12 Unapologetic '80s Comedies That Are Indifferent to Your Offense

      These unapologetic comedies from the '80s showcased a more boisterous sense of humor than contemporary films. They didn’t fret about offending anyone — their main goal was to make you laugh.

      **Porky’s (1981)**

      Kim Cattrall in *Porky’s*. 20th Century Fox.

      It continues to entertain us that Bob Clark, the brilliant director behind *Porky’s*, also directed *A Christmas Story*. (He also created the horror film *Black Christmas* and the children’s movie *Baby Geniuses*. Talk about versatility.)

      *Porky’s* is one of those '80s comedies that was often kept from kids, which seems logical in hindsight: Despite its freewheeling comedic style, it’s packed with unsettling humiliations, frequently of a sexual nature, and obviously includes a peeping scene that wouldn’t align with today’s consent standards.

      But referencing *A Christmas Story*, Bob Clark was unfazed.

      **Trading Places (1983)**

      Paramount – Credit: C/O

      At one point, Dan Aykroyd masks himself as a Jamaican. That’s not great. Additionally, some might take issue with the scene where a gorilla takes a villain as a mate. In retrospect, that may not seem very funny.

      However, various aspects of *Trading Places* shine, particularly its clever commentary on nature versus nurture, alongside astute observations regarding societal assumptions about who merits wealth.

      We appreciate its modern twist on the screwball comedies of the 1930s, and Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy, and Jamie Lee Curtis all deliver stellar performances. It remains one of our favorite comedies from the '80s.

      **Better Off Dead (1985)**

      Warner Bros.

      John Cusack stars as Lane Meyer, a teenager who attempts to end his life numerous times after being dumped by his girlfriend, Beth Truss (Amanda Wyss), for the arrogant Roy Stalin (Aaron Dozier).

      The entire premise wouldn’t be acceptable today, nor would the slapstick humor revolving around a teen trying to take his own life. Yet the film excels as absurdist comedy, rendering it impossible for any reasonable viewer to take it seriously.

      Additionally, like many films from the era, it includes some problematic Asian characters, but at least they're portrayed as skilled racers with girlfriends. By high school standards, they come across as much cooler than the unfortunate Lane.

      Lastly, Diane Franklin (above, with Cusack) shines as Monique, a notably intelligent, capable, and trendy dream girl. So, there’s that. This might be the most quintessential '80s comedy.

      **The Man With Two Brains (1983)**

      Warner Bros.

      The premise of this dark screwball comedy may seem somewhat misogynistic to some: Steve Martin portrays a deranged neurosurgeon, Dr. Michael Hfuhruhurr, who falls for the femme fatale Dolores Benedict (Kathleen Turner) and grows resentful as she refuses to consummate their marriage.

      Simultaneously, he develops affection for a disembodied brain, Anne (voiced by Sissy Spacek), and starts seeking a body for her. Along the way, he wishes for one attractive woman to die and contemplates killing another. The climax leads to a joke at the expense of compulsive eaters.

      While it doesn’t compare to *The Jerk*, a prior collaboration between Steve Martin and director Carl Reiner, it still contains some genuinely funny moments.

      **Heathers (1988)**

      New World Pictures

      *Heathers* stands as the most morbid of '80s comedies, embodying the nihilistic cool of Generation X. Written by Daniel Waters, it serves as a counterpoint to the generally optimistic John Hughes films of the time.

      The movie stars Christian Slater as a charmingly deranged teen who recruits the popular Veronica to assist him in eliminating popular kids, staging it to appear as suicides — utilizing sinister props like mineral water to enhance the crime scenes’ credibility.

      Remember, this was the '80s, a time when the concept of lethal suburban high school students seemed absurdly humorous. A recent attempt to adapt *Heathers* into a TV series was interrupted by real-life school violence incidents, rendering the theme quite unamusing for today’s audiences.

      **Coming to America (1988)**

      Paramount

      *Coming to America* offers something to offend everyone within its brilliant comedic madness, targeting nearly every demographic while respecting all varieties of hustles. Eddie Murphy masters the Richard Pryor technique of playing multiple characters within the same scene, enhanced by makeup.

      The film includes numerous jokes that may shock today’s younger audiences, but they were equally shocking upon the film’s release. Eddie Murphy and his team were indifferent; they aimed for hearty laughs, and they successfully delivered.

      **Airplane (1980)**

      Paramount – Credit: C