Freeze, gopher! We want your movie list
Are you ready to put your 80s fanaticism to the test? We're looking to compile the ultimate list of the funniest movies of the 1980s. Sure, it sounds easy, but then you think...
Which is funnier? Caddyshack or Stripes? Airplane or Spinal Tap? Fast Times at Ridgemont High or Sixteen Candles? Platoon or Out of Africa? (Ah, we jest. Get in the spirit of the list, people!)
Give us your own personal list of your favorite 80s comedies -- one movie or a whole bunch -- and we'll start tallying the results and adding in some personal favorites too.
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
E-mail Steve Spears:
1. Airplane!2. Real Genius3. Ghostbusters4. Fast Times at Ridgemont High5. Porky's6. A Christmas Story7. 48 Hours8. Sixteen Candles9. Back to the Future10. Top Secret!11. Spaceballs12. Caddyshack13. National Lampoon's Vacation14. Buckaroo Banzai15. Breakfast Club16. Beverly Hills Cop17. Strange Brew18. Beetlejuice19. Ferris Bueller's Day Off20. Better Off Dead
Posted by: Greg Williams | June 27, 2006 at 12:44 AM
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Posted by: Greg Williams | June 27, 2006 at 12:36 AM
Buckaroo Bonzia"Laugh while you can, monkee boy"
Posted by: Anonymous | June 25, 2006 at 09:38 PM
This is Spinal TapAirplane!Top Secret!The Naked GunSpaceballsGhostbustersBack to the FuturePee-Wee's Big AdventureThe Blues BrothersCommando
Posted by: Damian P. | June 25, 2006 at 09:35 PM
Nevermind, there it is... I'm a tool that needs to read a thread before posting.
Posted by: Corey | June 25, 2006 at 07:13 AM
What? no Lost Boys?"My own brother a goddamn, sh*t-sucking vampire! Oh, you wait 'til mom finds out buddy."
Posted by: Corey | June 25, 2006 at 05:40 AM
If I didn't have puke breath, I'd kiss ya!
Posted by: Dave C | June 24, 2006 at 06:51 PM
Strange Brew. I had completely forgotten that movie. Classic.
Posted by: Steve Spears | June 23, 2006 at 06:42 PM
Here's my List:Weird ScienceAirplaneThe Naked GunReal GeniusA Fish Called WandaMonty Python's The Meaning of LifeTop SecretMonty Python's The Life of BrianFerris Bueller's Day OffAll of MeThe Man With Two BrainsBill & Ted's Excellent AdventurePee Wee's Big AdventureA Christmas StoryArthurBig48 HoursBeverly Hills CopTrading PlacesGhostbustersStir CrazyRichard Pryor Live on the Sunset StripSixteen CandlesWho Framed Roger RabbitBack to the FutureCannonball RunHot ShotsHot Shots, Part DeuxEddie Murphy "Delirious"Coming to AmericaThrow Momman From the TrainPlanes, Trains and AutomobilesBeetlejuiceWhen Harry Met SallyRuthless PeopleTootsieHistory of the World, Part ISpaceballsHannah and Her Sisters The Purple Rose of Cairo Broadway Danny Rose Zelig A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy Stardust Memories
Posted by: Rob Anderson | June 23, 2006 at 01:54 PM
The Breakfast ClubFerris Bueller's Day OffBill & Ted's Excellent AdventureThe Princess BrideThe Lost Boys (had to do it, cos I love Crispin Glover AND Feldman :D)HeathersBeetlejuiceA Fish Called WandaEarth Girls are EasyGhostbusters
Posted by: Anarch | June 23, 2006 at 08:04 AM
Strange. Brew.
Posted by: Dave C | June 22, 2006 at 05:47 PM
Better Off DeadAirplane!Real GeniusA Christmas StoryCaddyshackSixteen CandlesThis Is Spinal TapWhen Harry Met SallyThe Sure ThingThe Princess BrideBigBeverly Hills CopMidnight RunNational Lampoon's VacationA Fish Called WandaStripesPlanes, Trains & AutomobilesFerris Bueller's Day OffFletch
Posted by: Bassnote | June 21, 2006 at 07:11 PM
Looking over everyone else's lists, second me for (in order of funny) 1. Airplane!2. A Christmas Story (a close second)3. Caddyshack4. National Lampoon's Vacation5. Naked Gun6. Ferris Bueller's Day Off7. 48 Hours (the CBS show is funny too, tho for different reasons)8. Trading Places9. Fletch10. Beetlejuice11. Big12. Coming to America (though, oddly, the funny seems to be wearing off now)Let me also add:4a. Hollywood Shuffle (despite all things Wayans)4b. Brewster's Millions (a remake, true, but still underrated on all counts)5a. Amazon Women on the Moon7a. Fast Times at Ridgemont High (natch)7b. Spaceballs (obligatory Mel Brooks)7c. UHF (& where's the Weird Al podcast? where... is it?)10a. Little Shop of Horrors (Rick Moranis sings!)11a. Monty Python's The Meaning of LifeSomehow funny, but not enough to be squeezed in above:Gremlins 2 (sorry, we all need something from the 80s to be embarassed by)Police Academy (ditto; & just the first one... okay, two)Weekend at Bernie's (but no more than twice)'Kay, that's all I got. Anyone else? Anyone?...Anyone?
Posted by: PencilSharp | June 21, 2006 at 01:11 PM
...Back on Topic, I agree with Rick, Raising Arizona definitely belongs up there if only for the chase scene with the Huggies alone.I know it may be an acquired taste, I know people who thought it was too "dark", but Nic Cage and Holly Hunter are brilliant!
Posted by: lockBull | June 21, 2006 at 01:08 PM
(My) Top 10 Comedy Movies of the 80s1. Ghostbusters2. Fish Called Wanda3. Raising Arizona4. Tootsie5. Airplane6. Arthur7. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles8. Trading Places9. The Princess Bride 10. Ruthless People Honorable Mention:BigRoxanneReal GeniusThis is Spinal Tap48 hoursNaked GunDead Men Don't Wear PlaidFletchBack to SchoolBeetlejuice Ferris Bueller's Day OffMr. MomReal GeniusDirty Rotten Scoundrels Night ShiftHeathers
Posted by: Razor9Edge | June 21, 2006 at 11:47 AM
Off Topic: Are you guys going to give Pat Riley some love on his Heat winning the NBA title? If he isn't an 80's icon, I don't know who is!
Posted by: lockBull | June 21, 2006 at 11:11 AM
Sorry, I'm with gersh on this one....Raising Arizona
Posted by: Anonymous | June 20, 2006 at 09:59 PM
Naw, Raising Arizona didn't do it for me either ... VACATION, c'mon, the original was still the best .. Hardly recognize Russ and Audrey anymore ... -- chase
Posted by: Anonymous | June 20, 2006 at 07:22 PM
I know I risk drawing fire to myself, but I never really liked Raising Arizona. To this day, I can't watch it.
Posted by: Steve Spears | June 20, 2006 at 06:44 PM
Off the top of my pointy head, I'm going with...Raising ArizonaThis is Spinal Tap A Fish Called WandaBull DurhamNational Lampoon's VacationRaising Arizona The Blues BrothersAirplaneCaddyshackFletchMidnight Run Raising Arizona Ruthless PeopleBeetlejuiceThe Naked Gun 48 Hrs.Stir CrazyWhen Harry Met SallyStripesRaising ArizonaPlanes, Trains & Automobiles GhostbustersRaising ArizonaAn American Werewolf in LondonRaising ArizonaRaising ArizonaRaising Arizona
Posted by: Rick Gershman | June 20, 2006 at 06:06 PM
Some people really loved Ghostbusters, but I thought it was highly overrated. One of Bill Murray's worst flicks.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 20, 2006 at 04:37 PM
No love for Bachelor Party?
Posted by: Anonymous | June 20, 2006 at 04:31 PM
Airplane! surely needs to be high on the list. Just the original.Other ones now already mentioned (or not mentioned enough):- The Man with Two Brains- Real Genius- Real Men- About Last Night- Vacation- Ruthless People- Good Morning Vietnam- Spies Like Us
Posted by: Anonymous | June 20, 2006 at 04:29 PM
NIGHT SHIFT!!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous | June 20, 2006 at 04:19 PM
Fletch and Spinal Tap are tied for the top spot on my list.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 20, 2006 at 04:18 PM
Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss!!
Posted by: Anonymous | June 20, 2006 at 03:27 PM
Sixteen CandlesFerris BuellerBill & TedFletch
Posted by: Anonymous | June 20, 2006 at 02:25 PM
"Better Off Dead" ("franch toast and peru water") This is one of the funniest 80's movies ever..."Sixteen Candles" "my little brother just paid a dollar to see your underpants")
Posted by: Anonymous | June 20, 2006 at 09:56 AM
Top SecretBetter Off DeadFerris Bueller's Day OffBreakfast Club9 to 5All of MeBill & Ted's Excellent AdventurePee Wee's Big AdventureA Christmas StoryArthurBigThe Money PitFletchComing to AmericaBeverly Hills CopHeathersBeetlejuiceWhen Harry Met SallyBack to SchoolUncle BuckPlanes, Trains, and AutomobilesEarth Girls are EasyOnce BittenA Fish Called WandaMr. MomGung HoRuthless PeopleElvira Mistress of the DarkTootsie
Posted by: 80sfan | June 20, 2006 at 09:09 AM
"You don't act like a scientist. You're more like a game show host."
Posted by: Anonymous | June 20, 2006 at 08:41 AM