10 ’80s films that deserve sequels like “Top Gun: Maverick”

In 1984, “The NeverEnding Story” was published. We still require an official sequel starring Noah Hathaway after 38 years.

“The Endless Narrative.”

Warner Brothers

There were two sequels to “The NeverEnding Story” released in 1990 and 1994, but nearly none of the original characters returned, yet we’re still concerned in what happens to Fantasia. The film finishes with a promise of future adventures and the hopes of the protagonist, Bastian (Barret Oliver).

Bastian and Atreyu (Hathaway) became close companions? What did people in the “actual world” think of Falkor, a gigantic flying dragon?

Since Fantasia’s existence is predicated on the imagination of children, a legacy sequel is the ideal occasion to check in with an adult Bastian who believes his Fantasia excursions were a stupid dream (think the North Pole in “Polar Express” or adult Peter Pan in “Hook”). It composes itself! Bastian needs only a child who can restore his faith in magic.

But perhaps we can bypass Artax’s terrible demise in a swamp this time.

After 34 years, a sequel to “Bull Durham” concerning Crash and Annie’s child or Crash becoming a baseball coach would be appreciated.

“Bull Durham.”

Orion Pictures

In addition to being one of the greatest baseball films of all time, “Bull Durham” is also a fantastic romantic comedy starring two of our most adored actors: Kevin Costner and Susan Sarandon. We would die to see them reunited on-screen as the former minor league catcher Crash Davis and the iconic baseball fan Annie Savoy.

Since the 1980s, baseball has changed drastically; what do they think of America’s favorite game now? Are they still in contact with Tim Robbins’s Nuke LaLoosh? Do they even remain together? Making them a divorced pair may also be amusing.

The 1980 musical “Fame” was remade in 2009, with only Debbie Allen returning from the original cast, and she did not play the same role.

“Fame.”

U.S. Artists

Imagine this: The High School of Performing Arts class of 1980 is having their 45th high school reunion in 2025. Who has made it to the top? Does the school employ somebody like Allen (the new character in the remake)? Is HSPA still operational, or has it merged with another organization as it occurred in reality?

Similar to baseball, New York City and the entertainment business have altered significantly since the 1980s. It would be intriguing (and meta) to have Allen, Irene Cara, Barry Miller, and others reflect on how times have changed and pay tribute to cast members who have passed away.

There have been persistent reports that a sequel to the 1988 blockbuster film “Beetlejuice” is now in production.

“Beetlejuice.”

Beetlejuice, distributed by Warner Bros.

Without a sequel, Tim Burton’s horror comedy has produced a successful franchise, including an animated television series and a Broadway musical.

If we had known that Michael Keaton would never again don the pinstripe suit and white face paint, we would have cherished the first film even more.

Now that Winona Ryder, who portrayed goth girl Lydia Deetz, is experiencing a full rebirth, it would be good to catch up with Lydia, her ghostly former roommates Adam (Alec Baldwin) and Barbara (Geena Davis), and, of course, Beetlejuice, who we last saw imprisoned in the afterlife’s waiting room.

1983’s “WarGames” is the only high school film starring Matthew Broderick that we would like to see remade.

“WarGames.”

Entertainment Company MGM/UA

We’ve heard that a sequel or spin-off to “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is in the works, and we suggest that you see “WarGames” instead.

The film centres on teen computer genius David Lightman (Broderick), who inadvertently hacks into a supercomputer at the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and convinces the computer program that the Soviet Union would launch nuclear war imminently.

Never before have the perils of artificial intelligence and the rising possibility of nuclear war been more relevant than they are today. Let’s assess David as a grownup. Did he work for the government and produce something he is now ashamed of, like Stephen Falken (John Wood) in the first film? Let’s find out.

The announcement of a reboot or sequel to “The Lost Boys” was made in 2021, although it is unknown whether Jason Patric or Kiefer Sutherland will appear on the Santa Carla boardwalk.

“The Lost Children.”

Warner Brothers

“The Lost Boys,” released in 1987, was directed by the late, great Joel Schumacher and stars Jason Patric and the late Corey Haim as two brothers who come to Santa Clara, California, only to discover that the town is infested with vampires, led by David Powers (Sutherland).

David’s death was notable in that he did not burst or evaporate like other vampires; everyone wanted Sutherland back for “The Lost Girls,” which never occurred.

What might the sordid underbelly of Santa Clara look like today if we delved back into it? Michael, played by Patric, has he become a great vampire hunter? Is he still with Star’s (Jami Gertz) company?

The Hollywood Reporter stated that a sequel featuring Noah Jupe and Jaeden Martell will be released in September 2021, although details remain under wraps.

With the announcements of “Beverly Hills Cop 4” and “Coming 2 America,” “Trading Places” from 1983 is Eddie Murphy’s only iconic 1980s film without a sequel.

“Swapping Spots.”

Universal Pictures

“Another 48 Hours,” “Beverly Hills Cop” sequels, and “Coming 2 America” all featured the return of Murphy’s most recognizable characters. Why hasn’t “Trading Places,” which Dan Aykroyd and Jamie Lee Curtis co-starred in, received the same treatment?

The film focuses on two ludicrously nasty stockbrokers who decide to wreck Louis Winthorpe’s (Aykroyd) life for no other reason than to test the nature vs nurture hypothesis. They frame him, strip him of his work and his life, and give it everything to the con artist Billy Ray Valentine (Murphy).

Again, in 2022, the themes of Wall Street’s casual cruelty and greed are as pertinent as they were in 1983. Bring Billy and Louis back! We require them.

The 1982 conclusion of John Carpenter’s “The Thing” makes it difficult, but not impossible, to bring back original characters.

“The Item.”

Universal Pictures

“The Thing” is one of the most influential horror works of the past half-century. When a group of scientists and military personnel at an Antarctic research outpost encounter an extraterrestrial life form with the ability to silently absorb and imitate any living being, events begin to spiral out of hand.

“The Thing” concludes with helicopter pilot MacReady (Kurt Russell) and mechanic Childs (Keith David) slowly freezing to death following the explosion of the Thing.

However, what if they were saved before they perished? And what if they were unsuccessful in eliminating the alien? Or, what if the aliens return 40 years later to complete their work? All questions a sequel could answer.

There was a 2011 prequel about the Norwegian research base seen in the opening shot of “The Thing,” so perhaps we could also bring back some of those characters.

1986’s “Flight of the Navigator” is a cult masterpiece that could benefit from a sequel.

The voyage of the navigator.

Buena Vista Pictures

“Flight of the Navigator” tends to become complex, however to simplify it: David Freeman (Joey Cramer), age 12, is reported missing for eight years before he unexpectedly turns 12 years old. It turns out that he was taken by aliens and traveled light-years, which explains why it was only a few seconds for him but it was eight years for everyone else.

When he returns home, he discovers that the aliens he was with, notably Max (Paul Reubens), downloaded a massive amount of information into his brain, and that Max now requires this information to return home.

Max and David could possibly reconnect in the future. In the film, he returns to the moment he was abducted, erasing everyone’s recollections of the film’s events. How can David deal with this?

It was announced in 2021 that Bryce Dallas Howard will direct a female-led version of the picture for Disney. But we would still like to see at least one or two cameos.