The best dramas of 1981

48 dramas from 1981, ranked by a 0–100 score from IMDb ratings, critics, major awards and box office, compared with every film from the same year.

  1. Pennies from Heaven Score 44.3 · IMDb 6.5 · Tomatometer 83% · Metascore 64
  2. The Professional Score 44.1 · IMDb 7.4
  3. The Postman Always Rings Twice Score 42.5 · IMDb 6.6 · Tomatometer 73% · Metascore 61
  4. Mommie Dearest Score 42.1 · IMDb 6.7 · Tomatometer 50% · Metascore 55
  5. American Pop Score 41.7 · IMDb 7.2 · Tomatometer 68% · Metascore 57
  6. The Grilling Score 41.3 · IMDb 7.6
  7. Do You Remember Dolly Bell? Score 41.0 · IMDb 7.5
  8. Knightriders Score 39.2 · IMDb 6.3 · Tomatometer 81% · Metascore 69
  9. S.O.B. Score 39.0 · IMDb 6.4 · Tomatometer 82% · Metascore 62
  10. True Confessions Score 36.5 · IMDb 6.3 · Tomatometer 72% · Metascore 68