1. Predator
Predator exists as THE example of thrilling 80’s action.
Full of bulging biceps, future body building senators, famously quotable lines, alien on human fight scenes, and enough foliage destroying action to make a tree hugger’s head explode, John McTiernan’s second appearance on my list is also his best.
Not only does our director meld sci-fi elements brilliantly into a mostly militaristic story, but he enlisted a super cast of bulging action heroes so big they barely fit on the same screen. Led by none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger, our soldiers first charge mightily into battle, fighting an entire base of rebel soldiers. Hilarious quotes are spoken, laughs are had while slaughtering foes and life is good for our devastating task force.
Then the Predator shows up. Being an expert hunter from another planet, Arnie and his company are forced to fight a creature with technology light-years ahead of our lowly military. The Predator literally hunts some of the most impressive soldiers America has to offer for nothing but sh*ts and giggles, making humanity seem insignificant.
When the odds get down to a “mano y mano” fight between a mud-covered Arnold and our alien hunter, the sheer scenario epicness overtakes your emotional capacity to a heart thumping level. McTiernan’s perfect balance of tension and aggression sets the mood just right, if you feel like fighting extraterrestrial invaders that is.
Easily my favorite action movie of all time, Predator deserves every single iota of recognition, sitting unmatched atop my list of adrenaline injected super movies.