Listen up, darlings—Ms. Rizzlerina is here to spill the cinema tea and shine a bold, glittery spotlight on the forgotten summer flings of 1985! 💋✨
Now I know what you’re thinking: “Another ‘throwback’ listicle?” Honey, please—this is no dusty VHS rewind. This is a glam-ified resurrection of twelve fabulous films that strutted onto screens 40 years ago, only to be boxed out by blockbusters and overlooked like last season’s pumps. But believe me when I say it’s high time we gave them the Hollywood comeback they deserve. Retro is chic, nostalgia is in, and these flicks are the celluloid gems your summer binge queue has been crying for!
Let’s start with the essential truth, sweethearts: Not every movie gets to be a Back to the Future or a The Goonies. Some beauties get buried under bad press, awkward timing, or—let’s be real—a marketing budget that couldn’t even buy a bootleg trailer spot on cable. But buckle up, babes, because Ms. Rizzlerina’s got the rundown on these twelve silver-screen stunners that deserve a second chance under the sun.
First on the revival runway? Ladyhawke—yes, that dreamy fantasy with Michelle Pfeiffer serving ethereal realness and Rutger Hauer rocking chainmail chic. Did it get lost in fantasy fatigue? Perhaps. But now? It’s gothic glam with a synth score that slaps harder than your ex’s apology text.
Then there’s the criminally underrated The Legend of Billie Jean. Justice? Served. Hair? Feathered. Tagline? “Fair is fair!” Ugh, iconic. It’s feminist fire wrapped in ‘80s teen rebellion—I’m talking Joan of Arc meets mall culture with a side of empowerment.
And who could forget Real Genius? Val Kilmer at peak charming chaos, dishing out one-liners like your flirtiest university lab partner. The movie flopped harder than perms in humidity, but trust me—it’s geek-chic gold today.
Also on the list: Return to Oz, the darker, moodier cousin to Dorothy’s Technicolor romp. Scary? Maybe. Camp? Absolutely. TikTok hasn’t found this film yet, and honestly, we need to gatekeep it before the masses catch on.
Now let’s gag for a moment over Clue—because kittens, this one is a murder mystery that slayed so hard, it left audiences confused but critics shook. With multiple endings and dialogue sharper than my winged liner, Clue was ahead of its time… and still is. Miss Scarlet, Colonel Mustard, and the rest of the deadly dinner party deserve full-throttle rewatch energy this summer.
And don’t even get me started on Cocoon—a feel-good romp about aliens and aging that somehow manages to be both heart-melting and sci-fi fabulous. If E.T. had a retirement plan, this would be it.
Darlings, I could go on—and I absolutely will if you invite me to your outdoor movie night—but let’s make one thing clear: 1985 served way more than box office behemoths. These 12 movies (you can peep the full diva list here: 12 Wrongly Forgotten Movies From the Summer of 1985) are pure vintage glory. Pour the rosé, fluff the throw pillows, and treat your eyes to a cinematic glow-up.
So before you hit play on the same ol’ streamer-sanctioned summer sagas, ask yourself: Are you ready to fall in love with the forgotten? Because honey, Ms. Rizzlerina just gave you a playlist that’s as fabulous as my shoe closet—and twice as timeless.
Stay fabulous, and let the nostalgia roll! 🎬💄
—Ms. Rizzlerina
