1987 Was the Best Year for Action in the '80s, and These 8 Movies Prove It

The 1980s were a transformative era for the action film. During the decade, directors leaned into the tropes that defined the genre, including intense stunts, bombastic explosions, and clenched jawlines. By not shying away from these stereotypes but instead leaning into the tactic of exaggeration, 1980s action directors helped solidify the most beloved aspects of the action hero. It was the era of the action star, with big names like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone acting as the tent pole that supported the entire production.