The 7 Best Films of 1988

1988 was the year that Spike Lee proved he was no one-hit wonder, Dustin Hoffman earned his second Oscar and Bruce Willis proved that he was bigger than television in the most exciting Christmas movie of all time. '88 would also prove to be the first time that moviegoers showed up in droves to propel a film about African royalty to a spot on the list of the top three highest-grossing box office smashes of the year -- but it wouldn't be the last.






7. Willow

Unfortunately for the title character, Willow's spotlight is stolen throughout the film by the dynamic between Madmartigan, a charming criminal with a heart of gold, and Sorsha, the warrior princess who looks down on him. It's no mystery why these characters give off Han Solo and Princess Leia vibes -- the story was conceived by Star Wars creator George Lucas. And Willow himself is portrayed by Warwick Dunn, the actor inside the Wicket (the Ewok with the most screentime) costume in Return of the Jedi. Lucas' ILM effects house developed the groundbreaking CGI techniques that would later be used in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Terminator 2: Judgement Day and form the cornerstone of what we see in nearly every big fantasy spectacle to follow. While Willow isn't exactly a classic it's somewhat surprising that it never received a sequel. After all, it grossed $137.6 million in 1988 on a $35 million budget; for context, Die Hard grossed $140.7 million that same year and went on to become a five-movie franchise. 

6. Rain Man

Tom Cruise is no dummy. Rain Man represents his second -- and greatest -- onscreen pairing with a Hollywood legend from a previous generation. He would also team up (or square off with) Paul Newman (The Color of Money), Gene Hackman (The Firm), Jack Nicholson (A Few Good Men) and Robert Redford (Lions for Lambs) but his collaboration with Dustin Hoffman stands head and shoulders above the rest. 

By 1988, Cruise was used to getting top billing but his deference to Hoffman paid off in spades. Not only was Rain Man the highest-grossing film of the year but it also earned the Best Picture Oscar (not to mention the Best Actor Oscar for Hoffman and Best Director Oscar for Barry Levinson).









5. The Thin Blue Line

4. Coming to America

Thirty years before Killmonger fulfilled his life-long dream of assuming the crown of Wakanda, Prince Akeem Joffer made us all wish that we could move to his idyllic African kingdom, Zamunda. In a staggeringly impressive display of versatility, comic legend Eddie Murphy breathes life into four distinct characters in this star-studded rom-com with the emphasis on the com.

Coming to America also features one of two 1988 movies that feature a pre-famous Samuel L. Jackson in a fast food joint. Go figure.









3. Spike of Bensonhurst

Like Rocky Balboa before him, Spike Fumo's first love is boxing, but he earns his living (barely) by making collections for a mobster. But, while Rocky worked on the fringes of the mafia, Spike has ingratiated himself to the head of his Brooklyn neighborhood. That's where the similarities end. Rocky is a generous nice guy who competes for the world heavyweight title. Spike is a selfish asshole who only participates in local bouts. Spike fights in prearranged matches, teaches little kids how to shoplift, knocks up two girls in the span of a few days (one of whom is the daughter of a made man), hates his mother and insults mafioso. But, his jackass-ness makes for some astonishing, yet funny, moments.

Sometimes titled, Mafia Kid, this film is hard to find by any name. But it seems to be an obvious inspiration for The Sopranos, with its comedic exploration of family and neighborhood life for modern mafia members.









2. School Daze

School Daze follows the freshman year of new student Darrell at HBCU Mission College as he pledges a fraternity. Meanwhile, his big cousin Vaughn does his best to organize controversial student protests without getting kicked out of school. And all the complexities of campus life unfold around them, including: fraternity groupies; colorism; football; and homecoming parties.









1. Die Hard

Anybody who believes Die Hard is just an action movie is missing out. Yeah, you get explosions and shootouts but you also get villains with brains and a hero who seems like a regular dude. He doesn't have superpowers, he's not on steroids and he's not completely fearless. The only reason he gets involved at all is the fact that his wife's life is on the line. And it all kicks off on Christmas Eve. Believe me, he knows more than anybody that his situation is damn near hopeless. 

Unlike most action movies, Die Hard is based on a novel -- Nothing Lasts Forever. "Terrorists", a sports-obsessed hacker, the LAPD, FBI agents, helicopters, corporate execs, military-grade explosives, a giant teddy bear, Stevie Wonder music, a street-smart limo driver, a Huey Lewis look-a-like, Carl Winslow and an off-duty New York cop all combine to make the best Christmas movie ever. It never gets old and you'll never get tired of seeing what happens when John McClane gets stuck on the roof of that skyscraper.

Originally Posted 9/7/18