Desperately Seeking Susan Rankings And Opinions

If you love offbeat 80s movies, big hair, and even bigger jackets,
Desperately Seeking Susan is probably already on your radar.
Released in 1985 and directed by Susan Seidelman, the film paired
Rosanna Arquette’s anxious suburban housewife with Madonna’s
effortlessly cool downtown drifter and turned a quirky mistaken-identity
comedy into a full-blown cult classic.

Nearly four decades later, the movie keeps popping up in
“best-of-the-80s” lists, feminist film roundups, and fan rankings of
Madonna’s screen roles. Critics have largely stayed kind, fans are
fiercely loyal, and fashion people are still referencing that
pyramid-embroidered jacket as if it just dropped this season.
Let’s dig into how Desperately Seeking Susan ranks
today, what people actually think of it, and whether it deserves a
top slot on your own 80s watchlist.

Why “Desperately Seeking Susan” Still Ranks So High

On paper, the movie doesn’t look like a juggernaut: a modestly budgeted
New York comedy-drama, a then-rising pop star in a major role, and a plot
wrapped around personal ads. But the numbers and long-term reception tell
a different story.

The film was a commercial success for its time, earning over
$27 million at the U.S. box office and landing among the
year’s bigger hits. Critically, it has hovered in the
“generally favorable” zone for decades, with aggregate review sites
giving it a solidly fresh score and noting the enthusiasm from early
reviewers. Contemporary critics praised its energy, its off-kilter tone,
and especially the chemistry between Arquette and Madonna.

The real magic, though, is how well the movie works as a vibe.
It’s less about plot twists and more about an atmosphere:
downtown clubs, flea markets, dingy motel rooms, and street fashion
that looks like it came straight from a thrift store raid conducted
by a very stylish raccoon. That mood is a big reason
Desperately Seeking Susan continues to rank high among 80s
cult favorites and Madonna fans alike.

Where the Movie Lands in Pop Culture Rankings

From 80s Curiosity to Canonical Cult Classic

Over time, the film has steadily climbed from “fun 80s oddity”
to “essential 80s watch.” Major music and culture outlets have
included it on lists of the best movies of the decade, praising
its playful approach to identity, its unapologetic New York flavor,
and the way it captures a specific moment in downtown culture.

It also shows up in rankings of important feminist or women-centered
films. Critics point to how the story centers two women, their desires,
and their friendship, with the men basically orbiting around them like
slightly confused satellites. The movie presents Roberta’s
“escape from suburbia” as funny and chaotic, yes, but also as
a valid search for self, not just a midlife meltdown.

Madonna Movie Rankings: Where Does Susan Sit?

Whenever film buffs and pop culture sites rank
Madonna’s best movies,
Desperately Seeking Susan almost always lands near the top.
Competing titles like A League of Their Own and
Evita often occupy the #1 spot in broader “best films” lists,
but when the question is specifically “Where does Madonna shine the most
as an actor?”, Susan is frequently described as her most natural,
relaxed performance.

Fan-driven ranking sites commonly place it in the top tier of her
filmography, citing the way Madonna’s own early-80s persona
meshes seamlessly with the character of Susan. She’s not carrying
a heavy dramatic arc; she’s radiating charisma, wandering through
New York like she owns every alleyway, jukebox, and club.

Meanwhile, box-office and critic-based ranking projects often position
the movie as one of the strongest titles associated with her name,
especially when you combine cultural impact, soundtrack legacy,
and long-term fan affection.

Breaking Down the Performances: Who Fans Rank Highest

Madonna as Susan: Chaos, Charisma, and a Very Big Jacket

Many critics and fans agree that Madonna has never been more at ease
on screen than she is in this movie. Susan is a drifter, a flirt,
a hustler, and a style icon rolled into one tiny, loud package.
Madonna’s line readings may be rough around the edges at times,
but the physicality, the attitude, and the sheer “I dare you not to
look at me” energy are what people remember.

Modern think pieces often single out this performance as her most
successful because it blurs the line between character and persona.
She’s not disappearing into the role; she’s amplifying the Madonna
brand just enough to fit the story. That’s exactly what a film like
this needs. When fans rank Madonna’s screen work, Susan is
the performance they come back to whenever they want raw,
unpolished charm rather than awards-season seriousness.

Rosanna Arquette as Roberta: The Secret MVP

Still, if you ask many critics who actually holds the movie together,
they’ll point to Rosanna Arquette. Roberta starts as a restless
New Jersey housewife whose biggest thrill is following the personal ads.
Through her mistaken-identity adventure, Arquette gives us a full arc:
confusion, panic, giddy liberation, and finally a quieter, earned
confidence.

In rankings of 80s female performances, Arquette’s Roberta sometimes
flies under the radar, but among fans of the film she’s the emotional core.
She makes the absurd premise feel grounded. Without her, the movie
might still be stylish; with her, it’s also surprisingly relatable.

The Supporting Cast: Deep-Cut Favorites

One reason Desperately Seeking Susan holds up so well
is its stacked supporting cast. Aidan Quinn brings a scruffy
charm as Dez, the projectionist who gets tangled in the confusion,
while Mark Blum, Laurie Metcalf, John Turturro, and others
add texture and comic beats that fans still quote.

When people rank their favorite characters, Susan and Roberta usually
take the top spots, but characters like Dez, Gary, and Roberta’s
uptight in-laws often show up in “favorite side characters” lists.
Even minor roles feel like they belong in this slightly heightened
version of New York, which helps the film earn its reputation as a
cult ensemble piece, not just a star vehicle.

Fashion, Feminism, and 80s New York Vibes

You can’t talk about rankings and opinions on this movie without
mentioning the clothes. The movie’s fashion is routinely ranked
among the most influential looks of the 80s, especially for young women.
Layered lace, chunky jewelry, mixed prints, menswear jackets over
ripped tightsif you’ve ever seen an 80s-inspired mood board,
you’ve basically seen Susan’s closet.

The most iconic piece is the pyramid-embroidered jacket Susan wears.
It’s so central to the movie’s identity that it’s become a piece of
pop culture history on its own, resurfacing in fashion retrospectives
and even being re-worn by Madonna in real life to celebrate the
film’s anniversaries. Fans rank it right up there with the
“Like a Virgin” wedding dress and the cone bra as one of her
defining wardrobe moments.

On a thematic level, the fashion plays into the film’s quietly
feminist undercurrent. Roberta literally tries on Susan’s clothes,
and with them, a completely different sense of self. Clothes aren’t
just decorative here; they’re a visual language for identity,
freedom, and reinvention.

What Critics Said Then vs. What Viewers Say Now

At the time of its release, critics celebrated
Desperately Seeking Susan as clever, stylish, and
surprisingly substantial beneath the pop sheen. Some high-profile
reviewers even named it one of the best films of 1985, praising
Susan Seidelman’s direction and the fresh energy of the script.

Decades later, the tone of reviews has shifted from curiosity to
affection. Modern retrospectives tend to frame it as a
“time capsule that still works,” applauding its off-kilter humor,
its female-centered story, and its portrayal of New York as an
oversized playground where you might lose your memory but find
your true self.

Meanwhile, blogs, film forums, and fan essays keep the movie’s
cult status alive. Longtime viewers share stories about discovering
the film on VHS, cable, or late-night TV and revisiting it now with
a mix of nostalgia and surprise at how modern some of its themes feel.
The critical consensus has broadened from “surprisingly good” to
“genuinely important,” especially in discussions of women-directed
80s films.

How Fans Personally Rank the Movie

Fan rankings are where things get especially fun.
Ask ten Madonna fans to rank her movies and you’ll probably get
twelve different lists, but Desperately Seeking Susan
is rarely far from the top three.

In online communities, you’ll often see fans say things like
“This is my comfort movie,” or “It’s in my top five movies ever,
not just Madonna movies.” Some love it because it vividly recalls
the eraboomboxes, pay phones, personal ads, and all. Others rank
it highly because it’s so rewatchable: the plot is breezy, the scenes
are punchy, and you can dip in at almost any point and still enjoy it.

Even people who don’t rate Madonna highly as an actor will sometimes
concede that the movie itself deserves its cult-classic ranking.
Their argument goes something like this:
“Maybe she’s not Meryl Streep, but the film wouldn’t work half as
well without her presence.” In other words, the performance and
the project are intertwined, and fans rank them together.

Should You Watch “Desperately Seeking Susan” Today?

If you’re trying to decide where to place the movie in your own
personal rankings, here’s a quick breakdown:

• Watch it if you love: 80s fashion, New York movies,
  female-led stories, fish-out-of-water comedies, and soundtracks that
  make you want to dance in a club that probably violates several
  safety codes.
• Temper your expectations if you expect:
  tightly engineered plot mechanics, hyper-polished acting from
  every single player, or modern pacing. This is a little looser,
  a little weirder, and very much a product of its time.
• But absolutely watch it if: you’re curious why
  it appears in so many “best of” 80s and Madonna rankings and want
  to form your own opinion. It’s hard to understand Madonna’s visual
  and cultural impact without seeing this movie.

In other words, if your personal movie rankings make room for
stylish, slightly messy, emotionally sincere cult films,
Desperately Seeking Susan deserves a prominent slot.

Personal Experiences and Takeaways from “Desperately Seeking Susan”

One of the reasons this film inspires such strong rankings and opinions
is the way people connect to it at different stages of life.
Many fans first saw it as teenagers or college students, watching
a VHS rental or stumbling across it on late-night TV. At that age,
Susan’s carefree attitude and Roberta’s reckless decision to follow
her feel like a pure fantasy: what if you just ditched your boring
routine and stepped into someone else’s adventure?

Rewatch it later, though, and the story changes. Roberta’s boredom
hits differently when you’re juggling bills, jobs, and family
obligations. Her obsession with Susan’s personal ads can feel
uncomfortably familiar if you’ve ever scrolled social media
and thought, “Everyone else’s life looks way more exciting than mine.”
The movie becomes less about “wow, Madonna looks cool” and more about
“what would it take for me to change my life, even a little?”

For some viewers, the experience of watching
Desperately Seeking Susan is wrapped up with memories of a
particular time and place: a childhood living room, a neighborhood
movie rental store, or the feeling of sneaking a PG-13 movie you were
technically too young to watch. The film ranks highly in their minds
not just because of its quality, but because it’s tied to the
experience of discovering movies as a gateway to other worlds.

Even newer viewers, discovering it through streaming or curated
80s film lists, often walk away with strong opinions. Some fall
instantly in love with its chaos and charm; others feel it’s a little
too loose or dated. But it almost never inspires neutral reactions.
You’re either charmed, annoyed, or a dizzy combination of bothand
that’s part of what makes it great. Movies that sit dead-center in
your mental ranking, neither loved nor hated, don’t usually become
cult classics. This one does.

There’s also a kind of DIY inspiration in the way the film looks
and feels. The sets and costumes don’t seem unattainable; they look
like they could have been pulled from thrift stores, flea markets,
and someone’s cluttered apartment closet. Fans sometimes talk about
trying to recreate Susan’s look on a budget, raiding vintage shops
and mixing patterns their mothers would absolutely disapprove of.
That participatory elementbeing able to “be” Susan for a nighthelps
explain why the movie keeps showing up in discussions of fashion,
identity, and self-expression.

Ultimately, the best argument for the movie’s high ranking is how
it lingers. After the credits roll, you may not remember every
beat of the jewel-heist subplot, but you’ll remember Madonna leaning
against a brick wall looking like she owns the block, Roberta
dancing her way into a new version of herself, and that jacket
practically glowing with 80s myth. When people talk about their
favorite films, they’re really ranking memories, and
Desperately Seeking Susan has given a lot of viewers some
very vivid ones.

Final Thoughts

So where should Desperately Seeking Susan sit in your
rankings? Historically, it’s a critical success, a cult staple,
and one of Madonna’s most beloved screen appearances. Emotionally,
it’s a movie about waking up to your own life, told through mistaken
identities, stolen jackets, and danceable pop tunes.

If you care about 80s cinema, feminist storytelling, Madonna’s career,
or just the glorious messiness of New York movies, it deserves a place
near the top of your personal “must watch” list. You might not agree
with every critic or fan poll, but you’ll definitely walk away with
your own rankingand that’s half the fun.