominated the action genre in the 1980s, flashy, violent blockbusters were made all over the world. Some of them like The murderer by legendary Hong Kong filmmaker John Woo, were masterful and hugely influential. Woo is notable for his cinematic mastery of gunfights. In some of his most spectacular scenes, entire sets are torn to shreds by gunfire, explosions and shrapnel. His tasteful use of slow-motion and acrobatic stunts have made his films legendary among action fans. The murderer is a particularly good example; with its hitman versus cop storyline and its bombastic ending sequence; it’s up there with the best of the 80s. While highly regarded among international cinema aficionados, he hasn’t always received the credit he deserves in the United States.

1/10 Big Trouble in Little China (1986)

A ridiculous adventure with an absurdly amazing storyline, Big problems in Little China steals the number one spot for the most underrated action movie of the 1980s. In a world of green-eyed fiancés, Chinese street gangs, a powerful evil sorcerer, magic and martial arts, a truck driver and his Chinese friend explore Chinatown’s underground and find themselves on the greatest adventure of their lives. Director John Carpenter seems to be the only one who can make such a bizarrely fun action film. Create cunning humour, witty dialogues, boisterous action and exciting scenes Big problems in Little China an eminently entertaining film. Kurt Russell, the film’s hero, plays the character of a bold man who is not afraid of anything – and he lets us know with his corny but charming dialogue. It is a film that can appeal to every generation and one of the best action films of the eighties.