Top 19 Comedy Films of the 1980s

Slob-versus-snob farces, gleeful spoofs, and screwball romances from the decade that defined the modern comedy. Which one still makes you laugh hardest?

1

Ghostbusters

The 1984 supernatural comedy blockbuster about a team of paranormal exterminators in New York City.

1000pts

2

The Naked Gun

The 1988 slapstick crime spoof starring Leslie Nielsen as a bumbling police detective.

862pts

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3

This Is Spinal Tap

Rob Reiner's 1984 mockumentary that perfectly skewers a fading heavy-metal band.

731pts

4

Beverly Hills Cop

Eddie Murphy's star-making 1984 action-comedy as a Detroit cop loose in Los Angeles.

705pts

5

When Harry Met Sally

The beloved 1989 romantic comedy exploring whether men and women can just be friends.

705pts

6

Big

Penny Marshall's charming 1988 fantasy comedy starring Tom Hanks as a boy in a grown man's body.

632pts

7

The Blues Brothers

The 1980 musical comedy following two soul-singing brothers on a mission from God.

548pts

8

National Lampoon's Vacation

The 1983 road-trip comedy following the Griswold family's disastrous journey to a theme park.

548pts

9

A Fish Called Wanda

The witty 1988 heist comedy mixing crime plotting with sharp character humor.

548pts

10

Caddyshack

The anarchic 1980 country-club comedy featuring Bill Murray and Rodney Dangerfield.

448pts

11

Coming to America

The beloved 1988 Eddie Murphy comedy about an African prince seeking love in Queens.

448pts

12

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure

The good-natured 1989 time-travel comedy following two amiable slackers through history.

448pts

13

Airplane!

The 1980 disaster-movie spoof packed with rapid-fire gags that defined the parody genre.

448pts

14

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

John Hughes's warm 1987 road comedy uniting Steve Martin and John Candy.

329pts

15

Tootsie

The acclaimed 1982 comedy with Dustin Hoffman as an actor who poses as a woman to land a role.

329pts

16

Trading Places

The sharp 1983 social satire pairing Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd in a high-stakes wager.

329pts

17

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

John Hughes's iconic 1986 teen comedy about a charismatic student skipping school.

329pts

18

Spaceballs

Mel Brooks's 1987 sci-fi parody lampooning Star Wars and the space-opera genre.

183pts

19

Raising Arizona

The Coen Brothers' offbeat 1987 comedy about an ex-con couple who kidnap a baby.

183pts