These are the best albums of the 1980s, as determined by Dave’s Music Database. Rankings were determined by aggregating multiple lists along with data regarding album sales, chart peaks, and awards. Only original studio albums are considered. Reissues (compilations, live albums, box sets) are not ranked here.
Check out other Albums/Works by Era lists.
1. Michael Jackson Thriller (1982)
2. U2 The Joshua Tree (1987)
3. Prince Purple Rain (1984)
4. Guns N’ Roses Appetite for Destruction (1987)
5. AC/DC Back in Black (1980)
6. Paul Simon Graceland (1986)
7. Bruce Springsteen Born in the U.S.A. (1984)
8. Dire Straits Brothers in Arms (1985)
9. Prince Sign ‘O’ the Times (1987)
10. The Police Synchronicity (1983)
11. The Smiths The Queen Is Dead (1986)
12. Public Enemy It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)
13. The Stone Roses The Stone Roses (1989)
14. Talking Heads Remain in Light (1980)
15. Joy Division Closer (1980)
16. Bon Jovi Slippery When Wet (1986)
17. Whitney Houston Whitney Houston (1985)
18. R.E.M. Murmur (1983)
19. Def Leppard Hysteria (1987)
20. George Michael Faith (1987)
21. Peter Gabriel So (1986)
22. Michael Jackson Bad (1987)
23. Metallica Master of Puppets (1986)
24. Pixies Doolittle (1989)
25. Various artists Dirty Dancing (soundtrack, 1987)
26. Lionel Richie Can’t Slow Down (1983)
27. Beastie Boys Licensed to Ill (1986)
28. Sonic Youth Daydream Nation (1988)
29. Tracy Chapman Tracy Chapman (1988)
30. Jesus and Mary Chain Psychocandy (1985)
31. N.W.A. Straight Outta Compton (1989)
32. Beastie Boys Paul’s Boutique (1989)
33. Phil Collins No Jacket Required (1985)
34. Madonna Like a Prayer (1989)
35. Madonna Like a Virgin (1984)
36. De La Soul 3 Feet High and Rising (1989)
37. Madonna True Blue (1986)
38. The Cure Disintegration (1989)
39. Whitney Houston Whitney (1987)
40. U2 The Unforgettable Fire (1984)
41. Pixies Surfer Rosa (1988)
42. Janet Jackson Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989)
43. Kate Bush Hounds of Love (1985)
44. Tina Turner Private Dancer (1984)
45. U2 Rattle and Hum (1988)
46. U2 War (1983)
47. Bruce Springsteen Nebraska (1982)
48. Prince 1999 (1982)
49. Men at Work Business As Usual (1981)
50. Tears for Fears Songs from the Big Chair (1985)
51. The Smiths The Smiths (1984)
52. Phil Collins …But Seriously (1989)
53. Van Halen 1984 (1984)
54. Journey Escape (1981)
55. Tom Waits Rain Dogs (1985)
56. Asia Asia (1982)
57. Tom Waits Swordfishtrombones (1983)
58. Cyndi Lauper She’s So Unusual (1983)
59. Rush Moving Pictures (1981)
60. Def Leppard Pyromania (1983)
61. Bruce Springsteen The River (1980)
62. Janet Jackson Control (1986)
63. REO Speedwagon Hi Infidelity (1980)
64. ZZ Top Eliminator (1983)
65. The Replacements Let It Be (1984)
66. Foreigner 4 (1981)
67. The Human League Dare! (1981)
68. Bobby Brown Don’t Be Cruel (1988)
69. Black Flag Damaged (1981)
70. Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble Texas Flood (1983)
71. Run-D.M.C. Raising Hell (1986)
72. ABC Lexicon of Love (1982)
73. Paula Abdul Forever Your Girl (1988)
74. Phantom of the Opera (cast album, 1986)
75. Phil Collins Face Value (1981)
76. Metallica …And Justice for All (1988)
77. Iron Maiden Iron Maiden The Number of the Beast (1982)
78. The Rolling Stones Tattoo You (1981)
79. The Police Zenyatta Mondatta (1980)
80. Eric B. & Rakim Paid in Full (1987)
81. Various Artists Footloose (soundtrack, 1984)
82. John Cougar Mellencamp Scarecrow (1985)
83. The Police Ghost in the Machine (1981)
84. Aerosmith Pump (1989)
85. John Lennon & Yoko Ono Double Fantasy (1980)
86. Hüsker Dü Zen Arcade (1984)
87. Elvis Costello & The Attractions Imperial Bedroom (1982)
88. Violent Femmes Violent Femmes (1983)
89. Bonnie Raitt Nick of Time (1989)
90. Donald Fagen The Nightfly (1982)
91. R.E.M. Document (1987)
92. Dead Kennedys Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables (1980)
93. INXS Kick (1987)
94. Huey Lewis & The News Sports (1983)
95. Ozzy Osbourne Blizzard of Ozz (1980)
96. Toto Toto IV (1982)
97. Various Artists: Flashdance (soundtrack, 1983)
98. Various Artists Top Gun (1986)
99. Duran Duran Rio (1982)
100. Bryan Adams Reckless (1984)
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First posted 3/25/2011; last updated 12/3/2021. | 
I think this list is rigged... What "Murmur" is doing there? I don't think it fits according to "album sales, chart peaks, and awards"... And it's just an example...
ReplyDeleteIt is not rigged. Actually, you only noted part of the criteria used for making this list. The biggest component is appearance on best-of lists and, whether you agree or not, Murmur is an album that is widely celebrated by critics.
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