Best Movies of 1981

20 items • 4152 views • 3 votes • updated Nov 8, 2026
Best Movies of 1981

Discover the best movies of 1981, ranked from best to worst.

Based on 3 votes, the movie Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark, starring Harrison Ford and Karen Allen, came in first as the best movie from 1981, followed by Mad Max 2 and Stripes from 1981. Scroll down for the top 10 movies of 1981, recommended by movie fans in 2026.

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Recommend the best movies of 1981

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Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark 1
Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
1981 - Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, John Rhys-Davies, Ronald Lacey, Wolf Kahler...
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1
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Renowned archaeologist and expert in the occult Dr. Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is hired by the US government to find the legendary Ark of the Covenant, believed to still conceal the •••
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2
20.654329147389294%
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Mad Max 2 2
Mad Max 2
1981 - Mel Gibson, Bruce Spence, Michael Preston, Max Phipps, Vernon Wells, Kjell Nilsson, Emil...
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1
0
Max Rockatansky returns as a heroic loner who drives the dusty roads of the post-apocalyptic Australian Outback in an endless search for gasoline.
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3
20.654329147389294%
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Stripes 3
Stripes
1981 - Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Warren Oates, P.J. Soles, Sean Young, John Candy, John...
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1
0
After losing his job, girlfriend and apartment, John Winger impulsively joins the US Army.
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4
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Hello, Greatgranny Is Landing! 4
Hello, Greatgranny Is Landing!
1981 - Adela Mărculescu, Sebastian Papaiani, Mimi EnăceanuComedy
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0
0
Romeo and Julieta Ionescu are about to divorce until great-grandmother, a sharp-minded old lady determined to save their marriage, steps into their lives. Adela Mărculescu, Sebastian •••
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5
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Chariots of Fire 5
Chariots of Fire
1981 - Ben Cross, Ian Charleson, Cheryl CampbellDrama, History
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0
In the early 1920s, two young British runners train for the 1924 Paris Olympics: Eric Liddell, a devout Christian who refuses to race on the Sabbath, and Harold Abrahams, who fights •••
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6
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Why Are the Bells Ringing, Mitica? 6
Why Are the Bells Ringing, Mitica?
1981 - Victor Rebengiuc, Mariana Mihuț, Tora VasilescuComedy, Drama
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0
0
Lucian Pintilie brings I.L. Caragiale's comedy “D-ale carnavalului” to the screen, with barbers, jealous lovers and a masked ball, in an oppressive atmosphere. Victor Rebengiuc, Mariana •••
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7
%
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The Duel 7
The Duel
1981 - Sergiu Nicolaescu, Jean Constantin, Colea RăutuThriller, Action, Crime, Mystery
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0
0
A gang of professionals robs the Credit Central bank, and Inspector Moldovan tries to reach the man behind it through the brother of one of the thieves, a pickpocket. Sergiu Nicolaescu •••
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8
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Escape from New York 8
Escape from New York
1981 - Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Donald Pleasence, Adrienne Barbeau, Harry Dean Stanton...
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0
0
In 1997, Manhattan has been walled off and turned into a maximum-security prison for the worst criminals, who have formed an anarchic society.
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9
%
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Escape to Victory 9
Escape to Victory
1981 - Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine, Max von SydowDrama, War
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0
0
During World War II, a group of prisoners in a German camp plays a football match against the German national team. For them, the match is about more than sport: it is also a chance to •••
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10
%
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Gallipoli 10
Gallipoli
1981 - Mel Gibson, Mark Lee, Bill KerrWar, History, Drama
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0
0
Two Australian sprinters face the brutal reality of war when they are sent to fight in the Gallipoli campaign in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Mel Gibson and Mark Lee play the two •••
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How do the rankings work?

If you liked the list Best Movies of 1981, discover more below:

 
Best Drama Movies Best Drama Movies
Best action movies Best action movies
Best adventure Movies Best adventure Movies
Best Comedy Movies Best Comedy Movies
Best Thriller Movies Best Thriller Movies
Best Crime Movies Best Crime Movies
Best Sci-Fi Movies Best Sci-Fi Movies
Best Romanian movies Best Romanian movies
Best old Romanian movies Best old Romanian movies
Best Historical Movies Best Historical Movies
Best movies of all time Best movies of all time
Best War Movies Best War Movies
Best Family Movies Best Family Movies
Best movies with police officers Best movies with police officers
Best movies with Kurt Russell Best movies with Kurt Russell
Best movies with Mel Gibson Best movies with Mel Gibson

Frequently asked questions

Which movie is in first place?

Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark is currently ranked first on TopFaves, with 1 vote for and 0 votes against in this list.

What are the top three spots?

The top three spots are held, in order, by Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Mad Max 2, Stripes. The ranking can change as votes are added.

How many votes have been recorded?

In total, 3 votes have been recorded. The total refers to the whole list and is not the number of different people who voted.

How do I vote and how is the ranking decided?

Press the up arrow if you recommend an option or the down arrow if you do not. You can use the search box in the list to quickly find a name and vote directly. The order takes into account both positive and negative votes and how many there are, and positions can change as votes are added.