Best Comedy Movies of the 1980s: Underrated Classics and Hilarious Hits

What are the Best Comedy Movies from the 1980s?

The 1980s comedy era saw the birth of some of the greatest classic comedy titles. The decade brought audiences memorable characters who pushed the limits of comedy Movies, particularly as they tackled taboo topics. There were many themes tackled - but audiences may recognize several films where the "cringe" and laughter were equally mixed - in particular for films such as “Tootsie” which was an intriguing look into how gender roles were viewed in those times, in addition to examining those topics that might make us a bit uncomfortable - specifically how a male character transforms to explore his career as an actress and "Coming To America" which brings those social attitudes - and their evolution - to the screen.

“Spaceballs,” another comedic title that tackles those more provocative ideas - specifically by taking on cultural references (and a series of “spoofs”) - such as Star Wars and offering an interesting, hilarious, yet controversial view on how we may approach “spoof” comedies, as this continues to be debated across fans and audiences. Each of these productions give us insight into those classic films - a sense of humor, the comedic styles - and it helps to show how these are still very relevant today - which could inspire many film buffs and those interested in exploring comedy - particularly as it has become such an enduring genre and has had such a lasting influence in the history of cinema.

Why are 1980s Comedy Movies So Enduring?

Dan-Aykroyd-in-Dragnet-and-Henry-Winkler-in-Night-Shift Image

1980s Comedy had such a unique sense of humor and comedic approach to films. Those who grew up in the 80s will likely recognize many titles that have earned a spot in classic comedy Movies. It’s important to also acknowledge that comedy as a genre is an expression of a culture, society and often can serve as a mirror to social attitudes - showing those that are funny at the time. But in several cases - as these trends change. The comedy movies often appear to lose some of their appeal,

The great news? 1980s comedies such as “Tootsie”, "Trading Places" - “Back To The Future” are still considered to be incredibly entertaining, and they have often aged incredibly well - demonstrating how some film productions are a reflection of society. For audiences to get the most out of those classic comedy movies - you should be prepared to appreciate the unique sensibilities and also realize those social shifts - for example, in the case of movies about gender roles that were once a mainstream way of examining the roles that women played in a world - often viewed from a man's perspective. It helps to make those films even more engaging. It's also possible that they've only become more interesting for many.

Are There Any Underrated Comedy Movies From the 1980s?

The 1980s has often been seen as the Golden Age of comedy. With a multitude of releases (as some stand out as the Best Comedy Movies of the 1980s ) for those who love those hilarious films - they may notice that some have gotten far more attention, often being mentioned as the Best Comedies of All Time . These may be considered “the favorites”, for many. The best example of this is “Airplane!”, considered a classic comedy, which continues to get those classic “laugh out loud moments. However, fans also look for underrated comedy movies - productions that may not be as popular as those widely-seen classics.

Those looking to enjoy these comedy movies to watch will notice that 1980s comedy movies (specifically, the underrated comedies) like "Coming to America", “Trading Places,” "This Is Spinal Tap", “Do The Right Thing,” and even “Spaceballs” (all which serve as hilarious productions) might be overlooked by some film fans, particularly since they focus on a genre that explores more specific events. Each one will bring viewers to learn about those themes that continue to be relevant in today’s time.

What Makes Comedy So Hard to Get Right?

It can be easy for comedy films to fall into various pitfalls. This may often stem from their content - as well as their approach to humor. In a sense, comedy movies are often considered “niche”.

As many have recognized, those films often lean into taboo topics that were once seen as a great opportunity to deliver those hilarious, shocking, and outrageous jokes but over the years have shifted and changed to become less palatable and often offensive, making these films less likely to resonate with many viewers. As social attitudes are consistently shifting - a large majority of those films have fallen out of favor with audiences, although this isn’t always the case - as some productions have endured.

Are 1980s Movies Good Examples of Comedy Movies For Adults?

There are several titles in classic comedy films that often highlight themes that may not be as appropriate for a young audience. 1980s comedy has also proven to have an element of maturity. The films showcase more intricate comedic themes, with more satirical themes or those moments where they use cultural references to highlight how funny (and sometimes crude) humor - could work.

There’s an endless supply of those classic titles. Some of the most recognizable are “Tootsie” where Dustin Hoffman plays a character who goes to great lengths to secure a role in a series and has to overcome a multitude of obstacles, “Airplane!” (an endless, memorable series of events and, even now, it often has quotes shared across the internet, television and popular culture), and “Trading Places,” which offers a dark comedic look at social experiment. All these stand out as a reminder of those comedies that continue to resonate with many film fans - it's a key element of why those comedies from the 1980s continue to get an abundance of praise from audiences.

Why Is Comedy Considered to Be Such a Powerful Genre?

For a long time, comedy movies have often stood out as a genre, with an ability to both challenge viewers and also give us an insight into how humor can bring a new perspective to life - whether those moments are lighthearted, thought-provoking or even make us reflect on the various themes that society brings to the forefront. Even as classic comedies age (often movies about the 1980s will be those more recognizable - and some will have more contemporary themes - particularly movies about technology, as that technology often serves as a source of inspiration for various genres such as movies about the future and comedy movies). It's essential to remember just how powerful and also a vital piece of our culture.

Those films offer an array of perspectives on life's challenges and how society has changed as well as its approach to social attitudes, in particular, how it has handled taboo topics, and, especially those films such as movies about gender roles, movies about the civil rights movement - which give us a distinct perspective and insights as to how film could offer an examination of what could be considered a more delicate issue or one that's controversial.