Best Comedy Films of 1983
- HaHa Jokester
- May 15
- 8 min read
Updated: Jun 20
1983 was a bold year for comedy — one where filmmakers embraced excess, tackled social issues, and leaned hard into character-driven chaos. While raunchy humor remained a major draw, this was also a year where sharp satire, biting class commentary, and absurdist riffs on reality TV and politics made their mark. From high-school shenanigans to Wall Street takedowns, 1983 proved that laughter could be loud, smart, and subversive — all at once.
The Comedy Landscape in 1983
Raunch Reigns Supreme
The success of Porky’s (1981) had opened the floodgates, and 1983 capitalized. Teen comedies doubled down on nudity, pranks, and slapstick — though the genre was also starting to show signs of maturity and pushback.
Satire Sharpens Its Teeth
Films like Trading Places and WarGames snuck in political and social commentary under the guise of laughs, proving that comedy could be clever without losing mass appeal.
Franchise Comedies Take Over
The comedy sequel and reboot machine got rolling, with Vacation launching a new era of recurring characters and road trip mayhem.
Top 10 Comedy Films of 1983
National Lampoon’s Vacation
Runtime: 1hr 38min
The Griswold family’s chaotic trip to Wally World is still one of the most beloved road trip comedies of all time. Chevy Chase defined bumbling dad energy for a generation.
National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983) is a road trip comedy classic that follows the misadventures of Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) as he leads his family on a cross-country drive to the fictional amusement park Walley World. Determined to create the perfect family vacation, Clark’s obsessive optimism is tested at every turn — from car troubles and bizarre relatives to increasingly absurd detours. With sharp satire of suburban Americana and consumer culture, the film balances slapstick chaos with genuine family moments, launching a beloved franchise and cementing the Griswolds as icons of comedic dysfunction.
Trading Places
Runtime: 1hr 58min
Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd swap lives in this razor-sharp social satire about wealth, race, and nature vs. nurture. It’s smart, hilarious, and surprisingly relevant.
Trading Places (1983) is a razor-sharp comedy that flips the script on class and privilege. When two wealthy and manipulative brokers make a bet, they orchestrate a life swap between their elite employee, Louis Winthorpe III (Dan Aykroyd), and street hustler Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy). As Billy Ray rises in the world of finance and Louis spirals into ruin, the two uncover the scheme and plot revenge. With biting satire on capitalism, race, and social status, Trading Places is both hilarious and incisive — driven by standout performances and a clever, twist-filled narrative.
Mr. Mom
Runtime: 1hr 31min
Michael Keaton stars as an unemployed dad adjusting to domestic life — a reversal comedy that resonated with a shifting cultural moment in gender roles.
Mr. Mom (1983) is a heartfelt domestic comedy that turns traditional gender roles upside down. When Jack Butler (Michael Keaton) loses his job in the auto industry, his wife Caroline (Teri Garr) re-enters the workforce, leaving Jack to manage the household and their three young children. What follows is a series of comedic misadventures as Jack struggles with laundry disasters, grocery store politics, and the chaos of stay-at-home parenting. Beneath the slapstick is a surprisingly tender look at shifting family dynamics and male identity in the 1980s, making Mr. Mom both relatable and ahead of its time.
A Christmas Story
Runtime: 1hr 34min
A nostalgic and offbeat holiday comedy that slowly became a seasonal classic. Ralphie’s Red Ryder BB gun quest is both hilarious and oddly poetic.
A Christmas Story (1983) is a nostalgic and quirky holiday comedy that captures the trials and triumphs of childhood through the eyes of young Ralphie Parker. Set in 1940s Indiana, the film follows Ralphie’s singular quest to get a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas — despite every adult’s warning that he’ll “shoot his eye out.” Along the way, he navigates school bullies, embarrassing family moments, and a series of hilarious misadventures that have become iconic. With its warm narration, offbeat humor, and heartfelt charm, A Christmas Story has earned its place as a perennial favorite in holiday cinema.
WarGames
Runtime: 1hr 54min
A teenage hacker almost starts WWIII. While technically a sci-fi thriller, it’s packed with sharp, ironic humor and biting commentary on technology and youth.
WarGames (1983) is a techno-thriller with a sharp comedic edge that taps into Cold War anxiety and teenage curiosity. The story follows high school hacker David Lightman (Matthew Broderick), who accidentally breaks into a military supercomputer while searching for video games — only to nearly trigger World War III by initiating a simulated nuclear war. As David races to prevent catastrophe, the film explores the dangers of automation, government paranoia, and unchecked technology. Blending suspense with youthful rebellion and satire, WarGames is both a gripping thriller and a smart commentary on the digital age before it truly began.
Zelig
Runtime: 1hr 19min
Woody Allen’s mockumentary about a man who literally blends into any group. A technical marvel and an early form of deadpan historical parody.
Zelig (1983) is a brilliant mockumentary from Woody Allen that blurs the lines between comedy, satire, and psychological study. The film follows Leonard Zelig, a man with an extraordinary ability — and compulsion — to physically and behaviorally mimic anyone he's around. As Zelig rises to fame in 1920s and ’30s America, appearing alongside everyone from gangsters to historical figures, the film satirizes celebrity culture, conformity, and the media's obsession with identity. Shot in a faux-documentary style with seamless vintage integration, Zelig is both technically groundbreaking and intellectually playful — a clever meditation on the desire to belong at any cost.
Risky Business
Runtime: 1hr 39min
Tom Cruise dances in his underwear, yes — but this coming-of-age comedy is also a clever critique of capitalism and parental pressure.
Risky Business (1983) is a sharp, stylish coming-of-age comedy that launched Tom Cruise to stardom. The film follows Joel Goodsen, a straight-laced high school senior left home alone in his affluent Chicago suburb. What begins as mild rebellion quickly spirals into chaos when Joel hires a call girl (Rebecca De Mornay), wrecks his dad’s Porsche, and inadvertently turns his house into a high-end brothel. With its slick visuals, iconic soundtrack, and darkly comic tone, Risky Business explores the tension between youthful freedom and adult responsibility, delivering both laughs and a subtle critique of Reagan-era ambition.
The Survivors
Runtime: 1hr 42min
Robin Williams and Walter Matthau square off in a screwball tale of survivalist paranoia. Quirky, messy, and full of character-driven chaos.
The Survivors (1983) is a dark comedy that pairs Robin Williams and Walter Matthau as two down-on-their-luck New Yorkers who become unlikely partners in paranoia. After losing their jobs and crossing paths during a botched robbery, the duo spirals into survivalist hysteria — with Matthau’s character embracing conspiracy-fueled self-reliance and Williams’s character reluctantly dragged along. As they clash with a hitman and each other, the film satirizes gun culture, toxic masculinity, and the American obsession with self-defense. The Survivors blends absurdity with social commentary, offering laughs laced with unease in a world teetering on the edge of collapse.
The Man with Two Brains (wide recognition in ‘83)
Runtime: 1hr 33min
Steve Martin returns in one of his most bizarre and absurd comedies. It’s a cult favorite for lovers of weird humor.
The Man with Two Brains (1983) is a wild, offbeat sci-fi comedy that showcases Steve Martin at his zaniest. He plays Dr. Michael Hfuhruhurr, a brilliant but eccentric brain surgeon who falls for a manipulative femme fatale (Kathleen Turner) — only to discover true love in the most unexpected place: the disembodied brain of a woman who speaks to him telepathically. Directed by Carl Reiner, the film is packed with slapstick absurdity, mad science hijinks, and sharp parody of classic horror tropes. With its surreal humor and manic energy, The Man with Two Brains is a cult favorite that revels in glorious silliness.
Valley Girl
Runtime: 1hr 39min
A romantic teen comedy that blends L.A. mall culture with sweet chemistry. Nicolas Cage delivers a breakout performance in this surprisingly heartfelt rom-com.
Valley Girl (1983) is a charming teen romantic comedy that reimagines Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in the neon-soaked suburbs of Los Angeles. When Julie, a mall-loving “Valley girl” (Deborah Foreman), falls for Randy, a rebellious Hollywood punk (Nicolas Cage), their unlikely romance sparks culture clashes between pastel preps and moody misfits. Set to a quintessentially ‘80s new wave soundtrack, the film captures the era’s fashion, slang, and adolescent angst with surprising sweetness. Valley Girl balances satire and sincerity, offering both a time capsule of SoCal youth and a timeless story about following your heart across social divides.
Underrated Picks Worth Your Time
Easy Money
Runtime: 1hr 40min
Rodney Dangerfield plays a hard-living man forced to clean up his act to inherit money. His energy carries this uneven but fun vehicle.
Easy Money (1983) is a rowdy, blue-collar comedy starring Rodney Dangerfield as Monty Capuletti, a hard-living baby photographer who’s forced to clean up his act in order to inherit a fortune from his wealthy, disapproving mother-in-law. That means no smoking, no drinking, no gambling — and no fun, at least for Monty. As he stumbles through self-improvement with hilarious resistance, the film pokes fun at class divides, personal vice, and the idea of conformity for cash. With Dangerfield’s trademark one-liners and a strong supporting cast, Easy Money delivers laughs with a rough-edged charm and a little heart underneath the chaos.
Losin’ It
Runtime: 1hr 40min
A pre-Risky Business Tom Cruise stars in this teen sex comedy with a road trip twist — rough around the edges, but a snapshot of the genre’s moment.
Losin’ It (1983) is a teen sex comedy that follows four teenage friends from Los Angeles who head to Tijuana in search of freedom, fun, and the loss of their virginity. Led by a young Tom Cruise, the group quickly finds themselves in over their heads as their wild plans unravel amidst shady dealings, unexpected romance, and cultural misunderstandings. Along the way, they meet an older woman (Shelley Long) escaping her own troubled marriage, adding a layer of emotional complexity to the hijinks. While it follows familiar genre beats, Losin’ It mixes bawdy humor with a touch of heart and early glimpses of Cruise’s star power.
The King of Comedy (late ‘82 limited, wider ‘83)
Runtime: 1hr 49min
Scorsese’s dark satire of celebrity culture remains one of De Niro’s strangest and most compelling performances — with Sandra Bernhard stealing scenes.
The King of Comedy (1983) is a dark, unsettling satire directed by Martin Scorsese that explores fame, obsession, and delusion. Robert De Niro stars as Rupert Pupkin, a wannabe comedian with no real audience who becomes dangerously fixated on late-night talk show host Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis). As Rupert’s fantasies blur with reality, his desperate pursuit of stardom leads to a bold and disturbing act. Far ahead of its time, The King of Comedy skewers celebrity culture and the cult of personality with uncomfortable precision. De Niro delivers one of his most haunting performances in this underappreciated gem that feels even more relevant today.
Comedy Highlights & Trivia
Chevy Chase’s Reign Begins: Vacation marked the beginning of a legendary comedy franchise and cemented Chase’s status as a leading comic actor.
Eddie Murphy Dominates Again: Coming off 48 Hrs., Trading Places confirmed Murphy as one of the decade’s biggest comedy stars.
Comedy Gets Seasonal: A Christmas Story wasn't a smash on release, but it grew into a cult classic that now plays on loop every holiday season.
Where to Watch These Today
Most of the 1983 comedy hits are available on:
Streaming: Max, Netflix, Prime Video, Tubi
Rent/Buy: Apple TV, YouTube, Google Play
Physical Media: Vacation, Trading Places, and A Christmas Story are staples in DVD/Blu-ray comedy box sets.
Closing Thoughts: 1983 Was Bold, Brash, and Brilliant
Comedy in 1983 was unafraid to be messy, political, or downright weird. Whether it was poking fun at the rich, exposing suburban dysfunction, or diving into the hormonal chaos of youth, these films entertained while reflecting a world in flux. It was a year where irreverence met intelligence — and the laughs hit harder because of it.
