The Most Forgettable Films from 1985 People Still Wish They’d Never Seen

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The year 1985 produced its share of memorable movies, but not every release turned into a classic. Alongside the hits were a number of films that left audiences puzzled, critics unimpressed, and plenty of viewers wishing they had spent their evening watching something else.

Some were sequels that never captured the spirit of the originals. Others were ambitious ideas that didn’t quite work on screen. A few even had recognizable stars or promising concepts, but still missed the mark. These are the kinds of films many people watched once and quietly tried to forget.

Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf

Sequels can be difficult to pull off, and Howling II is often cited as one that missed the mark. The film leans heavily into campy horror, but the confusing plot and uneven editing make the story feel disjointed.

Christopher Lee’s appearance brings some credibility, but it’s not enough to keep the movie from feeling strange and forgettable.

The Bride

Inspired by the Frankenstein legend, The Bride tells the story of a scientist creating a companion for the monster. The film features Sting and Jennifer Beals and has a striking gothic atmosphere.

Unfortunately, the story moves slowly and never fully delivers the emotional depth the premise suggests.

Related: Remembering Rob Reiner Through the Stories He Loved to Tell

Teen Wolf Too

Following the success of Teen Wolf, this sequel tried to recreate the formula with Jason Bateman stepping into the lead role. The story once again centers on a teenager discovering he’s part of a werewolf family.

The problem is that much of the film feels like a retread of the original, without the charisma Michael J. Fox brought to the role.

King Solomon’s Mines

Adventure films were booming in the 1980s, especially after the release of Indiana Jones. King Solomon’s Mines clearly hoped to capture that same excitement, but it ends up feeling more like a knockoff than a thrilling adventure.

Despite starring Richard Chamberlain and Sharon Stone, the film struggles with cheesy dialogue and predictable action scenes.

Lifeforce

Few films from 1985 are as unusual as Lifeforce. The movie blends science fiction and horror in a story about alien vampires draining life energy from humans.

The premise is certainly memorable, but the plot feels messy, and the tone shifts frequently. Even so, the visual effects were ambitious for their time.

American Ninja

American Ninja had all the ingredients for a fun martial-arts action film, but the execution falls short. The story about a mysterious soldier trained in ninjutsu sounds promising, but quickly becomes bogged down by stiff acting and familiar clichés.

Even the fight scenes, which should have been the highlight, feel surprisingly flat.

Perfect

With John Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis in the lead roles, Perfect had the potential to be a major hit. The story follows a journalist investigating the booming aerobics culture of the 1980s.

Instead of sharp satire, the film ends up feeling awkward and oddly paced. The fitness scenes have become memorable in a kitschy way, but that wasn’t exactly the intention.

Transylvania 6-5000

This horror-comedy follows two reporters investigating rumors of monsters in Eastern Europe. The premise suggests plenty of comedic potential, but the jokes rarely land.

Even with a cast that includes Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis, the film struggles to maintain momentum.

A View to a Kill

Roger Moore’s final appearance as James Bond came with A View to a Kill. While the movie includes the usual Bond ingredients—gadgets, villains, and international intrigue—many viewers felt the story lacked the excitement of earlier installments.

One bright spot is the theme song by Duran Duran, which remains more memorable than the movie itself.

The Slugger’s Wife

This film tries to mix romance with sports by telling the story of a baseball player whose success seems tied to his relationship with a singer.

The concept had potential, but the film never develops convincing chemistry between the leads, leaving the story feeling predictable.

The Man with One Red Shoe

Tom Hanks plays an ordinary man mistakenly believed to be a spy in this comedy about government agents and mistaken identities.

The setup promises plenty of laughs, but the script struggles to deliver the humor the premise suggests. Hanks’ natural charm helps keep parts of the film watchable.

Fletch

While Fletch has gained fans over time, some viewers felt the film’s mystery plot became unnecessarily complicated. Chevy Chase plays a reporter who uses disguises to investigate a strange case.

His sarcastic humor provides a few standout moments, though the film itself feels uneven.

Santa Claus: The Movie

Intended to become a holiday classic, Santa Claus: The Movie had an ambitious budget and elaborate sets. Unfortunately, the story tries to juggle too many ideas and ends up feeling overly long.

Dudley Moore’s performance brings some warmth, but the movie never quite captures the magic it aims for.

Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome

The third entry in the Mad Max series takes the story in a different direction. While the film features memorable visuals and Tina Turner in a standout role, many fans felt it lacked the intensity of the earlier movies.

Compared to its predecessors, the action feels toned down.

Rocky IV

Rocky IV is famous for its Cold War themes and iconic training montage. At the same time, it’s often considered one of the weaker entries in the franchise because of its simple storyline and sometimes over-the-top dialogue.

The Dungeonmaster

The Dungeonmaster tries to blend fantasy, science fiction, and a heavy-metal aesthetic into a single chaotic story. The film jumps from one strange scenario to another, making the plot difficult to follow. Even for the mid-1980s, the effects and production feel rough around the edges.

Still, it has gained a small cult following among viewers who enjoy the charm of “so bad it’s entertaining” movies.

Red Sonja

Released during the popularity of sword-and-sorcery films, Red Sonja hoped to capture the same energy that made Conan the Barbarian a success. Instead, the film struggles with a weak script and stiff performances.

Brigitte Nielsen’s portrayal of the warrior heroine didn’t win over critics, although Arnold Schwarzenegger’s appearance adds a bit of star power.

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