ArcGIS Pro

How to make an 80s movie map

Ah those 80s movies that made us squirm with the real threat of automation run amok but then heave a sigh of relief when the kid teaches the computer that the only way to win a global conflict is to not get into one. Those war rooms are always the best. Dark places with military brass shouting orders to techs who clack away at keyboards. Walls of maps shining with a nostalgic phosphorescent glow. Here’s how you can make maps that look like they’d be plausible as set dressing in a film like that. They’re terribly fun to make and surprisingly quick to crank out.

All in ArcGIS Pro. It’s a simple effect and might be just the ticket for that map project you are thinking about right now!

80s cinematic map style
80s cinematic map style
80s cinematic map style

About the author

I have far too much fun looking for ways to understand and present data visually, hopefully driving product strategy and engaging users. I work in the ArcGIS Living Atlas team at Esri, pushing and pulling data in all sorts of absurd ways and then sharing the process. I also design user experiences for maps and apps. When I'm not doing those things, I'm chasing around toddlers and wrangling chickens, and generally getting into other ad-hoc adventures. Life is good. You might also like these Styles for ArcGIS Pro: esriurl.com/nelsonstyles

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