10 Most Rewatchable Comedies From The ’80s

With its wild aesthetic, scientific curiosity, and overall optimism, the 1980s were an amazing period for cinema, creating the space to imagine, create, and push boundaries. Yet the ’80s were especially prolific in terms of the Comedy genre. The decade saw brilliant directors borrow elements from various genres, amalgamating them and creating unique stories that are entertaining, heartwarming, and visually stunning, while still being hilarious.

Furthermore, comedy is always an interesting genre to be inventive with. The courage to cover often unexplored and uncomfortable themes, using humor to resonate with the audience and lighten the mood, paid off well. And if some comedic masterpieces might not feel as groundbreaking nowadays, many remain timeless gems that are always worth rewatching — whether the intent is to revisit them as a nostalgic immersion into the vibrant ’80s or as a way to see old stories through a new lens.

10 The Blues Brothers (1980)

Directed By John Landis

The ’80s opened with a bang when no comedy could better represent the ironic absurdity of this decade than The Blues Brothers. John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as Jake Blues and Elwood J. Blues are the definition of a chaotic duo: effortlessly cool and naturally hilarious. With the innumerable antics and behind-the-scenes curiosities of The Blues Brothers, the movie never ceases to amaze.

Blending unforgettable musical performances with comedic brilliance, The Blues Brothers boasts the participation of immortal icons such as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, James Brown, Carrie Fisher, and more. The magnetic and rich cast, paired with outrageous dialogue and a wild plot, solidifies its status as a timeless cult classic. The Blues Brothers is one of the most ingenious cults of the cinema, a comedy that will forever stay young, whether it is the first or tenth watch.

9 Airplane! (1980)

Directed By Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, & Jerry Zucker

Uniquely directed by the trio Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker, this comedic masterpiece also arrived early in the 1980s to welcome the public to a new era of irony and unexpected shenanigans. With its dark humor, crazy situations, and running gags, Airplane! is a fast-paced disaster movie that will never fail to keep the viewer attached to the screen. Airplane! also has some of the funniest lines in comedy history, such as:

Ted: ”
Surely you can’t be serious.
“

Dr. Rumack: ”
I am serious, and don’t call me Shirley
.”

The movie takes the concept of parody to the next, and often, to the public’s delight, extreme level. This kind of exaggeration renders a shameless charm that will never grow old and (even less so) boring. With the genius performances of Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, and Leslie Nielsen, the movie is a bold artistic move that pushed boundaries and contibuted to defining a genre, becoming one of the most rewatchable comedies of the 1980s.

8 Victor/Victoria (1982)

Directed By Blake Edwards

Another classic of the 1980s, Victoria/Victoria is a musical comedy that touched upon barely explored topics back then in a surprisingly progressive and acutely aware manner with astonishing performances and captivating humor. The movie was as bold as it was clever 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 find work, pretending to be a man who pretends to be a woman.

In this witty comedy, Julie Andrews gives one of her best performances. Her comedic timing, willful demeanor, and sympathetic journey make her character an intelligent and fascinating hero with whom it is impossible not to fall in love. Victor/Victoria is a dazzling combination of wit, emotional depth, and beauty that is worth seeing as many times as possible.

7 Ghostbusters (1984)

Directed By Ivan Reitman

Originally inspired by an idea by Dan Aykroyd, Ghostbusters is a 1980s classic that blends 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 effortlessly brilliant dynamics 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 movie become one of the best sci-fi comedies of the 1980s.

The winning combination of sci-fi, supernatural, and humor helped the film establish itself as a lasting favorite and create what later became a true franchise with countless followers that encouraged further adaptations and sequels. Regardless of which one of the many elements that characterized the comedy made the most influential contribution, the movie is a journey that will never fail to amaze and entertain.

6 Back to the Future (1985)

Directed By Robert Zemeckis

Back to the Future is the epitome of the 80s cult. The sci-fi element of the movie perfectly complements its comic undertones, creating a wildly brilliant comedy that, although representative of a specific decade, will never go out of style. Its blend of humor, action, and emotional depth makes it timeless. Whether 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 is not really important if the future envisioned in 1985 is our present because the movie goes beyond any prediction. What might have appeared as a prophecy back in those years, now feels like an additional source of laughter and historical reflection. Ironically, Back to the Future transcends time, and remains an ingenious and immersive comedy to rewatch as many times as one wants.

5 Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

Directed By John Hughes

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is a bit like The Catcher in the Rye of the cinema: a coming-of-age story crafted 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, delivering timeless lessons about self-discovery and seizing the moment. Because people should never stop learning, questioning the rules, and attempting to understand themselves, the movie is for everyone, regardless of their age.

Ferris is an insanely charming character who made the comedy an 80s cult. As Ferris leads his friends through an unforgettable day of mischief and self-liberation, the movie serves as a reminder that sometimes the best moments in life come from stepping outside the ordinary. Everyone should listen to their inner Ferris Bueller every once in a while — and if they forget about him, it is a great time to rewatch the movie.

4 Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)

Directed By Barry Levinson

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

The true magic of the movie lies in its ability to be funny, through the unmatched wit of Williams, while also poignant. The film offers viewers the opportunity to laugh, cry, and reflect. Good Morning, Vietnam understands the political power of laughter, both as an escapism method and a social critique, bringing to life a story that is always worth revisiting as it might 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 stepped back. Who Framed Roger Rabbit is an immortal classic that defined a decade and beyond due to its blend of different thematic genres and visual styles. By incorporating live-action and animated components woth iconic elements from Hollywood classics to pay homage to the history of cinema, the comedy is a groundbreaking work that turned out to be one of the most hilarious murder mysteries ever.

The clever storytelling and underlying mystery, the presence of iconic characters such as Jessica Rabbit, and the witty dialogue ensure that the universal appeal of Who Framed Roger Rabbit never dies, attracting adults and children equally. The way the creators manage to blend so many different artistic elements and make them all work together perfectly to deliver a thrilling story makes the movie an extremely rewatchable classic of the ’80s.

2 Beetlejuice (1988)

Directed By Tim Burton

Beetlejuice is another timeless masterpiece that works because of its irreverent humor, which flawlessly complements Tim Burton’s unmatched ability to blend macabre stories and whimsical elements. This 1988 classic brings the afterlife to life, offering a world where the ordinary and the living feel mundane and bothersome while the grotesque and the dead appear soothingly alluring.

The outrageously bold performance of Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice is a winning contribution to this comedy. Amid its antics and one-liners, one could never have enough of Keaton’s character. But the truth is that Burton, with the movie, created a safe space of wonder and entertainment for all the outcasts of the world, whether they feel like this only for a day or a lifetime. This 1980s comedy is a heaven for weird people everywhere. In 1988, Beetlejuice opened a gateway to another dimension, and it never closed.

1 When Harry Met Sally (1989)

Directed By Rob Reiner

The 1980s concluded 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 heartwarming that it makes a feel-good New York movie a hilarious classic. Sally (Meg Ryan), with her quirky perfectionism and hopeful smile, will always be endearing; Harry (Billy Crystal), with his heart-shattering speeches and piercing look, will always be the guy who is impossible to stay mad at.

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