10 Hilarious & Forgotten 1980s Comedy Films That Were Excellent

The 1980s were filled with great comedy films whose legacies have endured for decades and have overshadowed some equally funny movies. Some of the more overlooked comedies of the decade went under the radar largely due to being in competition with successful, star-studded, and highly quotable films. Audiences who grew up with these movies are likely to have a better time remembering them, but for others, they've become forgotten, and unfairly so. These movies have the same top-tier humor as the more recognized and celebrated films in the genre.

Several of the lesser-known comedies are indicative of the other trends in Hollywood at the time. Thanks to the success of the Brat Pack, many films during the '80s focused on teenage stories, with a handful of them being told through a comedic lens. Many comedy films during this time parodied genre classics and a good number of them told sci-fi stories as well. Though they aren't as remembered as other comedies during the '80s, these films succeed in getting a genuine laugh out of audiences and are worth circling back to.

10 One Crazy Summer (1986)

Directed by Savage Steve Holland

Starring John Cusack and Demi Moore, One Crazy Summer is a lighthearted romantic comedy that remains humorous to this day. The film follows Cusack's character as he travels to Nantucket with a few friends the same summer he's working on his application for the Rhode Island School of Design. Though there's not much originality in the plot of One Crazy Summer, it's still a film that's easy to have fun with.

Cusack and Moore have great on-screen chemistry and are supported by an array of entertaining characters. These characters find themselves in humorous feuds with some Nantucket locals, making for a compelling conflict throughout the film. It's not the best work from the director or the cast, but as far as teen rom-coms go, One Crazy Summer never fails to genuinely entertain and make audiences laugh.

9 Summer School (1987)

Directed by Carl Reiner

The '80s saw a rise in films centered around teenage experiences, with Summer School being one of the films easily forgotten over the years. Summer School stars Mark Harmon as an easy-going high school gym teacher who is responsible for getting a group of unmotivated students to pass a test by the time they are finished with summer school. Harmon's character is aided by a history teacher (Kirstie Alley), and the film tells a sweet story about mentorship.

The relationship Harmon has with his on-screen students is endearing, and they wind up learning a lot from each other by the end of the film. Though Harmon and Alley are the true stars of the film and do much of the heavy lifting, the archetypal supporting student roles round out the film well and add to its comedic accomplishments.

8 Moving (1988)

Directed by Alan Metter

Richard Pryor is recognized as one of the most influential stand-up comedians of all time, and he starred in a range of comedy films throughout his career. One of his more overlooked films is Moving, where he plays a man moving across the country from New Jersey to Idaho. During his journey, he comes across a unique set of characters played by actors like Dana Carvey, Rodney Dangerfield, and Morris Day.

Pryor anchors the film with a reliably humorous performance, and Carvey acts as a necessary supporting character who accompanies Pryor's Arlo Pear on his drive. Moving hasn't earned the best reviews over the years, and it's not the most memorable film by any of the actors within it. Still, it has some admirable performances and a good number of effective jokes to keep audiences entertained.

7 Batteries Not Included (1987)

Directed by Matthew Robbins

The story of Batteries Not Included was originally going to be featured on the TV series Amazing Stories, but it impressed Steven Spielberg enough to warrant an entire film to be made. Batteries Not Included has an appreciated balance of humor and heart. The film follows an elderly couple, Frank (Hume Cronyn) and Faye Riley (Jessica Tandy), who manage a café and apartment building in New York.

After their building is damaged by a development manager, the couple find help in the form of mechanical aliens. The aliens, known as "Fix-Its," help repair the building and draw in more customers to the café. By '80s standards, the special effects throughout the film hold up incredibly well, as does the film's humor. The distinctive tenants and cartoonish antagonists provide a handful of laughs in the film, especially the latter, who will do whatever it takes to get control of the Riley's building.

6 Crimewave (1985)

Directed by Sam Raimi

Following the success of The Evil Dead, director Sam Raimi set out to make an unconventional comedy film with the help of the Coen brothers. Though fans of the directors are likely to have seen Crimewave, the comedy film has largely been forgotten by general audiences. The film follows its main character (Reed Birney) as he has a flashback to his life adventures leading up to his being sentenced to death.

Crimewave is ambitious in its attempt to blend slapstick humor with horror and action. While it can be appreciated now for its B-movie qualities, the film flopped at the box office and was received poorly by critics. There was plenty of trouble behind the scenes as well, as Raimi had little control over Crimewave and was even banned by the production studio from editing the film.

5 Maid To Order (1987)

Directed by Amy Jones

Following her roles in films like The Breakfast Club and WarGames, Brat Pack member Ally Sheedy led the comedy fantasy film Maid to Order. The film puts a unique, comedic twist on the Cinderella tale, and sees Sheedy as an unlikeable, spoiled girl whose reckless behavior results in her father offhandedly wishing he'd never had a daughter. When his wish comes true, Sheedy's character is greeted by a fairy godmother-like figure (Beverly D'Angelo) who helps her turn her life around.

The spin on the Cinderella story is commendable and is pulled off well, thanks largely to D'Angelo's pragmatic mentor role and Sheedy's convincingly self-indulgent persona. While the critical reviews for Maid to Order are mostly negative, Sheedy stands out as a talented comedic force. She hits every comedic beat and successfully gets audiences on her side as her character evolves throughout the film.

4 UHF (1989)

Directed by Jay Levey

Known best for his comedy songs, "Weird Al" Yankovic starred in his first leading film role in UHF, which he also co-wrote with director Jay Levey. In UHF, Yankovic plays a man who is handed the responsibility of managing a local TV station. There, Yankovic's character finds success with the series of humorous shows he releases but finds himself in conflict with a rival station's CEO. During its release, UHF was up against stiff competition and ultimately didn't perform all that well.

Therefore, audiences outside of Yankovic's fan base are likely to have forgotten about the film's existence, which is unfortunate. UHF features an assortment of hilarious performances and is undeniably goofy in the best way. Despite its inability to catch on when it was first released, UHF did find its audience when it was released on home video and is now viewed as a cult classic.

3 Better Off Dead (1985)

Directed by Savage Steve Holland

Leaning into dark and surreal humor is the teen comedy Better Off Dead. Starring John Cusack as a self-loathing teen struggling to cope with being dumped by his girlfriend. Consumed by his heartbreak, Cusack's Lane decides taking his life is the only way to move forward. Such a start already makes Better Off Dead stand apart from other teen comedies of the decade, though this contrast didn't initially land with critics.

As the protagonist, Cusack is charming and comfortable in his role, playing the type of character that pops up frequently throughout his filmography. Surprisingly, the film's comedic elements mesh well with its more intense scenes and themes regarding mental health. In recent years, Better Off Dead has garnered a cult following for its unique brand of humor that's more common in today's films.

2 Top Secret! (1984)

Directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker

Following the success of the disaster comedy film Airplane!, the filmmaking trio known as ZAZ made an '80s action film that was a hodge-podge of references audiences weren't prepared for. From Elvis Presley musicals to classic spy films depicting the Cold War era, Top Secret! has it all. Val Kilmer leads the film as Nick Rivers, an American rock star who gets caught up in a German underground resistance movement.

As expected, Top Secret! has the same brand of comedy as Airplane!, but this time around, the non-stop output of gags and parodied moments failed to make as strong of an impact on audiences and critics. The film is by no means viewed in a negative light, but the success and legacy of Airplane! often overshadows the quality of Top Secret!

1 The War Of The Roses (1989)

Directed by Danny DeVito

Having previously worked together on the films Romancing the Stone and The Jewel of the Nile, actors Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, and Danny DeVito reunite for the dark comedy The War of the Roses. It's a film about divorce, with Douglas and Turner as the titular couple. During their divorce, the Roses become increasingly driven by revenge and their desire to take an assortment of material possessions. The two stop at nothing to one-up the other and claim a victory.

The revenge-based humor in The War of the Roses is delightfully over-the-top and the direction throughout the film is brilliant. The film had great commercial and critical success all over the world, particularly in Germany. Yet, because of its bleak themes and ending, it's likely a film that's forgotten when highlighting the best comedies of the '80s.