1980s Comedy Movies

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover
Rated PG

Back to the Future is an iconic film directed by Robert Zemeckis and released in 1985. The film follows the story of Marty McFly, a teenage boy who accidentally travels back in time to 1955. In the past, he meets his parents as teenagers and must get them together in order to ensure his own existence in the future. With the help of the eccentric Doc Brown, Marty must find a way to return to the future, with the added pressure of the danger of erasing himself from existence. Along the way, he encounters numerous exciting adventures, including outrunning a group of bullies, attending his parents' high school dance, and even encountering his future self. With its ingenious plot and captivating characters, Back to the Future remains a classic beloved by audiences all over the world.

From Rob Reiner, starring Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Robin Wright, Chris Sarandon
Rated PG

The Princess Bride is a 1987 classic fantasy adventure comedy film directed by Rob Reiner. The story follows a young boy named Westley, who sets off on a quest to rescue his beloved Buttercup from the clutches of the evil Prince Humperdinck. Along the way, Westley meets a variety of characters, such as Inigo Montoya, a Spanish swordsman seeking revenge, Fezzik, a gentle giant, and a cunning Sicilian criminal mastermind and his albino henchman. Together, they face numerous obstacles, including a treacherous and deadly fire swamp, as they attempt to reach Buttercup before it is too late. With humor, adventure, and romance, this timeless classic is sure to delight viewers of all ages.

From John Landis, starring John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Cab Calloway, John Candy
Rated R

The Blues Brothers is a 1980 American musical comedy directed by John Landis. The film stars Dan Aykroyd as “Elwood Blues” and John Belushi as “Joliet Jake Blues,” two brothers who set out on a “mission from God” to save the orphanage in which they grew up. Along the way, they must contend with a series of comedic misadventures and musical performances from some of the most celebrated blues, soul, and R&B artists of the era. The film features an all-star cast, including James Brown, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and John Lee Hooker, and is widely regarded as one of the best musical comedies of all time.

From Bob Clark, starring Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, Scott Schwartz
Rated PG

"A Christmas Story" is a classic holiday film set in 1940s Indiana. It follows the story of 9-year-old Ralphie Parker and his quest to get a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Ralphie faces many obstacles on his journey, including his parents, a nasty department store Santa, and his own doubts about whether or not he'll get the BB gun. Along the way, he also encounters various Christmas-themed hijinks, such as a tongue stuck to a frozen flagpole, a leg lamp, and a triple-dog-dare. Through it all, Ralphie learns valuable lessons about friendship, family, and the true spirit of Christmas.

From Ivan Reitman, starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis
Rated PG

Ghostbusters is a 1984 American supernatural comedy film directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. It stars Bill Murray, Aykroyd, and Ramis as three eccentric paranormal investigators who start a ghost-catching business in New York City. Sigourney Weaver and Rick Moranis co-star as a client and her neighbor, respectively. The film follows the three parapsychologists, who are called upon to rid New York City of a supernatural plague. Along the way, they confront an ancient demigod that has been unleashed upon the city, and must save the world from a mysterious demon. Ghostbusters was released on June 8, 1984, and grossed US$242 million in the United States and more than US$295 million worldwide. It received positive reviews and was nominated for two Academy Awards, winning Best Visual Effects. It spawned a media franchise, which includes a 1989 sequel, Ghostbusters II, and two animated television series, The Real Ghostbusters and Extreme Ghostbusters. A reboot, also titled Ghostbusters, was released in July 2016.

From John Hughes, starring Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, Jeffrey Jones
Rated PG-13

Ferris Bueller's Day Off is a 1986 American teen comedy film written and directed by John Hughes. The film follows high school student Ferris Bueller, who fakes an illness to skip school and spend the day in downtown Chicago with his girlfriend and his best friend. As the trio explore the city, they are watched by Ferris' suspicious school principal and pursued by his resentful sister. The film features an iconic soundtrack, including the Beatles' "Twist and Shout". Along with its humor and lightheartedness, the film also deals with themes of teenage rebellion, conformity, and responsibility. The film was a commercial success, grossing more than $70 million at the box office, becoming Hughes' highest grossing film and the 10th highest grossing film of 1986.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Tom Wilson
Rated PG

Back to the Future Part II is a 1989 American science fiction adventure film directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Bob Gale. It is the sequel to the 1985 film Back to the Future and the second installment in the Back to the Future trilogy. The film stars Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Thomas F. Wilson, and Elisabeth Shue. The film continues directly from the end of the first, in which Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is sent back to 1955 by Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd). In Back to the Future Part II, Doc sends Marty and his girlfriend Jennifer from 1985 to 2015 to prevent Marty and Jennifer's future children from ending up in trouble. However, when they arrive in the future, they find that the future is not what they expected. They also discover that Biff Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson) has stolen the time machine and gone back to 1955 in order to give his younger self a book containing sports statistics that will make him wealthy. Realizing that the future of Hill Valley is in jeopardy, Marty and Doc must travel back to 1955 again in order to save the future. In the process, they must also save Marty and Jennifer's future family

From John Hughes, starring Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy
Rated R

The Breakfast Club is a 1985 American coming-of-age comedy-drama film written, produced, and directed by John Hughes. It follows five high school students from different social groups who meet for Saturday detention. The five, who come from cliques that rarely interact, are forced to spend the day together and slowly come to realize how much they have in common. The film stars Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald and Ally Sheedy as the members of the Breakfast Club. The film explores themes of teenage rebellion, alienation, and social stratification as the students interact and learn more about one another. By the end of the day, the five teenagers come to understand the importance of empathy and connection, even if it means sacrificing their own preconceived notions. Despite its low budget, the film was a commercial success, grossing over $51 million worldwide. It remains one of the most popular and influential films of the 1980s, and has been deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the Library of Congress.

From Directors: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, starring Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, Leslie Nielsen, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Rated PG

Airplane! is a 1980 American comedy film directed and written by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker. The film stars Robert Hays and Julie Hagerty, and features Leslie Nielsen in the role of a doctor. The story follows a former fighter pilot, Ted Striker (Hays), who is now suffering from a severe case of post-traumatic stress disorder after an incident in the Vietnam War. Striker is forced to make an emergency landing on a jumbo jet when the pilots become incapacitated due to food poisoning. As the passengers desperately try to find a way to land the plane, Striker must confront his own personal demons in order to take control of the aircraft and land it safely. Along the way, he is aided by the no-nonsense doctor, Rumack (Nielsen). With the help of a quirky cast of characters, Striker must make the difficult decision to either save the flight or crash it. Airplane! is a parody of the disaster film genre, and features numerous references to other films in the genre.

From Richard Donner, starring Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman
Rated PG

The Goonies follows a group of twelve-year-old misfits—Mouth, Data, Stef, Andy, Brand, Mikey, Chunk—on their last weekend together before their families are forced to move away from their beloved neighborhood by an evil developer. The Goonies discover an old Spanish map in the attic of Mikey’s house that leads them to the long-lost treasure of One-Eyed Willy, a legendary pirate. With the help of an eccentric old codger and the Fratelli family—a group of criminals on the run—the Goonies set out on a thrilling adventure filled with booby traps, underground tunnels, and hidden clues. Along the way, the kids must battle against all odds to stay one step ahead of their pursuers as they search for the lost fortune. With courage and friendship, the Goonies ultimately triumph over the Fratellis and find One-Eyed Willy’s treasure, saving the Goon Docks in the process.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, Joanna Cassidy, Charles Fleischer
Rated PG

"Who Framed Roger Rabbit" is a 1988 American fantasy neo-noir film directed by Robert Zemeckis, based on Gary K. Wolf's novel Who Censored Roger Rabbit. It stars Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd and Joanna Cassidy, and features the voices of Charles Fleischer and Stubby Kaye. In the film, set in 1947 Los Angeles, a hard-boiled private detective named Eddie Valiant is hired to investigate a scandal involving Toontown and its resident cartoon characters, including Roger Rabbit. Valiant discovers a conspiracy by a local businessman, Judge Doom, to destroy Toontown and replace it with a freeway. He must prove Roger's innocence and save Toontown from Doom's diabolical plan. The film combines live action and animation, and is a hybrid of several genres, including film noir, comedy, and fantasy. It was the first live action/animated film to be released since Mary Poppins in 1964. It was critically and commercially successful, grossing over $329 million worldwide, and it also received three Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects, Film Editing and Sound Effects Editing.

From John Hughes, starring Steve Martin, John Candy, Laila Robins, Michael McKean
Rated R

Planes, Trains & Automobiles is a classic 1987 comedy directed by John Hughes. It stars Steve Martin and John Candy as two strangers who find themselves on an unexpected road trip from New York City to Chicago in an effort to get home to their families for Thanksgiving. Along the way, the two experience a series of misadventures as they attempt to travel by plane, train, and automobile. Despite their constant bickering, the two form an unlikely friendship as they find themselves experiencing a series of comedic situations. Ultimately, the two successfully reach their destination and in the process, learn to appreciate the importance of true friendship.

From David Zucker, starring Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley, O.J. Simpson, Ricardo Montalban
Rated PG-13

The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! is a 1988 American comedy film starring Leslie Nielsen as the bumbling police lieutenant Frank Drebin. The plot revolves around Lt. Drebin's attempt to foil a plan to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to Los Angeles. Along the way, he must contend with a series of wacky misadventures, including a showdown with a notorious criminal mastermind. With its hilarious scripting, slapstick action, and iconic one-liners, The Naked Gun is widely regarded as one of the best comedies of the 1980s.

From John Landis, starring Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd, Ralph Bellamy, Don Ameche
Rated R

Trading Places is a 1983 American comedy film directed by John Landis and starring Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy. The movie follows the story of two commodities brokers, Louis Winthorpe III (Dan Aykroyd) and Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy), who are forced to switch roles in a bet made by two wealthy commodities brokers, Mortimer and Randolph Duke (Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche). After being placed in each other's positions, Louis and Billy Ray must fend for themselves as they attempt to turn their fortunes around and outwit the Dukes. Along the way, they enlist the help of their dishonest street hustler friend, Billy Ray's girlfriend, Ophelia (Jamie Lee Curtis), and a prostitute named Louise (Denise Crosby) to help them carry out their plan. In the end, Louis and Billy Ray succeed in outsmarting the Dukes and reclaiming their rightful places in society.

From Tim Burton, starring Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Michael Keaton, Annie McEnroe
Rated PG

Beetlejuice is a 1988 American comedy fantasy film directed by Tim Burton. The film follows a recently deceased couple (Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin) who become ghosts haunting their former home, and an obnoxious, devious poltergeist named Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton) from the Netherworld who they turn to for help. Betelgeuse's wild antics soon get the attention of the new tenants of their former home and he helps the ghosts scare them away. However, in doing so, he causes chaos and mayhem in the house, ultimately unleashing an evil force that threatens to destroy the entire town. In the end, Betelgeuse must save the day and help the ghosts regain their home.

From Martin Brest, starring Robert De Niro, Charles Grodin, Yaphet Kotto, John Ashton
Rated R

Midnight Run is a 1988 action-comedy directed by Martin Brest. The film stars Robert De Niro as Jack Walsh, an ex-cop-turned-bounty-hunter tasked with apprehending Jonathan 'The Duke' Mardukas (Charles Grodin), a former accountant who embezzled mob money. After the mob puts a $1 million bounty on Mardukas' head, Jack is determined to bring him back to Los Angeles in one piece and collect his reward. However, Jack and Mardukas' road trip isn't easy, as they're pursued by rival bounty hunters, the FBI, and even the mob. Along the way, Jack and Mardukas eventually form an unlikely bond, and must rely on each other if they want to make it out alive.

From Jeremiah S. Chechik, starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki
Rated PG-13

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is a 1989 American Christmas comedy film directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik. It stars Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, and Randy Quaid. The film tells the story of Clark Griswold (Chase) and his family's attempt to have the best Christmas ever. They face a series of misadventures along the way, including a chaotic Christmas dinner, a bickering family, and an unexpected visit from an old family enemy. Through it all, Clark remains determined to show his family the best holiday ever. Despite the obstacles they face, in the end, they all come together to enjoy a wonderful Christmas.

From Frank Oz, starring Steve Martin, Michael Caine, Glenne Headly, Anton Rodgers
Rated PG

From Harold Ramis, starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Imogene Coca, Randy Quaid
Rated R

From Martin Brest, starring Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Lisa Eilbacher
Rated R

From Penny Marshall, starring Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia, John Heard
Rated PG

From Barry Levinson, starring Robin Williams, Forest Whitaker, Tom. T. Tran, Chintara Sukapatana
Rated R

From Jamie Uys, starring N!xau, Marius Weyers, Sandra Prinsloo, Louw Verwey
Rated PG

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter, Trey Wilson, John Goodman
Rated PG-13

From Harold Ramis, starring Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Bill Murray, Ted Knight
Rated R