Rewinding The ’80s: Cinema Under the Influence of Music Videos, Action Stars, and a Cold War

by John Malahy

Take a trip back to your favorite video store with this in-depth journey through the highs and lows of 80s cinema—with profiles of hundreds of films—and how Hollywood studios around the globe reflected a period of cultural change.

The movies were flying blind in 1980. “New Hollywood” was over and the era of auteur-driven, personal films that had defined moviemaking since the late ‘60s came to a symbolic end with Heaven’s Gate (1980), replaced by a new world of multiplex blockbusters supported by massive marketing campaigns. But beyond the high-school comedies and hardbody action films came a new wave of cinematic excitement—an era defined by Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Purple Rain, When Harry Met Sally, E.T., and Top Gun, each of which are now classics for a new generation of nostalgic movie lovers. The decade saw works that uniquely captured an era of cultural and technological change, from new indie auteurs to the highs and lows of animation, an emergent LGBTQ+ cinema, the last days of the Cold War, and the explosive impact of MTV. With wit and authority, author John Malahy provides fresh insight about the films, filmmakers, and stars who illuminated each of the exciting new facets of Hollywood throughout the decade.

Rewinding the ’80s is a lively, intelligent, and immersive look at an indelible moment in modern history.

Audible Audio

Published October 7, 2025

Reviews

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a huge fan of all things 80’s, I was bound to enjoy this book. There are a few chapters, especially in the beginning, that are more like long list of movies than they are thorough writing and analysis of those movies. Be patient. The chapters that shine are full of great information about and insights from directors, writers and actors and the films that continue to inspire and entertain people today. Chapter 4,Teen Movies, is surprisingly revealing and thoughtful. Chapter 6, Alternative Cinema, will likely pique your interest and expose you to many unique and inspiring films. I now have a long list of movies that I want to watch, some of which I have seen before, but lots that I will be viewing for the first time. More than anything, this is just a really fun book that is chock full of facts and colorful photos. It is deserving of a place on the bookshelf or coffee table of any cinema buff, and is a great read and reference for any movie lover.

[Mari · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit, from what I saw - cover, write-ups, promo blurbs - I thought this would be a really fun book. Not so much. It really came across more academic, or just listing movies into categories, with a discussion (not too deep - emphasis on 'too') about a bunch of movies from the eighties. I wouldn't say it's not good, mostly just not what someone(s) seemed to want us to think it is. Good coverage, not sorry I read it, just feeling somehow cheated.