The 10 Most Rewatchable 80s Comedies

With its wild aesthetics, scientific curiosity and general optimism, the 1980s were an incredible time for cinema, creating the space to imagine, create and push boundaries. However, the 1980s were especially prolific in terms of Comedy
gender. The decade saw brilliant directors borrow elements from multiple genres, fusing them and creating unique stories that are fun, moving, and visually stunning, all while being hilarious.

Plus, comedy is always an interesting genre to be creative in. The courage to address topics that are often unexplored and uncomfortable, using humor to resonate with the audience and lighten the mood, paid off. And while some comedy masterpieces may not seem so groundbreaking today, many remain timeless gems that are always worth revisiting – whether you intend to revisit them as a nostalgic dip into the vibrant 80s or as a way to rewatch old stories. through new lenses. .

10

The Blues Brothers (1980)

Directed by John Landis

The 80s started with a bang, when no comedy could better represent the tongue-in-cheek absurdity of this decade than The blue brothers. John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as Jake Blues and Elwood J. Blues are the definition of a chaotic duo: effortless, cool, and naturally hilarious. With the countless antics and curiosities behind the scenes of The blue brothersthe film never ceases to surprise.

Combining unforgettable musical performances with comedic brilliance, The blue brothers boasts the participation of immortal icons such as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, James Brown, Carrie Fisher and more. The magnetic, rich cast, coupled with outrageous dialogue and a wild plot, solidify its status as a timeless cult classic. The blue brothers is one of cinema’s most ingenious cult films, a comedy that will remain forever young, whether it’s on its first or tenth viewing.

9

Plane! (1980)

Directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker and Jerry Zucker

Directed exclusively by the trio of Jim Abrahams, David Zucker and Jerry Zucker, this comedy masterpiece also arrived in the early 1980s to welcome audiences to a new era of irony and unexpected antics. With his dark humor, crazy situations and jokes, Plane! It’s a fast-paced disaster movie it will never fail to keep the viewer glued to the screen. Plane! It also has some of the funniest lines in comedy history, such as:

Ted: “Surely you can’t be serious.“

Dr.I’m serious and don’t call me Shirley.”

The film takes the concept of parody to the next, and often, to the audience’s delight, extreme level. This kind of exaggeration yields a shameless charm that never gets old and (much less) boring. Featuring brilliant performances from Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty and Leslie Nielsen, the film is a bold artistic movement that pushed boundaries and helped define a genre, becoming one of the most rewatchable comedies of the 1980s.

8

Victor/Vitória (1982)

Directed by Blake Edwards

Another classic from the 1980s, Victory/Victory is a musical comedy that addressed themes little explored at the time in a surprisingly progressive and deeply conscious way. with surprising performances and captivating humor. The film was as bold as it was smart and thoughtful. Set in Paris in the 1930s, the story follows Victoria (Julie Andrews), a talented and impoverished soprano who ends up, in order to get work, pretending to be a man pretending to be a woman.

In this witty comedy, Julie Andrews delivers one of her best performances. Her comedic timing, strong-willed demeanor, and sympathetic journey make her character a smart, fascinating heroine who is impossible not to fall in love with. Victor/Vitória It’s a dazzling combination of intelligence, emotional depth, and beauty that’s worth seeing as many times as possible.

7

Ghostbusters (1984)

Directed by Ivan Reitman

Originally inspired by an idea by Dan Aykroyd, Ghostbusters is an 80s classic that mixes elements of the supernatural and comedy to tell the story of a group of scientists who open a ghost-catching business in New York. The brilliant, effortless dynamic that emerged between the actors and the characters they played contributed to the success of this story. Bill Murray’s performance as Dr. Peter Venkman is endlessly entertaining and helped the film become one of the best science fiction comedies of the 1980s.

The winning combination of science fiction, supernatural, and humor helped the film establish itself as an enduring favorite and create what later became a true franchise with a huge following that encouraged new adaptations and sequels. Regardless of which of the many elements that characterized the comedy made the most influential contribution, the film is a journey that will never fail to surprise and entertain.

6

Back to the Future (1985)

Directed by Robert Zemeckis

Back to the future is the epitome of ’80s cultism. The film’s sci-fi element perfectly complements its comedic tones, creating an extremely brilliant comedy that, while representative of a specific decade, will never go out of style. Its mix of humor, action and emotional depth makes it timeless. Whether they were intentionally written that way or not, some characters were simply born to become legends, and Doc Brown and Marty McFly are certainly among them.

It doesn’t really matter if the future imagined in 1985 is our present because the film goes beyond any prediction. What might have seemed like a prophecy in those years now seems like an additional source of laughter and historical reflection. Ironically, Back to the future transcends time and remains an ingenious and engaging comedy to watch again as many times as you want.

5

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

Directed by John Hughes

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off it’s a little like The Catcher in the Rye of cinema: a coming-of-age story created for teenagers that speaks to viewers of any age and at different points in their lives, as long as they are willing to listen. The comedy captures the essence of rebellion and freedom, providing timeless lessons about self-discovery and seizing the moment. As people should never stop learning, questioning the rules and trying to understand each other, the film is for everyone, regardless of age.

Ferris is an incredibly charming character who made the sitcom a cult hit in the ’80s. As Ferris leads his friends through an unforgettable day of mischief and self-liberation, the film serves as a reminder that sometimes life’s best moments come from stepping out of the ordinary. . Everyone should listen to their inner Ferris Bueller once in a while – and if they forget about it, it’s a great time to watch the film again.

4

Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)

Directed by Barry Levinson

Good morning, Vietnam is one of the most brilliant films ever made about war; the fact that it is a comedy adds to its genius. The way Barry Levinson managed to find the comedic potential in the brutality of the situation in Vietnam with an awareness and sensitivity that is not so easy to convey is enough to make the film a rare gem that should never be set aside and forgotten. Meanwhile, Robin Williams delivered a career-defining performance in this ’80s classic.

The film’s true magic lies in its ability to be funny, through Williams’ unparalleled intelligence, while also being moving. The film offers viewers the opportunity to laugh, cry and reflect. Good morning, Vietnam understands the political power of laughter, both as a method of escapism and as social critiquebringing to life a story that is always worth revisiting, as it can offer new and unexplored insights needed in different historical periods and contexts.

3

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

Directed by Robert Zemeckis

When it came to pushing boundaries, Zemeckis never backed down. Who Framed Roger Rabbit is an immortal classic that defined a decade and beyond due to its mix of different thematic genres and visual styles. Incorporating live-action and animated components with iconic elements from Hollywood classics to pay homage to film history, the comedy is a groundbreaking work that proves to be one of the most hilarious murder mysteries of all time.

The clever storytelling and underlying mystery, the presence of iconic characters like Jessica Rabbit, and witty dialogue ensure Who’s universal appeal Roger Coelho framed never dies, attracting adults and children alike. The way the creators manage to combine so many different artistic elements and have them all work together seamlessly to deliver a gripping story makes the film an extremely replayable 80s classic.

2

Beetlejuice (1988)

Directed by Tim Burton

Beetle juice is another timeless masterpiece that works because of its irreverent humor, which perfectly complements Tim Burton’s unparalleled ability to mix macabre stories and whimsical elements. This 1988 classic brings the afterlife to life, offering a world where the ordinary and the living seem mundane and uncomfortable, while the grotesque and the dead seem gently seductive.

Michael Keaton’s outrageously bold performance as Beetlejuice is a winning contribution to this comedy. Amidst his antics and one-liners, one would never tire of Keaton’s character. But the truth is that Burton, with the film, created a safe space of wonder and entertainment for all the world’s outcasts, whether they feel that way for just a day or for a lifetime. This 1980s comedy is a haven for queer people everywhere. In 1988, Beetle juice opened a portal to another dimension, and it never closed.

1

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

Directed by Rob Reiner

The 1980s ended with one of the most brilliant romantic comedies of all time. When Harry met Sally… is a timeless love story between two naturally funny characters, their chemistry so perfectly chaotic and touching that it makes a feel-good New York film a hilarious classic. Sally (Meg Ryan), with her quirky perfectionism and hopeful smile, will always be endearing; Harry (Billy Crystal), with his emotional speeches and penetrating gaze, will always be the guy who is impossible to stay mad at.

The fact that we are introduced to these two young, naive dreamers and watch them grow up over the course of 10 years and, sometimes accidentally but more often willingly, pursue each other, connected by some invisible threads, is what makes the story the perfect comfort movie in a movie. Friday night. In a decade, condensed into less than two hours, Harry and Sally won the hearts of the public and never left it again, making the film one of the most rewatchable films of the 1980s comedy.