1. Johnny Dangerously (1984)
Michael Keaton was becoming a household name in the ’80s, but Johnny Dangerously didn’t exactly make waves at the box office. A parody of gangster movies, it leaned into slapstick and outrageous one-liners that critics at the time found groan-worthy. It quickly disappeared from theaters, overshadowed by bigger hits that same year. But looking back, Keaton’s deadpan delivery and the ridiculous gags are comedy gold.
What once seemed over-the-top now feels refreshingly silly. Its exaggerated accents, goofy violence, and absurd dialogue play like a hidden cousin of Airplane!. Fans of spoofs have rediscovered it, and it’s gained a new cult following.
2. Clue (1985)
Clue had everything—Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd—and yet it didn’t click with audiences in its initial run. Part of the problem may have been its unique gimmick: theaters showed different endings, which confused viewers and critics alike. Instead of being a box office sensation, it stumbled.
Now, though, Clue is celebrated as a cult classic. The cast’s sharp timing and Curry’s unhinged performance make it endlessly rewatchable. Its witty dialogue and absurd chaos feel far ahead of its time, which explains why it’s finally appreciated today.
3. Ishtar (1987)
When Ishtar came out, it was almost immediately declared a disaster. Starring Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman as two hopeless singer-songwriters, it was slammed for being over-budget and under-funny. Critics tore it apart, and audiences stayed away.
Rewatch it now, though, and the absurdity starts to shine. The mismatched duo, bumbling through Morocco with their terrible songs, feels like comedy that was simply misunderstood. It’s far from perfect, but its awkward charm makes it funnier now than it ever seemed in the ’80s.
4. The Money Pit (1986)
Tom Hanks was still finding his footing as a comedy star when The Money Pit hit theaters. The movie, about a couple who buys a dream house that’s literally falling apart, didn’t do well financially. Many critics at the time found its physical comedy predictable.
Today, it plays like one of the best examples of Hanks’ early charm. Watching him and Shelley Long deal with collapsing stairs, exploding bathtubs, and never-ending repairs is slapstick perfection. For anyone who’s ever had a home improvement disaster, it feels painfully relatable—and hilarious.
5. Better Off Dead (1985)
John Cusack wasn’t thrilled with Better Off Dead when it was released, and audiences didn’t exactly flock to it either. The movie, about a teenager heartbroken over his girlfriend, mixes absurd gags with dark comedy in a way that felt confusing in the mid-’80s.
Now, though, it’s considered a cult favorite. Who can forget the paperboy screaming, “I want my two dollars!” or the surreal claymation burger sequence? Its strange humor works perfectly for modern audiences who appreciate offbeat comedy.
6. Big Trouble (1986)
Big Trouble should have been a hit, considering it reunited director John Cassavetes with Peter Falk and Alan Arkin. Instead, it confused audiences and got buried by more mainstream comedies. Its quirky tone and convoluted plot made it a tough sell.
But watching it today, the mismatched buddy antics feel charmingly eccentric. Falk and Arkin play off each other with impeccable timing, and the movie’s chaotic energy makes it more fun now than it ever was in ’86.
7. Dragnet (1987)
Dan Aykroyd and Tom Hanks teamed up for Dragnet, a spoof of the old TV series. Despite the star power, it wasn’t a major hit. Some critics thought it couldn’t decide if it was a straight parody or a buddy cop comedy, and audiences were lukewarm.
Looking back, though, Hanks and Aykroyd are a riot together. Their chemistry and ridiculous situations, from cults to oddball criminals, land better today. It’s campy, exaggerated, and exactly the kind of comedy that grows funnier with time.
8. The Couch Trip (1988)
With Dan Aykroyd, Walter Matthau, and Charles Grodin, The Couch Trip seemed destined for success. Instead, it bombed, barely making a dent at the box office. Audiences didn’t connect with its story of a con artist pretending to be a psychiatrist.
Now, the absurd premise feels like a comedy waiting to be rediscovered. Aykroyd’s manic energy mixed with Matthau’s grumpy delivery makes for an odd but funny pairing. It might not have worked in ’88, but it’s a lot more entertaining with hindsight.
9. Real Men (1987)
Jim Belushi and John Ritter starred in Real Men, but the movie was a flop when it hit theaters. Its mix of spy parody and absurd comedy didn’t connect with audiences, and critics dismissed it.
These days, the goofy plot about aliens, secret agents, and an everyman caught in the middle plays like pure ’80s silliness. Ritter’s nervous charm paired with Belushi’s brash humor makes it a forgotten buddy comedy worth revisiting.
10. The Survivors (1983)
Starring Robin Williams and Walter Matthau, The Survivors should have been a sure-fire success. Instead, it fizzled, with audiences unsure of its dark comedic tone. The story about two unlucky men caught up in a survivalist nightmare didn’t click with ’80s moviegoers.
Now, though, Williams’ manic energy and Matthau’s deadpan contrast create comedy magic. Its mix of satire and slapstick lands better today, and it feels oddly ahead of its time.
11. Neighbors (1981)
John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd swapped their usual roles for Neighbors, with Belushi playing the straight-laced guy and Aykroyd as the wild neighbor. At the time, fans weren’t sure what to make of it. It struggled at the box office and left critics scratching their heads.
Looking back, though, the casting flip makes it fascinating. The awkwardness adds to the humor, and the film has found new appreciation as an offbeat comedy. It’s one of those movies that works better once expectations are gone.
12. Summer Rental (1985)
Chevy Chase had Vacation, but John Candy’s Summer Rental didn’t get the same love. When it was released, it was dismissed as a predictable family comedy. Critics thought Candy deserved better material, and audiences mostly agreed.
But now, Candy’s lovable everyman persona makes it shine. The goofy beach antics, boat races, and family chaos are classic Candy. It’s comfort comedy that may not have wowed in ’85 but is delightful to watch today.
