Best of the 1980s · 1001 canon

High concept and high art

The blockbuster era began in earnest — Lucas, Spielberg, the rise of the franchise. But Kieślowski, Wong Kar-wai's early work, and Lynch were also building reputations. The 1980s in the canon is split between popular megaliths and the films cinephiles bring up to make a point.

130 films from this decade are in the canon. Tick what you've seen — your progress saves on this device.