The 5 Highest-Rated Comedy Movies of the 1980s, Ranked: A Fish Called Wanda and More
The ’80s were dominated by comedy movies that weren’t afraid to get an R rating and everything that entails.
In comparison, many modern comedies in theaters seem toothless compared to the films of forty years ago.
There were so many to choose from that the Watch With Us team had trouble narrowing them down for inclusion.
But after careful consideration, these are the five greatest R-rated comedy movies of the 1980s. Some of these films may even be counted among the best of the decade.
5. ‘National Lampoon’s Holiday’ (1983)
An argument can certainly be made for that Caddyshack – previous interaction between the director Harold Ramis again Chevy Chase – would have entered this list. But in terms of impact, National Lampoon’s Holiday launched a franchise that extended until 2015 A holiday. This is the film in which Chase made his role debut as Clark Griswold, Ellen’s well-meaning husband (Beverly D’Angelo) and the father of their children, Rusty (Anthony Michael Hall) and Audrey (Dana Barron).
Clark’s attempt to reunite with his family on a cross-country trip to Disneyland-like Walley World goes awry. Cameos by Christie Brinkley, John Candy again Eugene Levy it made the movie even funnier. Another one A holiday The movies are also very good, but this one stands above them.
National Lampoon’s Holiday is available to rent or buy on Prime Video.
4. ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ (1984)
Eddie Murphy he was famous before Beverly Hills Copbut this film made him a big star at the box office. Its influence on action comedies cannot be overstated, as even those Beverly Hills Cop the sequel couldn’t match this film’s lightning in a bottle. Murphy plays Detective Axel Foley, a maverick among the Detroit police. When Axel’s friend, Mickey Tandino (James Russo), is killed, defies his superior by going on “vacation” to investigate.
A trail of killers brings Axel to Beverly Hills, California, and trouble is never far away. Searching for Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) and John Taggart (John Ashton) are assigned to keep Axel out of trouble, but he runs rings around them. Axel is a funny man, but he never loses sight of his purpose. He’s only in town to get justice for Mikey, no matter how much damage he leaves in his wake.
Beverly Hills Cop airs on Paramount+.
3. ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’ (1982)
Reinhold also had a leading role Fast times at Ridgemont Highone of the most influential youth comics of the decade. Screenwriter Cameron Crowe he secretly went to a real high school for a year before writing a book and screenplay about his experiences. That gave the film more authenticity than similarly themed movies since. There are also other serious episodes, including unwanted pregnancy.
Forest Whitaker again Nicolas Cage had small parts on the way to the big star, while Phoebe Cates again Jennifer Jason Leigh there were outstanding performances. But it’s the actor who steals the film Sean Penn and his unforgettable stone-diving character, Jeff Spicoli. That character is so different from Penn’s later parts that it’s hard to believe he was ever so funny.
Fast times at Ridgemont High is available to rent or buy on Prime Video.
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2. ‘The Blues Brothers’ (1980)
The Blues Brothers it would be just great Saturday Night Live a spinoff film. The real thing It’s SNL members are included John Belushi again Dan Aykroyd they reprise their roles as “Joliet” Jake and Elwood Blues, two blues musicians and part-time criminals. But after Jake is released from prison, the Blues brothers face a religious crisis that prompts them to come up with the money to save the orphanage where they grew up.
Music icons James Brown, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles again Aretha Franklin they narrated their songs while playing a small role in the film. Carrie Fisher and has a small part as a woman obsessed with killing Jake. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this film is the car chase and the car action still looks great decades later. Let’s pretend it’s a sequel to 1998, Blues Brothers 2000it never happened.
The Blues Brothers is streaming on Prime Video.
1. ‘A Fish Called Wanda’ (1988)
John Cleese wrote and starred A fish called Wandaone of the most brutal heist comedies ever made. Cleese plays Archie Leach, a barrister (lawyer) representing jewel thief, George Thomason (Tom Georgeson). Archie doesn’t know what he’s gotten himself into, but George’s former bandmate, Wanda Gershwitz (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Otto West (Kevin Kline), betrayed his teammate. And they want to use Archie to make George reveal the location of the diamonds they stole.
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Wanda doesn’t have to work hard to seduce Archie, but it makes Otto so jealous that he risks both their deception and their freedom when he tries to ruin their affair. This is a classic classic, and few comedy films have been able to match its critical acclaim or box office success.
A fish called Wanda is streaming on Prime Video.
