John Carpenter is greatest movie director of the 1980s, according to science
Few decades are as iconic as the 1980s, sparking endless debates about the most formative masterpieces of the era.
From the bloody legacy of Scarface to the daring adventures of Indiana Jones and the terrifying special effects in The Thing, many films from this time reshaped the future of cinema. The decade was defined by an outpouring of creativity—not just in film, but also in bold fashion choices, outrageous hairstyles, and groundbreaking music. With so many influential projects to consider, the question of who truly defined 1980s cinema has remained a hot topic. However, with advancements in technology and new ways of collecting data, a recent survey has attempted to definitively crown the greatest director of the decade. So, who will it be?
If you were alive in the ‘80s, then I’m very jealous. With an onslaught of iconic films and a creative movement whose reverberations can still be felt in popular culture today, it’s hard not to feel left out when reflecting on the historic projects from the time. John Hughes was at the top of his game, with the release of Ferris Buellers Day Off and The Breakfast Club making him the ultimate painter of growing pains and coming-of-age drama. Martin Scorsese soared to new heights with Raging Bull and his portrait of violence and toxic masculinity. David Lynch helmed some of his most praised films, with the release of Blue Velvet and The Elephant Man.
However, a study conducted by Livio Bioglio and Ruggero G Pensa attempted to determine the most iconic director from a rather overwhelming bunch, with five directors coming out on top.
Coming in fifth place was Lucio Fulci, the horror director behind The Beyond, City of the Living Dead and Zombie. The Beyond was his most commercially successful film, following a young woman who inherits an old hotel in Louisiana but after a number of supernatural instances, she discovers that it is an entrance to Hell. At the time of its release, it was considered a ‘video nasty’ and given an X-rating, with the BBFC demanding that many scenes from the film be cut entirely.
Next up, the study placed Steven Spielberg in fourth place, which isn’t surprising given that ET the Extra-Terrestrial and Raiders of the Lost Ark were both released during this decade. Spielberg rose to global acclaim during the ‘70s after the unprecedented success of Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. His breaking of box-office records and creation of the blockbuster is more than enough for him to be considered one of the top directors from this decade.
Brian de Palma was also included on this list, with Scarface and Blow Out being released in 1983 and 1981. Scarface is one of Al Pacino’s most iconic roles, following Tony Montana as he rises to power through the drug trade in Miami. Blow Out, meanwhile, was another stand-out role for Joh Travolta as a sound recordist who accidentally stumbles across a murder while recording foley for a film.
John Landis stole the penultimate spot, who is most known for An American Werewolf in London and The Blues Brothers. The former was particularly influential in its ability to merge of horror and comedy, which wasn’t predicted to be a success as the financiers thought it was too scary to be funny. However, they were proven wrong when the film grossed $62million worldwide, with a budget of under $6m.
And finally, John Carpenter stole the number one spot on this list, presumably for the success of The Thing, which used never-before-seen practical effects that terrified global audiences. It remains one of the most influential horror films of all time due to its suspenseful pacing and unique story world, which takes place at a remote Antarctic research station.
This list has a recurring theme, with many of these directors being known for their contributions to the horror genre. The ’80s seemed to be a time when people wanted to be shocked, pushing the boundaries of the medium through innovative scare tactics and bold new stories.
