In what has become tradition on this little blog of mine, the summer season brings us a lot of nostalgia on the silver screen. In the present, that means a slew of sequels and remakes and reboots coming on a near weekly basis. For these purposes, it means taking a look back on the movie summers of 30, 20, and 10 years ago.
As has been written in previous years, I’m listing the top ten hits as well as other notable pics and some flops. One thing is for sure about 1989. It will forever be known as the summer of the Batman and that blockbuster influenced what has become the predominant genre of the 21st century.
A recap of 1999 and 2009 will follow soon, but we start with what audiences were watching three decades ago.
10. Uncle Buck
Domestic Gross: $66 million
John Candy had one of his most notable headlining roles in this John Hughes family friendly comedy that also introduced the world to Macaulay Culkin. No sequel followed, but a short-lived TV series did.
9. Turner & Hooch
Domestic Gross: $71 million
Shortly before Tom Hanks started collecting Oscars and doing primarily dramatic work, he was still known for comedy in the late 80s. This one teamed him with a dog in a buddy comedy that followed the similarly themed with K–9 with Jim Belushi from three months earlier. This one made a bit more cash.
8. When Harry Met Sally…
Domestic Gross: $92 million
Rob Reiner’s romantic comedy (scripted by Nora Ephron) is considered one of the genre’s landmarks. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan headlined with a diner scene that has become quite iconic.
7. Dead Poets Society
Domestic Gross: $95 million
Robin Williams seized the day and an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of an unorthodox English teacher in Peter Weir’s film, which also nabbed a nod for Best Picture.
6. Parenthood
Domestic Gross: $100 million
Ron Howard’s dramedy sported an ensemble cast with Steve Martin and a crowd pleasing vibe. This is a rare pic that spawned two TV shows. The one from 1990 flopped while the 2010 version ran six seasons. Parenthood marks appearance #1 in the top ten for Rick Moranis.
5. Ghostbusters II
Domestic Gross: $112 million
The eagerly awaited sequel to the 1984 phenomenon was a disappointment critically and commercially when considering the original’s $229 million haul. That said, it gives us appearance #2 for Rick Moranis. A direct sequel will follow in 2020.
4. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
Domestic Gross: $130 million
And we reach the trifecta for Rick Moranis as Disney had an unexpected smash hit here. It stood as the studio’s largest grossing live-action feature for five years. Two less successful sequels followed.
3. Lethal Weapon 2
Domestic Gross: $147 million
Of the four action comedy pairings of Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, part 2 stands as the franchise’s top earner. This one threw Joe Pesci into the mix with sequels that followed in 1992 and 1998.
2. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Domestic Gross: $197 million
While Harrison Ford’s third appearance as his iconic character didn’t match the grosses of Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1981, it did earn more than 1984 predecessor Temple of Doom. Pairing Indy with his dad played by Sean Connery, the character wouldn’t make it to the screen again until Steven Spielberg and Ford teamed up again 19 years later.
1. Batman
Domestic Gross: $251 million
As mentioned, 1989 was dominated by Tim Burton’s take on the Caped Crusader. While the casting of Michael Keaton in the title role was controversial upon announcement, it turned out quite well (as did Jack Nicholson’s turn as The Joker and a funky Prince soundtrack). Three sequels and multiple reboots followed.
And now for some notable pictures outside of the top ten:
The Abyss
Domestic Gross: $54 million
James Cameron was riding a high after The Terminator and Aliens when he made this sci-fi aquatic adventure. Known just as much for its difficult production as its Oscar winning visuals, it had a mixed reaction that has grown more positive through the years.
Weekend at Bernie’s
Domestic Gross: $30 million
Turns out corpses are hilarious in this low budget comedy that turned into enough of a hit that a sequel followed four summers later.
Road House
Domestic Gross: $30 million
It may not have had critics on its side or been a huge success originally, but Patrick Swayze’s turn as a midwestern bouncer became a serious cult hit subsequently.
Do the Right Thing
Domestic Gross: $27 million
A cultural milestone, Do the Right Thing served as the major breakout for Spike Lee and was named by numerous critics as the greatest film of 1989.
sex, lies, and videotape
Domestic Gross: $24 million
Winning the Cannes Film Festival, Steven Soderbergh’s provocative debut helped usher in a wave of independent films that followed in the 90s.
It wasn’t all success stories in the summer of 1989 and here’s some that failed to meet expectations:
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
Domestic Gross: $52 million
Captain Kirk himself directed this installment after Leonard Nimoy made its two well received predecessors. This one was met with ambivalence and stands at the second lowest earner of this particular Trek franchise.
The Karate Kid Part III
Domestic Gross: $38 million
In 1984, the original made $90 million and the 1986 sequel made $115 million. Three summers later, moviegoers had tired of Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita in their signature roles. Yet TV watchers are currently tuned to a series reboot with Macchio back as Daniel.
Licence to Kill
Domestic Gross: $34 million
Timothy Dalton’s second turn as 007 was a stateside flop and is the lowest grossing Bond flick when adjusted for inflation. Its star would never return in the role and the six year gap that followed when Pierce Brosnan reinvigorated the series with Goldeneye stands as the lengthiest gap in its near 60 years of existence.
Lock Up
Domestic Gross: $22 million
Sylvester Stallone had plenty of hits during the decade, but this one casting him as a tortured convict wasn’t one of them.
Casualties of War
Domestic Gross: $18 million
Brian de Palma was coming off a massive hit with The Untouchables, but this Vietnam War drama with Michael J. Fox and Sean Penn didn’t find an audience.
Pink Cadillac
Domestic Gross: $12 million
Three summers later, Clint Eastwood entered Oscar territory with Unforgiven. This action comedy with Bernadette Peters is one of his forgotten efforts and stalled with critics and crowds.
I hope you enjoyed this look back on the 1989 summer period and I’ll have 1999 up soon!
