Movie stars are usually the biggest draw to movies for fans. They are usually who get the most credit for the popularity of a movie (as well as the blame when a movie bombs). On rare occasions, there are objects or props in movies that become just as iconic as anything else in a film. These are necessarily the best MacGuffins, sometimes they are just famous props or pieces of wardrobe. Let's get into it!

All The Dude wanted was his rug back. That simple rug, micturated upon by Woo, drives all the action in the movie, and while the audience doesn't see much of the rug that The Dude (Jeff Bridges) is trying to replace, we do see the one that he (briefly) gets from the millionaire Lebowski in the Big Lebowski.

The DeLorean Time Machine

Admit it, you wanted a DeLorean time machine. We ALL wanted one. Heck, most of us would settle for a regular DeLorean. Ever since we all went back in time with Marty and Doc in Back To The Future, we've longed for the same ability, in the same machine. Now those cars are as lost to time as Biff's Sports Almanac.

Wilson

When the only star who appears in most of a movie only has one friend and that friend is a volleyball, it's bound to be a famous prop. Wilson the Volleyball is the only companion Chuck (Tom Hanks) has in Cast Away, and just like Chuck, the audience gets pretty attached to that silly ball with a face made of Chuck's blood.

The Briefcase In Pulp Fiction

Another cool MacGuffin on this list is the briefcase from Pulp Fiction. We never actually see what's inside, just that it is glowing gold. Maybe that's why the prop has become so famous. If we knew it was just like a stolen Oscar statuette or something, we'd feel differently.

The Red And Blue Pills

While the Blue Pill and the Red Pill in The Matrix have since taken political connotations in recent years, they were famous way before that. One will wake Neo (Keanu Reeves) up, and one will put him back to sleep. Honestly, I don't care which is which, and any political connections are weird, so let's leave it at that.

One Ring To Rule Them All

Not only is The One Ring one of the most famous props in movie history, it's one of the most famous in literature these days. The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a masterpiece, and without this one ring to rule them all, it wouldn't exist.

Indy's Whip

You might say Indiana Jones' hat is the most famous prop in the Indiana Jones movies, but the whip that Harrison Ford's character is just as iconic and let's be honest, a little more interesting than a hat. So the whip gets the nod here.

The Giant Piano In Big

Any kid lucky enough to visit the FAO Schwartz in New York after Big was released, their first mission was to find the giant piano you could walk on and even play. It's one of the most iconic scenes in any movie from the era, and while I learned firsthand it was impossible for me to recreate the scene, I still dream about getting a big enough piano to make it work.

Thor's Hammer

There are a lot of famous props in the MCU, like ranking the MCU movies, we could almost do a list of props all its own. Things like the Infinity Gauntlet, or the stones that go into it, are iconic, but is there anything as iconic in the whole franchise as Thor's hammer? Heck, it's one of the famous objects in world mythology, much less Marvel's corner of it.

The Leg Lamp

After the dad in A Christmas Story wins a fragile, major award, it turns out to be a lamp in the shape of a woman's leg. He's so proud of it that he wants to display it in the window, much to the chagrin of his wife. It doesn't make it to the end of the movie, and there is another prop, the Red Ryder BB Gun, that is equally famous, but we just had to go with the leg. After all, it must be Italian.

Dorothy's Ruby Slippers

Of all the famous props and wardrobe pieces on this list, none, not a one, are as famous or as iconic as Dorothy's Ruby Slippers in The Wizard of Oz. It's a prop that is so famous that they are in the Smithsonian along with Fonzie's jacket and Archie Bunker's chair.

The Heart Of The Ocean

Sure, the boat in Titanic is probably the most famous non-character in the movie, but that would be a little on the nose. Instead, we went with the necklace that the crew led by Bill Paxton's character is searching for, The Heart of the Ocean. It ends up down with the boat, though.

The Batmobile

Pick your favorite Batmobile. Any Batmobile works here. You could go with the great one from the '60s TV show (my favorite), or the one from Tim Burton's Batman, and get even more tech with one of Christopher Nolan's versions. You can't go wrong.

Maverick's Jacket

Maverick (Tom Cruise) has one of the most iconic pieces of wardrobe ever. That bomber jacket, covered in patches, is legendary. It's such an important part of the character that when Top Gun: Maverick dropped its first teaser, it was simply a close-up of the jacket and Maverick putting it on.

Freddie's Glove

There are a lot of famous props in horror movies, many of them masks. Freddie's glove in the Nightmare on Elm Street is among the most famous, maybe the most famous. It's a terrifying weapon that has given fans nightmares for decades.

Lightsabers

Okay, so how much do we really need to say here? Of all the props in all the world, is there one more famous than the lightsabers in the Star Wars franchise? No matter what color, there is no weapon in any other franchise that has nearly the same cache as the elegant weapon of the Jedi knights.

Wonka's Golden Ticket

Without the Golden Ticket in Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, none of the kids (or their parents) would get the tour of Willie's wild factory. They wouldn't have gotten in any trouble, either.

The Red Swingline Stapler

Stephen Root's character, Milton, in Office Space is one of the weirdest characters in any comedy of the era. Not only is his mumbling disturbing, but his love for his red stapler is downright scary.... and hilarious. It became so famous that Swingline made a special red version of their stapler based on the prop.

Proton Packs

According to Ray (Dan Aykroyd), each Ghostbuster is "carrying an unlicensed nuclear accelerator on his back." Those proton packs have since become a key part of every kid who dressed like our heroes in Ghostbusters for Halloween for decades. Hopefully, the ones the kids wear are a little safer.

The Maltese Falcon

This is a prop so famous, they named the movie after it! Or maybe the prop is named after the movie? I don't know. It could be either way, I suppose. It's one of the most famous MacGuffins ever, the statue in The Maltese Falcon.

Vote For Pedro Tee Shirt

Long after the hype for Napoleon Dynamite faded, we were still seeing people with "Vote For Pedro" shirts walking the streets. The shirts were so popular, it almost eclipsed the movie. Now, they still might be more popular.

The 2001 Obelisk

Obelisks are so cool that people are still randomly building them in the desert (look up Las Vegas Obelisk). That all stems from the Stanley Kubrick classic 2001: A Space Odyssey. Even people who have never seen the legendary film know the scene(s) with the obelisk.

Ghostface's Mask

There are a few very famous masks in horror history, so of course, a movie like Scream, which is essentially a love letter to the classic '70s and '80s slasher films, would end up with one of the most famous. The masks, like the franchise, have been incredibly enduring and probably will be for the next 100 years.

The Sorting Hat

In the world of Harry Potter, there are a few famous props, like the flying car and the various wands. Still, every fan of the franchise secretly has dreams about being sorted by the Sorting Hat into their favorite house at Hogwarts.

Mary Poppins' Umbrella

Every kid dreams of a flying nanny like Mary Poppins, if not having Poppins herself as their nanny. The umbrella has become one of the most recognizable props in the movie over the years. The scene where we first see Julie Andrews as Mary gently guiding herself down is one of the most famous scenes in Hollywood history.

Rita Hayworth Poster

CinemaBlend has called The Shawshank Redemption the best movie of the '90s. The Stephen King story on which it is based is called, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. That's how important the poster is that Andy (Tim Robbins) hides his escape tunnel. The moment when the warden tears it down is one of the most fun moments in any movie, ever.

The New Bluesmobile

The Bluesmobile in The Blues Brothers is not, actually, the original Bluesmobile, according to Jake (John Belushi). The original was a Cadillac, not the former Police Car that Elwood (Dan Aykroyd) shows up in to pick Jake up from prison. Elwood explains that he had to trade it for a microphone, which Jake understands. No matter what, the car is one of the most famous cars of the 1980s.

Reese's Pieces

Oh, what a mistake Mars Candy made when they reportedly didn't want Steven Spielberg to use M&M's in E.T. That opened up an opportunity for the folks over at Reese's Pieces, who did license their product, and now they are one of the most famous food items in any movie, ever.

Jason's Hockey Mask

Of all the famous masks in slasher films from the '70s and '80s, there is none more iconic than Jason's mask in the Friday the 13th franchise. We're not going to get into who was actually wearing it in the original movie, because it doesn't matter. It's the mask that matters.

The Burn Book

Ahhhh, the "Burn Book" in Mean Girls. It's the ultimate downfall of the titular click in the classic comedy written by and starring Tina Fey. It's filled with all the evidence anyone would ever need to take those terrible people down, and eventually, they are dramatically brought down.

The Box In Seven

"What's in the box?" is one of the most disturbing questions ever uttered in any movie, ever. Brad Pitt's performance in the moment is some of the best acting work of his career. We certainly don't want to go into detail with the answer to that question, but if you know, you know.

The Red Balloon In IT

Some people are scared of clowns. Some people are scared of balloons. IT finds a way to freak both groups out and in the process creates one of the most iconic props of all time. No words are needed to scare people, either. Like so many props on this list, one quick glance is all it takes to know exactly what movie it comes from.

Comedies in the 1980s were just built differently. Sure, there are plenty of examples of movies that have been reevaluated for their questionable humor in more modern times, but one thing even the controversial ones did well was their over-the-top endings. It became a staple of the genre in the decade to end in the most ridiculous ways. Here is our list of some of our favorite examples of such endings. The list is hardly exhaustive, that would be impossible, but if you're looking for a good '80s comedy to watch with one of your subscription services, these are all great choices.

The Blues Brothers

The Blues Brothers, starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, is an action movie as much as it is a comedy. Well, it's also a musical, but the purpose of this list it's an action movie. The car chase at the end of the movie is legendary. Dozens, if not hundreds, of cars were trashed while shooting the scene, and it'll forever go down as one of the most famous car chases in Hollywood history.

Airplane!

It's a little absurd to include the crazy ending of a movie as wild as Airplane!, but we shouldn't discount the ridiculous ending just because the whole movie is ridiculous, right? The flop sweat pouring out of Ted Striker (Robert Hays) as he tries to guide the plane down with no help from the inflatable autopilot is worth this list alone.

Caddyshack

Carl Spackler (Bill Murray) spends most of Caddyshack at war with the gopher. Sure, he finds some time to get wasted with Ty Webb (Chevy Chase) and do a quick loop with the priest, but mostly it's about the Vermin Kong. In the end, he blows giant holes all over the course in one last desperate attempt to take the gopher out, but the rodent prevails, and Danny's putt falls into the cup. Everyone but Judge Smails (Ted Knight) and Carl is happy.

Ghostbusters

Has there ever been anything sillier than a giant Marshmallow Man rampaging the streets of Manhattan? When the creators and writers of Ghostbusters imagined how to end their movie, they couldn't have known how iconic it would become. The only thing funnier might have been a 500-foot-tall zombie of John Belushi, but they found another way to fit him into the movie as Slimer.

Stripes

Remember, in the words of John Winger (Bill Murray), it's not like they were going into Moscow at the end of Stripes in a heavily-armed recreational vehicle. They were going into Czechoslovakia, it's like going into Wisconsin. The band of misfit army trainees still manage to pull off their incredible stunt and rescue their platoon sergeant (and "big toe"), Sgt. Hulka (Warren Oates).

National Lampoon's Vacation

It was never hard in the 1980s for a Chevy Chase character to prove that he was the biggest jerk in the room, and National Lampoon's Vacation is no exception. On one hand, you can't really blame Clark for losing it, after the disastrous drive cross country ends in an empty Wally World parking lot because the park is closed. Buying a gun (real or not) wasn't the right answer, but it sure was funny, especially with John Candy as the hapless security guard.

Back To School

Rodney Dangerfield is still responsible for some of the funniest quotes in comedy history, and quite a few come from Back To School. None of Dangerfield's hilarious quotes are quite as ridiculous as his dive, the Triple Lindy, that he does at the end of the movie. The faces he makes alone make it worthy of inclusion here. Something like that could only be "learned" on the Atlantic City Boardwalk.

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure

Struggling with a big school project is something everyone can relate to. Maybe that's what has made Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure so endearing and so enduring. Nah, it's really the two knuckleheads that go on that adventure through time and ultimately bring back half a dozen historical greats for their final presentation. Party on, dudes!

The 'Burbs

The ending to The 'Burbs is crazy. Houses are blown up, the block is destroyed, and Tom Hanks has one of his best meltdowns. The escalation in the movie just keeps growing and growing until their nice, suburban street is left in literal rubble.

Real Genius

The popcorn scene at the end of Real Genius is, for lack of a better word, genius. Not only is it a great prank to pull on the main character's annoying professor, but they actually used real popcorn!

Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

Like a few other movies on this list, it feels a little weird to call the ending of Who Framed Roger Rabbit "ridiculous" when the whole movie is meant to be pretty darn absurd. Still, we couldn't leave it off the list, either. It's when we find out that Judge Doom (Christopher Lloyd) was a toon (and why he never blinked) when he melts into ink and dies.

Trading Places

People can quibble about whether or not the ending of Trading Places is financially accurate or not, but it doesn't matter. The whole third act of the movie, from the train ride to the beach scene at the very end, is just insane. Insane in the very best way.

Better Off Dead

There are two things that make Better Off Dead's ending ridiculous. First, skiing the "K12" with one ski. This is a mountain that Lane (John Cusack) couldn't ski with both skis for most of the movie, but then he completes it with one? Oooookay. Then, somehow, he ends up on the field at Dodger Stadium making out with Monique (Diane Julian). Still, while it may be one dark comedy, it's the "comedy" part that hits the hardest.

Police Academy

It's easy to forget that the original Police Academy was a monster hit in the spring of 1984. It was, in fact, one of the biggest movies of the year, and it explains why there were so many (mostly terrible) sequels. Still, the original is a classic, and the riot that ends the movie is completely ridiculous and completely hilarious.

Christmas Vacation

Clark Griswold is back up to his shenanigans in Christmas Vacation, only this time, it's not really his fault that the end of the story is so insane. It's really Cousin Eddie's fault. Eddie (Randy Quaid) kidnaps Clark's boss, which is crazy enough, but the SWAT team crashing through every window in the house is way over the top. It's wonderful.

Big Trouble In Little China

The ending of Big Trouble In Little China is lot to explain, and it's best that if you aren't familiar with the movie, go watch it right now! the closing battle is, frankly, awesome, and it makes the comedy into more than just a movie that brings some great laughs and some iconic Kurt Russell quotes. Still, will we ever find out what happened with Wild-Man? Where's the sequel??

Little Shop Of Horrors

This one has a little caveat to it. The ending of the movie that we all saw in Little Shop of Horrors was honestly pretty standard: the guy saves the day and gets the girl. Why it's on this list is what it could have been. The original ending (and the ending in the play) saw Audrey getting eaten by the plant, and Seymour, realizing that a corporation wanted to sell more plants, tries to kill the plant. He fails, and the plants propagate worldwide and become forces of massive destruction, including Godzilla-like moments where they destroy buildings. Oh, what could have been had test audiences not hated it!

Top Secret!

Yet another ridiculous movie on this list with a ridiculous ending. Top Secret! was Val Kilmer's first movie, and will always be one of his best roles, and the ending, including the bar fight underwater, is a big reason why.

Revenge Of The Nerds

Revenge of the Nerds is one of the movies from the '80s that is problematic on so many levels, but that doesn't take away from its huge popularity in its day. The final song, with all the Lambda's joining on to win the fraternity cup thing, is and always will be a total banger. Cancel it for all the reasons it should be canceled for, but leave the song alone!

The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!

Major League superstar and future Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson trying to kill Queen Elizabeth II? Yeah, that's gonna land a spot on this list every single time. The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! is a stone-cold classic, and the ending is so over-the-top it has to be here, and that's not even including Norberg (O.J. Simpson) flying off the top deck of the stadium!

Ghostbusters II

When the team of Ghostbusters returned for their second adventure, you knew they had to up the ante from the original's ending. How about a Statue of Liberty that has the ability to walk and destroy the city, ala the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man? Add in the banging music, and you've got an all-time great ending, especially for a sequel.

The Goonies

At the end of The Goonies, after the kids have saved the day, a reporter sums it all up when he describes a pirate ship, One-Eyed Willie's pirate ship, floating out into the sea off the coast of Oregon. Sure, there might have been a squid we never saw, but it was mentioned at the end, and even without it, the pirate ship qualifies the movie for this list.

Risky Business

It's a good thing everything worked out for Joel (Tom Cruise) in Risky Business, and wow, did it take until the last moment for things to do so. If only his mom hadn't noticed that crack in her crystal...

A Fish Called Wanda

A Fish Called Wanda is such a forgotten classic. It's not a true Monty Python movie, but it does feature Michael Palin and John Cleese, alongside Jamie Lee Curtis and Kevin Kline. Palin's character running over Kline's with a cement roller is the reason it's on this list and one of the things that make it a true classic.

Heathers

Christian Slater and Winona Ryder became Gen X icons in large part due to Heathers. The dark comedy will forever be one of that generation's touchstones, though many don't remember how over the top the ending was. Slater's character, J.D., tries to blow up the school, and while Veronica (Ryder) stops him from committing mass murder, he does manage to blow himself up. Things really escalated quickly!

The Cannonball Run

Dom DeLuise's character in The Cannonball Run is the biggest nut among a sea of crazy people, and while he has a chance to win the crazy race, he gets sidetracked, leaving the win to another team. His ridiculous character ruins it all, and it's brilliant. Plus, it set up the sequel nicely.

Romancing The Stone

Romancing the Stone is on this list for one reason. Jack (Michael Douglas) not only hauls a giant yacht through the streets of Manhattan looking for Jane (Kathleen Turner), but the sails on the boat are raised! Have you ever walked down the concrete canyons of New York City on a windy day? What would happen to a full sailboat with its sails up? Yikes!

Armed And Dangerous

The end of Armed and Dangerous is a crazy chase scene with John Candy doing some of his best, and most under-appreciated work. It's not always the best movie, but the ending does make up for some of that.

The Couch Trip

Too many people aren't familiar with The Couch Trip. It's a hilarious movie with a stellar cast including Dan Aykroyd, Charles Grodin, and Walter Matthau. It ends with Matthau having to be rescued off the top of the Hollywood sign, which in and of itself is worth the price of admission.

The War Of The Roses

Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas made some great movies in the eighties, and by far the darkest was The War Of The Roses. It's one of those movies that just keeps getting crazier and crazier as the two Roses fight over their house and everything else in the divorce. It ends with the two of them lying on the floor, barely alive, but still fighting.

Weird Science

A nuclear missile, catatonic grandparents, and a grotesque-looking older brother. That's more or less how Weird Science ends (though everything is fixed in the end. It's a wild ending to a John Hughes classic.

Beverly Hills Cop

If you're not aware, Beverly Hills Cop was originally intended to be an action movie starring Sly Stallone in the lead. Instead, we got one of the funniest movies of the 1980s with Eddie Murphy playing the cop from Detroit avenging his friend in L.A. The shootout at the end seems kind of out of place, and it's a wild shootout, until you realize the movie's origin story.

One of the most important unsung heroes in the history of The Blues Brothers is Paul Shaffer, whom some modern audiences may recognize best as David Letterman’s band leader. However, before then, he played keyboard for the original line-up of Saturday Night Live’s house band, became part of the SNL cast for one season in the 1970s, and was a founding member of The Blues Brothers Band and toured with Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi.

So, why is it that the accomplished musician (portrayed by Paul Rust in the 2024 biopic Saturday Night) is nowhere to be seen in the beloved 1980 musical film based on the SNL characters? The explanation behind Shaffer’s absence in one of the funniest and simply best movies of the ‘80s makes for a pretty fascinating story from behind the scenes of The Blues Brothers, and also a heartbreaking one.

Paul Shaffer Was Forced To Drop Out Of The Blues Brothers Movie

In December 2024, Paul Shaffer appeared on comedian Paul Ollinger’s podcast, Reasonably Happy. In the episode, he discusses how the extraordinary line-up of The Blues Brothers Band came together before the host brings up how the musician was faced with a tough choice involving the movie, The Blues Brothers.

Shaffer describes it as one of the “worst professional situations” of his life before explaining that SNL creator Lorne Michaels asked him and Blues Brothers album producer Bob Tischler to help Gilda Radner make the 1980 concert documentary, Gilda Live. Out of loyalty to his old friend, the late Radner (who made a huge impact on SNL as a founding Not Ready For Primetime Player), Shaffer pulled out of The Blues Brothers, paving the way for Murphy Dunne to take his place. However, this was much to the chagrin of another SNL icon.

John Belushi Did Not Take The News Well

John Belushi had previously advised Shaffer to not do Radner’s film so he could prepare for their movie, which was to be directed by John Landis. So, upon learning that the keyboardist would not be involved, he issued a “press release” among the fellow members of The Blues Brothers Band to express his feelings.

The comedian (known for having a bit of a temper, as Matt Wood’s portrayal in Saturday Night reflects), essentially, kicked Shaffer out of the group that he helped start, claiming that he would “never be a Blues Brother,” as the musician recalls to Ollinger. This absolutely devastated Shaffer but, luckily, the fallout was only temporary.

Shaffer Would Reconcile With Belushi And Appear In Blues Brothers 2000

Shaffer recalls that he and Belushi managed to put their bad blood behind them before The Blues Brothers Band was scheduled to go on tour. Even more thankfully, Shaffer was able to reconcile with the musically talented SNL star before his untimely death in 1982.

Years later, Shaffer signed on to produce the music for Blues Brothers 2000 and even appeared in a small role as the servant to Queen Mousette (Erykah Badu). Most fans consider this to be a sequel that never should have happened, especially without Belushi able to return as Joliet Jake, but it is still great to see Shaffer involved in its otherwise stellar soundtrack.

With all due respect to Murphy Dunne – and, of course, to Gilda Radner – I now cannot help but wonder if The Blues Brothers could have been even better if Paul Shaffer was in the cast. He very well could have made some of the best Blues Brothers quotes – such as Dunne’s “I knew a hooker named Minnie Mazolla” – even funnier. Maybe I’ll rewatch the film, which is currently one of the best movies on Amazon Prime, with that in mind and see how I feel.

Some would say that glasses aren’t cool, and those people are in fact, liars. Throughout movie history, there have been iconic moments involving both eyeglasses and sunglasses that have made huge fashion statements. In some cases, they’re even seen as a signature to the characters they’re being worn by. So if you’re worried about rocking some facial furniture at one point or another, let these trendsetters ease those troubles in their own stylish way.

Christopher Reeve - Superman

Behold, the glasses so iconic they could conceal a Kryptonian. Christopher Reeve’s specs from his time as Superman were a bit oversized, but in a way that is actually endearing. So much so that eyeglass designer Tom Davies designed a replica that’s currently on sale on the market.

Audrey Hepburn - Breakfast At Tiffany’s

Everyone remembers Audrey Hepburn’s little black dress from the cinematic classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s, an image that became an eternal symbol of class and elegance. But let’s not overlook the powerful accessory that is her equally memorable pair of sunglasses. If you’re looking to add this to your own collection, Oliver Goldsmith’s “Manhattan” model will have you singing “Moon River” in no time.

Michael Caine - The Ipcress File

The legendary Michael Caine was a frequent wearer of Curry & Paxton branded eyewear, with his role in The Ipcress File being the most notable example. Rocking the Yvan model of glasses, they became a fashion statement for a very different cinematic Cold War spy. While you could debate whether it is either shown in a dark tortoise shell or black, the impact is still just as iconic.

Barbara Stanwyck - Double Indemnity

Sunglasses are as essential to film noir as mournful narrations, scheming, and murder. Double Indemnity has every one of those components, and in the case of this picture’s eyewear, Barbara Stanwyck’s shades helped cement her as a femme fatale for the ages. Not even poor Fred MacMurray knew what hit him.

Marcello Mastroianni - 8 ½

A classic example of the coolness of eyewear, Marcello Mastroianni’s thick black glasses in 8 1/2 showed the world that an everyday essential can also be a powerful accessory. Even in 2014, Mastroianni’s sunglassed look was still honored as a fashionable history lesson, when it was used as the official poster for the 67th Cannes Film Festival.

Gene Tierney - Leave Her To Heaven

Don’t let the technicolor fool you, Gene Tierney’s Ellen Berent Harland is an obsessively deadly figure. The protagonist of the 1945 film noir classic Leave Her To Heaven, Ellen is capable of scheming so devious that a fashionable pair of sunglasses can’t even hide it. Which is fine, considering the results are so compelling to watch as they unfold.

Cary Grant - North by Northwest

Even when wanted for murder, Cary Grant’s Roger Thornhill was dressed to the nines. His trip through hell in Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest included the gorgeous sunglasses you see pictured here, along with that iconic grey suit. A perfect combination for fleeing a criminal conspiracy, Oliver Peoples released a line of sunnies inspired by them in 2019, for those who want to truly invest in this look.

Madonna - Desperately Seeking Susan

Just as director Susan Seidelman’s Desperately Seeking Susan put Madonna on the map as an actor, the pop music legend helped land her character’s cat eye sunglasses in movie history. You can get replicas that vary in levels of brand recognition and cost, which is only even more of a signal that this look isn’t going out of style any time soon.

Sean Connery - Thunderball

Back when Thunderball was released in 1965, Sean Connery and James Bond were already seen as the epitome of men’s style. So when that picture showed 007 rocking what appeared to be, according to Bond Suits, Cool-Ray Polaroid N135 sunglasses, everyone was immediately going to want them. Thankfully, some boutique brands still sell them, helping fans live out their Bond fantasies in a very practical way.

Grace Kelly - To Catch A Thief

One has to wonder if director Alfred Hitchcock or costume designer Edith Head shared a mutual love of sunglasses. The two used them to great effect on Cary Grant in North by Northwest, and before that, they employed them to help Grace Kelly make an impression on audiences enjoying To Catch A Thief.

Henry Cavill - The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

As he’s introduced in Guy Ritchie’s The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Henry Cavill’s Napoleon Solo couldn’t have made a cooler entrance. Crossing the Berlin Wall checkpoint while wearing the “Bowery” model of Thierry Lasry sunglasses, this cavalier hellraiser certainly approached his wardrobe with more care than he did other aspects of his spying career.

Linda Cardellini - Scooby Doo

Velma Dinkley is always on the verge of losing her glasses, no matter what sort of media you follow her into. With the 2002 live-action Scooby Doo, the casting of Linda Cardellini as the bespectacled brainiac was only outdone in one area. And that’s the fact that somehow, someone actually made her signature eyewear from the Hanna-Barbara cartoon into a living, breathing reality.

Tom Everett Scott - That Thing You Do!

There are many thoughts while watching That Thing You Do! that can come off as inspiring. And thankfully, anyone who wants to know “What type of shades is Guy ‘Skitch’ Patterson wearing?” while watching Tom Everett Scott drum himself into stardom, already has the answer. All you have to do is listen, as the man himself marvels at his “Percussionist Foster Grants” when they’re handed to him for the first time.

Meryl Streep - The Devil Wears Prada

If any fictional character was a shoo-in for making eyeglasses work, it has to be Miranda Priestley from The Devil Wears Prada. Played ever so stylishly by Meryl Streep, Ms. Priestley’s arrival sees her showing off a Tom Ford model named “Collette.” So if you’re looking to force a room full of strangers to gird their loins, you’ve now got a secret weapon.

Kingsman’s Eyeglasses

Cutler & Gross really outdid themselves when they designed the standard issue eyeglasses for Matthew Vaughn’s Kingsman series. A perfect match, whether you wear oxfords or brogues, Colin Firth’s Harry Hart introduced us to this modern successor to Michael Caine’s eyewear of espionage from The Ipcress File. No matter who’s wearing them in the field, they’re a piece that is pretty instantly recognized.

Carrie-Anne Moss - The Matrix

You know your character is an eyewear legend when you get an entire model of sunglasses named after them. Walking away from seeing The Matrix for the first time, it’s the glasses and the phones that really stick with you. Well, after you put the philosophical and moral debates, and the blazing stunts aside, those two things tend to stick around. For Carrie-Anne Moss’ Trinity, her official frames came from the brand Blinde - and are apparently pretty rare to come by.

Tom Cruise’s Aviators - Top Gun

Whenever someone slips on a pair of aviator sunglasses, 9 times out of 10 it’s going to inspire someone to hum “Danger Zone” to themselves. By no means invented for Tony Scott’s Top Gun, the Ray-Ban RB3025s were certainly popularized by people who felt the need for speed in their daily lives. Though you don’t have to worry about inverting your wallet, as this is a common enough style that you can go easy on the throttle and spare your life savings.

Grace Jones - A View To A Kill

007 isn’t the only person allowed to be stylish in the world of cinema. Roger Moore’s James Bond movies ended on a very ‘80s note with A View to a Kill, and that’s part of what makes Grace Jones’ May Day a sparkling addition to this very film. Her fashion sense is as on point as her assassination skills, which is shown off in the scene where she escorts an unwilling conspirator into a free fall of death.

Morpheus’ Frame-less Sunglasses - The Matrix

What if we told you that Morpheus’ sunglasses from The Matrix are made by the same brand that gave Trinity her own signature lunettes? Lawrence Fishburne’s “Morpheus” brand shades came from Blinde, a vendor who handled the “official” sunglasses for The Wachowski’s entry into the canon of best ‘90s movies. More recently, eyewear wizard Tom Davies recreated this look for the modern incarnation of the character in 2021’s The Matrix Resurrections. And yes, they still looked just as cool.

Annie Potts - Ghostbusters II

The only thing sharper than the wit and attitude of Janine Melnitz (Annie Potts) is her choice of eyewear. It’s hard to narrow down the exact brand and model worn by her character in Ghostbusters II, which is a shame. Janine’s leap forward from a traditionally conservative “secretary” wardrobe to her hipper‘90s forward duds came with a pair of black circular glasses that must have been an inspiration for The Incredibles’ Edna Mode.

Christian Bale - American Psycho

Oliver Peoples “O’Malley,” in the color of “Raintree.” You’ve probably been wondering about how you could get the model of Christian Bale’s eyeglasses from American Psycho for decades at this point. So now that you’ve got that answer readily before your eyes, we can focus on the bigger questions, like what American Psycho’s ending is trying to say about Patrick Bateman.

Rachel Leigh Cook - She’s All That

In the mid-20th century, we were convinced a Kryptonian could hide their secret identity behind a pair of eyeglasses. Towards the end of that very century, teen rom-coms like She’s All That built a further case for such deceptions, courtesy of Rachel Leigh Cook’s Laney Boggs. Several other pictures would use this very same tactic as an easy makeover tip to land the prom date of your dreams.

Willem Dafoe’s Tom Davies Sunglasses - Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Willem Dafoe had a really good year of eyewear in 2024. But in choosing between his Saturday Night shades, and the Tom Davies-designed piece he wore in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the afterlife wins by a hair. Named “Wolf,” after his character in the long-awaited legacy-quel, these beauties helped Mr. Dafoe keep it real on screen - and in our dreams.

Linda Hamilton - Terminator 2: Judgment Day

While Linda Hamilton’s sunglasses from Terminator 2: Judgment Day weren’t going to block out the rays of an atomic attack on 1997 L.A., they sure were handy for normal, everyday sunlight. The exact model worn by Sarah Connor in one of the best sci-fi movies seems to be unknown, but there are plenty of quality imitators that’ll make your day.

Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible Glasses

If you were a kid about to wear their first pair of eyeglasses in 1996, Tom Cruise may have been an influence on the ones you eventually chose. While the Jean Paul Gaulthier branded frames from Mission: Impossible wouldn’t help you catch traitorous spies, they were still pretty awesome to look at.

Reese Witherspoon - Legally Blonde

Even after decades of Legally Blonde being a certified pop culture legend, fans are still in love with Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) and her sense of fashion. This makes not being able to find exact details on her appropriately pink sunglasses a bit of a pain, but worth it if you're trying to dress to impress.

The Blues Brothers’ Wayfarers

On a mission from God, you need to prepare for any sort of perils on the path laid out ahead. For Jake (John Belushi) and Elwood (Dan Aykroyd) Blues, that checklist includes a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, black suits and ties, and Ray Ban’s iconic Wayfarer sunglasses. It’s certainly not an obscure piece of The Blues Brothers trivia, but it’s definitely something you should keep in mind for next Halloween.

Gal Gadot - Wonder Woman

2017’s Wonder Woman adaptation called out the glasses worn by Gal Gadot’s titular DC hero with dialogue that reminded us of how comic books and teenage rom-coms alike have tried to pull the wool over our eyes. So while the princess of Themyscira doesn’t look too different behind that facial furniture, at least it fits her projected images perfectly.

Daniel Radcliffe’s Harry Potter Glasses

Many a Halloween has passed where people trying to look like Daniel Radcliffe’s heroic Harry Potter have gone hunting for his signature glasses. So it’s probably not that hard to find replicas for costuming purposes, or actual eyewear business, on the open market.

Ali Maki - Always Be My Maybe

One of comedian Ali Maki’s trademarks has to be her glasses. So it’s kind of hard to choose just one pair that really speaks to her personal style, even when limited only to the Netflix rom-com Always Be My Maybe. However, the gold pair shown above certainly do the job at hand.

Robert Downey Jr. - Avengers: Endgame

Throughout his Marvel Cinematic Universe run, Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark has had some pretty impressive eyewear. And while Mr. Stark’s glasses in Avengers: Infinity War would eventually be named “E.D.I.T.H.,” the actual model name you’re looking for is Dita’s Flight 006 glasses. A.I. enhancements are not included.

Margot Robbie - Barbie

The original Barbie doll had an iconic look that has lasted through the ages. So when Margot Robbie helped bring Greta Gerwig’s vision of this classic toy to life, you know they had to include that fashionable origin story—complete with the white cat-eye sunglasses that came with Mattel’s first doll in the line.

Comedy legends like John Candy leave behind a legacy with their work, especially when it comes to their most quotable moments. While it’s not sure if Ryan Reynolds and Colin Hanks’ documentary on the late actor will be slated for the 2025 movie schedule, both men are hard at work on putting together the best representation of the man himself.

The Deadpool star recently showed off his knowledge of Candyology, through quoting a Blues Brothers moment that most wouldn’t expect. As such, I’m both applauding and questioning whether or not the “Orange Whip” line a natural fit for the picture included in this post:

I have to note that I’m not complaining that one of John Candy’s best ‘80s movie quotes has gotten some more love. For a quick cameo in the glorious chaos that is The Blues Brothers, Candy is a stand out presence. Melding his character’s charming/sleazy nature and the actor’s impeccable timing, Burton Mercer became one of the many stars that form the constellation of laughs that John Landis’ offbeat musical has always traded on.

At the same time, besides the photo included in Ryan Reynolds’ post seeming to be a bit orange tinted itself, I’m puzzled by how these dots are supposed to connect. If I was to make a guess, I’d say that part of how Colin Hanks and Ryan Reynolds’ documentary will honor John Candy’s legacy is through examining references such as this. More specifically, I’d think that how such scenes have kept the Planes, Trains and Automobiles icon firmly planted on the pop culture landscape for decades.

Part of that will be likely achieved through Colin Hanks’ personal John Candy stories, as the Orange County actor was only a child when his father Tom worked with Candy. Which would make scenes like the one shown below important touchstones that tie together the life story of one of Canada’s warmest and funniest people:

John Candy will always be a comedic legend who is remembered fondly. Whether it’s through Candy family tributes to his spirit, or those beautiful stories of the SCTV veteran’s public encounters, smiles and tears will always follow when invoking his name.

So while I don’t totally get how this Blues Brothers punchline fits into Colin Hanks and Ryan Reynolds’ upcoming documentary, I absolutely dig that it’s there to begin with. Also, I now want to learn how to make one of these concoctions at home, because now that I have the man himself's voice i my head, I too want an Orange Whip.

Though when we’ll see this John Candy documentary is still a bit of a mystery, it was last reported as being an Amazon Studios production. Coincidentally enough, you can use your Prime Video subscription at the current moment to stream The Blues Brothers. Orange Whips are optional, but recommended if you want a fun cocktail to tie everything together.

Sometimes an actor can carry an entire movie with a performance, while others make a lasting impression in merely one scene of action. We’re going to focus on the latter category today, as we present this list of single scene crushers who took a moment to bring the house down.

Ned Beatty - Network

Even in a big ticket classic like Sidney Lumet’s Network, there’s room for a performer like Ned Beatty to steal the entire movie in one fell swoop. Brought in as a last minute replacement, and with four pages of dialogue to work through, Beatty booms in a scene that nails the core tenets of writer Paddy Chayefsky’s blistering satire.

Drew Barrymore - Scream

Wes Craven’s reinvention of teen slashers kicked off the legendary Scream franchise with a murder no one saw coming. With Drew Barrymore featuring prominently in trailers and promotional art, everyone thought she’d be safe and sound for a good part of the picture. One scene was all it took to shake the audience to its core, and prove that anything can happen in Woodsboro… and it often does.

J.T. Walsh - Outbreak

As if having the late Donald Sutherland didn’t already inject a White House briefing scene with enough gravitas, legendary character actor J.T. Walsh gets a moment to protest an action that could wipe the small town of Cedar Creek off the map. His righteous anger is a lynchpin moment that perfectly sets the stakes for a nail-biting finale.

Viola Davis - Doubt

In just one scene of Doubt’s powerhouse narrative, Viola Davis scored something every actor dreams of: their first Academy Award nomination. A scene of masterful acting between herself and fellow legend Meryl Streep, Davis drives this moment of intense conversation with a gamut of authority and vulnerability. In a cast that also includes Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams, Viola Davis should have been credited on the poster, as her moment is that powerful.

Alec Baldwin - Glengarry Glen Ross

People who go to see David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross on stage are probably disappointed that Alec Baldwin’s Blake doesn’t appear in that version of the narrative. Crafted especially for the 1992 film adaptation the man that taught us to “Always Be Closing” sees Baldwin holding court viciously with a room that includes Ed Harris and Jack Lemmon among its ranks. Don’t worry if you forgot that character’s name… he’ll tell you soon enough.

Dame Judi Dench - Shakespeare In Love

Network actor Beatrice Straight is the record holder for the shortest performance to win an Academy Award. In a similar fashion, one scene in Shakespeare In Love was all it took for Dame Judi Dench to win her own golden accolade, playing the role of Elizabeth I. Although this is Dame Dench we’re talking about here, and that performance was certainly worth the hoopla… even if Saving Private Ryan is the film that should have won Best Picture that year.

Alfred Molina - Boogie Nights

You will never listen to “Sister Christian” the same way again after watching Alfred Molina’s single scene performance in Boogie Nights. His portrayal of unstable drug dealer Rahad runs the gamut from hysterical to horrifying, in a scene that only persists in the horrors that unfold to threaten Dirk Diggler (Mark Wahlberg) and his friends. Chekov’s Gun is so much more effective when you have firecrackers going off at irregular intervals.

Cate Blanchett - Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring

Is anyone absolutely sure Cate Blanchett isn’t really an Elf? The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring made a pretty good case for her actually being an ethereal being, as Galdriel’s one scene with Frodo (Elijah Wood) is an all-time stunner. You probably didn’t need the special effects to enhance the scene, as Blanchett’s actual physical performance in that moment makes you believe that she comes from the pages of J.R.R. Tolkien, and we should all be thankful.

August Diehl - Inglourious Basterds

Never, ever, set a meeting in a basement. Quentin Tarantino taught us that lesson in just one scene of Inglourious Basterds, as what was supposed to be a simple clandestine meeting of Allies became a bloody free-for-all. And it was all thanks to Dieter Hellstrom (August Diehl), the Nazi equivalent of Sherlock Holmes, sniffing out the truth behind Lieutenant Archie Hicox (Michael Fassbender) and his team.

Alice Nunn - Pee Wee’s Big Adventure

Children who grew up on the best ‘80s movies will still tell you that the appearance of Large Marge (Alice Nunn) in Pee Wee’s Big Adventure is something that just may have traumatized them. In a moment that’s akin to the ultimate campfire story, Marge’s story is made even more terrifying by her transformation into a horror only Claymation could properly convey.

Dave Bautista - Blade Runner 2049

Dave Bautista has been building an impressive resume through roles in projects like Blade Runner 2049. The eventual fight between his character Sapper and Officer K (Ryan Gosling) isn’t the point of his soft spoken presence, as the moments leading up to that explosion double as a crucial clue to the existential unraveling our protagonist undergoes. It’s a perfect showcase of the former wrestler turned actor’s range at work.

Vanessa Redgrave - Atonement

Atonement is a film that plays with the truth throughout time, through the eyes of its protagonist Briony. In the final incarnation of the character, Vanessa Redgrave devastates the audience by delivering the stone cold truth of what really happened between Robbie (James McAvoy) and Cecilia (Keira Knightley). Turning this romantic drama into a bittersweet tragedy, Redgrave delivers it like an expert.

Marcel Marceau - Silent Movie

Leave it to Mel Brooks to give famed mime Marcel Marceau the only line of dialogue in a film like Silent Movie. As Mel Funn (Brooks) and his pals make an important phone call to try and convince Mr. Marceau to join their motion picture, they get their answer pretty quickly. In a movie replete with cameos, this one takes the cake.

Carol Kane - The Princess Bride

Everybody remembers Billy Crystal’s Miracle Max from The Princess Bride, otherwise “Have fun storming the castle” wouldn’t be a memorable line of dialogue in human culture. But we also need to give Carol Kane’s Valerie an equal amount of credit for the magic, as she and Crystal are the ultimate double act that absolutely crush in just a short span of time.

Donald Sutherland - JFK

Whether you believe in conspiracy theories or not, Donald Sutherland’s appearance in Oliver Stone’s JFK will probably have you nodding your head in agreement throughout his patch of screen time. Commanding authority with his hushed oaken tones through a scene that lays down a lot of ground, it’s no wonder Kevin Costner’s memory of working with Sutherland is so fond.

Gloria Foster - The Matrix

Exposition is nothing new to The Matrix franchise, and neither is the concept of an all seeing character delivering the knowledge we need for the road ahead. And the OG actor that embodied that concept was the late Gloria Foster, playing the original Oracle who put Neo (Keanu Reeves) onto his path to destiny. Succeeded by actor Mary Alice after her untimely passing, Foster’s on-screen wisdom still sings to this day.

Ralph Fiennes - Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire

The first appearance of Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) in the Harry Potter movies is a revelation. Set as the ultimate threshold of importance, The Goblet of Fire heads into that point of no return with a scene so atmospheric, you can feel yourself standing in that graveyard. Seeing Fiennes step into the role for the first time is something akin to magic itself.

Edie McClurg - Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Working the customer service desk of Marathon Car Rental when Planes, Trains, and Automobiles’ Neal Page (Steve Martin) has an expletive filled breakdown over a portion of his trip from hell, veteran character actor Edie McClurg’s rental agent goes from friendly to fierce as quickly as any luxury car in the fleet; dropping the F-bomb that ties the scene together in its ultimate laugh line.

Christopher Walken - Pulp Fiction

With Quentin Tarantino’s non-linear narrative of cool customers trying to make it through the day in Pulp Fiction, anything can fit if you do it right. And Walken’s single moment of action is, without question, a scene that nails in the importance of one gold watch that you can sympathize with Butch (Bruce Willis) when he decides to risk it all to find it.

Alfre Woodard - 12 Years A Slave

12 Years a Slave writer John Ridley once told Vulture that the toughest scene he wrote for that film was the one where Alfre Woodard’s Mistress Burke tells Patsey (Lupita Nyong’o) to “take comfort” that vengeance will eventually visit “the plantation class.” Hearing her alternate between the distant promise of judgment and rationalizing her own lot in life, similar to that of her younger guest, is something that remains as chilling as it was when first heard.

Wilford Brimley - Absence of Malice

In just one scene of Absence of Malice, the legendary Wilford Brimley moves from quips to threats in fast fashion, and the man never fails to compel the audience for his one brief scene. Wasting no time as a character that has none to waste, where Brimley’s Wells cuts to the heart of the entire picture’s mystery and lays out the consequences that will play out, lest anyone involved lose more face than they have to.

Kathy Burke - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Author John le Carré’s Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is the antithesis of the pulpy action that Ian Fleming injected into the books that would inspire the James Bond movies. Nowhere is that more present than in Kathy Burke’s monumental scene as Connie Sachs, ally and admirer of spy George Smiley (Gary Oldman). All at once, she goes from hitting on her former colleague to lamenting how the Cold War has left their kind adrift, and the sum total is properly heartbreaking.

Bill Murray - Little Shop of Horrors

Much like Jack Nicholson in Roger Corman’s 1960 original, Bill Murray gave Little Shop of Horrors’ musical movie adaptation a moment where the audience just had to laugh at someone who freaks out even sinister dentist Orin (Steve Martin). Coming in for a brief comedic interlude, Murray’s mania is a welcome pit stop in this tale of horror, Faustian bargains, and horticulture.

Molly Ringwald - Not Another Teen Movie

Not Another Teen Movie is Airplane! for generations who grew up in the presence of She’s All That, and some of the other best ‘90s movies. So having John Hughes alum Molly Ringwald highlighting just how ridiculous Janey (Chyler Leigh) and Jake (Chris Evans) are in their young romance is a late hour punchline that absolutely kills.

Clifton Collins Jr. & Thomas Jane - Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

Playing something as ridiculous as Scott Pilgrim vs. The World’s Vegan Police is something that needs expert timing, as the right amount of menace and lunacy is required to make the gag work. With that in mind, Clifton Collins Jr. and Thomas Jane were just the pair to do it, as director Edgar Wright used their talents to give us a scene where even the threat of finger guns with laser pointers makes you feel something.

Kathleen Freeman - The Blues Brothers

Sister Mary Stigmata (Kathleen Freeman) isn’t called “The Penguin” for nothing. As the inciting character that sends The Blues Brothers’ heroes on their mission from God, her demeanor is as stinging as her ruler. So watch your language, and pray you leave her office standing up.

Brian Tyree Henry - If Beale Street Could Talk

Playing Daniel, an old friend of If Beale Street Could Talk’s Fonny (Stephan James), Brian Tyree Henry briefly holds court in a movie that knows how to simultaneously break and mend its audience’s heart. After James sets the scene up with his character’s own woes, Henry proceeds to build on that foundation with an understated sense of dread and sorrow that only scratches the surface of his talents.

Matt Damon - EuroTrip

What happens when you’re writing a teen sex comedy, and you happen to be friends with Matt Damon? You offer him a role like that of the rocker from EuroTrip, who admits in song that he’s been romancing the girlfriend of our hero. You have to wonder if this was an opportunity Damon took as a break from the intense seriousness of the Bourne movies. Whatever the truth may be, it’s a brief but memorable laugh riot, no matter where you parked your car.

Charlize Theron - Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Charlize Theron’s shocking MCU debut in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was the first of a couple big Marvel reveals that still haven’t panned out to something greater. That doesn’t stop her moment in the sun as sorceress Clea from being any less impressive, as she literally shows up, tears a hole of the fabric of dimensions, and invites Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) on an adventure we’d still love to see play out.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson - Reno 911: Miami!

You wouldn’t expect Dwayne Johnson to bite the big one if he were to randomly show up in a movie sporting SWAT tactical gear. And yet, Reno 911!: Miami gave us just that moment brought to hysterical life, thanks to the brave sacrifice of Agent Rick "The Condor" Smith. Ok, maybe “brave” is the wrong term to use, as the man did kind of fumble a live grenade into an unforced error of grave proportions.

Salma Hayek - From Dusk Till Dawn

Having an alluring talent like Salma Hayek in your movie can move things along in a number of ways. Perhaps one of her greatest achievements is when she acted as the literal pivot point of Robert Rodriguez’s From Dusk Till Dawn, as the gorgeous Santanico Pandemonium. One moment she’s dancing for a crowd of thankful patrons, and the next she’s plunging this delightful genre mashup into horror-comedy hell.

Will Smith - Winter’s Tale

Winter’s Tale is a movie that still has people scratching their heads, thanks to its magical thinking and high fantasy style story. If you match that description of moviegoer, the appearance of Will Smith in a cameo as Lucifer isn’t going to do much to change your mind. However, this rare performance that sees Smith playing the heavy is amazing, as he commands Shakespearian style language with an intense rage that absolutely sells the CGI enhancement that tops it off.

Along with helping bring to (after)life in one of the best horror-comedies of all time via Ghostbusters, Dan Aykroyd also co-created one of Hollywood’s most iconic “fake” bands, so to speak, with fellow SNL vet John Belushi. The duo crafted comedy gold with The Blues Brothers, and seemed destined for many years of shared comedic ribaldry. Sadly, Belushi died of an overdose in 1982, a multi-layered tragedy that Aykroyd was able to address anew in his Audible release Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude.

The audio documentary not only delivers tons of behind-the-scenes details about The Blues Brothers film, but digs into the entire history of Jake and Elwood Blues. Speaking with Rolling Stone about reliving those early years of stardom — the same magazine whose owner experienced one of Aykroyd and Belushi’s wild pranks — the Tommy Boy vet was asked what he hoped John Belushi would always be remembered for, and his response was touching, kind, and a big reminder of the comedic void he left behind. In his words:

Hard to deny anything said there. The reason why comedy fans still hold John Belushi on high is due to the massive amount of talent on display in his relatively limited filmography, with Animal House’s Bluto often viewed as a S-tier character from comedy cinema. But for all the excellence he left behind for audiences to enjoy, the laughs will likely never fully eclipse the devastating details surrounding his death at 33. (He was given a fatal dose of heroin and cocaine.) And Aykroyd is aware it’s a fool’s errand to even assume that either of those can be changed.

So instead, he spoke directly to that middle zone between “superstar comedian” and “gone-too-soon genius,” pointing out everything that made him the kind of person that everyone at SNL and beyond wanted to hang out with and be around. A mixture of legitimate smarts, abundant compassion and bundles of energy, Belushi delivered in ways that few in the genre had before or have since, with the late, great Chris Farley being the rare comedian to draw easy comparisons.

Had John Belushi’s talents been strictly limited to comedy, his death would have been bad enough, but one of the reasons why The Blues Brothers lived on as a musical duo and not just a movie and TV gimmick is because both actors boasted enviable music chops. As witnessed anytime the band took the stage prior to Belushi’s death, he knew just how to vent a lot of that bubbling energy out through his vocals.

When asked at what point he became confident in John Belushi’s abilities to be a reliable frontman, Aykroyd said:

In the interview and in the Audible release, Dan Aykroyd doesn’t glorify John Belushi’s addictions, and nor does he cast judgment, saying that he and the late Judith Belushi learned how to use the comedian’s cocaine habits to try and keep him as balanced and productive as possible. Because if things would go too far one way or the other, Belushi had a habit of completely disappearing from the set or whatever location he was supposed to be at.

Sadly, brilliant minds falling prey to drug overdoses is all too common in the world of entertainment, but no matter how many years go by, the classic works those minds accomplished will never stop being great. To paraphrase the great Donald "Duck" Dunn, some people just have an ability to turn goat piss into gasoline, and John Belushi was one of those people.

Fans can check out Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude on Audible, and while the 1980 film isn’t currently available to watch via any streaming service subscriptions, Aykroyd and Belushi’s Saturday Night Live episodes and performances can be streamed now with a Peacock subscription.

For gearheads, cars and other vehicles are the real stars of some movies. Whether it's sweet vintage cars like those seen in movies like Dazed and Confused or highly customized one-offs like K.I.T.T. on Knight Rider, cars play a huge role in Hollywood history. 

K.I.T.T.

If you grew up in the '80s, you know what one car we have to include here. The talking supercomputer/Trans-Am driven by Michael Knight (David Hasselhoff) known simply as K.I.T.T. The "Knight Industries Two Thousand" car, voiced originally by William Daniels could do just about anything, and it's one of the few examples where the car truly was the star of a show. 

James Bond's DB5

Without question one of the most iconic cars in film history is the ultra-cool Aston Martin DB5 driven by James Bond. Audiences first saw the car in Goldfinger in 1964 and it has since appeared in Thunderball, GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, Casino Royale, Skyfall, Spectre, and No Time To Die. You simply can't separate the spy from his sportscar and while there are other very cool cars in other Bond flicks, the DB5 reigns supreme. 

Starsky And Hutch's Gran Torino

Nothing epitomizes '70s cool like the 1976 Ford Gran Torino driven by the police partners in Starsky and Hutch. There's nothing super special about it, it doesn't have machine guns or ejection seats, it's just cool. Fans of the show in the '70s argued over who they wanted to be, Starsky or Hutch, but everyone agreed they wanted to drive the Gran Torino. 

Ecto-1

Before the modifications made by the Ghostbusters, the 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Sentinel that became "Ecto-1" was pretty darn cool. After the modifications in the first Ghostbusters, it became the envy of kids all over the world. From the great siren to the logo on the side, to the ghost storage unit in the back, this is one cool station wagon. 

Batmobile

It's impossible to pick the coolest Batmobile. Throughout the years, every version of Batman has had his own version of the iconic car, and all of them are cool in their own way. Still, it's hard not to highlight the modified '59 Cadillac from the 1960s TV show. It's first among equals. 

Mr. Frye's Ferrari California

The 1961 Ferrari 250GT California. Less than a hundred were made, as Cameron (Alan Ruck) explains in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, which might just be the coolest car in the world, on screen or off. While the cars in the movie were actually all replicas, it still has to be included here. Real 1961 Ferrari 250GT California Spyder's are insanely expensive too. One of the most famous has been owned by Hollywood star James Coburn and Former Top Gear host Chris Evans and is thought to be one of the most valuable cars in the world. 

Magnum's Ferrari 308 GTSi

Thomas Magnum is one of the coolest TV characters in history, so it makes sense that the star of Magnum, P.I., played by Tom Selleck, would drive a really cool car. "Robin 1" as it was known (named after the license plate), Magnum's Ferrari 308 was actually a few different 308s over the 8-year run of the show, but they were all super cool. 

The Mystery Machine

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! debuted in 1969, and in a fitting tribute to the era, the Scooby gang roamed around the country in a van painted in psychedelic colors, just like many of the hippies of the era. It's vaguely reminiscent of a VW Bus, of course, but The Mystery Machine is something all its own. 

Eleanor 

While "Eleanor" from Gone In 60 Seconds isn't a factory-perfect 1967 Mustang Shelby GT500, as it's portrayed in the movie, it's still one of the coolest cars ever, both in the movie and in real life. The car used in the movie was modified for filming, but that doesn't make it less awesome. 

The Bandit's Trans-Am

If you're going to bootleg stolen beer across state lines, you're going to need a fast car. The Bandit's Trans-Am in Smokey In The Bandit is maybe the most iconic car in movie history. Not only was it the first Trans-Am, but it's still the version you'd want to buy, a black T-top with a gold eagle. Admit it, you want one. 

Dom's Dodge Charger

If we're honest here, we could populate this entire list with nothing but cars from the Fast franchise. Instead, we've chosen one – Dom's black 1970 Dodge Charger – to represent the entire series. It's the muscliest muscle car that ever muscled with the beefy supercharger poking through the hood and equipped with a nitrous system, and it'll blow away anything else off the line. 

The Bluesmobile

The Bluesmobile, driven by the Blues brothers in the movie of the same name, might not look like much, but, as Elwood (Dan Aykroyd) says, "It's got a cop motor... cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks..." so it goes hard. You'll need to fix the lighter, though. 

Frank Bullitt's '68 Mustang

You simply can't talk about cool cars and Hollywood without talking about the late Steve McQueen. The actor was almost as famous for his love of cars as he was for his movies. Of course, at the top of the list of cars he drove in movies is the '68 Mustang he tears around San Francisco in in Bullitt. 

Pickford's Pontiac GTO

Dazed and Confused is chock full of amazing '70s cars, so we need to pick just one to represent them all. Wooderson's  (Matthew McConaughey) Chevy Chevelle SS might be the obvious pick here, but there isn't anything cooler than the opening notes of "Sweet Emotion" at the beginning of the movie as audiences see Pickford's (Shawn Andrews) 1970 Pontiac GTO cruising around the parking lot. 

The A-Team Van

Not every cool vehicle on TV is a car, either. Any child of the '80s will tell you they grew up dreaming about riding around in the black, grey, and red van that belonged to the crew of military misfits in The A-Team. While stock GMC Vandura's may not be all that cool, the paint job and other modifications make the A-Team's van special. 

Sonny Crockett's Ferrari Testarossa

Miami Vice was a show that could've filled up this list all by itself with all the cool cars that appeared, but none were more iconic than the Ferraris driven by Sonny Crockett (Don Johnson). We've included the Testarossa he drove in the latter seasons, not because it's cooler than the Daytona he drove early on, but because the Testarossas were actual Ferraris, whereas the Daytona was a replica built for the show and was actually a Corvette made to look like a Ferrari Daytona.  

The Bad Boys' Porsche 964

In the original Bad Boys, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence had the pleasure of driving a very cool Porsche 964. The sports car was actually owned by director Michael Bay, and eventually sold (after Bay sold it years ago) for over a million dollars. It's easy to understand why, as the Bad Boy franchise has only gotten more and more popular over the years. 

John Wick's Mustang

The beginning of the first John Wick is rough for the titular character, played by Keanu Reeves. He loses his wife, then the dog she gifted him before her death is murdered. He also has his wicked car, a '68 Mustang, stolen at the same time. Everything John Wick does after that is justified, including getting the car back, even after it gets trashed. 

Mad Max's Ford Falcon Interceptor

Talk about a movie franchise full of wild, cool cars, Mad Max is among the wildest. So, to represent the series, we're going with the O.G. car, Mel Gibson's Ford Falcon Interceptor in the original movie. It's the rat rod to end all rat rods and it's amazing. 

Mach Five

Perhaps the coolest race car in the universe is Speed Racer's Mach Five. It's legendary from the cartoon and has been part of all the various interactions of reboots, sequels, and the 2008 live-action version of Speed Racer. With the distinctive paint job and body style, it's simply the race car every kid wants. 

Blade's '68 Charger

1968 Mustangs are well represented in movies, and one of its biggest competitors, the '68 Dodge Charger is represented admirably in the Wesley Snipes Blade movies. It's the perfect car for the vampire killer and is as intimidating as a car can be. 

EM-50 Urban Assault Vehicle

If you're not going to get a fast car to drive in a movie, how about a fully-armed recreational vehicle? That's what the guys in Stripes steal when they go into Czechoslovakia to rescue their big toe, Sgt. Hulka. The EM-50 Urban Assault Vehicle is no simple camper, it's ready for war, even if the guys driving it aren't. 

Sebastian's Jaguar XK140 In Cruel Intentions

If you love classic cars, it doesn't get more elegant and classic than a 1956 Jaguar XK140 like Sebastian drives in Cruel Intentions. Sure, it's pretty annoying to watch an annoying spoiled brat drive it around, but it's hard not to stare in awe whenever it's on screen. It does fit for the character, even if we hate him for it. 

Thelma And Louise's Ford Thunderbird

A convertible 1966 Ford Thunderbird is what dreams are made of. It's a car that makes you feel invincible, just like it does for the titular characters in Thelma & Louise. If there's anything we would change, it's the tragic end for the car. While Thelma and Louise go out on their own terms, the poor Thunderbird doesn't, we don't think. 

Christine

Christine, the car in movie with the same name, is terrifying, sure. No one wants to deal with a car with a homicidal mind of its own. But is sure is sweet to look at. The red 1958 Plymouth Fury is definition of classic cool. So if you're willing to let the car take out an enemy or two, and you love  '50s Detroit steel, this is the car for you. Just don't get on her bad side. 

'66 Alfa Romeo Spider In The Graduate

The old hosts of Top Gear, who know a thing about cars, often insisted that if you'd never owned an Alfa Romero, you couldn't really consider yourself a motor head. Just one look at the '66 Alfa Romeo Spider in The Graduate, driven by Dustin Hoffman's character, and you'll almost certainly agree they have as much class and sophistication as a car get. 

Greased Lightning

"Greased Lightning" is arguably the best song in Grease and in no small part to the visuals of building one mean-looking drag racer named Greased Lightning. Systematic, hydromatic, ultramatic, and probably some other "madics" too.  The car itself looks kind of ridiculous, and none of the parts would actually work together, but no matter! It's still awesome. 

Doc Brown's Delorean

You knew we couldn't have this list without one of the most beloved cars (and time machines) in movie history. Doc Brown's time machine in Back To The Future is the only reason anyone in the world remembers or desires the short-lived DMC Delorean. It was a terrible car that looked like the future and drove like the past. It works perfectly for Doc's needs. 

Sonny Corleone's Lincoln Continental

It's definitely not bulletproof, but the '41 Lincoln Continental driven by Sonny Corleone in The Godfather is the epitome of what made the US car industry the envy of everyone in the '30s and '40s. Large and luxurious was the name of the name of the game in Detroit before World War II and the Continental was at the top of many lists for both. 

The Porsche 928 In Risky Business

Nothing says "1980s" more than a really cool Porsche, like the 928 in Risky Business. If you ask an '80s kid to draw the outline of a Porsche, there's a good chance they'll draw the 928 even without knowing what they are drawing. It's just a shame where it ended up. 

The Monkee's Pontiac GTO

Like the band and TV show, Pontiac GTO driven in The Monkees is over-the-top and ridiculous. It's like the designers watched the '60s on TV and made what they thought embodied them. Kind of like the whole show, despite being one of the shows on TV at the time. It's still pretty awesome though. 

Herbie The Love Bug

Herbie The Love Bug in the Herbie series is the anti-Christine. It's a car with a mind of its own, but it's only interested in doing good, not evil. That makes it every kid's favorite car and a big reason for the Volkswagon Beetle's enduring appeal. 

Depending on who you talk to, even the best Broadway movie musicals are already a hard enough sell in their most commercial form. And then there are the musicals that are a bit avant-garde, which only makes getting people to watch them that much harder. The films we’re about to discuss today are some of the weirdest, wildest, and most exciting musicals that people have kept the torch lit to honor, and for good reason. 

Repo! The Genetic Opera

If there was ever a cult musical that shows how a fanbase can help its name thrive, without the name of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, it’d have to be Repo! The Genetic Opera. Assembling an eclectic cast of the likes of Anthony Stewart Head, Paris Hilton, and Paul Sorvino, this gothic horror opera is still as tragic as it is gory. 

Little Shop of Horrors

Despite the decision to wildly change Little Shop of Horrors’ original ending for the theatrical cut, Frank Oz’s adaptation of this Alan Menken/Howard Ashman-penned ode to B-movies is still an impressive feat. With the charms of Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, and the rest of the cast cranked to 11, the sunnier finale is more than forgivable; even if the downbeat version is better. 

Streets Of Fire

Walter Hill is a madman for co-creating Streets of Fire, and that’s meant as an absolute complement. In a future dystopia where biker gangs rule the streets, a soldier (Michael Paré) embarks on a mission to rescue his kidnapped ex-girlfriend (Diane Lane). Throughout that mission, music from the likes of Stevie Nicks, The Fixx, and Meat Loaf ties together a cult classic that’s earned its stripes. 

The Who’s Tommy

If you thought The Who’s Tommy was trippy enough as a concept album, Ken Russell’s feature adaptation politely asks you to hold its bathtub full of Heinz’s Baked Beans. An absolutely unhinged psychedelic delight, the entire band appears throughout this musical odyssey, which counts Ann-Margaret and Oliver Reed among its cast; along with show-stopping cameo numbers by Eric Clapton, Elton John and Tina Turner. 

RRR

On top of being a bonkers Bollywood action movie, RRR found itself carried into the public consciousness on the back of its 2023 Oscar winner of an original song. Rest assured, “Naatu Naatu” is only the door to a wider soundtrack of delights, which only makes the moments in between crazy explosions all the more delightful. 

Shock Treatment

Admit it: you thought The Rocky Horror Picture Show was going to be on this list. Well, sorry to disappoint, but that’s an offbeat musical that’s absolutely embraced by a mass audience.  However, it’s lesser known follow-up Shock Treatment is something more people need to latch onto. This “equal, not a sequel” skewered reality TV back in 1981, with a song and soap opera twists in its heart.

Dancer In The Dark

Fair warning: Lars von Trier’s Dancer in the Dark is a bit more musical adjacent than a full-on song and dance picture. It’s also incredibly depressing at times, as the put-upon musical lover Selma (Björk) is just trying to save her son’s sight through her factory job. Prepare for a melodic heartbreaker you won’t forget any time soon. 

The Blues Brothers

Most audiences know The Blues Brothers as a musical act, and they know that the 1980 film adaptation of John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd’s SNL creation is a smashing comedy. But consider this: doesn’t a film with a soundtrack that includes James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and Cab Calloway deserve to be honored as a musical? Watch it again, and ask yourself that question

Xanadu

It’s one of the movies that inspired the formation of the Razzies. It’s the film that put Gene Kelly on roller skates for his final film role. Despite those facts, Xanadu has rightfully found itself reappraised in the decades since its release. Its earnestly campy charm, and a soundtrack that includes songs from both Newton-John and ELO, is enough to show just why this movie has been working its way into people’s hearts over time.

Phantom of the Paradise

If you’re a fan of the Rocky Horror school of horror-adjacent rock and roll musicals, director Brian de Palma’s Phantom of the Paradise is a must. But even if that’s not totally you’re bag, this tale that weaves the likes of Phantom of the Opera and Faust into ‘70s glam rock goodness is certainly worth a sit. Not to mention, with the legendary Paul Williams playing the villain, that’s just an extra bit of sweetness that pairs well with this pretty poison.

Pennies From Heaven

There are two performances in Herbert Ross’ adaptation of Pennies from Heaven that tend to surprise casual moviegoers. If Steve Martin’s central singing and dancing performance as a Depression-era sheet music salesman doesn’t shock you, then Christopher Walken’s bombastic performance of “Let’s Misbehave” is probably the one that’ll do it. For those who love their song and dance mixed with some downbeat drama, here’s another one for the list.

True Stories

Leave it to David Byrne of the Talking Heads to co-create something as cozily absurd as True Stories. As director, and co-writer alongside collaborators Beth Henley and Stephen Tobolowsky, the Silicon Prairie of ‘80s Texas comes to colorfully offbeat life. If you’re still buzzing from having recently been introduced to Stop Making Sense, this should be your next stop, with no exceptions.

South Park: Bigger, Longer, And Uncut

Believe it or not, Trey Parker admitted on The GOODson podcast in 2020 that South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut was meant to serve as a potential series finale for this wildly successful Comedy Central sitcom. You can kind of see why though, as the raunchy, profanity-filled R-rated sensation pulls out all the stops in a relatively short time. It may not have been the end, but it’s still a tough act to follow. 

The Producers

Mel Brooks’ ‘60s comedy that went from a flop to a hit eventually became the poster child for hit Broadway adaptations of beloved films. So the 2005 movie version of that musical redux was kind of a given, especially with stars Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane back in the saddle. A beautiful companion to the 1969 classic, this flick is just as uproarious as its source material, but with tons more song-based set-pieces. 

Purple Rain

Prince’s Purple Rain is one of those movies that felt like a bolt out of the sky when it debuted. A soundtrack of banger after banger, the picture that accompanied the album is a surprisingly dramatic and self-examining story that sees Prince in both charismatic and vulnerable states. Also, Morris Day is one of the best musical villains of all time, with his performance as the movie’s heel generating sheer electricity whenever he’s on the screen.

All That Jazz

Legendary choreographer Bob Fosse’s efforts as a film director are some of the most notable musicals in the history of the medium. But All That Jazz has to be one of the most off-beat, as the man co-wrote and directed his own semi-autobiography; with Roy Scheider starring as Fosse surrogate Joe Gideon. Facing his own excess, darkness, and mortality in a feature film musical, it’s an affair that only Bob himself could have orchestrated. 

Sing Street

Writer/director John Carney ensured himself a spot in the landscape of movie musicals with the indie hit Once; but another gem of his needs some more love in its corner. A story of ‘80s youth in Ireland, growing up with dreams fueled by the age of MTV musicals, Sing Street is an incredibly catchy movie. Offering some beautifully light performances by Game of Thrones Aidan Gillen and Jack Reynor, your heart will be bursting by the time you’ve completed this journey.

Hedwig And The Angry Inch

An indie rock musical hit on the stage, Hedwig and the Angry Inch’s film adaptation has a similar cult following that’s persisted over decades. Co-writer/star John Cameron Mitchell’s story of musical theft, queer identity, and making your voice heard one angry inch at a time is still as powerfully glam today as it was when first formed.

Annette

Picture this: Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard, as romantic musical leads, in a movie with a Sparks soundtrack. You’re probably thinking this sort of movie would include a puppet-based character, and if you’re not familiar with 2021’s Annette, one has to wonder how you got that very specific image. Offbeat in its visual and musical content, this is another one that truly has to be seen to be believed.

Cry Baby

For someone like John Waters who has the title “The Pope Of Trash,” the man sure does know how to make such subject matter pop. Cry Baby is a stellar instance where his loving homage to B-movie culture in the ‘50s plants its musical tongue firmly in its cheek, telling a story of juvenile delinquency, rebellion, and of course, love.

Anna And the Apocalypse

What the world needs now is zombie, sweet zombie musicals. If you agree with that statement, then why haven’t you seen Anna and the Apocalypse? Clearly the combination of musical whimsy and the undead inspiring Scottish youth just trying to survive is something we could all use more of. 

Forbidden Zone

Musical genius Danny Elfman has a reputation for being one of the best composers not named Williams, Zimmer, or Horner; and that’s partially because he’s not afraid to get a little weird. That being said, Forbidden Zone’s journey into the Sixth Dimension definitely leapfrogs over the line of “a little weird,” with Elfman himself playing Satan in this classic midnight movie.

This Is Spinal Tap

Is Rob Reiner's This Is Spinal Tap more of a mockumentary, or is it more of a musical? Honestly, who cares when you’ve got the comedic lineup of Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, and Christopher Guest rocking through a set list that cranks the crazy up to 11. It also helps that the tunes involved are pretty catchy too.

The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg

Jacques Demy’s classic The Umbrellas of Cherbourg lushly dives into Composer Michel Legrand’s beautiful songs that tell a story of a love that never seems meant to be, delivering heartbreak after bittersweet heartbreak. Fans of Futurama, aka one of the best animated TV shows, will shed a couple of extra tears when hearing “I Will Wait For You,” as that was later used as the song for “Jurassic Bark’s” infamous ending.

The Lure

There are plenty of off-beat disco musicals out there, like The Apple or You Can’t Stop The Music. But what separates director Agnieszka Smoczynska’s The Lure from its predecessors is two simple, but effective words: killer mermaids. What more do you need, honestly?

Rocketman

The life and times of Elton John are brought to life through Rocketman, and in a way that the man himself personally approved. As director Dexter Fletcher and star Taron Egerton weave through the music legend’s life, the music he gave to the world is used to make this tale of magical reality all the more poignant and exhilarating.

Across The Universe

Bono, The Edge, and director Julie Taymor are a team that absolutely deserves to be talked about when it comes to explosively creative musicals. While Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark hasn’t been adapted into a film just yet, Across the Universe is the next best example of mashing up those talents into a funhouse of feeling. Beatles fans need apply for this counterculture romantic drama. 

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street

The cinematic Sweeney Todd adaptation may not place high on Tim Burton movie rankings, but it’s still worth celebrating for adapting a story that most people probably never thought would go to the movies. An R-rated slasher that’s weird, wild, and bittersweet, Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter totally dominate Stephen Sondheim’s doom-filled spectacle. But make sure to leave room in your heart for Alan Rickman and Sacha Baron Cohen’s pitch-perfect antagonists. 

Popeye

Robert Altman’s Popeye is an underrated comic movie that gets so much right about its source material. However, Harry Nilsson’s warmhearted soundtrack continues to live on, thanks to its gorgeous melodies. Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall’s turns as Popeye and Olive Oyl are the gigantic beating heart of this gentle musical. 

Chicago

On the surface, many folks probably see Chicago’s reputation as Broadway royalty as an invitation to a more traditional affair. That’s always been a falsity though, and director Rob Marshall’s movie really digs into the subversion at work in telling the story of Roxie Hart (Reneé Zellweger), Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones), and all that jazz that puts them in the fight of their showbiz lives. 

Cannibal! The Musical!

Director Trey Parker’s student film Cannibal! The Musical is kind of the basic blueprint for what he and Matt Stone would eventually perfect in South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut. With songs that won’t leave your head, you’ll gleefully devour this absurdly comic look at a true story of cannibalism. Also, good luck ever forgetting the word “Shpadoinkle.”

The Apple

What if Adam and Eve were disco stars in the mid-’90s, and The Devil tried to tempt them into singing for his label? Director Menahem Golan’s The Apple pretty much poses that question, and it does so in a movie that could only be a musical by the Cannon Film Group. So prepare for some outrageous visuals, wild yet catchy songs, and maybe a number or two that will have you questioning just how this entire project came to be; but in the most amusing way possible.

As the curtain falls on this assortment of song-based oddities, we’d like to remind you that you can never judge a musical by its cover. You never truly know what lies beyond the toe-tapping hits and sly lyrics until you dive in head first; so don’t be afraid to give these beauties an audition for a spot in your heart.

Surely, we all have all-time favorite bands and musicians we would give anything to share the same air with at a concert. But, what about our most beloved fake music acts from films over the years? Some of the best music movies of all time feature fictional bands and singers that we can only imagine standing in line for.  

So, let’s talk about the musicians we’ve seen play center stage in some incredible movies. We’ve seen everything from ‘70s era rockstars and catchy garage punk bands to a comical boy band. Here are the best movies on the subject and how to watch them at home: 

Almost Famous (2000)

Almost Famous’ storyline of a teenager getting to tour with a rock band may seem impossible, but the Cameron Crowe movie was actually inspired by the filmmaker’s own experiences as a journalist for Rolling Stone. The movie’s fictional band, Stillwater, is a ‘70s era music act inspired by Led Zeppelin, The Allman Brothers Band and The Eagles. Crowe actually toured with the Allman Brothers Band for ten days back in the day, per Yahoo! No wonder Crowe’s 2000 classic is one of the best! Plus, tons of great songs are featured throughout the movie. 

Stream Almost Famous for free on PlutoTV.
Stream Almost Famous on Paramount+.
Rent/Buy Almost Famous on Amazon. 

The Blues Brothers (1980) 

In January 1976, original Saturday Night Live cast members Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi took to the TV show’s stage to debut the Blues Brothers. Four years later, the pair of comedians played their characters of "Joliet" Jake Blues and Elwood for a comedy action film that became a big hit commercially. While we’ve filed the band under “fake bands” because the actors are playing characters, the Blues Brothers actually made three live albums and toured in 1988 and 1998. 

Stream/Rent/Buy The Blues Brothers on Amazon. 

Sound Of Metal (2019)

Riz Ahmed gave an incredible performance in 2019’s Sound of Metal that earned him an Oscar nomination. The drama is about the drummer of a fictional metal duo called Blackgammon, Ruben, who learns he has lost most of his hearing. His doctor recommends he cease playing in his band, which he shares with his girlfriend, Lou. Despite his own protests, Ruben goes on a powerful journey where he wrestles with sobriety, learning sign language and living with silence. 

Stream Sound Of Metal on Amazon Prime.

School Of Rock (2003) 

Who can forget the lyrics “If you wanna be the teacher’s pet, well, baby you just better forget it”? Richard Linklater’s School Of Rock told a hilarious fictional story that remains very popular over two decades later. It's about guitarist Dewey Finn, who is down on his luck and without a band. In his desperation, he decides to impersonate his roommate and pretend to be a substitute teacher at a private school. There he creates his own rock band full of elementary students, who go on to compete at his local battle of the bands. 

Stream School Of Rock for free on PlutoTV.
Stream School of Rock on Paramount+.
Rent/Buy School of Rock on Amazon.

Whiplash (2014)

Being a musician takes hours upon hours of practice and discipline. In Damien Chazelle’s Best Picture-nominated film, Whiplash, the filmmaker discusses this through the intense relationship between a young jazz drummer (Miles Teller) and his ruthless instructor (J.K. Simmons) at a prestigious conservatory in New York City. The storyline was inspired by Chazelle’s own experience in a “very competitive” studio band in high school. Yes, Simmons' character is based on the director's band instructor, but the filmmaker “pushed” the character much further. 

Stream/Rent/Buy Whiplash on Amazon. 

Velvet Goldmine (1998)

Ewan McGregor and Jonathan Rhys Meyers played two fictional ‘70s glam rock stars in Velvet Goldmine. Meyers played Brian Slade, an androgynous icon likened to David Bowie and McGregor is Curt Wild, who is based on Iggy Pop and Lou Reed. The story is influenced by Bowie’s relationship with Iggy Pop and Lou Reed in the 1970s and 1980s. The movie also stars Christian Bale as a British journalist writing about Slade’s life and delves into some conversations about sexuality and fame during this time in the rock scene. 

Rent/Buy Velvet Goldmine on Amazon. 

Sing Street (2016) 

Writer/director John Carney has made a career out of music movies, all of which are excellent: from Once to Begin Again and last year’s Flora And Son. The best of the bunch is definitely Sing Street which is about a boy’s journey in creating a band to impress girls in 1980s Ireland. While Sing Street is a fictional band, the story is somewhat inspired by Carney’s upbringing in Ireland. 

Stream Sing Street on Netflix.
Rent/Buy Sing Street on Amazon. 

That Thing You Do! (1996) 

Tom Hanks had his directorial debut back in 1996 with That Thing You Do!, from a script he wrote as well. It talks about 1960s rock and roll culture through the lens of a fake one-hit wonder pop band called The Wonders. The cast was composed of Hanks, Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler, Johnathon Schaech, Steve Zahn and Ethan Embry. The movie became so popular that the movie’s soundtrack actually charted on the Billboard 200! 

Stream That Thing You Do! on Hulu.
Rent/Buy That Thing You Do! on Amazon.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010)

Oh, what we would give to see Sex Bomb Omb and The Clash at Demonhead play on the same evening… if they existed that is. Both rock bands are only figments of the imagination, and come from Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novel series, but they certainly did come alive for Edgar Wright’s 2010 movie. Famed songwriter Beck was actually behind the tunes of the Scott Pilgrim soundtrack, particularly for Sex Bomb Omb, whereas Metric penned The Clash at Demonhead’s hit song “Black Sheep.” 

Stream Scott Pilgrim vs. The World on Max.
Rent/Buy Scott Pilgrim vs. The World on Amazon. 

Freaky Friday (2003)

Freaky Friday’s Pink Slip may have been just a garage band of high schoolers in the Disney comedy, but they made some certified bangers with “Ultimate” and “Take Me Away.” The movie itself is a ball to watch as Lindsay Lohan’s rebellious teen, Anna, swaps bodies with her mom, Jamie Lee Curtis’ widowed psychiatrist, Tess. While Anna is forced to go on a talk show and do a rehearsal dinner as Tess, Tess has to embrace her inner rock star, and it’s a blast to watch. What’s even more rad is the fact that we might see what became of Pink Slip, because a Freaky Friday sequel is on the way. 

Stream Freaky Friday on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Freaky Friday on Amazon. 

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

The Coen Brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis has Oscar Isaac playing a fictional folk musician as he struggles to keep his life afloat. The story of Llewyn Davis was inspired by Dave Van Ronk, who was pivotal to the American folk music revival. 

Stream Inside Llewyn Davis on Paramount+.
Rent/Buy Inside Llewyn Davis on Amazon. 

Green Room (2015) 

In the instance of Green Room, the fictional punk band the Ain't Rights are formed to headline a terrifying horror film. In Jeremy Saulnier’s movie, which is among A24's best movies ever, the band gets attacked by neo-Nazi skinheads after they witness a murder while playing a club. In Green Room, the Ain’t Rights consist of characters played by Anton Yelchin, Alia Shawhat, Joe Cole and Callum Turner. 

Rent/Buy Green Room on Amazon. 

Josie And The Pussycats (2001) 

2001’s Josie And The Pussycats is actually based on the Archie Comics and Hanna-Barbera cartoon TV show about a band of female singers. The fictional rock band has been around since the ‘60s, but the movie modernized the storyline about a girl group. Starring Rachael Leigh Cook, Tara Reid and Rosario Dawson as Josie and the Pussycats, the movie is a clever satire on the music industry. 

Rent/Buy Josie and the Pussycats on Amazon. 

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)

After The Lonely Island went viral for tons of SNL shorts and great music videos, the trio jumped to the big screen to play The Style Boyz, a fictional pop rap group led by Andy Samberg’s Conner “Kid Conner” Friel. Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping is a hilarious parody full of cameos of real music acts throughout the movie.  

Stream Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping on Hulu.
Rent/Buy Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping on Amazon. 

A Star Is Born (2018) 

Bradley Cooper collaborated with one of the biggest pop stars of our time to remake A Star Is Born to heartbreakingly raw results. Cooper actually learned to change his voice an entire octave to play the fake musician Jackson “Jack” Maine alongside Lady Gaga’s Ally. The movie is about Jackson and Ally’s romance as he mentors her to stardom whilst he also struggles with alcoholism. Cooper and Gaga were such convincing lovers, many believed they were really together. 

Stream A Star Is Born on Max.
Rent/Buy A Star Is Born on Amazon.

If only these fabulous fictional bands could all be part of the same festival so that we could see them in concert! Enjoy streaming these music-filled movies! 

Music is an integral part of cinema – be it film scores, original songs and curated soundtracks – but there are some movies that take its importance to the next level. History is full of incredible features about the power of music, including stories about artists and fans alike, and we’ve put this list together to highlight the best of the best.

From biopics about both fake and real musicians to stories about teachers, record store owners and life after death, the field of movies about music is wide, but they provide us with amazing insight and powerful messages about one of the great artforms.

30. Hustle & Flow

Winning an Oscar for its song, “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp,” which was written by underground legends Three 6 Mafia, and starring Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard before Empire, Hustle & Flow, as its title implies, is all about the hustle. Howard plays a pimp-cum-rapper who wants to leave his life of crime behind and get on the mic, while Henson plays one of his prostitutes who just so happens to kill it on hooks. They make beautiful music together, and everything seems to be going their way until drama just stomps right over all of their plans. Come for the story, stay for the amazing soundtrack.

29. A Mighty Wind

Christopher Guest may be one of the best mockumentary filmmakers to ever do it, but he’s proven himself to be pretty good at music, too. A Mighty Wind tells the story of several folk musicians coming together to honor the memory of a famed music producer after his children organize a first-of-its-kind concert. This 2003 movie works even if you’ve never given folk music a second thought. In fact, it may be better that way, as it pairs Guest’s signature witty one-liners, a familiar cast of eccentric characters and a truly charming soundtrack of songs like “A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow” (which was Oscar-nominated) and “A Mighty Wind” (which won a Grammy).

28. I'm Not There

Bob Dylan’s story cannot be summed up into one traditional dramatization — something director Todd Haynes and co-writer Oren Moverman understood. Thus, they took inspiration from the many personas the folk singer adopted at various stages of his career and went in their own direction. The result is an anthology of bold, bizarre tales each led by a different member of the star-studded cast, including Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Marcus Carl Franklin, Richard Gere, Ben Whishaw, and Heath Ledger. Walking into I’m Not There with only a basic knowledge of Dylan’s legacy might leave one bewildered, but even in that regard, the film triumphs as a beautiful and audacious tribute to one of music’s most beautiful and audacious innovators.

27. Ray

Overcoming adversity for the color of his skin and his inability to see, Ray Charles became a pioneer of soul, inspiring millions of musicians and a feature film about his life that is, admittedly, not much different than most music biopics. However, director Taylor Hackford’s Ray is still a standout for the genre, in particular for the breathtaking, Academy Award-winning lead performance by Jamie Foxx, whose own real musical talents certainly came in handy when portraying the singer and pianist. Charles passed before he could see this dramatization of his life in its completion, but few doubt that it would have made him proud.

26. Sid And Nancy

Much like the doomed couple on which it is based, Alex Cox’s Sid and Nancy is an explosive, abrasive, drug-fueled exploration of one of punk rock’s earliest icons and the woman to which he will be forever tied. Starring Gary Oldman as Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious and Chloe Webb as his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, this 1986 cult classic accomplishes a lot in a short amount of time. From diving into the unprecedented success of the Sex Pistols and the band’s disastrous and infamous American tour that was plagued by violence, to the tumultuous relationship that played out in the final year of Sid and Nancy’s lives, the movie does an excellent job of appealing for both fans of the legendary band and the uninitiated.

25. Inside Llewyn Davis

Oscar Isaac is an immensely talented performer, and Joel and Ethan Coen’s Inside Llewyn Davis is a movie that capitalizes on all of his gifts: his pain and grief is palpable, his comedic timing is impeccable, and it even turns out that he is a skilled singer and guitar player. The film is a wonderful and weird character study that has the 1960s New York folk music scene as its backdrop, and Llewyn is a fascinating protagonist – full of incredible passion for his art but forever struggling against the ever-crushing forces of the world. Thanks to the looping structure of its story, this is also a particularly fun feature to watch over and over again.

24. Baby Driver

In the very first sequence in Edgar Wright’s Baby Driver, everything, and I mean everything, is timed to the song “Bellbottoms” by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, and the the audience is immediately swept into Baby’s world. It's a world that’s driven by music, and Wright’s ability to make us feel like we’re literally wearing the protagonist’s headphones through the bumping soundtrack and immaculately timed action is masterful. While this film is not technically a musical, music is its driving force speeding us through Baby’s journey that delivers heart-pounding car chases, lovely romantic moments and a stunning shootout timed to the song “Tequila.”

23. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Starring the incomparable Chadwick Boseman in his final role as well as the magnificent Viola Davis as the titular character, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is a landmark film and another phenomenal entry in August Wilson’s famous Pittsburgh Cycle. The story concerns a powerful jazz singer (Davis) who is recording an album, only for members of her band to constantly get in the way of each other, mostly because of their egos. It also deals with how Black music was often reappropriated and fed into the mainstream. Besides the simmering tension, this movie also features some of the best jazz music of the roaring ‘20s. It's a must-see if you love period pieces, jazz music, and the wonderful Chadwick Boseman.

22. Rocketman

Rocketman is a gorgeous, fantastical musical all about the life of Sir Elton John, the man gorgeously portrayed by Taron Egerton. He not only belts his heart out with legendary songs like “I’m Still Standing” and “Crocodile Rock” as the life of the musical sensation is illustrated through song, but he also beautifully portrays the challenges John faced through his life and career.

One of the reasons why this movie is so magical is in how it applies John’s story. We learn all about his wonderful friendship with songwriter Bernie Taupin, his horrendous relationship with the toxic John Reid, and his turbulent childhood mixed in with heightened by fantastical musical numbers. The film is a marvel and it tells Elton John’s story in the most extra, fabulous, and lovely way.

21. Mr. Holland's Opus

In one of Richard Dreyfuss’ best movies, 1995’s Mr. Holland’s Opus takes moviegoers on a journey through the 30-year career of composer-turned-high school music teacher Glenn Holland. Right along with the characters, we experience the highs — like using rock ‘n’ roll to connect with his teenage students — and lows — Mr. Holland’s struggle to communicate with his deaf son — of the teacher’s life. That’s not to mention an issue every teacher can relate to: the fight for funding. We challenge you to get through that final scene, where he gets to conduct an orchestra of his former students in the premiere performance of his own symphony, without shedding a tear.

20. Frank

Many talented musicians happen to boast enigmatic personalities, and the ultimate cinematic reflection of this — in both hilarious and heartbreaking ways — is Michael Fassbender’s titular role from Frank. The character is actually inspired by real-life papier-mâché head-wearing artist Frank Sidebottom, whose former band member, Jon Ronson, co-wrote the film.

His experiences were funneled into the real protagonist, Jon (Domhnall Gleeson), whose ambition outweighs his actual talent but earns him a spot on Frank’s band. Unfortunately, his inclusion proves to be the beginning of the end for the experimental indie rock outfit in this thought-provoking story exploring the complexities of art and the consequences of chasing your dreams with a lead foot.

19. Once

More than a decade-and-a-half after its release, people are still finding out about Once and falling in love with its majestic and incredibly nuanced story filled with romance, music, and new beginnings. John Carney’s low-budget box office success follows two strangers (played by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova) who become quick friends and perhaps something more after deciding to write music together.

For 86 minutes, the pair learn a great deal about each other, redemption, love, and the power of music as they craft one of the best songs of the 21st century, “Falling Slowly.” The lo-fi look and stripped-down nature of the film adds a rawness and realness that creates a beautiful and enchanting experience that still resonates all these years later.

18. Coco

When ranking Pixar movies, Coco certainly lands somewhere near the top. For one thing, the story is amazing, as the twists and turns are some of the best that Pixar has to offer. It’s also a really beautiful movie, despite the subject matter essentially being all about death. What really makes Coco shine, however, is its reverence for Mexican culture – particularly its music. “Remember Me” is one of the best songs to ever come out of Hollywood, and pretty much every moment in this movie is another chance to fall in love with its melodies.

Coco is an amazing fukn since it seems like it’s all about a boy who loves music – and it is! – but it’s also about how nobody really dies as long as somebody remembers them. And, how could you not love a message like that?

17. The Music Man

One of the most essential movies about music follows a man whose expertise in the craft is all a fabrication. In reality, Professor Harold Hill (Robert Preston, reprising the Tony-winning role he originated in the original 1957 stage production of The Music Man) is an expert con artist looking to profit off a quaint community in 1910 Iowa by posing as a young boys’ band leader.

The titular Music Man may know nothing about music, but the music in the film is anything but a trick — featuring Broadway favorites by Meredith Wilson like “Ya Got Trouble,” “Shipoopi,” and the rousing centerpiece track, “Seventy-Six Trombones.” If you do not like musicals, this toe-tapping, romantic, and inspirational experience might be the one that makes you into a fan.

16. That Thing You Do!

In the wake of the British Invasion, every aspiring, American pop band wanted to be the country’s answer to The Beatles. That Thing You Do!, Tom Hanks’ feature-length debut as a writer and director, is a fictional tale about four musicians who nearly obtained that destiny with the pressures of fame and challenging constraints of the industry threatening to tear them apart.

Hanks also stars in the underrated ‘90s movie as the manager to The Wonders (formerly known as the more confusing “One-Ders” — played by Tom Everett Scott, Steve Zahn, Jonathan Schaech, and Ethan Embry), who cut a catchy hit tune that launches them into stardom beyond their wildest dreams. Also starring Liv Tyler and Charlize Theron, That Thing You Do! is a funny, infectious, and sometimes heartbreaking film set during pop music’s prime, anchored by the late Adam Schlesinger’s Oscar-nominated, titular banger.

15. Love & Mercy

We’ve all seen cookie cutter music biopics… but director Bill Pohlad’s Love & Mercy is a tremendous escape from the typical. The film is an examination of Beach Boys frontman Brian Wilson during two separate eras of his life, and both are tremendous in their own special ways. Played by Paul Dano in his younger years, Wilson is depicted as a wonderful and creative force (witnessing the in-studio orchestration of the album Pet Sounds is awe-inspiring), but things take a dark turn as he falls victim to a controlling negative influence of his therapist, and John Cusack delivers one of the best dramatic performance of his career as the older Wilson opposite terrific work from Paul Giamatti and Elizabeth Banks. While evoking a particular era, the music of the Beach Boys is timeless, and this film is a must-watch for any fan.

14. Purple Rain

For many, Purple Rain is the musical film. And, while we’re reluctant to call it the greatest rock movie of all time, we definitely understand the sentiment. The story of a young musician named The Kid (played by Prince himself), Purple Rain is part drama, part rock opera, and quite possibly the crowning achievement in Prince’s fantastic career.

What truly makes this movie is its titular soundtrack, which just may be the greatest album of the 1980s (And yes, we’re aware that Michael Jackson’s Thriller also came out in the ‘80s. We said what we said!). And look, the soundtrack must be phenomenal since the plot itself is a little uneven. Yes, the story of a troubled musician with a rocky home life is fertile ground for cinema, but the music (and Prince!) is the true star of Purple Rain.

13. Almost Famous

Cameron Crowe’s 2000 coming-of-age drama Almost Famous not only features one of the best movie soundtracks of all time, but it also introduces one of the greatest fictional bands in the history of cinema with Stillwater. Described as a “mid-level band struggling with their own limitations in the harsh face of stardom,” the group at the center of this Academy Award-winning film (Best Original Screenplay) serves as the perfect representation of a ‘70s rock band on the verge of true success.

At the same time, the story of William Miller (Patrick Fugit) going from a young and naive reporter lying his way into a Rolling Stone article is one of the best explorations of what happens when you meet and befriend your heroes. Basically, everything about this movie works and it works well, creating an unforgettable and unparalleled experience.

12. School Of Rock

If you want to watch movies that rock, Richard Linklater's School of Rock is a must. While Jack Black’s Dewey Finn is by no means a good substitute teacher in the conventional sense, his love for music is infectious, and he teaches his class of kids about its awesomeness. Featuring an absolutely incredible cast of young actors, its hilarious, heartfelt and packed with energy. Watching Dewey teach them how to play their instruments, adopt a rock persona and “stick it to the man” is a joyful experience, and it capitalizes on everything we love about Black as a star.

Ahen mix of Black’s musical talents and physical comedy skills, Mike White’s wicked smart script and Richard Linklater’s stellar direction delivers a banging musical movie.

11. Sound Of Metal

In 2020, The Place Beyond the Pines writer Darius Marder unleashed upon the world one of the best and most impactful directorial debuts with Sound of Metal. This loud, powerful, and raw drama film centers on Ruben Stone (Riz Ahmed), the drummer of the avant-garde metal band Blackgammon as he begins to lose his hearing, which has a detrimental effect not only his profession but also his life in general.

Winner of two Academy Awards – Best Film Editing and Best Sound – and nominated for several more including Best Picture and Best Actor, Sound of Metal does an incredible job capturing the heart and soul of underground music, as seen in the various performance sequences and collection of great band shirts. But more than that, it perfectly captures human resiliance, as seen in Ruben’s difficult journey upon going deaf and the father-son relationship he develops with Joe (Paul Raci), a recovering alcoholic who runs a deaf support group.

10. The Sound Of Music

It’s no secret why The Sound of Music won five Academy Awards and two Golden Globes following its 1965 release. One doesn’t even need to have seen the based-on-a-true-story musical to be familiar with the von Trapp family singers and their greatest hits, from “My Favorite Things” to “Do-Re-Mi” and “Edelweiss.” Julie Andrews, in one of her best roles, stars as Maria, the young nun in training who is assigned to serve as the governess of the seven children of Capt. Georg von Trapp (Christopher Plummer).

In the film, which was adapted from a stage production of the same name, Maria teaches the children to sing, which serves to warm the hard heart of the widowed captain not only to his children but to their governess as well. The Sound of Music is all at once a spirited sing-along, a romantic comedy (the lead actors’ chemistry is off the charts), a drama depicting Austria on the cusp of World War II, and a family favorite worthy of infinite rewatches.

9. The Blues Brothers

Several Saturday Night Live sketches have inspired movies, to varying degrees of success, and not only is 1980’s The Blues Brothers one of the best, but more than 40 years later, it stands as one of the Top 10 music movies of all time. John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd star as the sunglasses-wearing Jake and Elwood Blues, who are on a mission from God to save the orphanage where they were raised. To do so, they’ve got to get the band back together, literally, which proves to be pretty difficult as they try to outrun a vengeful country and Western band (yes, both kinds of music), the Illinois Nazis and Jake’s scorned lover.

The Blues Brothers boasts some truly epic cameos from the likes of Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and Carrie Fisher; the best soundtrack that will have everybody wanting to sing the blues, plenty of hilarious quotes, and one of the highest numbers of crashed cars in movie history. Hit it!

8. Sing Street

Sing Street is a simple coming-of-age story about a boy who forms a band to impress a girl. However, don’t let that fool you, it’s actually a very nuanced, lovely love story about a boy and his love for his crush and rock ‘n roll. Seeing Conor (played by Ferdia Walsh-Peelo), discover his love for music is wonderful, and the love story between him and Raphina (played by the then-up-and-coming Lucy Boynton) is so sweet. It’s a classic and universal story that so many can relate to, and once you mix that with the stellar ‘80s nostalgia, you really have something special.

What really drives this movie though is the music. These kids turn out to be quite the band, and with each passing track, you realize that they really have something special. Sing Street oozes with ‘80s energy through its synth-y songs and over-the-top outfits, and it’s the major reason why it’s so great. Also, if “Drive It Like You Stole It” isn’t stuck in your head for weeks after watching this film, something might be wrong.

7. Tick, Tick... Boom!

Critics and fans alike love Tick, Tick…Boom! and specifically Andrew Garfield’s performance as the late great Jonathan Larson. The lead actor put his heart and soul into this adaptation of Larson’s autobiographical musical, and it is palpable. With Lin-Manuel Miranda’s caring direction, this love letter to musical theater and the writer of Rent bursts off the screen.

Songs like “30/90” and “Therapy” will get hearts pumping, and in the more vulnerable moments of the film, tracks including “Come To Your Senses” and “Louder Than Words” hammer home the emotional stakes that come with wholeheartedly pursuing your passion. This film is for artists, and it depicts the ever-relatable struggle of trying to make it. Simultaneously, it’s also a tribute to one of our greatest writers who we lost too soon whom Andrew Garfield embodies with great care.

6. High Fidelity

While the majority of the movies on this list are about the creation of music, Stephen Frears’ High Fidelity is essentially a music appreciation course unto itself, and it’s ivy-league level brilliant. Based on the novel of the same name by Nick Hornby, it presents fascinating insight about the medium from the very first line – “What came first: the music or the misery?” – and proceeds to ponder love through the protagonist’s deep love of rock, pop, techno, and soul.

John Cusack’s Rob Gordon is an asshole, as we learn over the course of the film, but he’s also an entirely relatable asshole who has a deep passion for what he loves and legitimately learns to put behind his selfishness through the introspective journey of his romantic past. It’s a wonderful movie for all those reasons (as well as an endless stream of terrific music-driven moments) … but also because it had a huge role in teaching the world about the brilliance of Jack Black and setting the stage for his amazing career.

5. O Brother, Where Art Thou?

If you’re looking for a movie inspired by Greek mythology that also pays homage to the early days of American folk, blues, and roots music, then Joel and Ethan Coen’s O Brother, Where Art Thou?... is really your only option. Loosely based on Homer’s The Oddysey, this Great Depression-era dramedy follows a trio of escaped convicts (played by George Clooney, John Turturro, and Tim Blake Nelson) as they set off to find a hidden treasure and live the rest of their lives as free, and very rich, men.

When an attempt to make some quick cash turns them into an overnight sensation known as the Soggy Bottom Boys, the three men find themselves responsible for the most popular song in the American South. What follows is a journey through the heart of the South and the heart of man as the three escaped prisoners encounter otherworldly situations and a collection of colorful characters ranging from a bluesman who made a deal with the devil, an over-the-top gubernatorial candidate, and a ruthless sheriff who wants nothing more than to bring them to justice.

4. Amadeus

Movie fans regularly reflect on the times that the Oscars “got it wrong,” but 1985 was definitely a year that they got it right. Miloš Forman’s Amadeus famous won a stunning eight Academy Awards, and it deserved every single one of them, as the movie is a phenomenal cinematic achievement about an unquestioned genius.

Amadeus is so gorgeous that it would be breathtaking to watch on mute – the period production design, costuming and theatrical staging is dazzling – but that’s obviously not something that you should do when watching a movie about one of the most gifted composers to ever walk this planet. Despite all of its fancy dressings, it’s a movie that is the opposite of stuffy (it’s regularly laugh-out-loud funny), and packs a powerful story of immense talent and poisonous professional jealousy. F. Murray Abraham won the Oscar for his performance as Antonio Salieri, but Tom Hulce in the eponymous role is unforgettable.

3. This is...Spinal Tap

Making a movie about music that stands the test of time is no small feat, and not only did legendary filmmaker Rob Reiner do that — on his first try, no less — he gave us possibly the funniest movie about music of all time in This Is... Spinal Tap. Alongside Reiner, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer wrote and star in this 1984 rock mockumentary about the titular band trying to crank their fame back up to 11.

Its soundtrack holds up decades later, with tunes like “Gimme Some Money” that are guaranteed to get stuck in your head, and the whole ensemble masters the fine line between stupid and clever with dialogue that is witty and endlessly quotable. This Is... Spinal Tap also gets the credit for being the beginning of a beautifully hilarious relationship between Christopher Guest and several players who would go on to make more brilliant mockumentareies like Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show and — another entry on this list — A Mighty Wind.

2. Soul

Our pick for the best movie of 2020, Soul is also probably Pixar’s greatest movie ever And hey, it’s also a film about music. The story of a middle school music teacher who dies just before he gets his big break, Soul has more to say about mortality than a vast majority of films aimed at adults (which just may be why Soul is Pixar’s most mature movie to date).

At the same time, it’s also about living in the moment, since you never know when your run of moments will end. Unlike a lot of the movies on this list that use music as a centerpiece, Soul is that rare film that uses music to explore the entire meaning of life. And why not, as music is so rich and complex that it’s one of life’s few universal languages. We have a feeling that people will be singing this movie’s praises for years to come.

1. Whiplash

What would you sacrifice for true greatness? Your friends? Your family? Your health? Your sanity? It’s a big question that can yield some disturbing answers, and filmmaker Damien Chazelle makes you feel every ounce of its weight in his directorial debut. Inspired by the writer/director’s own experiences, the movie immerses you in the intense and competitive world that is being a part of an esteemed collegiate Studio Band, and when you walk away from it, there’s a part of you that is surprised that your hands don’t sport drumstick blisters.

As young and ambitious percussionist Andrew Neiman, Miles Teller's empathetic performance makes you feel every iota of his passion and pain – and it's still somehow only the second best turn in the movie. J.K. Simmons’ Terence Fletcher is an antagonist that will be remembered in cinematic history alongside Anthony Hopkins’ Hannibal Lecter and Kathy Bates’ Annie Wilkes, and it’s what ultimately cements Whiplash’s place at the top of this ranking.

Be on the lookout here on CinemaBlend for more of our ranked features, such as our ranking of the 30 Best TV Game Shows, the 35 Best Sci-Fi Movies, the 50 Best Horror Movies, and more.

You can typically tell who is meant to be considered the “hero” of a movie by identifying the title role or looking at the top-billed cast member. However, there are many ‘80s movie characters who often go overlooked for the pivotal role they play in bringing things to a satisfying conclusion. We took a deeper look at some of the best movies of the 1980s, identified who we believe is the real hero, and decided to give them the credit they deserve.

Short Round (Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom)

While many like to criticize Raiders of the Lost Ark by claiming Indiana Jones' actions have no bearing on the plot, it is more surprising that Harrison Ford's intrepid archaeologist gets more credit for defeating the Thuggee Cult than he really deserves in the sequel. If not for Short Round (Academy Award winner Ke Huy Quan in his debut role) freeing Indy from their captors' spell, 1984's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom would not have had the happy ending the bleak thriller so thankfully concludes on.

Sgt. Al Powell (Die Hard)

In arguably the greatest action movie ever made (let alone one of the best Christmas movies), 1988’s Die Hard, as John McClane (Bruce Willis) is single-handedly warring against violent thieves invading Nakatomi Plaza, his only real ally at ground zero is Al Powell (Reginald VelJohnson). At the very end, the L.A. cop actually ends up taking out the last of Hans Gruber’s (Alan Rickman) goons, Karl (Alexander Gudunov), with the first shot he gained the courage to take in years.

Boy In Police Station (Ferris Bueller's Day Off)

At the end of Ferris Bueller's Day Off, the title character (Matthew Broderick) probably would have gotten caught without help from his sister, Jeanie (Jennifer Grey), who would not have been willing to help if she hadn't met Charlie Sheen's character at the police station. Not to mention, despite his off-putting appearance, the unnamed teen gives off a more genuine and endearing aura than the central character of John Hughes's 1986 classic.

George McFly (Back To The Future)

When Marty McFly's (Michael J. Fox) plan to get his future mother, Lorraine (Lea Thompson), and father, George (Crispin Glover), to fall in love goes awry courtesy of Biff (Tom Wilson), George gains the courage he needs to knock the ruthless bully out himself. This ensures that Marty will one day be born and changes his family's fate for the better at the end of the 1985 time travel movie masterpiece, Back to the Future.

Chunk (The Goonies)

Out of the entire Goonies cast — a stunning who’s who of future A-listers, including Sean Astin and Josh Brolin — it is Chunk (Jeff Cohen) who has the most memorable and inspiring character arc. He goes from being the butt of every joke to the one who helps rescue his buddies from The Fratellis (with help from Sloth, of course).

Jessica Rabbit (Who Framed Roger Rabbit)

In 1988’s groundbreaking fusion of live-action with animation, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Jessica Rabbit (voiced by Kathleen Turner) assures private eye Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins) that she is not bad, but “just drawn that way.” She goes on to prove that her words ring true by becoming a pivotal role in Valiant’s effort to clear her husband (Charles Fleischer in the title role) for murder.

Wang Chi (Big Trouble In Little China)

Kurt Russell may get top billing and his character, Jack Burton, may kill Lo Pan (James Hong) by the end, but did you ever notice that is really his only heroic act in 1986's Big Trouble in Little China? His Chinese-American best friend, Wang Chi (Dennis Dun), is the one who makes the smartest decisions and kicks the most butt in John Carpenter's cult-favorite fantasy that is lauded for its predominantly Asian cast at a time when such representation was scarce.

Rebecca "Newt" Jorden (Aliens)

Aliens may have solidified Sigourney Weaver's Scream Queen status and made a heroic icon out of her character, Ellen Ripley, but the most courageous and resourceful character in James Cameron's 1986 sci-fi sequel has to be Carrie Henn as Newt. The young girl manages to survive on a planet overrun with Xenomorphs all by herself before the arrival of a crew of marines, who also might not have survived as long as they did without her tips and tricks.

Rufus (Bill And Ted's Excellent Adventure)

If you think about it, the plot of 1989’s Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure is not so different from The Terminator, which makes George Carlin's Rufus the sci-fi comedy's own Kyle Reese. The time-traveler ensures a bright future by helping the titular messianic duo (Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter) at every turn, including in 1991’s Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey when he disguises himself as Pam Grier’s character, Mrs. Wardroe, to let them into Battle of the Bands.

The Ewoks (Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi)

There are many Star Wars fans who see the Ewoks as nothing but a cheap  gimmick to attract younger audiences to the franchise. Whether or not that is true, the cute, cuddly warriors were pivotal to the Empire's downfall at the end of 1983’s Return of the Jedi.

Grandpa (The Princess Bride)

In 1987’s The Princess Bride, there is no real doubt that Westley (Cary Elwes), Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin), and Fezzik (Andre the Giant) are the heroes of the enchanting, action-packed fairy tale. However, to us, the hero of the whole movie is Peter Falk's character, who takes the time to visit his ill grandson (Fred Savage) and read to him the story within the story.

Roy Batty (Blade Runner)

The main protagonist of 1982’s Blade Runner is, of course, Harrison Ford's Rick Deckard, but his job as a cop assigned to retire Replicants makes him a better qualifier for the villain of the story. It is Roy Batty's (Rutger Hauer) bid to try to give artificial humans like himself a chance at a better, longer life that makes him the real hero of Ridley Scott's groundbreaking, futuristic noir.

Ophelia (Trading Places)

After losing everything as part of an experiment to make him poor and give his job to the impoverished Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy), hot shot investor Louis Winthorpe (Dan Aykroyd) crosses paths with a street walker named Ophelia (Jamie Lee Curtis). While she was initially hired by Clarence Beeks (Paul Gleason) to make life even worse for him, she takes him in, cares for him, and attempts to help him get back on his feet, making her the true hero of 1983’s Trading Places.

Cabbie (Escape From New York)

One of Kurt Russell’s most iconic roles is Snake Plissken — a hardened criminal tasked with rescuing the President (Donald Pleasance) from a penal colony that used to be Manhattan in a dystopian 1997 in John Carpenter’s 1981 cult favorite, Escape from New York. The only incarcerated individual who is selflessly willing to help the anti-hero complete his mission in time is Oscar winner Ernest Borgnine’s Cabbie, whose own taxi ends up being Snake’s escape vehicle.

Carl Fox (Wall Street)

Oliver Stone’s 1987 drama Wall Street chronicles the rise and fall of ambitious stockbroker Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen), as a result of taking orders from the devil on his shoulder: the ruthless Gordon Gecko (Academy Award winner Michael Douglas). If only he had listened to the angel on his shoulder — his father and the moral center of the story, Carl (Sheen’s real-life father, Martin Sheen) — he might not have wound up behind bars.

Queen Aoleon (Coming To America)

In Coming to America, Akeem’s (Eddie Murphy) chances at a life with his true love, Lisa McDowell (Shari Headley), are almost ruined by his father, King Jaffe Joffer (James Earl Jones), if not for the support of his mother, Queen Aoleon, who we assume talked sense into her husband offscreen. Her tender-hearted performance and truly majestic presence in the 1988 comedy makes us sad that the late Madge Sinclair could not reprise the role in 2021’ Coming 2 America.

Bub (Day Of The Dead)

Never did a horror fan have any reason to feel empathy or admiration for a zombie until writer and director George A. Romero introduced “Bub” in 1985’s Day of the Dead. Played by Sherman Howard, the reanimated corpse displays an unusual level of intelligence, endearing human characteristics, and a strong compassion for his handler, Dr. Matthew Logan (Richard Liberty) which drives him to seek vengeance on his murderer and the film’s true villain, Capt. Henry Rhodes (Joseph Pilato).

The Gopher (Caddyshack)

As far as we are concerned, anyone who proves to be a source of frustration for Judge Smails (Ted Knight) is on the side of heroism in the classic 1980 comedy, Caddyshack. That being said, absolutely no one gets under that man's skin like the Gopher who lives underneath Bushwood Country Club and makes burrows in the golf course grounds wherever he goes.

Cousin Eddie (National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation)

When Eddie (Randy Quaid, reprising his role from 1983’s Vacation) arrives at the Griswolds’ house unannounced, Clark (Chevy Chase) believes his holidays are destined for disaster. He is right, but his otherwise annoying and absent-minded cousin is responsible for very few of the uproarious mishaps in 1989’s National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. In fact, he really comes through at the end when he brings Clark’s boss, Frank Shirley (Brian Doyle-Murray), to the house, where he becomes ultimately convinced to give Clark the bonus he deserves.

Dawson (Adventures In Babysitting)

We are not just including Dawson, Vincent D’Onofrio’s garage mechanic character from 1987’s Adventure in Babysitter, because he happens to look like one of Marvel Comics’ iconic depiction of Thor. Then again, if not for that striking resemblance, he might not have been coerced into giving Chris Parker (Elisabeth Shue) a $5 dollar discount for her car repair by young Sara Anderson (Maia Brewton) who calls him her hero. 

Carl (The Breakfast Club)

The character who forever changed the way high schoolers perceive their custodial employees was Carl (John Kapelos) from 1985’s The Breakfast Club, who has a bit of a heart-to-heart with the nearly sadistic Richard Vernon (Paul Gleason). We like to think that the janitor's defense of the students in detention that day got through to the uptight teacher so, by the time he reads their letter at the end of John Hughes’ quintessential teen dramedy, he may have seen them in a new, more sympathetic light.

Vi Moore (Footloose)

In Guardians of the Galaxy, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) refers to Ren McCormack (Kevin Bacon) as the hero of Footloose for bringing the joys of dancing back to the small, conservative town of Bomont. However, there is one character from the 1984 classic of equal (or even greater) importance that he should have also mentioned: Vi Moore (Dianne Wiest), who breaks her long silence and ultimately convinces her strict preacher husband, Shaw (John Lithgow), to give the town’s youth the freedom the dance.

Billy Francis Kopecki (Big)

In 1988’s Big, when 13-year-old Josh’s (David Moscow) wish to be a grown-up mysteriously comes true, turning him into Tom Hanks, the only one coming to his aid (after some convincing) is his best friend, Billy (Jared Rushton). He tries to be there to get his buddy through his strange situation in any way he can, even helping him get a job, but when Josh starts act a little too grown-up, it is Billy who brings him back down to Earth, reminding him it is time become his real self again.

Mr. Green (Clue)

Determining the real hero of Clue depends on which ending of the 1985 board game-inspired whodunit you consider canon. The conclusion we like to settle on reveals that Mr. Green (Michael McKean) is an undercover FBI agent, which he announces after shooting Wadsworth (Tim Curry), who also turns out to be the real Mr. Boddy.

The Gyro Captain (The Road Warrior)

Things between Max Rockatansky (Mel Gibson) and a fellow loner known only as The Gyro Captain (Bruce Spence) get off to a rough start in the second installment of George Miller’s Mad Max franchise, released as The Road Warrior in the States. However, the gyrocopter pilot comes to see the hardened former cop as a great teammate, later rescues him from a near-fatal accident, and assists him in his race to bring the rig to the Oil Refinery compound.

Mrs. Parker (A Christmas Story)

There are countless cinematic mothers, especially from the 1980s, who deserve more credit than they receive, and the quintessential example has to be Melinda Dillon’s role in 1983’s A Christmas Story. The classic moment when she keeps her son, Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), out of trouble with The Old Man (Darren McGavin) after his tussle with Skut Farkus (Zach Ward) is just one way she shows her loving devotion to her family and undisputedly earning the honor to be called a hero. 

Curtis (The Blues Brothers)

The heart and soul of the best movie based on Saturday Night Live characters, The Blues Brothers, is Cab Calloway's Curtis, who served as a father figure for the titular siblings, introducing them to music in their youth. Not to mention, he motivates them to attend a church service that ends up giving them the idea to put the band back together to save the orphanage.

Ken Pile (A Fish Called Wanda)

It comes as a surprise to see the stuttering, accident-prone goof, Ken Pile (Michael Palin), take down the true antagonist of 1988’s A Fish of Wanda, Otto West (Oscar winner Kevin Kline). To avenge the death of his beloved fish, Ken runs over Otto with a steamroller when he is stuck in cement, seemingly putting an end to his career in thievery, until we discover at the end that he survived the ordeal. Nonetheless, to see Ken get even with his enemy is one of the hit comedy’s most satisfying moments.

Otto (Airplane!)

When food poisoning incapacitates the entire piloting staff on a commercial flight, former fighter pilot Ted Striker (Robert Hays) is asked to help bring the also ill passengers to safety, but he is not the only one equipped for the job. Lest we forget, a great deal of the classic 1980 spoof movie, Airplane! sees an inflatable automatic pilot — aptly named “Otto” — at the helm of the aircraft. 

Lt. Andrew Bogomil (Beverly Hills Cop)

When Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) first blows into town in 1984’s Beverly Hills Cop, he immediately comes at odds with Lt. Andrew Bogomil. However, because the Detroit detective helps Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) and Taggert (John Ashton) take down local traffickers while he is supposed to be on vacation, he fabricates a story to cover for him and helps smooth things out with Inspector Todd.  

Yori (Tron)

In 1982’s Tron, Flynn (Jeff Bridges) and the title character (Bruce Boxleitner) might have never managed to take down the Master Control Program without the help of Yori (Cindy Morgan). She gives Tron the chance to get pivotal information from his user outside the grid after convincing a guard named Dumont to let him. 

Merlin (Top Gun)

At the end of 1986’s Top Gun, Maverick (Tom Cruise) is still reeling from the death of his best friend, Goose (Anthony Edwards), which distracts him from his current aerial battle. Luckily, Merlin (Tim Robbins) is in the other seat and helps bring him back to Earth, leading him to victory.

So, next time you watch a flick and think you know who the real hero is, think again.

It must be fun to come up with the names of fake businesses in movies. Trying to nail the right vibe for the company is tricky and when you don't have a lot of time to explain it, the name means a lot. TV shows have a lot of fake businesses, and so do movies. Here is a list of some of the fake businesses in movies that tell audiences what they need to know. 

Nakatomi - Die Hard

They say that Christmas doesn't start until Hans Gruber falls from Nakatomi Tower in Die Hard and they aren't wrong, whether you think it's a Christmas movie or not. Nakatomi Corporation is some sort of investment company, one that negotiates million-dollar deals for breakfast, but it's all rather vague. It does seem like a nice place to work, in a cool building and a great Christmas party, until the bad guys arrive, of course. 

Bob's Country Bunker - The Blues Brothers

The Blues Brother Rhythm & Blues Review starts their mission from God by conning their way into a gig at an old roadhouse called Bob's Country Bunker, which has both kinds of music – country, and western. It works out great until they have to pay their bar tab and the Good Ole Boys show up. They prove their versatility by playing country tunes like the theme to "Rawhide" and "Stand By Your Man."  

Cyberdyne Systems - Terminator Series

A lot of great post-apocalyptic events in movies happen because of an evil corporation doing things that can do, rather than what they should do, as Patton Oswald once said. Cyberdyne Systems is the poster child for this kind of recklessness, as their development of Skynet essentially ended the world for humans. They probably made a lot of money bringing down civilization too. 

Initech - Office Space

Initech in Office Space has more people in middle management than any reasonable company should have. Poor Peter (Ron Livingstone) has to deal with three bosses and two consultants named Bob. That's a lot of people trying to generate TPS reports in the correct format. Other than those reports and vaguely created software, it's kinda unclear what Initech actually does with that software. 

Brawndo - Idiocracy

Brawndo. It's what plants crave, it's in every drinking fountain, and it seemingly is the only thing anyone drinks in the disturbing future of Idiocracy. One thing that always seemed weird about Idiocracy, is that with a world full of idiots, who is running the company that owns Brawndo (and the Food and Drug Administration)? I guess its best not to ask questions. 

Wonka Industries - Willy Wonka

It's rare that a candy company like Wonka Industries would occupy such a major place in society, unless you live in Hershey, PA. Willy Wonka is like the Howard Hughes of confectioners, so after he handed off the reigns of the company to Charlie, things had to change, right? 

Duke & Duke - Trading Places

Duke & Duke in Trading Places represents the worst of capitalism. Driven purely by greed and willing to do anything to get ahead. The Duke brothers (Don Ameche and Ralph Bellamy) have absolutely no morals and it's so satisfying that they get what they deserved at the end. We don't know the fate of the company though, jus that the brothers end up on street, as we learn in Coming To America.

Championship Vinyl - High Fidelity

There's an old joke, "How many record store employees does it take to screw in a light bulb? It's a rare number, you've probably never heard of it before." 

That pretty much sums up the employees at Championship Vinyl in High Fidelity. They are exactly the kind of lovable snobs that you would expect at a record store. They have a disdain for customers, whose opinions on music mean less than nothing to them. 

Ollivander's Wand Shop - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Mr. Ollivander (John Hurt) has a magical shop, literally. His wand shop is the go-to place for all your magic wand needs. He's got stacks and stacks of wands, and he's surely got the exact correct one for every budding wizard, like Harry Potter. You might to try a few one, like any bespoke shop, but you'll leave happy. 

InGen - Jurassic Park

John Hammond's company, InGen, really messes with the wrong forces in the Universe. For Hammond (Richard Attenborough), his curiosity drives all the wrong decisions, aided by equally well-meaning, but misguided scientists. He should also do a better job vetting his employees, lest they try to sneak out the company's intellectual property and sell it to a competitor. 

Omni Consumer Products - RoboCop

Omni Consumer Products, or OCP, is evil to its core. Sure, it cloaks itself in the veneer of trying to "clean up our cities," but when profits are the main motivation, they should just be honest about that. Any company with a president names Dick Jones (Ronny Cox) can't be trusted. 

Wayne Enterprises - Batman

Over the history of Batman across media, Wayne Enterprises has changed, but it's always been a huge company with its fingers in a lot of pies. The head of the company, Bruce Wayne, has also evolved as a leader in different ways, sometimes hands on, sometimes less so. One thing is for sure, it's always there to suit Bruce's needs as Batman. 

Umbrella - Resident Evil

The Umbrella Corporation in the Resident Evil series might just be the most...evil... on this list. It's a huge conglomerate owning business across many different sectors, but it's true purpose is eugenics and crime. All of the world's problems in the series can pretty much be traced back to it. 

Stark Industries - Iron Man

Stark Industries, like Wayne Enterprises in the DCU, pretty much creates every thing in the world, it seems. Sure, on the surface it's a military contractor and has been since Tony Stark's father, Howard, started it around World War II. Howard is hero to some, and a war profiteer to others, but Tony is pretty much just a hero these days. 

Czervik Construction - Caddyshack

Czervik Construction is the source of Al Czervik's money and Judge Smails' consternation in Caddyshack. Al (Rodney Dangerfield) and his construction company are not only the source of the mole infestation at Bushwood Country Club but they also want bu-bu-bu-buy Bushwood. That makes Smails (Ted Knight) apoplectically mad. 

Mooby's - Clerks II

When Dante finally leaves his job at the Quick Stop in Clerks II, he ends up working at Mooby's, a fast food restaurant. It's a pretty typical burger joint with a very atypical group of employees who love to fight with customers, especially over Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. Mooby's has continued to appear in director Kevin Smith's ViewAskew universe and even as a real-life pop-up before Clerks III

Weyland-Yutani - Alien

Like a lot of sci-fi franchises, the Alien series has an evil corporation at its core. Weyland-Yutani is often referred to as just "The Company" because everyone knows who the company is. It's got it's tentacles in just about everything from mining to spacecrafts to weapons and more. Like a lot of classic evil companies, it doesn't think much past profit, and that causes a lot of problems for a lot of people.

The Ghostbusters - Ghostbusters

Starting with a mortgage on the childhood home of Ray Stanz (Dan Aykroyd), The Ghostbusters are New York City's only paranormal investigators and exterminators. They occupied an old firehouse that should be condemned and drive to calls in a 1959 Cadillac that is barely street legal, but they always get the job done. 

The Daily Planet - Superman

The world has lost many of its big city newspapers, but there was a time when the top papers were major companies in the cities they reported on. The Daily Planet in the Superman franchise is a great example, and one of its reporters, Clark Kent, makes as much news as Superman as he writes about for the paper. 

Warbucks Industries - Annie

Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks is the leader of Warbucks Industry, a conglomerate that, depending on the story being told, is sometimes a benevolent corporation led by a benevolent leader, and sometimes quite the opposite. How it started is right there in its name, as a war profiting enterprise. 

Big Kahuna Burger - Pulp Fiction

Big Kahuna Burger is a Hawaiian burger joint that is the cornerstone of any nutritious breakfast. It's most notable in Pulp Fiction when Jules (Samuel L. Jackson) tries one of Brett's tasty burgers but was first referenced in Reservoir Dogs. It's been seen or mentioned in a number of other movies by Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, including Four Rooms and From Dust 'Til Dawn.

Tyrell Corporation - Blade Runner

The Tyrell Corporation in Blade Runner is the company that developed and produced the replicants that Deckard (Harrison Ford) is charged with hunting down and "retiring" when they go rogue or are past their due date. It plays a prominent role in the Blade Runner universe. 

Pizza Planet - Toy Story

Every kid loves pizza, including Andy from Toy Story especially Pizza Planet, the out-of-this-world space-themed pizza joint that is featured in multiple installments of the franchise. Think of it as a sci-fi version of Chuck E. Cheese. Hopefully with better-tasting pizza. 

Capitol Pictures - Barton Fink

The Coen Brothers don't really have a shared universe throughout their films like other filmmakers or franchises, but there is some overlap. Capitol Pictures is first seen in Barton Fink and the movie studio Fink (John Turturro) is writing a movie for. It returned in Hail, Caesar! as the company making the movie in the movie. 

Flynn's Arcade - Tron

Video game arcades are a bygone relic of the '70s and '80s, but they live on in Tron where Flynn (Jeff Bridges) lives, works, programs, and games. In its heyday, in the first Tron movie, it's a bustling, popular place for kids and adults, but after Flynn disappears, it's closed down and the machines are just collecting dust, as seen in Tron: Legacy.

Soylent Industries - Soylent Green

The year is 2022 and the world has been ravashed by global warming overpopulation. Food shortages mean only the rich have access to real food, leaving the rest of us to subsist on a food product made by Soylent Industries. We don't know what they are made from, but it can't be that bad, right? Soylent Green sure makes a case that the future could be rough, even if it was off by a few years. 

McDowell's - Coming To America

Be careful and don't confuse the Big Mic with the Big Mac, and don't confuse McDowell's for McDonald's. They might look similar, but as any fan of Eddie Murphy's classic Coming To America will tell you, they are nothing alike. McDowell's did inspire a pop-up in Brooklyn when the sequel Coming 2 America was released in 2021. 

Elsinore Brewery - Strange Brew

If you can't tell by the plot that the cult classic Strange Brew was (very) loosely based on Shakespeare's Hamlet, the name of the brewery, Elsinore Brewery, has the same name as Hamlet's castle in the classic play. It's led by the evil Brewmeister Smith, played by the great Max Von Sydow. They also put mice in their beer, so stay away. 

Zorg Industries - The Fifth Element

In The Fifth Element, there seems to be only one company at the heart of everything, Zorg Industries, led by the terrible Jean-Baptiste Zorg (Gary Oldman). Zorg, both the man and the company, have an insatiable appetite for money and power and it seems almost no one can stop him, except the fifth element herself. 

Universal Exports - James Bond Series

Universal Exports may just be the most famous fake company, and it's a fake, fake company on top of that! It's used throughout the James Bond franchise as a cover for MI6 in all the exotic locations that Bond travels to. Just know that if you see the name in a list of companies on a building directory, there is espionage afoot. 

Paper St. Soap Company - Fight Club

Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) eschews all the trappings of a modern consumerist lifestyle, forming a fight club to reclaim a past lifestyle he thinks has been lost. He's also a top salesman for the Paper St. Soap Company. Or is he?

Consumer Recreation Services - The Game

The Game is one a movie by director David Fincher that doesn't get talked about enough. It's a fantastic movie with one company pulling all the strings for the titular game, played by Michael Douglas' character. How they have such reach is a mystery, but it's something that some wish would explored further. 

In its several decades on air, Saturday Night Live has made icons out of many of its cast members. For some — including some of SNL’s one-season wonders — you might argue that the sketch comedy series is the peak of their careers, until you remember the acclaimed and widely beloved movies and TV shows they would go on to star in. Take a look at our picks for the finest work some of our favorite SNL stars have put out beyond their time at Studio 8H.

Eddie Murphy (Coming To America)

48 Hrs. and Beverly Hills Cop made him a movie star, but Coming to America might be the absolute best Eddie Murphy movie, especially as the first to show just how far the comic’s extraordinary talents extend. He gives his most heartfelt performance as an African prince searching for love in New York City, but that is far from his only role in this dazzling romantic-com from 1988.

Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids)

Along with her writing partner, Annie Mumolo, Kristen Wiig joined the club of Oscar-nominated SNL stars for penning this 2011 instant classic comedy. She also transcends what made her a Studio 8H all-star by leading the Bridesmaids cast with her most down-to-earth performance yet as a baker suffering an existential crisis after her best friend (played by Maya Rudolph) gets engaged.

Adam Sandler (Uncut Gems)

Some argue that an SNL star who should have been nominated for an Oscar is Adam Sandler for his performance in one of the best A24 movies, Uncut Gems. If self-destructive jeweler Howard Rattner had been played by anyone else but the guy behind “The Hanukkah Song” and movies like Happy Gilmore, it might have been tough to root for the protagonist of Josh and Benny Safdie’s anxiety-fueled, 2019 crime drama.

Kate McKinnon (Barbie)

After previously working with Margot Robbie in Bombshell and making the A-lister laugh uncontrollably in an SNL sketch, Kate McKinnon reunited with the Australian actor in the Barbie cast in 2023. The Emmy-winner is perfect as “Weird Barbie” — now a real doll in Mattel’s catalog — in co-writer and director Greta Gerwig’s cleverly satirical and surprisingly moving blockbuster based on the legendary toy.

Will Ferrell (Stranger Than Fiction)

We love Will Ferrell in funny movies like Elf and Talladega Nights, but never has he given a performance as tender, reserved, and relatable as his Golden Globe-nominated role in Stranger Than Fiction. That is only one reason director Marc Forster’s inventive 2006 dramedy is his best movie in our eyes.

Molly Shannon (Wet Hot American Summer)

The Wet Hot American Summer cast is full of actors who went on to become superstars, but one of the biggest names among that ensemble at the time was SNL great Molly Shannon. She stars in the 2001 cult-favorite summer comedy classic as camp counselor Gail, who seeks consolation for her second divorce from surprisingly mature adolescent campers.

Bill Murray (Lost In Translation)

To this day, many believe that Bill Murray should have won the Academy Award for his performance in one of the best movies of the 2000s, Lost in Translation. Also one of the best movies produced by Focus Features, he stars in writer and director Sofia Coppola’s Oscar-winning sophomore effort as a disillusioned actor who strikes up a unique bond with a young woman (played by Scarlett Johansson) who is also struggling to navigate her life after meeting in Japan. 

Tina Fey (Mean Girls)

From her time on SNL as a cast member and head writer to her development of beloved comedies like 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Tina Fey has had one of the most impressive careers in comedy, let alone show business in general. However, her one credit that has best stood the test of time is her sharply satirical high school movie, Mean Girls, which she adapted from Rosalind Wiseman’s book and also stars in as Ms. Norbury.

Dan Aykroyd (The Blues Brothers)

Dan Aykroyd may have a Best Picture Oscar winner under his belt (Driving Miss Daisy, for which he also received an acting nomination) and also wrote and starred in one of the beloved Ghostbusters. However, the movie that he will always be best known for is 1980’s The Blues Brothers, which is arguably the all-time best movie based on SNL characters (Ayrkoyd and John Belushi’s brotherly musicians, Jake and Elwood Blues) and one of the most important movies set in Chicago as well.

Gilda Radner (Haunted Honeymoon)

Highlights of Gilda Radner’s post-SNL career included sharing the screen with her husband, Gene Wilder, such as 1986’s Haunted Honeymoon, in which they play a couple staying in a spooky house to cure the groom’s anxieties. Unfortunately, the fun horror-comedy movie would also be her final film before she passed away in 1989.

Chevy Chase (Community)

After making a huge impact in so little time on SNL (not even two full seasons), Chevy Chase had a memorable film career (especially with National Lampoon’s Vacation movies), but it was his return to the small screen in the late 2000s that really had us especially impressed. He starred in the Community cast as Pierce Hawthorne — one of many Greendale Community College students experiencing often strange circumstances and meta pop-culture references in creator Dan Harmon’s inventive sitcom.

Chris Farley (Tommy Boy)

Perhaps the most influential ‘90s SNL actor was the late Chris Farley, whose one-in-a-million, energetic comedic talent made him a legend. He also made an impeccable team with fellow SNL actor David Spade in the hilarious road trip comedy, and one of the funniest and most iconic movies of the ‘90s, Tommy Boy.

Jimmy Fallon (Almost Famous)

Jimmy Fallon has had a stellar career, from his memorable SNL stint to hosting The Tonight Show, but most of his movies did not quite have the same impact — save his Oscar-winning feature-length debut in 2000. Fallon starred in writer and director Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous cast as the touring manager for Stillwater, Dennis Hope.

Amy Poehler (Inside Out)

Amy Poehler is the kind of performer who brings a sense of joy to everything she does, from her SNL days to the Parks and Recreation cast as Leslie Knope. Thus, it only makes sense that she would star as the personification of “Joy” in one of Pixar’s best movies: 2015’s Inside Out.

Will Forte (Nebraska)

We all know and love the masterfully goofy Will Forte from the “MacGruber” sketches and as the star and creator of a show canceled too soon called The Last Man on Earth, but 2013’s Nebraska showed a rare side of the actor we cherished seeing. He gives a somber, yet beautifully endearing, performance in director Alexander Payne’s Oscar-nominated drama as a man accompanying his estranged father (played by Bruce Dern) on a trip to collect a supposed million-dollar prize.

Maya Rudolph (The Way Way Back)

Maya Rudolph’s career outside SNL has been nothing short of impressive, but we were most impressed by her work in 2013’s The Way Way Back. From the Oscar-winning writing duo behind The Descendants (Nat Faxon and Jim Rash), this winning dramedy features Rudolph as Caitlin, a manager at a water park where teen protagonist Duncan (Liam James) works to escape a miserable summer at his mother’s boyfriend’s house.

Bill Hader (Barry)

Bill Hader never failed to surprise audiences with his impeccable impersonations and excellent commitment to character on SNL, but he surprised us in other ways with his first major small-screen follow-up. He played the title role of HBO’s Barry cast (in addition to co-creating the very dark comedy series), who is a hitman trying to reinvent himself as an actor.

Cecily Strong (Schmigadoon!)

One of the greatest surprises of John Mulaney’s SNL musical sketches was Cecily Strong’s smashing singing voice. It would also come in handy when she and Keegan-Michael Key led AppleTV+’s Schmigadoon! cast as a couple trapped in a world that looks and sounds like a lavish musical production.

Chris Rock (Nurse Betty)

In 2000, Chris Rock teamed up with Morgan Freeman as hitmen searching for a delusional widow (played by Renée Zellweger) convinced she is engaged to a soap opera character in director Neil LaBute’s sharp, quirky dramedy, Nurse Betty. We will, however, give an honorable mention for one of the best sitcoms starring an SNL vet, Everybody Hates Chris, which the comedian created and narrated.

Jane Curtin (3rd Rock From The Sun)

Years after playing an alien in, arguably, her single funniest SNL sketch (“The Coneheads”), Jane Curtin played one of the few human series regulars on a series also about otherworldly visitors trying to blend in. The former “Weekend Update” anchor starred on NBC’s hit sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun as Dr. Mary Albright, a colleague, and later fiancée, of Dick Solomon (John Lithgow) at Pendleton State University.

Andy Samberg (Palm Springs)

There is only so much that we are actually willing to reveal about our pick for Andy Samberg’s best effort outside of SNL, Palm Springs, for anyone who has not seen it yet. What we will say is that the 2020 rom-com — and one of the best movies on Hulu — stars the Lonely Island member and Golden Globe-winning Brooklyn Nine-Nine actor and Cristin Milioti as wedding guests who become embroiled in a very strange predicament.

Mike Myers (Shrek)

We love almost all of the characters Mike Myers has created or portrayed, from Wayne Campbell to Austin Powers, but picking his true all-time best work outside of Studio 8H is easy. Myers put on his best Scottish accent to voice the title role of 2001’s Shrek — the first movie to win the Best Animated Feature Oscar, for its sharp send-up of fairytale tropes and heartwarming unlikely romance.

Pete Davidson (The King Of Staten Island)

There have been some great Pete Davidson movies and TV shows over the years, but the former SNL star’s best work might also be one of his most personal. The Bupkis cast member based The King of Staten Island (which he co-wrote with director Judd Apatow) on his own life as the son of a firefighter who tragically passed on 9/11. 

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfeld)

Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ time on SNL often goes forgotten, but you cannot say the same about the career she had after the show, which includes Emmy wins for shows like Veep and joining the MCU. However, she really blew up when she joined the Seinfeld cast as Elaine Benes, who was the focus of many classic and hilarious moments on the legendary sitcom.

Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso)

Jason Sudeikis is the kind of SNL performer who could make the Devil himself seem likable, which is why he was the perfect choice for the charming lead of the Ted Lasso cast for Apple TV+. Indeed, his Emmy-winning performance as the titular American football coach hired to manage an English football (a.k.a. soccer) team is key to its jubilant success.

Norm Macdonald (Dirty Work)

In 1998, the same year that the late Norm Macdonald was infamously fired from SNL, the actor came out with one of his best movies, Dirty Work. Also written by Macdonald and directed by Bob Saget, the comedy about a man who literally becomes a specialist in the business of revenge has gained a cult following despite getting bad reviews in the 90s.

Kenan Thompson (D2: The Mighty Ducks)

Before he became one of the longest-running SNL cast members, Kenan Thompson was part of Nickelodeon’s more kid-friendly sketch comedy, All That. However, before then, the Emmy winner made his acting debut in one of the greatest hockey movies, D2: the Mighty Ducks as the inventor of the Knuckle Puck, Russ.

Ana Gasteyer (Happiest Season)

As the creator of beloved sketches like “NPR’s Delicious Dish” and the astonishing ability to hide when sketches don’t go as planned, Ana Gasteyer’s SNL days do not get talked about enough. In 2020, she appeared alongside the Happiest Season cast in a brief, but memorable, role in the acclaimed LGBTQ+ romance dramedy.

Fred Armisen (Portlandia)

While he was still on SNL, Fred Armisen was the driving force of a whole different kind of sketch comedy series called Portlandia. In partnership with non-SNL sketch comedy actor Carrie Brownstein, the pair poked fun at life in Portland in a Monty Python-esque style of quirky and bizarre bits.

Tim Meadows (Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping)

Despite his impressively long tenure, Tim Meadows is one of the most criminally underrated SNL actors and his big-screen presence is no different. Case in point: even one of his most prominent movie roles is from a vastly underrated, mockumentary-style comedy, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, from 2106 as Harry, manager to conner4real (Andy Samberg).

Tracy Morgan (30 Rock)

How fitting that one of Tracy Morgan’s greatest successes after being a sketch comedy show performer was playing a sketch comedy show performer. The comic stole every scene in creator and star Tina Fey’s brilliantly surreal broadcasting satire, 30 Rock, as over-the-top actor, Tracy Jordan.

Aidy Bryant (Shrill)

Even before she left SNL (a bit later than she anticipated as a result of Covid-19), Aidy Bryant had already ventured on with a series of her own called Shrill. The actor received an Emmy nomination for her performance on the Hulu original comedy (which she also co-created) as an overweight journalist aspiring to change who she is inside without changing who she is outside.

Even if Saturday Night Live is what these actors are remembered best for, that does not mean it will always be the best thing they are remembered for.

Though the region is often referred to as “Flyover Country,” the states that make up the Midwest have been home to some all-time classics when it comes to American cinema. There have been great films set in Chicago and other major cities in the region, and even some Best Picture winners have used the loosely defined group of states as a backdrop. 

Here are 32 great movies set in the Midwest, including comedies, dramas, and almost every other imaginable genre. So please, quit knocking on the Midwest and calling it a land void of creativity and culture. An odd place? Yes. But a void? Never!

Fargo (1996)

When it comes to quirky black comedy movies set in the region, the Coen Brothers’ 1996 crime film, Fargo, is in a league of its own. With action, drama, and murder happening in states like Minnesota and North Dakota, this Academy Award-winning film has the Midwest stamped all over it, even when you discount Frances McDormand, William H. Macy’s, and other iconic characters with their wild accents.

Grumpy Old Men (1993)

Set in the southern Minnesota town of Wabasha, Grumpy OId Men follows feuding next-door neighbors John Gustafson (Jack Lemmon) and Max Goldman (Walter Matthau) as they try to coexist in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” a feat that’s easier said than done. Ice-fishing, small-town attitudes, and a general disdain for the IRS perfectly sum up life in semi-rural areas of the Midwest.

Planes, Trains And Automobiles (1987)

One of John Candy’s best movies, as well as an all-time great Steve Martin comedy, Planes, Trains and Automobiles enlists not one but many Midwestern cities for its story of road trip misadventure. As Neal Page (Martin) and Del Griffith (Candy) attempt to get home for Thanksgiving, the unlikely pair learn a great deal about themselves and the I-55 corridor in this John Hughes classic.

Hoosiers (1986)

While Texas holds its down when it comes to great football movies, Indiana does the same when it comes to some of the best basketball films. For example, look at the 1986 sports flick, Hoosiers, which follows disgraced coach Norman Dale (Gene Hackman) as he takes over a high school basketball team and attempts to lead them to glory and a better future.

Chicago (2002)

Not only does Rob Marshall’s 2002 musical, Chicago, take place in the “Windy City,” it also spends a considerable amount of time in the Cook County Jail, one of the most notorious facilities in the region and country. Featuring one of the best Renée Zellweger performances, Catherine Zeta-Jones on top of the world, and some catchy 1920s song-and-dance numbers, this one has it all.

Super 8 (2011)

Set in the fictional town of Lillian, Ohio, J.J. Abrams’ 2011 sci-fi coming-of-age thriller follows a group of aspiring filmmakers as they find themselves caught in the middle of a massive train derailment and alien spotting that makes their Midwestern town the epicenter of a massive story.

Gone Girl (2014)

David Fincher’s Gone Girl centers on the sudden disappearance of Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) and the highly-televised investigation into whether or not her husband, Nick (Ben Affleck), had anything to do with it. Set in and around Missouri, this visually arresting and twist-heavy psychological thriller captures the fear, uncertainty, and general vibes of the Midwest better than most.

Twister (1996)

Do you know what Midwesterners, especially those in more rural areas, love to do? If you guessed talk about tornadoes, then you would be correct. Twister, which was one of the biggest box office hits of 1996, takes place in the plains states of Oklahoma and Kansas, which some would argue to be part of the Midwest. And since we (I know from experience) love storms up here, we’ll let it slide.

Meet Me In St. Louis (1944)

In addition to featuring one of the most emotional and sentimental renditions of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” the 1944 classic, Meet Me in St. Louis, also makes great use of the city at the core of its story. With the 1904 World’s Fair, a great trolley scene (St. Louisians LOVE trolleys), and one of the most terrifying depictions of Halloween, this cherished film has it all.

Field Of Dreams (1989)

Though Ray Kinsella’s (Kevin Costner) journey of self-discovery takes him around a large portion of the country, Field of Dreams gets started (and ends) in his Iowa cornfield. Not only one of the best baseball movies but also an emotional experience that has resulted in countless phone calls to dads over the years, Phil Alden Robinson’s beloved classic captures the very essence of Midwestern life, for better or worse.

The Blues Brothers (1980) 

Perhaps the best movie based on SNL characters, The Blues Brothers makes perfect use of the City of Chicago as well as its residents and culture to tell its unforgettable story about Jake (John Belushi) and Elwood Blues (Dan Aykroyd) getting the band back together. And really, could that awesome police chase take place anywhere besides the “Windy City?”

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

John Hughes was a director who liked to use the City of Chicago more than pretty much everyone before or since, and one of his best movies set in the “Second City” was Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Whether it’s when Matthew Broderick’s titular character is trying to escape suburbia or when he uses the big city as his personal playground, the Illinois metropolis gets a lot of love here.

Tommy Boy (1995)

The 1995 Chris Farley comedy, Tommy Boy, is primarily set in the “Rust Belt” of America as Tommy Callahan (Farley) and Richard Hayden (David Spade) travel throughout the Midwestern states to keep the former’s family’s brake pad company in business. Ohio, Illinois, and every state (and roadway) in between adds a lot to his comedy gem.

A Christmas Story (1983)

Set in the fictional city of Hohman, Indiana, Bob Clark’s iconic holiday movie, A Christmas Story, follows young Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) as he prepares for the biggest holiday of the year. Though filmed in the early ‘80s, the movie very much captures the look and feel of a Midwestern town in pre-World War II America with its massive (and temperamental cars), snow-covered alleys, and a balance of cynicism and sentimentality.

American Pie (1999)

Though it feels like American Pie takes place somewhere like California, Florida, or pretty much anywhere in the continental United States, this 1999 R-rated comedy calls Michigan home, specifically, the fictional town of East Great Falls. The setting becomes more prominent in later films in the franchise, but there are hints of the Midwest throughout. 

A League Of Their Own (1992)

The 1992 sports comedy-drama, A League of Their Own visits places like Chicago (the setting of the great audition scene), but spends a great deal of its runtime in Midwestern cities like Rockford, South Bend, Kenosha, and Racine, whose Belles provide some stiff competition to the successful and popular Peaches.

Wayne's World (1992)

Based on the popular SNL sketches of the same name, Wayne’s World follows Mike Myers and Dana Carvey’s iconic characters as they find themselves going from hosts of a public-access TV program in Aurora, Illinois to being massive hits in the greater Chicago area. And since we’re talking about the Midwest, we can’t help but recall that hilarious interaction with Alice Cooper in Milwaukee.

Thief (1981)

Michael Mann is known for using the city of Los Angeles better than just about everyone with movies like Heat and Collateral, but early on in his career, the acclaimed filmmaker treated Chicago like the second lead next to the late James Caan in his 1981 crime thriller, Thief. The use of the city, Robert Prosky’s accent, and Dennis Farina's presence make this a Midwestern all-timer.

The Mighty Ducks (1992)

Set in Minneapolis, the 1992 sports comedy, The Mighty Ducks, follows Gordon Bombay (Emilio Estevez) as he leads a group of misfit youth hockey players to glory while also finding peace in the world and remembering his roots. Plus, there’s even an appearance by Minnesota North Stars (before they moved to Dallas) players Basil McRae and Mike Modano.

Angus (1995)

If there’s a movie that best captures the attitudes and sensibilities of the Midwest, it has to be the forgotten 1995 teen comedy, Angus. Set in Minnesota, this coming-of-age story follows Angus Bethune (Charlie Talbert) as he tries to balance school, football, his own insecurities, and a conspiracy to make him king of the Winter Ball. It’s not happy-go-lucky, but neither is the Midwest.

Nebraska (2013)

As its title suggests, Alexander Payne’s 2013 road comedy-drama, Nebraska, spends a great deal of time in the “Cornhusker State” with its story about an elderly man (played by Bruce Dern) as he attempts to claim a $1 million lottery ticket. The movie also ventures to South Dakota as well as outside the Midwest before everything is said and done.

The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford (2007)

Academy Award-winning cinematographer Roger Deakins turns banality into beauty with how he brings the State of Missouri to life in Andrew Dominik’s 2007 Western, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Several of the film’s sequences, including the epic train robbery and Jesse James (Brad Pitt) in his final moments, are works of art.

The Fugitive (1993)

One of Harrison Ford’s best movies, The Fugitive is also one that makes great use of Chicago (and not just “The Loop” portion of the city). However, it should be noted that while there are some foothills in Southern Illinois, no part of the state is as mountainous as depicted in the prison bus escape or dam sequences.

Major League (1989)

Here’s some well-known trivia about Major League, aka, one of the best sports movies of the ‘80s – this baseball comedy is set in Ohio (it follows the Cleveland Indians), but was filmed “just a bit outside” Cleveland in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This explains why Bob Euker, a great WrestleMania celebrity guest and Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster, appears throughout the movie and its sequel. 

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, which is arguably the best entry in the Vacation franchise, is another great flick set in the Midwest. Though the movie’s depiction of Chicagoland looks like it was placed in Colorado instead of Illinois, there are enough shots of downtown Chicago and regional sports references to let the viewer know that Clark Griswold’s (Chevy Chase) Christmas Eve meltdown is firmly in the center of the country.

Halloween (1978)

Halloween, one of the best horror movies of all time, takes place in Haddonfield, Illinois, a fictional city that is supposed to be just north of Bloomington and Pontiac (about halfway up the state). Michael Myer's reign of terror, if real, would have pretty much taken place in the middle of the country; you can’t get more Midwestern than that. 

Home Alone (1990)

Home Alone is one of the best representations of suburban Chicago, and a lot of that has to do with the fact that John Hughes wrote and produced the beloved 1990 Christmas movie. It’s not as close to the city as other movies set in the greater Chicago area, but it does have loads of references to the region with various sports memorabilia and great accents.

Mean Girls (2004)

Set in Evanston, Illinois, the birthplace of Northwestern University, John Cusack, and Steve Albini, Mean Girls has gone down in history as one of the best 2000s movies and remains a good watch years later. There’s just something timeless to the Tina Fey-penned script about teenagers finding their place in the world.

Adventures In Babysitting (1987)

Chris Columbus’ directorial debut, Adventures in Babysitting, has to feature one of the best uses of the City of Chicago in the history of cinema. Starting in Oak Park and working her way east to the city center, Elisabeth Shue’s Chris Parker goes to great lengths to save a friend while also taking care of a group of young kids, a journey full of twists and turns and all kinds of misadventure.

In Cold Blood (1967)

Based on Truman Capote’s true crime book recounting the real-life 1959 Clutter family murders in rural Kansas, Richard Brooks’ In Cold Blood follows Perry Smith (Robert Blake) and Dick Hickock (Scott Wilson) in the days surrounding the grisly slayings. The Kansas scenery, or lack thereof, adds great weight to this already dark and dismaying crime thriller.

Detroit Rock City (1999)

Adam Rifkin’s 1999 teen comedy, Detroit Rock City, follows a group of friends as they put everything on the line (and Cleveland, Ohio, in the rear-view mirror) as they travel to the “Motor City” to see KISS in concert. Though not successful by any means, it has become a cult classic and a great representation of the moral divide in the Midwest.

Road To Perdition (2002)

Directed by Sam Mendes, Road to Perdition goes all over the State of Illinois to tell its story about a mobster (played by Tom Hanks) who goes to great lengths to protect his son who witnessed a mob hit. It’s dark and at times devastating, but this graphic novel adaptation provides a brilliant representation of the Midwest during the early days of the Great Depression.

Each movie on this list captures at least one aspect of life in the Midwest, a region in the United States that has a little bit of everything, be it good, bad, or somewhere in between.

Not only is Dan Aykroyd arguably one of the best Saturday Night Live cast members of all time, he’s also a comedy legend in the land of film. Looking back at some of the best ‘80s movies alone, you can see the impact the actor has had. So let’s take a walk down memory lane and talk about some of the most hilarious quotes from his projects. 

"We’re on a mission from God." -The Blues Brothers (1980) 

Dan Aykroyd’s character delivers this line many times during Blues Brothers, and it’s always hilarious. Throughout the film, the brothers use the line to justify their actions and get the band back together, overall, I think they succeed in their mission from the man upstairs. 

"You should have a job on the radio announcing the time." -Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

The best picture winner of 1989, Driving Miss Daisy is what led to Dan Aykroyd landing on the list of SNL cast members with an Oscar nomination, because of his performance as Daisy’s son Boolie. One of his more memorable, and funny, lines happened when Hoke came to pick up Daisy at 7:16, which she was baffled by. This led to Boolie saying the fantastic line above.

"Gozer the Gozerian... good evening." -Ghostbusters (1984) 

You know, when you are trying to take down a villain, what’s the harm in asking them to leave politely first? That’s exactly what Aykroyd’s Stantz tried to do as they took down Gozer the Gozerian in Ghostbusters, saying in full:

"It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark... and we're wearing sunglasses."  -The Blues Brothers (1980)

This is considered by many to be the best quote from Blues Brothers, and for good reason, it summarizes the energy of this movie perfectly. Elwood’s observations are not only factual, they’re funny, and it encapsulates his and Jake’s wild journey and their unique personalities so well.

"We’re not doctors!" -Spies Like Us (1985)

After everyone goes around the room greeting each other saying “doctor” over and over again – taking semantic satiation to a new level – Aykroyd’s Austin yells what we’re all thinking, they’re not doctors!

"You! You worthless piece of slime! You ignorant disgusting blob!" -Ghostbusters 2 (1989)

One of the reasons Ghostbusters 2 is better than you remember is how Dan Aykroyd’s Stantz delivers hilarious assertive lines at supernatural beings throughout, much like he did in the first film. In this case though, instead of addressing Gozer, he was shouting at slime for a science experiment he was conducting. 

"It's got a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. It's a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas. What do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what?"  -The Blues Brothers (1980)

The Bluesmobile is a classic car that was at the center of some of the most classic car chases, as Aykroyd’s brother laid out in his explanation of it. And it turned out to a be a pretty perfect car after Elwood went into all this detail, because the only request Jake had for it was to “fix the cigarette lighter.” 

"Listen... you smell something?" -Ghostbusters (1984)

At the very beginning of Ghostbusters, when the guys are just starting their busting careers, Dan Aykroyd’s Dr. Raymond Stantz asks this vital question as they all examine the library where the supernatural being was reported. 

"No Problem. If I can get a dessert down him, think you can throw in a couple of Paul Bunyan hats for the kids?" -The Great Outdoors (1988)

When the family goes out for dinner, Dan Aykroyd’s Roman asks about the Old’ 96er, and they find out if someone eats it the rest of the meal is free. John Candy’s Chet orders the massive steak, and proceeds to eat it. In the final moments, after the last bits of the steak are eaten, the chef says he needs to get it all down, including the gristle. And while The Great Outdoors is full of great John Candy quotes, in this scene he’s too full to say anything and the hilarious line came from Aykroyd.

"I'll have some toasted white bread, please."  -The Blues Brothers (1980)

It’s bits like this one that made me remember why The Blues Brothers is one of the best movies based on SNL characters. This interaction, where Elwood asks for only white bread, which is such an odd order, features Aykroyd, John Belushi and Aretha Franklin going back and forth about their funky diner orders. On top of this being a hilarious line, it also tips off the cook that his pals The Blues Brothers are out of prison and on a mission from god. 

"He spurned my sauce!"  -Neighbors (1981)

After Dan Aykroyd’s Vic says it’d be best if he and Ramona left, Enid begs them to stay. However, his character further explains why they should go by exclaiming that John Belushi’s Earl “spurned my sauce!” What can I say, when you put these two actors in a scene together, you get comedy gold. 

"Mom, if you want trouble - I am talking about scorched earth, no survival, wholesale destruction... body-bags and fire trouble then you just keep comin' on!" -Doctor Detroit (1983)

In an impassioned speech to Mom, who is a Chicago Crime boss, not Aykroyd’s character’s mother, his character Clifford gives an impassioned speech as his alias Doctor Detroit. What makes this truly hilarious is the fact that Clifford is actually a comparative literature professor, not a deadly chiropractor, so this speech was totally out of the norm for him. 

"What he means is Old Testament, Mr. Mayor, real wrath of God type stuff." -Ghostbusters (1984)

As Venkman (Bill Murray) and Stantz (Aykroyd)  tried to convince the mayor to let the Ghostbusters fight the evil beings, they used this biblically-based argument to convince him. What can I say? When you put these SNL alums in a scene together you get comedy perfection, which is easily the best thing about Ghostbusters!

"With the exception of you and canned cling peaches I'd be hard-pressed to find anyone or anything that doesn't know you should never leave your car keys in the ignition." -Dragnet (1987)

When you put Tom Hanks, one of the best SNL hosts, with Aykroyd, one of the best SNL cast members, you are bound to get something funny, which is what happened with Dragnet. And one of its funniest moments came after the crime-solvers car was stolen and Aykroyd’s Joe Friday insulted his partner, Hanks’ Streebek, in the most creative way. 

"Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration, don't fail me now."  -The Blues Brothers (1980)

When Jake and Elwood are being tailed by Bob and The Good ‘Ol Boys, Elwood utters this memorable expression after their rear window gets shot. While I’ve never been in this exact situation, this quote is certainly applicable anytime I get flustered on the road. 

"One minute you're up half a million in soybeans and the next, boom, your kids don't go to college and they've repossessed your Bentley. Are you with me?" -Trading Places (1983)

While approaching the New York Commodities Exchange, Aykroyd’s character Louis gives a hilariously persuasive speech in an attempt to get everyone on board with his plan. He asks them to “think big, and think positive,” before getting into the “carnage” they’re about to go through in “the pits” of this profession, as you can read in full:

"Something I loved from my childhood. Something that could never ever possibly destroy us. Mr. Stay Puft!" -Ghostbusters (1984)

Stantz accidentally thought of something from his childhood that could never hurt them, and that just happened to be Mr. Stay Puft. However, that turned out to be a pretty serious enemy for the Ghostbusters, and it resulted in all of them getting covered in marshmallow fluff.  

"Hard to believe its been only 15 minutes since I destroyed the world. In another 15 minutes, it'll all be over. Such a short time to destroy a world. And to think my high school guidance counselor said I'd never amount to anything." -Spies Like Us (1985)

Going from your average government worker to taking on a top-secret mission is quite the career jump. I think Dan Aykroyd’s character Austin reflected on this point perfectly as he spoke about what his and Chevy Chase’s characters had done, and how his high school guidance counselor didn’t think he’d do much. 

"Ah, Dr. Jones. I'm Art Weber. I spoke with your assistant and managed to secure three seats, but there might be a slight inconvenience as you will be riding on a cargo full of live poultry." -Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom (1984)

In Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Aykroyd’s Art Webber secures Indy, Willie Scott and Short Round transport on a plane so they can escape Shanghai. While it’s only a brief cameo, this funny line about less-than-ideal transportation is pretty iconic. 

"Well, we sing to it, talk to it, and say supportive, nurturing things to it." -Ghostbusters 2 (1989)

Stantz and Spengler were showing Venkman and Zeddemore their new mood slime. When Murray’s character asked how they’d been testing this gooey solution impacted by mood, Aykroyd's character responded with the above, which is obviously very serious mode of scientific experimentation.

"Try not to be so negative all the time. Why don't you offer a little... constructive criticism?"  -The Blues Brothers (1980)

The Blues Brothers is all about siblings, and this line showed off Jake and Elwood’s brotherly bond perfectly, as Aykroyd’s character quipped back at Belushi’s as he asked for “constructive criticism” rather than his negative attitude. 

"Calm yourself, Earl. I'm not gonna take you to court. That'd make for bad blood. We don't want any bad blood, especially since we'll be living next door to you for a long, long time." -Neighbors (1981)

Throughout Neighbors, Dan Aykroyd’s Vic drives John Belushi’s Earl crazy, leading him to want to do some wild things. In this scene, after Earl goes a bit cuckoo over the whole situation, Aykroyd’s character explains that after all this fuss and destruction, they won’t press charges because he and Ramona aren’t going anywhere. 

"Well, this is great. If the ionization-rate is constant for all ectoplasmic entities, we can really bust some heads... in a spiritual sense, of course." -Ghostbusters (1984)

In Ghostbusters, Aykroyd’s character is really jazzed about all the tech they have for busting supernatural beings. However, when it came time to defeat them, he was ready to “bust some heads,” but in a “spiritual sense,” duh.

"I warn you, I'm a chiropractor! I will use my skills negatively!" -Doctor Detroit (1983)

Clifford’s alias, Doctor Detroit, is a chiropractor who is reportedly trying to take over Smooth’s turf. That alone is a silly premise, but it’s even funnier when Akyroyd’s character tries to assert himself as the doctor through lines like this. 

"Ungrateful little yuppie larva. After everything we did for this city." -Ghostbusters 2 (1989)

While Ghostbusters saw our favorite supernatural exterminators saving the city, in Ghostbusters 2 they are facing the consequences of the destruction caused by the events of the first film. The boys are understandably a bit salty about this, and Stantz lets his annoyance out by insulting a birthday party of kids with this hilarious line.  

"Our courteous and efficient staff is on call 24 hours a day to serve all your supernatural elimination needs. We’re ready to believe you." -Ghostbusters (1984)

After the boys form the Ghostbusters, they decide to make a commercial to advertise their services. Obviously, their elevator pitch is genuinely hilarious as well as informative.  

"They're spies - but, not necessarily on our side." -Spies Like Us (1985) 

It’s always fun when the title of the movie gets thrown into the dialogue, which is what Chevy Chase’s Emmett did when he asked “Well, what are you saying? That they’re spies like us?”  However, Aykroyd’s Austin quickly corrected him with the hilarious line above. 

"When are you worried about my driving, Mr. l-Like-Life-In-The-Fast-Lane?" -Dragnet (1987)  

As Streebek and Friday are speeding to rescue Connie, Tom Hanks’ character, who is typically the wilder and freer one, yells at his partner to be careful. This leads to Aykroyd’s character hilariously saying the above. 

"How come Chet's kids look at him like he's Zeus and ours look at me like I'm a rack of yard tools at Sears? Why can't they connect with me?" -The Great Outdoors (1988)

In The Great Outdoors two families, one of whom is much more outdoorsy than the other, find themselves going against each other. Dan Aykroyd plays John Candy’s brother-in-law and fully realizes that his relative is more fit for the outdoors than he is, which leads to this funny quote. 

"Hey! Does this pole still work?" -Ghostbusters (1984)

After the boys decide to pursue ghostbusting full-time they need to find a base, and it comes to them in the form of an old firehouse. While touring the building Statnz is enamored by the firepole, and he humorously asks if it still works. Then, after proving it’s safe to use by sliding down it, he says:

"If you want my secrets, you'll eat my sandwich!" - My Stepmother is an Alien (1988)

In My Stepmother is an Alien, Kim Basinger plays Celeste the alien, and she’s on Earth doing research to save her own planet. However, things take a turn when she falls in love with Steve Mills (Aykroyd). So, as the two navigate their relationship, which is obviously odd, silly quotes are flying left and right, like this aggressively delivered line from the comedic actor. 

"What? Are you serious? That's great! I mean that's not great; that's terrible... Spengler, major slime-related psychokinetic event!" -Ghostbusters 2 (1989)

Listen, Stantz loves his job and he loves new scientific discoveries, so when he heard Dana’s bathtub tried to eat her, he was super excited. Although, he had to tamper that enthusiasm after he realized that while this might be scientifically exciting, it’s actually quite horrifying for literally everyone else.   

Dan Aykroyd truly is a comedy legend, and that was on full display in the 1980s when he starred in these incredible films. Overall, these quotes go to show why he’s considered one of the best of the best when it comes to comedy.  

The late great John Candy had a way with comedy, and he had a way with words. So it’s no surprise that throughout his classic ‘80s movies, there’s a good number of quotes that still stick with fans to this very day. It’s time to celebrate that legacy, by running down the wit and wisdom found within some truly memorable quotes from Mr. Candy’s best movies. 

“Who wants an orange whip? Orange whip? Orange whip? Three orange whips.” - The Blues Brothers (1980)

Playing as a part of the all-star cast in The Blues Brothers movie, Candy’s law enforcement agent wasn’t without a sense of humor. Not to mention, it was rather polite to offer his co-workers all orange whips on the job! 

“You ever travel by bus before? Hmm. Your mood's probably not going to improve much.” - Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987)

In buddy comedy scenarios, it’s all about knowing how to play your partner. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles puts that practice to the test in several ways, as John Candy gets to needle Steve Martin with lines such as this. Absolutely knowing that Neal isn’t going to take to bus travel very well, Del confirms as much with this well played, well timed moment.

“You might have noticed that, uh, I've got a slight weight problem.” - Stripes (1981)

Rather than giving John Candy a simple, self-deprecating fat joke, Stripes saw his character of Dewey “Ox” Oxenberg calling his larger body type out from the jump. Turning it all around into a fun punchline, this admission leads to Ox’s backstory, which is just as humorous as the reaction he provokes with this very line. 

“What’s your record for consecutive questions asked?”- Uncle Buck (1989)

Between John Candy and Macaulay Culkin, Uncle Buck scored a late comedy hit for the ‘80s. Culkin’s interrogation of the equally straight-faced Candy still stands out as an iconic moment of rapid fire back and forth. 

“Sorry folks, park’s closed. Moose out front shoulda told ya.” - National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)

One of the best punchlines to a comedy movie, National Lampoon’s Vacation allowed John Candy to land a huge laugh with a very simple statement. The rest was history, especially with a patented Chevy Chase freak out in the mix. 

“I'm a mog: half man, half dog. I'm my own best friend!” - Spaceballs (1988)

John Candy wasn’t always the smart alec with a sharp tongue. His humor also leaned in on the lovable and the absurd, with both factors colliding in Mel Brooks’ Star Wars spoof Spaceballs. Barf the Mog explains himself so clearly, but so adorably, that even John Candy's prosthetic issues couldn't stop him from delivering.

“She could probably speak English already. I think she was in shock from bein' arrested y'know.” - Splash (1984)

Initially Daryl Hannah’s mermaid in Splash didn’t seem to speak English when she met Tom Hanks’ lovesick Allen. After a quick TV spree Madison seems to pick up the language with no problems, which pays off in a couple of ways. One of which is John Candy getting to treat his on-screen brother to this theory of how that changed so quickly.

“Those aren’t pillows.” - Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987)

The right line can lay out so many implications without needing to spell everything out. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles has one of those moments, which aptly pairs John Candy with Steve Martin, in a scene that slowly escalates into those three simple-but-audience-breaking words.

“Trapped in a tiger trap, by a tiger. This could be a setback.” - Volunteers (1985)

A little wordplay can go a long way, especially when this scenario from Volunteers saw John Candy’s Tom Tuttle outfoxed by a big cat. Capping his bewilderment off by writing it all off as a slight inconvenience, rather than a pretty big reversal, just makes it all the more amusing to hear Candy dance with this alliterative accident.

“You don’t want to eat in a place where there’s rats. And I just found some rats in the back!” - Summer Rental (1985)

Crusading for the little guy in 1985’s Summer Rental, John Candy’s Jack Chester leaves a seafood restaurant in a dramatic huff. After losing out on a table, and the remaining lobsters, to a snooty resident (Richard Crenna), Candy leaves the scene with this crazy last ditch attempt to sully the dining establishment’s name.

“Monty, this is Hackensack, NJ. No scout comes here, you understand that. Trains are going through the outfield right now.” - Brewster’s Millions (1985)

While the New Jersey baseball scene has changed, especially in the Minor Leagues, this Brewster’s Millions line is still pretty funny. This is especially true when taking into account John Candy and his joke about a rather inconvenient railway situation; which leads to a promise of drinking with his in-movie buddy, and pitcher for the Hackensack Bulls, Monty Brewster (Richard Pryor).

“Bear... bear... Big Bear... big bear chase meeeeeeee...!” - The Great Outdoors (1988)

John Candy plays exasperation like a pro, especially in the face of fear. So when he tried to warn his family in The Great Outdoors of a particularly big bear that was chasing him, the resulting advisory came out in fits and starts. 

“Take this quarter, go downtown, and have a rat gnaw that thing off your face!” - Uncle Buck (1989)

Insults have always been something that John Candy has had a way with delivering. After defending his family against a particularly tough principal (Suzanne Shepherd), the character Uncle Buck gets its name from allows our hero to produce that very coin, and some stinging word of wisdom. You can't easily copy something like this; just ask anyone who remember ABC's short lived Uncle Buck series.

“My reputation precedes me. Otherwise I'd be late for all my appointments.” - Who’s Harry Crumb? (1989)

Believe it or not, a joke can be made funnier by its comedian’s laughter. Who’s Harry Crumb? gave John Candy a moment where that was proven to be true, as he drops this Marx Bros. style wisecrack, and chuckles at just about the time the audience would be laughing as well. 

“Come on thru. I'm Joe Public, welcome to my beach.” - Summer Rental (1985)

It may be a simple gag that includes the help of a well placed sign, but that’s all John Candy needed to make this Summer Rental moment work. His dejected annoyance that a public beach entrance is right in the eye line of his family’s vacation digs lands without fail, right down to sarcastically proclaiming himself as “Joe Public.” 

“It's not that you had too much to drink. You're just too skinny.” - Splash (1984)

Spoken with an air of academic assurance, John Candy gives Tom Hanks a firm reason as to why he hasn’t had enough to drink in 1984’s Splash. Candy’s lines paired with Hanks’ drunken despair makes waves in a movie that you can actually catch on streaming; albeit with some Disney+ friendly alterations.

“That's not a real gun, is it Clark?” - National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)

Chevy Chase terrorizes poor John Candy in National Lampoon’s Vacation with what looks like an actual gun. At least, he does so until the moment where Candy’s security guard character calls it out as a BB gun. A little bit of back and forth, plus a BB fired at John’s backside, makes for an excellent punchline to this running gag.

“Well sir, we were going to this bingo parlor at the YMCA, well one thing led to another, and the instructions got all fouled up…” - Stripes (1981)

Coming up with a good excuse that gets you and your buddies off the hook is always a valuable skill. But even Dewey “Ox” Oxenberg couldn’t vouch for his friends, especially when trying to explain their supposed “bingo night” is a feat he attempts while sporting still drying mud from a bikini wrestling incident.

“Our speedometer has melted and as a result it's very hard to say with any degree of accuracy exactly how fast we were going.” - Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987)

Excuses to get out of any sort of traffic ticket have to be creative and logical. This laugh line from Planes, Trains, and Automobiles falls into the first category, as John Candy makes this admission to Michael McKean, in the name of trying to get on the good side of his scene partner. Admittedly, while being very humorous, it’s not the best line to use on a cop during a traffic stop. 

“I did it.” - The Great Outdoors (1988)

What else could anyone say after polishing off most of “The Old 96-er” from The Great Outdoors? Mr. Candy seemed to have won a battle with his iconic 96 oz. steak nemesis, and all that was left was to preemptively celebrate with a weak, but humorous cheer of victory. 

“Nice dissolve.” - Spaceballs (1988)

Mel Brooks movies love to break the fourth wall ever so delicately in the name of laughs. Barf the Mog’s comment on the transition between scenes in Spaceballs stands as proof that such a gag can play like gangbusters. Provided, of course, you’ve got a legend like John Candy delivering the line.

“Sergeant, does this mean we're through for the day?” - Stripes (1981)

While Dewey “Ox” Oxenberg doesn’t deserve the throttling he gets from Sgt. Hulka (Warren Oates) in Stripes, it is the perfect button to this particular line. Ox’s innocent inquiry of whether his day in military training is done sets it all up for an expert payoff, showing that John Candy was just as funny teeing up a joke as he was taking the swing.

“If they told you wolverines would make good house pets, would you believe them?” - Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987)

Steve Martin’s Neal really tries to hold out hope for getting home to his family in time for Thanksgiving throughout every inch of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. While that’s not a bad thing, certain situations like hoping for a flight right before Thanksgiving need to be brought down a peg. Enter John Candy’s Del, who defuses such hopes with creative reference to dangerous animals.

“I'm Buck Melanoma. Moley Russell's wart.” - Uncle Buck (1989)

Over a decade before Austin Powers had his own run-in with a pronounced mole, and some tricky wordplay, Uncle Buck tangled with that scenario in a rather hysterical fashion. As John Candy’s character couldn't stop himself from blundering in reference to Anita Hogarth (Suzanne Shepherd) and her notable facial feature, we the audience got a nice little ramble that got him there in the end.

“I must warn you, Vince Barnes, I have a black belt in Aikido...and the boots to match.” - Who’s Harry Crumb? (1989)

Harry Crumb is a secret weapon when it comes to failing upwards. He’s also a master wordsmith who can drop a pithy line like this, and still do an impressive (stunt double assisted) backflip in Who’s Harry Crumb? If only he was that delicate around the Pterodactyl eggs he almost breaks in the process.

“With all this mess, that the radio’s the only thing that’s really working good. It’s clear as a bell!” - Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987)

Everything and anything happens to John Candy and Steve Martin during their Planes, Trains, and Automobiles journey. With an incident rendering their rental car a burnt out, open air cruiser in the middle of the midwestern fall, you have to admit Candy’s Del tries his best to convince a law enforcement officer (Michael McKean) that they’re still riding in a somewhat legal style.

“They’ve gone to Plaid.” - Spaceballs (1988)

Selling the absurd is a comedian’s job, and a movie like Mel Brooks’ Spaceballs had folks like John Candy lovingly putting in overtime. With this flick’s answer to hyperspace involving going to Plaid, the visuals were already there to make the joke stick the landing. But hearing Candy as Mog reinforcing things with his dialogue above really made the gag work like a charm.

“Say I wish you folks at home could see this. Seymour, where’d you get such a weeeeeeird plant?” - Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

In a brief appearance in the film version of Little Shop of Horrors, John Candy pulls out all the stops in setting up “Wink Wilkinson’s Weird World.” By time he introduced guest Seymour Krelborn (Rick Moranis) and his strange and interesting plant Audrey II, even the mere elongation of the word “weeeeeeeeird” is turned into an easy laugh.

“You know, that may be worth something.” - Who’s Harry Crumb? (1989)

Never underestimate the power of a good deadpan delivery. In Who’s Harry Crumb?, our titular sleuth has no idea the paperweight he’s playing around with is a fossilized Pterodactyl egg. And yet when he’s informed of this fact, all he can muster is a strict and serious utterance that’s so sharp, it just makes the line sing even more.

“Oh, he’s drunk. How would he know where we’re going?” - Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987)

You wouldn’t be faulted for almost missing this line from Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, as John Candy delivers it in the middle of a pretty busy sequence. However, if you’re a frequent watcher of this movie, you’d probably be able to enjoy it pretty easily; especially since Candy makes physical reference to this implication with a funny drinking motion.

“One.” - Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987)

Getting a temperature check on your journey is as easy as looking at your dashboard these days. But in the days of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, it wasn't always that easy. Especially when Del (John Candy) and Neal (Steve Martin) are riding in the back of an uncovered truck. When Neal poses that question on a particularly cold day, Del's response of "One" may not be a warm though, but it's certainly a comedic ice breaker. 

"I bet you fifty bucks any one of those guys could tell you where Jimmy Hoffa is buried!” - Armed and Dangerous (1986)

There are two John Candy jokes that any one from New Jersey would especially appreciate. One is a joke in Brewster's Millions about the state of Jersey minor league baseball. The other is this gag from Armed and Dangerous, a movie teamed Candy with former SCTV partner Eugene Levy. It goes over as well as one would hope.

In a career that saw so many iconic roles and fun John Candy trivia come to pass, the actor still has a treasure trove of memorable '80s moments that truly shine. They will continue to live on for years to come, so long as people are ready to laugh with a man who made laughter so very easy to come by.

Just about every single hilarious line of dialogue from The Blues Brothers is as much of a classic as the beloved ‘80s movie itself. One of the best movies about music, director John Landis’ 1980 comedy starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as their soul-singing alter egos, Jake and Elwood Blues, is still wonderfully entertaining even when no music is present, thanks to the bizarre script that makes it arguably the best movie based on Saturday Night Live characters to this day.

Now, I find myself on a mission from God to pick out the 25 funniest Blues Brothers quotes and rank them from “real cute” to “powerful enough to turn goat piss into gasoline.” The challenge would result in the following list. Hit it.

25. "I Hate Illinois Nazis" 

Throughout the film, Jake and Elwood make enemies with quite a few people, including the local chapter of the Aryan Union (led by Henry Gibson) who set out to kill them. The pursuit begins after Jake proclaims his distaste for the bigoted organization, leading the brothers to drive right through their rally, forcing them to jump off a bridge into the river underneath.

24. “Fix The Cigarette Lighter”

After hearing Elwood describe all the reasons why the new Bluesmobile, a former police car, is one of the coolest cars in movie history, Jake points out its one flaw: the cigarette lighter needs fixing. Of course, that would not be the case if Jake had not thrown the device out the window after lighting his cigarette moments earlier.

23. “Use Of Unnecessary Violence In The Apprehension Of The Blues Brothers HAS Been Approved”

Even with all of the trouble that Jake and Elwood get themselves into, it is insane to see just how many law enforcement officials end up chasing them in the final climax. By then, a police dispatcher announces via radio that getting violent to an “unnecessary” degree in order to catch them is encouraged.

22. "Your Women. I Want To Buy Your Women. The Little Girl, Your Daughters... Sell Them To Me. Sell Me Your Children!"

Jake and Elwood sometimes have to cause trouble in order to entice some of their bandmates to come back, especially trumpeter Alan “Mr. Fabulous” Rubin who is a maître d’ at the luxurious French restaurant, Chez Paul. After a very bothersome display, the final straw comes when Jake bothers a man sitting nearby with offers to purchase his wife and young daughters – something I would sue the establishment over if it happened to me.

21. "...It Wasn't My Fault, I Swear To God!"

When Jake and Elwood come face to face with the vengeful woman Jake left at the altar (played by Carrie Fisher in one of her best non-Star Wars movie roles), he comes up with an elaborate list of excuses before desperately pleading his innocence. His alibis for missing the wedding include the likes of a flat tire and a stolen car before he gets biblical and names an “earthquake, a terrible flood, locusts.”

20. "So, Jake, You're Out, You're Free, You're Rehabilitated. What's Next?... You Got The Money You Owe Us, Motherfucker?"

When Jake and Elwood begin their crusade to put the band back together and, eventually, put on a show to save the orphanage where they grew up, we discover that they are not exactly on the best terms with their former bandmates. We figure this out through this condescending greeting by drummer Willie “Too Big” Hall (starring as himself, along with the rest of the Blues Brothers Band), who reveals Jake has been indebted to them since before he entered the joint.

19. "You Know, I Kind Of Like The Wrigley Field Bit"

The Blues Brothers is also one of the best John Candy movies, in which the late, beloved comedian plays Det. Burton Mercer, who helps track the brothers down. He steals scene after scene with some brilliant quotes, such as this one when he shows some admiration for Elwood’s “real cute” idea to fake his address as 1060 W. Addison Street, which is where the Chicago Cubs play.

18. "I've Always Loved You"

Near the end of the film, two of the Illinois Nazis become so distracted by their pursuit that they drive off an unfinished bridge. As their car falls from an absurdly high altitude, Gruppenfuehrer (Eugene J. Anthony) sees this as a perfect opportunity to confess his true feelings for his leader.

17. "Did You Get Me My Cheez Whiz, Boy?"

The Blues Brothers is one of the few movies that masterfully turns random events into comedy gold, such as when makeup artist Layne “Shotgun” Britton cameos as an elderly gentlemen at Elwood’s apartment building who apparently asked him to go shopping for him earlier.

16. "Hey, Jake. Gotta Be At least $7 Worth Of Change Here"

The ruthless pursuit of Carrie Fisher’s unnamed character to murder Jake and Elwood is, perhaps, the best random running gag in the movie. One attempt — taking a flame-thrower to a phone booth next to a gas tank which launches the brothers into the heavens — just results in a massive spill of coins, which is not quite enough money to save the orphanage.

15. "So Often That You Won't Even Notice It" 

Probably the most admirable of the brothers’ distinct characteristics is their unbridled optimism. One of the most definitive and hilarious examples is when Jake asks him how often the train right next to Elwood’s apartment passes, and this is how his brother replies.

14. "Jake Ain't Lying, Though. We Had A Band Powerful Enough To Turn Goat Piss Into Gasoline"

I do not think that I could ever come up with a better metaphor to describe the profound effect of great, soulful music like what the Blues Brothers Band specializes in than what bass player Donald “Duck” Dunn comes up with here. It almost makes me wish there was a moment when a goat actually takes a leak in the Bluesmobile’s gas tank outside during a performance and fuels the car with no issue. I really don’t think that would feel out of place here.

13. "I Knew A Hooker Once Named Minnie Mazzola" 

Needing to stall the big show while Jake and Elwood are running late, their old music mentor, Curtis (the real hero of this ‘80s movie), asks the band if they know “Minnie the Moocher” — one of the best-known hits by the legendary musician playing him, Cab Calloway. Murphy Dunne (replacing original keyboardist Paul Shaffer, who had to back out of the film) gives an answer that might make him the film's funniest supporting character.

12. "One Unused Prophylactic... One Soiled"

Frank Oz (an actor better known for voicing Yoda in the Star Wars movies) appears at the beginning of the film as a Joliet corrections officer listing off Jake’s belongings before his release. Among them are a couple of condoms — one of which Jake had apparently used before starting his sentence, which Oz points out in a priceless tone of voice.

11. "Who Wants An Orange Whip? Orange Whip? Orange Whip? Three Orange Whips"

Yet another great Blues Brothers quote from John Candy — whose friendship with Dan Aykroyd predates their fame — comes after Mercer decides he wants to stay and watch Jake and Elwood perform before arresting them. According to VinePair, it is alleged that the detective’s requested cocktail — which requires rum, vodka, orange juice, and a whole lot of whipped cream — was improvised by Candy as a favor to a costume designer, whose father worked for the Orange Whip Corporation.

10. "Bring Me Four Fried Chickens And A Coke"

An even funnier instance of food service in the film comes when the Soul Food Cafe server (played by the late Aretha Franklin) is asked by Elwood for “dry white toast” and by Jake for the feast above. Belushi’s deadpan delivery is what makes the request — which lets cooks Matt “Guitar” Murphy and “Blue” Lou Marini know that the Blues Brothers are back — so iconic.

9. "Oh, We Got Both Kinds. We Got Country AND Western" 

What makes the Blues Brothers soundtrack such a winner is its variety, even if there are people who prefer some styles more than others, or even refuse to acknowledge any other kind. Exhibit A: when Elwood asks the bartender at Bob’s Country Bunker, Claire (Sheilah Wells), what kind of music they typically have and her answer excludes anything their band specializes in.

8. "A Microphone?... OK, I Can See That" 

The movie wastes no time establishing how passionate the Blues Brothers are about music by revealing why Elwood drives a used police car now. Jake is initially angry to learn that he no longer has their old Bluesmobile, a Cadillac, until his brother reveals what he traded the car in for.

7. "Two-Thousand Bucks And It's Yours. You Can Take It Home With You. As A Matter Of Fact, I'll Throw In The Black Keys For Free"

There are some amazing cameos by music legends here, but my favorite has to be Ray Charles (who was portrayed in an Oscar-winning performance by Jamie Foxx in the 2004 biopic, Ray). The singer and piano player exhibits some keen comedic timing when his character — a music store owner of the same name — demonstrates his questionable skills in negotiation with the band over an old keyboard.

6. "No, Ma'am. We're Musicians" 

The first scene of Jake and Elwood’s search for their bandmates feels like it was ripped straight from an old school TV detective drama, which is why — on top of what kind of vehicle they drive — it makes perfect sense that Mrs. Tarantino (Toni Fleming) initially assumes they are cops when asking about Tom “Bones” Malone and Lou Marini’s whereabouts. The way Elwood tells her their true profession so matter-of-factly is the perfect capper to the moment.

5. "Our Lady Of Blessed Acceleration, Don't Fail Me Now"

Out of all the best movie car chase scenes in history, I would say that The Blues Brothers features at least a few especially notable entries, including when Jake and Elwood are being tailed by the Country Bunker owner, Bob (Jeff Morris), and The Good ‘Ol Boys (led by Charles Napier's character). After their gunshot blows a hole in the Bluesmobile’s rear window, Elwood lets out this beautiful prayer that I’m pretty sure I’ve quoted during a highway drive when I was running late for something.

4. "So, For Me, For My Mother, My Grandmother, My Father, My Uncle, And For The Common Good, I Must Now Kill You, And Your Brother"

It is in this climactic scene that we finally discover why the Mystery Woman has wanted to murder Jake and Elwood: the former did not show up for their apparently expensive nuptials. As a fun fact about the Princess Leia actor, in real life, she actually dated Aykroyd and the one who set them up was Belushi.

3. "Hi, This Is Car Um... Car 55. Um, We're In A Truck!"

Easily my favorite out of John Candy’s epic Blues Brothers quotes comes from the scene that sees Mercer, Trooper Mount (Steven Williams), and Trooper Daniel’s (Armand Cerami) pursuit come to a bombastic end. After they accidentally drive their vehicle straight into the side of semi-truck trailer, Mercer gets on the radio to report the situation in a deliriously upbeat manner.

2. "They're Not Gonna Catch Us. We're On A Mission From God"

It’s actually while Jake and Elwood are first being tailed by Mount and Daniel when Elwood utters the first (and just about the funniest) use of a quote that pretty much encapsulates the entire plot of the film. It’s no wonder it was used as the tagline.

1. “It’s A Hundred And Six Miles To Chicago. We Got A Full Tank Of Gas, Half A Pack Of Cigarettes. It's Dark, And We're Wearing Sunglasses"

While the quote before effectively summarizes the film’s plot, the Blues Brothers line that best encapsulates the film’s tone (and one of Dan Aykroyd's best '80s movie quotes) is this marvelous mouthful. Elwood’s quick debriefing before he and Jake head off to pay the orphanage’s debt with their earnings from the show — capped with Jake’s immortal “Hit it!” — has been one of my Top 10 all-time favorite movie quotes for as long as I can remember.

It looks like we completed our mission to rank the funniest Blues Brothers quotes pretty smoothly. Do you agree?

In 2023, Conan O’Brien had his former Saturday Night Live colleagues — Robert Smigel, Dana Carvey, and Kevin Nealon — on his podcast, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, to dramatically read their script for an unmade movie based on Carvey and Nealon’s popular characters, Hans and Franz. Despite the bizarre content of the screenplay, I am surprised it was never greenlit, considering how many other movies based on SNL characters have ended up getting made.

In fact, despite being a life-long fan of The Blues Brothers and enjoying other known classics like the Wayne’s World movies, I did not realize how many there were until my research brought up a total of 11 titles. As an also life-long fan of the legendary comedy series, I watched each feature-length adaptation of some of the most popular SNL sketches ever and ranked them from my least favorite to the most hilarious and memorable. We shall start with one I believe most agree deserves to be at the bottom.

11. It's Pat (1994)

The Plot: A person whose gender becomes a perplexing mystery to everyone they encounter (Julia Sweeney) meets and falls for someone equally androgynous (Dave Foley).

The Reason For The Ranking: The concept of It’s Pat has aged poorly, but I was espeically offended by the film’s complete lack of humor — even with an uncredited rewrite by Quentin Tarantino, according to Playboy (via Uproxx). I was also put-off by Sweeney’s portrayal of the title role — whom Norm Macdonald claimed was meant to be a woman — as more selfish and ignorant than I remember from their original SNL appearances, resulting in a throughly unenjoyable experience that, at least, lasts only 77 minutes.

10. Stuart Saves His Family (1995)

The Plot: Stuart Smalley (Al Franken), the host of a public access self-help show, must rely on his own therapeutic methods when struggling keep his extremely dysfunctional family together.

The Reason For The Ranking: It actually pains me to rank Stuart Saves His Family so low, out of admiration for the Daily Affirmations sketches, respect for SNL star-turned-politician Franken — who, as his character, wrote the 1992 book the movie adapts — and because it is probably the most mature and heartfelt of these films. Unfortunately, I also think it is one of the least funny and most dull of the bunch, even with the late, great Harold Ramis at the helm.

9. The Ladies Man (2000)

The Plot: After his risqué sensibilities cost him his job, a call-in radio show host and outspoken womanizer (Tim Meadows) searches for a wealthy past lover, while being unwittingly pursued by a legion of men he has cuckolded over the years.

The Reason For The Ranking: The vastly underrated Meadows (one of SNL’s longest running cast members) brings a certain charisma to Leon Phelps that made the character’s sketches a success and The Ladies Man somewhat enjoyable for me (in addition to its choice soundtrack of classic funk hits). However, I would not necessarily recommend this Reginald Huldin-directed comedy, as I feel it suffers from recycled and oft-repeated jokes and lacks real authority over its more important themes: heart and raunch.

8. Coneheads (1993)

The Plot: After becoming stranded on Earth, married extra-terrestrials (Dan Aykroyd and Jane Curtin) and their Earth-born daughter (Michelle Burke) try to blend in among humans, despite their unusual mannerisms and conical head shape.

The Reason For The Ranking: I definitely chuckled a few times at this somewhat heartwarming sci-fi comedy from 1990’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles director Steve Barron and was amused by how it reimagines the characters’ lore. For instance, Beldar and Prymatt’s daughter, Connie, is a naturalized Earthling as opposed to the full-blooded Remulak native originally played by Laraine Newman, who also cameos here. However, I still think the Coneheads are a prime example of SNL characters that work best when limited to a minutes-long sketch, especially with how their struggle to fit in becomes the only joke, and their distinct, robotic speech pattern grows irritating.

7. Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)

The Plot: After his brother dies in prison, a recently released musician (Dan Aykroyd) reunites old bandmates and recruits a few new members (John Goodman, Joe Morton, J. Evan Bonifant) to enter a music competition while avoiding the pursuits of cops, Russian mobsters, and white supremacists.

The Reason For The Ranking: Speaking as someone who has a deep passion for its predecessor (which we'll get to), I find Blues Brothers 2000 to be a pretty weak attempt at a sequel in its clear attempt to recapture that magic with cheap references, weak humor, and its overall needlessness, especially nearly two decades after John Belushi’s death. The reason it ranks closer to the middle of our list is because, much like the first movie, the soundtrack — performed by an incredible assortment of legends like Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, and more — is chock-full of irresistible bangers.

6. A Night At The Roxbury (1998)

The Plot: A pair of brainless, self-absorbed brothers (Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan) chase their dream of getting into an exclusive night club and, hopefully, running one of their own.

The Reason For The Ranking: Catchy needle drops — the most prominent being Haddaway’s “What Is Love” — also won me over while revisiting this early Will Ferrell movie “classic” that I recognize is as dim-witted as its protagonists, who were first referred to as Steve and Doug Butabi upon the film’s release. However, I would still call A Night at the Roxbury one of the better attempts at needlessly stretching an SNL sketch to feature-length for its candid lampooning of the ‘90s club scene and free-wheeling approach to humor that I, shamelessly, could not help but get lost in.

5. MacGruber (2010)

The Plot: A retired special forces operative (Will Forte) is called back into action to prevent his archnemesis (Val Kilmer) from releasing a nuclear warhead with help from a former colleague (Kristen Wiig) and a young lieutenant (Ryan Phillippe).

The Reason For The Ranking: With this otherwise sharp send-up of yesteryear's best action movies, I, admittedly, began to grow weary of Forte’s title character — based on Richard Dean Anderson's orginal MacGuyver — for his pervasively selfish absent-mindedness and crudeness that I still feel is more suitable for his original sketches. However, I applaud MacGruber — co-written and directed by The Lonely Island’s Jorma Taccone —  for not being a direct, two-hour adaptation of those hilarious, rigidly structured segments and admire how it overcame its low RT scores and box office returns, gained a passionate cult following unlike most SNL movies can claim, and inspired its own spin-off series on Peacock.

4. Superstar (1999)

The Plot: An idiosyncratic teenager (Molly Shannon, one of the most iconic ‘90s SNL stars) tries out for her Catholic high school’s talent show, hoping to achieve her ambitions of being famous and getting kissed.

The Reason For The Ranking: Similar to Tim Meadows’ Leon Phelps, I believe that Shannon’s unmistakable, endlessly compelling comedic talents are why a character as eccentric as Mary Katherine Gallagher became such a memorable staple on SNL and why her feature-length moment is such a hilarious winner. Honestly, I think Superstar could have been just another quirky high school comedy if it centered on a character any less distinct or starred an actor any less unique. 

3. Wayne's World 2 (1993)

The Plot: A successful cable access show host (Mike Myers) and his co-host/best friend (Dana Carvey) are inspired by a strange dream to put together a star-studded rock music festival, but a slimy record producer’s (Christopher Walken) manipulative wooing of his musician girlfriend (Tia Carerre) gets in the way.

The Reason For The Ranking: I genuinely consider Wayne’s World 2 to be one of the most enjoyable and satisfying comedy sequels of its time, especially with cameos by the legendary James Hong and Aerosmith, who previously collaborated with Wayne and Garth in one Mike Myers' single funniest SNL sketches. However, to more specifically describe what makes it great would be to describe what makes the first one great. So, without further ado…

2. Wayne's World (1992)

The Plot: A cable access show host (Myers) and his co-host/best friend (Carvey) are faced with the ultimate challenge to their moral integrity and relationship after a sleazy executive (Rob Lowe) offers them the chance for a network deal.

The Reason For The Ranking: Out of all of Mike Myers’ best characters, I still have a soft spot for Wayne Campbell who, along with Carvey’s charmingly strange Garth Algar, headlined one of SNL’s most beloved recurring sketches with “Wayne’s World.” It is no wonder that this ceaselessly jovial, cleverly self-aware barrage of absurd humor and pop culture references — such as the famed “Bohemian Rhapsody” sing-along — was an instant box office hit, a winner among critics and audiences, and remains an enduring favorite that exceeds generations. 

1. The Blues Brothers (1980)

The Plot: After reuniting when one is released from prison, two brotherly musicians (John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd) set out on a mission from God to put their old band back together for a show to benefit the orphanage where they were raised.

The Reason For The Ranking: After technically making their musical SNL debut dressed as bees in 1976 (according to Primetimer), Belushi and Aykroyd officially appeared as the leaders of the Blues Brothers Band — Jake and Elwood — two years later and went on to serve as the official musical guest for an episode hosted by Carrie Fisher, land a record deal, and go on tour. The moment they entered the public consciousness as icons was with the release of director John Landis’ undisputed classic of both comedy and musicals for its uniquely surreal and invigorating mastery of both genres (with help from guests like Ray Charles and Cab Calloway, to name a few), that has since transcended way beyond its roots in Studio 8H as one of the most important movies set in Chicago and, apparently, a Catholic classic, as well.

Saturday Night Live is always at its best when it is, indeed, live. However, most of the movies above prove that some of the sketch comedy series’ most iconic characters do translate well when pre-taped and on the big screen.

Car chases in films are almost as old as the medium itself, though it’s really in the last 50 years that they’ve become a way to market an entire movie. There are a lot of amazing chase sequences out there, so here are fifteen of our favorite movie car chase scenes, and something wild about each one. 

The Blues Brothers Final Chase Had To Be Reshot

There are two great car chases in 1980’s The Blues Brothers. The first is the one in the mall, but the second is one of the most legendary of all time. Estimates vary as to how many cars were destroyed in that final chase, but it’s safe to say it was at or near a hundred vehicles, which was a record at the time. The most amazing fact, though, is that one particular sequence in that scene had to be re-shot because the cars were traveling so fast through the streets of downtown Chicago that it looked fake. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, director John Landis decided to film the scene again, but with pedestrians walking on the street to show the audience just how fast the cars were moving. 

The Italian Job Minis Were All Electric

Electric vehicles are all the rage these days, but 20 years ago, when Mark Wahlberg and co. remade The Italian Job, they were almost unheard of. The car chase, an homage to the original Italian Job from 1969, features three Mini Coopers racing through the Los Angeles subway system. Because the city of LA was worried about fumes from combustion engines, the filmmakers asked BMW, which owns Mini, for a few electric cars. 

The problem was that BMW hadn’t yet designed or built any electric ones, so the stunt team, including transportation coordinator John Carpenter, actually designed and built their own electric engines and installed them in the Minis so that they could shoot the now-iconic scene. 

The Chase In Bullitt Wasn’t In The Script 

Many film historians point to 1968’s Bullitt as the first modern car chase. You can argue about how true that is, but what is definitely true is that the chase wasn’t even in the original script. Bullitt was based on a novel by Robert L. Fish called Mute Witness and in the book there is no car chase. The film’s star, Steve McQueen, who was a famous thrill-seeker and race car driver in his spare time, came up with the idea, telling Motor Trend in 1969 (via Hagerty):

Audiences sure are lucky for McQueen’s inspired addition to the scene. Today, the film is pretty much only remembered for the car chase, which is still one of the best of all time, and won the film its lone Oscar for Best Editing. 

The French Connection Didn’t Have Permits

The famous chase scene in The French Connection has some people in common with Bullitt, including one of the stunt drivers, Bill Hickman. The difference, or course, is that Gene Hackman’s character, Popeye Doyle, is chasing a subway train, instead of a Dodge Charger. One other major difference is that the film shot it all on open streets, not closed to traffic. According to the DVD commentary, (via Hagerty): 

It’s frankly a miracle that no bystanders were injured or killed in the shoot, but there is no question it adds to the authentic vibe that the movie creates around New York City in the 1970s. 

The Italian Job (1969) Aston Martin Wasn’t An Aston Martin

Another of the early pioneers in car chases was the original Italian Job from 1969. The British production set the standard for European sports cars tearing up the streets of the continent, including one of the most iconic British cars of all time, the Aston Martin DB4. According to what stunt driver David Salamone told Top Gear, due to a production mishap, the DB4 audiences see blowing up as it plummets down a cliff at the end was actually a Lancia Flaminia 3C. 

Mad Max: Fury Road Custom Built 150 Cars

There is a whole lot that can be said about the car chases in Mad Max: Fury Road, but maybe the most insane would be that, unlike most car chases where the stunt coordinators and producers only need to customize a few things on standard cars, that clearly wasn’t going to work for the stylish post-apocalyptic word. So, what did they do? They designed 88 custom cars, and with duplicates, according to production designer Colin Gibson, in an interview with Motor Trend, they had a total of 150 or so cars built just for the movie. In the end, only one survived. 

Ronin Used 100 Stunt Drivers In One Scene

The two car chases in Ronin are so good that the movie was immediately vaulted into the pantheon of great action sequences on film. In one chase, the production used 100 stunt drivers to film the insane action. In the second chase scene, Robert De Niro’s character pursues Natascha McElhone’s character through the streets of Paris, including a white-knuckle drive against traffic on a three-lane road. 100 drivers were used for the cars coming straight at the protagonists. There is good reason the scene is so iconic today. 

Fast Five Had Only One CGI Shot In The Most Famous Chase

The Fast And The Furious franchise is both praised and lambasted for its car stunts, especially the use of CGI when so many epic chase scenes in cinema history have been shot without it. One of the franchise’s most iconic chases, though, when Brian and Dom drag a bank vault through Rio, was shot mostly without the use of special effects, only requiring one shot with a CG vault.

Death Proof Used No CGI At All

Quentin Tarantino fans usually don’t hold Death Proof up as his best work, but that doesn’t mean the movie isn’t worth watching. The car chase scenes alone are amazing. In true Tarantino fashion, the director didn’t use any CGI at all for any of the shots. He wanted them to look authentic and since the whole movie was an ode to the old car movies of the ‘70s, he had to shoot it the way he did and it meant stuntwoman Zoë Bell was really on the hood of that car the whole time. 

The Man With The Golden Gun Used A Computer To Calculate A Jump For The First Time

The James Bond franchise is filled with amazing action and incredible car chases, but one stunt stands above the rest, despite the cheesy slide whistle effect added to it. In The Man With The Golden Gun, the franchise became the first to use computer modeling to design a jump. According to Jaleponik, it was computer scientists at the Calspan Corporation who first modeled the physics involved in the famous “corkscrew” jump Bond makes over a river in an AMC. Now if they would just get rid of the stupid slide whistle in future edits… 

Vanishing Point Cars Were Unmodified

The now-cult classic, Vanishing Point, was shot on a shoestring budget and that meant using basically factory cars for its chases. There were multiple Dodge Chargers in the film and none were modified except to add some racing shocks. In fact, the stunt coordinator chose the Charger specifically because it didn’t need to be modified and could handle whatever stunts they wanted to put it through. 

Smokey And The Bandit Made The Trans Am So Popular, You Couldn’t Get One

There are few more iconic cars in film history than Burt Reynolds' Pontiac Trans Am in Smokey In The Bandit. The film was a huge hit in 1977 and even though the cast includes Reynolds, Sally Field, Jerry Reed, and Jackie Gleason, the star of the movie became that car. It was so popular that, according to director Hal Needham, there was a six-month waiting list to buy the car. 

Duel’s Final Stunt Almost Ended In Tragedy

It’s hard to believe Steven Spielberg got his start in television. His first full-length film was the made-for-TV Duel, about a man pursued and harassed by a crazy truck (whose driver remains unseen for most of the film). That truck almost killed a stunt driver when a mechanical problem while filming the movie's climactic scene forced the driver to stay inside until just before it tumbles off a cliff and explodes. The driver bailed at the very last second and any longer would have meant he would’ve gone down with it. 

The Roads Weren’t Closed For Baby Driver Production

One of the most unbelievable stories on this list is that the famous highway chase in Baby Driver was shot on a road that the city of Atlanta didn’t allow the production to shut down. If you’ve ever been stuck in Atlanta traffic, you understand why, but how they shot it is incredible. Instead of closing the highway completely, the production had the police performing a “rolling barricade” around the cars while they filmed. You can take shots at the soundtrack for Baby Driver, but you can’t criticize the action. 

Mission Impossible: Fallout Had To Find Used M5s

The Mission Impossible franchise is yet another that film fans can always count on to bring great car chases, and the latest installment, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One is no different. In Mission Impossible: Fallout, production ran into a problem. For the BMW M5s used in one of the chases, BMW couldn’t provide any of the retro cars, which, according to stunt coordinator Wade Eastwood, meant they had to go out and find used ones on the open market. Eastwood had to tell a little fib to many of the sellers that their beloved cars weren’t going to get trashed in the filming of the movie, which, of course, they were. 

There is little doubt that car chases will continue to drive action movies forever. You can check out our 2023 movie release schedule to find out when you can scratch that itch for more heart-pounding driving stunts with movies like the latest Mission Impossible film and Gran Tourismo set to come out this year. 

The Blues Brothers have been around since John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd created the original sketch for Saturday Night Live in 1976. Since then, many comedic actors and musicians have appeared as a Blues Brother in one way or another, with Dan Aykroyd being the only constant presence in the band, and John’s brother Jim Belushi stepping in as a mainstay for the live shows. There hasn’t been an official Blues Brothers film since 1998’s Blues Brothers 2000, and although nothing is technically in the works, it hasn’t stopped Dan Aykroyd from coming up with ideas for the future of the franchise. And oh man, some of them sure are ‘out there.’

Jim Belushi’s Discovery channel series Growing Belushi is entering its third season, and the reality/scripted comedy hybrid about Belushi’s marijuana farm features a ton of familiar faces from his decades as a presence in pop culture. This includes Dan Aykroyd, as the two still tour as the famous brothers regularly. Naturally I was curious as to whether or not they discuss potential for The Blues Brothers to make their way back to the silver screen, and Belushi did admit that Aykroyd is always coming up with potential new ideas:

Is it too early to start dream-casting who would play the Blues Sisters and their Albanian brother? Although the ideas seem a little silly, I also feel like they could totally work. Aykroyd has never shied away from the potential of reviving his old franchises, as he’s even fought for a potential Ghostbusters prequel and is down for the idea of a live-action TV show. Not that it really matters, as Jim Belushi seems pretty confident that the brothers’ time in film is over. As he put it:

The history of The Blues Brothers is rather complicated. They certainly are a real band, albeit depicted as fictional characters, and Jim Belushi never appeared in the films. He was supposed to be in Blues Brothers 2000, but there was a conflict with his Total Security television contract with ABC. He initially did not replace his late brother John as Joliet, but instead played a new brother, Zee Blues. John isn’t the only Blues Brother they’ve lost in the band’s 47-year history, as their bassist Donald Duck Dunn passed at 70, and Dan's brother Peter Aykroyd, who voiced the character Elwood for The Blues Brothers Animated Series, passed in 2021. They even paid tribute to him on a 2021 episode of SNL hosted by Simu Liu.

The ways that the Blues Brothers connect to Growing Belushi goes far beyond an occasional appearance by Aykroyd, as he and Jim Belushi are business partners on a brand of cannabis products that sports the Blues Brothers name. Belushi even calls his work in the cannabis industry a “mission from God,” referencing the famous Blues Brothers quote, as he believes access to such medicine might have changed his brother John’s untimely fate. He takes this mission seriously and even once plead with Chris Farley in an effort to prevent him from ending up like his famous brother.

Growing Belushi Season 3 premieres on Discovery channel at 9pm ET on April 5! There’s also a slew of other awesome TV premieres coming our way in 2023, so make sure to stay up to date here at CinemaBlend. 

Among the actors who are most famous for starring in some of the funniest comedy movies ever made, a handful of them are known for bringing audiences equal amounts of laughter and tears, such as John Candy. I say this because rewatching the work of the two-time Emmy-winning star of the hit sketch comedy series, SCTV, reminds fans that he passed away at the age of 43 in 1994, while filming the movie Wagons East in Mexico.

While it is sad that comedy icon John Candy died so young and is no longer around to entertain us with his pristine talent, at least he still gave us plenty of reasons to keep laughing with the exceptional variety of hilarious movie classics in his filmography. The following are our picks for John Candy's best movies you can find right now on streaming, as a digital rental or purchase, or on physical media — starting with one of the greatest movies set during Thanksgiving ever made.

Planes, Trains And Automobiles (1987)

In a desperate attempt to make it home to his family in Chicago in time for Thanksgiving, an uptight advertising executive (Steve Martin) is forced to become travel buddies with a vexing shower curtain ring salesman (John Candy) on a one way trip to disaster.

Why it’s one of John Candy’s best: Among his many collaborations with writer and director John Hughes, perhaps the most iconic of the bunch was when Candy was perfectly cast as the lovably obnoxious Del Griffith in Planes, Trains and Automobiles, which is also one of the best Steve Martin movies and, arguably, the ultimate “road trip from hell” comedy.

Stream Planes, Trains and Automobiles on Paramount+.
Buy/Rent Planes, Trains and Automobiles on Amazon.
Get Planes, Trains and Automobiles on Blu-Ray on Amazon.

Uncle Buck (1989)

When a family crisis forces his brother and his sister-in-law out of town, a carefree bachelor (John Candy) is tasked with looking after his nieces and nephew (Macaulay Culkin) whose lives are turned upside down by his unconventional approach to parenting.

Why it’s one of John Candy’s best: Two years after Planes, Trains and Automobiles, writer and director John Hughes would once again re-team with Candy and cast him in the title role of the hilarious family comedy, Uncle Buck, who was not much different from the actor’s real personality, according to his daughter.

Stream Uncle Buck on FuboTV.
Buy/Rent Uncle Buck on Amazon.
Get Uncle Buck on Blu-Ray on Amazon.

The Blues Brothers (1980)

After he is released from prison, a musician (John Belushi) and his brother (co-writer Dan Aykroyd) aspire to reunite their old band for a show in the hope of raising money to save the orphanage they grew up in.

Why it’s one of John Candy’s best: John Candy worked with a large variety of other comedy legends like himself, including former SNL stars Aykroyd and Belushi in director John Landis’ timeless musical comedy, The Blues Brothers, as Burton Mercer — a detective with a keen sense of humor, an appreciation for the blues, and a thirst for Orange Whips.

Stream The Blues Brothers on Fubo TV.
Buy/Rent The Blues Brothers on Amazon.
Get The Blues Brothers on Blu-Ray on Amazon.

Stripes (1981)

Unhappy with the way their lives are going, a pair of immature men (Bill Murray and co-writer Harold Ramis) believe they can turn their lives around by enlisting in the United States Army, unwitting of the harsh truths about the career that they are in for.

Why it’s one of John Candy’s best: Another SNL veteran John Candy worked with is Murray, when he played Ox — a man who joins the Army to “lose a few pounds” — in the raunchy, politically incorrect favorite, Stripes, which is also one of the best movies by director Ivan Reitman.

Stream Stripes on Tubi.
Buy/Rent Stripes on Amazon.
Get Stripes on Blu-Ray on Amazon.

Spaceballs (1987)

An oafish outlaw pilot (Bill Pullman) and his half-man, half-dog companion (John Candy) are tasked with rescuing a princess (Daphne Zuniga) from the clutches of an evil, helmeted tyrant (Rick Moranis).

Why it’s one of John Candy’s best: In addition to sharing the screen with SNL stars, Candy would often reunite with his SCTV co-stars like Moranis, with whom he reunited in Spaceballs — one of the greatest spoof movies from co-writer, director, and star Mel Brooks, in which he targets the Star Wars movies, specifically.

Stream Spaceballs on Fubo TV.
Buy/Rent Spaceballs on Amazon.
Get Spaceballs on Blu-Ray on Amazon.

Splash (1983)

Years after he is rescued by a young mermaid when he was a little boy, a New York City produce manager (Tom Hanks) is suddenly reunited under similar circumstances with the aquatic, mythological beauty (Daryl Hannah) and is immediately lovestruck.

Why it’s one of John Candy’s best: Another fellow SCTV vet whom John Candy would reunite with on the big screen is future Schitt’s Creek star Eugene Levy, such as in director Ron Howard’s fun, supernatural romantic-comedy, Splash, which is also one of a few different times Candy acted alongside future two-time Academy Award winner, Hanks.

Stream Splash on Disney+.
Buy/Rent Splash on Amazon.
Get Splash on DVD on Amazon.

Armed And Dangerous (1986)

A bumbling former cop (John Candy) and a disgraced lawyer (Eugene Levy) begrudgingly take jobs as security guards and discover they were hired to be scapegoats for a warehouse robbery scheme, inspiring them to team-up against their shady bosses.

Why it’s one of John Candy’s best: A few years after Splash, Candy and Levy would reunite again and share the spotlight as the unlikely heroes of Armed and Dangerous — a riotous and underrated action-comedy which Candy’s Stripes co-star Harold Ramis actually co-wrote and helped produce, and also stars Meg Ryan.

Stream Armed And Dangerous on HBO Max.
Buy/Rent Armed And Dangerous on Amazon.
Get Armed And Dangerous on DVD/Blu-Ray on Amazon.

Who’s Harry Crumb? (1989)

The latest descendant from a long line of successful private investigators and masters of disguise (John Candy) just cannot seem to live up to his family’s legacy, but does manage to land a case involving a kidnapped young heiress 

Why it’s one of John Candy’s best: Another fairly underrated comedy in which Candy plays a bumbling cop unwittingly hired by the bad guy and appears alongside an SCTV vet (future Freaks and Geeks cast member Joe Flaherty, in this case) is Who’s Harry Crumb? — which was directed by SCTV writer Paul Flaherty and executive produced in part by Candy himself.

Stream Who’s Harry Crumb? on HBO Max.
Buy/Rent Who’s Harry Crumb? on Amazon.
Get Who’s Harry Crumb? on Blu-Ray on Amazon.

The Rescuers Down Under (1990)

Two mice (Bob Newhart, Eva Gabor) from a secret organization that specializes in retrieving people in need are assigned to travel to Australia and team up with a local kangaroo agent to safely return a boy and a rare golden eagle from a deadly poacher.

Why it’s one of John Candy’s best: Among his few notable voice acting roles, the one that John Candy is, arguably, best known for is when he leant his voice to one of the best animated sequels, The Rescuers Down Under, as Wilbur — an ambitious and friendly albatross whose brother, Orville, was the albatross featured in the original The Rescuers from 1977.

Stream The Rescuers Down Under on Disney+.
Buy/Rent The Rescuers Down Under on Amazon.
Get The Rescuers Down Under on Blu-Ray on Amazon.

JFK (1991)

A district attorney (Kevin Costner) suspects that there is more to learn about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy than the government would like the American public to know.

Why it’s one of John Candy’s best: Among his few dramatic roles, the one that is, arguably, John Candy’s most underrated but, inarguably, most transformative is his performance as shady New Orleans-based lawyer Dean Anderson in JFK — Oliver Stone’s controversial, conspiratorial, and thrilling courtroom drama.

Stream JFK on HBO Max.
Buy/Rent JFK on Amazon.
Get JFK on Blu-Ray on Amazon.

Cool Runnings (1993)

After a devastating loss that costs him a spot in the Olympics, an ambitious track runner (Leon) enlists the help of a disgraced former athlete from America (John Candy) to mentor him and his teammates in bobsledding — a sport almost entirely unheard of in Jamaica at the time.

Why it’s one of John Candy’s best: In a role that sees him utilize both his dramatic talents and his comedic talents wonderfully, Candy plays the initially unwilling coach of the first Olympic bobsled team from Jamaica in Cool Runnings — one of the best sports movies of its time and one based on an inspiring true story.

Stream Cool Runnings on Disney+.
Buy/Rent Cool Runnings on Amazon.
Get Cool Runnings on DVD on Amazon.

Canadian Bacon (1995)

When the President of the United States (Alan Alda) begins to suffer a slump in approval ratings, a political strategist (Kevin Pollack) convinces him that a great way to get in good standing with the American people is to start a Cold War with Canada.

Why it’s one of John Candy’s best: In his final acting credit, released a year after his death, the Canadian-born John Candy, ironically, plays an American who aspires to invade the Great White North after catching heat for criticizing its beer during a hockey game in Canadian Bacon — an uproarious political satire that could only have been written and directed by Academy Award-winning documentarian Michael Moore.

Stream Canadian Bacon on Tubi.
Get Canadian Bacon on Blu-Ray on Amazon.

John Candy is still deeply missed, but he lives on in the great movies above!

New York has a lot of great movies, and awesome Los Angeles movies have been at the center of some of cinema's best moments, but Chicago, a.k.a. “The Windy City,” a.k.a. “The Second City,” is home to some of the best movies of all time. Just look at films like The Blues Brothers, most of John Hughes’ timeless classics, and a whole slew of other movies set in the Midwestern metropolis. Hell, movies not even set in Chicago have used the city’s landmarks and architecture to help better tell their stories. 

Below is a list of some of the best Chicago movies that have ever been released in theaters, whether they be iconic comedies like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, action thrillers like The Fugitive, and romantic comedies like High Fidelity. Let’s dig into this deep dish of great movies. 

The Blues Brothers (1980)

John Landis’ landmark 1980 comedy, The Blues Brothers, follows Elwood Blues (Dan Aykroyd) and “Joliet” Jake Blues (John Belushi) as they attempt to get their band back together in hopes of raising enough cash to save their former orphanage from being shut down. This beloved musical comedy checks all the boxes to be one the of best Chicago movies in that it shows the city’s unique charm, touches on its musical legacy, and also gives you a look at the most Chicago Police cruisers ever captured on film in the logic-defying chase sequence.

Rent/Buy The Blues Brothers on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1985)

It is hard to find a movie that shows off the city of Chicago more than John Hughes’ Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Once Ferris (Matthew Broderick), his girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara), and best friend Cameron (Alan Ruck) escape the dullness of suburbia with one hell of a “senior skip day” in the big city, the movie plays like a tourism video for Chicago, and that’s not a dig. I’ve been to Chicago countless times over the years, but I still can’t help but point out all those famous locations with “Hey, that was in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”

Stream Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on Paramount+.
Rent/Buy Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Home Alone (1990)

Even though only one scene takes place in Chicago (The McAllisters running through O’Hare), it’s hard to deny Home Alone as being one of the best movies set in the Windy City. Just like he did throughout the 1980s, John Hughes does a masterful job of adding the Chicago flare to a movie that is primarily set in the suburbs. If you’ve ever ventured out to the small villages, towns, and cities in northern Chicagoland, you’ll see that Home Alone is about as Chicago as it gets.

Stream Home Alone on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Home Alone on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Adventures In Babysitting (1987)

With Adventures in Babysitting, Chris Columbus takes Chris Parker (Elisabeth Shue) and a group of kids under her care out of their comfort zone (suburbia) and into the heart of Chicago. But, unlike with Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, which featured one iconic landmark after another, this classic comedy shows the darker and seedier side of the city at night, which makes the movie all the better with its increased sense of danger and heightened stakes.

Stream Adventures in Babysitting on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Adventures in Babysitting on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Judas And The Black Messiah (2021)

Shaka King’s Academy Award-winning historical drama, Judas and the Black Messiah, with its standout performances by Daniel Kaluuya as Fred Hampton and LaKeith Stanfield as Bill O’Neal, is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking in its recounting of the final days of the Black Panther leader. Instead of shying away from one of Chicago’s darkest days, the movie approaches it head on with an unflinching narrative.

Stream Judas and the Black Messiah on HBO Max.
Buy Judas and the Black Messiah on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Sting (1973)

George Roy Hill’s The Sting, which is more than deserving of a remake, is one of the all-time great crime capers and follows schemers Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford) and Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman) as they get revenge on a Chicago crime boss. Set in Great Depression-era Chicago, this Best Picture winner gives you one of the best glimpses of life in the big city during that long-ago crime-ridden era, in addition to setting the tone for other crime capers later on.

Rent/Buy The Sting on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Thief (1981)

In 1981, Michael Mann made his feature directorial debut with Thief, a dark, moody, and influential neo-noir crime thriller starring an on-top-of-his-game James Caan as a master jewel thief. If you haven’t seen this movie stop what you’re doing right and give it a try. Everything about it is damn near perfect, including its lead, the engrossing story, and the long list of supporting actors, specifically the menacing Leo (Robert Prosky). 

Stream Thief on Tubi.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Chicago (2002)

Rob Marshall’s 2002 sensational crime musical, Chicago, follows Roxie Hart (Renée Zellweger in one of her best performances) as she goes from aspiring singer to a media sensation after murdering a man who claimed he could help her career. This star-studded affair won a ton of awards upon its release and continues to fan-favorite with viewers of the movie and the Broadway hit on which it was based.

Stream Chicago on HBO Max.
Rent/Buy Chicago on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Break-Up (2006)

A lot of the great romantic comedies over the years follow a similar path, but every now and then a movie like The Break-Up comes around and flips the script. Directed by Peyton Reed, this 2006 comedy follows Brooke Meyers (Jennifer Aniston) and Gary Grobowski (Vince Vaughn) as they split up and refuse to move out of their shared apartment. The two find themselves bickering and getting revenge in their cramped space as well on the streets (and waterways) of Chicago.

Stream The Break-Up on Peacock.
Rent/Buy The Break-Up on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Untouchables (1987)

Brian De Palma’s 1987 historical crime drama, The Untouchables, follows Bureau of Prohibition agent Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) as he teams up with Jim Malone (Sean Connery) in an attempt to nab Chicago crime boss Al Capone (Robert De Niro) once and for all. With a figure like Capone comes the territory of Chicago, which almost becomes another character with all its charm and personality.

Rent/Buy The Untouchables on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Uncle Buck (1989)

John Hughes’ seminal 1989 comedy, Uncle Buck, shows what happens when the city goes to the suburbs opposed to the other way around. When Buck Russell (John Candy) is asked to take care of his nieces and nephew while their parents are away for a family emergency, the cigar-smoking bowler is forced to leave his Wrigleyville apartment and help out at the family’s upper middle-class home, causing a clash of cultures and some of the best scenes in any ‘80s comedy.

Stream Uncle Buck on Peacock.
Rent/Buy Uncle Buck on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

High Fidelity (2000)

If you ever go to the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago, you’ll quickly think to yourself “doesn’t this look a lot like High Fidelity?” And that’s because its where a lot of Stephen Frears’ 2000 romantic comedy takes place (especially those Championship Vinyl scenes). One of the best John Cusack movies, the movie centers on record store owner and hopeless romantic Rob Gordon (John Cusack), as he tries to save his business and love life. Not your typical Chicago movie (no Sears Tower or Lake Shore Drive), but it does give you a glimpse at life outside “The Loop.”

Stream High Fidelity on Cinemax.
Rent/Buy High Fidelity on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Road To Perdition (2002)

Although it takes place in various locations around the Great Lakes region, Sam Mendes’ 2002 crime drama, Road to Perdition, gets its start in Chicago. After his son finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, mob enforcer Michael Sullivan, Sr. (Tom Hanks) attempts to protect him from the dangers that await. This marvelous accomplishment in film does a tremendous job of incorporating multiple elements of Depression-era Chicago, and the crime that came with it, better than just about anything that came before it.

Stream Road to Perdition on Paramount+.
Rent/Buy Road to Perdition on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Eight Men Out (1988)

One of the most infamous scandals in all of professional sports is told in great detail in John Sayles 1988 historical drama Eight Men Out. The star-studded movie, which features everyone from John Cusack to Charlie Sheen, follows the 1919 Chicago White Sox as they throw the World Series after being paid off by the city’s criminal elements. Though one of the best baseball movies of all time, this moving drama goes beyond the realm of sports and dives headfirst into how greed and corruption can push people to the brink. 

Stream Eight Men Out on HBO Max.
Rent/Buy Eight Men Out on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Fugitive (1993)

After being falsely accused of murdering his wife and being sent to a prison downstate, Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford) returns to Chicago in an attempt to find the real killer and clear his name. But, even though he knows the city better than just about anyone, Kimble is being chased by the unflinching and determined Samuel Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones) and his team of U.S. Marshals, in The Fugitive.

Stream The Fugitive on HBO Max.
Rent/Buy The Fugitive on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Planes, Trains And Automobiles (1987)

John Hughes’ Planes, Trains and Automobiles could be on a list of the best road trip movies or the most iconic buddy comedies, but like this piece, all roads lead to Chicago in the beloved 1987 classic. The movie centers on Neal Page (Steve Martin), a high-strung advertising executive trying to get home for Thanksgiving, who meets and starts various misadventures with the irritating but well-meaning Del Griffith (John Candy). When the pair finally makes it the Windy City, the movie’s real magic starts.

Stream Planes, Trains and Automobiles on Paramount+.
Rent/Buy Planes, Trains and Automobiles on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Hopefully, this list of the best Chicago movies will help you remember why the city has such a prestigious cinematic history. And, who knows, maybe that tradition will continue and Chicago will be featured in some of the upcoming 2022 movies.

The list of the best ‘80s movies is a massive and diverse list of everything from iconic action movies to Best Picture winners, and so much more. With so many great movies having come out in the penultimate decade of the 20th century, keeping track of all those rom-coms, sci-fi thrillers, horror flicks, and tear-jerking dramas is no easy task.

Looking for a way to revisit your favorites from the ‘80s while waiting for those new releases on the 2025 movie schedule? Well, come with us as we explore the best the ‘80s had to offer and how to watch those movies on some of the best streaming services. There’s a lot to unpack, so let’s go back to the ‘80s with these great movies…

The Big Chill (1983)

The Director: Lawrence Kasdan

The Cast: Glenn Close, Kevin Kline, William Hurt

What It’s About: A group of college friends reunite to bury one of their own who has committed suicide. Together for the first time in years, the once close-knit gang examine their college experience and what has changed.

What To Expect: With one of the best movie soundtracks ever assembled, incredible performances by some of the biggest ‘80s stars, and an unflinching story about friendship and identity, The Big Chill has it all.

• Stream The Big Chill on Max.
  Rent/Buy The Big Chill on Amazon.
• Get The Big Chill on DVD on Amazon.

Major League (1989)

The Director: David S. Ward

The Cast: Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Wesley Snipes

What It’s About: After discovering that their team’s new owner is planning on tanking the team to relocate to sunny Florida, the ragtag group of misfits that make up the Cleveland Indians take matters into their own hands and attempt to pull off the impossible.

What To Expect: One of the best baseball movies of all time, Major League hits the triple crown of a sports flick: comedy, drama, and all kinds of web gems.

• Rent/Buy Major League on Amazon.
• Get Major League on DVD on Amazon.

Clue (1985)

The Director: Jonathan Lynn

The Cast: Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, Michael McKean

What It’s About: Six seemingly random strangers, who appear to have nothing in common with one another, are summoned to a mansion for dinner, only to discover they are in the middle of a murder mystery where no one can be trusted, not even the staff.

What To Expect: With its multiple endings, hilarious gags, and unforgettable performances by some of the funniest people in Hollywood, Clue takes a classic board game and turns it into a classic whodunit comedy.

• Rent/Buy Clue on Amazon.
• Get Clue on DVD on Amazon.

Honey, I Shrunk The Kids (1989)

The Director: Joe Johnston

The Cast: Rick Moranis, Matt Frewer, Amy O’Neill

What It’s About: After being in the wrong place at the wrong time, a group of teenagers are turned into a fraction of their normal size and are forced to survive the dangerous hellscape that is their backyard.

What To Expect: One of the most hilarious Rick Moranis movies, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, is full of great practical effects, a wild story, and some of the most iconic movie moments of the ‘80s.

• Stream Honey, I Shrunk the Kids on Disney+.
• Rent/Buy Honey, I Shrunk the Kids on Amazon.
• Get Honey, I Shrunk the Kids on DVD on Amazon.

Field Of Dreams (1989)

The Director: Phil Alden Robinson

The Cast: Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta

What It’s About: Ray Kinsella’s (Kevin Costner) life is forever changed after hearing a mysterious voice whisper “If you build it, he will come” while out in his cornfield.

What To Expect: What follows is one man’s journey to “ease the pain” of his hero, an odyssey that concludes with one of the most emotional scenes in any sports movie.

• Rent/Buy Field of Dreams on Amazon.
• Get Field of Dreams on DVD on Amazon.

Raising Arizona (1987)

The Director: The Coen Brothers

The Cast: Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter, John Goodman

What It’s About: A down-on-their-luck couple goes to extreme lengths to have a baby of their own, even if that means kidnapping one from a wealthy family.

What To Expect: One of the Coen Brothers’ best movies, Raising Arizona has a perfect blend of comedy and crime, as well as no shortage of iconic and unforgettable characters.

• Rent/Buy Raising Arizona on Amazon.
• Get Raising Arizona on Blu-ray on Amazon.

9 to 5 (1980)

The Director: Colin Higgins

The Cast: Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton

What It’s About: A trio of fed-up secretaries team up to get even with their sexist boss, but things get out of hand when they learn their dream may have come true.

What To Expect: In addition to having one of the best movie songs of all time, 9 to 5 also has one of the best premises of the ‘80s and a cast that is untouchable.

• Rent 9 to 5 on Amazon.
• Get 9 to 5 on DVD on Amazon.

A Christmas Story (1983)

The Director: Bob Clark

The Cast: Peter Billingsley, Darren McGavin, Melinda Dillon

What It’s About: A young boy named Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) tries to convince everyone from his parents to his teacher and even Santa Claus himself to bring him a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas.

What To Expect: Made up of a series of vignettes showcasing life in 1940s Indiana, A Christmas Story perfectly captures childhood obsession and what happens when reality brings your dreams crashing down.

• Rent/Buy A Christmas Story on Amazon.
• Get A Christmas Story on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Adventures In Babysitting (1987)

The Director: Chris Columbus

The Cast: Elisabeth Shue, Anthony Rapp, George Newbern

What It’s About: After being stood up by her boyfriend, high school senior Chris Parker (Elisabeth Shue) decides to spend the night watching a group of young siblings. What at first seems like a quiet night and easy money quickly turns into anything but.

What To Expect: Adventures in Babysitting, one of the best movies set in Chicago, is full of great and hilarious moments, all kinds of danger, and Elisabeth Shue in all her glory.

• Stream Adventures in Babysitting on Disney+.
• Rent/Buy Adventures in Babysitting on Amazon.
• Get Adventures in Babysitting on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Airplane! (1980)

The Directors: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker

The Cast: Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, Leslie Nielsen

What It’s About: With the crew and passengers incapacitated and no one else left to land the plane, a nervous pilot has to rise to the occasion and save the day.

What To Expect: The 1980 disaster film spoof, Airplane!, answers the question: what happens when a man who’s afraid to fly is the only one who can prevent a jumbo-jet from crashing?

• Rent/Buy Airplane on Amazon.
• Get Airplane! on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Aliens (1986)

The Director: James Cameron

The Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Lance Henriksen, Michael Biehn

What It’s About: After spending decades floating through space, Ellen Ripley is awoken and sent with a group of highly-trained space Marines to investigate a mining colony that has gone dark.

What To Expect: Ripley is back with a vengeance in James Cameron’s 1986 sci-fi action flick, Aliens, and she isn’t stopping until the final Xenomorph is launched into outer space.

• Rent/Buy Aliens on Amazon.
• Get Aliens on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Back To The Future (1985)

The Director: Robert Zemeckis

The Cast: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Llyod, Lea Thompson

What It’s About: When Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) steps into a DeLorean time machine and is transported back to 1955, he must avoid high school bullies and a younger version of his own mom if he wants to get back to 1985.

What To Expect: With great time-traveling scenes, Michael J. Fox at his best, and some hilarious scenarios (both in the past and the present), Back to the Future has everything you’d want in an ‘80s movie.

• Rent/Buy Back to the Future on Amazon.
• Get Back to the Future on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Batman (1989)

The Director: Tim Burton

The Cast: Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger

What It’s About: After falling into a vat of toxic chemicals, one of Gotham’s most ambitious and dangerous criminals is transformed into the prince of crime, and only Batman can stop him.

What To Expect: Tim Burton’s dark and moody 1989 unconventional superhero film, Batman, forever changed the face of comic book movies and gave audiences one of the best representations of the iconic character.

• Stream Batman on Max.
• Rent/Buy Batman on Amazon.
• Get Batman on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Beetlejuice (1988)

The Director: Tim Burton
The Cast: Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin

What It’s About: When the efforts by a ghostly couple (played by Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin) to scare away the new owners of their country home are fruitless, they turn to a spirit by the name of Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) to regain control.
What To Expect: More than 35 years after its release, Beetlejuice remains one of the most inventive, iconic, and hilarious additions to Tim Burton’s massive library of movies.

• Stream Beetlejuice on Max.
• Rent/Buy Beetlejuice on Amazon.
• Get Beetlejuice on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

The Director: Martin Brest

The Cast: Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton

What It’s About: A wise-cracking and rebellious Detroit police officer comes to Los Angeles to track down those responsible for his best friend’s murder.

What To Expect: Expect to laugh, like a lot, because this Eddie Murphy classic starts and doesn’t stop until the credits roll.

• Stream Beverly Hills Cop on Paramount+.
• Rent/Buy Beverly Hills Cop on Amazon.
• Get Beverly Hills Cop on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Big (1988)

The Director: Penny Marshall

The Cast: Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia

What It’s About: When 12-year-old Josh Baskin (David Moscow) wishes he was a little bigger, he gets his wish and then more when he wakes up to find he has been transformed into a full-grown adult (Tom Hanks).

What To Expect: Penny Marshall’s timeless comedy sees Baskin navigate 1980s New York City, but as a child trapped in a man’s body and various situations.

• Stream Big on Disney+.
• Rent/Buy Big on Amazon.
• Get Big on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Bill And Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)

The Director: Stephen Herek

The Cast: Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, George Carlin

What It’s About: Strange things are afoot at the Circle K in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure when two dopey high schoolers (played by Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves) are given access to a time-traveling phone booth to pass their history exam and keep their band together.

What To Expect: Looking for righteous time-traveling sequences, air guitar, and Napoleon going to a water park? Well, look no further.

• Rent/Buy Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure on Amazon.
• Get Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Blade Runner (1982)

The Director: Ridley Scott

The Cast: Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young

What It’s About: Blade Runner follows replicant hunter Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) as he tracks down four escaped criminals who have returned to Earth from an off-world colony.

What To Expect: What starts off as a simple game of cat and mouse slowly turns into something much more complex.

• Rent/Buy Blade Runner on Amazon.
• Get Blade Runner on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Blue Velvet (1986)

The Director: David Lynch

The Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Dennis Hopper, Isabella Rossellini

What It’s About: College student Jeffrey Beaumont (Kyle MacLachlan) becomes involved with the dark and twisted world of his town’s criminal underbelly after finding a dismembered ear.

What To Expect: Come in expecting Lynchian twists and turns, unforgettable characters (that you’ll want to forget), and a great soundtrack.

• Rent/Buy Blue Velvet on Amazon.
• Get Blue Velvet on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Blues Brothers (1980)

The Director: John Landis

The Cast: Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Carrie Fisher

What It’s About: Two brothers attempt to get their old band back together to help save the orphanage in which they were raised.

What To Expect: In the mood for great music, even better characters, and quite possibly the best car chase of all time? Well, look no further than The Blues Brothers.

• Stream The Blues Brothers on Prime Video.
• Rent/Buy The Blues Brothers on Amazon.
• Get The Blues Brothers on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Broadcast News (1987)

The Director: James L. Brooks

The Cast: Holly Hunter, Albert Brooks, William Hurt

What It’s About: In addition to presenting the news day in and day out, a news producer finds herself in the middle of a love triangle with her longtime best friend and a dreamy yet under-qualified anchorman.

What To Expect: James L. Brooks’ romantic comedy, Broadcast News, finds the perfect balance between drama and comedy, composure and awkwardness, and so much more.

• Stream Broadcast News on Starz.
• Rent/Buy Broadcast News on Amazon.
• Get Broadcast News on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Caddyshack (1980)

The Director: Harold Ramis

The Cast: Rodney Dangerfield, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase

What It’s About: Set at the Bushwood Country Club, which is infested with rodents and yuppies alike, Harold Ramis’ 1980 sports comedy, Caddyshack, follows caddies (led by Michael O’Keefe), grounds crew (led by Bill Murray), and all other sorts of characters who spend a summer at the prestigious club.

What To Expect: Considered one of the best sports comedies ever made, Caddyshack has some of the subgenre’s most quotable scenes and one of Hollywood’s most hatable villains.

• Rent/Buy Caddyshack on Amazon.
• Get Caddyshack on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Coming To America (1988)

The Director: John Landis

The Cast: Eddie Murphy, James Earl Jones, Arsenio Hall

What It’s About: John Landis’ 1988 comedy, Coming to America, follows Prince Akeem Joffer (Eddie Murphy) as he travels to Queens to find a wife to bring back to the African nation of Zamunda.

What To Expect: If you’re in the mood for classic Eddie Murphy moments, some outrageous characters, and a great look at ‘80s NYC, this will do the trick.

• Rent/Buy Coming to America on Amazon.
• Get Coming to America on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Dead Poets Society (1989)

The Director: Peter Weir

The Cast: Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke

What It’s About: Set in a prestigious college prep academy, the 1989 drama Dead Poets Society follows newly arrived English teacher John Keating (Robin Williams) as he spends a semester opening the eyes and changing the lives of his students, for better or for worse.

What To Expect: Dead Poets Society, one of the great coming-of-age stories of all time, is at times incredibly hopeful while at others utterly heartbreaking.

• Rent/Buy Dead Poets Society on Amazon.
• Get Dead Poets Society on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Die Hard (1988)

The Director: John McTiernan

The Cast: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia

What It’s About: NYPD officer John McClane (Bruce Willis) finds himself in the right place at the right time in Die Hard when his wife’s holiday Christmas party is overtaken by a group of international terrorists who hold them hostage in hopes of securing unfathomable wealth.

What To Expect: Bruce Willis’ wisecracks, explosive action scenes, and one of Alan Rickman’s great villains all make Die Hard an unforgettable classic.

• Stream Die Hard on Hulu.
• Rent/Buy Die Hard on Amazon.
• Get Die Hard on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Dirty Dancing (1987)

The Director: Emile Ardolino

The Cast: Jennifer Grey, Patrick Swayze, Jerry Orbach

What It’s About: Frances “Baby” Houseman (Jennifer Grey) goes to spend a summer in the Catskills with her family in Dirty Dancing. Thinking she’ll spend the time bored out of her mind, Baby quickly finds herself learning what it means to dance, love, and stand up for herself, thanks to her dance instructor-turned-lover Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze).

What To Expect: There is no short order of romance, drama, dancing, and legendary ‘50s music in this decorated classic.

• Rent/Buy Dirty Dancing on Amazon.
• Get Dirty Dancing on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Do The Right Thing (1989)

The Director: Spike Lee

The Cast: Spike Lee, Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis

What It’s About: What initially starts out as a disagreement over which actors should or shouldn’t be included on the wall of a Brooklyn pizzeria quickly escalates into a full-blown riot in Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing.

What To Expect: If you’re looking for comedy, drama, and a large dose of social commentary, give Do the Right Thing a shot.

• Stream Do the Right Thing on Prime Video.
• Rent/Buy Do the Right Thing on Amazon.
• Get Do the Right Thing on Blu-ray on Amazon.

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

The Director: Steven Spielberg

The Cast: Henry Thomas, Robert MacNaughton, Drew Barrymore

What It’s About: Steven Spielberg’s 1982 sci-fi adventure E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial follows a young boy (Henry Thomas) as he forms an unbreakable bond with a gentle alien who is trapped on Earth and just wants to go home.

What To Expect: This 1982 sci-fi classic is full of wonder, adventure, and quite possibly one of the best John Williams scores of all time.

• Rent/Buy E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial on Amazon.
• Get E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Blu-ray on Amazon.

Escape From New York (1981)

The Director: John Carpenter

The Cast: Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Ernest Borgnine

What It’s About: John Carpenter’s 1981 dystopian thriller, Escape From New York, sees Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) attempt to save the U.S. President from a group of fanatical criminals who run the streets of Manhattan, which has been turned into a prison colony.

What To Expect: With one of Kurt Russell’s most badass characters, some great practical effects by James Cameron, and a legendary John Carpenter score, there’s a lot to love here.

• Stream Escape from New York on Prime Video.
• Rent/Buy Escape from New York on Amazon.
• Get Escape from New York on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Fast Times At Ridgemont High (1982)

The Director: Amy Heckering
The Cast: Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold
What It’s About: The school lives, social lives, and love lives of several teenagers are explored both in and outside their California high school.
What To Expect: If you’re looking for a movie that captures the heart and soul of the ‘80s high school experience, look no further than Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Yes, that includes the good, the bad, and the unbearingly uncomfortable.

• Rent/Buy Fast Times at Ridgemont High on Amazon.
• Get Fast Times at Ridgemont High on DVD on Amazon.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

The Director: John Hughes
The Cast: Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara

What It’s About: John Hughes’ Ferris Bueller’s Day Off follows the charismatic titular high school senior (Matthew Broderick) as he convinces his girlfriend and best friend to skip class and have an epic adventure in Chicago.

What To Expect: A quintessential ‘80s movie, and one of John Hughes’ best cinematic experiences, there are few teenage comedies that hit as hard (or as often) as this one.

• Rent/Buy Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on Amazon.
• Get Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on DVD on Amazon.

Footloose (1984)

The Director: Herbert Ross

The Cast: Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, John Lithgow

What It’s About: When Ren McCormack (Kevin Bacon), a dance-obsessed high schooler, moves to a small town that has banned all forms of music and dancing, he does what any teenager would do in his position: rebels with loads and loads of dancing, in Footloose.

What To Expect: If you’re in the mood for angry dancing, John Lithgow villains, and great movie songs, look no further than Footloose.

• Rent/Buy Footloose on Amazon.
• Get Footloose on DVD on Amazon.

Friday The 13th (1980)

The Director: Sean S. Cunningham

The Cast: Betsy Palmer, Kevin Bacon, Adrienne King

What It’s About: The slasher film Friday the 13th follows a group of counselors as they are picked off one by one by a sadistic killer with one hell of a backstory involving Camp Crystal Lake.

What To Expect: You won’t see Jason Voorhees tracking down and killing teenagers this time around, but the killer in this iconic slasher is just as brutal and perhaps even more unhinged.

• Rent/Buy Friday the 13th on Amazon.
• Get Friday the 13th on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Ghostbusters (1984)

The Director: Ivan Reitman

The Cast: Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson

What It’s About: Who ya gonna call? Well, Ghostbusters if you’re looking for a fun supernatural comedy involving college professors who use their knowledge to rid New York City of ghostly threats.

What To Expect: Want to go back and see how the Ghostbusters got started? Want to see the Marshmallow Man walk through NYC again? Want to experience one of the best ‘80s movies? Here’s your chance!

• Rent/Buy Ghostbusters on Amazon.
• Get Ghostbusters on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Gremlins (1984)

The Director: Joe Dante

The Cast: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton

What It’s About: Written by Chris Columbus and directed by Joe Dante, the 1984 horror flick Gremlins answers the question: What’s the worst that could happen when you spill water on your new pet and feed them after midnight?

What to expect? Well, you’ll find out what happens when you feed a gremlin after midnight. That’s for sure!

• Rent/Buy Gremlins on Amazon.
• Get Gremlins on DVD on Amazon.

Lethal Weapon (1987)

The Director: Richard Donner

The Cast: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey

What It’s About: Los Angeles police detectives Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) are forced to look past their differences and opposing lifestyles to uncover a massive drug-trafficking ring in Richard Donner’s Lethal Weapon.

What To Expect: If you want to see one of the premier buddy action movies, Lethal Weapon is going to do the trick, and then some.

• Rent/Buy Lethal Weapon on Amazon.
• Get Lethal Weapon on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Midnight Run (1988)

The Director: Martin Brest

The Cast: Robert De Niro, Charles Grodin, John Ashton

What It’s About: Bounty hunter Jack Walsh (Robert De Niro) sets out to capture mob accountant Jonathan “The Duke” Mardukas (Charles Grodin), who has skipped out on his bail.

What To Expect: What follows is a cross-country adventure involving two personalities that mix like oil and water. But with mobsters, bounty hunters, and the FBI hot on their tail, they’ll have to work together.

• Rent/Buy Midnight Run on Amazon.
• Get Midnight Run on Blu-ray on Amazon.

National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)

The Director: Harold Ramis

The Cast: Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Anthony Michael Hall

What It’s About: Bumbling father, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase), takes his wife and two children on what is supposed to be two weeks of family bonding but quickly devolves into a trip from hell in National Lampoon’s Vacation.

What To Expect: Expect chaos. Pure chaos!

• Rent/Buy National Lampoon’s Vacation on Amazon.
• Get National Lampoon’s Vacation on Blu-ray on Amazon.

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

The Director: Wes Craven

The Cast: Robert Englund, Heather Langenkamp, Johnny Depp

What It’s About: Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street follows a group of teenagers who are being terrorized by the undead killer Freddy Krueger, who attacks them when most vulnerable: while they sleep.

What To Expect: If you came looking for an iconic horror villain to be both unbelievably brutal yet undeniably hilarious, as well as terrifying dream sequences, this franchise starter will do the trick.

• Rent/Buy A Nightmare on Elm Street on Amazon
• Get A Nightmare on Elm Street on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Platoon (1986)

The Director: Oliver Stone

The Cast: Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe

What It’s About: Oliver Stone’s 1986 Academy Award-winning military drama, Platoon, follows a group of American soldiers in the Vietnam War who are pushed to the brink of losing what little humanity they have left.

What To Expect: Don’t go into Platoon looking for a happy-go-lucky or romantic view of war, because this brutal, realistic, and unflinching military drama doesn’t hold back.

• Rent/Buy Platoon on Amazon.
• Get Platoon on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Raging Bull (1980)

The Director: Martin Scorsese

The Cast: Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Cathy Moriarty

What It’s About: Robert De Niro plays Jake LaMotta, a former heavyweight champ whose life is falling apart in Martin Scorsese’s 1980 acclaimed, all-time great boxing movie, Raging Bull.

What To Expect: You won’t find likable or redeemable characters, but you will find one of the most engaging and hard-hitting stories ever told in and out of the boxing ring.

• Rent/Buy Raging Bull on Amazon.
• Get Raging Bull on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981)

The Director: Steven Spielberg
The Cast: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, John Rhys-Davies
What It’s About: The world is introduced to Harrison Ford’s iconic archeologist in Steven Spielberg’s 1981 adventure film Raiders of the Lost Ark, which kicked off the Indiana Jones franchise with a story about the mysterious Ark of the Covenant.
What To Expect. You can expect legendary movie sequences, Nazis losing their faces, and Harrison Ford being charming as all hell.

• Stream Raiders of the Lost Ark on Disney+.
• Stream Raiders of the Lost Ark on Paramount+.
• Rent/Buy Raiders of the Lost Ark on Amazon.
• Get Raiders of the Lost Ark on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Rain Man (1988)

The Director: Barry Levinson
The Cast: Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise, Valeria Golino

What It’s About: Barry Levinson’s 1988 drama, Rain Man, netted Dustin Hoffman an Academy Award for his portrayal of Raymond Babbitt, an autistic man who has a knack for counting cards and the game of blackjack.

What To Expect: Rain Man features what could be one of Hoffman’s best performances as well as a story that is both heartwarming and incredibly maddening at times.

• Get Rain Man on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Scarface (1983)

The Director: Brian De Palma
The Cast: Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Steven Bauer

What It’s About: Brian De Palma’s sprawling 1983 crime epic, Scarface, follows Cuban immigrant Tony Montana (Al Pacino) as he climbs from the bottom of the food chain to the top of Miami’s booming cocaine market.
What To Expect: Though being a remake itself, Scarface would go on to become one of the most influential crime films of the ‘80s and of all time, thanks to its electric tone, over-the-top violence, and one of Al Pacino’s most unhinged characters.

• Rent/Buy Scarface on Amazon.
• Get Scarface on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Spaceballs (1987)

The Director: Mel Brooks
The Cast: Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman, John Candy

What It’s About: Mel Brooks’ 1987 sci-fi spoof Spaceballs takes plot points from the likes of Star Wars and other classic adventures and creates a farcical race to save the galaxy from the evil President Skroob (Brooks) and Dark Helmet (Rick Moranis).

What To Expect: Spaceballs has some of the most hilarious spoof movie gags, great comedic moments, and one of the wildest villains of the decade.

• Rent/Buy Spaceballs on Amazon.
• Get Spaceballs on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Stand By Me (1986)

The Director: Rob Reiner
The Cast: Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell

What It’s About: Based on a story by Stephen King, Rob Reiner’s 1986 coming-of-age story, Stand By Me, follows a group of childhood friends as they spend the final days of their summer break looking for the dead body of a missing boy.

What To Expect: This is perhaps the best “end of childhood” movie ever released, as well as a drama that never gets old no matter how many times you watch it.

• Rent/Buy Stand By Me on Amazon.
• Get Stand By Me on DVD on Amazon.

Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan (1982)

The Director: Nicholas Meyer
The Cast: William Shatner, Ricardo Montalban, Leonard Nimoy
What It’s About: The 1982 sci-fi adventure film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan sees Enterprise commander Captain James Kirk (William Shatner) cross paths with the villainous Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalbán), a genetically enhanced superhuman he never thought he’d have to see again.
What To Expect: In the mood for one of the best Star Trek movies as well as an iconic space film, look no further.

• Stream Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan on Paramount+.
• Rent/Buy Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan on Amazon.
• Get Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Steel Magnolias (1989)

The Director: Herbert Ross

The Cast: Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton

What It’s About: The 1989 Golden Globe winner, Steel Magnolias, follows a tight-knit group of women in northwestern Louisiana who stand together through thick and thin.

What To Expect: Expect to laugh, cry, and then cry some more. Seriously, try watching this movie without crying.

• Stream Steel Magnolias on Max.
• Rent/Buy Steel Magnolias on Amazon.
• Get Steel Magnolias on DVD on Amazon.

The Abyss (1989)

The Director: James Cameron

The Cast: Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn

What It’s About: James Cameron’s 1989 sci-fi thriller, The Abyss, follows a group of Navy Seals and petroleum engineers as they go to the bottom of the ocean to make a remarkable discovery, one that could destroy or save humanity.

What To Expect: If you want to see state-of-the-art visuals from the late ‘80s that stand up 36 years later, an engaging story, and one of Ed Harris’ best performances, check out The Abyss.

• Rent/Buy The Abyss on Amazon.
• Buy The Abyss on DVD on Amazon.

The Breakfast Club (1985)

The Director: John Hughes

The Cast: Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, Judd Nelson

What It’s About: John Hughes’ 1985 “Brat Pack” classic, The Breakfast Club, follows five high school students from different walks of life who are brought together during Saturday detention, forever changing their lives.

What To Expect: This is one of the best “Brat Pack” films and a movie that everyone needs to watch at least once.

• Stream The Breakfast Club on Peacock.
• Rent/Buy The Breakfast Club on Amazon.
• Get The Breakfast Club on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Goonies (1985)

The Director: Richard Donner

The Cast: Josh Brolin, Sean Astin, Corey Feldman

What It’s About: Richard Donner’s 1985 coming-of-age film, The Goonies, centers on a group of friends who set out for one more adventure together before their neighborhood is demolished and turned into a multi-million-dollar development.

What To Expect: An adventure like no other, The Goonies is all of your childhood dreams (and nightmares) come to life. Pirate ships, mobsters, a “monster” who’s actually a hero, and so much more.

• Rent/Buy The Goonies on Amazon.
  Get The Goonies on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

The Director: Irvin Kershner

The Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher

What It’s About: The best Star Wars movie, 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back starts off with an epic battle on the ice planet of Hoth and only picks up from there as Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) uncovers a dark secret about his past.

What To Expect: Seriously, this is the greatest sequel ever made.

• Stream The Empire Strikes Back on Disney+.
• Rent/Buy The Empire Strikes Back on Amazon.
• Get The Empire Strikes Back on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Karate Kid (1984)

The Director: John G. Avildsen

The Cast: Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Elisabeth Shue

What It’s About: When high schooler Daniel LaRusso is forced to pack up his life and leave the East Coast, he lands in Southern California, where he finds himself the target of the evil Cobra Kai dojo. That is, until he learns a few tricks of his own in The Karate Kid.

What To Expect: You want karate? You want drama? You want evil dojo owners willing to do anything and everything to win? Time to watch The Karate Kid.

• Stream The Karate Kid on Netflix.
• Rent/Buy The Karate Kid on Amazon.
• Buy The Karate Kid on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Little Mermaid (1989)

The Director: Ron Clements, John Musker

The Cast: Jodi Benson, Pat Carroll, Samuel E. Wright

What It’s About: The 1989 Disney animated film The Little Mermaid follows the rebellious Ariel (Jodi Benson) as she tries to chart her own course in life, even if that means sacrificing everything.

What To Expect: There’s a reason why people say The Little Mermaid helped start the Disney renaissance that would follow in the early ‘90s. Simply put, this movie is a masterpiece of animation.

• Stream The Little Mermaid on Disney+.
• Rent/Buy The Little Mermaid on Amazon.
• Get The Little Mermaid on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Princess Bride (1987)

The Director: Rob Reiner

The Cast: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin

What It’s About: Rob Reiner’s 1987 fantasy comedy, The Princess Bride, offers a new spin on the classic fairy tale setup with an epic and hilarious story about a man who would go to the end of the Earth to save the woman he loves.

What To Expect: The Princess Bride is a great movie that literally anyone in the family can enjoy, which isn’t something you can say too often.

• Stream The Princess Bride on Disney+.
• Rent/Buy The Princess Bride on Amazon.
• Get The Princess Bride on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Shining (1980)

The Director: Stanley Kubrick

The Cast: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd

What It’s About: Stanley Kubrick’s controversial 1980 adaptation of Stephen King’s The Shining follows writer/caretaker Jack Torrance as he descends into madness while isolated with his family in the Overlook Hotel in Colorado one winter.

What To Expect: The Shining slowly builds the tension until the movie reaches a tipping point and we’re given one of the most unsettling yet exciting chase sequences ever captured on film.

• Rent/Buy The Shining on Amazon.
• Get The Shining on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Terminator (1984)

The Director: James Cameron

The Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn

What It’s About: James Cameron’s iconic sci-fi thriller, The Terminator, centers on Sarah Conner (Linda Hamilton) as she is hunted down by a cyborg assassin from the future who has been sent to the past to kill the young waitress before she can give birth to John Connor, humanity’s last hope.

What To Expect: Want to see an emotionless silent killer stalk his prey through 1980s Los Angeles, as well as one of the best sci-fi thrillers of all time? Well, time to start watching The Terminator.

• Rent/Buy The Terminator on Amazon.
• Get The Terminator on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Thing (1982)

The Director: John Carpenter

The Cast: Kurt Russell, Keith David, Wilford Brimley

What It’s About: The crew of a remote research facility in Antarctica is torn apart when a shapeshifting alien finds its way into the complex in John Carpenter’s The Thing.

What To Expect: Please know that this movie will make you twist and turn in your chair, leave you with trust issues, and will leave you traumatized (especially when it comes to that dog sequence).

• Rent/Buy The Thing on Amazon.
• Get The Thing on Blu-ray on Amazon.

They Live (1988)

The Director: John Carpenter

The Cast: Roddy Piper, Keith David, Meg Foster

What It’s About: Wrestler-turned-actor Roddy Piper plays a drifter armed with a pair of sunglasses that give him the ability to see behind the illusions of an alien race that has invaded the planet in They Live.

What To Expect: Come for the sunglasses scene, stay for the best fight ever recorded on film.

• Rent/Buy They Live on Amazon.
• Get They Live on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Tootsie (1982)

The Director: Sydney Pollack

The Cast: Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Lange, Teri Garr

What It’s About: Fed up with not being able to get a job, struggling actor Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman) does the unthinkable in Tootsie and reinvents himself as Dorothy Michaels, a female actor who quickly lands a starring role on a popular daytime soap opera. It only gets more complicated from there.

What To Expect: Tootsie has just about everything you’d want in an ‘80s movie, plus one of the best “walking through NYC” shots of all time.

• Rent/Buy Tootsie on Amazon.
• Get Tootsie on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Top Gun (1986)

The Director: Tony Scott

The Cast: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Kelly McGillis

What It’s About: Tom Cruise plays Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in Tony Scott’s 1986 action thriller Top Gun. Upon being invited to a specialized fighter pilot school, Maverick’s skills, as well as his attitude, are put to the ultimate test.

What To Expect: Beach volleyball, epic dogfights, and multiple iconic ‘80s tracks are on full display here.

• Stream Top Gun on Paramount+.
• Rent/Buy Top Gun on Amazon.
• Get Top Gun on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Trading Places (1983)

The Director: John Landis

The Cast: Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd, Jamie Lee Curtis

What It’s About: In John Landis’ 1983 comedy, Trading Places, Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy play two men who find their positions reversed as part of a sick game by a duo of villainous millionaires.

What To Expect: A young Eddie Murphy steals the show in this 1983 comedy classic.

• Rent/Buy Trading Places on Amazon.
• Get Trading Places on Blu-ray on Amazon.

WarGames (1983)

The Director: John Badham
The Cast: Matthew Broderick, Dabney Coleman, Ally Sheedy

What It’s About: The 1983 thriller WarGames follows high school student David Lightman (Broderick) as he begins to play what he believes to be a high-tech arcade game but what is actually a supercomputer that could bring on the destruction of the planet through nuclear war.

What To Expect: If you’re looking for a chess match between a teenager and a supercomputer, here ya go!

• Stream WarGames on Max.
• Rent/Buy WarGames on Amazon.
• Get WarGames on DVD on Amazon.

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

The Director: Rob Reiner

The Cast: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher

What It’s About: Written by Nora Ephron and directed by Rob Reiner, the all-time great romantic comedy, When Harry Met Sally, follows the titular characters played by Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan as they try to prove that a man and woman can have a relationship that doesn’t involve sex.

What To Expect: Seriously, this movie is perfect. No notes.

• Rent/Buy When Harry Met Sally on Amazon.
• Get When Harry Met Sally on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

The Director: Robert Zemeckis

The Cast: Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, Charles Fleischer

What It’s About: Robert Zemeckis’ 1988 live-action/animation hybrid, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, follows Hoskins’ hardened private investigator who is tasked with proving the titular rabbit has been framed with the murder of a high-profile figure.

What To Expect: Here is what can best be described as the ultimate animation/live-action hybrid and a tremendous example of competing movie studios working together to create an unprecedented cinematic experience.

• Stream Who Framed Roger Rabbit on Disney+.
• Rent/Buy Who Framed Roger Rabbit on Amazon.
• Get Who Framed Roger Rabbit on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Well, that was a comprehensive list of the best ‘80s movies streaming. Now that you know where and how to watch all these classics, all you have to do is start watching (but hopefully not all in one big marathon).

Every person has a different choice for the perfect comedy movie, and my personal choice, since as far back as I can remember, has been the 1980 classic in which John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd got to bring their blues-loving, brotherly alter egos to the big screen. A true fan may already know how these characters came to be, but I would be willing to bet that you will be amused, surprised, and even startled by some The Blues Brothers behind-the-scenes facts we found.

The story of orphaned brothers “Joliet Jake” Blues and Elwood Blues truly began on the stage of Saturday Night Live, where John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd performed some classic cuts as the now iconic characters as part of the SNL cast’s original Not Ready For Primetime Players in the late 1970s. This would eventually lead them to land an actual record deal, start a concert tour, and conceive an idea for a feature film. Aykroyd and The Blues Brothers director John Landis would collaborate on the screenplay which sees the titular duo reunite and set out to put their band back together in order to complete a mission from God.

After more than 40 years, the passion for The Blues Brothers and its music remains stronger than the anticipation that many film-goers have for some upcoming 2021 movies they have already waited a while to see. However, that probably still does not measure up to the passion that went into making the movie, considering all of its various problematic circumstances. Don’t you wanna hear all about that, and more about went down on the set, in the following 11 behind-the-scenes facts? Hit it.

The Blues Brothers Band Musicians Played Themselves In The Movie

When Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi began taking their Blues Brothers personas more seriously, they rounded up some of the genre's finest musicians (including guitarist Steve Cropper and saxophonist "Blue Lou" Marini) to tour with them. A making-of featurette found on The Blues Brothers 25th Anniversary Edition DVD (and subsequent Blu-ray releases) tells the whole story of their formation and later casting in the film. With the exception of Paul Shaffer (also known as David Letterman's long time bandleader), who had a prior commitment, every member of the original band appears in the movie as slightly fictionalized versions of themselves.

Aretha Franklin Had Trouble Lip-Synching Her Blues Brothers Number

Appearing in the film as highly fictionalized versions of themselves were various music legends, including the late Aretha Franklin, to whom The Blues Brothers director John Landis wrote a tribute for The Hollywood Reporter, mentioning her only on set issue was lip-synching her performance of "Think." In the previously mentioned featurette, Landis cites this as a struggle many of film's professional singers could relate to, as they rarely sang a song the same way. As a result, John Lee Hooker's street-side serenade was performed live and James Brown sang gospel in the church with a pre-recorded choir backing him.

Dancers For Ray Charles’ Blues Brothers Number Were Random Bystanders

Another legendary The Blues Brothers appearance is that of Ray Charles as a music shop owner who convinces Jake and Elwood to buy his keyboard by playing a rendition of "Shake a Tail Feather" on it so mean it gets strangers dancing outside. Funny thing about those dancers: they were really just strangers the crew found on the streets of Chicago. As John Landis explains in a video for the AV Club (via Yahoo!), since John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd were not great dancers, he figured he could make them look better by hiring non-professional dancers.

Cab Calloway Wanted To Perform His Recently Cut Disco Version Of Minnie The Moocher

Probably my personal favorite musical performance in The Blues Brothers is by Cab Calloway, who stalls the crowd at the Hollywood Palladium before Jake and Elwood arrive with a rendition of his signature hit "Minnie the Moocher" that sounds just like it did in 1931. However, as John Landis recalls in the DVD featurette, the jazz pioneer had actually wanted his character, Curtis, to perform a disco-style re-recording he had recently done and was very unhappy when the director refused. Considering the film is, in essence, a celebration of classic music from yesteryear, I think most would agree that Landis made the right call.

John Belushi Injured His Back Shortly Before The Blues Brothers Climactic Concert

Once Jake and Elwood finally do make it to the concert, it goes off without a hitch and sees the lively pair dancing and doing cartwheels across the stage. What makes the performance even more impressive is the fact that John Belushi had actually sprained his back riding some kid's skateboard earlier that day. Sean Daniel of Universal Pictures told Vanity Fair that the best orthopedist in the area was forced to postpone his trip to Palm Springs that Thanksgiving weekend and then "wrapped and injected" Belushi so he could plow through the exciting Blues Brothers sequence.

John Belushi Once Disappeared From The Blues Brothers Set Out Of Nowhere

A skateboard injury is not the only time John Belushi caused an issue on the set (or off the set, more accurately), as a story from Dan Aykroyd during an appearance on Late Night with Seth Myers would reveal. One late night, during a break from filming the shopping mall police chase scene, Belushi randomly disappeared from The Blues Brothers set and when Aykroyd went looking for him, the result was hilarious:

Since the night that, surprisingly endearing, Blues Brothers production story was born, Dan Aykroyd would forever refer to his onscreen brother, John Belushi, as "America's Guest."

Dan Aykroyd Proposed To Carrie Fisher On The Blues Brothers Set

One of the funniest running gags from The Blues Brothers is how the siblings manage to continuously survive the murderous rampage of a mysterious woman, played by Carrie Fisher, whom Jake left at the alter years ago. However, it was actually Dan Aykroyd who made the late Star Wars actress his fiancée shortly after filming, as she would reveal to the Chicago Tribune in the following interview excerpt:

Upon her untimely death in 2016, Dan Aykroyd would pen a loving tribute to his former flame, proving there were no hard feelings for the split. In the end, we really cannot blame the Princess Leia actress for her decision anyway, especially since the last guy who had saved her life (on film, anyway) turned out to be her brother.

The Blues Brothers Once Held The Record For Most Cars Destroyed On Set

Lives that could not be saved, however, on the The Blues Brothers set were the many, many cars used during production, and when I say "used," I mean to completion. According to an inside look on its epic car chase through the streets of Chicago from Yahoo!, the film would hold the record for most cars destroyed on a movie set with a reported total of 103, only to be surpassed two years later with the 150 totaled vehicles in The Junkman. Ranking right above the original film is the 1998 sequel Blues Brothers 2000 with one more car fatality than its predecessor.

A Deleted Scene Explains The Bluesmobile’s Magical Qualities

While most of the films innumerable car deaths are played for laughs, the tragic collapse of the Bluesmobile after enduring bridge jumps, backflips, and all kids of impossible things brings a tear to your eye. Dan Aykroyd reveals in the featurette, which you can also watch by purchasing The Blues Brothers DVD or Blu-ray on Amazon, that a scene was actually shot explaining how the old police car gained supernatural abilities from being kept in a power transformer room under a train. John Landis would eventually cut it from the theatrical release, feeling a magic car needed no explanation.

The Blues Brothers Cast And Crew Used Cocaine To Stay Awake During Night Shoots

Providing what could be some insight into John Landis' perspective on magic cars is Dan Aykroyd's testimony from a 2012 Vanity Fair article about the frequent uses of cocaine that occurred on the Blues Brothers set. It is well known that John Belushi was an addict, which eventually cost him his life 1982. Yet, he was only one of many from the cast and crew using the drug on set, including Aykroyd, who explained that it was actually included in the film's budget to keep things rolling while shooting late at night.

The Blues Brothers Was Deemed A “Catholic Classic” By The Vatican

I suppose that the on-set drug use was something that the Vatican was unaware of when they named The Blues Brothers a "Catholic classic" in 2010. In honor of its 30th anniversary, the Vatican's official newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, placed the R-rated comedy among the ranks of The Ten Commandments, The Passion of The Christ, and It's a Wonderful Life as movies they would recommend to followers of the faith. Despite the film's depictions of very troublesome activity, who can argue against giving such a title to a story about two men on a mission from God?

More than four decades after the classic film hit theaters and almost as long since the death of John Belushi, the music still has not stopped for The Blues Brothers, and not just with the movie's enduring popularity. The band still exists and has played many shows since, led by Dan Aykroyd and, in the place of John, his little brother Jim Belushi.

Other than his performance as John Blutarsky in Animal House, John Belushi’s role as Joliet Jake in The Blues Brothers is quite possibly his most iconic. In that movie, he and Dan Aykroyd went from one wild antic to another while on their mission from God. And it sounds like John Belushi's antics continued behind the scenes as well, as he randomly disappeared from the set of The Blues Brothers one day.

Typically, when you’re an actor on a set, you’re expected to stick around until production has wrapped for the day. I guess John Belushi didn’t get that memo while working on The Blues Brothers. During a recent appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Dan Aykroyd shared a little story about John Belushi’s sudden absence, which occurred while they were shooting one of the movie's key scenes. Here's what Aykroyd said:

John Landis directed The Blues Brothers, and I can only imagine how alarmed he and the crew must have been when hearing that one of their lead actors had disappeared. Plus, you have to remember that there were no cell phones in the late '70s, early '80s, meaning a simple text message was out of the question.

So Dan Aykroyd took it upon himself to hunt John Belushi down, even if that meant going out into a nearby neighborhood. He later said:

The fact that John Belushi could meander into a stranger’s house, rummage through his fridge and then take a nap tells you something about both his celebrity and charm. At the time, he was one of the biggest comedians around, so his host probably didn’t think he could just say no to Belushi when he came knocking on his door.

Sadly, John Belushi’s career was cut short when he died on March 5, 1982 of a drug overdose, just a few years after filming The Blues Brothers. His legacy, however, has lived on in various ways, such as through Gemberling's portrayal of him in the Netflix comedy, A Futile & Stupid Gesture. Showtime is also releasing a documentary about his life entitled Belushi.

For a time, there had been buzz about a possible biopic about John Belushi’s life, with both Emilie Hirsch and Zach Galifianakis, at one time, being eyed for the lead role, but that project appears to have stalled. Until such a project is made, we’ll just have to remember him through great stories and documentaries. You can check out Belushi when it premieres on Sunday, November 22 at 9 p.m. ET on Showtime.