20 Most Rewatchable Movies Of The '80s

6. Aliens

The argument continues as to whether James Cameron's Aliens beats Ridley Scott's original Alien movie. Said same argument often ends with the recognition that they're two very different projects, and that while Alien is a masterpiece of horror, Cameron's Aliens is a fine figure of an action film. Bringing Sigourney Weaver's Ripley front and centre, Aliens widens the scope, ups the emotional ante and throws in some of the great set-pieces of the decade. And the returning Weaver, starring in an Oscar-nominated leading role (only on extremely rare occasions does the Academy nominate actors from science fiction or action movies, so you know she's good in this), makes for what is still the defining movie heroine. Outlasting most of the men she touches down on the Xenomorph-riddled LV-426 with, Ripley has stood the test of time because she doesn't fall victim to Bad-Ass Female Character stereotyping. She's just a woman trying to survive, her evolution into hardcore killer coming about through necessity and fiery maternal instinct ("Get away from her you BITCH").