10 Greatest 1986 Movies, Ranked

40 years later, these 10 great 1986 movies like 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' and 'Aliens' are still great to watch in 2026

Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:20pm

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An abstract close-up photograph featuring dramatic, high-contrast lighting on a textured surface, conceptually representing the enduring legacy of classic 1980s movies.The glamour and energy of 1980s cinema lives on in the luxurious textures and bold lighting of this conceptual illustration.Chicago Today

There are some years, like 1939, 1967 and 1999, that are famous for the movie masterpieces that were released during those pivotal periods. 1986 isn't one of those years, but that doesn't mean there weren't any classics released during that time. On the contrary, those twelve months gave the world such beloved fan-favorites as Ferris Bueller's Day Off, starring Matthew Broderick, and game-changing films like Blue Velvet with Laura Dern.

Why it matters

Watch With Us ranks the 10 best movies of 1986 and argues why they are still worth watching 40 years later.

The details

The list includes films like Something Wild, a crime thriller-romantic comedy hybrid, Labyrinth, Jim Henson's imaginative fantasy, and An American Tail, Don Bluth's beautifully animated story of a young Jewish-Russian mouse immigrating to America. Other standouts are the satirical comedy Down and Out in Beverly Hills, the classic teen comedy Ferris Bueller's Day Off, the horror remake The Fly, the action-packed Big Trouble in Little China, the blockbuster sequel Aliens, the coming-of-age drama Stand by Me, and the surrealist masterpiece Blue Velvet.

  • 1986 is the year these 10 great movies were released.

The players

Matthew Broderick

The star of the classic teen comedy Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

Laura Dern

Starred in the surrealist masterpiece Blue Velvet.

Jim Henson

The architect of dreams who directed the fantasy film Labyrinth.

Don Bluth

The maverick animator who directed the animated film An American Tail.

David Cronenberg

The director of the horror remake The Fly.

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What they’re saying

“Eat-the-rich films are all the rage these days, but they aren't new; you can find them in every decade in the 20th century, with the Reagan-era '80s being a particularly productive time for the genre.”

— Jason Struss, Author

“Even in 1986, sequels got a bad rap. For every The Godfather Part II, there were dozens of Jaws 2s or Grease 2s, subpar follow-ups that existed primarily to make as much money as they could from the goodwill of their originals. And then came James Cameron's Aliens, which completely changed the game for not only sequels, but blockbuster filmmaking as well.”

— Jason Struss, Author

The takeaway

40 years later, the 10 greatest movies of 1986 like Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Aliens, and Blue Velvet remain classics that continue to captivate and entertain audiences, showcasing the enduring power of great filmmaking.