The 1980s was a decade that saw the rise of iconic action movies that redefined the genre for years to come. Here, we pick the best action movie for each year of the 80s:

1980: “The Empire Strikes Back” – Directed by Irvin Kershner, this sequel deepened the “Star Wars” saga and delivered one of cinema’s biggest twists.

1981: “Raiders of the Lost Ark”- Spielberg and Ford teamed up to introduce Indiana Jones in this perfect blend of adventure and action.

1982: “First Blood”- Starring Sylvester Stallone, “First Blood” introduced audiences to John Rambo, a Vietnam vet pushed to the edge.

1983: “Return of the Jedi” – The epic conclusion to the original Star Wars trilogy brought memorable action in space and on the forest moon of Endor.

1984: “The Terminator”- James Cameron’s breakthrough film featured Arnold Schwarzenegger as a cyborg assassin sent from a post-apocalyptic future.

1985: “Commando” – Schwarzenegger returns in this fast-paced thriller that has him taking down an entire army to rescue his daughter.

1986: “Aliens” – Cameron once again struck gold with this sci-fi action masterpiece, evolving the horror of ‘Alien’ into an intense battle for survival.

1987: “Predator” – Another Schwarzenegger classic, where a team of commandos in a Central American jungle face off against an alien hunter.

1988: “Die Hard”- Bruce Willis’ John McClane defined the everyman hero in this tight, thrilling siege movie set during Christmas at Nakatomi Plaza.

1989: “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”- Spielberg brings us another Indy adventure, this time pairing Ford with Sean Connery on a quest for the Holy Grail.

This list reflects an era when practical effects, charismatic stars, and larger-than-life characters dominated action cinema. Each of these films left an indelible mark on the genre and remains influential today.