The last two summer movie seasons have been quite unpredictable. Summer 2020 saw incredibly reduced box office turnout due to the COVID-19 related shutdowns, and while 2021 certainly re-energized the theatrical viewing experience, things were certainly not back to normal. More and more films had been heading directly to streaming services, and some of the biggest movies of the summer debuted either simultaneously in theaters and on streaming services, while others were absent from theaters entirely. Hopefully theatrical movie going will be in full swing this summer withDoctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness,Thor: Love and Thunder,andJurassic World: Dominion.
However, there was a time forty years ago when these concerns about the state of cinematic output were largely absent. The summer of 1982 was a remarkable four-month stretch in which absolute classics were released on an almost weekly basis, and although not all were recognized as such during their initial release, looking back the among of memorable films is pretty staggering. It may be somewhat disheartening when looking at what we have four decades later, but for cinema fans looking for options this summer season, there’s a perfect eleven film binge waiting for them. Here are the top eleven greatest films of summer 1982, ranked.
RELATED:The 25 Best Action Movies of the 1980s
11.Friday the 13th Part III in 3D
The third film in the slasher franchise helped complete the definitive version of Jason Voorhees that is now iconic; 1980’sFriday the 13thestablished Jason’s backstory before he appeared as the killer for the first time in 1981’sFriday the 13th Part 2. However,Friday the 13th Part III in 3Dis the film that gave him the iconic hockey mask, and it also established the franchise’s affinity for gimmicks. The pop out 3D kills fit perfectly within the campy tone of the series, and Jason’s rampage in a barn during the film’s climax is one of the best extended sequences in the saga.
Although the visual effects are hardly anything that would wow today, the game changing recreation of a simulated video game reality in the originalTronwas very impressive at the time. A film may be considered influential without being actually good, but beneath the spectacle ofTronthere’s a compelling story about the role of a creator and mankind’s complex relationship with artificial intelligence. It also established that in addition to being an awards caliber performer,Jeff Bridgeswas also a terrific action star thanks to his dynamic role as the genius programmer Kevin Flynn.
9.Night Shift
1982 was an era in which a mainstream studio comedy could become a massive hit and gain favorable responses as well.Night Shiftbrought the Fonz himself,Henry Winkler, to the big screen with his hilarious performance as the put-upon morgue employee Chuck Lumley. Winkler perfectly embodied an awkward hero worth investing in, butNight Shiftis best remembered for being the film that announcedMichael Keatonas a future star thanks to his scene stealing performance as Chuck’s coworker Bill Blazejowski. It was an early hit from directorRon Howardas he established more dynamic gags and stunt sequences.
8.Conan the Barbarian
Conan the Barbarianis the film that announcedArnold Schwarzeneggeras the dominant action star of the next two decades. Contrary to what parodies and the disappointing sequel and remake would have you think,Conan the Barbarianisn’t just about ripped shirtless dudes swinging swords at each other. The original film is actually a compelling medieval thriller about the role of leadership, gifted with a politically savvy screenplay fromOliver Stoneand the ruthless pulp thrills of co-writer/directorJohn Milius. Arnold lacks the self-awareness he would develop later on; he’s 100% committed to the beastly titular role.
7.Fast Times At Ridgemont High
Fast Times At Ridgemont Highremains one of most hilariously raunchy teen comedies ever made, but beneath the now iconic gags there’s a cutting satire of California social classes. The tinges of authenticity came from the brilliant screenplay byCameron Crowe, who was inspired by the novel of the same name that he had written while undercover as a high school student. As a result,Fast Times At Ridgemont Highfelt of the moment and appealed strongly to teens, and four decades later it’s a perfect time capsule for adolescent culture during the era.
6.Rocky III
Rocky IIIchanged the tone of the series, which had gone for more grounded dramatic storylines in its first two installments. The third entry introduced a new level of camp and silliness within the series, but it wasn’t the all out cartoon that the saga would become in the later sequels. The development of the relationship between Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) and his old rival Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) added a fun dynamic, andMr. Tprovided a great eccentric new protagonist for Rocky to go up against.
5.E.T. The Extra Terrestrial
There’s a certain kind of heartless monster that isn’t reduced to a puddle of tears by the end ofE.T. The Extra Terrestrial.Steven Spielberg’s brilliant science fiction coming-of-age story was just as beloved during its release as it was now, dominating the box office for weeks and toppingStar Warsto become the highest grossing film of all-time. Spielberg has a penchant for creating classics that still hold up, and it’s incredible to see how his story of a broken family and an intergalactic friendship can still reduce viewers of any age into blubbering children.
4.The Thing
It’s easy to throw out the phrase “the critics got it wrong,” but looking back at the nasty reviews (and box office disaster) ofJohn Carpenter’sThe Thingis absolutely shocking. Carpenter’s run of classics fromDark StartoIn the Mouth of Madnessis a nearly unmatchable streak of genius, butThe Thingis perhaps his crowning achievement. Reinventing the monster movie with a deafening sense of paranoia and remarkable practical makeup work,The Thingcan still make us feel like we’re trapped in a frigid icy bunker with a beardedKurt Russellfearing for our lives.
3.Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
1979’sStar Trek: The Motion Picturefailed to capture the high expectations from fans of the series and moviegoers promised the nextStar Warslevel space opera, butNicholas Meyerturned things around and created the greatestStar Trekmovie ever made. The genius ofStar Trek II: The Wrath of Khanwas acknowledging that the crew of theU.S.S. Enterprisehad aged, and allowingWilliam ShatnerandLeonard Nimoyquestion their achievements as they’re haunted by the demons of their past. Of course,Ricardo Montalbán’s return to the titular villain role after his appearance inThe Original Seriesepisode “Space Seed” provided the series’s best villain, as he forced the heroes to make the most devastating of sacrifices.
1979’sMad Maxhadn’t quite permeated the American filmgoing audience the way it had taken off inGeorge Miller’s home of Australia, but that didn’t matter to anyone who watchedMad Max 2: The Road Warrior(which was marketed under its subtitle alone).The Road Warriorestablished the archetypes of theMad Maxseries, including Max Rockatansky’s (Mel Gibson) emergence from the chaos like a classic western gunslinger and Miller’s cinematic relentlessness with its nonstop chase sequences. The finely crafted practical stunt work at garish post-apocalyptic landscape set the template for what Miller would top over three decades later withMad Max: Fury Road.
1.Blade Runner
Regardless of the ridiculous voiceover track that it was saddled with for its initial theatrical cut (one thatHarrison Fordreportedly hated),Blade Runneris one of the greatest films ever made. A stunning new vision of the hard-boiled noir that questions what it means to truly be human,Ridley Scott’s vision of a cold and lonely future was crafted with immaculate visual beauty. It’s rare that a film can still inspire and provoke debate decades after its release, but forty years later fans still question whether or not Deckard was a replicant. Although it famously underperformed financially due in part to the box office dominance ofE.T. The Extra Terrestrial,Blade Runnernow stands as the classic that tops a summer of classics.
