Top Movies of 1981


The top movies of 1981 list is calculated by community movie ratings and members' "Top Movies List". Lists are updated daily.

61. The Burning

Year of Release: 1981
Overall Rating: 2.6 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Horror
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Tony Maylam
Actors: Brian Matthews, Leah Ayres, Brian Backer, Jason Alexander, Holly Hunter, Larry Joshua
Plot: A former summer camp caretaker, horribly burned from a prank gone wrong, lurks around an upstate New York summer camp bent on killing the teenagers responsible for his disfigurement.

62. Ms. 45

Year of Release: 1981
Overall Rating: 2.7 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Crime/Drama
MPAA Rating: NC-17
Director: Abel Ferrara
Actors: Zoƫ Lund, Albert Sinkys, Darlene Stuto, Helen McGara, Nike Zachmanoglou, Abel Ferrara
Plot: A mute and withdrawn seamstress is raped twice in one day and goes on a
killing spree after dark - a trusty .45 in her hand and any man she comes
across her target.

63. Polyester

Year of Release: 1981
Overall Rating: 2.6 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: R
Director: John Waters
Actors: Divine, Tab Hunter, Edith Massey, David Samson, Mary Garlington, Mink Stole

64. For Your Eyes Only

Year of Release: 1981
Overall Rating: 2.5 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Action/Adventure
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: John Glen
Actors: Roger Moore, Carole Bouquet, Topol, Julian Glover, Lynn-Holly Johnson, Jill Bennett
Plot: Bond is one the case when a British spy ship sinks with an ATAC encryption device and the Russians send their own agents after it.

65. Friday the 13th Part 2

Year of Release: 1981
Overall Rating: 2.5 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Horror/Action
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Steve Miner
Actors: Amy Steel, John Furey, Adrienne King, Kirsten Baker, Stuart Charno, Warrington Gillette
Plot: Five years after his mother's death, it is the thought-to-be-drowned Jason Voorhees who exacts his revenge as a new campsite is built uncomfortably close to Crystal Lake.

66. Windwalker

Year of Release: 1981
Overall Rating: 3.2 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Drama/Western
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Kieth Merrill
Actors: Trevor Howard, Nick Ramus, James Remar, Serene Hedin, Dusty McCrea, Silvana Gallardo

67. Death Hunt

Year of Release: 1981
Overall Rating: 2.6 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Adventure
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Peter R. Hunt
Actors: Charles Bronson, Lee Marvin, Andrew Stevens, Carl Weathers, Angie Dickinson, Ed Lauter
Plot: Loosely based on a real 1930's event. A Canadian trapper (Bronson) is framed for murder, and becomes the focus of an extensive manhunt, led by a lawman (Marvin).

68. The Cannonball Run

Year of Release: 1981
Overall Rating: 2.5 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Action/Adventure
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Hal Needham
Actors: Burt Reynolds, Roger Moore, Farrah Fawcett, Dom DeLuise, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr.
Plot: Teams of unpredictable, wild racers compete in a highly illegal cross-country car race.

69. The Four Seasons

Year of Release: 1981
Overall Rating: 2.6 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Comedy/Drama
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Alan Alda
Actors: Alan Alda, Carol Burnett, Len Cariou, Rita Moreno, Sandy Dennis, Jack Weston

70. Ragtime

Year of Release: 1981
Overall Rating: 2.5 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Milos Forman
Actors: James Cagney, Brad Dourif, Moses Gunn, Elizabeth McGovern, Mandy Patinkin, Mary Steenburgen

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