Summary
Hulu’sBratsdocumentary is only one of the latest to be centered on the entertainment industry during the ’80s.Bratsis directed and led byBrat Pack member Andrew McCarthy, who interviews various members of the group as they each reflect on their careers following the revolutionary decade.The Brat Pack is associated with a small group of actors who starred in the same coming-of-age films, marking a memorable change in Hollywood movies and casting. Part of what came as a result of the Brat Pack was more movies that centered on average adolescent life.
However, in addition to the rise of coming-of-age films following the start of the Brat Pack,the entertainment industry as a whole was evolving. A noticeable change in pop culture began with the introduction of MTV and technological innovation, which proved to be essential in furthering film genres such as horror and sci-fi. Many of the best documentaries with a similar focus asBratsbring attention to the various high points in ’80s entertainment.
How The Brat Pack Changed Hollywood Forever
The mid-1980s films featuring the legendary Brat Pack members changed Hollywood forever. It was a defining time for young people in cinema.
Biography: I Want My MTV
Cast
Biography: I Want My MTV is a documentary that delves into the launch and rise of the iconic music television channel MTV. Directed by Tyler Measom and Patrick Waldrop, the film explores the network’s cultural impact, featuring interviews with founding VJs and documenting its role in the music industry and popular culture during the 1980s and 1990s. The documentary paints a comprehensive picture of MTV’s formative years and influence.
The ’80s brought about some significant changes in the entertainment industry. The Brat Pack shifted Hollywood films as more were being centered on the experiences of teenagers and young adults. The music scene of the decade was changing as well. The ’80s introduced the popularity of music videos that would accompany the biggest hits at the time.
These music videos were famously aired on MTV beginning in 1981.I Want My MTVchronicles the success of the network’s early days. Similarly toBrats,I Want My MTVfeatures commentary from artists involved with the cultural shift as they reflect on their experiences, including Sting and Billy Idol. From the controversies to the positive impact MTV had on the music industry, the documentary is packed with as much insight as it is with nostalgia.
Duran Duran: There’s Something You Should Know
The story of the band Duran Duran is told through seven of their albums released over the decades. Each album reveals an interesting chapter in the artists' journey.
As a result of MTV’s popularity, a phenomenon occurred known as the Second British Invasion. This marks the increase in the popularity of British synth-pop music that aired on MTV in America.Music videos weren’t as popular in American music, so a majority of the videos that played on the network came from the UK.One of the biggest hits commonly used to indicate when the invasion began is “Hungry Like the Wolf” by the band Duran Duran.
Duran Duran: There’s Something You Should Knowhighlights the biggest moments of the band’s careerand features stories from the band’s members as well. A few critiques about the documentary point out its inability to unveil information fans didn’t already know. However, the documentary is sure to satisfy unfamiliar audiences who are looking to further their knowledge of ’80s pop culture following Hulu’sBrats.
The Eighties
The Eighties is a documentary series that explores the cultural, political, and technological transformations of the 1980s. Through interviews, archival footage, and expert commentary, the series covers significant events and trends that defined the decade, from the rise of cable television and music videos to political upheavals and advances in technology. The series provides a comprehensive view of an era that shaped contemporary society in numerous ways.
Though it’s not as focused asBrats,The Eightiesis an insightful miniseries that provides a vast look at the decade. In seven episodes,The Eightiestouches on every important element of the titular decade, such as politics, technology, and television. In addition to the episodes about the entertainment industry, the remaining episodes of the docuseries provide a better understanding as to why the Brat Pack’s movies were gladly accepted by audiences.
Before the slew of coming-of-age films were released, there weren’t many movies that reflected the experiences of adolescent audiences.
While there weredownsides to the Brat Packfor the actors involved, the youth-centered movies that came from the group were refreshing.Before the slew of coming-of-age films were released, there weren’t many movies that reflected the experiences of adolescent audiences.The episodes ofThe Eightiesgive further context to what the world looked like at the time and suggest why these movies were a success.
In Search of Darkness
A portrait of the horror films of the 1980s from the perspective of the actors, directors, producers and artisans who created them, as well as their impact on contemporary cinema.
Another genre of film that found increased success in the ’80s is horror. With a little over four hours worth of runtime,In Search of Darknessis an extensive oral history of the decade’s most significant horror films. The documentary covers a handful of notable supernatural andslasher horror films from the ‘80sin interviews with those who had direct involvement with the films.
The passion and love the interviewees have for the genre is easily felt through the screen and makes the documentary an engaging viewing experience.In Search of Darknessis sure to discuss the films’ success at the time of their release while pointing out the lasting impact they had on the genre as a whole.
The ’80s: Top Ten
The ’80s: Top Ten is a documentary series that revisits the top trends, products, and icons of the 1980s, as curated by pop culture experts and celebrity guests. Narrated by Rob Lowe, the series explores the significance and lasting impact of these influential items from a defining decade in American history.
Hosted by one of theBrat Pack’s members, Rob Lowe,The ’80s: Top Tenis a nostalgic trip to the decade that cemented Lowe as a young star. Contrasting other documentaries that analyze every aspect of society during the decade,The ’80s: Top Tenis a docuseries that aims to focus on more lighthearted subjects. Each episode is a treat for audiences who were alive to experience the best things synonymous with the titular year. Lowe as a host is an additional delight.
In the years followingDavid Blum’sNew York Magazinearticle, the Brat Pack members had mixed feelings about all that came of their ’80s group nickname. Lowe found success outside the Brat Pack and has a fond outlook on the label, which is made clear by his willingness to embrace the ’80s in various documentaries.
Wham!
Through interviews and archive footage, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley look back on their career as Wham, from best friends in the 70s to pop icons of the 80s.
Although Wham! is not a featured artist onBrat’s soundtrack,the pop duo consisting of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley was a staple within the ’80s music scene.Many of Wham!’s biggest songs continue to be used in movies and TV shows today. Netflix’s 2023 documentary,Wham!, details the duo’s success throughout the decade.
The documentary begins with the start of Michael and Ridgeley’s friendship as preteens and ends with their final performance in 1986 at Wembley Stadium.Despite their career as a duo ending before many would have preferred, the grand nature of their music’s impact is wonderfully established inWham!. The documentary was released well after the passing of Michael, but previous audio recordings are used alongside recent interviews with Ridgeley. For its high-quality presentation,Wham!was nominated for Best Documentary at the 2024 BAFTAs.
What Happened To Andrew Ridgeley After Wham! Broke Up In 1986
Andrew Ridgeley was one half of the musical duo Wham! alongside George Michael. Following the band’s breakup, what did Ridgeley go on to do?
An All-Encompassing Documentary About ’80s Sci-Fi
In Search of Tomorrow
A nostalgic journey through the science fiction films of the 80s, exploring their impact and relevance today, told by the artists who made them.
FollowingBrats, there was a slight confusion about whetherBack to the Futureis considered a Brat Pack movie. While it’s not associated with the group of Brat Pack movies,Back to the Futureis part of another genre of films that exploded in the ’80s. From the writer and director ofIn Search of Darkness, the 2022 documentary,In Search of Tomorrow, focuses on the influential science fiction films from the ’80s.
Just as the previous documentary about horror films did,In Search of Tomorrowhears from actors and directors associated with the'80s best science fiction movies.In Search of Tomorrow’s runtime is just over five hours, but has a brisk pace and rarely fails to keep the audience’s attention. With insightful interviews and an abundance of film clips,In Search of Tomorrowis a well-done tribute to the genre.
A few of the best moments in theBrat Pack filmsare accompanied by popular songs from the decade. In the BBC’s docuseries,The 80s - Music’s Greatest Decade?, journalist Dylan Jones reminds audiences of key figures in the music industry at the time.As the host of the docuseries' four episodes, Jones explains whyhe believes the ’80s were some of the most innovative years in music.
Music’s Greatest Decade?surpasses other music documentaries about the ’80s with its inclusion of a wide range of featured artists. Most documentaries covering the decade include the same big artists, such as Michael Jackson or Madonna. While Jones does acknowledge these artists to a great degree, he also shines a light on alternative and hip-hop artists, making for a more comprehensive presentation of the decade’s best music.
Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story
It follows the story of Bon Jovi, with personal videos, photos and songs that show the life of Jon Bon Jovi and the band’s journey from the clubs of New Jersey to worldwide fame.
A compelling aspect ofBratsis the insight provided by the actors as they detail their complicated feelings about their famous group. A similarhonest portrayal of emotions is found inThank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story, which details the decades-long history of the rock band.However, thebiggest reveals fromThank You, Goodnightare about the eponymous singer’s vocal problems and how it nearly led to his retirement a few years ago.
Jon Bon Jovi’s personal story adds a level of vulnerability to the docuseries, rounding out the four episodes and elevating it beyond a “greatest moments” display that many documentaries end up being. However, that’s not to say Bon Jovi’s achievements aren’t spotlighted. Both expert fans and unseasoned newcomers are presented with plenty of historical and career-defining moments to enjoy.
The Greatest Night in Pop
On June 09, 2025, 46 of the most famous musicians of the time, including Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper, and Stevie Wonder, gathered in a Los Angeles studio to record the charity single “We Are the World.” The documentary “The Greatest Night in Pop” reveals the behind-the-scenes efforts to bring these iconic artists together for this historic event. Directed by Bao Nguyen, the film explores the logistical challenges, creative processes, and personal dynamics that shaped the recording session, offering new insights and untold stories from those who were there.
Another big moment in ’80s entertainment aside from the formation of the Brat Pack wasthe collective effort of the decade’s biggest artists to record the charity single, “We Are the World.“The recording of the song is the focus of Netflix’sThe Greatest Night in Pop, which recounts howthe artists on “We Are the World"came together for a humanitarian crisis and created a memorable tune.
The documentary also mentions the political impact and cultural significance of the single, which prompted numerous imitators for charitable causes in the years that followed.The Greatest Night in Popis one of the manymusical documentariesthat excels in capturing a significant moment in pop culture history.The documentary has a quick pace and delivers compelling pieces of information shared by musical legends, such as Lionel Richie and Bruce Springsteen.
