Class of 1984

Class of 1984 (1981)

  • 60% of critics liked it
    (10 reviews)

  • 61% of users liked it
    (6,345 ratings)

A music teacher (Perry King) at a tough Los Angeles high school reaches out to his students with the gift of music -- only to find a gang of sadistic punk rockers is actively dissuading new members from joining the orchestra. Not only are the punkers sadistic; they are also led by the nefarious… More

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R,
Directed By
Genres
Drama, Action & Adventure, Horror, Mystery & Suspense
In Theaters
Jan 1, 1982 Wide
United Film Distribution

Critic Reviews

  • Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine

    If Mark Lester really believes Class of 1984 prefigured Columbine, then he must truly believe some kids really do deserve to get taken out. Sick.

  • Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine

    An allegory in which the subtext out-bullhorns the text itself.

  • Steve "Uncle Creepy" Barton, Dread Central

    The Eighties were a really strange time for us all, and Class of 1984 serves as both a mirror and an omen.

  • Don Willmott, Filmcritic.com

    It's sad, really, that a movie deemed horrific enough to be banned in several countries 25 years ago seems almost naïve by today's standards.

  • Anton Bitel, Movie Gazette

    Whether for its eighties nostalgia, or its absurdly reactionary violence, this is one guilty pleasure that still makes the grade.

Read all 7 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Phil H


    The first in the 'Class of' trilogy and a pretty different outlook over the other two as this film is actually more of a serious approach to the story. One teacher up against a gang of yobs within the school which starts off with mere issues but slowly developes into a life… More

  • Lee ?


    Cult shocker (for its time) about a gang of lawless school pupils who rule over the other students and teachers with violence and intimidation until one teacher decides to take a stand and fight back. Yeah it's an entertaining film, not much shock value left nowadays for it as it… More

  • AJ V


    This is another of the school themed movies with an updated story like that in the 50s movie, Blackboard Jungle. This one is very 80s, and it's very excting, and I really enjoyed it.

  • John M


    The movie isn't a masterpiece by any standards but it's a fun film to watch. It is a brutal and increasingly violent thriller BUT I still prefer the sequel ¨Class of 1999¨

  • Barry L


    Silly....but you gotta see it to beleive it.

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Cast

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Trailers & Clips