1987 was the year when the current Republic of Korea was established.
Movies released in theaters this year
North America
- Spaceballs (January 1, 1987)
- Lethal Weapon (March 6, 1987)
- Blind Date (March 27, 1987)
- Beverly Hills Cop II (May 20, 1987)
- Benji the Hunted (June 17, 1987)
- Full Metal Jacket (June 26, 1987)
- The Brave Little Toaster (July 10, 1987)
- Jaws: The Revenge (July 17, 1987)
- The Living Daylights (July 30, 1987)
- Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (July 24, 1987)
- Three Men and a Baby (November 25, 1987)
- Planes, Trains & Automobiles (November 25, 1987)
- Empire of the Sun (December 9, 1987)
- Good Morning, Vietnam (December 25, 1987)
Latin America
- Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (January 29, 1987)
- Jaws: The Revenge (September 12, 1987)
- Beverly Hills Cop II (September 24, 1987)
- Full Metal Jacket (October 8, 1987)
- Lethal Weapon (October 22, 1987)
- Empire of the Sun (December 25, 1987)
Brazil
- Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (May 7, 1987)
- Lethal Weapon (July 14, 1987)
- Beverly Hills Cop II (September 3, 1987)
- Full Metal Jacket (October 16, 1987)
- Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (October 16, 1987)
- Jaws: The Revenge (December 25, 1987)
Japan
- Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (March 7, 1987)
- Lethal Weapon (June 13, 1987)
- Beverly Hills Cop II (July 11, 1987)
- Jaws: The Revenge (August 29, 1987)
- Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (December 5, 1987)
UK
- Flight of the Navigator (April 10, 1987)
- Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (April 10, 1987)
- Jaws: The Revenge (July 23, 1987)
- Lethal Weapon (August 28, 1987)
- Full Metal Jacket (September 11, 1987)
- Beverly Hills Cop II (October 16, 1987)
- Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (November 25, 1987)
France
- Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation (April 8, 1987)
- Lethal Weapon (August 5, 1987)
- Beverly Hills Cop II (August 26, 1987)
- Full Metal Jacket (October 21, 1987)
- Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (October 28, 1987)
- Jaws: The Revenge (December 25, 1987)
Australia
- Lethal Weapon (May 28, 1987)
- Beverly Hills Cop II (June 18, 1987)
- Flight of the Navigator (June 25, 1987)
- The Great Mouse Detective (September 21, 1987)
- Full Metal Jacket (October 15, 1987)
- Jaws: The Revenge (December 3, 1987)
- Benji the Hunted (December 26, 1987)
- Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (December 26, 1987)
South Korea
- Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (July 14, 1987)
- Back to the Future (July 17, 1987)
People's Republic of China
- Raiders of the Lost Ark (December 11, 1987)
Hong Kong
- The Great Mouse Detective (February 26, 1987)
- Lethal Weapon (July 2, 1987)
Movies re-issued in theaters this year
North America
- The Aristocats (April 10, 1987)
- Sleeping Beauty (June 12, 1987)
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (July 17, 1987)
- Cinderella (November 20, 1987)
Japan
- Cinderella (July 18, 1987)
- Alice in Wonderland (July 18, 1987)
- Fantasia (August 28, 1987)
UK
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (July 14, 1987)
France
- 101 Dalmatians (April 1, 1987)
- The Rescuers (December 2, 1987)
Australia
- Pinocchio (April 18, 1987)
- The Rescuers (September 17, 1987)
Short films released in theaters this year
- Red's Dream (November 30, 1987)
Movies aired on television this year
ABC
- Herbie Goes Bananas (January 11, 1987)
- Bedknobs and Broomsticks (March 22, 1987)
- Mary Poppins (May 3, 1987)
- Ghostbusters (September 24, 1987)
- The Journey of Natty Gann (October 4 and 11, 1987)*
- Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too (November 15, 1987)
CBS
- Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (February 14, 1987)
- The Wizard of Oz (March 6, 1987)
- The China Odyssey: Empire of the Sun (December 30, 1987)
Disney Channel
- Sleeping Beauty (October 3, 1987)
NBC
- Mickey's Christmas Carol (December 4, 1987)
- Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (November 22, 1987)
- The Terminator (September 27, 1987)
(*) This film was re-edited for viewing in two parts.
Programs debuted on television this year
ABC
- Full House (September 22, 1987)
- Little Clowns of Happytown (September 26, 1987)
Disney Channel
- The Hoober-Bloob Highway (April 6, 1987)
- The Lorax (May 27, 1987)
- The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat (August 7, 1987)
- Halloween is Grinch Night (October 23, 1987)
FOX
- Married... with Children (April 5, 1987)
Nickelodeon
- Inspector Gadget (October 5, 1987)
PBS
- Square One Television (January 26, 1987)
USA Network
- Press Your Luck (September 14, 1987)
Syndication
- DuckTales (September 18, 1987)
- Sylvanian Families (September 18, 1987)
- The Kidsongs TV Show (September 19, 1987)
- Star Trek: The Next Generation (September 28, 1987)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (December 10, 1987)
Programs airing new seasons this year
CBS
- Card Sharks (1986-1989)
FOX
- Married... with Children (Season 2) (September 27, 1987)
PBS
- 3-2-1 Contact (Season 6) (October 12, 1987)
- Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood
- Reading Rainbow (June 22, 1987)
- Sesame Street (Season 19) (November 16, 1987)
Syndication
- Dennis the Menace (Season 2)
- Jeopardy! (Season 4) (September 7, 1987)
- Wheel of Fortune (Season 5) (September 7, 1987)
- Cheers (Season 6) (September 24, 1987)
Programs broadcasted in reruns this year
PBS
- Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood (1969-1975)
Syndication
- Jeopardy! (Season 3) (September 12, 1987)
- Wheel of Fortune (Season 4) (September 12, 1987)
Programs ended this year
CBS
- CBS Storybreak (January 3, 1987)
Syndication
- Jeopardy! (Season 2) (September 5, 1987)
- Wheel of Fortune (Season 3) (September 5, 1987)
Anime released this year
- Lady Lady!! (October 21, 1987)
VHS releases this year
Movies
Region 1 (North America)
- The Three Caballeros (January 1987)
- Flight of the Navigator (January 27, 1987)
- Disney's Sing-Along Songs: Heigh-Ho (May 19, 1987)
- Walt Disney Cartoon Classics: Volumes 1-5 (May 19, 1987)
- The Color of Money (Q2 1987)
- The Golden Child (July 1987)
- Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (September 30, 1987)
- Lady and the Tramp (October 6, 1987)
- Disney's Sing-Along Songs: The Bare Necessities (October 6, 1987)
- Walt Disney Cartoon Classics: Volumes 6-10 (October 6, 1987)
- Donald in Mathmagic Land (October 6, 1987)
- Mickey and the Beanstalk (October 6, 1987)
- The Reluctant Dragon (October 6, 1987)
- Lethal Weapon (October 28, 1987)
Region 2 (Japan)
- Melody Time (January 25, 1987)
- Herbie Rides Again (July 28, 1987)
- Escape to Witch Mountain (August 28, 1987)
- Down and Out in Beverly Hills (September 28, 1987)
- Tex (October 28, 1987)
- Tiger Town (October 28, 1987)
- The Journey of Natty Gann (December 5, 1987)
Region 2 (UK)
- Scarface (February 1987)
- Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back (February 1987)
- Make Mine Music (April 1987)
- The Golden Child (August 1987)
- Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (August 1987)
- Lethal Weapon (October 1987)
- Pinocchio (October 1987)
Region 4 (Latin America)
- The Jungle Book (October 31, 1987) (Mexico only)
Region 4 (Australia)
- Pinocchio
TV Shows
Region 1 (North America)
- Christmas Eve on Sesame Street
- Kidsongs: What I Want to Be! (Q1 1987)
- Kidsongs: The Wonderful World of Sports (Q2 1987)
- Kidsongs: A Day at the Circus (Q4 1987)
- Sesame Street: Big Bird's Story Time
- Sesame Street: Don't Eat the Pictures
- Sesame Street: Ernie's Big Mess
- Sesame Street: Getting Ready for School
- Sesame Street: I Want to Go Home!
- Sesame Street: Learning to Add and Subtract
- Sesame Street: Sing Along
Region 2 (Japan)
- Candy Candy Vol. 2 (October 9, 1987)
Region 2 (UK)
- Thomas & Friends Season 2 Vol. 1: Thomas, Percy and the Coal and Other Stories
- Thomas & Friends Season 2 Vol. 2: Percy and Harold and Other Stories
- Thomas & Friends Season 2 Vol. 3: The Deputation and Other Stories
VHS re-releases this year
Region 1 (North America)
Movies
- Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
- Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
- Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
- Alice in Wonderland (October 6, 1987)
- Dumbo (October 6, 1987)
- Sleeping Beauty (October 6, 1987)
- The Sword in the Stone (October 6, 1987)
TV Shows
- Kidsongs: A Day at Old MacDonald's Farm
- Kidsongs: I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing
- Kidsongs: Good Night, Sleep Tight
- Kidsongs: Cars, Boats, Trains and Planes
- Kidsongs: Sing Out, America!
- Kidsongs: A Day with the Animals
Region 2 (Japan)
- Alice in Wonderland (December 5, 1987)
- Dumbo (December 5, 1987)
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (December 5, 1987)
- Peter Pan (December 15, 1987)
VHS Tapes discontinued this year
- Robin Hood (1984 VHS)
- Pinocchio (1985 VHS)
Logos introduced this year
- DiC Entertainment - "Kid in Bed A" (September 1987)
- New Line Cinema - "The Filmbox" (August 28, 1987)
- Paramount Pictures - "Majestic Mountain A" (January 16, 1987) (VHS debut in July 1987)*
- Paramount Television - "Majestic Mountain A" (September 28, 1987)*
- Touchstone Home Video - "Thunderball Snake" (Q3 1987)
- Walt Disney Home Video - "Sorcerer Mickey" (Europe and Japan)
(*) Paramount was still a Gulf+Western company for about 20 years. In addition, the company celebrated its 75th anniversary for the new logos' first year.
Logos updated this year
- Merv Griffin Enterprises (as a unit of Coca-Cola Television)
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (as an MGM/UA Communications company) - "Leo the Lion B"
- Touchstone Pictures - "Thunderball Snake" (VHS debut)
Logos ended this year
- 20th Century Fox - "The Searchlights" (1953) (December 11, 1987)
- The Classics: Walt Disney Home Video - "Cheesy Diamond" (October 6, 1987)
- Paramount Television - "Blue Mountain" (September 27, 1987)
- Touchstone Home Video - "Flashing Thunderball" (Q2 1987)
Video games released this year
Japan
- Zelda II: Adventure of Link (January 14, 1987)
- Doki Doki Panic (July 10, 1987)
North America
- Bomberman (January 1987)
- Castlevania (May 1987)
- Jeopardy! for NES
- Kid Icarus (July 1987)
- The Legend of Zelda (August 22, 1987)
- Metroid (August 1987)
- Wheel of Fortune for NES
- The Goonies II (November 1987)
- Mega Man (December 1987)
Europe
- Super Mario Bros. (May 15, 1987)
- Donkey Kong Jr. (June 15, 1987)
- Duck Hunt (August 15, 1987)
- Donkey Kong 3 (September 15, 1987)
- The Legend of Zelda (November 15, 1987)
Books released this year
- Sheila Rae, the Brave (August 17, 1987)
- Where's Waldo? (September 1987)
Albums released this year
- Cinderella: Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (LP)
- The Disney Collection: Volume 1 (CD)
Software released this year
- Microsoft Windows 1.04 (April 1987)
- MS-DOS 3.3 (August 1987)*
- Microsoft Windows 2.03 (December 1987)
(*) This operating system also adds support for 3.5" floppy disks holding up to 1.44 megabytes.
Vehicles introduced this year
- 1987 Acura Legend (2-door coupe, base and LS)
- 1987 Acura Legend L
- 1987 BMW 325i
- 1987 Cadillac Allante
- 1987 Cadillac Brougham
- 1988 Chevrolet Beretta
- 1988 Chevrolet C/K Pickup/GMC Sierra
- 1987 Chevrolet Camaro LT
- 1988 Chevrolet Corsica
- 1987 Chrysler LeBaron (4-door sedan)
- 1988 Dodge Dynasty
- 1988 Dodge Grand Caravan
- 1988 Eagle Medallion
- 1988 Eagle Premier
- 1987 Ford Bronco
- 1988 Ford Festiva
- 1988 Honda Accord (2-door coupe)
- 1988 Honda Civic
- 1988 Honda Prelude
- 1987 Land Rover Range Rover
- 1988 Mazda 626/MX-6
- 1987 Mazda B2200
- 1988 Mercury Tracer
- 1987 Mitsubishi Galant
- 1987 Mitsubishi Mighty Max
- 1987 Plymouth Voyager/Grand Voyager
- 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix
- 1987 Pontiac Safari
- 1987 Saab 9000 S
- 1987 Subaru Justy
- 1987 Toyota Camry
- 1988 Toyota Corolla
- 1987 Toyota Supra
- 1987 Volkswagen Fox
- 1987 Volvo 780
Vehicles discontinued this year
- Chevrolet Monte Carlo (December 12, 1987 for the 1988 model year)
- Honda Civic (third generation) (September 1987)