Netflix '80s Fix: Batman Views A Killer Dark Crystal On Friday The 13th

Newly available '80s movies on Netflix streaming are just a click away! New movies this December include the one that essentially began the blockbuster superhero movie era and two franchises that spawned many sequels. You'll also find Jim Henson at perhaps his theatrical best and a comedy favorite among ladies who were once girl scouts.

Also check out the other exclusive features including the 80s Pop Twenty and a couple films to get you in the Christmas spirirt this December. It's time to get your fix!

Batman (1989)

Rated PG-13 Add to queue

In director Tim Burton's adaptation of the comic book classic, Bruce Wayne starts to make a name for himself as a masked avenger to the criminal set just when the flamboyant Joker takes over as tops in the Mafia.

This was a movie that I immediately watched when I found out it was on Netflix. It's one of those that brings up great memories of being a teenager eagerly awaiting to see your favorite superhero on the big screen. I enjoyed the Nolan trilogy, but Tim Burton's film remains my sentimental favorite Batman movie.

The Dark Crystal (1982)

Rated PG Add to queue

Master Muppeteers Jim Henson and Frank Oz co-direct this classic fantasy film that tells the mythical tale of Jen, the last of the Gelfling race, who is charged with healing the Crystal of Truth after its mutilation ushered in an era of terror at the hands of the wicked Skeksis. Jen must find a missing shard in the observatory of an ancient astronomer before the Skesis are given the power to rule for all eternity.

As a kid, the Skeksis characters always scared me when I sat down to watch. I've come to appreciate it more over the past couple years after rewatching.

A View To A Kill (1985)

Rated PG Add to queue

Agent 007 races against the clock to stop a power-mad French industrialist who's scheming to corner the world's microchip supply by triggering a massive earthquake that would destroy California's Silicon Valley -- and kill millions.

This is one of the first Bond movies I distinctly remember watching at a friend's house on HBO. It was pretty eye opening for the 10 year old that I was and haven't turned back from my fascination with the franchise ever since. Also returning to Netflix are Bond '80s-era classics For Your Eyes Only, The Living Daylights, and Never Say Never Again.

Labyrinth (1986)

Rated PG Add to queue

In this Jim Henson-directed fantasy, teenage Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) embarks on a life-altering quest when she attempts to rescue her little brother, Toby (Toby Froud), from the clutches of treacherous Jareth the Goblin King (David Bowie), who lives in a castle surrounded by a giant labyrinth. With just 13 hours to plot a course through the dangerous maze, Sarah must grow up fast, learn her responsibilities and muster supreme courage.

I have far too little experience with Labyrinth as I first saw it much later than its 1986 release. Of the two main Jim Henson fantasy movies of the '80s, I do prefer this one over The Dark Crystal.

Friday The 13th (1980)

Rated R Add to queue

Twenty years after several mysterious deaths shut it down, Camp Crystal Lake reopens -- but the place clearly hasn't shaken its "death curse," as a deranged killer terrorizes the teen counselors in this original version of the classic slasher flick. Gruesome makeup and effects, a nubile cast (including a young Kevin Bacon) and an iconic villain make this horror film a genre-defining classic for the ages.

I'm not much of a horror fan, but I have seen televised versions of the first couple movies in this series. Just never my cup of tea, but apparently enough people were "drinking the Kool-Aid" to make the seemingly endless number of sequels. And speaking of, many are also newly available to Netflix including Part 2, Part 3, Part 4: The Final Chapter, Part 5: A New Beginning, Part 6: Jason Lives, and Part 8.

Troop Beverly Hills (1989)

Rated PG Add to queue
Shelly Long stars as a spoiled Beverly Hills housewife who decides -- in an effort to disprove her husband's characterization that she's a selfish trophy wife -- to become the leader of her daughter's wilderness group. Failing miserably at first -- she takes them on outings at the mall rather than in the woods -- she later must prove her worth as a legitimate troop leader by instilling lessons of teamwork and selflessness in her young charges.

I remember watching this once or twice on TV and being entertained by it with my boy scout background. The premise itself is funny and I know many ladies who still love this movie to this day.

More movies new to Netflix streaming includethe crtically-acclaimed Boy Meets Girl, James Caan in Thief, the action flick Black Rain with Michael Douglas, and the Tom Selleck thriller An Innocent Man.

'80s Pop Twenty
Here are the 20 most popular '80s movies currently available on Netflix and their location on the previous month's countdown. Roger Rabbit again remains on top. Batman and The Burbs entire the list.

1. Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (7th consecutive month)
2. The Breakfast Club (+1)
3. Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (+1)
4. Big Trouble in Little China (+1)
5. Das Boot: Director's Cut (+1)
6. Good Morning, Vietnam (+1)
7. Batman (new)
8. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (no change)
9. Manhunter (no change)
10. The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (no change)
11. The Thin Blue Line (no change)
12. Clue (no change)
13. Day of the Dead (no change)
14. Romancing the Stone (no change)
15. The Burbs (new)
16. Trading Places (no change)
17. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (-2)
18. Adventures in Babysitting (-1)
19. Beverly Hills Cop (-1)
20. Heathers (-1)

Removed from Netflix was The Untouchables. Falling out of the Top 20 was The Cook, Thief, His Wife and Her Lover.

Christmas Watchlist...

Tis the season for some Christmas flicks and here are a couple to get you in the spirit...

Scrooged (1988)
Rated PG-13 Add to queueCold-hearted TV exec Bill Murray is about to discover the true meaning of Christmas -- the hard way. Director Richard Donner's wild, woolly spin on Dickens's A Christmas Carol sees Murray visited by three high-spirited spirits.

Not on my must-see list, but one I have enjoyed over the years.

Ernest Saves Christmas (1988)

Rated PG Add to queue

When Santa Claus decides to retire and pass on his magic bag of Christmas surprises to a new St. Nick, A perky teen runaway and hapless taxi driver Ernest P. Worrell must convince a skeptical kids-show host to take over the post of Father Christmas.

This one is a must-see for me each year and definitely my favorite Ernest movie.

If you've missed a previous month's post, check the Netflix '80s Fix archive. Some featured titles could still be available to stream. Also, feel free to comment with any movies or shows you've recently rediscovered.

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