10 comedy movies from the 1980s that have aged surprisingly well

Comedy isn’t always good, but thankfully there are plenty of 1980s classics that are just as funny today. Comedy movies often rely on topical humor and cultural references, both of which can kill them terribly. The other common problem is that, as social attitudes change, people no longer laugh at some of the things that used to be considered acceptable. There are many old comedies that have some questionable jokes on reflection.

The 1980s produced some classic comedies, although some have been viewed as increasingly problematic in recent years. Old comedies are almost expected to have a few off-color jokes, so it’s a pleasant surprise when a comedy with a potentially offensive subject turns out to be forward-thinking and kind-hearted. People’s attitudes about what is funny is always shifting, but there are still some timeless comedy movies that reach many generations.

10

Tootsie (1982)

Dustin Hoffman’s gender-bending comedy is surprisingly forward-thinking

Public opinions about gender roles have changed a lot since the 1980s, so it’s surprising to see that a movie like Tutsi Keep up the good work. Tutsi Stars Dustin Hoffman as a struggling actor in New York City who dresses as a woman to land a female role on a popular daytime soap. Michael Dorsey keeps it a secret from everyone working on the show, even his female castmate for whom he develops feelings.

Tutsi Works because it digs deeper than simplistic comedy about the differences between men and women. Most of the gender-based jokes are about how Michael is treated So different when he is presenting as a woman. Despite all his actions being the same, Michael is disrespected, ignored and objectified by the people around him. It is also important that Tutsi Makes fun of Michael for many things, but not his refusal to conform to gender stereotypes.

9

Trading Places (1983)

Trading places suggests that the working class are victims of an unjust system

Trading places Follows a fraudulent social experiment conducted by two out-of-touch billionaires. Debating the old argument of nature versus nature, they conspire to replace one of their brokers with a homeless man, leaving the broker with nothing to fall back on. It is hard to ignore the obvious racial slant of the experimentSince Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy play the two characters who trade places.

Although it walks on some shaky ground, Trading places Manages to avoid anything too problematic. His message suggests that privilege is more important than natural characteristics. Aykroyd and Murphy’s characters have some superficial cultural differences, but they prove to be just as intelligent and resourceful in their own ways when given the chance. Decades later, Aykroyd is working on a script for a Trading places Sequel, which proves that the movie has aged well.

8

Coming to America (1988)

Eddie Murphy’s fun romcom avoids any potential conflict

Trading places isn’t Eddie Murphy’s only 1980s movie with a potentially awkward premise. Come to America Reveals an African prince who travels to New York to search for a woman unaware of his wealth and status. The culture-clash comedy could easily have poked fun at African stereotypes, however It draws much of its humor from American attitudes.

Since Prince Akem Joffer is from the fictional land of Zamunda, Come to America Give yourself permission to be general. It is not trying to represent any specific nation, so it cannot be accused of misrepresentation. This allows Eddie Murphy’s comedic style to flow without impeding it too much. Come to America is one of Eddie Murphy’s best movies, thanks to his intelligent comedy about race in America.

7

This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

Some of the references may be dated, but the humor is timeless

Rob Reiner’s classic rock mockumentary is rooted firmly in the 1980s, so many of its references to rock bands aren’t as relevant as they once were. Spinal Tap are meant to represent classic rock bands of the 1970s like Judas Priest and The WhoBut they fell on hard times in the following decades as tastes changed. This specific period of rock history may be long gone, but it applies more generally to any contemporary artist who gradually falls out of fashion.

Although bands like Spinal Tap are not as popular as they once were, this has given This is Spinal Tap An added layer of comedy. The short-lived craze of hair metal bands is an extreme example, but any popular musician can find themselves labeled redundant and passé, just like Spinal Tap. The upcoming Spinal tap Sequel will follow the gang to see how they have handled decades of obscurity.

6

Do the Right Thing (1989)

Spike Lee looks at a race in America with wit and humanity

Do the right thing examines racial tension in a Brooklyn neighborhood, but Spike Lee’s intelligent, thoughtful approach means it has stood the test of time. Do the right thing Has a lot of laughs, but takes its message seriously. What Lee had to say about the different approaches in the civil rights movement is something that is still an important issue today.

Do the right thing is a meditation on violence and unrest, and how these relate to the ongoing fight for equality. The many philosophies of the film held up well, and so did its humor. Some of the letters in Do the right thingBed-Sty’s version is reduced to stereotypes and clichés, but they act as simplified stand-ins for different viewpoints in the discourse surrounding the civil rights movement in America.

5

Spaceballs (1987)

Mel Brooks always flirts with controversy

Mel Brooks is certainly no stranger to controversy, as most of his movies probe the boundaries of good taste. Be Star Wars nonsense Spaceballs is no different. Spaceballs Has a few jokes about stereotypes that seem a little more risque by today’s standards, but Brooks has a knack for talking about taboo topics without ever crossing the line. It helps that his sense of humor is so irreverently silly that it’s hard to take his jokes too seriously.

Spaceballs Has surprisingly aged, despite the jokes about black troops who “come” the desert with an Afro-pick and Yogurt’s Jewish mannerism shakes. Brooks’ rapid-fire comedic style mixes wordplay, slapstick, sight gags, satire and much more. In his world, nothing is off the table. A Spaceballs A sequel is now in the works, but it remains to be seen if the movie maintains Brooks’ sense of humor without the director involved.

4

Back to the Future Part II (1989)

Back to the future’s predictions did not pan out

Back to the Future Part II Sends Marty and Doc forward in time to the year 2015. This should have given the sci-fi comedy an expiration date, but its vision of 2015 isn’t meant to be entirely accurate. some of Back to the futures predictions are true, like the ubiquity of video calling and wearable tech, but 2015 is supposed to be alien and fantastic to Marty, so many technological leaps are beyond the realm of possibility.

2015 didn’t quite turn out like that Back to the Future Part II Suggested it wouldSince there were no hoverboards and Jobs 19 Hasn’t been in theaters, but the retrofuturistic world serves the story perfectly. In fact, some of the bad predictions made by Back to the Future Part II have made the movie more charming in retrospect. It’s never very likely that people will start wearing two tights at once, but this kind of big move is admirable when more serious sci-fi movies can play it safe.

3

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

The horror comedy still looks great

No humor in John Landis’ horror-comedy An American Werewolf in London was in danger of aging poorly, but the movie’s use of practical effects was a different story. Looking back, the effects hold up surprisingly well. David’s transformation scene is still revered as a masterpiece of practical effects use, and it looks just as convincing and horrifying as any movie made today.

If An American Werewolf in LondonThe visuals didn’t stand the test of time, the whole movie would fall flat. It’s not the kind of horror-comedy that makes fun of B-movies, bad effects, or the suspension of disbelief that the genre often requires. instead, It really tries to scare its audience in between the laughs. The transformation scene, Jack’s cruel ghostly visage and the finale with the creature rolling around central London are all incredibly effective.

2

Airplane! (1980)

Airplane parodies several movies that have fallen out of fashion

Airplane is a hilarious spoof of disaster movies, esp Airport 1975 And Zero hours! Not one of these movies has remained as popular over the decades, so it’s impressive Airplane is no less hilarious. Even though modern audiences may have no knowledge of the disaster movies that Airplane It makes fun of, the script is still packed with great jokes that work out of context.

Airplane Works well as a broader parody of disaster movies and melodramatic B-movies, so it’s not vital that audiences have seen or Zero hours Or Airport 1975. Airplane is endlessly quoted, with a remarkable number of witty jokes that could easily be transplanted into any comedy script. Even the more specific jokes require only basic knowledge of flying and movie tropes.

1

Rising Arizona (1987)

The Coen brothers make a joke of kidnapping

Rising Arizona Uses a very dark premiseBut the Coen brothers have proven time and time again that they can master the art of black comedy without going too far. Rising Arizona It stars Nicolas Cage as a petty crook who decides to kidnap a baby when he and his wife discover they are unable to conceive. The joke is always on his own ignorance and bad luck, so Rising Arizona Has good age.

Rising Arizona is one of the best Coen Brothers movies, showing the director duo’s talent for avoiding the pitfalls of taboo subjects. The baby is often treated as a MacGuffin rise arizona, Like a treasure to fight over, rather than a real, vulnerable person. However, although Junior is tossed around a lot, Rising Arizona is fantastical and cartoonish enough to make light of the situation without ever indicating that the baby may be in genuine danger.