Years in home video:	1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987
Years in film:	1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987
Years in television:	1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987
Centuries:	19th century · 20th century · 21st century
Decades:	1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s
Years:	1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987

Industry milestones

• In Sony Corp. of America v. Universal City Studios, Inc., popularly known as the "Betamax case", the Supreme Court of the United States rules that the practice of "time shifting" constitutes fair use and that the manufacturers of home video recording devices cannot be held liable for copyright infringement by consumers.

Movie releases

The following movies were released on video:

• The Empire Strikes Back
• The Happiest Millionaire
• Mickey's Christmas Carol - December 6, 1984
• Mr. Mom
• National Lampoon's Vacation
• The Natural - November 1984
• The NeverEnding Story - December 1984
• Return From Witch Mountain
• Robin Hood - December 6, 1984
• Splash - August 1984
• Sudden Impact
• Yentl