You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
alternatehistory.com
Movies and Games of the Mid to Late Eighties
Blockbuster Movies (The adjective, not the rental chain.) Jaws marked the turning point in Hollywood towards an era of blockbusters, and Star Wars solidified its new position. The 80s saw a wave of movies that would enter pop culture, and the merchandising certainly helped. Return of the Jedi
The thrilling conclusion (at the time) to the famous space opera trilogy had the Rebels thwart the Emperor's plan to crate a new Death Star and Luke trying to get his father back to the light side of the Force. Superman III
While it proved successful in the box office, it never made as much as its two predecessors due to drama between the directors and actors - the same reason why fans think a fourth Superman film might not come to light. Ghostbusters
This was 1984's biggest movie, and its success helped kick off the urban fantasy genre in multiple media. ITTL Ernie Hudson's character has a bigger role in the film than OTL due to Hudson and Murray bickering with the studio. And as always, there's the timeless Ray Parker Jr. song. The Terminator
Arnold Schwarzenegger made his big break in Hollywood by playing a robot that travels back in time to assassinate Sarah Connor. This film would gain a reputation as the beloved underdog fighting against Ghostbusters for the title of the biggest film of the year. Beverly Hills Cop
Eddie Murphy was considered for the role of Winston Zeddemore in Ghostbusters but he declined, as he was busy filming his first lead role: Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop.
Notable Games
Marble Madness
Mark Cerny's first claim to fame was this Atari arcade game. As the VCS was primitive and near obsolete, Marble Madness would eventually get a port for the SuperSystem, which required a trackball controller. It's planned to be a launch title of Atari's next home arcade as well. Tetris
In 1984, Soviet computer scientist Alexey Pajitnov designed an addicting game on an old Soviet computer. While it was popular with his coworkers, it would take a few years for it to go viral around the world.