David Bowie is known mainly for his music – over the decades of the 70s, 80s, 90s, and into the new millennium, he managed to capture old and young alike with his unique sound.
During the 80s (and late 70s) Bowie starred in many movies as well. Some, like Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence, were big hits; while others, like Into the Night were cult favourites; while some, like Yellowbeard, were just weird.
If you haven’t seen these films, take it on yourself to sit down with a difference side of David Bowie. Grab the popcorn!
Christiane F. (1981)
A teen girl in 1970s Berlin becomes addicted to heroin. Everything in her life slowly begins to distort and disappear as she befriends a small crew of junkies and falls in love with a drug-abusing male prostitute.
Biography | Drama | German | Psychological Drama
Stars: Natja Brunckhorst, Thomas Haustein, Jens Kuphal
Baal (1981) – TV Movie
Baal is a young amoral rebellious poetic genius who, after a short and eventful life of debauchery, betrayal and violence, is about to cut his ties to the world and meet his doom. A high society party is where the end begins.
Drama | Musical
Stars: David Bowie, Robert Austin, Jonathan Kent
The Hunger (1983)
A love triangle develops between a vampire, her cellist companion, and a gerontologist.
Drama | Horror | Supernatural Horror | Vampire Horror
Stars: Catherine Deneuve, David Bowie, Susan Sarandon
Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence (1983)
During WWII, a British colonel tries to bridge the cultural divides between a British POW and the Japanese camp commander in order to avoid bloodshed.
Drama | War
Stars: David Bowie, Tom Conti, Ryûichi Sakamoto
Yellowbeard (1983)
After serving two decades in prison, Yellowbeard (Graham Chapman) breaks out determined to recover the treasure that he buried so long ago, alongside his son, old crew, and the British Navy.
Action | Adventure | Comedy | Parody | Swashbuckler
Stars: Graham Chapman, Peter Boyle, Cheech Marin, David Bowie (cameo)
Into the Night (1985)
After discovering that his wife is cheating on him, an insomniac aerospace engineer accidentally meets, and tries to help, a beautiful model on the run from some extremely dangerous people.
Action | Caper | Comedy | Crime | Drama | Romance | Thriller
Stars: Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Pfeiffer, Stacey Pickren, David Bowie
Absolute Beginners (1986)
In London in 1958, a young photographer seeks media stardom to keep the love of a beautiful, aspiring fashion designer.
Classical Musical | Drama | Musical | Romance | Teen Romance
Stars: Patsy Kensit, Eddie O’Connell, David Bowie
Labyrinth (1986)
Teenage Sarah journeys through a maze to save her baby brother from the Goblin King.
Adventure | Adventure Epic | Dark Fantasy | Fairy Tale | Fantasy | Fantasy Epic | Family | Quest | Sword and Sorcery | Teen Fantasy |
Stars: David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, Toby Froud
The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
The life of Jesus Christ, his journey through life as he faces the struggles all humans do, and his final temptation on the cross.
Drama | Epic | Period Drama
Stars: Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel, Barbara Hershey, David Bowie
Over to You
I want to hear from you: If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one 80s Bowie flick with you, which one is it?