Matthew Broderick’s work encompasses a wide range of mediums and genres. Broderick is well-known for his roles in stage productions such as The Producers, guest appearances on TV shows such as Bo Jack Horseman, and later-stage cinematic comedies such as Tower Heist and New Year’s Eve.
The Best 80s Matthew Broderick Movies
Of course, the aforementioned films aren’t even close to being considered among Broderick’s greatest. His top-rated films have a wide range of style and content, but they all have one thing in common: Broderick aided in their improvement.
Below are Matthew Broderick’s best movies of the 1980s:
1. Biloxi Blues (1988)
Biloxi Blues, directed by Mike Nichols, is a bizarre picture that possibly only exists due to Neil Simon’s source material and Mike Nichols’ direction. In both of their professional resumes, it remains an anomaly.
Despite receiving barely enough praise to get it into his top ten, Broderick plays Eugene, a simple private in a World War II film with basic production design. Obviously, the story develops from there, but Broderick and Christopher Walken’s pairing in Biloxi Blues will always be remembered.
2. Glory (1989)
Glory is another Matthew Broderick classic for those that love period movies. Broderick really displays his grit and acting chops in this role that those who love these types of movies would appreciate.
In a conflict, there is only one hue that brings everyone together: red. It’s the same hue as every person who has ever fought and died on a battlefield, regardless of who they fought for.
When Shaw is given the task of taking over the 54th, he is faced with numerous challenges, and in the end, things do not turn out as expected, for history in the movies can be fudged and even rewritten, but it cannot erase what happened.
The deaths of so many Union soldiers was a turning moment in the Civil War, but it was nonetheless a sight to behold because it demonstrated the heart and dedication that can be found in the midst of such suffering.
3. War Games (1983)
Arguably one of his most well known movies, War Games is a 1980s classic that was really a great movie for the time. This movie really launched Matthew Broderick as a bona fide Hollywood star, and it is a movie that is still watched today as a throwback to the chaotic time that it was.
It’s all a game until the missiles start flying and the world finds itself at war with…. nobody. When a skilled hacker gains access to a high-tech military computer, he sets in motion a chain of events that puts the country on high alert and starts a process that won’t finish until the program discovers that there are no genuine winners in nuclear war and that the wisest option is not to ‘play’ at all.
Can you picture someone attempting something similar today? The repercussions would be just as severe, but today’s security systems are so complex that someone would have to be born with computer genius.
4. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
Another one of Matthew Broderick’s most well known movie is “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”. This movie has become an 80s cult classic, and Broderick’s portrayal as Ferris Bueller is one of the most memorable characters of 1980s cinema.
Life passes quickly, but Ferris appears to move even quicker because he is free to do whatever he wants and is never caught. To be honest, he is captured once at the end, by none other than his sister, but she lets him go.
You can speculate as to why this is and why she chose to show mercy, but the point of the film is that Ferris will do whatever he can to get away with it. In the end, people love him for it because almost nothing he does is malicious on the surface, though it is the type of behavior that other teenagers seem to pick up on. It’s all about living life to the fullest and having a good time while doing so.
5. Torch Song Trilogy (1988)
Alan Simon in “Torch Song Trilogy” is one of Broderick’s lesser known roles, but it is still a memorable one. His portrayal of Alan Simon is often overlooked as one of his better performances, but Matthew Broderick will appreciate the talent portrayed in this character.
In this film adaptation of the popular Broadway play, Tony Award-winning actor and playwright Harvey Fierstein reprises his role as the indestructible Arnold Beckoff. Torch Song Trilogy tells the narrative of a New Yorker’s struggle for love, respect, and tradition in a world that doesn’t appear to be made for him.
Arnold’s greatest problem has always been his complicated connection with his mother, from his humorous steps toward home happiness with a reluctant schoolteacher to his first truly hopeful love affair with a young fashion model. Arnold, however, continues to put the popularly accepted expressions of endearment–and endurance–to the test in a genuinely appealing novel that confirms that happiness is well worth holding a torch for, armed with a sharply developed sense of humor and frequently cutting wit.
So those are our top picks for the best Matthew Broderick movies from the 1980s? Did your favorite make the list? Regardless Matthew Broderick is an amazing talent, and these movies will show you why he was one of the biggest stars in the 1980s.
