80s Heartthrobs That Stole Our Hearts — From Johnny Depp to Matt Dillon

It seems that with every decade there would be a new brooding guy sauntering onto our screens to make our hearts scream. Whether it was Tom Cruise in Top Gun (1986) or Matt Dillon in The Outsiders (1983), these heartthrobs could get us with just one look and a flash of their smile. 

Catch up with the heartthrobs of the 80s you — and we — still can’t get enough of.

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1. Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp can get our hearts racing any day (even as Jack Sparrow), but when his career was just taking off in the 80s, he was the guy everyone wanted hanging on their walls. Whether it was in Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), Platoon (1986) or 21 Jump Street (1987), Johnny Depp has always held a special place in our hearts.

2. Matt Dillon

In the 80s, Matt Dillon ruled the screen. From his role in Little Darlings (1980) to playing Dally Winston in The Outsiders, it wasn’t hard for Dillon to steal our hearts, especially with that hair and his broody roles.

3. Rob Lowe

It didn’t take long for Rob Lowe to win everyone over with his good looks and memorable performances in The Outsiders and St. Elmo’s Fire (1985). He’s also well-remembered for his days as a member of the “Brat Pack.” If you weren’t obsessed with Rob Lowe, did you even experience the 80s?

4. Emilio Estevez

Like Lowe, Estevez grabbed our attention as a part of the “Brat Pack.” It also didn’t hurt that he became a heartthrob after his roles in The Outsiders, The Breakfast Club (1985) and St. Elmo’s Fire. Without Esteves, the 80s wouldn’t have been what they were.

5. Tom Cruise

Yes, Tom Cruise is the obvious choice for an 80s heartthrob having charmed us in his hit film, Risky Business (1983) and again as fighter pilot Maverick in Top Gun, remaining a fan-favorite ever since. The ever-famous actor is still on our heartthrob list in 2024 — did you see his daredevil performance at the Paris Olympics? —, and it seems unlikely that he will ever not be on it.

6. Christian Slater

You’d be lying if you said that Christian Slater didn’t pull you in during Heathers, even if he was portraying a serial killer. But he didn’t stop there: Slater continued to take our breath away in Desperate for Love (1989) and Gleaming the Cube (1989).

7. Patrick Swayze

The 80s were made for Patrick Swayze. Between Dirty Dancing (1987) and Road House (1989), there was no escaping the star, not that you would ever want to. And with his luscious hair and amazing dance moves (yes, he really was a dancer!), it’s hard not to consider him the ultimate 80s heartthrob!

8. Andrew McCarthy

Yet another member of the “Brat Pack” makes the list of our favorite 80s heartthrobs, and that’s due to the incredible movies he starred in throughout the decade. McCarthy graced our screens in St. Elmo’s Fire, Pretty in Pink (1986), Mannequin (1987) and Weekend at Bernie’s (1989), making him a favorite during the 80s.

9. Robert Downey Jr.

You probably know him best today as Iron Man and for his most recent role in Oppenheimer (2023), but back in the 80s, Robert Downey Jr. was stealing our hearts in Weird Science (1985), Less than Zero (1987) and Johnny Be Good (1988).

10. Matthew Broderick

Whether he was avoiding trouble at all costs in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) or planning elaborate crimes in Family Business (1989), Matthew Broderick got our attention. Especially with his disarming demeanor and boyish charm.

11. John Cusack

It’s impossible to remember the 80s without thinking of John Cusack. The Say Anything star has been beloved ever since he held a boombox up to Diane’s window. Who wouldn’t want to hear John Cusack playing “In Your Eyes” outside their window?

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