12 Underrated Movies From the Summer of 1985 You Probably Forgot

Summer 1985 brought major hits like Back to the Future and The Goonies, but plenty of solid movies flew under the radar. Here are 12 films from that summer that deserve another look. They might have been overshadowed then, but today they offer charm, thrills, and fun you won’t want to miss.

Cat’s Eye

Stephen King wrote this horror anthology that connects three tales with a street-smart cat. The first two shorts, from his Night Shift collection, build suspense and fear with classic mood. The final segment, written just for the film, stars a young Drew Barrymore and pits a tabby cat against a troll.

The tone shifts, but the overall mix offers enjoyable chills. Barrymore’s role was small but memorable, and the movie has since gained cult status. For horror fans, it’s a neat stopgap between King’s major adaptations.

Ladyhawke

A medieval fantasy with a curse at its core: Michelle Pfeiffer becomes a hawk by day, Rutger Hauer turns into a wolf at night, and Matthew Broderick steals the show as a rogue thief. Director Richard Donner adds style and flair to this unusual mix.

Despite strong leads and sharp visuals, the story struggled to find an audience in 1985. Nowadays, its unique tone and star power make it a hidden gem—an oddball fairytale that still works.

Stick

Burt Reynolds directs and stars in this tough-guy thriller based on Elmore Leonard’s novel. It features Reynolds as a small-time crook drawn back into a dangerous world. The cast includes Candice Bergen and George Segal.

Studio interference after Reynolds finished his cut diluted Leonard’s hard-edged story. Despite that, the film’s gritty scenes and strong performances offer pulp enjoyment. Even Leonard spoke out against the final cut, making this a cult curiosity worth revisiting.

Gotcha!

Anthony Edwards plays a college student on holiday in Paris who gets caught up in espionage when an attractive stranger (Linda Fiorentino) recruits him. The 1980s European backdrop and comic action play well together.

Their chemistry carries the film, though neither star was yet famous. Gotcha! slipped through the cracks among spy comedies of the era, but parts of it remain fun to watch—especially the final scenes tied to a college game.

Creature

This low-budget sci-fi thriller mixes claustrophobic tension with quirky effects. A stranded group on Jupiter’s moon must fight a deadly creature. Klaus Kinski adds drama with his oddball performance.

Though the effects team went on to bigger work in Aliens, here they had less to work with. The movie delivers atmosphere and solid tension. It missed major theatrical release, but today it stands as a nostalgic sci-fi riff worth seeing.

Ordeal by Innocence

An Agatha Christie adaptation starring Donald Sutherland, Faye Dunaway, and Ian McShane. It tells the story of a man who revisits a murder case by proving a suspect’s alibi.

Produced by Cannon Films, the mystery plays well on classic lines. It’s not groundbreaking but offers solid whodunit satisfaction. The cast and score add charm, making it a calm counterpoint to the era’s louder films.

D.A.R.Y.L.

A boy turns out to be an android created for government research, but he lives as a normal child once adopted. He displays superhuman skills and must escape military agents aiming to reclaim him.

While similar to Short Circuit, this film focuses on family and identity instead of comedy. It adds emotional weight by showing the robotic child bonding and questioning his place. That makes it a gentle, lesser-known sci-fi story.

The Stuff

This horror-comedy satire imagines a tasty dessert that turns consumers into zombies. It’s a dark joke on consumer culture, layered onto alien goop.

Featuring cameos from Abe Vigoda and Clara Peller (“Where’s the beef?”), it plays fun and frightening. The movie flopped at release, but today its critique of advertising and junk food feels oddly prophetic and still quite fun.

Silverado

An ensemble western set during a cattle-driving conflict. Director Lawrence Kasdan brings together strong talent—Kevin Kline, Kevin Costner, Danny Glover, and more.

Although overshadowed by Pale Rider and summer blockbusters, it holds up as a straightforward, well-acted western. It captures genre spirit and offers engaging action. Modern viewers may find its classic feel refreshing.

Explorers

A youthful sci-fi adventure where a teenager builds a homemade spaceship after dreaming of it. Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix star as boys who literally build their way to the stars.

As a youth-centered film with respect and wonder, it hits similar emotional notes as Stand by Me. Its creativity and innocence are its strengths, making it a hidden treasure in nostalgia.

Volunteers

Tom Hanks plays a privileged man sent to Thailand by mistake, joined by John Candy in this Peace Corps farce. Expect silly comedy, mistaken identity, and tropical misadventure.

It hasn’t aged perfectly—some jokes feel dated—but Hanks and Candy’s chemistry keeps it entertaining. Fans of early Hanks and Candy pairings will find this one worth a look despite its flaws.

Fletch

Chevy Chase stars as irreverent investigative reporter Fletch, navigating crime, corruption, and disguises in this witty mystery. He uses humor and guile to uncover a tangled plot.

Though overshadowed that year, Fletch grew a dedicated fan base. Chase’s quick wit and offbeat tone make it a fun detective comedy. It’s a smart counterpoint to more serious ’80s mystery films — and deserves praise today.