The 1980s introduced audiences across the world to some beloved and fan-favorite comedies, but many of these cinema greats are often overlooked. While the decade was full of memorable box office hits like Ghostbusters, Beverly Hills Cop, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, there were many remarkable comedies that failed to get the praise and recognition they deserved. A great deal of these farces have gone on to become cult classics and have retrospectively been lauded, finally receiving their rightful appreciation.
Comedian extraordinaire Jim Carrey made his cinematic splash when he starred as a hapless teenager targeted by a powerful female vampire in Once Bitten, while Michael Keaton demonstrated his hilarious skills as a performer in Ron Howard’s sidesplitting gem Night Shift. These were just a few of the most underrated comedy movies of the ‘80s.
Updated on August 6, 2023, by Amira Abdel-Fadil: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
12 Something Wild (1986)
Touting a phenomenal cast led by Melanie Griffith, Jeff Daniels, and Ray Liotta, the 1986 action comedy Something Wild is one of Jonathan Demme's often overlooked hits before he made waves with Silence of the Lambs and Philadelphia. The film follows the fun-loving and spontaneous Lulu as she finds herself enamored with a straight-laced banker; their clandestine affair becomes complicated when Lulu's dangerous ex-convict husband shows up in hopes of reconciling.
Daniels earned a Golden Globe nomination for his performance as the reserved yuppie businessman, showcasing his comedic chops and ability to embrace the zany and strange. The film helped repopularize the screwball comedy genre at the tail end of the '80s and showcased Griffith's widespread mass appeal, leading to her nabbing the lead role in Working Girl.
11 Once Bitten (1985)
The always hilarious Jim Carrey nabbed one of his earliest starring roles in the 1985 teen horror comedy Once Bitten, in which he portrays a sex-obsessed high school virgin who becomes the target of a centuries-old vampire (Lauren Hutton) that must drink his blood in order to stay young and attractive.
The teenager finds his life turned upside down when he begins to exhibit strange cravings and symptoms that have him wondering if he's actually turning into a vampire himself. While the film failed to make a major splash with both critics and audiences, it has since gone on to become a celebrated cult classic that demonstrates Carrey's early star power and exceptional range as a comedian.
10 Night of the Creeps (1986)
Taking on both the undead and malicious alien parasites is one tall order for even the bravest of heroes, a fact two geeky teenagers learned firsthand in the 1986 sci-fi horror comedy Night of the Creeps. The Frank Dekker flick pays homage to the B movies of cinema's past and fully embraces the masked slasher genre, delivering a hearty helping of blood and gore, zany humor, and entertaining characters that helped establish it as a charming cult classic.
The main characters in the comedy are all named after horror movie directors (like George A. Romero, John Carpenter, and Sam Raimi), and the '80s gem uproariously chronicles two nerdy fraternity pledges' efforts to take on alien invaders who are infecting the students on campus and turning them into zombies.
9 After Hours (1985)
The great Martin Scorsese directed the 1985 black comedy After Hours, which centers on mild-mannered word processor Paul Hackett as he finds his night goes from bad to worse after meeting a beautiful but unwell woman who inadvertently sets off a chaotic chain of events throughout the unfortunate night.
For the low-budget independent flick, Scorsese embraced a more low-key and underground style of storytelling and nabbed the award for Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival. It earned widespread praise from critics for its delightfully bizarre elements, sharp humor, and lively performances, and since its release After Hours has been regarded as a widely underrated Scorsese film.
8 Top Secret! (1984)
Val Kilmer landed his first big acting break when he nabbed the lead role in the 1984 spy movie comedy spoof Top Secret! The film has him appearing as an American rock star who gets swept up in a German underground resistance movement and sets out to help save a brilliant scientist captured by nefarious forces.
The sidesplitting farce was directed by ZAZ (Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker), the comedy geniuses who brought the world hits like Airplane! and The Naked Gun, and served as a parody of popular film styles like war and spy movies. Top Secret! helped establish Kilmer as a certified leading man and displayed his range as a performer and his ability to take on any genre.
7 The Man with Two Brains (1983)
The always delightful Steve Martin served up some serious laughs when he portrayed a gifted neurosurgeon whose world is turned upside down after falling for a femme fatale in 1983's The Man with Two Brains, a Carl Reiner picture co-starring Kathleen Turner as his devious wife.
Dr. Michael Hfuhruhurr meets a mad scientist while at a medical conference in Vienna, and begins to develop romantic feelings for one of the crazed scientist's living brains that he can telepathically communicate with. The Man with Two Brains was a modest box office success, though Martin's zany performance as the lovelorn doctor in the outrageous farce earned rave reviews and demonstrates his phenomenal comedic prowess.
6 Better Off Dead (1985)
John Cusack stars as a lovesick high school student determined to end his life after being dumped by his girlfriend in the 1985 black comedy Better Off Dead, which follows the depressed Lane Meyer and his inept crusade to commit suicide after becoming completely consumed by his misery. After multiple failed attempts, Lane decides to instead challenge his ex-girlfriend's new suitor to a dangerous ski race with the encouragement of his oddball buddy and a French exchange student.
Better Off Dead is one of Cusack's earliest roles, and it led to the actor playing another charming loser, Lloyd Dobler in Cameron Crowe's beloved 1989 hit Say Anything... His edgy and eccentric portrayal of Lane helped make the comedy a fun and goofy cult classic.
5 Night Shift (1982)
The talented Michael Keaton skyrocketed to stardom when he headlined Ron Howard's criminally underrated 1982 comedy Night Shift, in which the revered comedian appears alongside Henry Winkler and Shelley Long in his first starring role. The flick tells the story of reserved night shift attendant Chuck (Winkler) as he finds his stress-free existence overlooking a New York City morgue compromised by the wild antics of his spirited co-worked Bill (Keaton).
When Bill concocts an outrageous plan to turn the morgue into a brothel and become pimps, uproarious chaos and hijinks naturally ensue. Night Shift was both a critical and commercial success, with Winkler earning a Golden Globe nomination and Keaton becoming an overnight sensation while also receiving widespread praise.
4 Heathers (1989)
While there is no denying that the 1989 black comedy Heathers has gone on to become one of the greatest coming-of-age movies of all time, the cult classic still remains often overlooked for its sharp, dark, and biting humor and offers a scathing commentary on the high school social hierarchy.
Winona Ryder is phenomenal as popular girl Veronica Sawyer, who becomes smitten with the rebellious new student J.D., with their relationship causing an uproar among her mean girl clique and resulting in murder and mayhem. Heathers was a provocative and groundbreaking film that helped establish the careers of its young leads, and was lauded by both audiences and critics; its enduring legacy led to both a television adaptation and musical, with rumors of a potential sequel constantly swirling.
3 Lost in America (1985)
Directed and co-written by Albert Brooks, Lost in America is a couple's tale gone hilariously wrong. Starring Albert Brooks and Julie Hagerty, a husband convinces his wife to quit their jobs in LA after a major disappointment in his career. He had glamorized plans of them cruising through America in their Winnebago and living off their savings.
Can their dream be a reality or have they made a major wrong move? The entertaining film is a clever take on the concept of a mid-life crisis, the American dream, and relationship dynamics that are filled with subtle humor throughout. Brooks's delivery and comedic timing are spot on and his chemistry with Hagerty is at an all-time high.
2 The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988)
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen is the ultimate epic adventure movie, directed by Terry Gilliam. Set in the 18th century, it tells the story of a German aristocrat who sets out on adventures in an attempt to protect his town from being captured by the Turkish army.
He is joined by an enthusiastic girl and a henchman who make his journey all the more colorful. Filled with imagination the movie will transport you to a world full of fantasy as the Baron makes trips under the sea, on the moon, and around the world. Watch it to experience life in all of its visually captivating simplicity and complexity.
1 The War of the Roses (1989)
The War of the Roses features a couple who have been seemingly happily married until suddenly things take a downhill turn and they both want to get a divorce. However, neither of them wants to leave the house. With their children in the middle and a lawyer who is trying to make the matter civil, the couple goes to great lengths to keep their marital possessions to themselves.
The dark comedy slowly builds its premise and ends up cracking you up as the couple starts acting wildly and foolishly. It's the kind you can repeatedly view because of how absorbing its direction and characters are. Both Micheal Douglas and Kathleen Turner give energizing performances. With divorce rates on the rise, this film mirrors a harsh reality in a rather lighthearted way. Anyone who went through a sour divorce will relate to the film.