Now, more than ever, we need to escape through film, and today’s movies aren’t so effective at tuning out harsh reality. Everything is, for the most part, heavy, raw, dark, and overly based in very real trauma. No decade or genre of film encapsulated lighthearted escapism quite like 80s comedies. They had a sort of goofy charm and lack of grit that’s seldom seen in modern film. Sure, many movies, like the works of John Hughes, touched on real world, personal issues, but these themes were tackled in a lighter fashion, with more innocent humor injected to ease the weight of misery. Look at Hughes' Pretty in Pink, for example: the film deals with a confused, teen girl lost and in search of her place, while her out-of-work, depressed father wallows around the home making no effort to get his act together. While that may sound heavy on paper, not once throughout the movie are you forced into sickness over a character’s despair, nor are you left dejected following the movie’s conclusion.
The comedies of John Hughes and other notable80swriters and directors did cover relatable struggles - films have to - but they were packed with laughs throughout and usually drenched in hope. These were the days before everything was a pretentious indie dramedy or an over-the-top blockbuster action flick that has a couple jokes squeezed in. We need to revisit the decade of family vacations gone awry, dorks fighting to find identity, and slapstick slobs vs. snobs ventures. Everybody could use a Chevy Chase or John Candy outing. For that reason, I’ve compiled some of the very best lighthearted 80s laugh riots into one list.
37National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)
Synopsis: The Griswolds, an All-American family, take a trip to Wally World amusement park, though the journey proves to be more than they bargained for.
Based on a John Hughes short story originally published in The National Lampoon, and Hughes' second attempt at screenwriting after an early misfire with the underwhelming horror-comedy Class Reunion,National Lampoon’s Vacationwas Hughes' original hit that gave him the name and freedom necessary to keep making heartfelt, hysterically funny films. Christmas Vacation usually gets coined the best of the vacation franchise, but Vacation is the funniest (and the darkest.) While a somewhat dark movie should have no place on a lighthearted comedies list, Vacation is silly and fun despite its tasteless themes, and that’s a testament to Hughes' writing and Harold Ramis' directing. Who else could make adultery, teen drug use, and senile death seem so goofy?
36Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987)
Synopsis: A man faces every challenge imaginable while trying to make it home for Thanksgiving, accompanied by an uncouth stranger who sells shower curtain rings for a living.
Planes, Trains, and Automobilesis both essential Thanksgiving viewing and a masterpiece. It’s as much of a tearjerker as it is a laugh riot, and that’s hard to accomplish. John Candy brings the heart and raunchiness, while Steve Martin supplies dickish dry wit, making them an unmatched comedic pair in what pans out to be a super funny buddy comedy with an immense amount of charm. Until you rewatch this one, you forget how many classic lines are strewn throughout. We fondly remember it, but don’t give it rightful credit for just how sharp the writing is. A Planes, Trains, and Automobiles revisit also goes to show how we’ve collectively lost sight of how funny bodily noises can be. There’s so much phlegm in this film - and it holds up.
35Funny Farm (1988)
Synopsis: A yuppie couple’s move from the city to the country doesn’t go as smoothly as they had planned.
When we think “Chevy Chase” we thinkVacation,Fletch, or how notoriously insufferable offscreen he’s been labeled to be, but we hardly think ofFunny Farm. It’s a mostly forgotten uproariously funny gem, and above average fish-out-of-water story. I’ll admit, although I’m including it I can’t claim it’s anything extraordinarily brilliant. Funny Farm has a fairly standard 80s comedy plot, but Chevy’s at his best in it; there’s a relationship to get invested in, and there are enough funny moments and kooky characters to make it re-watchable yearly.
34Caddyshack (1980)
Synopsis: All isn’t usual at an upscale country club, as an abrasive new member joins and a destructive gopher terrorizes the course.
Caddyshackis more a hodgepodge of great sketches than it is a coherent film, but with so many brilliant names involved it really couldn’t have gone any other way. Chevy plays it mostly straight and sarcastic, which is where he shines. Bill Murray breaks out his improv skills in what amounts to stupid perfection. Ted Knight excels in his angry, rich prick role, and last but so far from least, Rodney Dangerfield is free to be his cartoonish, one-liner-slinging self. It took some time, butCaddyshackrose to be an undisputed cult classic, and perhaps the greatest sports comedy ever made. Unfortunately, it was National Lampoon pioneer Doug Kenney’s last project, and one he didn’t have the opportunity to see become beloved.
33The Great Outdoors (1988)
Synopsis: A Chicago man’s serene family vacation is crashed by his obnoxious in-laws.
The Great Outdoorsis cherished by many, yet there’s debate as to whether or not it’s a classic (it is.) I don’t frequently see or hear it listed among “the funniest movies of all time,” but it’s up there, and family-friendly for that matter. While I like seeing John Candy carry the comedic weight of a film, Dan Akroyd does most of the heavy-lifting here while Candy takes a backseat and emits warmth. Candy being more serious isn’t a fault, considering Dan Akroyd is at his zaniest inThe Great Outdoors, and largely responsible for it being such a laugh-packed movie. Although writer John Hughes wedges in a fairly useless teen romance (because he’s John Hughes,) The Great Outdoors is still a darn-near perfect joyful outing.
32Fletch (1985)
Synopsis: News reporter Fletch is offered a large sum of money to kill a cancerous millionaire, though it becomes clear there’s more to the story.
Chevy Chase flexes his character-acting ability inFletch, and does a great job, but it’s the beautifully-crafted wisecracks that made this such a hit. The success of Fletch spurred a surprisingly strong sequel,Fletch Lives, which is superb as far as 80s comedy sequels go. They’re both worth a watch or revisit, butFletchis worthy of inclusion in an all-time greatest comedy lists. Chevy’s snarky as ever, which is right where he needs to be.
31Sixteen Candles (1984)
Synopsis: A girl’s family forget about her sixteenth birthday, which turns out to be far more eventful than she could have anticipated.
Sixteen Candleshas been resurfacing in discussion in recent years, and not out of respect. Many seemed to be shocked by (or fabricating shock about) the racy material and jokes. It’s a pretty tame movie, save for the moderately racist Long Duk Dong, and slightly rapey behavior of Anthony Michael Hall’s character. People seem to be forgetting 2 facts: This was theearly 80s, when racial cracks were fair game, and you simply can’t “cancel” a John Hughes classic. I recommend not reading a history book if you’re offended by what took place decades ago. Furthermore, this is John Hughes' writing we’re talking about - Nothing wasn’t written out of hate or maliciousness. You know what they say, though - one man’s lighthearted fun is another man’s trauma. If you take Sixteen Candles with a grain of salt and understand it was a very different time, you’re in for a fun ride.
30The ‘Burbs (1989)
Synopsis: The residents of an everyday suburban neighborhood collectively become convinced their new neighbors are part of a murderous cult.
Joe Dante made a horror-comedy masterpiece withThe ‘Burbs. It’s darkly bizarre enough to be almost genuinely eerie in moments, but it never strays from its hysterical roots. The ‘Burbs is flat out smart and funny, with remarkable comedic performances from Bruce Dern and Rick Ducommun. Ducommun really steals the spotlight as the oafish neighbor Art Weingartner, and one could argue the late actor wasn’t used in enough films. Beyond being comedy gold, The ‘Burbs is also a fairly poignant and accurate look at the goings on of suburban life: People in one another’s business, concocting outlandish rumors solely because they have nothing better to do. This is a flick for those who grew up in suburbia, Tom Hanks fans, and anyone who enjoys a well-made, individualistic funny flick.
29Uncle Buck (1989)
Synopsis: A couple, unable to find a last-minute babysitter, call upon slacker Uncle Buck to look after their angsty teenage daughter and her two cute siblings.
John Candy’s most notable rolein a career full of notable roles,Uncle Buckis the pinnacle of lighthearted comedy. If there were ever a movie to describe as “comforting,” it’s this. Candy radiates a sort of cosiness that reels you in, yet he delivers some fireball lines as well. Uncle Buck is a delight. It’s an aptly surface-level look at the tense dynamic of the middle-american family, and a very light examination of the fun-loving man who can’t ambitiously commit to anything. Most of all, it’s engrossing and comical along the way.
28Stripes (1981)
Synopsis: Two friends, unhappy with their jobs, decide to join the army to spice things up.
Harold Ramis was responsible for writing some of the funniest films ever, though he didn’t appear in a great deal of those movies.Stripesgoes to show just how much charm he could bring to the screen. Bill Murray excels here in textbook Murray fashion, being too charismatic for his own good. Plus, who could argue with an outrageous John Candy bit part? Stripes stands out mostly due to the cast, although it tells a pretty farfetched, fun story. It isn’t very realistic, but who the hell wants raw reality in an 80s comedy?
