15 Action Movies from the 1980s People Say Are Bad (But Are Actually Good)

The biggest chunk of action movies from the 1980s might have awed audiences when they premiered, but many of them had numerous blemishes that mainly stemmed from their unrealistic nature. There is no way one gun-toting hero can take out 200 enemy combatants all by themselves, or start running immediately after getting shot in the leg. The few critically acclaimed action flicks from the era offer something unique. Take, for example, war veteran John Rambo obliterating corrupt officers inside a forest in First Blood, or Detective John McClane trying to stop terrorists inside a tower in Die Hard.

However, not everything that has been categorized as part of the chaff is worthless. Some ‘80s action films, which are widely considered boring or cheesy by today’s standards, deserve to be reevaluated. Upon close inspection, one will notice that these big-screen projects offer a lot more than the average movie in the genre. They either feature well-developed characters, have a few unique elements in their plots, or address more complex themes rather than just packing in endless violence for entertainment purposes.

15 Raw Deal (1986)

Raw Deal presents a fascinating mob tale in which undercover agent Mark Kaminsky (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) emerges as the paladin. Having been initially demoted to the Sheriff’s department due to a misdemeanor, he leaps back at the chance of reinstatement when the FBI decides to hire an outsider to bring down a local Don. All this is necessary because the mob happens to have planted a mole inside the bureau and there is no way to tell who it is.

One of Schwarzenegger’s Best Written Characters

Many critics lambasted Raw Deal for its paper-thin plot, which they all found surprising considering that the script was written by Sergio Leone’s favorite screenwriters, Luciano Vincenzoni, aka, The Script Doctor, and Sergio Donati. Consequently, this has remained Schwarzenegger’s only obscure ‘80s action movie.

While the plot might be poorly written, the protagonist’s arc is as fleshed out as the actor who plays him. He is funnier and more entertaining than the action star’s many other characters. “Harry, don’t die. It not over. I get ambulance,” he once tells a wounded friend. Moreover, watching him morph from FBI agent to small-town sheriff to undercover agent, while dealing with marital problems is truly fun. Stream on Prime Video

14 Hard Ticket to Hawaii (1987)

There is a murderous Hawaiian drug lord on the loose in Hard Ticket to Hawaii, so two DEA agents, Dona and Tary, portrayed by Playboy playmates Dona Speir and Hope Marie Carlton, go undercover to bring him down. Part of their mission involves pretending to be island delivery service employees. One day, they are tasked with transporting a tame tropical snake, but it turns out it was switched with a sickly venomous one that had been infected by blood from cancer-infested mice. Agent Rowdy, played by Ron Moss (best known as Ridge Forester from The Bold and the Beautiful), is then called in to help.

Strong Action Heroines Get Ample Time to Shine

There was a shortage of action heroines in the ‘80s, and those who popped up were mostly relegated to supporting roles. Hard Ticket to Hawaii’s director Andy Sidaris thus deserves to be commended for giving its key women characters a chance to shine. The movie has often received criticism because these agents carry themselves as stereotypical blondes, but this isn’t a bad thing as they are also very proactive and resourceful. Their hedonistic nature also fits well in the plot and setting. After all, Hawaii is known for sun and fun. Besides that, there are plenty of unintentionally hilarious moments, making the film a perfect blend of violence and humor. Stream on Tubi TV or Plex

13 American Ninja (1985)

American Ninja’s protagonist, Joe Armstrong (Michael Dudikoff), lives in a surprisingly fair fictional world, where malefactors have the option of getting conscripted into the United States military as an alternative to a jail term. He is soon sent on a mission to the Philippines, where he ends up saving a Colonel’s daughter from a near-death experience and battling an army of ninjas. After these two incidents, his life takes a fresh unexpected turn.

So Bad It’s Good

It’s easy to see why American Ninja was panned. It relies on the silliest ninja movie plot, which involves the antagonistic fighters attacking one by one, rather than swarming the protagonist at once. Everyone is happy to play spectator and watch their colleague get butchered first before they join in. Audiences will forever wonder why they chose this ineffective approach, or why Armstrong is allowed to join the military, even though every detail about his past is a mystery.

Despite these flaws, the movie perfectly fits in the “so bad it’s good” category. The fight sequences are neatly choreographed, and the tension remains high enough to prevent any viewer from switching to something else, even in the streaming age. And at the heat of it all is a touching romance arc. Stream on MGM+

Related: Best ‘So Bad It’s Good’ Movies of All Time

12 Red Scorpion (1988)

Despite being a Swede, Dolph Lundgren has often been typecast in Soviet roles. Shortly after playing the Soviet boxer, Ivan Drago in Rocky IV, he starred in Red Scorpion as a Spetsnaz agent sent to South West Africa (currently Namibia) to assassinate a Western-leaning rebel leader. After a crisis of conscience moment, Lundgren’s character refuses to complete his mission and instead joins the rebels in their anti-Soviet cause.

An Incredibly High Body Count

Red Scorpion is viewed unfavorably because it’s seen as no different from the many other Hollywood anti-Soviet propaganda films that popped up in the ‘80s. Worse still, it was produced by the corrupt convicted American lobbyist, Jack Allan Abramoff. That being said, when examined purely from an action perspective, the film stands tall. It’s one of the ‘80s action movies with the highest body count, meaning genre fans get exactly what they came to see. It also has an inclusive cast, featuring plenty of Black and Latinx actors, many of whom would go on to find success in Hollywood. Stream on Tubi TV

11 Ninja III: The Domination (1984)

Ninja III: The Domination is the third installment of the Ninja trilogy, coming after Revenge of the Ninja, which was preceded by Enter the Ninja. In it, life is initially normal for telephone linewoman cum aerobics instructor, Christine Ryder (Lucinda Dickey), until she is suddenly possessed by the spirit of a dead ninja. The vengeful male spirit then proceeds to use her to hunt down the police officers who caused his death.

One of the Best Opening Sequences in ‘80s Cinema

Critics might have labeled this movie a mere cash-in of the ‘80s ninja trend, but it stands in its own lane in several ways. For example, the opening sequence is one of the best of the decade. In it, the original ninja shows up at an Arizona golf course to assassinate someone, and while at it, he ends up slaughtering hundreds of individuals, including officers, before being fatally wounded. The scale and spectacle of it all is mindblowing.

Then, there are the supernatural elements, which are unique for an ‘80s action film and get stitched into the plot sensibly. Ryder doesn’t just get possessed out of nowhere. She comes into contact with the dying ninja while fixing a damaged line, and acquires his spirit through his Ninjato (weapon). Stream on Prime Video

10 Action Jackson (1988)

After playing second fiddle to Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger in Rocky and Predator, Carl Weathers was finally granted a proper starring vehicle. Action Jackson sees him play Jericho “Action” Jackson, a Detroit PD detective who finds himself being hunted by the wealthy father of a criminal he roughed up. His woes worsen when he suspiciously gets demoted at his workplace.

Cheesy Dialogue at Its Finest

The performances in Action Jackson were heavily criticized, with ‘80s Canadian sex symbol, Denise “Vanity” Matthews, even getting a Razzie. Thankfully, the amazing dialogue helps audiences forget about the acting flaws. Jackson’s “How do you like your ribs?” is especially considered one of the most iconic action movie lines of the decade. He says it when he frees himself and points a flamethrower at a henchman, shortly after the baddie had teased him with the same weapon, saying, “We are gonna have a barbecue in here.” Stream on Prime Video

Related: Most Underrated Action Movies of the 1980s, Ranked

9 Tango & Cash (1989)

Tango & Cash’s villain Yves Perret (Jack Palance) has a better way to deal with his enemies. Instead of simply putting bullets in the heads of stubborn LAPD officers, Ray Tango (Sylvester Stallone) and Gabe Cash (Kurt Russell), he frames them for killing an FBI agent. Consequently, they land in prison where they are forced to deal with many of the criminals they put behind bars. Having initially been rivals, they are forced to put their differences aside and conduct a prison break so that they can bring down Perret and clear their names.

Proper Character Development for the Protagonists

Lethal Weapon had already set the bar too high for buddy cop action movies when it came out in 1987, so, understandably, critics saw Tango & Cash as nothing but a mere imitation. However, it’s a solid film that makes audiences care about the heroes. Most action flicks from the era simply reveal a few details about their protagonists, before putting them at the center of the action, but, here, the officers have distinct styles and mannerisms.

Tango isn’t just an ordinary officer who lives and dies for the job. He is a great investor, too, who happens to have made a great fortune by trading stocks. This allows him to wear three-piece Armani suits and drive a Cadillac Allanté. It’s all out of the Miami Vice playbook. Gabe, on the other hand, is a “cowboy lawman” with ragged outfits. Rent on Prime Video

8 Missing in Action (1984)

In Missing in Action, the ever-tough Colonel James Braddock (Chuck Norris) survives a nightmarish stint at a POW camp in Vietnam, but opts not to count his luck and stay out of trouble. Instead, he heads back to the Asian nation to look for other soldiers who he believes are still being held captive. Upon finding out exactly where they are being held, he conducts a rescue mission.

Chuck Norris at His Macho Best

Missing in Action does indeed focus too much on the action sequences while ignoring the political and ethical discussions that the Vietnam War always triggered. Because of its jingoistic and superficial nature, it can never be held in high regard as a film like Apocalypse Now. This doesn’t mean there is nothing to enjoy.

This is a typical Chuck Norris vehicle, with the acting constantly showing why he has remained fodder for internet memes, many years after he retired. One memorable scene involves Braddock tricking a Vietnamese general that he is going to shake his hand, only to adjust his glasses instead. And when a man offers to rent his boat to Braddock for $5000, the hero responds with “Did you say $1000?” before forcefully pressing a note into his palm. Rent on Prime Video

7 Black Rain (1989)

Ridley Scott’s directorial career is characterized by major jots and major misses. Black Rain is mostly categorized under the latter, but unfairly so. Its plot centers around NYPD officer, Nick (Michael Douglas), tasked with transporting a Yakuza member to Osaka, Japan, for his murder trial. There, the mafia member’s associates manage to free him, forcing Nick to comb through Japan’s underworld to rearrest the man.

The Sidekick Is the Film’s Strongest Asset

Like many other Ridley Scott movies, Black Rain was labeled “all style and no substance.” It sure looks good, with the director capturing Tokyo’s futuristic neon visuals to near perfection. But aesthetics aren’t all it has to offer. The film is brilliant if one doesn’t focus too much on Michael Douglas. The best character is Detective Charlie Vincent (Charlie Vincent), who never hesitates to burst Nick’s balls and walk into dangerous alleys. Scott also deserves praise for covering a different side of Japanese criminal life in an era where Hollywood was only obsessed with ninjas. Stream on Paramount+

6 No Holds Barred (1989)

Hulk Hogan’s Hollywood career was short-lived, but fans will always remember his performances in Rocky III and No Holds Barred. He had greater responsibility in the latter, where he played the wrestler Rip Thomas. In the movie, the popular fighter is manipulated by an evil television network executive into participating in a high-profile fight meant to boost ratings.

A Machiavellian Business Masterclass

No Holds Barred might be a bad action movie, but it’s a great business movie, thanks to the strategies used by World Television Network head, Mr. Brett (Kurt Bell). He understands the importance of riding the wave, that’s why he tries to get Rip into his corner. Brett is more like Gordon Gekko from Wall Street, and when audiences ignore the film’s poorly done out-of-ring action sequences, they’ll notice the magic. The ring sequences are better, too, because Hogan doesn’t have to struggle with material he is unfamiliar with. Stream on Peacock

5 Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985)

NYPD officer Sam Makin (Fred Ward) from Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins starts as an ordinary cop, only for his life to take a sudden twist when he is recruited by a secret government organization known as CURE. He is not only given a new name but his death is also faked, allowing him to conduct kills without being recognized.

An Unrealistic but Fun Flick That Paved the Way for Others Like It

Even by ‘80s standards, Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins was seen as very unrealistic when it came out. The protagonist could run on water nnd dodge bullets. Interestingly, most of the things that the movie was criticized for went on to become popular in the ‘90s. The face-change concept was used in Face/Off, while the bullet-dodging concept was used in The Matrix. This should, therefore, be seen as a production that revolutionized the film industry rather than one meant to be ridiculed. The plot is also quite decent as it is inspired by The Destroyer series of paperback novels. Stream on Paramount+

4 Kickboxer (1989)

Kickboxer follows a familiar revenge narrative, with Kurt (played by Jean-Claude Van Damme) vowing to get justice after Thai legend Tong Po (Michel Qissi) brutalizes his brother, leaving him paralyzed. He begins training to become an expert in the sport so that he can make Tong pay the proper way, but while doing so, he finds himself dealing with an evil crime boss.

One of the Funniest Scenes in Action Cinema

Director David Worth was called out for packing a bucket-load of implausibility into Kickboxer. The characters even seem to recover from serious injuries in a superhuman fashion. Still, great movies need to have powerful and memorable moments, and this particular film has them.

Take the scene where a drunk Kurt dances in a bar while dispatching baddies at the same time. He is so good that no one can beat him even when his judgment is impaired. So good is the scene that it still makes rounds on TikTok and eels from other social media sites. Stream on Roku

3 City Heat (1984)

Adopting noir elements, City Heat takes audiences back to the 1930s, where private investigator Mike Murphy (Burt Reynolds) is forced into action after his investigative partner is killed by a mobster. He asks Lieutenant Speer (Clint Eastwood) for help, and even though the two hate each other because one always takes the other’s glory, they decide to team up to put an end to the city’s mob menace.

The Supporting Characters Steal the Show

City Heat ails from the same kind of disease that ails most star vehicles. Here, there were two stars that had done so much on their own, the director had no clue what to do to make them both shine. The directorial confusion surrounding these two creates room for the supporting characters to shine. Jane Alexander and Madeline Kahn are especially hilarious as Murphy’s secretary and love interest respectively. Rent on AppleTV

2 Best of the Best (1989)

Right from the opening minutes of Best of the Best, the odds are revealed to be against the five fighters chosen to represent America in an international martial arts tournament. They are meant to travel to South Korea to take on the finest talents there, but they have no reason to hope for the best. After all, their opponents enjoy full support and financing from the government and are known for their non-stop year-long training regiment.

Injuries Are Acknowledged

The underdog arc is poorly done; the Korean team is shown training extra hard, only to look weak in the main fight. All this makes it harder to believe what just happened. Even so, it is superior to a movie like Bloodsport because it never ignores human weaknesses (both of the mind and the body). Like other realistic bone-breaks in martial arts movies, when one fighter dislocates his shoulder, he doesn’t just pop it back in and move on like nothing happened. He feels the pain and proceeds to only use one arm.

Additionally, there is a touching moment where an American fighter refuses to land the final blow (even though it will grant him victory) because he knows it will kill his opponent. It’s all very honorable and human-like. Rent on AppleTV

1 Road House (1989)

Good nightclub bouncers don’t have to be muscled men with huge physics, at least according to Road House. In it, the laid-back Dalton (Patrick Swayze) manages to bring order to the rowdy Double Deuce roadside bar in Missouri as soon as he is hired as part of the security team. Because of his efficiency, a powerful local business magnate tries to hire Dalton as part of his security team, and when he refuses, a feud develops.

Endless Old-Fashioned Beat-Downs

Roadhouse collected a few Razzies, with award show organizers concluding that almost everything about the film was laughable. A blind man greets Dalton with “Good to see you again,” and the town is so tiny that there is no way the tycoon would have gotten rich from exploiting the few businesses there. But the fights are incredible — all of them. In addition to that, Dalton is the charming action hero, the kind of man that makes everyone want to be like him. He is great at flirting, is smarter than anyone he encounters, and can sniff danger easily. Stream on Max