The 15 Best Comedies Of The 1980s, Ranked

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Movies have incorporated comedy for a longer time than some might think: The film considered as the first comedic one is “L’Arroseur Arrosé,” released in 1895. Over the past 130 years, audiences have flocked to cinemas to enjoy laughter-inducing films, and each decade boasts exceptional examples. In the era of silent films, entertainers like Charlie Chaplin delivered vaudeville-style slapstick humor for the masses.

With the passage of time, comedies transformed into intricate storylines interwoven with humor relevant to each era. However, every decade had its fair share of amusement, it was the 1980s that marked a shift in the genre. Comedies became slightly bolder; they delved into explicit content, embraced excessive nudity, and mirrored societal trends. This period saw filmmakers like John Hughes, Ivan Reitman, and John Landis create cinematic gems.

Deciding on which ’80s comedy stands out as the best can vary from person to person, but there’s often a general agreement. Comedies that left a mark on pop culture and shaped the genre are frequently considered among the finest comedies of the 1980s. The list below showcases 15 ’80s comedy movies, which were ranked based on a combination of their IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes ratings.

15. Spaceballs

Spaceballs is a hilarious spoof on everything related to science fiction, masterminded by the creative mind of Mel Brooks. It playfully imitates numerous sci-fi movies, but it’s most heavily influenced by “Star Wars,” as Brooks received approval for this project directly from George Lucas. The unique condition was that no toy lines or merchandise could be produced, making it a running joke in the movie “Spaceballs.” Each character, setting, and prop is intentionally included to provide some form of humor.

Similar to other films by Brooks, “Spaceballs” is filled with jokes that fans have been repeating for years. The abundance of comedy greats in the cast helped guarantee the movie’s success. Despite being incredibly funny and expertly poking fun at the genre, it’s more of a cult favorite than a mainstream blockbuster hit. Upon its release, “Spaceballs” made a decent amount of money but didn’t win over many critics with its distinctive humor. However, “Spaceballs” remains a prime example of an ’80s parody done well.

Cast: John Candy, Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman, Daphne Zuniga

Director: Mel Brooks

Rating: PG

Runtime: 96 minutes

Where to watch: Max, Hulu, YouTube

14. Police Academy

The movie “Police Academy” provides an answer to the question: “What if police standards were relaxed due to high crime rates?” In this film, the characters treat their police training with a light-hearted approach, creating a zany comedy where everything is taken humorously. This comedic style mirrors that of “Police Academy.” The film’s humor is immature and hilarious, largely due to Steve Guttenberg’s portrayal of Cadet Carey Mahoney. His character sets the tone for the movie and keeps the audience laughing throughout. In essence, Mahoney views the police academy as a chaotic and unconventional environment similar to the setting in “Animal House.

In Police Academy, there’s plenty of humor reminiscent of college antics, but it does have a storyline that builds up to a triumphant conclusion in the third act. Regardless of all the chaos shown in the movie, when things go south, the rookie cops pull through and save the day. Police Academy was an immense hit, earning more than 18 times its production cost. This financial triumph spawned a franchise with seven movies, although they generally decline in quality as the series progresses.

Cast: Steve Guttenberg, Kim Cattrall

Director: Hugh Wilson

Rating: R

Runtime: 96 minutes

Where to watch: Fandango, Amazon

13. Weird Science

John Hughes managed to pen the screenplay for “Weird Science” in just two days and secured funding to produce this film that revolves around two high school students who, using an old-fashioned computer and a Barbie doll, create a seductive genie they believe will grant all their wishes. The pitch for “Weird Science” must have been quite intriguing, as Hughes proceeded to make the movie, which eventually earned cult classic status.

In simpler terms, the movie “Weird Science” stars Robert Downey Jr. and Kelly LeBrock in fitting roles, but its humor, which is now outdated, makes it seem very old-fashioned to modern audiences. You might adore this film from the ’80s, but showing it to someone new may not be as enjoyable an experience as you anticipate. However, despite being a product of its time, it’s undeniably a classic ’80s comedy.

Cast: Anthony Michael Hall, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, Kelly LeBrock

Director: John Hughes

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 94 minutes

Where to watch: AMC+, YouTube, Philo

12. Coming to America

If you appreciate Eddie Murphy’s acting, it’s likely that you enjoy his penchant for portraying several roles within a single film, which he frequently does, starting with “Coming to America.” In this film, Murphy assumes the role of Prince Akeem, a young royal who is engaged but seeks his true love in Queens, New York. Accompanying him is his friend Semmi (Arsenio Hall), and together they portray various characters. The movie is brimming with classic Eddie Murphy humor and witty one-liners that continue to be memorable even years after its debut.

This film isn’t your typical love story or light-hearted comedy; it transcends those categories. Notably, it was one of the early productions to star a predominantly Black cast, making it unique in its portrayal of the African American experience during the 1980s in the U.S. This movie serves a dual purpose as it combines elements of romance and comedy with a deep exploration of Black culture and life during that era. The film boasts some of the most gifted actors from that time, many of whom ad-libbed their hilarious performances throughout the movie.

Cast: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones

Director: John Landis

Rating: PG

Runtime: 117 minutes

Where to watch: Fandango, Google, Amazon

11. Caddyshack

Throughout his career, Harold Ramis was responsible for many films, with “Caddyshack” marking the beginning of his directorial journey. This film boasts a talented cast and intricately connected storylines. A standout plot involves Bill Murray portraying the mischievous greenskeeper Carl, who goes to great lengths, including wanton destruction, in an attempt to eradicate a gopher. The primary storyline centers around a caddy scholarship competition and a golf tournament between the snobby, wealthy club member and the boorish, nouveau riche antagonist, played by Rodney Dangerfield.

In “Caddyshack”, there’s a humorous scene involving bathroom humor and a Baby Ruth bar, making it a laugh-out-loud movie. This film proved to be extremely successful, earning over six times its production cost. While there are numerous golf movies and comedies like “Happy Gilmore”, “Caddyshack” stands out as one of the finest golf films ever made. It embodies the essence of ’80s comedy with its bawdy humor, and features a hilarious puppet gopher that steals the limelight.

Cast: Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield

Director: Harold Ramis

Rating: R

Runtime: 98 minutes

Where to watch: Amazon, Google, Fandango

10. Better Off Dead

During the 1980s, John Cusack was known for playing roles in several humorous teenage films with a dark edge. One such film, “Better Off Dead”, encapsulates the humor of that era quite well. This movie is filled with surreal moments and employs absurd humor extensively, particularly in its numerous visual jokes. The story revolves around Lane Meyer (played by Cusack), a high school student who has recently been dumped, falls for his neighbor’s foreign exchange student, and competes against the school bully in a downhill ski race on their local mountain.

This film, titled “Better Off Dead,” introduced the catchphrase “I want my two dollars” to the world, thanks to its character Johnny (played by Demian Slade), a tenacious newspaper delivery boy who went all out to get paid for his work. Although it wasn’t his debut, this movie significantly boosted Cusack’s popularity. Despite a lukewarm initial reception, it eventually garnered a substantial cult following and is now known as an amusing ’80s movie filled with nostalgic tropes from that era. Some of these elements may seem outdated today, but they remain objectively funny to modern audiences.

Cast: John Cusack, Diane Franklin

Director: Savage Steve Holland

Rating: PG

Runtime: 97 minutes

Where to watch: Hulu, Fandango, YouTube

9. Back to School

In today’s context, many adults decide to attend college, but in 1986, this was uncommon enough to be the focus of a movie titled “Back to School.” The film centers around Thornton Melon (portrayed by Rodney Dangerfield), who returns to college in an attempt to convince his rebellious son to stay in school. Thornton is a successful businessman with a knack for annoying his professors, as he had bribed his way into the university. Robert Downey Jr. plays the quirky roommate of Thornton’s son, and the movie reaches its climax with Dangerfield performing an incredibly daring dive known as the Triple Lindy.

In essence, “Back to School” was a typical setup for an ’80s comedy movie, but it stood out due to Dangerfield’s unique and boisterous sense of humor, coupled with impeccable timing. He was consistently engaging in the film, making it even more enjoyable. If not for Dangerfield, the film might have been predictable and underwhelming. However, with his comedic prowess, he undeniably outshines every scene, evidently reveling in the opportunity to breathe life into his iconic character on the big screen.

Cast: Rodney Dangerfield, Sally Kellerman

Director: Alan Metter

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 96 minutes

Where to watch: Tubi, Roku, Pluto

8. Adventures in Babysitting

In 1987, director Chris Columbus made his first directorial effort with the film “Adventures in Babysitting.” This movie set the tone for his future work. The story revolves around character Chris Parker, portrayed by Elisabeth Shue, who looks after her neighbors’ kids while their parents have a night out in Chicago. When her friend encounters trouble, Chris decides to take the children into the city. In this urban jungle, events unfold in amusing yet potentially perilous situations that you wouldn’t believe could happen. They even cross paths with a mechanic who the youngest child mistakes for Thor, but it turns out to be Vincent D’Onofrio – or so we think!

1980s family-comedy “Adventures in Babysitting” is often overshadowed by more explicit films today. Despite not being a box office sensation, it played a crucial role in launching Elisabeth Shue’s career and showcased an early performance by Anthony Rapp. Over time, the film has become a cherished cult classic that continues to be adored decades after its initial release, solidifying both Columbus and Shue as prominent figures in the industry.

Cast: Elisabeth Shue, Keith Coogan, Anthony Rapp

Director: Chris Columbus

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 102 minutes

Where to watch: Amazon, YouTube, Disney+

7. Stripes

Mocking the military has always been quite prevalent, and you won’t struggle to find great instances if you consider shows like “M*A*S*H,” “Hogan’s Heroes,” and “Not Time For Sergeants.” A film that might not be as well-known is “Stripes,” a military comedy directed by Ivan Reitman. This movie doesn’t shy away from humor, and the story focuses on two aimless individuals who enlist in the Army to find purpose in their lives since they lack jobs, girlfriends, or anything else of significance.

During basic training, they didn’t follow rules strictly, often causing conflicts with their drill instructor. After completing training, they were tasked with guarding an armored vehicle, which they ended up stealing. This resulted in a small act of betrayal and crossing into East Germany. When they returned home, they were all celebrated as heroes. The movie “Stripes” is entertaining because it doesn’t try to be serious, even the military characters are exaggerated versions of real soldiers.

Cast: Bill Murray, Harold Ramis

Director: Ivan Reitman

Rating: R

Runtime: 107 minutes

Where to watch: YouTube, Fandango, Amazon

6. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

To those who came of age during that time, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is a defining example of ’80s teen comedies. The story revolves around Ferris, the main character, a high school student who cleverly feigns illness to avoid attending school. This deception sets off his principal, who becomes determined throughout the film to locate Ferris (played by Matthew Broderick) in order to reveal him before he graduates.

In an unexpected turn, the entire community unites around Ferris due to their shared belief that he’s terminally ill from an undisclosed illness. This revelation distresses his sister (Jennifer Grey), leading to a humorous altercation at home following a thrilling race to get back before Ferris is caught. The movie is filled with humor and bizarre scenarios bordering on the surreal, leaving no doubt that it shaped the teen comedy genre and had a profound impact on popular culture.

Cast: Matthew Broderick, Mia Sara, Alan Ruck

Director: John Hughes

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 103 minutes

Where to watch: Tubi, YouTube, Paramount+

5. Trading Places

Eddie Murphy transitioned from his “Saturday Night Live” role to starring in “48 Hrs.,” and subsequently “Trading Places.” In “Trading Places,” a wealthy stockbroker and a homeless man exchange lives, with one gaining a fortune and the other experiencing despair. Their circumstances diverge dramatically as they navigate their new realities, eventually uniting to bring down the two affluent brothers who orchestrated their swap, providing an intriguing depiction of insider trading in the world of Wall Street.

Without a doubt, what truly sets “Trading Places” apart isn’t merely its storyline; it’s primarily the exceptional cast that elevates it to a classic ’80s comedy. The dynamic duo of Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy bring much of the film’s charm, and it’s a shame they didn’t collaborate again after “Trading Places.” In fact, almost every actor in the movie saw their careers soar or receive a new lease of life thanks to this film. Moreover, it provided Jamie Lee Curtis with an opportunity to demonstrate that she was capable of more than just horror roles.

Cast: Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy

Director: John Landis

Rating: R

Runtime: 118 minutes

Where to watch: Tubi, YouTube, AMC+

4. Planes, Trains and Automobiles

The journey is typically filled with difficulties and aggravations, which is essentially the essence of the movie “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.” In this film, Steve Martin portrays Neal, a man who is determined to reach Chicago for Thanksgiving to spend time with his loved ones. However, his trip is made miserable by Del (John Candy), an exuberant character who clings to Neal persistently, causing him numerous inconveniences. Despite their initial frustrations, they eventually develop a friendship during their tumultuous journey.

This movie has a heartwarming vibe, featuring a rapid-fire sequence where Martin lets loose with an impressive 18 F-bombs reminiscent of a Tarantino flick within just two minutes. However, the real charm lies in its conclusion, as Del becomes part of the family, adding depth to an already satisfying journey. The humor may come from absurd scenarios and unexpected double entendres, but what truly makes “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” timeless is its relatability. After all, who hasn’t experienced a grueling travel day or encountered someone like Del at least once in their lives?

Cast: Steve Martin, John Candy

Director: John Hughes

Rating: R

Runtime: 93 minutes

Where to watch: Google, Amazon, Fandango

3. National Lampoon’s Vacation

Cross-country journeys can be enjoyable, but they might not be if you’re like Clark Griswold (portrayed by Chevy Chase) and your dream has always been to take your loved ones to Wally World. This is the premise of “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” a film where any imaginable mishap that could occur during the trip, does so in a comical fashion. The humor starts even before the family sets off, as all their luggage tumbles off the absurdly ugly car’s roof, foreshadowing the chaos to come.

In the original version, it reads: “There’s a hint of unfaithfulness, an unwelcome deceased relative, and when they finally reach the park, surprise! It’s shut down. Upon its release, “National Lampoon’s Vacation” was a massive success, and it birthed five sequels. If you’re interested in diving into this series, watching the “National Lampoon Vacation” movies in sequence is recommended, although the original one stands out as the best. One of the most notable jokes throughout the series is that while the adults stay consistent, the children are played by different actors in each film.

Cast: Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo

Director: Harold Ramis

Rating: R

Runtime: 98 minutes

Where to watch: Amazon, Fandango, YouTube

2. Ghostbusters

It’s typical for films to explore various genres, but combining horror and comedy is not usually successful except in parody. Remarkably, “Ghostbusters” blended these seemingly opposing styles within a single movie, creating a franchise that remains popular even today. In essence, “Ghostbusters” tells the story of a group of self-proclaimed ghost eliminators who establish a company in New York City to tackle an escalating ghost issue threatening their town.

Not many movies have the impact or lasting influence on a society’s spirit as profoundly as “Ghostbusters.” If you were to approach a stranger on the street and ask, “Who would you call in such a situation?”, they might give you a puzzled look, but there’s a strong possibility they’d respond with “Ghostbusters.” This film certainly leaves an impression, and it has grown to encompass a TV series, several live-action sequels, toys, video games, and more. “Ghostbusters” is not only a financially successful franchise but also one of the funniest and most creative comedies from the 1980s.

Cast: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd

Director: Ivan Reitman

Rating: PG

Runtime: 105 minutes

Where to watch: YouTube, Fandango, Amazon

1. Airplane!

Among numerous subpar parodies, “Airplane!” stands out as an exception. The film demonstrates the art of crafting successful parodies and continues to be one of the most remarkable ever recorded on screen. The movie is filled with jokes, some of which are fairly innocuous, such as a character’s apparent alcohol addiction, manifested by constantly spilling their drink whenever they attempt to take a sip – a literal representation of their struggles. Other humor lies in connecting incidents from different parts of the film that seem narratively implausible when viewed together.

Without a doubt, you might not have watched the movie “Airplane!”, but if you haven’t, let me fill you in. This film is packed with recurring jokes and physical humor, often seen as absurd. Despite its spoof on disaster films, there’s no need to worry about any genuine danger or plane crash. Instead, it offers one joke following another, making it a standout comedy for the decade and one of the greatest comedy movies ever made.

Cast: Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, Leslie Nielsen

Director: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker

Rating: PG

Runtime: 85 minutes

Where to watch: Amazon, Google, AMC+

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2025-06-21 16:32