1. Johnny Dangerously (1984)
When Johnny Dangerously first hit theaters, audiences didn’t know what to make of it. Michael Keaton played a Prohibition-era gangster in a parody that borrowed heavily from old crime flicks but layered on slapstick humor. The mix of broad comedy and period setting didn’t click with critics or moviegoers at the time, leaving it to quietly fade into VHS obscurity.
Rewatching it now, the exaggerated accents, corny one-liners, and over-the-top gags feel like a love letter to classic gangster tropes. Keaton’s deadpan delivery combined with Joe Piscopo’s ridiculous villain makes it play like a live-action cartoon. What once seemed too silly has become its biggest charm, and fans now see it as a cult gem of ‘80s comedy.
2. The Money Pit (1986)
Tom Hanks and Shelley Long star as a couple who buy what looks like their dream home, only to discover it’s a collapsing nightmare. At release, it earned lukewarm reviews, with critics saying the constant disasters got repetitive. It didn’t bring in blockbuster numbers, especially compared to Hanks’ other comedies.
Yet over time, people have come to appreciate its chaotic energy. The endless slapstick scenes, like Hanks stuck in the floor while the tub crashes through, are so absurd they circle back around to hilarious. Today, it plays like a perfect reminder of how everything that can go wrong in homeownership eventually does.
3. Better Off Dead (1985)
This quirky teen comedy starring John Cusack as a heartbroken skier was too odd for mainstream audiences. With talking hamburgers, psychotic paperboys, and surreal dream sequences, critics thought it was too strange to work. It didn’t find its audience in theaters and was overshadowed by other high school comedies of the era.
Now it’s considered one of the funniest cult comedies of the decade. Its offbeat humor and bizarre tangents are exactly what make it stand out from cookie-cutter teen films. Cusack’s mix of charm and exasperation grounds the madness, and fans today celebrate it as a truly original slice of ‘80s weirdness.
4. Clue (1985)
Clue had a stacked cast with Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, and Michael McKean, yet it was a flop upon release. The gimmick of releasing different endings in different theaters confused audiences, and critics dismissed it as a failed attempt at blending murder mystery with farce.
But hindsight has been kind, and now it’s beloved as a comedy classic. The rapid-fire dialogue, Curry’s manic energy, and the witty one-liners make it endlessly rewatchable. Fans now quote it religiously, and it has grown into a cult phenomenon that was simply ahead of its time.
5. Ishtar (1987)
Few comedies have been dragged as brutally as Ishtar. Starring Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty as hopeless lounge singers caught up in Cold War politics, it was slammed as a bloated mess. The production’s troubles and massive budget only fueled its reputation as one of the decade’s biggest bombs.
Today, though, many see it differently. Once you strip away the hype about its failure, the movie’s goofy charm shines through. Hoffman and Beatty deliberately playing against type as clueless buffoons makes for some inspired moments. What was once a punchline has become a misunderstood comedy with surprising fans.
6. The Survivors (1983)
With Robin Williams and Walter Matthau on board, The Survivors seemed like a sure bet. Instead, audiences were left scratching their heads at its uneven mix of dark comedy, slapstick, and social satire. The story of two down-on-their-luck men dragged into paranoia and survivalism just didn’t click in theaters.
Now, though, it plays like a fascinating time capsule of early ‘80s anxieties. Williams’ manic energy contrasted with Matthau’s grumpy calm makes for some genuinely funny moments. It’s not a perfect movie, but its odd tone and sharp jabs at American fears have aged into a strangely entertaining watch.
7. Spies Like Us (1985)
Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd as bumbling spies seemed like a surefire hit, but critics didn’t love it. They felt the jokes were uneven and the Cold War parody missed the mark. While it did okay at the box office, it wasn’t remembered fondly by most at the time.
Now, with the Cold War firmly in the past, the parody feels much funnier. The absurd training sequences, ridiculous disguises, and deadpan banter between Chase and Aykroyd are hilarious in hindsight. It may not have been groundbreaking, but it’s the kind of silly buddy comedy that’s only aged better with time.
8. Real Men (1987)
This obscure buddy comedy starring John Ritter and Jim Belushi barely made a dent in theaters. With a plot involving secret agents, aliens, and saving the world with a glass of water, it was far too strange for mainstream audiences. Critics dismissed it as a mess of ideas.
But on rewatch, it’s that sheer strangeness that makes it fun. Ritter’s innocent everyman paired with Belushi’s tough-guy routine creates a surprisingly funny dynamic. The movie leans into its ridiculousness so fully that it becomes endearing, and cult fans now see it as an underappreciated oddball classic.
9. Top Secret! (1984)
From the team behind Airplane!, this spoof starring Val Kilmer parodied spy films and Elvis musicals at the same time. While Airplane! was a runaway hit, audiences didn’t respond as strongly to Top Secret! Critics thought it was scattershot and too silly even for a spoof.
Today, though, its rapid-fire sight gags and surreal comedy make it a joy to watch. Kilmer’s musical numbers are absurdly fun, and the film’s willingness to go all-in on nonsense has made it age like fine cheese. Fans of offbeat parody now consider it one of the funniest spoofs of its era.
10. Under the Rainbow (1981)
This comedy, about the filming of The Wizard of Oz and a hotel filled with little people extras, was panned from the start. Critics found it tasteless, messy, and not particularly funny. It bombed so badly it was quickly forgotten.
But modern viewers often see it through a different lens. While still flawed, its chaotic humor and slapstick have a certain kitschy charm. Chevy Chase and Carrie Fisher gamely play along, and the sheer absurdity of the premise makes it weirdly enjoyable in a guilty pleasure way.
11. The Couch Trip (1988)
Dan Aykroyd starred in this comedy about a mental patient impersonating a radio shrink, but audiences didn’t bite. Released quietly and without much promotion, it failed to make an impact and was quickly forgotten.
Revisiting it now, though, it has some inspired moments. Aykroyd’s manic energy pairs well with Walter Matthau’s grumpy charm, and the satire of self-help culture feels surprisingly modern. It may not have hit big in the ‘80s, but it plays much funnier today.
12. Dragnet (1987)
A parody reboot of the classic TV series, Dragnet starred Dan Aykroyd and Tom Hanks as mismatched detectives. While it did okay at the box office, critics weren’t impressed and dismissed it as a failed spoof. It didn’t have the lasting impact of other Hanks comedies from the decade.
Now, though, fans appreciate its mix of buddy comedy and parody. Aykroyd’s dead-serious delivery next to Hanks’ looseness makes for a funny dynamic. The send-up of ‘50s cop tropes feels sharper in hindsight, making it an underrated gem of the buddy-comedy era.
13. Who’s That Girl (1987)
Madonna was at the height of her fame, but her foray into comedy flopped hard. Critics panned her performance as grating, and audiences didn’t show up in theaters. The film was written off as another case of a pop star overreaching.
Yet in hindsight, its chaotic energy is part of its charm. Madonna leans into the cartoonish role, and the screwball tone feels like a live-action Looney Tunes. It may not have worked in 1987, but now it’s oddly entertaining, especially for fans of ‘80s pop culture who can appreciate it as a quirky time capsule.
