20 Best Movies Like Dirty Dancing That You Will Enjoy Watching Update 04/2024

Movies Like Dirty Dancing

These classic ’80s films have a few nuggets of wisdom for every woman.

It was the decade of the 1980s that gave us some of the most iconic fashion, music, and film trends of all time. Few people have the time or inclination to see every film that came out during the decade, but there are a few that all females should see at least once!

Other chick flicks don’t have as many of the stereotypical themes of love, princesses being saved by princes or motherhood as the more typical ones. As an alternative, they promote important principles like a strong work ethic while also showcasing interesting characters who aren’t just helpless victims. Then there are films from the ’80s that perfectly capture the carefree, carefree spirit of the decade.

The following article contains a list of 20 films from the 1980s that every woman should see at least once.

20. Dirty Dancing Is The Ultimate ‘80s Romance

Dirty Dancing Is The Ultimate ‘80s Romance

Dirty Dancing, starring Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze, should be your one and only 1980s movie viewing experience. Dancing brings Johnny and Baby together in the timeless story of Johnny and the Brown Eyed Girl. Just for the soundtrack, this film is a must-see!

19. Adventures In Babysitting Hits Home If You’ve Ever Been A Babysitter

Have you ever worked as a nanny? If that’s the case, Adventures in Babysitting will have a particularly strong emotional impact on you. Even if you’ve never heard of it, it’s a hilarious tale all the same. Poor Chris Parker, in this teen farce, gets dumped and then has to take care of some very difficult kids. This is unquestionably a must-see film.

18. Can’t Buy Me Love Is About Dating The Most Popular Girl In School

Another great ’80s teen comedy is Can’t Buy Me Love, which you should see at least once. No matter how generic its plot may be, this film is still full of laughs because it centers on Ronald, an outcast who pays the popular girl to be his girlfriend.

17. Maid To Order Is Cinderella Turned On Its Head

Maid To Order Is Cinderella Turned On Its Head

A retelling of Cinderella that turns the fairytale on its head is always welcome, but Cinderella will never get old. As the fairy godmother arrives to take the heiress’s money and riches, we see what happens when she is forced to make her own way.

16. An Officer And A Gentleman Is Super Romantic

It’s impossible to watch An Officer and a Gentleman without being smitten by the romance and the men in uniform. Richard Gere’s performance in Pretty Woman will have you wondering if Edward Lewis was his most romantic role, or if this was just his defining moment.

15. Pretty In Pink Cannot Be Skipped

Many female students recall feeling unwelcome or unattractive in high school. The story of Andie, a social outcast whose world is turned upside down when one of the popular boys falls in love with her, is told in the film Pretty in Pink.

14. Every Girl Needs To Watch The Breakfast Club

The Breakfast Club is a must-see for any female fan of films from the 1980s. In the classic film, five students from different social backgrounds are thrown together for Sunday detention and learn more about one another as a result of their time together.

13. Add Sixteen Candles To Your List

Add Sixteen Candles To Your List

Irrespective of how old you get, stories about coming of age never get old. It’s no secret that Sixteen Candles was a huge hit in the 1980s when it came to coming-of-age stories. When the answers to a private quiz that protagonist Samantha wrote go missing on her 16th birthday, she faces her worst nightmare.

12. Check Out Labyrinth And David Bowie’s Costume

Labyrinth is a must-see if you’re a fan of 1980s pop culture and want to know what it was like to be in your prime during that time period. It’s worth watching for David Bowie’s costume alone, not the plot.

11. You’re Never Too Old For The Princess Bride

No one should ever make the assumption that you’re too old to enjoy The Princess Bride. With its blend of romantic longing and fantastical flourishes, this story tells a tale that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Remember to never settle for someone who won’t put their life on the line for you.

10. Some Kind Of Wonderful Is All About Young Love

Some Kind Of Wonderful Is All About Young Love

A tale of adolescent love is universally appealing. Something Wonderful tells the story of two high school students who couldn’t be more different from one another and what happens when ex-boyfriends and best friends enter the picture. This is another teen romance worth watching.

9. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial Is Full Of Emotion And Will Hit You In The Feels

This film will leave you feeling all kinds of emotions! E.T. tells the tale of an alien who is abandoned on Earth and saved by a young boy. Within a short period of time, Elliot and his siblings develop feelings for the alien. Please be advised that watching this will make you crave your own personal spaceship. RELATED: Netflix Has 20 Great 90s Movies You Should See

8. The Original Footloose Is Better

If you only watch one movie in your life, make it the original version of Footloose. Those who enjoy dance movies and dashing leading men who take on the establishment will enjoy this. Another reason why this was such a big hit during that time period. Remake is a waste of time.

7. Flashdance Is A Rite Of Passage

Flashdance is a film that no one can decide whether or not to watch. It’s nothing more than a milestone in your life! An alternative take on the ballet dancer saga, this film centers on a young man with dreams of becoming one himself. Be ready for some incredible dance moves! What’s stopping you from checking it out?

6. You Simply Have To Watch When Harry Met Sally

You Simply Have To Watch When Harry Met Sally

One more cult classic from the 1980s that you simply must see? When Harry Fell in Love with Sally for the First Time. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan star in this classic love story as Harry and Sally, two ex-colleagues who must confront their feelings for one another. ICYMI, Here Are 15 Classic Films That Were Almost Radically Different

5.  Ladyhawke

Fairy tales like Cinderella, in which the princess is saved by the prince, are popular among girls. Women who enjoy historical fiction and fantasy stories with rich plots and complex characters will enjoy Ladyhawke, an action-packed medieval fantasy film.

4. Dustin Hoffman Is Terrific In The Rom-Com Tootsie

Michael Dorsey, a struggling New York actor, is the central character in Tootsie. The performance of Dustin Hoffman as Dorsey in this classic comedy/romance is enough of a reason to see it. Consider including it in your next ’80s re-watch! 15 classic Hollywood films that still make us laugh

3. Don’t Cry Too Much In Steel Magnolias

Even if it makes you cry, Steel Magnolias is a must-see film. Steel Magnolias is a film about sisterhood, but I don’t want to give anything away. When the going gets tough, a group of women in a small Southern town look out for each other.

2. The Color Purple Is One Of The Best Films Of The 1980s

Adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Color Purple is still regarded as one of the decade’s finest cinematic achievements. This is a must-see film for everyone, regardless of age or gender identity. The film, which was released in 1985, features a star-studded cast and a moving script.

1. See Diane Keaton In Baby Boom

With Diane Keaton as the lead, Baby Boom tells the story of a businesswoman who, after her husband’s untimely death, must take care of their newborn daughter. Baby Boom, from the studio that brought you The Parent Trap and The Holiday, demonstrates that nothing is ever as it seems. You also have no idea how much you can take. Vanessa is an Adelaide-based freelance writer and editor. The Things, The Richest, The Talko, Screen Rant, and The Travel are just a few of the many Valnet websites where her work has appeared. Policy of Ownership