List of American films of 1985

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A list of American films released in 1985.

Out of Africa won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
The highest grossing film of 1985 was Back to the Future.


A

Title Director Cast Genre Note
A.D.Stewart Cooper
The Adventures of Mark Twain Will Vinton James Whitmore Animation
After HoursMartin ScorseseGriffin Dunne, Rosanna Arquette, Verna Bloom, Linda Fiorentino, Catherine O'Hara, Teri Garr, John Heard Comedy, thriller
Agnes of GodNorman JewisonJane Fonda, Anne Bancroft, Meg Tilly Drama3 Oscar nominations
Alamo Bay Louis Malle Amy Madigan, Ed Harris, Ho Nguyen Drama
Alice in WonderlandHarry HarrisNatalie Gregory, Red Buttons, Roddy McDowall, Jayne Meadows, Scott Baio, Robert Morley, Anthony Newley, Imogene Coca, Telly Savalas, Ringo Starr, Shelley WintersFantasymade for TV; based on a story by Lewis Carroll
American FlyersJohn BadhamKevin Costner, David Marshall Grant, Rae Dawn Chong, Alexandra Paul, Janice Rule, John Amos DramaWarner Bros.
American NinjaSam FirstenbergMichael Dudikoff, Steve James, Judie AronsonAction
Anna KareninaSimon Langton Jacqueline Bisset, Christopher Reeve, Paul Scofield, Ian Ogilvy Dramabased on Leo Tolstoy novel
Appointment with FearRamsey Thomas
Alan Smithee
Michele Little, Douglas Rowe, Garrick Dowhen, Kerry Remsen Horror
Avenging AngelRobert Vincent O'NeillBetsy Russell, Ossie Davis, Rory CalhounDrama
Aviator, TheGeorge T. MillerRosanna Arquette, Christopher Reeve, Tyne Daly Adventurefrom Ernest K. Gann novel

B

Title Director Cast Genre Note
Baby: Secret of the Lost LegendBill L. NortonWilliam Katt, Sean Young, Patrick McGoohan, Julian FellowesFantasyTouchstone Films
Back to the FutureRobert ZemeckisMichael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover, Thomas F. Wilson Science fiction4 Oscar nominations
Bad MedicineHarvey MillerSteve Guttenberg, Alan Arkin, Julie Hagerty, Curtis ArmstrongComedy
Bad Seed, TheBlair Brown, Lynn Redgrave, David CarradineThrillerTV remake of 1956 film
Barbarian QueenHéctor OliveraLana ClarksonScience fiction
Better Off Dead Savage Steve HollandJohn Cusack, Diane Franklin, David Ogden Stiers, Kim Darby Comedy
Black Arrow John Hough Oliver Reed, Fernando Rey, Donald Pleasence Adventure TV film
Black Cauldron, TheTed Berman, Richard RichGrant Bardsley, Susan Sheridan, Freddie Jones, Nigel Hawthorne AnimatedWalt Disney studio's first PG-rated animated film
Boys Next Door, ThePenelope SpheerisCharlie Sheen, Maxwell Caulfield, Patti D'Arbanville Drama
BrazilTerry GilliamJonathan Pryce, Kim Greist, Michael Palin, Robert De Niro, Katherine Helmond Science fiction2 Oscar nominations
The Breakfast ClubJohn HughesEmilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, Paul Gleason, John Kapelos Drama
Brewster's MillionsWalter HillRichard Pryor, John Candy, Lonette McKeeComedyUniversal
The BrideFranc RoddamSting, Jennifer Beals, Anthony Higgins, Clancy BrownHorror based on Bride of Frankenstein
Bridge to TerabithiaEric TillJulian Coutts, Julie Beaulieu, Annette O'Toole, Tom HeatonDramabased on a story by Katherine Paterson
Bring on the NightMichael AptedSting, Branford MarsalisDocumentary

C-G

Title Director Cast Genre Note
Cat's EyeLewis TeagueDrew Barrymore, James Woods, Robert Hays, Alan KingHorror, Comedybased on Stephen King stories
Certain Fury Stephen Gyllenhaal Tatum O'Neal, Irene Cara, Peter Fonda Action
Chorus Line, ARichard AttenboroughMichael Douglas, Audrey Landers, Janet Jones Musical based on the Broadway show
ClueJonathan LynnTim Curry, Madeline Kahn, Lesley Ann Warren, Martin Mull, Eileen Brennan, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, Colleen Camp Comedy based on Parker Brothers game
The Coca-Cola KidDusan Makavejev Eric Roberts, Greta Scacchi Comedy Australia
CocoonRon HowardDon Ameche, Wilford Brimley, Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy, Maureen Stapleton, Steve Guttenberg, Brian Dennehy Science fiction Academy Award for Ameche
Code of SilenceAndrew DavisChuck Norris, Molly Hagan, Henry Silva, Mike Genovese Action Orion
Color Purple, TheSteven Spielberg Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Oprah Winfrey, Margaret Avery, Laurence Fishburne, Adolph Caesar, Rae Dawn Chong Dramabased on novel by Alice Walker; 11 Oscar nominations
CommandoMark L. LesterArnold Schwarzenegger, Rae Dawn Chong, Dan Hedaya, Vernon Wells, Bill Duke, David Patrick Kelly, Alyssa Milano Action
Compromising PositionsFrank PerrySusan Sarandon, Raúl Juliá, Mary Beth Hurt, Joe Mantegna Comedy based on Susan Isaacs novel
CreatorIvan PasserPeter O'Toole, Mariel Hemingway, Vincent Spano, Virginia Madsen Science fiction, Comedy based on Jeremy Leven book
CreatureWilliam MaloneStan Iver, Diane Salinger, Klaus Kinski Science fiction
CrimewaveSam RaimiLouise Lasser, Bruce Campbell Horror, Comedy
D.A.R.Y.L.Simon WincerBarret Oliver, Michael McKean, Mary Beth Hurt, Colleen Camp Science fiction
Day of the DeadGeorge A. RomeroLori Cardille, Sherman Howard Horror
Death Wish 3Michael WinnerCharles Bronson, Martin Balsam Action 2nd sequel to Death Wish
Def-Con 4Paul DonovanLenore Zann, Maury Chaykin, Kate LynchScience fiction
Desert HeartsDonna DeitchHelen Shaver, Audra Lindley, Patricia Charbonneau Dramabased on Jane Rule novel
Desperately Seeking SusanSusan SeidelmanRosanna Arquette, Aidan Quinn, Madonna Romance BAFTA award for Arquette
Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart Wayne Wang Laureen Chew, Kim Chew, Victor Wong Comedy
Dungeonmaster, TheDavid Allen, Charles BandJeffrey Byron, Richard MollScience fiction
EleniPeter YatesKate Nelligan, John Malkovich, Linda Hunt Dramabased on Nicholas Gage book
Emerald Forest, TheJohn BoormanPowers Boothe, Charley Boorman, Meg Foster Adventureset in Brazil rain forest
Enemy MineWolfgang PetersenDennis Quaid, Louis Gossett, Jr. Science fiction Barry B. Longyear story
Ewoks: The Battle for Endor Ken Wheat Wilford Brimley, Warwick Davis, Aubree Miller Fantasy TV film
ExplorersJoe DanteRiver Phoenix, Ethan Hawke, Jason Presson Science fiction
Falcon and the Snowman, TheJohn SchlesingerTimothy Hutton, Sean Penn Dramabased on Robert Lindsey book
FandangoKevin ReynoldsKevin Costner, Judd Nelson, Sam Robards, Suzy Amis Comedy Amblin Entertainment
Fast ForwardSidney PoitierTamara Mark, Monique Cintron Musical
Fever PitchRichard BrooksRyan O'Neal, Giancarlo Giannini, Catherine Hicks, Chad Everett Drama Brooks's final film; 4 Razzie nominations
Final Justice Greydon Clark Joe Don Baker, Rossano Brazzi, Venantino Venantini Crime
Flesh and Blood Paul Verhoeven Rutger Hauer, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Ronald Lacey Adventure
FletchMichael RitchieChevy Chase, Joe Don Baker, Dana Wheeler-Nicholson, Geena Davis Comedy from Gregory Mcdonald novel
Fool for LoveRobert AltmanSam Shepard, Kim Basinger, Randy Quaid Drama based on Sam Shepard play
Fraternity VacationJames FrawleySheree J. Wilson, Tim Robbins, John Vernon Comedy
Friday the 13th: A New BeginningDanny SteinmannSuzanne Bateman, Corey Feldman Horror sequel
Fright NightTom HollandChris Sarandon, Roddy McDowall, William Ragsdale, Amanda Bearse Comedy, Horror followed by Fright Night II
Ghoulies Luca Bercovici Mariska Hargitay, Peter Liapis Horror
Girls Just Want to Have FunAlan MetterSarah Jessica Parker, Helen Hunt Comedy New World Pictures
Goodbye, New York Amos Kollek Julie Haggerty, Amos Kollek Comedy drama
Goonies, TheRichard DonnerSean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman, Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton, Jonathan Ke Quan, Anne Ramsey, Robert Davi, Joe Pantoliano Adventure, Family Amblin Entertainment; story by Steven Spielberg
Gotcha!Jeff KanewAnthony Edwards, Linda Fiorentino Comedy, Action Universal
GymkataRobert ClouseKurt Thomas, Tetchie Agbayani, Richard Norton Action filmed in Yugoslavia

H-M

Title Director Cast Genre Note
Head OfficeKen FinklemanJudge Reinhold, Eddie Albert, Danny DeVito Comedyproduced by HBO
Heaven Help UsMichael DinnerKevin Dillon, Andrew McCarthy, Mary Stuart Masterson, Donald Sutherland ComedyTriStar
Here Come the Littles Bernard Deyriès Gregg Berger, Bettina Bush, Pat Fraley Animation
Hills Have Eyes Part II, TheWes CravenMichael Berryman, Janus Blythe Horrorsequel to The Hills Have Eyes
Howling IIPhilippe MoraChristopher Lee, Sybil Danning Horrorsequel to The Howling
InsignificanceNicolas RoegTheresa Russell, Tony Curtis, Gary Busey Drama, Comedyfrom Terry Johnson play
Into the NightJohn LandisJeff Goldblum, Michelle Pfeiffer DramaUniversal
Invasion U.S.A.Joseph ZitoChuck Norris, Richard Lynch Action Cannon Films
Jagged EdgeRichard MarquandJeff Bridges, Glenn Close, Robert Loggia, Peter Coyote Crime dramaColumbia
Jewel of the Nile, TheLewis TeagueKathleen Turner, Michael Douglas, Danny DeVitoComedysequel to Romancing the Stone
The Journey of Natty Gann Jeremy Kagan Meredith Salenger, John Cusack, Ray Wise Family
Just One of the GuysLisa GottliebJoyce Hyser, Sherilyn Fenn ComedyColumbia
King DavidBruce BeresfordRichard Gere, Edward Woodward, Alice Krige Biographystory of David of Israel
King Solomon's Mines J. Lee ThompsonRichard Chamberlain, Sharon Stone, Herbert Lom Adventurefrom H. Rider Haggard novel
Kiss of the Spider WomanHéctor BabencoWilliam Hurt, Raúl Juliá, Sônia Braga DramaAcademy Award for Hurt
Krush GrooveMichael SchultzRun D.M.C., Sheila E., Blair Underwood Musical
LadyhawkeRichard DonnerMatthew Broderick, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rutger Hauer Drama2 Oscar nominations
Last Dragon, TheMichael SchultzTaimak, Julius Carry, Christopher MurneyMartial arts
Latino Haskell Wexler Robert Beltran, Annette Charles Action
LegendRidley ScottTom Cruise, Mia Sara, Tim CurryFantasyUniversal
The Legend of Billie JeanMatthew RobbinsHelen Slater, Christian Slater, Keith GordonDramaTriStar
LifeforceTobe HooperSteve Railsback, Mathilda MayScience fictionfrom Colin Wilson novel
Lost in AmericaAlbert BrooksAlbert Brooks, Julie Hagerty ComedyThe Geffen Company
Lust in the DustPaul BartelDivine, Lainie Kazan, Tab Hunter ComedyNew World Pictures
Malibu ExpressAndy SidarisDarby Hinton, Sybil DanningAction
The Man with One Red ShoeStan DragotiTom Hanks, Dabney Coleman, Lori SingerComedyremake of 1972 French film
MarieRoger DonaldsonSissy Spacek, Jeff Daniels, Keith Szarabajka, Morgan FreemanBiographybased on Peter Maas book
MaskPeter BogdanovichCher, Eric Stoltz, Sam Elliott, Laura DernDramaOscar for Makeup
Mask of Murder Arne Mattsson Rod Taylor, Valerie Perrine, Christopher Lee Mystery
Maxie Paul Aaron Glenn Close, Mandy Patinkin, Ruth Gordon Fantasy
The Mean SeasonPhillip BorsosKurt Russell, Mariel Hemingway, Richard JordanCrime dramabased on John Katzenbach novel
MischiefMel DamskiDoug McKeon, Chris Nash, Catherine Mary StewartComedy
Mishima: A Life in Four ChaptersPaul SchraderKen Ogata, Masayuki ShionoyaExperimentalstory of Yukio Mishima
Missing in Action 2: The BeginningLance HoolChuck Norris, Soon-Tek Oh, Steven WilliamsActionsequel to Missing in Action
Movers & ShakersWilliam AsherWalter Matthau, Charles Grodin, Tyne DalyComedy Asher's last film
Moving ViolationsNeal IsraelJohn Murray, Jennifer Tilly, Brian BackerComedy
Mugsy's GirlsKevin BrodieLaura Branigan, Ruth GordonComedy
Murphy's RomanceMartin RittSally Field, James Garner, Brian Kerwin, Corey HaimRomantic comedy2 Oscar nominations
My Science ProjectJonathan R. BetuelJohn Stockwell, Danielle von Zerneck, Dennis Hopper, Fisher StevensComedyaka TimeBusters

N-S

Title Director Cast Genre Note
National Lampoon's European VacationAmy HeckerlingChevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Jason Lively, Dana HillComedysequel to National Lampoon's Vacation
A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's RevengeJack SholderMark Patton, Kim Myers, Robert Englund, Robert RuslerSlashersequel to A Nightmare on Elm Street
Noon WineMichael FieldsStellan Skarsgård, Fred Ward, Jon Cryer, Lise HilboldtDramabased on story by Katherine Anne Porter
Once BittenHoward StormLauren Hutton, Jim Carrey, Cleavon Little ComedyCarrey's first leading role
One Magic ChristmasPhillip BorsosMary Steenburgen, Harry Dean StantonFamilyWalt Disney
Out of AfricaSydney PollackMeryl Streep, Robert Redford, Klaus Maria Brandauer DramaOscar for Best Picture; based on book by Isak Dinesen
Pale RiderClint EastwoodClint Eastwood, Michael Moriarty, Carrie SnodgressWesternWarner Bros.
Pee-wee's Big AdventureTim BurtonPaul Reubens, Elizabeth Daily, Mark HoltonComedyfeaturing Pee-wee Herman
PerfectJames BridgesJohn Travolta, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jann Wenner, Marilu Henner, Laraine Newman Dramabased on Rolling Stone article
PlentyFred SchepisiMeryl Streep, Charles Dance, Sting, Ian McKellenDramabased on play by David Hare
Police Academy 2: Their First AssignmentJerry ParisSteven Guttenberg, Bubba Smith, David GrafComedysequel to Police Academy
Porky's RevengeJames KomackDan Monahan, Tony Ganios, Wyatt KnightComedysequel to Porky's
Private ResortGeorge BowersRob Morrow, Johnny Depp, Andrew ClayComedyDepp's 2nd film, Morrow's 1st
Prizzi's HonorJohn HustonJack Nicholson, Kathleen Turner, Robert Loggia, Anjelica Huston, William Hickey, John Randolph, Lee RichardsonBlack
comedy
based on Richard Condon novel; Oscar for Anjelica Huston
Protector, TheJames GlickenhausJackie Chan, Danny AielloAction
Pumping Iron II: The WomenGeorge ButlerBev Francis, Rachel McLish, Steve MichalikDocumentarysequel to Pumping Iron
Purple Rose of Cairo, TheWoody AllenMia Farrow, Jeff Daniels, Danny Aiello, John Wood ComedyBAFTA award as Best Film
Radioactive DreamsAlbert PyunMichael Dudikoff, George Kennedy Science fiction
Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer Kimio Yabuki Bettina Bush, Charlie Adler Animation
Rambo: First Blood Part IIGeorge P. CosmatosSylvester Stallone, Julia Nickson-Soul, Richard Crenna Action sequel to First Blood; winner of 4 Razzie awards
Rappin'Joel SilbergMario Van Peebles, Eriq La Salle Drama
Re-AnimatorStuart GordonJeffrey Combs, David Gale Horror
Real GeniusMartha CoolidgeVal Kilmer, Gabe Jarret, William Atherton ComedyTriStar
Red SonjaRichard FleischerArnold Schwarzenegger, Brigitte Nielsen, Sandahl Bergman Action 3 Razzie nominations
Remo Williams: The Adventure BeginsGuy HamiltonFred Ward, Joel Grey, Kate Mulgrew Action Adventure also ended
Return of the Living Dead, TheDan O'BannonJames Karen Horror
Return to OzWalter MurchFairuza Balk, Nicol Williamson, Jean Marsh Fantasy based on Wizard of Oz
RevolutionHugh HudsonAl Pacino, Nastassja Kinski, Donald Sutherland Drama4 Razzie nominations
Rocky IVSylvester StalloneSylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, Brigitte Nielsen Drama3rd sequel to Rocky; 9 Razzie nominations
Runaway TrainAndrei KonchalovskyJon Voight, Eric Roberts, Rebecca De Mornay Drama3 Oscar nominations
Rustlers' RhapsodyHugh WilsonTom Berenger, Marilu Henner, Sela Ward, Andy Griffith ParodyParamount
Santa Claus: The MovieJeannot SzwarcDudley Moore, John Lithgow, David Huddleston, Burgess Meredith Family TriStar
Secret AdmirerDavid GreenwaltC. Thomas Howell, Lori Loughlin, Kelly Preston, Fred WardComedyOrion
The Secret of the Sword Ed Friedman Animation
Sesame Street Presents Follow That Bird Ken Kwapis Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Sandra Bernhard Comedy
Seven Minutes in HeavenLinda FefermanJennifer Connelly, Polly Draper, Spalding Gray Comedy
Silver Bullet Daniel AttiasGary Busey, Corey Haim, Everett McGill, Megan Follows Horrorbased on Stephen King story
SilveradoLawrence KasdanScott Glenn, Kevin Kline, Kevin Costner, John Cleese, Danny Glover, Jeff Goldblum, Brian Dennehy, Rosanna Arquette, Linda Hunt Western 2 Oscar nominations
The Slugger's WifeHal AshbyMichael O'Keefe, Rebecca De Mornay, Randy Quaid, Cleavant Derricks, Martin Ritt Romantic comedy Columbia
Smooth Talk Joyce Chopra Laura Dern, Treat Williams, Levon Helm Drama
Spies Like UsJohn LandisChevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, Bernie Casey Comedy
St. Elmo's FireJoel SchumacherRob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, Andrew McCarthy, Mare Winningham, Andie MacDowell Dramaso-called Brat Pack film; Razzie award for Lowe
Starchaser: The Legend of Orin Steven Hahn Joe Colligan, Carmen Argenziano Animated
StickBurt ReynoldsBurt Reynolds, Candice Bergen, Charles Durning Crime dramabased on Elmore Leonard novel
StitchesRod HolcombEddie Albert, Parker Stevenson, Jerry Feuer Comedy
The StuffLarry CohenMichael Moriarty, Andrea Marcovicci, Garrett Morris, Paul Sorvino Comedy
Summer RentalCarl ReinerJohn Candy, Richard Crenna, Rip Torn Comedy Paramount
The Sure ThingRob ReinerJohn Cusack, Daphne Zuniga, Nicollette Sheridan, Anthony Edwards, Viveca Lindfors, Tim Robbins Comedy
Sweet DreamsKarel ReiszJessica Lange, Ed Harris, John Goodman Biography story of Patsy Cline
SylvesterTim HunterMelissa Gilbert, Richard Farnsworth Drama Columbia

T-Z

Title Director Cast Genre Note
TargetArthur PennGene Hackman, Matt Dillon, Gayle Hunnicutt Thriller Warner Bros.
Teen WolfRod DanielMichael J. Fox, Susan Ursitti, Jay Tarses Comedy
That Was Then... This Is NowChristopher CainEmilio Estevez, Morgan Freeman, Craig Sheffer Dramabased on S.E. Hinton book
That's Dancing! Jack Haley, Jr. Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Gene Kelly Documentary
To Live and Die in L.A.William FriedkinWilliam Petersen, Willem Dafoe, John Turturro, John Pankow Crime dramabased on Gerald Petievich novel
TomboyHerb Freed Betsy Russell, Kristi SomersComedy
TrancersCharles BandTim Thomerson, Helen Hunt Science fiction
Transylvania 6-5000Rudy De LucaJeff Goldblum, Geena Davis, Ed Begley, Jr., Carol Kane Comedyspoof of Dracula
The Trip to Bountiful Peter Masterson Geraldine Page, John Heard, Rebecca De Mornay Drama
Trouble in Mind Alan Rudolph Kris Kristofferson, Keith Carradine, Lori Singer Thriller
Tuff TurfFritz Kiersch James Spader, Robert Downey, Jr., Kim RichardsDrama
Turk 182Bob ClarkTimothy Hutton, Robert Urich, Kim Cattrall, Robert Culp, Peter Boyle, Darren McGavin Drama
Twice in a LifetimeBud YorkinGene Hackman, Ann-Margret, Ellen Burstyn, Amy Madigan, Ally Sheedy, Brian Dennehy DramaOscar nomination for Madigan
Vision QuestHarold BeckerMatthew Modine, Linda Fiorentino, Michael Schoeffling, Ronny Cox, Harold Sylvester, Charles Hallahan Dramaaka Crazy for You
VolunteersNicholas MeyerTom Hanks, John Candy, Rita Wilson ComedyTriStar
Weird ScienceJohn HughesAnthony Michael Hall, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, Kelly LeBrock, Bill Paxton, Robert Downey, Jr. Comedy
White NightsTaylor HackfordMikhail Baryshnikov, Gregory Hines, Helen Mirren, Isabella Rossellini, Geraldine Page DramaOscar for Best Song
WitnessPeter WeirHarrison Ford, Kelly McGillis, Lukas Haas Drama8 Oscar nominations
Year of the DragonMichael Cimino Mickey Rourke, Ariane, John LoneCrime drama based on Robert Daley novel; 5 Razzie nominations
Young Sherlock HolmesBarry LevinsonNicholas Rowe, Alan Cox Dramascript by Chris Columbus

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 1985 films.