According to Rolling Stone, 1984 was the best year of pop music the world has ever seen. And there’s no doubt that it was legendary. We were blessed with the releases of Prince’s “When Doves Cry,” Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time,” a-ha’s “Take on Me,” Sade's “Smooth Operator,” Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” and many more absolute bangers.
But let’s not forget that the entire decade of the 1980s was filled with amazing music, bold fashion choices, unforgettable films, and thankfully, lots of cameras. Bored Panda has compiled a list down below of the most iconic photos from the ’80s people have managed to hold onto. So enjoy scrolling through this list that might give you a massive wave of nostalgia, and be sure to upvote the photos that make you wish that you had a time machine!
#1 My Mama Circa '83. This Explains Why I'm The Uncoolest Person Ever, Cos She Took It All! Oh And That Bike? She Built It
Image credits: always-aimee
#2 My Mother When She Was A Tank Instructor In 1984
Image credits: danabre
#3 My Dad Skateboarding At Hyde School 1982. I Think He Was Cooler Than Me
Image credits: targat2
While we’ve already touched on some of the biggest hits, it’s impossible to show appreciation for the 1980s without giving the decade more credit for its music. Almost all of Prince’s iconic songs came from the ’80s, along with many of Madonna’s. Michael Jackson also had plenty of classics from this decade, as well as Whitney Houston.
We can’t forget about all of the amazing groups from this era too: Duran Duran, The Smiths, The Cure, N.W.A., R.E.M., New Order, Depeche Mode, Talking Heads, The Clash, Joy Division, and more. David Bowie was also on fire during the ’80s, alongside Tina Turner, Janet Jackson, and Cher. You could easily stick to only music from the 1980s for the rest of your life and still have great tunes to play in any situation!
#4 My Dad And Friends Look Like The Cast Of Stranger Things (1982)
Image credits: Hamuktakali
#5 My Dad, My Brother And Me Vandalizing The Berlin Wall 1988 (We Lived On The West-Side)
Image credits: Paula_Schultz237
#6 My First Wife And I On Our Wedding Day In December 1989
I was 19 and she was 18, I admit that we married way too young, but it lasted 17 years and 2 beautiful daughters came along too, one daughter who is now 30 and the other who is 27. I was a drummer in a rock band at the time and my best man was the lead guitarist. I hope you all enjoy the 80’s style! You know that long hair looks awesome with a top hat! Slash would be proud.
Image credits: Same-Ad3109
Another aspect of the 1980s that we can never forget is the incredible fashion of the decade. When you think of the ’80s, bright colors, spandex, and fanny packs might come to mind. But there was so much more! Vogue published a piece breaking down the biggest fashion trends of the era, and they first mention women’s power suits. Big shoulder pads and blazers over tight skirts were all the rage, even for women who weren’t in business.
On the other hand, many women were also stepping into spandex and Lycra bodysuits to get their jazzercise on. Fitness outfits from the ’80s were iconic, with vibrant colors, big scrunchies, leg warmers, and more. There was no time in the 1980s when you could avoid being a fashionista, not even while you worked out alongside a Jane Fonda tape!
#7 My Mom And Bob Ross During An Event In Central Park, NYC In 1989
Image credits: rhartley23
#8 My Dad Sculpting A Bust Of My Mom 1980s
Image credits: JankyTango
#9 My Mom Had A Nanny That Was A Mrs. Doubtfire Lookalike, C. 1981
Image credits: JankCranky
As for men’s fashion choices in the 1980s, hip-hop influenced a lot of people. Bucket hats, gold chains, acid-wash jeans, and tracksuits were popularized after fans saw their favorite celebrities sporting them. But women were inspired by their favorite stars too, with many taking inspiration from Madonna’s iconic looks or Princess Diana’s posh wardrobe. And, of course, many took fashion inspiration from what they saw on the screen. If you loved an outfit that appeared in a John Hughes film, you might try to recreate it yourself.
#10 My Mom In NYC, When She Sailed Around The World [1984-85]
Image credits: Spaceman_Beard
#11 My Cool Mom Partying With Robin Williams And Billy Crystal In LA In 1982
Image credits: st1rfryguy
#12 A Photo Of Freddie Mercury My Father Took In 1982 At A Show In Dallas
Image credits: boy_blue1982
Just like with fashion and music, our preferences in movies are subjective. But no matter what you like to watch, I’m sure there’s an ’80s film out there that you love! And if you’re in need of some suggestions, Rotten Tomatoes has compiled a list of the most beloved films from the decade of decadence.
Now, let’s start with the top ten: Back to the Future, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Ghostbusters, Star Wars: Episode V, Sixteen Candles, The Shining, Raging Bull, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Do the Right Thing, and The Princess Bride.
#13 My Dad Got In Trouble For Skipping School Because The Local Paper Printed This Picture Of Him, 1984
Image credits: DrPoonicorn
#14 My Mother’s Racially Mixed Family, 1989
Image credits: The_Horace_Wimp
#15 My American Dad And Canadian Mom As Niagra Falls For Halloween 1985
Image credits: j_d0tnet
If those films aren’t exactly what you’re looking for, don’t worry, there’s plenty more to choose from. If you’re looking for more action or something sci-fi, Blade Runner and The Terminator are great options. If you want a comedy, Airplane! never disappoints. And of course, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is a hit too. If you want a wholesome romantic comedy, you can’t go wrong with Say Anything or When Harry Met Sally. And if you want a coming-of-age film, The Breakfast Club is the way to go.
#16 After Their First Fight, My Dad Apologized To My Mom Through Polaroids. The True Og Of Apologies, My Man (1987)
Image credits: jordanekyler
#17 Terry Fox Was 22 Years Old In 1980 When He Set Out To Run Approximately 8,000 Kilometres Across Canada
Image credits: Ed Linkewich
#18 My Parents Swapping Wedding Attire, 1984
Image credits: thermostatgasket
Today, the 1980s are often romanticized in the media as a nearly perfect decade. Kids had just enough technology to enjoy arcade games, but they weren’t glued to their cell phones. The average person could own a camera and capture moments from their life, but they didn’t have to worry about how they were perceived on social media. Of course, there were still plenty of issues during that time, from the Cold War to the AIDS epidemic. But overall, it seemed like a much simpler period than the one we're currently experiencing.
#19 Princess Diana Dancing With John Travolta In Cross Hall At The White House
Image credits: White House Photographic Collection
#20 Christmas Morning In 1985, I Was Thrilled To Get A Typewriter
Image credits: SausageGrenade
#21 I Humbly Submit A Photo From Circa 1987 For Your Approval. A Photo Of Me, My Dog Wearing Sunglasses, And My 1984 Fiero SE
Image credits: rage242
We’ll never be able to return to the ’80s (unless someone out there is developing a time machine à la Doc Brown), but that doesn’t mean that we can’t bring it back in our own ways. If you’ve held onto your Walkman and cassette tapes for decades, keep listening to them! If you still have the VHS tapes with your children’s favorite films, never give them away. And if that old point-and-shoot camera will still work with some new batteries and a fresh roll of film, there’s no reason to stop using it. Why not infuse a bit of nostalgia into your everyday life?
#22 My Filipino Mom In 1985 Dressed As Pris From Bladerunner On Halloween
Image credits: martsuia
#23 My Room As A Teen. Might As Well Have Been An 80s Museum
Image credits: MagicMickey2150
#24 (1989) Me, Age 4, So Stoked For A Ghostbusters Toy From My Mom That I Went Full Derp
Image credits: xDanSolo
Is this list inspiring you to pull your old scrunchies, denim jackets and fanny packs out from storage, pandas? We hope you’re enjoying this trip down memory lane! Keep upvoting the photos that you find incredibly iconic, and let us know in the comments below if there’s anything in particular that you miss from the 1980s. Then, if you’re interested in checking out another list from Bored Panda that might make you super nostalgic, look no further than right here!
#25 Stumbled Upon Nicolas Cage In An Old Family Album (1985)
Image credits: WustashurSus
#26 Myself In 1983, Republic Of Korea
Image credits: youngkwon79
#27 Me Arriving Home From School In The Early 80's To Be Surprised With This Hoth-Base My Mom Made For Me
Image credits: dcox0463
#28 In 1983 I Was Chosen Along With 3 Other Students To Interview Ozzy Osbourne For Newsday/Kidsday Newspaper In NYC
Image credits: mystarrrs
#29 Americans Were Grateful For Canadian Aid During The Iran Hostage Crisis Of 1980
Image credits: United States State Department
#30 My Beautiful Mother On Her Wedding Day In The 1980’s
Image credits: Doneyhew
#31 My Dad's First Day On The Job, 1987
Image credits: zanesix
#32 Me And The Homies Before Going To See Straight Outta Compton. The Tour, Not The Movie. Circa 1989
Image credits: iaintsaidshit
#33 The 1980 Eruption Of Mt St. Helens
Image credits: Michael S. Keys
#34 France, 1985. My Mom Feeding Me Backstage During A Ballet Dancing Show
Image credits: jcorbier
#35 Today I Turn 50 Years Old. This Is Me In 1985 About To "Drop-In" On A Ramp We Built With Scrounged Wood
The way I remember it, shortly after this picture was taken I was forced to seek shelter from the masses of teen girls within a 5-mile radius that swarmed the area after I pulled off this trick.
Image credits: PaulInHV
#36 My Parents In The Late 1980’s They Loved Floral
Image credits: carlod427
#37 Since Everyone Is Posting Their Mom's In Bikinis For Some Reason, Here's My Mom Coming To See Me During Her Lunch Break For My Kindergarten Graduation In 1988
Image credits: SarcasticGamer
#38 My Mom Has Had This Poster Hanging In My Parent's Bathroom Since Before I Was Born. (It's From I Think 1982) Every Time I Visit Them
Image credits: CucumberSushi22
#39 Just Found An Old Family Photo From 1985. This Was Taken Right Before I Headed To The Twin Pines Mall On My Skateboard. The Good Old Days
Image credits: Corndogeveryday
#40 My Mom In The 80s
Image credits: kyleesi666
#41 45 Years Ago Today I Stood Alone On The Summit Of Everest. No Oxygen, No Partner, Only My Breath And The Endless Sky
I was exhausted, close to my limits. It was not triumph over the mountain, but over fear, doubt, and human limitation.
Image credits: reinholdmessner_official
#42 Sequential Pictures Of My Dad In The 80s Taken In The Same Place Nearly 30 Years Later
Image credits: Rach0s
#43 My College Dorm Room, 1985
Image credits: youdiejoe
#44 Stealing A Drink Of Wine At A Wedding While My Mom (Behind Me) Isn’t Looking. (1987)
Image credits: lanko69
#45 In Circa 1980, My Parents Also Took This Picture Instead Of Helping Me Get My Head Unstuck
Image credits: tainter_tots
#46 Nostalgia From 1982. Me And Four Friends (All Still Friends Today) Doing What Kids Did Back Then. Made Memories At The Roller-Skate Park
Image credits: mlotto7
#47 My Dad And His First Wife, Circa 1984. The Hair, The Silhouette. It’s Amazing
Image credits: PrincessAri93
#48 Photos From My Grandmother's Time Working At Continental Bank In Chicago In The Early 80's
The first was taken on her birthday, and the rest were taken on her gay boss' birthday. I specify gay because that's why they got him a belly dancer.
Image credits: OkAd1688
#49 Mobile Suit Gundam Cosplay From 1981 (Animec Magazine)
Image credits: stipulateoxbird
#50 Found A Magazine From 1980 In A Hospital Demolition With A 14yr Olds Interpretation Of The Future
Image credits: Myjunkisonfire
