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Wales Online
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Top 10 masterpiece 80s movies to stream - including two for free
Top 10 masterpiece 80s movies to stream - including two you can watch for free The 1980s was a fertile period for filmmaking, with many of the greatest movies of all time released during this decade - but which are the absolute best? What are the top-notch films from the 1980s that you can stream right now? Many cinema enthusiasts would concur that the 80s was arguably the golden era for film, with a plethora of iconic films released within this decade. From thrilling blockbusters to chilling horror flicks, the decade gave birth to franchises, nurtured acclaimed filmmakers and shattered box office records in every direction. Let's take a look at 10 of the undeniable classics and a few underappreciated treasures, ranging from sci-fi sagas to breathtaking animation and guaranteed tearjerkers. Even better, they're all available to stream right now in the UK, including a few you can watch absolutely free of charge, reports the Mirror. NOW subscribers are guaranteed a toe-tapping good time with the Blues Brothers (Image: UNIVERSAL PICTURES) The Blues Brothers This musical marvel featuring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd is without a doubt one of the most hilarious films produced during this decade. Based on their legendary Saturday Night Live characters, Jake and Elwood Blues are in a race against time to reunite their R&B band for one final gig to save the orphanage where they grew up. With guest appearances from cherished blues musicians such as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and James Brown, this tribute to music and the city of Chicago is bound to get your feet tapping. The Blues Brothers is available to stream on NOW. This coming-of-age classic from Steven Spielberg will have you reaching for the tissues (Image: UNIVERSAL PICTURES) Watch Stranger Things on Netflix for free with Sky This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more from £15 Sky Get the deal here Product Description Sky is giving away a free Netflix subscription with its new Sky Stream TV bundles, including the £15 Essential TV plan. This lets members watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes hit shows like Stranger Things. ET If there's one name that ruled the film scene in the 80s, it's undoubtedly Steven Spielberg. From highly praised historical dramas like The Colour Purple and Empire of the Sun, to thrilling escapades with Indiana Jones, the renowned filmmaker unveiled what many regard as his finest works during this era. One of his most audacious and personal endeavours of that period, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, was a daring venture due to its intimate drama and bold concept. Fortunately, the risk paid off, toppling Star Wars from its perch and remaining the highest-grossing film of all time, until Spielberg surpassed his own record a decade later with Jurassic Park. ET is available for streaming on Netflix. Die Hard is still the greatest action movie ever made (Image: 20TH CENTURY FOX) Disney+ This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more £4.99 £1.99 Disney+ Buy Now on Disney+ Product Description Get Disney+ for £1.99 instead of £4.99 for four months. Die Hard In our opinion, Die Hard is the best action film ever made, guaranteed to entertain whether you're watching at Christmas or in the midst of a heatwave. Launching the cinematic career of Hollywood titan Bruce Willis, John McTiernan's exceptional thriller remains so influential today that 'Die Hard on a [insert location/vehicle here]' is still a viable pitch for an action film. With numerous imitations out there, ensure you make time for the triumphant original soon. Die Hard can be streamed on Disney+. This often overlooked historical drama is a must-watch (Image: MGM, UA) Get 30 days of Prime Video totally free This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more £8.99 £0 Amazon Get Prime Video here Product Description TV lovers can get 30 days' free access to binge great shows like Clarkson's Farm by signing up to Amazon Prime. Just remember to cancel at the end and you won't be charged. A Dry White Season This overlooked historical drama illuminates the harrowing realities of apartheid in South Africa during the 1970s. Featuring Donald Sutherland as a teacher at a school for white pupils, he's compelled to reassess his ethics when the son of his Black gardener is brutally murdered by the white police. One of the first significant Hollywood films helmed by a Black woman, Euzhan Palcy, A Dry White Season also boasts an often overlooked Oscar-nominated performance from Marlon Brando. This gripping piece of cinema history is frequently missed but remains essential viewing. A Dry White Season can be streamed on Prime Video. Kurt Russell takes on a shape-shifting monster from outer space (Image: UNIVERSAL PICTURES) The Thing The 1980s saw body horror emerge as a defining sub-genre, thanks to advancements in special effects and a growing appetite among film fans for boundary-pushing frights. John Carpenter's The Thing, widely regarded as the best example of this genre, offers masterful practical effects and tension-filled scenes. This creature feature, unlike anything seen before or since, stars Kurt Russell in a chilling thriller about an Antarctic research team infiltrated by a shape-shifting extra-terrestrial. Despite being a box office disappointment upon release, it has since become a cherished horror classic. The Thing can be streamed for free on ITVX. Prepare to be afraid - be very afraid (Image: 20TH CENTURY FOX) The Fly With a plethora of gory masterpieces to choose from, why limit yourself to just one? Arguably even more terrifying than The Thing is David Cronenberg's masterpiece, The Fly. This morbid reimagining of a classic sci-fi horror from 1958 sees Jeff Goldblum play an ambitious scientist who begins to transform after perfecting teleportation, leading to grotesque consequences when his machine malfunctions. The Fly can be streamed on Disney+. One of the best films about race relations ever made (Image: UNIVERSAL PICTURES) Do the Right Thing The 80s were a golden era for thought-provoking dramas, ranging from body horror to social satire. Spike Lee, the influential director, was only 32 when he created Do the Right Thing. This film established him as one of the most significant Black artists in history by addressing race relations in America in an unprecedented way. Do the Right Thing, which combines hilarious humour with high-stakes drama and career-best performances from its cast, including Lee himself, Danny Aiello, John Turturro, and Rosie Perez, is still considered one of the filmmaker's best works by many film enthusiasts. You can stream Do the Right Thing on NOW. This animated masterpiece is available on Netflix (Image: STUDIO GHIBLI) My Neighbour Totoro It would be a mistake not to include any animated films in a list of the best of any decade. While Disney had its fair share of hits, from The Fox and the Hound to The Little Mermaid, we believe this masterpiece from Studio Ghibli outshines them all. My Neighbour Totoro is a timeless story of childhood as seen through the imaginative lens of Japanese animation genius Hayao Miyazaki, who infuses every heartfelt moment with fantasy and wonder. If you've already seen this animated gem, or fall in love with the furry forest spirit on your first watch, all of Studio Ghibli's incredible films are available on the same service. My Neighbour Totoro is available to stream on Netflix. Harrison Ford explores a bleak vision of the future (Image: WARNER BROS) Blade Runner Yes, it's another science fiction classic, but perfection cannot be overlooked. Despite spawning a generation of moody film enthusiasts, it's clear why this atmospheric, neon-soaked cyberpunk thriller captured so many imaginations. From the cinematic genius Ridley Scott, who previously revolutionised the genre with his iconic space horror Alien in 1979, comes an engrossing existential journey featuring Harrison Ford as a future detective tasked with tracking down synthetic humans known as replicants. Combining classic noir with one of the most desolate visions of the future ever depicted on screen, Blade Runner is worth viewing for its visual magnificence alone, but it will also leave you pondering long after the credits have ended. Blade Runner is available to stream on Prime Video. 80s movies don't get much better than Raiders of the Lost Ark (Image: LUCASFILM) Raiders of the Lost Ark What more can be said about Raiders of the Lost Ark that hasn't been repeated countless times? Somehow, Spielberg managed to produce two masterpieces consecutively, with the introduction of another iconic Harrison Ford character arriving in 1981, a year before the acclaimed director had millions of cinema-goers weeping uncontrollably with ET. Article continues below The most legendary movie star of all time in his prime, a captivating, globe-trotting adventure, plenty of booby traps and ancient puzzles, and Nazis receiving a punch in the face. What's not to adore? Raiders of the Lost Ark is available to stream on Netflix and for free on Channel 4.
Daily Mirror
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Top 10 80s movies ranked you can stream right now - including two that are totally free
A surprising number of iconic and underrated 80s movies are currently available to stream - here's the best of the best Several incredible movies from the 1980s are available to stream, but what's the cream of the crop? Many film buffs will agree that the 80s was one of, if not the best decade for cinema in history, with many of the most iconic films of all time releasing in the space of just 10 years. From rip-roaring blockbusters to spine-tingling horror movies, the decade launched franchises, produced acclaimed filmmakers and broke box office records left, right and centre. Let's run down 10 of the best undeniable classics and a handful of underrated gems, from sci-fi epics to stunning animation and guaranteed tearjerkers. And, even better, they're all available to stream right now in the UK, including a handful you can watch completely free. The Blues Brothers This musical masterpiece starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd is undoubtedly one of the funniest movies produced during this decade. Based on their iconic Saturday Night Live characters, Jake and Elwood Blues race against time to assemble their R&B band for one last show to save the orphanage where they were raised. Featuring appearances from beloved blues musicians such as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and James Brown, this love letter to music and the city of Chicago is guaranteed to leave you tapping your toes. The Blues Brothers is available to stream on NOW. ET If there's one name who dominated film culture in the 80s, it's almost certainly Steven Spielberg. From acclaimed historical dramas such as The Colour Purple and Empire of the Sun, to rollicking adventures with Indiana Jones, the blockbuster filmmaker released what many consider to be his best films during the decade. One of his most daring and personal projects at that time, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, was a risky venture thanks to its small-scale drama and bold premise. Thankfully, the gamble paid off, knocking Star Wars off its podium and remaining the highest-grossing film of all time, until Spielberg beat his own record a decade later with Jurassic Park. ET is available to stream on Netflix. Die Hard For our money the best action film ever made, Die Hard is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser whether you're watching at Christmas or during a heatwave. Launching the big screen career of Hollywood powerhouse Bruce Willis, John McTiernan's sublime thriller remains so influential to this day that 'Die Hard on a [insert location/vehicle here]' is still a bankable pitch for an action film. With so many imitators out there, make sure you find time for the triumphant genuine article soon. Die Hard is available to stream on Disney+. A Dry White Season This underrated historical drama shines a light on the devastating realities of apartheid in South Africa during the 1970s. Featuring Donald Sutherland as a teacher at a school for white students, he's forced to question his morals when the son of his Black gardener is viciously murdered by the white police. One of the first major Hollywood films directed by a Black woman, Euzhan Palcy, and also featuring an oft-forgotten Oscar-nominated performance from Marlon Brando, A Dry White Season is an essential and gripping part of cinema history that often gets overlooked. A Dry White Season is available to stream on Prime Video. The Thing Body horror became a defining sub-genre of the 1980s thanks to the advancement of special effects and film fans' growing appetite for boundary-pushing scares. Widely considered the best example, with masterful practical effects and tension in every frame, John Carpenter's The Thing is a creature feature like no one had ever seen before - or since. Starring Kurt Russell, this eerie, paranoid thriller about an Antarctica research team who get infiltrated by a shape-shifting extra-terrestrial was a box office flop at the time but has since become a beloved horror classic. The Thing is available to stream for free on ITVX. The Fly With so many excellent gory masterpieces to choose from, why just settle for one example? Arguably even more horrifying than The Thing is David Cronenberg's masterpiece The Fly, a morbid reimagining of a classic sci-fi horror from 1958. Jeff Goldblum portrays an ambitious scientist who begins to transform after perfecting the art of teleportation, only for his machine to malfunction with grotesque results. The Fly is available to stream on Disney+. Do the Right Thing From body horror to social satire, the 80s were also renowned for a wide variety of thought-provoking dramas. Influential director Spike Lee was just 32 when he made Do the Right Thing, cementing himself as one of the most prominent Black artists in history by tackling race relations in America like never before. Combining laugh-out-loud humour with high-stakes drama and career-best performances from much of its cast, which includes Lee himself alongside Danny Aiello, John Turturro and Rosie Perez, there's a reason why many cinephiles still consider it among the filmmaker's best work. Do the Right Thing is available to stream on NOW. Watch Stranger Things on Netflix for free with Sky This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more from £15 Sky Get the deal here Product Description My Neighbour Totoro We'd be remiss not to include any animated films on a list of the best of any decade and, while Disney had its fair share of hits, from The Fox and the Hound to The Little Mermaid, in our opinion this masterpiece from Studio Ghibli wipes the floor with all of them. My Neighbour Totoro is a timeless tale of childhood seen through the whimsical lens of Japanese animation genius Hayao Miyazaki, who injects every heartfelt moment with fantasy and wonder. If you've already seen this animated gem, or fall in love with the furry forest spirit on your first watch, all of Studio Ghibli's incredible films are available on the same service. My Neighbour Totoro is available to stream on Netflix. Blade Runner Yes, it's yet another science fiction classic, but you can't ignore perfection. While it may have spawned a generation of moody film bros, it's easy to see why this atmospheric, neon-drenched cyberpunk thriller caught the imagination of so many. From cinematic mastermind Ridley Scott, who already reinvented the genre with his seminal space horror Alien in 1979, comes a gripping existential head-trip starring Harrison Ford as a futuristic detective tasked with hunting down synthetic humans known as replicants. Blending classic noir with one of the bleakest visions of the future ever put to film, Blade Runner is worth watching for the visual splendour alone, but will also keep you thinking long after the credits roll. Blade Runner is available to stream on Prime Video. Raiders of the Lost Ark What's left to say about Raiders of the Lost Ark that hasn't been said a million times before? Somehow, Spielberg delivered two masterpieces back-to-back, with the introduction of yet another iconic Harrison Ford hero arriving in 1981, a year before the acclaimed filmmaker made millions of moviegoers sob uncontrollably with ET. The most iconic movie star of all time in his prime, an enthralling, globetrotting adventure, booby traps and ancient puzzles galore, and Nazis getting punched in the face. What's not to love? Raiders of the Lost Ark is available to stream on Netflix and for free on Channel 4.
ABC News
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Manifesting is popular but some experts say it has a dark side
When Oprah Winfrey first read the Alice Walker novel The Colour Purple, she became obsessed with it. Speaking to Larry King on his talk show in 2009, she explained how she was cast in the 1985 Steven Spielberg film. "I ate, slept, thought all the time about The Colour Purple … when I moved to Chicago, I got a call asking me to audition [for the] movie, I had never gotten a call like that in my life from anybody," she says. Despite that stroke of luck, Winfrey was convinced she hadn't got the role. "I'm singing, praying and crying, and a woman comes out to me and says there is a phone call for me … It was [director] Steven Spielberg saying he wanted to see me in his office in California tomorrow." Oprah was offered her dream role playing Sofia in the film, which went on to be a box-office hit. Winfrey's interview on Larry King was about the self-help book she endorsed, The Secret, which had exploded in popularity at the time. Written by Australian author Rhonda Byrne, the book claimed to help readers harness the laws of attraction — essentially the belief that thought alone could help you get what you want. It's been nearly 20 years since the book was published, and the practice of manifestation and positive thinking continues to gain popularity across cultures. It can involve methods like being clear and intentional about your goals and practising rituals to help bring those goals into reality. The rituals are varied, but can include journalling, vocalising mantras, practising positive self-talk and creating vision boards. Manifesting is also big business with self-help professionals, like Mel Robbins and Gabrielle Bernstein, releasing countless books, podcasts and international speaking tours on how to do it. In a 2022 podcast episode about manifestation, Robbins claims the form of manifesting she promotes is "backed by neuroscience" and isn't just wishful thinking. "It is a tool that you are going to use precisely, intentionally, systematically with purpose, because you use manifesting to rewire your mind … to help you do the work to achieve your dreams." There's no denying that manifestation is popular, and the way that individuals use it in their own lives can be varied. But is there a dark side to the practice? Winfrey's public endorsement of The Secret on her widely watched show helped boost the book's popularity, but it was not without criticism. For example, when Kim Tinkham appeared on the show in 2007, she told Winfrey she was so moved by The Secret that she was going to forego cancer treatment, against her doctor's advice. Winfrey tried to talk her out of this, clarifying that she didn't think this was the message to take away from the book. Tinkham died in 2010. The insidious nature of our algorithmic feeds When discussing the book on King's show, Winfrey wanted to clarify her endorsement of The Secret, saying that the mistake it made was that it "tried to let that be the answer to all questions." She added: "The law of attraction is just one law, there are many laws working in the world". Laura D'Olimpio is an associate professor from the University of Birmingham and says she believes manifestation stops many people from learning. "I see manifesting as a form of wishful thinking and therefore, in my mind, it's an intellectual vice, because it's a way of thinking that interrupts our attainment of knowledge," she tells ABC Radio National's Future Tense. D'Olimpio claims that manifesting promotes self-centredness — and self-blame if it doesn't work. "The thing that strikes me about manifesting is that it really narrows down just on 'what I want'," she says. This approach worries her. Manifesting, like many self-help concepts, comes with rituals. One is the 369 manifestation method, which went viral on social media in 2021, and includes the act of writing down what you want to manifest three times in the morning, six times in the afternoon and nine times at night. D'Olimpio says rituals like the 369 method promote obsessive and compulsive thinking. "It seems to really encourage that obsessive ritual of trying to make this belief come into reality through the power of thought," she says. Along with Winfrey, celebrities including Ariana Grande, and Dua Lipa, have credited manifestation as one of the reasons for their success. For example, when Lipa headlined Glastonbury last year, she told the crowd, "I've written this moment down and wished for it and dreamt it and worked so hard". While it's a romanticised way to frame your dreams coming true, D'Olimpio has concerns that manifestation is a "closed theory", meaning that if it doesn't work, we won't know about it. "[Those that practise are] pointing to the outcome that they want to say, 'See, I'm right in manifesting'. But that's a form of confirmation bias," she says. "When it doesn't come about, they often say, 'Oh, well, it wasn't in my higher good or my best interest' … So you can't falsify it, which means that they're not deterred by instances where it doesn't come true." People turn to manifestation for a variety of reasons, and many do so in the hope that they can maintain a positive mindset and attract good things. And in recent years, it can feel like remaining optimistic is increasingly hard to achieve. People are grappling with the impacts of climate change, an increase in natural disasters and global conflicts, most notably Israel's war in Gaza. Humans need optimism to move forward, but there can be confusion about what that means, says author Sumit Paul-Choudhury. "Being positive about the future doesn't necessarily mean that you have to think that everything is fine and will turn out to be fine," he says. While thinking optimistically can be a segue into engaging with self-help materials that promote manifesting, Paul-Choudhury says people should aim for dispositional optimism instead. "It is this general approach to life in which you think that there are solutions to your problems and that there are always opportunities ahead," he says. "You're generally always believing that there are ways forward that seem to be associated with better outcomes." Paul-Choudhury says those who aim for this type of optimism and mindset are more likely to live happier lives. "People who rank reasonably strongly with that kind of optimism seem to live for longer." While D'Olimpio acknowledges there are valid concerns about manifestation, she doesn't want it to be viewed as criticism of optimism. She says there is an important role for optimism in our society, and that "manifesting distorts that positive thinking into thinking that thought alone can create reality". "I'm hoping that with education and other ways of opening up people's thinking, they can see that [manifesting] is a distorted version of positive thinking and very self-focused rather than community-based."
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Wicked star Cynthia Erivo lands a HUGE new job on London's West End - and she's set to play another legendary villain
Cynthia Erivo is set to return to the West End stage next year as the star lands a huge new job as another legendary villain. The actress, 38, recently starred opposite Ariana Grande in the film adaptation of the musical Wicked as Elphaba. Now, she will sink her teeth into the role of Dracula and 22 other roles in a one-actor adaptation of Bram Stoker's gothic novel. The play is adapted and directed by Kip Williams following his award-winning version of Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, which starred Sarah Snook. Dracula originally premiered in Australia back in 2024 and will make its international debut at London's Noel Coward Theatre in February 2026. This isn't be Cynthia's first stint on the West End, having made her debut in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg back in 2011. However, it was her Broadway debut as Celie in The Colour Purple (2015-2017) that saw her win a Tony. Speaking about her upcoming roles, the actress said: 'Returning to the stage feels like a homecoming, one that I've been craving for a long time. 'To do so with a story as rich, complex, and haunting as DRACULA offers a beautiful opportunity to delve into character, into myth, and into the heart of what makes us human. 'From the moment I was asked, I could not get the role out of my mind. Kip's vision is thrilling, terrifying, and deeply resonant, offering a chance to sit with not only the darkness in the world, but also the light we fight to hold onto. 'It's a rare gift for an actor to inhabit so many voices and perspectives in one piece, and I'm honoured to do it for West End audiences in this extraordinary production. 'The prospect of doing this show scares me and I know it will be a huge challenge. This show will ask everything of me — and I'm ready to give it.' Meanwhile, director Kip said: 'I am thrilled to be returning to the West End to direct my adaptation of Bram Stoker's DRACULA and to collaborate with the extraordinary Cynthia Erivo, as she brings to life the many iconic characters of this much-adored tale. 'Our production expands upon Stoker's exploration of the tension between fear and desire, offering a contemporary perspective on the vampire as a monster that lurks not beyond, but within. 'I am excited to reunite with many of my Dorian Gray collaborators on this project, and it is an immense privilege to have such a singularly gifted artist as Cynthia at the heart of it. 'I can't wait to share this piece with London audiences, especially in the West End, a place where Bram spent so much of his creative life.' Cynthia was reportedly approached about the role during the promotional tour for Wicked nine months ago. In March, she attended the Broadway premiere of The Picture of Dorian Gray and is understood to have spoken with Sarah her performance. Michael Cassel, co-producing the West End run with Adam Kenwright, told Deadline: '[Cynthia] has really spent most of her time with Kip just talking through the inspiration and the dramaturgy of it all. 'For them to connect in that way has been important for them because this is a show that they go and create together.' The original Sydney production will not 'be a blueprint' for the West End version. However, Michael added that it's very 'appealing to Cynthia to put her own interpretation on the role and explore that with Kip.' While the West End play is not a musical, fans of Wicked will be delighted to know that there is one original song near the end of the show, by composer Clemence Williams. Tickets for DRACULA will go on sale later in the year, with details and waitlist available at
Time Out
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Cynthia Erivo will return to London's West End to play 26 roles in a one-woman ‘Dracula'
Cynthia Erivo got her big break on the London stage, though probably not when she expected to. In 2014 the then-unknown Brit was cast in the lead role of the massive West End folly I Can't Sing!, a parody of The X-Factor that turned up years too late for the zeitgeist and duly died a death at the gargantuan London Palladium. But unbenownst to her, she'd already made it: the previous year she'd got great reviews in the tiny Menier Chocolate Factory's production of the musical adaptation of Alice Walker's classic novel The Colour Purple. It never went to the West End. But it did go to Broadway, and after that Erivo's reputation was duly made, Hollywood came calling, and she's not acted on a British stage since. That will change next year, though, when she makes the mother of all returns in not one role but 26 in a high tech one-woman stage adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula. If that rings a bell, then it'll be because last year Sarah Snook took the West End by storm in the conceptually similar The Portrait of Dorian Gray. Dracula isn't a rip-off: it's by the same Australian creative team from Sydney Theatre, headed by director-adaptor Kip Williams (who has in fact made a trilogy of Victorian horror adaptations with Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde currently unseen outside Oz). Paying moody homage to classic horror movies – so a very different look to the very fabulous Dorian Gray – it scored great reviews domestically and should be a proper showcase for Erivo, who'll take on every role from Jonathan Harker to the Count himself. Quoth Erivo: 'Returning to the stage feels like a homecoming, one that I've been craving for a long time. To do so with a story as rich, complex, and haunting as DRACULA offers a beautiful opportunity to delve into character, into myth, and into the heart of what makes us human. 'From the moment I was asked, I could not get the role out of my mind. Kip's vision is thrilling, terrifying, and deeply resonant, offering a chance to sit with not only the darkness in the world, but also the light we fight to hold onto. It's a rare gift for an actor to inhabit so many voices and perspectives in one piece, and I'm honoured to do it for West End audiences in this extraordinary production. The prospect of doing this show scares me and I know it will be a huge challenge. This show will ask everything of me — and I'm ready to give it.'
