Sneakers in ‘80s Cinema: A Definitive Decade Guide

The start of a new decade puts the passage of time into harsh perspective. Quite suddenly, as the turn of page approaches, we are struck with the unstoppable impulse to look back. And this process repeats itself each time a zero finds its way to the end of the calendar date. It’s just how things are remembered: from one decade to the next, not only in our own memories, but in the definitive archives of society and culture.

Within each decade exists a canon of creative works. In the ‘60s, it was work from artists like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Jean Luc-Godard. In the ‘70s, it was Pink Floyd, Francis Ford Coppola, and Martin Scorcese. In the ‘80s, it was Michael Jackson, Prince, and well, a lot of the directors of the films we’ve featured below.

Each of these artists, whether they knew it or not, worked in an attempt to paint some semblance of a mirror image of their era. Music echoes the voices of each new generation. Films serve as visual monuments to their moment in time. But what consistently connects these pieces across mediums is their style. Whether it's Beatles’ bowl cuts or early era Nike sneakers, it doesn’t take long to pinpoint the time period.

So in honor of the beginning of a brand new decade, and at the end of the decade that took sneaker obsession into the stratosphere, we’ll be taking a look back at the decade that began to build what is now one of the central pillars of American style: the ‘80s. But rather than make a list based on our own personal preferences (as some of our contemporaries tend to do), we thought we’d turn to the films that have stood the test of time.

So, if you’ve made it this far (or even simply skimmed along), enjoy a definitive deep dive into the most memorable films of the ‘80s, and in turn, the iconic sneakers they featured. 

(P.S., if you like this one, we’ll keep ‘em coming).

(Also: here’s the obligatory SPOILER ALERT. But c’mon, these have been out for over 30 years!)

Nike 

The Terminator (1984) Dir. James Cameron: Nike Vandal

The Film:
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s most memorable character came to life in this 1980’s sci-fi classic, spawning five sequels and an innumerable number of parodies, pop-culture references, and action figures. Of course, “Ahnold” plays a cyborg assassin (the titular Terminator) disguised as a human who is sent back in time to kill Sarah Connor, a woman whose child will eventually lead the resistance against Skynet, the artificial intelligence program that has built an army of machines and taken over the world (Phew! Pity the person that had to write the logline for that one).

The Sneaker (Nike Vandal):
This film takes place largely in 1984, the same year in which it was released. As the time period is so essential to the plot (and because the film is so incredibly famous), the fashion of the film was destined to become a time capsule to that moment. So, all of the clothes, hairstyles, cars, and sneakers worn would quickly become immortalized as peak ‘80s style. 

The Nike Vandal had this benefit especially, highlighted by the fact that John Connor returns to the year stark naked, and just barely manages to slip on the sneaker without being caught by security. 

Most likely totally out of touch with ‘80s style, John Connor was lucky to stumble into something so fresh.

Back to the Future II (1989) Dir. Robert Zemeckis: Nike Air Mag

The Film:
Today, Back to the Future II is equal parts future sci-fi fascination and 1980’s nostalgia. In the sequel to the hit original film, we watch as Marty McFly (an all-time ‘80s cool-guy name), is forced to travel into the future with Doc Brown (Rick Sanchez’s neurotic forefather) via a souped-up Delorean. Together, they attempt to prevent Marty’s son from sabotaging the family’s future. 

Of course, director Robert Zemeckis’ vision of 2015 didn’t quite pan out as planned (far too light on the Internet and far too heavy on awesome futuristic iterations of transportation), but the film has managed to stay relevant even beyond its far off future date.  

The Sneaker (Nike Air Mag):
Of course, especially in the ‘80s, a super-cool future could only have improved upon what was already prevalent in pop culture, namely: skateboards and sneakers. The one thing that Zemeckis did get right, or rather, forced into fruition, was the invention of some real-life Nike Air Mags. 

Unfortunately, with futuristic tech comes futuristic prices and extremely exclusive releases, so the real version was virtually unbuyable (Curse you, Kid Cudi! Who somehow managed to cop five pairs during the sneaker’s initial release back in 2011).

Karate Kid (1984) Dir. John Avildsen: Nike Cortez

The Film:
This Americanized Kung-Fu favorite takes place in a very strange version of Southern California, where Karate, apparently, is the sport of choice for all your stereotypical high school jocks. After getting beaten up by the bad boys of Cobra Kai (for destroying the joints they were about to smoke), our protagonist happens upon his very own personal Yoda, who teaches him Karate through a variety of humiliating tasks. 

Against the odds and injured, he eventually defeats his nemesis in the finals of the local Karate championship with an astonishing crane kick.

The Sneaker (Nike Cortez):
In arguably the most famous sequence of the movie (and for much of the rest of the film), Daniel dons the ‘80s cultural phenomenon that was the Nike Cortez. While painting Mr. Miyagi’s house, being instructed to “wax on, wax off”, and doing a variety of other deceptively helpful training, his soon to be famous feet were supported by the first track shoe ever released by Nike. 

Created by a track coach in 1972 to help runners tackle all different types of terrain, they would eventually be worn by streetwear fanatics, everyday athletes, and come-from-behind Karate champions alike. 

E.T. (1982) Dir. Steven Spielberg: Nike Cortez 

The Film:
The worldwide phenomenon and once-upon-a-time highest-grossing film of all time features an unlikely friendship between a boy and an adorable alien creature. The creature, who would soon become known around the world as E.T., is stranded after a group of his alien friends are forced to flee some United States government agents, inadvertently leaving him behind.

Ten-year-old Elliot later discovers E.T. in his backyard and quickly befriends him, defends him from the government, and eventually sends him home aboard an alien spaceship.

The Sneaker (Nike Cortez):
Elliot flying through the sky with his carefully disguised extraterrestrial companion is not only one of the most iconic scenes in the film; it’s also the poster for the movie! And although they’re shrouded in silhouette on the poster, in the actual scene we can clearly see that Elliot is using a pair of Nike Cortez to power his soaring bicycle. 

The Goonies (1985) Dir. Richard Donner: Nike Sky Force High

The Film:
Like many classic ‘80’s films, this one involves some skeevy adults effectively trying to murder a group of seemingly parentless, rebel children. In this one, the self-titled “Goonies” set out in search of pirate’s treasure, whose monetary value, they hope, will be enough to stave off a property developer’s plan to bulldoze their neighborhood in favor of a brand-new golf-course. 

One of the shocks of this film, in retrospect, is the two lasting careers it launched in Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings, Rudy, Stranger Things), and Josh Brolin (Avengers, Sicario, Deadpool), a rare phenomenon from an ensemble cast of children.

The Sneaker (Nike Sky Force High):
In the clip below, ‘80s Asian stereotype Data unleashes some slippery oil from the back of these sneakers. Unfortunately, this gadget infused iteration of the Air Force 1 Sky High doesn’t actually exist, but how many of us are regularly running from ‘80’s movie villains, anyway? 

Released in 1984, just a year before the movie came out, this shoe was certainly contemporary, especially as trends back then didn’t move quite as quickly as they do nowadays. Although they were certainly popular at the time, and despite their Goonies cosign, these Nikes didn’t have quite the staying power of their contemporaries. But in the spirit of nostalgia, and out of respect for an awesome silhouette, Nike did recently bring them back.

The Breakfast Club (1985) Dir. John Hughes: Nike Internationalist

The Film:
John Hughes was, and is, the coming-of-age movie king. Richard Linklater is his closest (more philosophically ambitious) rival, but almost nobody has created such a cohesive collection of films. It’s practically its own genre at this point, helped in large part by the consistency of his film’s aesthetic, built in large part from their music, montages, fashion, and feel. 

In this Hughes’ high-school classic, we watch as an amalgamation of high school stereotypes battle boredom, boundaries, and the alienating feeling of adolescence.

The Sneaker (Nike Internationalist):
There are a few sneakers that feature on the feet of these troublemakers, but a pair of blue, yellow, and white Nike Internationalist helped Brian Johnson, the resident dork, become the accidental-cool kid of the 1980s. 

While undeniably awkward at first, as soon as Brian threw on those shades and exhaled some suspicious smelling smoke, he became a style icon everywhere.

Big (1988) Dir. Penny Marshall: Nike Air Force II

The Film:
Before Tom Hanks played every iteration of a real-life, middle-aged white guy, he was thrust into the spotlight for playing an overnight adult version of 12-year-old Josh Baskin. In this especially ‘80s film concept, we get to watch Josh live the life that every child dreams of: with the freedom and financial capability to live as an adult, ostensibly able to achieve every single one of his wildest dreams. 

The Sneaker (Nike Air Force II):
Even as an accidental adult, Josh knows what’s hip. This is made evident by his choice of footwear, the Nike Air Force II, which he puts to particularly unique use while playing a duetted rendition of “Heart and Soul” with his boss, MacMillan. In probably the film’s most famous scene, he stumbles upon a giant, in-floor keyboard at FAO Schwarz in New York City, and gives audiences everywhere the sudden inclination to do the same.

Batman (1989) Dir. Tim Burton: Nike Air Trainer III

The Film:
When we think of dark, gritty superhero films, we tend to think of the Dark Knight Trilogy. But before these blockbuster, billion-dollar franchises became commonplace, one brave director had to break the mold of campy, Christopher Reeves style superhero flicks. 

Although it may seem crazy to contemporary movie viewers, peak-of-his-powers Tim Burton was the one to send the genre into the stratosphere of serious films. With realistic violence, real consequences, and some good old Batman torture techniques, this film shocked, wowed, and raised the bar for future filmmakers everywhere.

The Sneaker (Nike Air Trainer III):
On screen, you probably couldn’t tell, but this groundbreaking Batman’s boots were actually an adapted version of the Bo Jackson Nike Air Trainer III. It does make sense that the caped crusader would be running around in some highly supportive sneakers, especially considering that those big building jumps and bad guy kicks can’t feel great on your feet. 

Worn by both Bo Jackson and Batman, it’s hard to deny the terrifying power of the Nike Air Trainer series. 

Converse

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989) Dir. Stephen Herek: Converse All Star (High Top) 

The Film:
This stoner comedy classic (and meme goldmine) takes place in 1989, as Bill & Ted (Keanu Reeves and Alex Winters) are desperate to complete a difficult history presentation, avoid flunking school entirely, and spare Ted from the horrors of military school, where his dad will surely send him if they don’t. 

Luckily, before any bad vibes can set in, they’re visited by a supreme being from the future and gifted a time machine. According to him, these passing grades are not only important to their personal lives; they’re also essential to the existence of a future utopian society, where the music of Bill & Ted’s band, Wyld Stallyns, is basically the Bible. 

Together, they embark on a hilarious journey spanning centuries, picking up a variety of historical figures along the way.

The Sneaker (Converse All Star High Top):
They wouldn’t be the archetype of ‘80s slackers without their Converse All Stars, a sneaker that has somehow hardly needed a single change in order to remain relevant over the decades. Worn in and beat up on the feet of both protagonists, they blend in perfectly among the rest of the film’s outfits, haircuts, and ‘80s sci-fi set designs.

If you want a nostalgic sneaker, look no further than Converse All-Stars.

Stand by Me (1986) Dir. Rob Reiner: Converse All Star (High Top)

The Film:
It’s the fantasy of every kid and the epitome of childhood movie friendship. On the cusp of adolescence, four troubled boys set off in a search of a dead body, or more accurately, to enable a variety of possible metaphors (the loss of innocence? The inevitable death of their friendships? The death of Will’s older brother? The inescapable human condition of mortality itself?!?!) 

Along the way, Will and his friends encounter a plethora of obstacles as they prepare to enter the nightmarish next phase of their lives… Middle School. 

The Sneaker (Converse All Star High Top):
If you ever needed an endorsement for the performance of a shoe, life-saving-train-track-traction is pretty hard to beat. Set in 1959 and released in 1986, the Converse All Star was practically the only cool, relatable sneaker available to the wardrobe department. Nevertheless, it flawlessly completes the outfit of this film’s storytelling, nostalgic hero. 

In arguably the movie’s most intense moment of tension, Will pushes his panicking, Porky Pig of a friend to safety, helped along by his immortal Converse All Stars. And when we say immortal, we mean it. I mean, seriously, how did a sneaker released in 1917 become an ‘80’s icon that’s still revered, coveted, and worn today?

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) Dir. John Hughes: Converse All-Star (Low Top) 

The Film:
It’s the man we all wished to be in our teenage years (and maybe a tiny bit into adulthood, too). He has a lifetime’s worth of fun in a single day, gets the girl, maintains his parents’ adulation, brings his best friend back to life (x2), and maintains an impeccable shape to his hair throughout an hour and 43 minutes of jam-packed New York City excitement. In arguably the most enduring of John Hughes’ films, Ferris Bueller breaks the mold (and the fourth wall) for future lovable leading men.

The Sneaker (Converse All Star Low Top):
Surprise surprise, another ‘80s teen icon wears Converse All-Stars. Honestly, there’s probably a million instances of these sneakers in various ‘80s films, but no protagonist elicits quite so much adolescent envy as the school-skipping, adult escaping, insanely loveable Ferris Bueller.

And as for the choice to go low top: when you’re this low-maintenance, who needs ankle support? Ferris certainly had no need to be hip, but the truth is, Converse All-Stars are hardly hip. They’re simply timeless. Perfect for a protagonist who will permeate future generations’ imaginations for decades to come. 

adidas

Beverly Hills Cop (1984) Dir. Martin Brest: adidas Country

The Film:
This iconic Eddie Murphy crime drama centers around Axel Foley, a transplant detective from Detroit who won’t take no for an answer. An obvious rebel against authority, even while having some himself, he’s forced to battle racism, powerful criminals, and a corrupt system to try and solve the murder of his friend. 

At least he gets to hang out in swanky Beverly Hills in the meantime.

The Sneaker (adidas Country):
The adidas Country are worn on Axel’s feet throughout the film, functioning as the crime-solving cleat for this famously defiant detective. Featured on the original poster for the film, they play a consistent visual role in the film. And as this now iconic character proves, they’re both fashionable and functional. I mean, if a sneaker can carry Axel Foley through several action sequences (relatively) unscathed, it’ll probably work for whatever you’ve got going on in your life, too. 

This fact, along with an ‘80s Eddie Murphy cosign, surely sealed the deal for this ‘70s sneaker to be considered a classic.

Blade Runner (1982) Dir. Ridley Scott: adidas Official

The Film:
The ‘80s were the heyday of sci-fi, and many of the genre’s fans would consider the original Blade Runner the best of the bunch. Made in 1982 and set in 2019, this film paints a picture of a distant (now recent) future, where artificial humans known as replicants are created to serve the roles in society that real people would rather not: combat, slave labor, and various other undesirable professions.

But because of their unnatural origins, many of these replicants go rogue, doomed to try and find humanity within themselves, knowing that they’ll never be accepted in society, and causing their creators to send “blade runners” (replicant hunters) to eliminate them.

The Sneaker (adidas Official):
The filmmakers definitely didn’t want you to notice, as the story is set in some future dystopia (with presumably zero adidas sneakers) but after some careful research, we (probably) figured it out. A cleverly disguised pair of adidas Officials are the sneaker Rick Deckard trusted to help him hunt down a plethora of rogue replicants. 

I guess Ridley Scott figured that if the tread pattern could help an NBA referee navigate sweaty, slippery NBA courts (and all those ‘80s brawls), it could help Harrison Ford stay upright in the midst of all that rain. You can catch a glimpse of the cleverly disguised shoes as Rick is pulled to safety by a replicant in the clip below.

Rocky IV (1985) Dir. Sylvester Stallone: adidas Boxing Boots

The Film:
Like many great franchises, Rocky overstayed its welcome. Unlike most franchises, though, it spawned an incredible spinoff, Creed, centered on the son of the legendary Apollo Creed, and starring one of the hottest actors in the game, Michael B. Jordan. But long before we followed his prodigal son, the original Creed was killed by steroid-using Soviet Union poster boy, Ivan Drago.

In this film, forced to avenge his friend, Rocky Balboa travels into the heart of America’s enemy to complete an epic, unconventional training montage before taking on his intimidating adversary.

The Sneaker (adidas Boxing Boots): 
As we learned from Muhammad Ali, boxing is all about quick feet, and according to Stallone himself, that’s exactly what these boots provided him with. Wearing the three stripes colored in a distinctly patriotic red, white, and blue (to match his American flag shorts, of course), Rocky comes from behind to defeat his rival.

Set and released during the Cold War, and fighting in Drago’s home, the Soviet Union, Rocky Balboa needed all the help he could get to win this crucial, not-so-subtly-metaphorical boxing match, including some state-of-the-art boxing boots.

Teen Wolf (1985) Dir. Rod Daniels: adidas Tourney

The Film:
A strange, genre-defying, box-office hit, Teen Wolf tells the story of an altogether average highschooler, desperate for something greater. His life’s only highlight is playing on the school’s terrible basketball team, until suddenly, he starts to turn into a werewolf. Fortunately, his werewolf form just so happens to give him supernatural basketball skills, which in turn help him become the most popular kid in school. 

Eventually, after various social trials and tribulations, he learns to love his human body (analogy for adolescence, anyone?) and renounces his dangerous werewolf alter-ego altogether. 

The Sneaker (adidas Tourney):
Much of this movie takes place on the basketball court, where Scott trusts adidas to contain his canine feet. After turning into a werewolf in the middle of a game, Scott experiences a Like Mike type transformation, going from mediocre to remarkable in the blink of an eye. These powers become obvious when he suddenly sprints across the floor and throws down a “monster” dunk. 

Released in 1984, and somehow forgotten since, this underrated retro look was perfect for a 1985 teen protagonist. 

Between this and Back to the Future II, Was Michael J. Fox the cinematic sneaker king of the 1980s?

Reebok

Aliens (1986) Dir. Ridley Scott: Reebok Alien Stompers

The Film:
The nightmare-inducing sequel to Ridley Scott’s groundbreaking space horror (and Vietnam War allegory) achieved the rare honor of being absolutely worthy of the original. A strong female lead, heart-pounding suspense, epic action (including a freakin’ Ripley-piloted armament vs. Alien fight scene), and plenty of snappy ‘80s dialogue made this film a bonafide classic. 

Seven Academy Award nominations put this on par with Godfather II in terms of enviable sequels, not to mention the fact that it helped solidify a franchise that’s still kicking today. 

The Sneaker (Reebok Alien Stompers):
We’ve all stomped on an unsettlingly large spider who unwittingly found its way inside our homes (or enlisted someone braver to take on the task), but absolutely nobody (to my knowledge anyway), has stomped a giant, parasitic, two-head having alien into the endless, icy abyss of space. But if any of us were to be graced with this exciting opportunity, we would certainly require the unique construction of the Reebok Alien Stompers. 

Designed specifically for the film, and released, albeit in extremely limited quantities, to the public on April 26th, 2016, this is one sneaker whose big-screen moment won’t soon be forgotten. 

Jordan

Do the Right Thing (1989) Dir. Spike Lee: Air Jordan IV

The Film:
Preserved for foreseeable eternity in the National Film Registry, and the recipient of two Academy Award nominations, Do the Right Thing not only has a place in the dictionary of urban culture, it’s also widely regarded as an all-time cinema great. Centered in 1989 Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn around racial tension, racial violence, and police brutality, the film somehow managed to balance the daily trauma, comedy, and community found in neighborhoods like this.

The Sneaker (Air Jordan IV):
Spike Lee is certainly a sneakerhead, and he holds a place in the annals of sneaker history for multiple reasons, not least for playing the unforgettable character of Mars Blackmon, who himself is now immortalized on certain Jordan silhouettes. So, of course, in his breakout film Do the Right Thing, he had to give a shout out to the early days of sneakerhead culture. 

The gut-punching sneaker scuff scene remains as aesthetically close to nails on a chalkboard as it did in 1989, and future Gus Fring (of Breaking Bad) actor Giancarlo Esposito displayed a much more obvious rage in this small piece of the sneakerhead bible. The Air Jordan 4 had only just been released, and although Spike could never have predicted the immense impact of this Tinker Hatfield masterpiece, it makes the scene that much more pungent in retrospect.