Drake paid homage to LeBron James on Monday night, but on Tuesday, he tipped his cap to another Laker legend — Kobe Bryant — and the impromptu tribute to the Mamba was pretty cool. Drizzy was performing yet another show at Crypto.com Arena as…

When I’m not in a theme park, I spend my time wishing I was in a theme park. While that usually means getting a look at somebody on social media at Disneyland and wishing I was there as well, the feeling isn’t limited to real theme parks. When I see a fictional theme park in a movie or TV series I feel largely the same way. And, perhaps the feeling is worse because that’s a place I’ll never even be able to go.

Sometimes, when a movie needs a theme park or amusement park for the story, they visit someplace real, even Disneyland has played itself in a couple of films. Sometimes a real park becomes a stand-in for something invented. Other times the fictional theme park is entirely invented, and thus has no restraints in its creation, which of course, makes it seem like the greatest theme park ever.

Walley World (National Lampoon's Vacation)

The greatest of all fictional theme parks has to be National Lampoon’s Vacation’s Walley World. It’s the ultimate destination vacation, as the movie is entirely about the attempts to simply get there. Of course, when they do, they discover the park is closed. Imagine getting to Orlando to discover not only closed Disney World attractions but a closed park.

Walley World is very literally inspired by Disneyland. However, Six Flags Magic Mountain was the park used to create Walley World in the original Vacation, and Magic Mountain is an excellent park, especially if you’re a serious roller coaster enthusiast. But, there’s something about the anticipation that builds up in the movie for Walley World that even the real Magic Mountain couldn’t possibly provide. Also, Magic Mountain doesn’t have a ridiculous Moose mascot.

Spooky Island (Scooby-Doo)

If there’s anything that Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights have taught us, it’s that horror and theme parks go great together. Universal is going so far as to build a permanent Horror Nights’ inspired spot in Las Vegas, but wouldn’t it be great if there was an entire, full-sized, theme park dedicated to horror? This is why Spooky Island from the Scooby-Doo movie would be so great to visit.

Entire attractions dedicated to horror themes, and even a Spooky Hotel, would have made Spooky Island a great place for horror fans to go, assuming there wasn’t somebody trying to steal your actual soul while you were on vacation. 

Luna Park (Futurama)

There are several reasons that Futurama’s Luna Park is a theme park we’re desperate to visit. First off, it’s on the freaking moon. Maybe people in the future will find a theme park on the moon so common as to be dull, but we’re with Fry. It’s a theme park… on the moon. How could you not want to go? Also, Whalers on the Moon looks like fun.

Luna Park is also a fantastic park because, for all its futuristic elements, it’s also a total throwback. Luna Park was one of the first American amusement parks, built on Coney Island in the early 1900s. It also, perhaps not coincidently, included a “trip to the Moon” attraction. The symmetry is too good to pass up. 

WonderWorld (Beverly Hills Cop III)

In a lot of ways, the theme park in Beverly Hills Cop III could be just any park. It was primarily shot at Northern California’s Paramount’s (now California’s) Great America, which (though it has seen better days more recently) was a nice enough place at the time. However, the film goes hard to make WonderWorld a true rival to Disneyland, making it a place that would be worth checking out.

WonderWorld has a full cast of original animal mascot characters like Mickey Mouse and his friends, and the park even has its own theme song, which was brilliantly written by Richard and Bob Sherman, the same duo responsible for some of the most popular Disneyland music, like the iconic “It’s a Small World” and the music of the Enchanted Tiki Room. That elevates WonderWorld beyond a simple theme park and into something quite special. 

Pacific Playland (Zombieland)

If I found myself in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, I wouldn’t even need to be told there was a theme park or amusement park free of the undead before I headed there. I honestly can’t think of a place I’d rather spend the end of my days. Even if the rides aren’t actually working it would still be a lot of fun to hang out. 

Pacific Playland is the destination for our band of heroes in Zombieland, and somewhat surprisingly, it actually is the zombie-free haven they believed it would be. They get inside and get to hang out and have some fun while zombies simply look on from outside the fence. Living in a theme park is literally the dream. It's why Disney is now building planned communities. It doesn’t work out in the movie, but now that you’ve seen it, if the zombies do come you know what not to do.

Action Point (Action Point)

Action Point, from the movie of the same name, is a bit of a cheat when it comes to fictional theme parks because, while it was filmed in South Africa, Action Point is based on a very real place, New Jersey’s Action Park, which became infamous for its attractions that were deemed so thrilling that many were legitimately dangerous.

Still, there was a reason that so many flocked to Action Park. There was truly nothing else quite like it, and the fact that the park no longer exists, in reality, makes the fictional version from Action Point that much more enticing. How bad could it be? After all our Action Point review said the movie version was quite good.

Jurassic Park (Jurassic Park/Jurassic World)

Is there a greater movie theme park than Jurassic Park? Yes, when the dinosaurs get loose people get eaten and that’s terrible. But other than that I mean? In Jurassic World, it’s clear that the park has been running for years without incident and that is the park that we need to actually exist. 

The park looks massive, and the attractions are incredible. Oh, and also, it’s full of freaking dinosaurs. Who could possibly pass that up, even if there’s a slight chance you might get eaten?

When theme parks do their job, they make you feel like you've been transported to another place. The same is true of a great movie. So, theme parks in movies, when done well, must have even more magic to make us want to visit them.

Red, White & Royal Blue was released on Prime Video nearly two weeks ago, and I still can’t stop thinking about it. While I do have minor problems with some of the changes the creative made from the best-selling novel I was relatively pleased with the adaptation overall. In fact, my love for the movie grows every time I rewatch it (which is an embarrassingly high number considering the movie hasn’t been out that long). 

As was the case with Casey McQuiston’s book, I find myself rewatching the movie over and over again because of my love for the characters and their emotional and sometimes hilarious bits of dialogue. It’s nearly impossible for me to pick my favorite quotes. With that said though, here are ten that just can’t seem to leave my mind: 

“The forced conformity of the closet cannot be answered with forced conformity in coming out of it.”

When Alex first began to give his speech after his personal emails to Henry were leaked, I was a bit annoyed because the filmmakers altered the way it happened in the Red, White & Royal Blue book. However, I quickly got over my annoyance when Alex started talking about how unfair it is that the world expects and outright demands queer people make their sexuality known. It’s such an important and impactful quote, and I couldn’t help but feel like Alex was speaking directly to the viewers. 

It’s become a common occurrence for fans of shows with LGBTQ+ characters and storylines to go digging into the personal lives of the actors and creators to discover if they share the same sexualities as their characters. This is a serious problem in Hollywood, as some actors have felt pressured to come out or to even turn down roles they might be perfect for. Even after hearing Alex’s emotional speech, some RWRB have started lurking through actors Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine's dating histories, and to that, I say, listen to Alex! 

“My life is the Crown, and yours is politics, and I will not trade one prison for another.”

The emotional climax of the movie happens when Alex storms Henry’s residence and demands to speak with him after Henry ghosted him after the lake house vacation. With it comes a gut-wrenching line that allows viewers to see Henry stand up for himself for the first time ever. 

Does it suck that he’s standing up to Alex and saying he can’t love him? Absolutely! But it’s still a powerful moment foreshadowing a change-up in Henry that allows him to follow his heart. 

“If anyone sees you leave this hotel, I will Brexit your head from your body. Your Royal Highness.”

Zahra has always been one of my favorite characters from the book, because she brings a certain level of comedy to her otherwise stressful job. She’s brilliant in the novel, but I’d argue she gets even more time to shine in the movie as evidenced by her hilarious one-liners. Plus, I can’t help but imagine Zahra fielding a call from Shaan, Henry’s equerry/her significant other, where she gets yelled at for threatening the Prince of England. Maybe that's why I can't get this quote out of my head! 

Honorable Mention: “Oh, unlike you, whose role is clearly spelled out in Article Nothing of the U.S. Constitution.” 

“History, huh? Bet We could make some.”

I have three annotated copies of Red, White and Royal Blue that all have various quotes noted, but one that I have highlighted in every version is this one. I literally had to rewind the scene when I first watched the movie, because I was so excited to hear it the first time. While some fans were disappointed that Alex actually spoke the line to Henry instead of sending it in his emails with the book, I’d argue that this piece of dialogue is more impactful in the movie because it gets to stay between them. 

So why does this quote never seem to leave my head? I honestly have no idea. It may have something to do with it being sort of meta. These two public figures are talking about how they’ll fit into history one day when they’re literally making history just by existing. It just gives me chills! 

“That’s perfect. Then kill me, and I won’t have to go.”

After pointing out that Henry is expected to make an appearance at Alex’s New Year's Eve party, which people would “kill for” to get an invite, Henry says the quote abpve. There’s no denying that Alex is the outspoken, brash one in the “FirstPrince” pairing. However, under Henry’s broodish public persona, he's a mischievous Prince. 

Something about Alex brings out that side, and it’s hilarious to watch. Especially because Henry’s playful nature always seems to rattle Alex to his core. It's also funny to consider just how similar these too are, considering Alex also made a joke about killing himself to get out of seeing Henry. But honestly, the reason I love this quote so much is because I love sassy Henry. 

Honorable Mention: “You’re wearing lifts. I know that, too, sweetheart.”

“It’s like there’s a rope attached to my chest, and it keeps pulling me towards you.”

This quote might just seal Alex’s fate as the most romantic one of the relationship, which is an assertion that would displease the book's version of Henry. There’s just something so romantic and poetic about the line. That's especially true when it’s paired with the visual of Henry diving into the lake water and instantly bringing a hand to rest over his chest. The only element that would've made this even more memorable would be if Taylor Swift’s “Invisible String” had played over it. 

“Starting today, the world will know me for who I am and now who you want me to be.”

After spending the entire movie terrified of showing the world who he really is, Henry decides he’s done hiding himself. It’s an emotional and chilling moment for him and for all the fans watching. Fortunately for the young man, he doesn’t have to worry about the world not loving him for who he is because there’s an entire crowd outside of Buckingham Palace shouting their love for him. While the royal's line is powerful on its own, I do wish we got to see a clear crowd shot of that outpouring of support. 

“Well, you know, the ‘B’ in ‘LGBTQ’ is not a silent letter.”

Was I disappointed that we didn’t actually get Ellen’s iconic PowerPoint presentation from the book? Yes indeed. But I am glad the writers chose to keep this iconic line. Not only is it perfectly in character for Ellen, but it’s an important message to all the fans watching. Bisexual characters deserve a place in the LGBTQ pop culture just as real people who identify as such deserve as place within the community. Someone should really start printing this quote on t-shirts. 

“Well, you have air miles. Go to London, get your man.”

I love a good supportive best friend, and that’s exactly what Nora is! When it comes to her friendship with Alex, he support is endless. She’s there for him in the early stages of his relationship, helping him untangle his confusing feelings for Henry, and she stays invested by encouraging him to make a grand romantic gesture after Henry ghosts him. 

The quote might not seem that memorable on its own, but it remains in my mind because it really shows how lucky Alex is to have such a steadfast support system. Not to mention, I feel like it’s rare to see the moments before a romantic grand gesture in romantic comedies, so it was fun to get that little hint at what was to come. 

“In America, if you’re an immigrant with a 'Z' in your last name, there’s not a lot of people in positions of power that look like you or sound like you.”

To me, this is an incredibly meta quote, considering the fact that Red, White and Royal Blue both stars and was written/directed by men of color with “Zs” in their last names. Admittedly, the first time I watched the movie, this flew over my head. Yet upon a rewatch, I found myself reaching for the remote to pause and let the weight of the quote sink in. 

I think what makes this declaration so great is that it represents one of the first times we see Alex really start to open up to Henry about the pressure he feels regarding his political dreams. He feels like he has a responsibility to take the opportunities he’s been afforded and give back to his community. It’s a bonding moment for the two of them for sure since Henry experiences a similar kind of pressure given his royal status. 

Before I wrap it up, I do want to mention one more quote that unfortunately didn’t make it into the final cut but has had me laughing ever since the deleted “Cornetto” scene was released. After snapping a staged picture for Instagram, Alex narrates his comment, as he writes it and goes on to read Henry’s Instagram handle as “Prince Henry YUCK.” It’s such a clever play on words; I seriously can’t believe it didn’t gett added to the finished film! 

Anyway, I could talk about my favorite Red, White and Royal Blue quotes until I’m royal blue in the face, but these 10 are the ones that I just can’t seem to shake from my brain. Hopefully, in reading this, I’ve inspired you to rewatch the movie, which you can do with a Prime Video Subscription. Let’s help these boys make real history and keep them in Prime Videos’ top 10 for another week and hopefully get them inducted into the hall of fame for best romantic comedies of all-time! 

Christian Petzold returns with something lighter, funnier and more instantly-lovable than his recent run, bringing regular leading lady Paula Beer along for the ride.

The post Afire review – Petzold taps into his inner Rohmer appeared first on Little White Lies.

Two suspected burglars tried to break into a Texas apartment … but the gun-wielding resident got all trigger-happy, spraying bullets through the front door and causing them to flee for their lives. Saturday’s Wild West-style shoot-out was…

While some may have believed the workplace sitcom genre was winding down, Abbott Elementary proved that this kind of comedy is not going away anytime soon. The ABC series was released in December 2021 and quickly took off, racking in impressive viewership numbers, much to the surprise of the cast and crew behind. Those working on the Emmy-winning hit have talked at length about the impressive milestones Abbott Elementary has already reached, but producer Randall Einhorn recently spoke about how the show sets itself apart from other sitcoms, like The Office, especially in regard to its characters. 

Einhorn is no rookie to the world of workplace sitcoms, having worked on both The Office and Parks and Recreation in producer and directing roles. While Abbott Elementary definitely learned from its predecessors and adapted some of the key aspects of workplace sitcoms, like the popular mockumentary format, Einhorn, didn’t want it to feel like a copy of those series. Instead, he sought to make some changes. He elaborated on this idea, telling Variety: 

We wanted the teachers to appear favorably, because they’re doing a thankless task for very little money. We wanted them to look like heroes. That’s why this looks different than ‘The Office,’ which comes with low ceilings and floor lights. It’s like a place where you serve time, whereas I really wanted ‘Abbott’ to feel warm and inviting, a place you want to get back to.

While The Office comparisons might never end for Abbott Elementary, this change comes across in an extremely clear way for anyone who has watched both workplace sitcoms. Unlike The Office, where only a handful of characters actually enjoy their job (namely Michael Scott and Dwight), the staff at Abbott Elementary are 100% committed to theirs. Even Principal Ava Coleman, who starts out uninterested in her position at the school, learns to see the positive effect she can have on the student body.

Now, don’t be mistaken; the staff of Abbott Elementary still get up to some pretty hilarious hijinks like the employees of Dunder Mifflin, especially when they’re all together in the teacher’s lounge. However, unlike The Office, where the shenanigans come before the actual office work, the teachers really do put their jobs above everything else. 

Producers like Einhorn and the show’s creator and star Quinta Brunson are committed to helping the world see the good that teachers do. In an interview with NPR’s Fresh Air, Brunson went on record saying she took a portion of the first season’s marketing budget and donated it to real-world teachers in need. 

While Abbott Elementary was renewed for a third season, fans of the workplace sitcom might be waiting a bit longer for it, given the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes. Think of it as an extended summer break, if you will. Until then, fans can rewatch all their favorite episodes with an active Hulu subscription, and they can stream The Office with a Peacock subscription. 

I know we tend to associate Barbiecore with the color pink, but it also includes the other fun patterned outfits the Barbies wear in Barbie Land, including that iconic black and white swimsuit. It turns out, that the swimwear Margot Robbie’s titular character wears in Barbie’s first teaser and the first scene of the film has skyrocketed in popularity. So, here’s how you can rock this lovely black-and-white look. 

Back in 1959, the original Barbie wore this incredible strapless black and white striped swimsuit. She accessorized with a white pair of cat-eye sunglasses, simple earrings and a bold red lip. In Barbie, when the lead doll comes into existence she’s wearing this retro look to pay homage to the first doll. Now, a study by Boohoo has shown that this item from Greta Gerwig’s incredibly well-reviewed movie is rising in popularity. 

The Original Barbie Swimsuit Is Wildly Popular 

While we’ve seen celebs rocking Barbiecore pink for months, the black and white look from Barbie has really caught peoples’ eyes recently. According to this study by Boohoo, which analyzed Google data to determine trending swimwear, pink bikinis saw a 55% increase in searches, meanwhile the black and white “striped swimsuit” saw a 118% increase. 

Honestly, I get it. This look is unique, retro, classy and something so many people can get on board with. A lot of Barbie fashion is neon or pastel, and this black and white look is perfect for both overall Barbie enthusiasts and those who are looking for a different way to show their love for Margot Robbie’s character at the beach even if they don't love pink as much as the Barbies do. 

How To Buy Barbie’s Swimsuit 

Clearly, there’s a trend growing here. A 118% increase is pretty massive. So, you might now be wondering: How do I get my hands on one of these amazing black and white swimsuits? Or you might be considering other clothing options that could help you create a look inspired by the doll’s legendary opening look. Either way, I’ve got you covered. 

We’ll start with the swimsuit itself. Summer might be coming to a close, but there are still plenty of opportunities to rock this statement piece of swimwear throughout the year. If you are looking for a retro vibe that is similar to Robbie’s suit in the movie, give this Amazon option a try:

If you are looking for a sportier option that isn’t as spot on, but still subtly shows your love for Barbie, check out this one-piece from Free People: 

Although, with the colder months approaching, it might also be good to look into some black and white striped options that you can wear for a nice night out that gives a little wink to Robbie’s doll. This option from Saks Fifth Avenue would be perfect for that occasion if you ask me: 

This strapless dress from Revolve that has a hint of Barbie flair would also be a fab option for an evening out on the town:

And don’t think I forgot about accessories. Whether you decide to go the swim or streetwear route, Barbie’s accessories are a must. So, make sure you pick up some white cat eye sunglasses and a black pair of heels (or sandals if you’re going to the beach). 

• White Cat Eye Sunglasses: kimorn Cat Eye Sunglasses Women Clout Goggles Kurt Cobain Retro Sun Glasses K0566 (White&Black) on Amazon for $12.99
• Black Heels: DREAM PAIRS Women’s NILE Fashion Stilettos Open Toe Pump Heel Sandals on Amazon for $30.20
• Black Sandals: Soda PLENTY ~ Women’s Strappy Ankle Wrap Buckle Fashion Flat Sandals on Amazon for $17.05-$24.14

Well, there you have it. That’s everything you need to recreate and/or honor Barbie’s fantastic black and white swimsuit ensemble from the opening scene of Barbie. After you order your fabulous fit, make sure you check out the 2023 movie schedule so you can see what else is playing in theaters alongside Barbie in the coming months. 

I have always been firm believer in the phrase, “A hero is only as good as his or her villain.” I also believe that some of the best movies of the 1980s are home to some of the greatest heroic characters in cinematic history. By that logic, the antagonists from that decade would have would also have to be pretty top notch, to say the least.

Well, the 30 great ‘80s movie villains below certainly make a great case for that bold claim. Take a look at the heinous jerks, power-hungry criminals, and coldblooded killers from the unforgettable decade, below.

Ace Merrill (Stand By Me)

Part of the reason why 1986’s Stand By Me — Rob Reiner’s adaptation of the coming-of-age novella, The Body — is one of the most beloved Stephen King movies is that its darker moments never rely on a supernatural threat. That was handled perfectly enough by Kiefer Sutherland’s performance as Ace Merrill, who is remembered today as one the quintessential examples of how unmercifully sadistic a childhood bully can be.

Audrey II (Little Shop Of Horrors)

A 1960 B-movie by Roger Corman inspired a hit Broadway show that director Frank Oz made into one of the greatest musical horror comedy movies — 1986’s Little Shop of Horrors, in which Rick Moranis’ Seymour Krelborn comes across a weeeiiiirrrrd plant that soon becomes a sensation. 

The catch: Audrey II (named after his co-worker and crush, played by Ellen Greene) is really a “mean, green mother from outer space” with an insatiable craving for human flesh and an even meaner singing voice (courtesy of The Four Tops’ Levi Stubbs) that could consume the entire world if it grows large enough.

Betelgeuse (Beetlejuice)

Before playing one of the greatest ‘80s movies heroes (and becoming the best live-action Batman actor in the process), Michael Keaton first collaborated with Tim Burton in the title role of the spooky 1988 classic, Beetlejuice. The future Academy Award nominee actually had a lot of influence in the creation of the kooky, conniving bio-exorcist — from his rapid-fire speech pattern, bizarre wardrobe choices, and moldy skin — making him a villain hard to dislike and even harder to forget, despite only 17 minutes of screen time.

Biff Tannen (Back To The Future)

Making Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and Doc Brown’s (Christopher Lloyd) troublesome adventures in the time travel movie classic, Back to the Future, and its sequels even more difficult is Biff Tannen — easily the best-known role of comedian Tom Wilson. Initially a typical, ‘50s-era high school bully, by Part II, he evolves into a dynamic antagonist of various sides who, in an alternate 1985, becomes a powerful, ruthlessly corrupt business tycoon with the unwitting help of his older self.

Chet Donnelly (Weird Science)

Has cinema ever shown us a more fearsome example of how horrible older siblings can be than the late Bill Paxton as Chet Donnelly from 1985’s Weird Science? From little things like stealing breakfast from his brother, Wyatt (Ilan Mitchell-Smith), to shoving a shotgun in Gary’s (Anthony Micheal Hall) face, the dull-brained, militaristic terror is easily the biggest jerk from John Hughes’ movies and his comeuppance at the end — Lisa (Kelly LeBrock) turns him into some frog-like blob — is less than he really deserves.

Christine (Christine)

It is every teenager’s dream to have their own car, but when Keith Gordon’s Arnie gets his own set of wheels in John Carpenter’s adaptation of Stephen King’s Christine from 1983, it proves to be a nightmare… for everyone else in his life. The titular, red Plymouth Fury (named after George Romero’s ex-wife) turns out to have a mind of her own, the ability to heal herself of any damage, and grows so protective of her driver that she will do anything to keep him all to herself. 

Chucky (Child's Play)

Anyone who suffers from an irrational fear of dolls must have felt a refreshing sense of validation upon the 1988 release of one of the best scary doll movies, Child’s Play, in which a single mother (Catherine Hicks) discovers a friendly-looking gift for her young son (Alex Vincent) is possessed by the soul of a nasty serial killer. Academy Award nominee and deeply underrated actor, Brad Dourif, gives a memorably menacing performance as the voice of Charles “Chucky” Lee Ray that is key to why the franchise still continues to this day with Syfy’s hit Chucky TV show.

Darth Sidious (Star Wars: Episode VI – Return Of The Jedi)

If this was a list of villains from the best ‘70s movies, we would have given praise to the original Star Wars movie’s Darth Vader, but when it comes to classics from this decade, the most fearsome foe from George Lucas’ galaxy far, far away is his boss, Darth Sidious. Otherwise known as Emperor Palpatine, the Sith Lord (whom Ian McDiarmid first appeared as in 1983’s Return of the Jedi) may appear old and decrepit, but behind those yellow eyes is a mighty, nigh unstoppable force of deadly, tyrannical manipulation — not to mention, the lightning that emits from his fingertips is pretty devastating. 

The Duke (Escape From New York)

One of the first and most iconic acting roles by Isaac Hayes (the Academy Award-winning composer of the iconic movie theme song from Shaft) is a really bad mother— shut your mouth — known as The Duke from John Carpenter’s dystopian 1981 cult thriller, Escape from New York. The ruthless criminal, who has established himself as the most powerful inmate in the maximum prison that once was Manhattan, sees the accidental arrival of the President (Donald Pleasance) as his ticket to freedom and compromises the anti-heroic Snake Plissken’s (a badass Kurt Russell) rescue mission by barbaric means.

Gozer (Ghostbusters)

The moment that really confirms 1984’s Ghostbusters as a classic horror-comedy movie (with emphasis on the horror) is certainly not when Slimer first appears, but in the final act when the crew must take on the demonic Gozer (Slavitza Jovan, but later played by Olivia Wilde in Ghostbusters: Afterlife). The terrifying, omnipotent “prehistoric bitch” takes way more than a proton pack to defeat, but at least has enough respect for its human adversaries to give them the choice of what will be bring forth their planet’s destruction, resulting in the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man’s attack on New York.

The Gremlins (Gremlins)

Many can relate to the idea of giving your child a seemingly cute and cuddly pet that turns out to be a terror, which producer Steven Spielberg, writer Chris Columbus, and director Joe Dante exaggerated to a nightmarish levels in the Christmas horror movie classic, 1984’s Gremlins. If only the Mogwai’s three rules were followed, it could not have given rise to the titular, green, grinning, goblin-like creatures that give Billy’s (Zach Galligan) small town a horrifying holiday.

Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare On Elm Street)

Growing up, parents always said not to be afraid of bad dreams because they cannot hurt you, but what if that was not the case and staying awake was the only solution? Such is the concept of writer and director Wes Craven’s 1984 supernatural slasher favorite, A Nightmare on Elm Street, in which Robert Englund gives his most iconic performance as Freddy Krueger — a grotesque boogeyman with the power to slay people with his razor-clawed glove from within their subconscious.

Hans Gruber (Die Hard)

You would never believe that the late Alan Rickman had never been in a movie before giving his stunning, seminal performance in 1988’s Die Hard cast as Hans Gruber. The bloodthirsty, but admirably sophisticated, German thief is a polar opposite to Bruce Willis’ reluctant, blue collar hero, John McClane, making him the perfect adversary for, arguably, the greatest action movie ever made and one of the genre’s finest villains.

Ivan Drago (Rocky IV)

While the original from 1976 is a classic Best Picture Oscar winner, the fourth installment of the Rocky movies from 1985 might be the most iconic in the Sylvester Stallone-led boxing movie franchise. A good chunk of credit should be given to Dolph Lundgren as the cold, hulking, Russian rival athlete, Ivan Drago, who takes competition deathly seriously, based on his signature catchphrase, “I must break you,” and his absolute lack of remorse for incidentally killing Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) in the ring. 

Jack Torrance (The Shining)

One of the reasons why Stephen King did not care for The Shining (to put it lightly) was the casting of Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance, as he believed it would let on his eventual descent into madness from the moment we first see him. However, the Academy Award winner’s bombastically unhinged performance was one of the top reasons why Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 adaptation is so beloved to this day and why the good dad gone bad is, arguably, the best Stephen King movie villain yet. 

Jason Voorhees (Friday The 13th Sequels)

In 1980’s original installment of the Friday the 13th movies, the killer stalking Camp Crystal Lake was a vengeful mother named Pamela Voorhees (Betsy Palmer), who would easily go down in history as one of the greatest female horror villains of all time. Yet, the one who would go down as one of the most iconic horror movie villains in general and became the (hockey-masked) face of the subsequent franchise was her son, Jason Voorhees, who started off slicing teens with his machete to avenge his mother, but did not really need much of a motivation as the series went on.

Johnny Lawrence (The Karate Kid)

In the ‘80s, one of the go-to actors to play the designated superficial, bullish jock in a coming-of-age movie was William “Billy” Zabka and earning him that reputation was his role as Johnny Lawrence in 1984’s The Karate Kid. Years later, the character — introduced in the classic movie as Daniel LaRusso’s (Ralph Macchio) brutal martial arts rival — would be seen in a whole new light when Zabka reprised the role in the Cobra Kai cast on the YouTube original series that became a Netflix exclusive.

The Joker (Batman)

There have been many different, unique portrayals of The Joker — the top dog of Batman’s rogues gallery — with some favoring Mark Hamill’s enduring animated iteration or Heath Ledger’s unpredictably manic, Oscar-winning interpretation in 2008’s The Dark Knight. However, when 1989’s Batman came out, it seemed like nothing would be able to surpass Jack Nicholson as Jack Napier — a Gotham gangster whose chemical accident turns him into a Clown Prince of Crime with an ingenious balance of cartoonish lunacy and chilling wickedness.

Judge Doom (Who Framed Roger Rabbit)

There are many reasons why modern audiences struggle to call Robert Zemeckis’ astonishing blend of live-action and animation, 1988’s Who Framed Roger Rabbit, a great movie for kids, definitively. One of the most pressing is the way Christopher Lloyd fully channels his bad side — and abstains from blinking his eyes — as the ominous Judge Doom, who only gets much, much scarier when we discover his true identity.

Khan Noonien Singh (Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan)

Ricardo Montalban first appeared as a genetically engineered Augment known as Khan — or, as William Shatner’s Captain James T. Kirk pronounces it, “KHAAAAAAAAAN!” — in an episode of the original Star Trek series in 1967. However, his grand return to the role as the titular antagonist of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is one of the most legendary performances in the franchise’s history and key as to why the 1982 sequel is still widely considered the best Star Trek movie to date.

Lord Humungus (The Road Warrior)

George Miller’s Mad Max movies have had their fair share of great villains, from Toecutter in the 1979 original to Immortan Joe in 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road — both of whom were played by Hugh Keays-Byrne. When the franchise fully entered its influential, dystopian-era stage with 1981’s The Road Warrior, Mel Gibson’s anti-hero was tasked with taking on the Marauders’ hulking leader, Lord Humungus (Kjell Nilsson), who kind of looks like if Jason Voorhees was a medieval exotic dancer, but is nonetheless a memorably imposing figure off post-apocalyptic tyranny.

Mama Fratelli (The Goonies)

The deadly traps that the thrill-seeking youngsters from the Goonies cast encounter while searching for buried treasure are scary enough, but if there is anything more terrifying in director Richard Donner’s 1985 cult classic, it’s the matriarch of the menacing Fratelli family. Given her reputation for playing particularly “grouchy” characters, to say that Academy Award nominee Anne Ramsey gives one of her most intimidating performances as a woman trying to beat a group of children to the site of hidden loot is really saying something.

Mola Ram (Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom)

Harrison Ford’s intrepid fortune hunter, Indiana Jones, has made enemies with many dastardly personalities, but I do not believe a single one of them comes close to being as haunting as Amrish Puri as Mola Ram. What better proof is there than the terrifying scene from 1984’s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom when the Thuggee cult leader reaches into a man’s chest, pulls out his still-beating heart, and lowers him into a fiery pit as a sacrifice to his ruthless deity. 

Mother Alien (Aliens)

In the franchises’ decades-long history, the Alien movies have shown us various breeds of the Xenomorph — each one horrifying, but also undeniably picturesque, in its own way — but the one that might take the cake, however, is the (literal) mother of them all. Then again, we cannot blame this queen for her main goal in James Cameron’s 1986 sequel, Aliens, which is to protect her children from Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley, who is on her own mission to rescue the young, orphaned Newt (Carrie Henn).

The Predator (Predator)

The Xenomorph may be cinema’s definitive depiction of extra-terrestrial evil, but the most badass of them all would have to be the titular creature played by the late Kevin Peter Hall in director John McTiernan’s 1987 sci-fi hit, which is still the best of the Predator movies in most people’s eyes. As Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Dutch would demonstrate in the third act of the testosterone-fueled, jungle-set action thriller, it does not take brawn, but brains to defeat the hulking beast, who admirably maintains a code of honor when hunting his prey.

Principal Richard Vernon (The Breakfast Club)

I pray for anyone who ever felt like their principal relished in making his students’ lives miserable when they were in high school, because that would mean that they actually knew someone like Richard Vernon. 

Paul Gleason, an actor who seemed to relish playing unlikable characters with brilliant focus, may have hit his peak in that regard in 1985 with his performance in John Hughes’ The Breakfast Club cast as a nearly sadistic principal with no sense of respect or concern for his youthful peers. I hope the custodian, Carl (John Kapelos), managed to talk some sense into him and save him from being a dangerous embarrassment to the public school system.

Rene Beloq (Raiders Of The Lost Ark)

Out of all of the memorable Indiana Jones movie villains, my pick for the all-time best would be Rene Beloq, played by Paul Freeman in 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark. As a fellow fortune-hunter, the charismatic Frenchman is a perfect match for Harrison Ford’s hero — having a similar goal, but going about it in a more despicable manner by partnering with the Nazis and being willing to kill and manipulate to get his hands on any great fortune.

Roy Batty (Blade Runner)

There really is not a “good guy” in director Ridley Scott’s groundbreaking — yet commercial unsuccessful — adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? from 1982, considering how there is nothing admirable about Rick Deckard’s (Harrison Ford) occupation in “retiring” Replicants from a moral standpoint. Furthermore, as an artificial being who wants nothing more but to live longer and freely, I think that Rutger Hauer’s Roy Batty is actually one of Blade Runner’s more sympathetic characters, which is what makes him such a unique example of antagonism.

The Terminator (The Terminator)

One of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s most iconic characters would come to be known as a great hero in the early ‘90s with the release of Terminator 2: Judgment Day, but that is a far cry from his original depiction in 1984. The titular antagonist of James Cameron’s breakthrough, The Terminator, may look like an ordinary (yet extraordinarily ripped) man, but is really a futuristic machine that does not negotiate, feel any emotion, and refuses to cease until his target — Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), the unwitting mother of a dystopian war hero — is dead.

The Thing (The Thing)

Imagine not being able to trust if someone you know personally is really who they say they are or if they are a shapeshifting, otherworldly creature in disguise. That is the concept of, arguably, the best of John Carpenter’s movies, 1982’s The Thing, which more faithful adapts John W. Campbell  Jr.’s horror novella “Who Goes There?” into a master class in suspense in which its alien antagonist pits an Arctic research crew against each other, challenging them figure out who is still human.

For anyone who wants to get in the business of playing bad people on the silver screen, they should consider ‘80s movie villains their heroes.

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