1982's legendary film run is unlike any other year in Hollywood. Filled with blockbusters and cult classics such as E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, Blade Runner, The Dark Crystal, Poltergeist and Tron, 1982 has been argued as the greatest year in film, well, ever!
"E.T., Phone Home!"
1982 saw big success for Stephen Spielberg. Coming off the heels of Raiders of the Lost Ark, his next film E.T. The Extra Terrestrial became the top grossing movie of the year. This charming science fiction film follows a 10-year-old boy named Elliott who helps E.T., a stranded extraterrestrial creature, find his way home. The series spawned a theme park ride, a disastrous video game and a holiday special.
"'More Human Than Human' Is Our Motto"
Speaking of Spielberg’s Raiders of the Lost Ark and its star, Harrison Ford returned in 1982’s Blade Runner, playing android hunter Rick Deckard. On assignment, Deckard runs into a moral dilemma and questions his existence when he falls in love with an android implanted with false memories. It’s a wild science fiction film filled with action and adventure, and it just might be one of Ford’s best. It also spawned the 2017 sequel Blade Runner 2049.
"I Don't Hate Balboa, But I Pity The Fool!"
Ford wasn’t the only movie star that year to have wild success. Sylvester Stallone reprised his titular role in Rocky III. The third movie in the successful franchise follows Rocky's fight to reclaim his World Champion title after getting too accustomed to fame and fortune. It was just one of Stallone’s successful films this year, also playing John Rambo in First Blood. There, he plays a war veteran who clashes with the local police and must use his survival skills to outwit and outlast them. These two films helped re-define what an action movie star is.
"I Fight For The Users!"
I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about (another) science fiction cult classic film Tron. Starring Jeff Bridges as Kevin Flynn, this film brings Flynn into a digital mainframe where he must stop the evil Sark. This movie was ahead of its time, using CGI to enhance the graphics. Bridges really plays the role well and you’ll see him again in the 2010 sequel Tron: Legacy. That also means you can catch up in time to see the upcoming third movie, Tron: Ares.
1982 Film Lives On
We haven’t even talked about Poltergeist, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Annie, The Dark Crystal, or Gandhi . With all these being household names in Hollywood, it's no wonder 1982 lives on as one of the best years in film ever.
If any of these movies sound fun to watch, San Mateo County Libraries has you covered. Between our extensive DVD collection and digital resources like Kanopy and Hoopla, we’re sure you’ll be able to binge these movies on a cozy weekend.
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