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While all thebiggest action stars of the 1980shad major successes that they are readily associated with , plenty more underrated releases also deserve far more attention . champion like Sylvester Stallone surpass as the action hero John Rambo , and Arnold Schwarzenegger will forever be remember asThe Terminator , but look into their back catalogue let out many more concealed treasure . For lovers of intense , action - pack gunplay and heart - racing spectacles , plenty of lesser - have sex picture show are just waiting to be name .
Thebiggest action stars of the 1980srepresented all that was great about this era of moviemaking as martial arts legend like Jean - Claude Van Damme and Chuck Norris begin to cut up out their acclaimed bequest . Although some of these moving picture may have strike big at the box office , they remained extremely underrated bycritics who flush it to realize them as wildly entertaining action - pack spectacles . For those who have already seen the crowing action movies of the 1980s , there ’s much more to discover about these stars ' telling filmographies .
10Black Eagle (1988)
Jean-Claude Van Damme as Andrei
Although the passing of the iconic warlike art classicBloodsportsignaled the dawning of a blade new action movie asterisk , Jean - Claude Van Damme has had plenty more extremely underrated releases . One prime example of this come inBlack Eagle , the 1988 motion-picture show that showcasedVan Damme ’s incredible skill as a villainwhose sinister picture of brutal and enigmatic KGB agent Andrei was the best part of the total movie . newly off the achiever ofBloodsport , this underappreciated gem indicated the karate and kickboxing star ’s bright time to come in Hollywood .
Black Eagletold the story of America and Russia both searching for a lost super weapon system in the Mediterranean . With Shō Kosugi as Ken Tani , an elite federal agent working for the Americans under the codename Black Eagle , the most exciting part of this forgotten action movie was seeing him face off against Van Damme . Asan pleasurable intermixture betweenJames Bond - style espionage and social class Kung Fu cinema , Black Eaglewas an underrated showcase of Van Damme ’s unique appeal .
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Black Eagle is a 1988 action motion picture directed by Eric Karson . It stars Sho Kosugi as Ken Tani , a martial artist and special sherlock , assign to retrieve a top - secret laser guidance organisation from the Mediterranean after a U.S. fighter jet crashes . The film also features Jean - Claude Van Damme as the adversary , Andrei , add together a high - bet confrontation between the two skilled fighters amidst Cold War tensions .
9Red Heat (1988)
Arnold Schwarzenegger as Captain Ivan Danko
While most of Arnold Schwarzenegger ’s most famous role require a suspension of skepticism to make sense of his thick-skulled Austrian accent , this was actually a plus for his characterization of Captain Ivan Danko inRed Heat . As a buddy cop moving-picture show that couple a no - nonsense Russian ( Schwarzenegger ) with a laid - back New York fuzz ( Jim Belushi ) , this well - worn mismatched formula knead fabulously as it showcased Schwarzenegger at the height of his celebrity . AlthoughRed Heatreceived mixed reviewsand underperformed at the box function at the clip of its sack , looking back on it now , it ’s a lot of fun .
Schwarzenegger was well - fit to his office as a grim , exclusive - minded , and unstoppable Russian , which paired well with Belushi ’s crass and comedic character . As much a fib about the potential difference for friendly relationship between those of opposing ideologies as it was a traditional action movie , Red Heatwas an gratifying societal commentary consider the Cold War tenseness of its time . For those only familiar with Schwarzenegger ’s most famous 1980s offers , such asThe Terminator , Red Heatwill be an gratifying discovery .
Ivan Danko is a tough Russian bull who is squeeze to work alongside extrovert detective Art Ridzik . The pair inquire a major international criminal affect in drug trafficking who has fled Russia for the United States .
8Lock Up (1989)
Sylvester Stallone as Frank Leone
Sylvester Stallone was one of the biggest stars in the world during the 1980s , and this decade featured belt striking , includingRockysequels andRambomovies likeFirst pedigree . However , Stallone also had several underrated picture show during this time , including one of his most slept - on films , Lock Up . This prison movie see Frank Leone , a convict draw near the last of his sentence , being transfer to a high - surety facility by a vindictive warden .
WhileLock Uphad a haphazard product , and Stallone himself voiced his upshot with it , state it was not produced “ with enough matureness to really make a significant wallop , ” ( viaEW ) there was still plenty to enjoy here . One performance that deserved praise wasDonald Sutherland as the sinister Warden Drumgoole , whose cruel and manipulative tactics truly made the motion-picture show . This was a very veil jewel in Stallone ’s life history , just waiting to be rediscovered by action lovers .
engage Up stars Sylvester Stallone as Frank Leone , a convict approach the ending of his time in a minimum - security prison . He is unexpectedly channelise to a maximum - security facility by a vengeful warden who harbors a personal score against him . Directed by John Flynn , the cinema explores radical of resilience and justice as Leone navigate beastly challenges to regain his freedom .
7Tango & Cash (1989)
Kurt Russell as Lieutenant Gabriel “Gabe” Cash
Kurt Russell establish up his craze moving-picture show certificate with roles in John Carpenter classics throughout the 1980s , such asEscape from New York , The Thing , andBig Trouble in Little China . However , one Russell action motion-picture show that ’s break to truly get its due was the buddy cop comedyTango & Cash , which was a hit at the box office but fail to impress critics at the time . With Russell paired with fellow action hoagy Sylvester Stallone , this tongue - in - cheek risky venture of mismatched cops was a lot of play .
Tango & Cashwas just one of manyunloved Stallone moviesthat were actually serious , and the outstanding onscreen alchemy between him and Russell made thing all the more piquant . With Russell as the cowhand cop , Lieutenant Cash , and Stallone as the flat - interlace Lieutenant Tango , after being framed , the two were forced to put their differences apart and take down a sinister crime boss . As an enjoyable homage to buddy copper classics of the yesteryear , Tango & Cashdeserves a mickle more sexual love than it ever got .
Two rival Los Angeles cop are forced to team up when a drug lord entail them in a offense they did n’t put . They end up in gaol and their only option is to escape so as to bring the tangible culprit to justice .
6Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)
Mel Gibson as “Mad Max” Rockatansky
The third motion picture in George Miller’sMad Maxfranchise always seems to get blank out amid conversation about how trailblazing the first two films were and how visually spectacularFury Roadwas . This was a real pity , asMad Max Beyond Thunderdomestood as one of Mel Gibson ’s most underrated movies , andits influence can be matt-up in everything fromThe Hunger GamestoThe Walking Dead . Beyond Thunderdomeexpanded upon its post - apocalyptic world , whose themes of survivalism and ruthless gladiator - style combat bowl was unfeignedly trailblazing .
Beyond Thunderdomefeatured a wonderful performance not just from Gibson but also from Tina Turner as the ruthless leader of Bartertown Aunty Entity . Max ’s fibre developed into a more complex and nuanced persona in this third instalment , whose goals and dream helped it stand apart from the minimalist style of the old movies . While Gibson has rightfully received recognition for his persona as Max , Beyond Thunderdomeoften felt like the underappreciated forgotten child of this franchise .
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome is the third film in George Miller ’s sci - fi natural action serial . This clock time , Max , after being exiled , joins a group of children to take down a strange town ’s tyrannical pouf . The movie generally receive positive reviews upon release and was accompany up by Mad Max : Fury Road 30 year later in 2015 .
Custom image by Yailin Chacon.
5Frantic (1988)
Harrison Ford as Dr. Richard Walker
While Harrison Ford spent much of the 1980s in a Galax urceolata far aside inReturn of the Jedi , hunt replicants inBlade Running , or recovering long - lost artifacts while facing Nazis inRaiders of the Lost Arc , he also found time to star in one of Roman Polanski ’s most underrated movies . The action - packed neo - noir mysteryFranticwas a commercial failure upon release but has since been recognized as an acute cult classic .
With Ford as a doctor take in up in a world of enigma as he searches for his lost wife , Franticwas a powerful showcase of this activity movie star ’s talents outside of major franchises . boast one of Ennio Morricone ’s heavy movie sexual conquest and a thrilling narrative of machination , espionage , gangsters , drugs , and execution , Franticwas a powerful showcase of both Ford and Polanski ’s immaculate skills .
Frantic , directed by Roman Polanski , follow an American doctor whose married woman mysteriously vanishes during a trip-up to Paris . As he searches for her , he becomes mat in a complex World Wide Web of speech barriers , unhelpful local authority , and a mysterious cleaning lady who holds crucial information .
Black Eagle is a 1988 action film directed by Eric Karson. It stars Sho Kosugi as Ken Tani, a martial artist and special operative, assigned to retrieve a top-secret laser guidance system from the Mediterranean after a U.S. fighter jet crashes. The film also features Jean-Claude Van Damme as the antagonist, Andrei, adding a high-stakes confrontation between the two skilled fighters amidst Cold War tensions.
4Missing In Action (1984)
Chuck Norris as Colonel James Braddock
Although thisVietnam War pic was pick apart by expert for accuracy , pretermit in Actionwas a unassailable showcase of Chuck Norris ’ undeniable appeal as an legal action movie maven . While this filmreceived criticism for its inaccurate portraying of prisoner of war being hold captive in Vietnamafter the state of war had ended , Missing in Actionworked a lot better when viewed purely as a piece of action movie escape . Here , Norris continued to prove himself after the success of martial graphics movies likeA Force of One , andMissing in Actionwas a commercial success that launched its own franchise .
However , despite its wildly entertaining sequence , Missing in Actionreceived a universally negative response from critic . Wildly underrated in its own time , looking back , it ’s easy to see that this misunderstood movie capsulise Norris ’s speedily develop wizard appealingness . His fight science and strong dedication to his roles embody the very best of action heroism during the 1980s . While it ’s easy to dismissMissing in Actionas aRamboripoff , it had plenty more to offer .
Colonel James Braddock is a hardened Vietnam War veteran who learns that American POWs are still being hold in Vietnam . To relieve them , Braddock returns to the jungle terrain he knows all too well against his C.O. ’s orders to save his fellow soldiers .
Black Eagle is a 1988 action film directed by Eric Karson. It stars Sho Kosugi as Ken Tani, a martial artist and special operative, assigned to retrieve a top-secret laser guidance system from the Mediterranean after a U.S. fighter jet crashes. The film also features Jean-Claude Van Damme as the antagonist, Andrei, adding a high-stakes confrontation between the two skilled fighters amidst Cold War tensions.
3Dragons Forever (1988)
Jackie Chan as Jackie Lung
As perhapsthe big Kung Fu mavin of all fourth dimension , Jackie Chan had many incredible martial graphics picture during the 1980s , as this was the compass point where he turned into a truly global ace . While movies likePolice StoryandProject Ahave truly become iconic , Dragons Foreverwas another underrated release that deserves a look . This Hong Kong action comedy pair Chan with his frequent cobalt - star Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao for a thrilling story of lawyers caught up in a complex conspiracy involving a chemical substance ship’s company .
Full of vivid natural action and slapstick drollery , Dragons Foreverwas yet another case of Chan ’s unique talentsand enduring cinematic charisma . flying dragon Foreverwas the last movie to feature Chan , Hung , and Biao all together , as Chan soon started to focus on his career as a solo star . Chan ’s unbelievable success in movies like this opened the doors for him to transition into Hollywood movies during the 1990s .
2Red Scorpion (1989)
Dolph Lundgren as Russian Senior Lieutenant Nikolai Petrovitch Rachenko
Dolph Lundgren hit widespread recognition during the eighties for his villainous part as Ivan Drago inRocky IVand soon gained lead parts in movies likeThe Terminatorrip - offI Come in Peace . However , one grand Lungren flick that never got the praise it deserved was Red Scorpion . This intense action movie saw Lungren playing a Soviet limited force assassin sent to vote down an anti - communist drawing card in Africa .
There have been wad of science fabrication flick that have attempted to rive off the success of James Cameron ’s original Terminator from 1984 .
Sadly , Red Scorpionfailed to impress critics when it was release , but it powerfully highlight Lundgren ’s accomplishment as an activity hoagie to be reckoned with . Although he never got the same level of acclamation as action at law superstars like Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger , Lundgren ’s action offers , such asRed Scorpion , were wildly entertaining moving-picture show packed with pleasurable camp energy . While it was underappreciated in its own metre , looking back onRed Scorpiontoday , it had everything an action mechanism devotee could need out of a hidden 1980s gem .
Red Scorpion follows Soviet Special Forces operative Nikolai Rachenko , portrayed by Dolph Lundgren , who is assign to infiltrate and assassinate a rebel loss leader in Africa . As he plunge himself in the mission , Rachenko acquire disillusioned with his orders and the cruelty of his superscript , leading him to fall in forces with the rebels . direct by Joseph Zito , the cinema explore themes of loyalty , rising , and personal translation amidst political conflict .
1Above The Law (1988)
Steven Seagal as Sergeant Nicolo “Nico” Toscani
While Steven Seagal would in truth break out as a major action flick headliner during the 1990s follow the release ofUnder Seige , Above the Lawsignaled his feature film debut and was an crucial and highly underrated moment in natural action movie history . As the first American photographic film to feature Aikido in scrap sequence , Above the Lawwas a alone case of Seagal ’s incredible appeal as an action hero . With a 7th - dan black smash in aikido to his name , Seagal bring his past tense as a trainer to his picture function and was a genuine soldierly arts master .
Above the Lawfailed to get the recognition it deserved when it was first released , and Seagal ’s potential as a major moving picture star had yet to be realise . However , looking back on it today , Above the Lawwas a solid launching and a wildly entertaining photographic film . With Seagal as a former Special Operations Vietnam private eye working as a Chicago cop , this story of CIA degeneracy and confederacy hit all the correct notes .
Above the Law is a 1988 action film star Steven Seagal as Nico Toscani , a former CIA operative turned Chicago pig . The plot follows Toscani as he uncovers a administration conspiracy involving illegal arm deal and drug trafficking . aim by Andrew Davis , the picture show showcases Toscani ’s warlike prowess acquisition and uncompromising approaching to DoJ , providing a grip narrative of law of nature enforcement and political intrigue .
germ : EW
Ivan Danko is a tough Russian cop who is forced to work alongside extrovert detective Art Ridzik. The pair investigate a major international criminal involved in drug trafficking who has fled Russia for the United States.
Lock Up stars Sylvester Stallone as Frank Leone, a convict nearing the end of his sentence in a minimum-security prison. He is unexpectedly transferred to a maximum-security facility by a vengeful warden who harbors a personal grudge against him. Directed by John Flynn, the film explores themes of resilience and justice as Leone navigates brutal challenges to regain his freedom.
Two rival Los Angeles cops are forced to team up when a drug lord implicates them in a crime they didn’t commit. They end up in jail and their only option is to escape in order to bring the real culprit to justice.
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome is the third film in George Miller’s sci-fi action series. This time, Max, after being exiled, joins a group of children to take down a strange town’s tyrannical queen. The film generally received positive reviews upon release and was followed up by Mad Max: Fury Road 30 years later in 2015.
Frantic, directed by Roman Polanski, follows an American doctor whose wife mysteriously vanishes during a trip to Paris. As he searches for her, he becomes entangled in a complex web of language barriers, unhelpful local authorities, and a mysterious woman who holds crucial information.
Colonel James Braddock is a hardened Vietnam War veteran who learns that American POWs are still being held in Vietnam. To save them, Braddock returns to the jungle terrain he knows all too well against his C.O.’s orders to save his fellow soldiers.
Red Scorpion follows Soviet Special Forces operative Nikolai Rachenko, portrayed by Dolph Lundgren, who is assigned to infiltrate and assassinate a rebel leader in Africa. As he immerses himself in the mission, Rachenko grows disillusioned with his orders and the ruthlessness of his superiors, leading him to join forces with the rebels. Directed by Joseph Zito, the film explores themes of loyalty, rebellion, and personal transformation amidst political conflict.
Above the Law is a 1988 action film starring Steven Seagal as Nico Toscani, a former CIA operative turned Chicago cop. The plot follows Toscani as he uncovers a government conspiracy involving illegal arms deals and drug trafficking. Directed by Andrew Davis, the film showcases Toscani’s martial arts skills and uncompromising approach to justice, providing a gripping narrative of law enforcement and political intrigue.
