The Most Memorable Corey Feldman Movies of The 80s
Corey Feldman was one of the 80s most popular teenage stars. Feldman, who began his career at the agree of three, initially starred in mostly commercials. However, by 1986, after a string of successful movie roles, Feldman had established himself as a film actor. Feldman was also a part of the 80s’ most well-known acting duo, “The Two Coreys” which featured Feldman and other famous Corey, Corey Haim, who passed away suddenly in 2010. The two starred together in several successful teenage themed films before falling into obscurity. By the late 80s, Feldman was battling his own issues along with his mother’s cocaine addiction. In the 1987 film, The Lost Boys, Feldman’s fellow cast members have since revealed that they were well aware of Feldman’s mother’s addiction, and wish they could have done something to help. Unfortunately for Feldman, suffered from a drug addiction of his own, which ultimately helped lead to the downfall of his career. By 1989, Feldman’s drug use had become so apparent while shooting the film, The ‘Burbs, that the film’s director Joe Dante, and Feldman’s co-star, Carrie Fisher constantly urged him to quit. However, he wouldn’t listen, and his career would eventually suffer irreversible damage. Even after attempting to redeem himself, it seemed as if there was nothing Feldman could do.
Although Feldman continued to work well into the 90s, and even continues to work today, his career lost its initial luster once the 80s ended. However, even though the 80s are long gone, Feldman’s most popular roles live on, and younger generations continue to watch his films. Here are the five most memorable Corey Feldman movies of the 80s.
5. License to Drive
The 1988 film, License to Drive features Corey Feldman alongside his friend and fellow actor, Corey Haim. In the film, Les Anderson (Haim) is a 16-year-old high schooler who, after failing his driver’s license test and lying about it, accidentally damages his parents’ car. Les’ best friend, Dean (Feldman) helps him fix the damage; however, when he is done, he asks Les to take him on a joy ride. During their night out, the boys and their friends end up causing even more damage to the car. The next morning, Les drives his father, brother, and pregnant mother to the hospital so that she can deliver her baby. While in the parking lot, the already ruined car is completely totalled when a steel crane crushes the car while it sits in the parking lot. Although the film received mixed reviews from critics, it grossed more than $22 million from viewers who were loved seeing both Coreys in action.
4. Gremlins
Although Corey Feldman only had a relatively minor role in the film, Gremlins has since become one of the most popular and memorable films of the 80s. The film is centered around small furry creatures called Mogwai, who are given to a young man as a gift for Christmas. Initially, the Mogwai seem cute and cuddly; however, after tricking their owner into feeding them after midnight them transform into evil little creatures called gremlins. Luckily, one of the Mogwai (Gizmo) refuses to eat after midnight, and remains unchanged. Gizmo is able to work alongside the humans to help defeat the evil gremlins. The film received mostly positive reviews and spawned a sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, in 1990. However, Feldman did not appear in the sequel.
3. The Lost Boys
The Lost Boys marked Corey Feldman’s first on-screen appearance with Corey Haim. The 1987 film featured Corey Flemman in the role of Edgar Frog, a teenage boy who works with his brother as a vampire hunter. During the film, the Frog brothers team up with Sam (Corey Haim), whose brother has been turned into a vampire. The film received mixed rating upon its release; however, it has since become a cult classic. The Lost Boys inspired several sequels including Lost Boys: The Tribe and Lost Boys: The Thirst, both of which Feldman participated in.
2. Stand by Me
The 1986 film, Stand by Me, is one of the best coming-of-age films of the 80s. Based on a novella by Stephen King, the film follows a group of young boys who leave home in search of the body of a boy who has gone missing. Feldman portrays Teddy Duchamp, a teenage boy who came from an abusive home where his father traumatized him by holding his ear to a stove. The film was a critical and commercial success, and it earned seven times its budget at the box office. One reviewer stated that the film, “stands, sweet and strong, ribald, outrageous and funny, like its heroes themselves–a bit gamy around the edges, perhaps, but pure and fine clear through. It’s one of those treasures absolutely not to be missed.” Stephen King also said that Stand by Me was the first time one his written works had been successfully translated to film.
1. The Goonies
The Goonies was among the top 10 highest grossing films of 1985. The film tells the story of a group of friends who embark on a quest to save their homes from being demolished due to foreclosure. While on their journey, the goonies encounter much more than they bargained for, and are eventually led to a pirate ship full of lost treasure. Since its release, The Goonies has become one of the most popular cult classics of the 80s. The film will celebrate its 30th anniversary next year, and still continues to gain new fans.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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