10 Dated '80s Comedies That Should Seriously Be Updated
1980s comedies like The Breakfast Club and Uncle Buck are so iconic that a remake or sequel would do incredibly well in modern times.
The 1980s was a time in which actress Molly Ringwald reigned supreme and Tom Cruise was just getting his start. The timeframe featured some of the most iconic movies of all time from The Breakfast Club resonating with those who felt lost in high school to Beetlejuice scaring viewers of the "other side."
With so many amazing actors and directors working during this time, the comedies made are still watched today, and, with many writers and directors rewriting or spinning older movies in modern times, some '80s movies need to be included in a potential update. Whether it's a shot-for-shot remake or a genuine sequel, fans deserve to see these stories come back to life.
10 Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985)
Pee-wee's Big Adventure was a high-grossing film in the mid-eighties, and it's hard to forget about this hilarious '80s comedy because Paul Reubens did such a fantastic job of playing the endearing and lovable Pee-wee, a character who sets his sights on an adventure when his bike is stolen. Pee-wee goes across the country to save his beloved bike, coming head-to-head with countless bumps in the road.
Directed by Tim Burton, the film got a well-received remake by Netflix in 2016 titled Pee-wee's Big Holiday. With an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Netflix should consider adding another movie to this cult fandom to give fans their dose of Pee-wee Herman.
9 Fast Times At Ridgemont High (1982)
Fast Times at Ridgemont High was directed by Amy Heckerling and starred big-wigs like Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Judge Reinhold. The comedy focused on high school students living in Southern California and all of the reckless scenarios they find themselves in.
During a time where sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll were on everyone's minds, Fast Times feels incredibly emblematic of its era. For any '80s movie buff who appreciated this time period, Fast Times at Ridgemont High should be at the top of any remake list with guest stars from the original cast.
8 The Goonies (1985)
The Goonies had it all: adventure, comedy, friendship, and action. The 1985 kids' comedy movie starred Sean Astin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman, and Jonathan Ke Huy Quan as the four members of the Goonies.
The film follows the kids on a mission to save their neighborhood after a large urban development company plans on demolishing their homes. While trying to stop the plan from coming to fruition, the four kids find an old treasure map that once belonged to the pirate One-Eyed Willy. A direct remake of this film with new child actors would be exciting for fans of the original.
7 Caddyshack (1980)
Caddyshack has some of the funniest quotes in a sports comedy. The film follows Danny Noonan as he tries to earn more money for college by caddying at a nearby country club. While Danny hilariously tries to suck up to the big wigs at Bushwood Country Club, the groundskeeper, Carl Spackler, is on a mission to kill the groundhog who's been ruining the club's greens.
The one-liners and hilarious mishaps that happen at Bushwood Country Club make this movie a standout. While a sequel was released in '88, it was poorly received. Now that it's 2021, it's time for an epic sequel to this legendary sports comedy.
6 Uncle Buck (1989)
John Candy (Buck Russel) played an outgoing, rebellious character who had to rush home when his brother's father-in-law had fallen sick in Uncle Buck. With him being out of town, Buck was asked to babysit his brother's kids, which was unfamiliar territory for him.
With a rebellious teenager and two endearing children, Buck had to balance being a new dad of sorts as the kids pulled pranks on him and tried making his life hard in a comedic fashion. While John Candy passed away in 1994, a similar remake of this movie would be successful. Macaulay Culkin (Miles Russel), Gaby Hoffmann (Maizy Russel), and Jean Louisa Kelly (Tia Russel) could all make cameos in the new film.
5 Sixteen Candles (1984)
Sixteen Candles was a coming-of-age '80s film that focused on the life of Sam Baker. With Sam's 16th birthday arriving, she's disappointed when her family is too preoccupied with her sister's wedding to do something special for her big birthday.
Meanwhile, she's pining after her crush, Jake Ryan, while he's also secretly crushing on her. The two have a hard time coming together as they realize their feelings for each other—especially when Sam is dealing with her birthday, her family, and an exchange student named Long Duk Dong. Sam's need for recognition and appreciation made her one of the best, most relatable characters in the movie. A sequel with Sam Baker as an adult with a daughter who's about to celebrate her own 16th birthday would be incredible.
4 When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
When Harry Met Sally… starred two of the biggest stars in the '80s in Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal. The movie is considered one of the best rom-coms of all time and dissects the notion of men and women being friends without the possibility of becoming romantic.
In the film, Sally and Harry met while in college, and both traveled to New York together as friends to start their own careers. The two parted ways and did not stay in touch until seeing each other five years later. Their run-ins continued over the next couple of years, which is when they both realize their platonic feelings have turned romantic. The hilarity and brilliance of the storyline would make an epic remake.
3 The Breakfast Club (1985)
The Breakfast Club is one of those comedies that only gets better with time. The movie starts with five students who have to endure all-day detention at school, otherwise known as the Breakfast Club. With the five students having incredibly different personalities and social circles, they spent the day getting to know each other's differences and backgrounds. With a movie as diverse and complex as The Breakfast Club, it would be a ringer for a remake in modern days.
2 9 To 5 (1980)
9 to 5 starred legendary comedians, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda, along with country star Dolly Parton. Similar to the film Terrible Bosses, three co-workers and friends help each other get revenge on their sexist boss. Because of the message of female empowerment prevalent in the film, 9 to 5 would do incredibly well in today's age. Tomlin, Fonda, and Parton could make appearances as a group of new women take down their own egotistical boss.
1 Mr. Mom (1983)
Mr. Mom showed what it was like for a husband and wife to switch places. After Jack Butler lost his job, he became the stay-at-home dad while his wife left her stay-at-home-mom job to go back to work for an advertising firm.
Viewers laughed as Jack wrangled his three kids and become familiar with his new normal. Standards have changed quite a bit over the four decades since this film's release, and a remake re-examining this family dynamic could be interesting.