January 21st, 2022

100 Epic ’80s Movie Tattoos

What's your favorite movie from the 1980s?

The 1980s was a huge decade for popular culture, especially when it comes to movies. Some of the most iconic, nostalgic and legendary movies premiered between the years of 1980 and 1989. There were epic adventures such as “Indiana Jones and the Lost Arc,” “Star Wars: Episode VI-Return of the Jedi” and “Back to the Future.” There were plenty of amazing fantasy stories such as “The NeverEnding Story,” “Labyrinth” and “The Princess Bride.” And let’s not forget horror movies, with cult classics such as “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” “Child’s Play” and “The Evil Dead.”

In honor of this decade of excellence, check out 100 remarkable tattoos inspired by 25 films of the era. Then let us know your favorite film from this list in the comments section on social media.

“The NeverEnding Story” (1984)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Miss Wild West (@misswildwest)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Maggie (@glow.tide)

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Allison Obinger (@ferrisislove)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lauren Williams (@leduren.tattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Peanut (@k_peanut_)

“Beetlejuice” (1988)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ✶ (@aleksaenz)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Angelo Parente (@angeloparente)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kelly Doty (@kellydotylovessoup)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sammy (@sammysurjaytattoo)

“Back to the Future” (1985)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by No Regrets UK (@no.regrets.uk)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by BOBBY MOUSTACHE ☠ (@bobbymoustache)

“Ghostbusters” (1984)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by MASHKOW (@_mashkow_)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mica Cat (@micatattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Luke Cormier (@mr.sticker.tattoo)

“E.T.: the Extra Terrestrial” (1982)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Pam Smith (@pam_smithtattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Inked Magazine (@inkedmag)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by D A V I D D Í A Z (@davidlrtattoo)

“The Goonies” (1985)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@luca_arancio)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Marta Adán (@marta.adan.tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Nicolò Rusty (@nicolo__rusty)

“Top Gun” (1986)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by S M A L L S (@smallstattooing)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Renae Tedesco (@renae.tattooer)

“Dirty Dancing” (1987)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Janine Ramos (@janinetattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mónica Cárdenas (@moniblackcat)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kalina Piotrowska (@viburnum_tattoo)

“Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” (1989)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sean Arsenian (@wurmzilla)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@necromandi)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@necromandi)

“The Princess Bride” (1987)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Janelle Hanson (@ichasebadgers)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Joshua Couchenour (@xjoshxsxe)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@cuttybage)

“Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by North of Winter (@northofwinter)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Red Baron Ink (@rbitattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sorry Mom Romania (@sorrymom.ro)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mike Austin (@maustin56)

“The Breakfast Club” (1985)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by remistattoo (@remistattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by John Balestri (@johnb.designs)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ॐ ॐ (@niamhcoughlantattoo)

“Footloose” (1984)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by A N N A L E R N V I K (@meatrocker)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ike (@ikarus.abendwind)

“Heathers” (1989)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ellis Arch (@ellisarchtattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Anna Gabrielle (@curlsjrtattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Aurora Tattoos ✨ (@aurora.tattooz)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ⚔️⚔️ (@knottedsword)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Agnieszka (@agahanisz)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@cuttybage)

“Elvira: Mistress of the Dark” (1988)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jose Rosado (@misterpinktattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Paula Tattooink (@aluap.tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ammany Rowland (@ammanyexchange)

“Child’s Play” (1988)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ️‍ ️‍ (@cocosparkleink)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jackie Huertas (@tattoosbyjaclyn)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ana Laura Schmitt (@anaschmitt3)

“A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Paul Acker (@paulackertattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ARMANDEAN (@armandean)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by London Reese (@londonreese)

“The Evil Dead” (1981)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ✦ERNST KRONE✦ (@ernstkrone)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Juha Lensu (@juharainingbloodtattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Carlos -Padi- Tattoo (@pads_tattoo)

“The Last Unicorn” (1982)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kadee Spangler ❌ (@kadehydrated)

“Labyrinth” (1986)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lilian Raya (@lilianraya)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mariam Ⓥ (@bitteregyptian)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by SuzannaFisher (@suzannafisher)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Guy Tinsley Custom Tattoos (@guy666)

“The Little Mermaid” (1989)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jackie Huertas (@tattoosbyjaclyn)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Alemdnc♡ (@alemdntattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Camille Gualtieri (@cgualtieritattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Fernanda Chizuko (@chiz.tattoo)

“Gremlins” (1984)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by M E D U S A I N K (@medusaink_)

“Star Wars: Episode VI- Return of the Jedi” (1983)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @southeastustattoos

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Harry Plane (@harry.plane)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ☾︎ (@fernandacorreamustdie)

“Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” (1985)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ericksen Linn (@clumsysurgeon)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ryan Francis (@thatguyintk1)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ashley Dawn (@vikingashley)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mitchell Dean (@xxcoldsoulxx)

Editor's Picks

Events
Met Gala 2025: The Best Tattooed Celebrity Looks

At the 2025 Met Gala, inked celebrities like Rihanna, Cardi B, and Lewis Hamilton proved tattoos are the ultimate high-fashion accessory.

Culture
May the 4th Ink Be With You: Best Star Wars Tattoos for Superfans

Celebrate Star Wars Day with tattoos that showcase the Force—from Darth Vader portraits to minimalist Baby Yoda ink. May the ink be with you!

Events
Diplo, Jelly Roll, Zach Bryan, and More: Highlights from Stagecoach 2025

Stagecoach 2025 delivered epic performances, unforgettable moments, and nonstop energy under the desert skies of Indio, California.

InkedMagCover