Awesome 80s Archives : Page 14 of 18 : The Retro Network

The Best Horror Movies of the 80s

The 1980s was a phenomenal decade for horror films that pushed the genre forward and introduced iconic villains. Advancements in special effects allowed practical effects artists to create disturbing imagery that felt real and visceral.

10 Best Vintage Masters of the Universe Action Figures

Adam Pope

Vintage Masters of the Universe figures weren’t just toys. They were bold, colorful heroes that turned bedroom floors into battlefields and gave an entire generation its first taste of epic, imagination‑powered adventure.

Looking Back at Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure

Jeff Sheldon

Some of my earliest memories include Pee-Wee Herman. My brother took piano lessons when I was really little, and on Saturday mornings after his lesson, my mother would try to wear us out and keep

A Brief History of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

Brian Cave

I cannot think of a better example of the quintessential Saturday morning cartoon than He-man and the Masters of the Universe. It had everything a kid could ask for as part of their weekend plans:

Why The Last Starfighter Remains a Beloved ’80s Cult Movie

Mickey Yarber

The Last Starfighter captured that perfect 80s feeling that a high score could change your life, turning a quiet summer night and a glowing arcade cabinet into the beginning of a galaxy‑saving adventure.

Arcade All-Stars: Moon Patrol

Mickey Yarber

It wasn’t easy patrolling the rocky terrain of Moon Patrol, but if it was any consolation, they gave you a really cool car. The purple, six-wheeled, high-jumping, laser-blasting vehicle at the center of Moon Patrol was a dream

Retro Commercials: Michael J. Fox for Diet Pepsi

OldSchool80s

I don’t know about you, but commercials can often take me back to my formative years as quickly as any song or movie can. That is why we will continue this semi-regular feature on ’80s commercials

The Biskitts: Brave Pups, Royal Secrets, and a Hidden Island Kingdom

Mickey Yarber

The Biskitts were a group of tiny canines who lived on Biskitt Island and were committed to guarding the crown jewels of Biskitt Castle. Modeled after Robin Hood, the diminutive dogs still served their recently

Indiana Jones and the Movie Clones

Pitfall Gary

Indiana Jones didn’t just redefine the adventure genre. He sparked a wave of imitators that filled the eighties with treasure hunters, ancient curses, and globe‑trotting thrills. Some were clever, some were chaotic, but all chased the magic Indy made iconic.

The Pop Culture of 1989

Michael

So much of the popular culture I was consuming in the watershed year of 1989 felt like more than just entertainment—instead, much of it felt incendiary. The world itself felt on the cusp of something big

Mall Stores of the ’80s (and ’90s) that You’ll Never Shop at Again

OldSchool80s

The Shopping Mall was once an essential destination especially for those of us who grew up from the late-70s through the ’90s. The shopping aspect has been more-or-less replaced by online retailers, but the social

Flight of the Navigator Was the UFO Adventure Every ’80s Kid Wanted

Mickey Yarber

Imagine falling unconscious in 1978 and waking up eight years later, still the same age. Your family is gone, and almost nobody remembers Starsky & Hutch. That was the starting point for Disney’s Flight of the Navigator,

A Brief History of Chuck E. Cheese

The Retro Network

In the realm of retro pop culture, few things evoke as much nostalgia as the mention of Chuck E Cheese pizza. For decades, this iconic family entertainment center has been a haven for kids and

Big Trak: The Programmable Tank That Drove Our Childhoods

Mickey Yarber

November of 1979 was the moment the future finally arrived in the American living room. When the holidays arrived a month later, many American children (mostly boys) were treated to the toy of their dreams,

How Voyagers! Mixed History, Humor, and High‑Concept Adventure

Mickey Yarber

Voyagers! mixed history, heart, and lighthearted adventure as Phineas and Jeffrey leapt through time to set things right. Bright, fast, and endlessly charming, the short‑lived series remains a beloved early‑’80s cult favorite.

Wrestling’s Black Saturday

Kevin Decent

Imagine sitting down at 8 PM, turning on the CW to watch Arrow or The Flash. Instead of your favorite member of the DC Universe, a new yet familiar face appears. Stan Lee is introduced

Indiana Jones and the Franchise of Destiny

Mickey Yarber

Few movies go on to spawn franchises, and even fewer are adored by generations. The Indiana Jones franchise is one of those rare few to capture the imaginations of viewers young and old, worldwide. Before