Best Comedy Films of 1988
- HaHa Jokester
- May 20
- 8 min read
Updated: Jun 20
By 1988, comedy had fully embraced spectacle and star power — but it hadn’t lost its heart. This was a year where high-concept premises reigned supreme: babies who could talk (sort of), ghosts who wouldn't leave, con artists who clashed, and mismatched roommates from hell. Whether set in corporate boardrooms, the afterlife, or the animated streets of Toontown, comedy in 1988 was loud, creative, and unafraid to get weird. Big laughs met big risks — and the result was one of the most iconic years in comedy cinema.
The Comedy Landscape in 1988
Stars at the Center
1988 was a showcase for major comedic talent — Eddie Murphy, Bill Murray, Steve Martin, and Tom Hanks all led vehicles that proved charisma could carry even the strangest concepts.
High Concept, Higher Reward
From baby POVs to cartoon crossovers, comedies went all-in on fantastical premises — and audiences followed. Innovation and absurdity were key ingredients.
Romance Meets Ridiculous
Many comedies mixed romance and farce, leaning into love stories filled with mistaken identities, social clashes, or outright supernatural interference.
Top 10 Comedy Films of 1988
Coming to America
Runtime: 1hr 56min
Eddie Murphy plays multiple roles in this regal fish-out-of-water tale about an African prince finding love in Queens. Endlessly quotable, stylish, and full of heart.“Good morning, my neighbors!”
Coming to America (1988) is a fish-out-of-water romantic comedy starring Eddie Murphy as Prince Akeem, the crown prince of the fictional African nation of Zamunda. Discontent with an arranged marriage and longing for a partner who loves him for who he is, Akeem travels incognito to Queens, New York, with his loyal servant Semmi (Arsenio Hall) in search of true love. Navigating American culture, working at a fast-food restaurant, and concealing his royal identity, Akeem finds himself falling for Lisa McDowell, a smart and independent woman. Blending sharp social satire with heartfelt romance and multiple hilarious characters played by Murphy and Hall, the film is a witty and enduring classic.
Big
Runtime: 1hr 44min
Tom Hanks gives a career-defining performance as a 12-year-old boy in a man’s body. Whimsical, funny, and surprisingly poignant. A timeless classic.
Big (1988) is a heartfelt fantasy comedy that explores the joys and complications of growing up—overnight. Tom Hanks stars as Josh Baskin, a 12-year-old boy who makes a wish to be “big” at a carnival fortune-telling machine and wakes up the next morning in the body of an adult. Forced to navigate the adult world while retaining his childlike innocence, Josh lands a job at a toy company where his playful instincts make him a star. As he experiences romance, responsibility, and the pressures of adulthood, Josh ultimately realizes the value of childhood. Directed by Penny Marshall, Big is beloved for its charm, humor, and Hanks’s breakout, Oscar-nominated performance.
Beetlejuice
Runtime: 1hr 32min
Tim Burton’s supernatural comedy is chaotic, inventive, and unforgettable. Michael Keaton’s Beetlejuice is equal parts menace and madness.
Beetlejuice (1988) is a darkly comedic fantasy directed by Tim Burton that follows a recently deceased couple, Adam and Barbara Maitland, who find themselves trapped as ghosts in their former home. When an obnoxious family moves in and begins remodeling the house, the Maitlands attempt to scare them away, eventually enlisting the help of a chaotic and crude "bio-exorcist" named Beetlejuice. Played with manic energy by Michael Keaton, Beetlejuice's unpredictable antics quickly spiral out of control. With its inventive visuals, gothic charm, and offbeat humor, the film became a cult classic and a defining entry in Burton’s unique cinematic style.
A Fish Called Wanda
Runtime: 1hr 48min
British wit meets American chaos. John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Kevin Kline (in an Oscar-winning role) deliver a caper full of betrayal and belly laughs.
A Fish Called Wanda (1988) is a clever British-American crime comedy that blends farce, romance, and heist intrigue. The film follows a group of eccentric criminals who pull off a jewel robbery in London—only to turn on each other in pursuit of the hidden loot. Jamie Lee Curtis plays Wanda, a seductive con artist manipulating everyone around her, including a bumbling British barrister (John Cleese) caught in the middle of the chaos. With standout performances from Kevin Kline (in an Oscar-winning role as the unhinged Otto) and Michael Palin, the film thrives on rapid-fire wit, absurd misunderstandings, and biting satire of British and American stereotypes.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Runtime: 1hr 43min
A genre-busting marvel that mixed live action and animation with noir mystery and slapstick comedy. Technically groundbreaking and wildly entertaining.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) is a groundbreaking blend of live-action and animation set in a fantastical version of 1940s Hollywood where cartoon characters (“Toons”) and humans coexist. The story follows jaded private detective Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins), who’s hired to investigate a scandal involving Roger Rabbit, a frantic Toon accused of murder. As Eddie delves deeper, he uncovers a sinister plot threatening the very existence of Toontown. Directed by Robert Zemeckis and produced by Steven Spielberg, the film is celebrated for its technical innovation, noir-style storytelling, and its nostalgic, irreverent homage to Golden Age animation.
Twins
Runtime: 1hr 47min
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito as long-lost genetic opposites — a silly premise executed with surprising charm and box office muscle.
Twins (1988) is a mismatched buddy comedy that pairs Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito as unlikely long-lost twin brothers separated at birth. Julius (Schwarzenegger) is a physically perfect, highly educated man raised on a remote island, while Vincent (DeVito) is a street-smart hustler with a shady past. When Julius learns of Vincent’s existence, he travels to Los Angeles to find him, leading to a chaotic and heartwarming reunion. As the brothers bond and navigate a series of comedic misadventures—including criminals, car chases, and romantic entanglements—they discover the true meaning of family. Directed by Ivan Reitman, Twins plays hilariously with contrasts and unexpected chemistry.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Runtime: 1hr 50min
Steve Martin and Michael Caine go toe-to-toe as con men on the French Riviera. Stylish, witty, and full of hilarious reversals.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) is a sharp, stylish comedy about two con men competing for dominance on the French Riviera. Michael Caine plays the suave and sophisticated Lawrence Jamieson, who lives a luxurious life swindling wealthy women. His routine is disrupted by Freddy Benson (Steve Martin), a loud, crude American grifter looking to make his mark. The two agree to a high-stakes wager: whoever can successfully con a wealthy heiress out of $50,000 first gets to stay, and the loser must leave town. What follows is a series of escalating schemes, deceptions, and slapstick mishaps. With clever twists and pitch-perfect performances, the film is a masterclass in comedic timing and con artistry.
Scrooged
Runtime: 1hr 41min
Bill Murray’s modern take on A Christmas Carol is cynical, sharp, and explosively funny — with just enough holiday redemption to stick the landing.
Scrooged (1988) is a darkly comedic, modern retelling of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, starring Bill Murray as Frank Cross, a cynical and selfish television executive. Obsessed with ratings and devoid of empathy, Frank is visited on Christmas Eve by three eccentric ghosts who force him to confront his past, present, and future. As he relives painful memories and witnesses the consequences of his cruelty, Frank undergoes a chaotic, emotional transformation. Directed by Richard Donner, Scrooged mixes biting satire, supernatural spectacle, and holiday heart, with Murray delivering a manic, memorable performance that blends hilarity with genuine redemption.
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
Runtime: 1hr 25min
Leslie Nielsen returns in this deadpan masterpiece of visual gags and parody. Rapid-fire jokes, zero seriousness, and 100% rewatchable.
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988) is a wildly absurd and fast-paced spoof comedy that brings the deadpan antics of Leslie Nielsen’s bumbling detective, Frank Drebin, from television to the big screen. When Drebin uncovers a plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to Los Angeles, his investigation spirals into a series of ridiculous misunderstandings, slapstick chaos, and hilariously over-the-top action. Directed by David Zucker and packed with visual gags, puns, and nonstop jokes, the film parodies cop dramas while showcasing Nielsen’s impeccable comedic timing. It became an instant classic and launched a beloved trilogy of anarchic parody films.
My Stepmother Is an Alien
Runtime: 1hr 48min
Dan Aykroyd and Kim Basinger headline this wonderfully strange romantic sci-fi comedy — part B-movie spoof, part soft-hearted rom-com.
My Stepmother Is an Alien (1988) is a sci-fi romantic comedy that blends extraterrestrial absurdity with suburban charm. The film stars Dan Aykroyd as Steven Mills, a widowed scientist who inadvertently sends a signal into deep space — and receives a surprising response in the form of Celeste (Kim Basinger), a beautiful and mysterious alien sent to investigate. Posing as a glamorous woman and trying to blend in with Earth customs, Celeste quickly enchants Steven and his skeptical teenage daughter (played by Alyson Hannigan). As romance blossoms, comedic misunderstandings and alien hijinks escalate. The film mixes goofy humor, fish-out-of-water moments, and lighthearted family dynamics with a sci-fi twist.
Underrated Picks Worth Your Time
Without a Clue
Runtime: 1hr 47min
Michael Caine as a dimwitted Sherlock Holmes and Ben Kingsley as the real genius, Dr. Watson. A fun reversal of classic detective tales.
Without a Clue (1988) is a clever and comedic twist on the Sherlock Holmes legend, turning the classic dynamic on its head. In this version, Dr. John Watson (Ben Kingsley) is the true genius behind the detective work, while Sherlock Holmes (Michael Caine) is a bumbling, alcoholic stage actor hired to play the role of a brilliant sleuth for the public. When a major case involving missing printing plates threatens national security, the duo must maintain their ruse while solving the mystery. The film plays with detective tropes and literary expectations, delivering sharp humor, witty dialogue, and a fresh take on the iconic crime-solving partnership.
The Great Outdoors
Runtime: 1hr 31min
John Candy and Dan Aykroyd bicker their way through an awkward family vacation in this outdoorsy comedy full of giant steaks and angry raccoons.
The Great Outdoors (1988) is a slapstick family comedy that pits city slickers against the wilds of nature — and each other. John Candy stars as Chet Ripley, a good-natured family man eager for a peaceful vacation at a lakeside cabin in Wisconsin. His plans are upended when his snide, fast-talking brother-in-law Roman (Dan Aykroyd) unexpectedly arrives with his family in tow. What follows is a series of chaotic outdoor misadventures involving bears, water sports, leeches, and exploding grills. Directed by Howard Deutch and written by John Hughes, the film thrives on its odd-couple chemistry, warm-hearted humor, and classic Candy-Aykroyd comedic energy.
Funny Farm
Runtime: 1hr 41min
Chevy Chase moves to the country and finds rural life to be a nightmare. Witty, grounded, and more restrained than his usual fare.
Funny Farm (1988) is a fish-out-of-water comedy starring Chevy Chase as Andy Farmer, a sportswriter who moves with his wife Elizabeth (Madolyn Smith) from New York City to a quiet country town in hopes of writing the great American novel. However, their dream of pastoral peace quickly unravels as they encounter eccentric locals, relentless wildlife, and a never-ending string of rural disasters. As the couple’s patience — and marriage — is tested, they must decide if their idyllic fantasy is worth the chaos. Directed by George Roy Hill, Funny Farm blends small-town satire with physical comedy, showcasing Chase’s signature deadpan humor in a story about expectations clashing with reality.
Comedy Highlights & Trivia
Eddie Murphy’s Reign: Coming to America was one of the highest-grossing films of the year, showcasing Murphy’s unmatched versatility and global appeal.
Animation Meets Live Action: Roger Rabbit stunned audiences with seamless integration and remains a technical marvel.
Leslie Nielsen Finds a New Life: The Naked Gun cemented Nielsen’s pivot from drama to full-time absurdist comedy legend.
Where to Watch These Today
Many of 1988’s comedy gems are available on:
Streaming: Max, Disney+ (Roger Rabbit), Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video
Rent/Buy: Apple TV, YouTube, Google Play
Physical Media: Big, Beetlejuice, and Coming to America are easy finds in best-of-80s collections.
Closing Thoughts: 1988 Was Comedy Without Restraint
Whether it was magical wish machines, ghostly mischief, or cartoon detectives, 1988 proved that comedy could thrive in any setting — the stranger, the better. With legendary stars, wild ideas, and lasting cultural impact, the year’s best comedies didn’t just make audiences laugh — they redefined what comedy could be.
