The Official GOAT List: Ranking the Greatest High School Movies of the 80s of All Time

High School Movies of the 80s

Step back into the neon-soaked halls of the 1980s, where high school movies weren’t just films — they defined a generation. In this GoatWars league, the most iconic teen flicks face off for ultimate bragging rights. From The Breakfast Club’s detention drama to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’s joyride rebellion, these stories captured everything from crushes and cliques to underdog triumphs. Expect to see legends like The Karate Kid, Say Anything…, Heathers, and Back to the Future battle for the crown. Whether you lived the 80s or discovered these classics later, the debate is on: which high school movie truly rules them all? Vote in each matchup and help decide the definitive GOAT of 80s high school cinema.

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High School Movies of the 80s

T1. BACK TO THE FUTURE (1985)

Back to the Future (1985) is currently tied for the #1 Greatest High School Movies of the 80s of All Time winning 80.0% head-to-head battles.

High School Movies of the 80s

T1. TEEN WOLF (1985)

Teen Wolf (1985) is currently tied for the #1 Greatest High School Movies of the 80s of All Time winning 80.0% head-to-head battles.

High School Movies of the 80s

T1. THE KARATE KID (1984)

The Karate Kid (1984) is currently tied for the #1 Greatest High School Movies of the 80s of All Time winning 80.0% head-to-head battles.

High School Movies of the 80s

4. FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH (1982)

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) is currently the #4 Greatest High School Movies of the 80s of All Time winning 60.0% head-to-head battles.

High School Movies of the 80s

5. THE BREAKFAST CLUB (1985)

The Breakfast Club (1985) is currently the #5 Greatest High School Movies of the 80s of All Time winning 50.0% head-to-head battles.

High School Movies of the 80s

T6. FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF (1986)

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) is currently tied for the #6 Greatest High School Movies of the 80s of All Time winning 33.3% head-to-head battles.

High School Movies of the 80s

T6. FOOTLOOSE (1984)

Footloose (1984) is currently tied for the #6 Greatest High School Movies of the 80s of All Time winning 33.3% head-to-head battles.

High School Movies of the 80s

T6. SIXTEEN CANDLES (1984)

Sixteen Candles (1984) is currently tied for the #6 Greatest High School Movies of the 80s of All Time winning 33.3% head-to-head battles.

High School Movies of the 80s

T6. WEIRD SCIENCE (1985)

Weird Science (1985) is currently tied for the #6 Greatest High School Movies of the 80s of All Time winning 33.3% head-to-head battles.

High School Movies of the 80s

T10. BETTER OFF DEAD (1985)

Better Off Dead (1985) is currently tied for the #10 Greatest High School Movies of the 80s of All Time winning 0.0% head-to-head battles.

High School Movies of the 80s

T10. HEATHERS (1989)

Heathers (1989) is currently tied for the #10 Greatest High School Movies of the 80s of All Time winning 0.0% head-to-head battles.

High School Movies of the 80s

T10. SAY ANYTHING… (1989)

Say Anything… (1989) is currently tied for the #10 Greatest High School Movies of the 80s of All Time winning 0.0% head-to-head battles.