Comedy has always been a popular genre of film. Movies can obviously serve as artistic declarations, but they are also a lighthearted form of escapism. And what better form of escapism than a funny comedy? Movie goers are always on the hunt for the next hilarious comedy, and as such, the really good ones tend to perform very well at the box office.
The 1980s was a particularly great decade for comedies, and many films in the genre performed exceptionally well at the box office. In fact, many were the highest-grossing films of their respective years.
1980: 9 To 5
9 to 5 is a brilliant film starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton as three working women who decide to plot revenge against their overbearing, sexist, and manipulative boss. The movie was obviously a huge success, and while Dolly Parton was then known for her singing and music career, it was 9 to 5 that turned her into a household name.
The movie grossed $103 million in its domestic run (the equivalent of $320 million today), making it the second-highest-grossing film in 1980 (behind The Empire Strikes Back).
1981: Arthur
Serving as director Steve Gordon’s only movie (as he passed away from a heart attack at just 44 years old), Arthur stars Dudley Moore as the titular Arthur Bach. Arthur is an alcoholic billionaire who falls in love with a working-class Queens girl named Linda Marolla, despite facing a pre-arranged marriage to a wealthy heiress.
Playing Arthur’s love interest Linda is the incredibly popular Liza Minnelli. The movie grossed $95.4 million ($270 million today), making Arthur the fourth highest-grossing film of 1981.
1982: Tootsie
Tootsie stars Dustin Hoffman as an out-of-work actor named Michael Dorsey. Michael has a reputation for being very difficult to work with, and no one wants to hire him. To land acting jobs, Michael disguises himself as a woman named “Dorothy Michaels.” It works, and Michael soon finds himself on a popular soap opera.
The movie was nominated for 10 Academy Awards (with Jessica Lange winning Best Supporting Actress), and it grossed a staggering $177 million at the box office, making it the second highest-grossing movie of 1982.
1983: Terms Of Endearment
Produced, written, and directed by James L. Brooks, Terms of Endearment is a comedy-drama that follows the lives of Aurora Greenway and her daughter Emma (played by Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger, respectively). Rounding out the brilliant cast are Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito, Jeff Daniels, and John Lithgow.
The movie was nominated for a staggering 11 Academy Awards (winning five, including Best Picture) and earned $108 million at the box office, making it the second highest-grossing movie of the year (behind only Return of the Jedi).
1984: Beverly Hills Cop
It’s rare that a comedy becomes the highest-grossing film of its year. Beverly Hills Cop is one of the exceptions. Released in December of 1984, the movie made Eddie Murphy a star and earned widespread critical acclaim – even generating an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
It is now regarded as one of the finest comedy films ever made, placing #63 on AFI’s list of 100 Years…100 Laughs. It grossed a staggering $234 million in its original box office run – the equivalent of $580 million today.
1985: Back To The Future
Serving as one of the most unique films ever made, Back to the Future is a true hodgepodge of genres. It’s primarily a science fiction film, but it could also be classified as a comedy, a romantic comedy, an action/adventure film, and even a high school drama. Whatever it is, it’s a genius bit of filmmaking.
The film earned $210 million in its original domestic run, making it the highest-grossing film of 1985, beating the likes of Rambo: First Blood Part II, Rocky IV, and The Color Purple.
1986: Crocodile Dundee
The story behind Crocodile Dundee is actually quite interesting. Made for just $8 million, the movie served mainly as an experiment to see if an Australian film could become popular in the United States. Suffice to say, it did.
The movie grossed $174.8 million in the domestic market (making it the second highest-grossing film of 1986, behind only Top Gun) and $328 million worldwide – roughly the equivalent of $750 million today. At the time, Crocodile Dundee was the highest-grossing non-U.S. film in American box office history.
1987: Three Men And A Baby
Starring Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg, and Ted Danson as three bachelors forced to adopt fatherhood, Three Men and a Baby proved a surprise success. While the movie is mostly known for its infamous “ghost” (really just a cardboard cutout of Ted Danson), Three Men and a Baby was absolutely huge in 1987.
The film grossed $167.7 million in the domestic box office (about $380 million today), making it the highest-grossing film of 1987, beating out the likes of Fatal Attraction and Beverly Hills Cop II.
1988: Rain Man
While not a straightforward comedy, Rain Man certainly has comedic elements and is often regarded as a brilliant comedy-drama. Starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise, it earned critical acclaim and eight Academy Award nominations. It won four – Best Actor for Hoffman, Best Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture.
Unlike other films of its kind, Rain Man also proved an enormous commercial success, grossing $172 million at the domestic box office and becoming the highest-grossing movie of 1988.
1989: Look Who’s Talking
Starring John Travolta, Kirstie Alley, and Bruce Willis’s voice as a talking baby named Mikey, Look Who’s Talking actually received a mixed response from critics, most of whom criticized the movie’s outlandish plot and silly tone. Regardless, it was an enormous hit with general audiences.
It grossed $140 million throughout its domestic run (just under $300 million today) and became the fourth highest-grossing movie of 1989. Sometimes silly sells.
