The 35 Best 80s Action Movies to Watch in Australia [Updated 2022]

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Looking for the best 80s action movies in Australia? Consider yourself lucky because our team of professionals made a list of the best 80s action movies for you.

We have ranked the best action movies of the 80s. If you are in the mood for an old-school action movie, this list is ideal since it is jam-packed with absolute treasures of the action genre.

Batman 1989

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Director: Tim Burton
Writer: Bob Kane
Cast: Jack Nicholson, Pat Hingle, Michael Keaton
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
Genre: Adventure/Action
Runtime: 2h 6m

The city of Gotham. Carl Grissom, this town’s crime lord, practically runs the show, but there is a new superhero in town: Batman.

Grissom’s right-hand man is a nasty man who isn’t fully sane. After just a breaking out among the two, Grissom gets Napier fixed up with the police, but Napier drowns in a vat of explosives. He soon emerges as The Joker, though, and begins a reign of fear in Gotham City.

Later, reporter Vicki Vale arrives in town for a piece on Batman. She quickly falls in love with Batman’s alter ego, millionaire Bruce Wayne.

Predator 1987

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Director: John McTiernan
Writer: John Thomas, Jim Thomas
Cast: Kevin Peter Hall, Richard Chaves, Jesse Ventura, Bill Duke, Elpidia Carrillo
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
Genre: Action/Sci-fi/Adventure/Horror
Runtime: 1h 47m

Dutch and a squad of soldiers have been sent into the jungles of Central America to locate some missing pilots who terrorists took hostage.

As a result of the commandos’ delay in arriving at the camp, the airmen have already been brutally killed before the commandos can exact their revenge on the terrorists’ camp. After that is done, they wait for a helicopter to take them up, but as they do so, they start to notice some unusual things happening in the forest.

It doesn’t take long until the commandos begin to fall one by one, and soon enough, Dutch and a girl from the camp named Anna are the only individuals still alive and battling for their existence.

However, what they find out is beyond anyone’s wildest imagination. The Predator, an extraterrestrial creature that hunts endangered animals and makes trophies out of the skulls of those it kills, has been responsible for their deaths.

Cobra 1986

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Director: George P. Cosmatos
Writer: Sylvester Stallone, Paula Gosling
Cast: Ross St. Phillip, Art LaFleur, John Herzfeld, Reni Santoni, Brigitte Nielsen, Val Avery
IMDB Rating: 5.8/10
Genre: Action/Crime/Thriller
Runtime: 1h 27m

The neo-fascist “Night Slasher” and his group have been breaking into people’s houses and vehicles and murdering them at will. Lt. Marion Cobretti, a no-nonsense officer, is called in after one of these criminals holds up a grocery shop and takes hostages.

The guy, ranting crazily about the ‘New World,’ raises a sawed-off shotgun to Cobretti’s head; Cobretti attacks him with a knife, and when the person still refuses to drop the gun, he shoots him dead.

The Night Slasher is suspected of a second murder the same evening and a third the next day. In this case, a young lady named Ingrid Knutsen is an eyewitness.

She manages to escape the thugs by driving away, but not before other suspicious-looking individuals try to take her and Cobretti’s lives. Cobretti tries to take the only eyewitness to the killing spree upstate, but the gangsters know his intentions and are on to him. Cobretti and the criminals are locked in a fight to the finish for their lives.

Above The Law 1988

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Director: Andrew Davis
Writer: Steven Pressfield, Andrew Davis, Ronald Shusett, Steven Seagal
Cast: Chelcie Ross, Joe Greco, Miguel Nino, Ron Dean, Henry Silva, Pam Grier, Steven Seagal
IMDB Rating: 6.0/10
Genre: Action/Crime/Drama
Runtime: 1h 39m

Nico is now a member of the vice squad in Chicago. He received his training in martial arts in Japan and worked for the CIA in Vietnam. While he and his young family are putting their lives in danger, he makes the shocking discovery that the CIA is trying to hide its links to drug traffickers in Middle America and that they are even willing to murder.

An addict confides in his information on a significant drug transaction; however, it later emerges that the transaction included C4 explosives and that one of the people involved was the CIA. Nico is instructed to stay out of it, but he cannot fathom why the CIA would sell C4, so he continues his investigation into the matter.

Road House 1989

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Director: Rowdy Herrington
Writer: Hilary Henkin, R. Lance Hill
Cast: John Doe, Kevin Tighe, Jeff Healey, Marshall R. Teague, Sam Elliott, Kelly Lynch
IMDB Rating: 6.6/10
Genre: Action/Thriller
Runtime: 1h 54m

Dalton is a master of martial arts and the most skilled professional bouncer there is. He maintains a calm and laconic demeanour, yet he is both strong and dangerous. Due to his stellar reputation, Dalton is called upon in a sleepy town in Missouri to rid the troublemakers who terrorize the patrons of the seedy bar known as The Double Deuce.

Unaware that the infamous local business owner Brad Wesley prefers things to continue, Dalton, sets out to clean up the establishment.

During the time that Dalton is cleaning up the nightclub and, with it, the community from the hired thugs that Wesley has recruited, a severe wound caused by a knife will spark a passionate romance with the local doctor, Elizabeth “Doc” Clay.

Even though the bouncer has the last word, it is clear that the dishonest Wesley has sufficient motives to remove Dalton from the equation.

Top Gun 1986

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Director: Tony Scott
Writer: Warren Skaaren, Ehud Yonay, Jack Epps Jr., Jim Cash
Cast: Meg Ryan, Whip Hubley, Clarence Gilyard Jr., Tim Robbins, Barry Tubb, Val Kilmer
IMDB Rating: 6.9/10
Genre: Drama/Action
Runtime: 1h 50m

US Navy Lieutenant Pete Mitchell, call sign Maverick, a reckless and daring flying ace, is granted admission into Top Gun, Miramar’s most prestigious Fighter School. However, the brash young pilot will be pitted against the cream of the crop, including Iceman, a talented and very competitive classmate.

Now is the time for Mitchell to give it his all, but his father’s unexplained and sudden death continues to haunt him. Will Charlie, the no-nonsense astrophysics teacher at the flying school, give Maverick the chance to show what he’s made of? If he wants to win the famous Top Gun Award, will he be able to rein in his wildlife?

Thief (film) 1981

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Director: Michael Mann
Writer: Michael Mann, Frank Hohimer
Cast: Norm Tobin, W.R. Brown, Dennis Farina, Robert Prosky, Willie Nelson, James Caan
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
Genre: Drama/Action/Crime
Runtime: 2h 3m

Professional safecracker Frank specializes in heists involving valuable diamonds. After so much behind bars, he knows what he wants from life, including a family and a good house. He plans to retire and become a model citizen as soon as he can put together the components of this college via his chosen job.

To speed things up, he agrees to steal a large sum of money for a notorious criminal. Because he fixates on his idealized picture of the American Dream, Frank can set aside his usual skepticism and distrust to seal the deal on his last employment. He becomes trapped and loses his independence and, eventually, his chance at realizing his ambition.

Akira 1988

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Director: Katsuhiro Ôtomo
Writer: Izô Hashimoto, Katsuhiro Ôtomo,
Cast: Masayuki Katô, Takeshi Kusao, Masaaki Ôkura, Kôichi Kitamura, Tesshô Genda
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
Genre: Sci-fi/Action/Animation/Drama
Runtime: 2h 4m

Tetsuo, a close friend of Kaneda, is recruited by the government to work on the top-secret project named Akira. Kaneda is the head of a bike gang. Kaneda stumbles upon a bunch of anti-government activists, selfish politicians, incompetent scientists, and a strong military commander as he is on his journey to rescue Tetsuo.

Tetsuo’s magical ability is triggered due to the conflict, leading to a gory death, an attempted coup, and the decisive fight at the Tokyo Olympiad. In this location, Akira’s mysteries were hidden thirty years before. This is one of the best 80s action movies in Australia.

Big Trouble in Little China 1986

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Director: John Carpenter
Writer: W.D. Richter, David Z. Weinstein, Gary Goldman
Cast: Suzee Pai, Peter Kwong, Donald Li, Victor Wong, Dennis Dun, Kurt Russell, Chao Li Chi
IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
Genre: Action/Fantasy/Adventure/Comedy
Runtime: 1h 39m

Jack Burton, a truck driver, had no idea he would get embroiled in a supernatural conflict between good and wicked when he volunteered to drive his buddy Wang Chi to the airport to pick up his bride.

Because Wang’s betrothed possesses mint green eyes, she is a prime candidate for an eternal sorcerer called Lo Pan and his three unbeatable supporters to take as their victims.

For Lo Pan to reclaim his former physique, he is required to wed a woman with green eyes. Jack is responsible for rescuing Wang’s bride from Lo Pan and the other guys working for him and recovering his stolen vehicle. But how can he overcome an adversary that does not have a body?

Heartbreak Ridge 1986

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Director: Clint Eastwood
Writer: Joseph Stinson, Dennis Hackin, James Carabatsos
Cast: Vincent Irizarry, Mario Van Peebles, Bo Svenson, Moses Gunn, Marsha Mason, Clint Eastwood
IMDB Rating: 6.8/10
Genre: War/Action/Drama
Runtime: 2h 10m

Thomas Highway, a Naval Gunnery Sergeant who has served since the Korean War, hopes to see combat and achieve victory before calling it quits. He asks to be sent back to the same prison wing from which he escaped.

When Major Malcolm Powers, Highway’s commanding officer, arrives, he warns the recruit that he will keep a close eye on him because of Highway’s notorious lack of respect for authority. Highway’s appointed to coach a recon unit which mainly comprised of dirtbags.

However, Highway is set on transforming them into genuine Marines despite their initial displeasure with him. And he’s trying to mend fences with Aggie, his ex-wife. This is one of the best 80s action movies in Australia.

The Last Dragon 1985

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Director: Michael Schultz
Writer: Louis Venosta
Cast: Vanity, Faith Prince, Taimak
IMDB Rating: 6.8/10
Genre: Drama/Action/Comedy
Runtime: 1h 49m

The film was a critical disaster, but it was a box-office success, grossing $33 million against a budget of around $10 million, even since becoming such a cult classic.

A young person in York City seeks the “master” to attain the final level of martial arts expertise also called as glow. All along the way, he must battle a perverted martial arts master and save a lovely vocalist from an addicted music promotion.

This is one of the best Amazon Prime movies.

They Live 1988

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Director: John Carpenter
Writer: John Carpenter, Ray Nelson
Cast: Wendy Brainard, Susan Barnes, Jason Robards III, Peter Jason, Meg Foster, Roddy Piper
IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
Genre: Sci-fi/Horror/Action
Runtime: 1h 37m

A construction worker named Nada, who is having a rough time, stumbles across a unique pair of sunglasses. Because he is wearing them, he can view the universe as it is, which includes individuals being inundated by the government and the media with messages such as “Submit to Authority,” “Stay Asleep,” and “No Imagination.”

Even more terrifying is the fact that he can recognize that specific individuals who seem to be perfectly normal are, in reality, repulsive extraterrestrials who are in control of a large operation designed to keep humanity in subservience.

Beverly Hills Cop 1984

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Director: Martin Brest
Writer: Danilo Bach, Daniel Petrie Jr.
Cast: Art Kimbro, Gilbert R. Hill, Jonathan Banks, James Russo, Ronny Cox, John Ashton
IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
Genre: Crime/Comedy/Action
Runtime: 1h 45m

After the death of his boyhood buddy, the suave Detroit investigator, Axel Foley, comes to sunny Beverly Hills on a one-person operation to seek out the perpetrator and put him to justice. Before long, Axel and his unconventional techniques discover the profitable narcotics enterprise of the strong local crime lord, Victor Maitland.

Now, Axel will have to partner up with Detectives Billy Rosewood and John Taggart to throw light on the dense plot and complete what he has begun.

Foley, too, will find himself in grave jeopardy as Lieutenant Andrew Bogomil desires him out of sight. Will Foley’s utter contempt for appropriate process produce fruit?

Kickboxer 1989

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Director: David Worth, Mark DiSalle
Writer: Glenn A. Bruce, Jean Claude Van Damme, Mark DiSalle
Cast: Mark DiSalle, Brad Kerner, Tony Chan, Ricky Liu, Ka Ting Lee, Michel Qissi, Dennis Chan
IMDB Rating: 6.4/10
Genre: thriller/action/spots
Runtime: 1h 37m

As the brother of reigning U.S. kicking winner Eric Sloan, Kurt Sloan acts as the latter’s cornerman in fights.

When Kurt sees his brother crippled in the arena by Thailand’s champion Tong Po, he becomes determined to exact his vengeance. To prepare for the fight of his life, Kurt seeks out Xian, a boxing instructor who lives in a rural part of Thailand. This is one of the best psychological thriller movies to watch anytime.

Red Dawn 1984

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Director: John Milius
Writer: Kevin Reynolds, John Milius,
Cast: Ron O’Neal, Ben Johnson, Brad Savage, Darren Dalton, C. Thomas Howell, Pepe Serna
IMDB Rating: 6.3/10
Genre: War/Action/Thriller/Drama
Runtime: 1h 54m

Soldiers from the Soviet Union, Cuba and  Nicaragua begin parachuting into the football field of a high school in Colorado. The paratroopers swarmed the school in seconds, sending many kids running for the hills. The youngsters face an uphill battle to make it through the harsh winter while evading Soviet K.G.B. patrols in vehicles and on foot.

Soon, they will take up arms under the “Wolverines!” flag and fight back against the Soviet invaders. Killing a squad of Soviet troops on patrol in the mountains inevitably leads to conflict.

Commando 1985

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Director: Mark L. Lester
Writer: Steven E. de Souza, Matthew Weisman, Jeph Loeb
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rae Dawn Chong, Dan Hedaya, Vernon Wells
IMDB Rating: 6.7/10
Genre: Action/Thriller
Runtime: 1h 30m

John Matrix, a senior Special Forces veteran, lives in seclusion with his daughter Jenny. However, his peace is interrupted when former leader Franklin Kirby visits him. Former Latin American tyrant Arius kidnaps Jenny after Kirby departs, demanding that Matrix restore him to power in his country.

Instead, Matrix embarks on a mission to eliminate the rebel leader and save his daughter. This is one of the best 80s action movies in Australia.

Full Metal Jacket 1987

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Director: Stanley Kubrick
Writer: Gustav Hasford, Michael Herr, Stanley Kubrick
Cast: Bruce Boa, Tim Colceri, Kirk Taylor, John Terry, Ed O’Ross, R. Lee Ermey
IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
Genre: War/Drama
Runtime: 1h 56m

This two-part documentary explores how the military culture and the Vietnam War affected American service members. In the first part of the story, we tag along with a squad of fresh faces as they endure basic training under the watchful eye of the harsh Gunnery Sergeant Hartman.

In the second part, we see one of these newcomers, Joker, reporting on the war for the Stars and Stripes and mainly covering the Tet attack. One of the best war movies to watch on Netflix.

Bloodsport 1988

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Director: Newt Arnold
Writer: Frank Dux, Mel Friedman, Christopher Cosby, Sheldon Lettich
Cast: Ken Siu, Bolo Yeung, Rani Gill, Roy Chiao, Norman Burton, Leah Ayres, Donald Gibb
IMDB Rating: 6.8/10
Genre: Action/Martial Arts/Drama/Biography
Runtime: 1h 32m

Frank Dux is competing in the Kumite, an unofficial martial arts tournament where significant damage or even death is not unheard of.

A variety of boxers (each with their distinct style) and a journalist who is dead set on getting her story are both in town for the battle. It’s expected that Dux would lose against Chong Li, a very nasty and brutal fighter, although this will be their first encounter.

RoboCop 1987

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Director: Paul Verhoeven
Writer: Michael Miner, Edward Neumeier
Cast: Jesse D. Goins, Felton Perry, Robert DoQui, Miguel Ferrer, Ronny Cox, Nancy Allen
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
Genre: Action/Sci-fi/Crime
Runtime: 1h 43m

The corrupt government of a post-apocalyptic Detroit awards a contract to the evil business Omni Consumer Goods to monetize the police department. The corporation’s goal is to eliminate crime using cyborgs, so they force Alex Murphy, a street officer, into a gunfight with criminal boss Boddicker so they may use Murphy’s body to test their RoboCop prototype.

However, RoboCop betrays his human overlords after discovering the corporation’s dark schemes.

48 Hrs. 1982

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Director: Walter Hill
Writer: Steven E. de Souza, Larry Gross, Walter Hill, Roger Spottiswoode
Cast: Tara King, Jonathan Banks, Brion James, David Patrick Kelly, James Remar, Nick Nolte
IMDB Rating: 6.9/10
Genre: Crime/Comedy/Action
Runtime: 1h 36m

Jack Cates, a rebel police officer, breaks gang member Reggie Hammond out of federal jail for 48 hours so that they may work together to apprehend Hammond’s former accomplice, Albert Ganz. Reggie, who enjoys his brief freedom, is arrogant since he knows where the money is hidden, and he engages in a heated argument with the impatient Jack.

With money missing from one of his crimes, fugitive convict Ganz is on a murdering rampage around San Fran. This is one of the best 80s action movies in Australia.

Die Hard 1988

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Director: John McTiernan
Writer: Steven E. de Souza, Jeb Stuart, Roderick Thorp
Cast: Clarence Gilyard Jr., Bruno Doyon, Alan Rickman, Hart Bochner,  Paul Gleason
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
Genre: Action/Thriller
Runtime: 2h 12m

A New York City police officer named John McClain takes a flight to Los Angeles so that he may be with his wife when she celebrates Christmas. However, when twelve terrorists assault the building simultaneously, McCain is the only one who has a chance of rescuing everyone.

He is left with little more than a revolver and his wits to defend himself against Hans Gruber and the other terrorists with whom he is working. You can also watch the best civil war movies of all time.

The Wraith 1986

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Director: Mike Marvin
Writer: Mike Marvin
Cast: Peder Melhuse, Jeffrey Sudzin, Chris Nash, Clint Howard, David Sherrill, Randy Quaid
IMDB Rating: 5.9/10
Genre: Romance/Action/Horror
Runtime: 1h 33m

A popular student from his high school dies, but he returns from the grave to get vengeance on the crazed drag racer responsible for his death.

To avenge his death, the slain youth dons a black leather suit and hi-tech mask and goes out to fight a band of desert-based vehicle thieves commanded by the guy who destroyed him.

Despite 80s action movies, if you’re a fan of horror movies then you can watch the best 80s horror movies on your weekend night.

Gleaming the Cube 1989

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Director: Graeme Clifford
Writer: Michael Tolkin
Cast: Peter Kwong, Ed Lauter, Min Luong, Le Tuan, Steven Bauer, Joe Gosha, F. William Parker
IMDB Rating: 6.2/10
Genre: Action/Teen/Mystery/Drama
Runtime: 1h 45m

While investigating the murder of his adopted brother, a teenage skateboarding enthusiast discovers a government conspiracy.

When Brian’s adoptive brother learns that the store where he works delivers guns to Vietnam instead of pharmaceuticals, he is murdered. Brian skates out to investigate the murder on his own when the police rule it a suicide.

Midnight Run 1988

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Director: Martin Brest
Writer: George Gallo
Cast: Mary Gillis, Jack Kehoe, Joe Pantoliano, John Ashton, Yaphet Kotto, Robert De Niro
IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
Genre: Action/Comedy/Crime
Runtime: 2h 6m

Eddie Moscone promises Jack Walsh, the bounty hunter he employs to find a mafia accountant dubbed “The Duke” and bring him to Los Angeles, that the mission would be easy, or a “midnight run.” Unfortunately, the FBI and the mafia would do whatever to get their hands on The Duke if Jack ever finds him.

Jack is being pursued throughout the nation, and while doing so, he must avoid capture by the police, stay out of sight of the crowd, and keep his sanity while avoiding The Duke’s crazy behavior. This is one of the best 80s action movies.

Wheels on Meals 1984

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Director: Sammo Kam-Bo Hung
Writer: Gwing-Gai Lee, Edward Tang
Cast: José Sancho, Lola Forner, Keith Vitali, Biao Yuen, Josep L. Dallester, Jackie Chan
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
Genre: Action/Comedy/Crime
Runtime: 1h 44m

Cousins David and Thomas, who own a mobile restaurant, enlist the assistance of their pal Moby, an inept private investigator, to rescue the lovely Sylvia, who works as a pickpocket.

The city of Barcelona is the setting for a lot of the action and comedy that leads up to the showdown that takes place in the criminal gang’s castle refuge. If you love Korean movies then don’t worry we have also compiled a list of the best Korean movies of all time for you.

Dragon Lord 1982

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Director: Jackie Chan
Writer: Barry Wong, Edward Tang, Jackie Chan
Cast: In-Shik Hwang, Shirley Yim, Mars, Jackie Chan, Fung Feng, Cam Clarke, Fung Feng
IMDB Rating: 6.3/10
Genre: Action/Comedy/Sports
Runtime: 1h 42m

While he is trying to win a lady’s attention, a restless martial arts student with the nickname Dragon sends her a love note via kite. When the kite falls on the attic of the mafia’s offices, sadly for him, he is forced to participate in the criminal organization’s activities.

Cannonball Run II 1984

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Director: Ralph Bakshi, Hal Needham
Writer: Harvey Miller, Albert S. Ruddy, Hal Needham, Brock Yates
Cast: Sid Caesar, Foster Brooks, Susan Anton, Telly Savalas, Jamie Farr, Sammy Davis Jr.
IMDB Rating: 5.0/10
Genre: Action/Comedy
Runtime: 1h 48m

J.J. McLure and his excellent buddy Victor participate in the tournament after learning that a sheik has agreed to fund a cross-country race to win. They aim to win the one million dollar prize and acquire two ladies along the road. During this time, the sheik assists Jamie Blake and Morris Fenderbaum as they deal with an angry mafia leader.

But when the sheik is taken hostage, the competitors have no choice but to work together to save him.

Police Story 1985

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Director: Chi-Hwa Chen, Jackie Chan
Writer: Edward Tang, Jackie Chan
Cast: Charlie Cho, Chi-Wing Lau, Ken Tong, Bill Tung, Yuen Chor, Brigitte Lin, Fat Wan
IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
Genre: Crime/Comedy/Action
Runtime: 1h 40m

Kevin Chan is a Hong Kong police officer who gets his big break when he is essentially responsible for the capture and incarceration of a significant drug boss. This gives him instant notoriety. Naturally, the drug lord is not pleased with this development, and he decides to frame Kevin for the death of another police officer.

Kevin must clear his reputation while avoiding being murdered or jailed and preventing his lover from breaking up with him to keep his relationship intact.

Collision Course (1989 film)

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Director: Lewis Teague
Writer: Robert Resnikoff, Frank Darius Namei
Cast: Jack Poggi, Dennis Holahan, Al Waxman, John Hancock, Tom Noonan, Pat Morita
IMDB Rating: 4.6/10
Genre: Action/Comedy/Crime
Runtime: 1h 40m

Tony Costas, a bold, rude, racist, and misogynistic Detroit cop who has long ago ceased obeying the laws, is informed that he would be required to collaborate with Inspector Fuji, a rule-abiding police officer from Japan. Inspector Fuji is a straight-laced police officer.

Fuji is now located in Detroit, seeking a Japanese engineer who emigrated to the United States with the blueprints for a top-secret automobile component.

At first, it is only typical for the two individuals to have difficulty getting along; nevertheless, as the investigation proceeds, they get closer and closer to accepting one another’s presence. This is one of the best 80s action movies.

Leonard Part 6 1987

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Director: Paul Weiland
Writer: Bill Cosby, Jonathan Reynolds
Cast: Hal Bokar, David Maier, Victoria Rowell, Pat Colbert, Moses Gunn, Joe Don Baker
IMDB Rating: 2.1/10
Genre: Comedy/Action/Sci-fi
Runtime: 1h 25m

As a retired CIA operative, Leonard is no stranger to risk. He eventually settled in San Francisco after retirement, where he started a restaurant that ultimately made him a fortune. Leonard has little time to reflect on his dangerous background when indulging in the finer things in life.

When an evil vegetarian comes, however, ready to take over the world, Leonard accepts his fate as a savior of humanity.

He leads the fight against the villainous vegetarian and her army of murderous animals.

The Terminator 1984

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Director: James Cameron
Writer: William Wisher, Gale Anne Hurd, James Cameron
Cast: Dick Miller, Earl Boen, Bess Motta, Rick Rossovich, Paul Winfield, Michael Biehn
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
Genre: Sci-fi/Action
Runtime: 1h 47m

In the future, the computer network known as Skynet will wage a lost battle against the human beings who founded it and whom it came very close to eradicating. In the last moments, before it is destroyed, Skynet sends a Terminator from the future to the past to assassinate Sarah.

The terminator can pass for a human, is virtually unbreakable, and is programmed to carry out only one task. A single soldier is dispatched in her direction to stand between her and the killing machine. Before the Terminator can complete its mission, he must locate Sarah.

Conan the Barbarian 1982

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Director: John Milius
Writer: Edward Summer, Oliver Stone, John Milius, Robert E. Howard
Cast: Gary Herman, William Smith, Gerry Lopez, Ben Davidson, Jack Taylor, James Earl Jones
IMDB Rating: 6.9/10
Genre: Adventure/Fantasy/Action
Runtime: 2h 9m

Conan, a young boy, left without parents following the destruction of his town at the hands of the evil necromancer Thulsa Doom, is taken captive and forced to turn “The Wheel of Pain” for a significant amount of time.

Conan, upon reaching maturity, embarks on a journey through the ancient terrain of the Hyborian Age in quest of the one responsible for the deaths of his family members and the theft of his father’s sword.

In a battle against a supernatural foe, he is aided by the stunning warrior Valeria and the skilled archer Subotai. This is one of the best 80s action movies.

Escape from New York (1981)

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Director: John Carpenter
Writer: Nick Castle, John Carpenter
Cast: Joe Unger, Tom Atkins, Season Hubley, Isaac Hayes, Lee Van Cleef, Clem Fox
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
Genre: Action/Sci-fi
Runtime: 1h 39m

In the distant future, Manhattan will be used as a maximum security jail since crime has gotten out of hand. Gruff Snake Plissken, a lone warrior with only one eye who is relatively new to the life of a prisoner, is pressured into escorting the Leader and his transport of goods out of this property of undesirables.

Convicts in Gotham City bring down the plane carrying the President to gain a bargaining chip, which they grab out of thin air.

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Runaway Train 1985

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Director: Andrey Konchalovskiy
Writer: Hideo Oguni, Ryûzô Kikushima, Edward Bunker, Paul Zindel
Cast: Walter Wyatt, T.K. Carter, John P. Ryan, Kyle T. Heffner, Rebecca De Mornay, Jon Voight
IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
Genre: Action/Thriller/Drama/Adventure
Runtime: 1h 51m

A thought-provoking action thriller follows two fugitives trying to conceal themselves on board a train as it travels across Alaska. The conductor dies after a catastrophic heart attack, and the train careens wildly across the cold countryside.

The train’s passengers seem to be in for a rough ride, given that the railroad signallers cannot halt the march and that a vengeful jail warden furiously follows them by helicopter. This is one of the best 80s action movies.

BEVERLY HILLS COP 2 1987

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Director: Dennis Klein, David Giler, Robert D. Wachs, Daniel Petrie Jr.
Writer: Tony Scott
Cast: Alice Adair, Robert Ridgely, Gilbert R. Hill, Paul Reiser, John Ashton, Ronny Cox
IMDB Rating: 6.5/10
Genre: Action/Comedy
Runtime: 1h 43m

The no-nonsense police officer from the previous film who helped solve the case in Detroit travels to Los Angeles to assist in the investigation of another crime. This time, he has to focus on solving the issue of the Alphabet Crimes, a string of robberies perpetrated by leather-jacketed punks.

As a result of the inquiry, he is on the hunt for an illegal weapons dealer and the hit woman who works for him.

Conclusion

Well, that’s it. This is the list of the best 80s action movies in Australia you need to watch now if you are into action movies. These movies are packed with thrill, action, drama, and comedy.

Jane Davies

Jane Davies

Meet Jane Davies, your friendly guide to all the cool stuff on Paramount Plus. She's got the inside scoop on the best shows, movies, and sports. Watching with Jane means getting the best picks, like having a friend who knows all about what to watch next. She loves hiking, snapping beautiful photos, and trying out new foods. Her adventures off-screen are just as fun as the ones on it. So, if you're looking for what to watch or just want to hear about cool experiences, Jane's got you covered. Let's dive into the fun world of streaming together!


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