1980s Comedies with Over-the-Top Endings

1980s comedies were constructed differently, boasting a unique and exaggerated style in their endings. While some may have aged less gracefully due to questionable humor, they excelled at delivering outlandish conclusions that became signature elements of the genre during this decade. Here’s a selection of our favorite over-the-top endings from ’80s comedies. This list is far from comprehensive, as it would be impossible to compile every great choice, but these movies are excellent options for a fun watch with your subscription service.

The Blues Brothers

In this listing, we categorize “The Blues Brothers” – featuring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd – primarily as an action movie. While it undeniably has comedic and musical elements, its high-octane car chases and intense sequences place it squarely within the action genre. The climactic car chase at the film’s end is a legendary example of Hollywood mayhem, with countless vehicles damaged during filming – a testament to its lasting impact on action cinema history.

Airplane!

It seems a bit strange to add such an outrageous finale to a movie like Airplane!, but let’s not dismiss the absurdity of that ending simply because the entire film is absurd, isn’t it? The beads of anxiety sweating from Ted Striker (Robert Hays) as he struggles to land the plane without any assistance from the inflatable autopilot is more than enough reason for this movie to make the list.

Caddyshack

As a cinephile reminiscing about “Caddyshack,” I can’t help but recall that it was all about my ongoing battle with the pesky gopher. Oh, sure, there were moments of camaraderie shared with Ty Webb and even a quick round with the priest, but let’s be honest—most of the time was spent dealing with Vermin Kong. In the climactic scene, I resorted to drastic measures, blowing massive craters across the course in a desperate ploy to vanquish the gopher once and for all. Alas, my efforts were in vain, as the cunning rodent managed to outsmart me, leading to Danny’s putt miraculously finding its way into the hole. The only ones who seemed content with this turn of events were Judge Smails and yours truly—the rest of the club members couldn’t have been happier!

Ghostbusters

Have I ever encountered anything more comically absurd than a towering Marshmallow Man causing havoc in the bustling streets of Manhattan? The ingenious minds behind Ghostbusters, when crafting their film’s conclusion, could hardly have anticipated the timeless impact it would create. If there were something even more laugh-out-loud funny, it might have been a 500-foot-tall undead likeness of John Belushi, but they cleverly incorporated him into the movie as Slimer instead.

Stripes

In the spirit of John Winger (Bill Murray) from the movie “Stripes”, it’s important to note that they weren’t venturing into Moscow with a heavily-armed RV at the end of the film. Instead, they were heading to Czechoslovakia, which is comparable to going to Wisconsin. Despite being a band of unruly army recruits, they miraculously executed their daring feat and successfully rescued their platoon sergeant, Sgt. Hulka (Warren Oates), and his “big toe”.

National Lampoon’s Vacation

In the 1980s, it wasn’t difficult for a character like Chevy Chase to establish himself as the most obnoxious individual in any given setting, and this is evident in the movie “National Lampoon’s Vacation.” While it isn’t easy to justify Clark Griswold’s outburst, considering the calamitous road trip culminated in an abandoned Wally World parking lot with the park shut down. The ensuing scene, where Clark buys a gun (whether real or not), though not the best solution, was undeniably humorous, particularly with John Candy playing the role of the unfortunate security guard.

Back To School

Rodney Dangerfield continues to be a source of some of the most hilarious quotes in the history of comedy, with many originating from the movie “Back To School“. Among these humorous lines, none are quite as absurdly funny as his stunt, the Triple Lindy, which he performs at the end of the film. The expressions he makes during this dive alone warrant its mention here. Such an antic could only have been “mastered” on the Atlantic City Boardwalk.

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure

Everyone has experienced the challenge of dealing with a large school project, which might be one reason why Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure remains popular. It isn’t just the struggle that resonates; it’s the two bumbling characters who embark on an adventure through time and manage to gather numerous historical figures for their final presentation. Keep rockin’, guys!

The ‘Burbs

As a film enthusiast, let me tell you, the climax of “The ‘Burbs” is nothing short of mind-blowing! Explosions rock houses, leaving my once peaceful suburban block unrecognizable. Tom Hanks delivers an electrifying performance in his most intense meltdown yet. The tension in this movie steadily increases, culminating in the desolation of our once idyllic street, reduced to literal debris.

Real Genius

In simpler terms, the popcorn sequence toward the end of the movie “Real Genius” is remarkably clever. It’s not just an amusing trick played on the irritating professor, but what makes it even more impressive is that they employed actual popcorn in the prank!

Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

Similar to several other films on this list, labeling the climax of Who Framed Roger Rabbit as “preposterous” seems a bit off-base given the film’s overall absurd nature. However, it’s hard to ignore the peculiarity when we discover that Judge Doom (played by Christopher Lloyd) was actually a cartoon character (explaining why he never blinked), and subsequently transforming into ink and perishing. Despite this unexpected twist, the movie still deserves its place on the list.

Trading Places

There may be debates about the financial authenticity of the ending in the film “Trading Places“, but it’s irrelevant. The entire third act of the movie, from the train journey to the beach scene at the finale, is utterly preposterous – and in the most delightful way possible.

Better Off Dead

Two aspects of the ending in the film “Better Off Dead” seem far-fetched:

1. Initially, Lane (John Cusack) struggles to ski down the “K12” mountain with both skis throughout most of the movie. However, at the end, he miraculously manages to navigate it with only one ski? That’s a bit hard to swallow.
2. To add to the absurdity, Lane ends up on the field at Dodger Stadium kissing Monique (Diane Julian). While it may be a dark comedy, it’s the “comedy” part that leaves viewers feeling the most discomfort.

Police Academy

Back in the spring of 1984, “Police Academy” was an enormous box office success. In fact, it ranked among the top films of the entire year, which might explain why so many (largely disappointing) follow-ups were produced. Despite the numerous sequels, the original remains a timeless classic, and the finale’s chaotic riot is both absurdly ridiculous and uproariously funny.

Christmas Vacation

In Christmas Vacation, Clark Griswold once again finds himself in a whirlwind of antics, yet this time, the absurdity at the end isn’t entirely his doing. The true culprit behind the chaos is his eccentric cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid). While it’s already outrageous that Eddie abducts Clark’s boss, things reach new heights when a SWAT team breaches every window in the house, creating an even wilder scene. It’s sheer delight!

Big Trouble In Little China

The finale of “Big Trouble in Little China” is complex and requires viewing to fully appreciate it. If you haven’t seen the film yet, I strongly recommend watching it immediately! The final battle is genuinely spectacular, elevating this movie beyond just a source of humor, memorable Kurt Russell lines, and delightful laughs. However, one lingering question remains unanswered: Whatever became of the Wild-Man? And when can we expect a sequel?!

Little Shop Of Horrors

The ending we witnessed in “Little Shop of Horrors” was fairly typical – the hero saves the day and wins the girl. However, this film’s inclusion on the list is due to an alternative ending that might have been much more intriguing. In the original version (and in the play), Audrey meets a grim fate at the hands of the plant, while Seymour, discovering a corporation’s intention to sell more plants, attempts to destroy it. Unfortunately, he fails, and the plants grow into global catastrophes, causing Godzilla-like destruction. Alas, test audiences disliked this ending, so we never got to see what could have been!

Top Secret!

Another preposterous film on the list boasts an equally absurd finale. However, “Top Secret!” stands out as one of Val Kilmer’s earliest and most memorable performances. The climactic underwater bar brawl significantly contributes to its appeal.

Revenge Of The Nerds

1980s classic film “Revenge of the Nerds” has numerous issues that make it problematic, yet its massive popularity during its time remains undeniable. The final tune, where the Lambda fraternity unites to claim the fraternity cup, is and will forever be an incredible hit. Although the movie deserves criticism for many reasons, let’s keep the catchy song intact!

The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!

One absurd scenario guaranteed to make any list is legendary baseball player Reggie Jackson attempting to harm Queen Elizabeth II – definitely a unique entry! The Naked Gun: From Police Squad’s Archives is an undisputed classic, with its climax being so outrageous that it deserves mention – and that’s before considering the character of Norberg (played by O.J. Simpson) leaping from the stadium’s upper deck!

Ghostbusters II

In their second outing, when the Ghostbusters team made their comeback, it was clear they needed to surpass the climax of the first film. Perhaps a Statue of Liberty with the power to move and lay waste to the city, similar to the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man, could serve as an epic adversary. With some thrilling music in the background, you’d have a fantastic finale that’s hard to beat, especially for a sequel.

The Goonies

Towards the close of “The Goonies”, as the children triumphantly conclude their adventure, a journalist encapsulates the events by noting the appearance of One-Eyed Willie’s pirate ship sailing away into the ocean off the Oregon coast. Although there may have been an unseen squid in the story, it was hinted at towards the end, but regardless, the presence of the pirate ship is sufficient to include the movie on this list.

Risky Business

In the movie “Risky Business,” it turned out well for Joel (Tom Cruise), but things didn’t go smoothly until the very end. If only his mother hadn’t spotted the crack in her crystal vase at the last possible moment!

A Fish Called Wanda

The film “A Fish Called Wanda,” although not strictly considered a Monty Python production, remains an overlooked gem. It shares its cast with the comedy troupe, including Michael Palin and John Cleese, alongside Jamie Lee Curtis and Kevin Kline. A standout moment – Palin’s character accidentally running over Kline’s with a cement roller – earns it a spot on this list and contributes to its timeless appeal.

Heathers

Christian Slater and Winona Ryder are widely recognized as symbols of Generation X, largely due to the movie “Heathers”. This black comedy remains a significant cultural reference point for that generation, even though some may not recall just how excessively dramatic its finale was. In this film, Christian Slater portrays J.D., a character who attempts to bomb the school, but is ultimately stopped from causing mass destruction by Veronica (played by Winona Ryder). However, in an unexpected turn of events, J.D. ends up blowing himself up instead. The situation rapidly intensified!

The Cannonball Run

In The Cannonball Run, Dom DeLuise portrayed an eccentric character who stood out as the most outrageous among a group of unconventional individuals. Although he had potential to win this bizarre race, his antics led him astray, allowing another team to claim victory. His over-the-top persona ultimately backfired, yet it was masterfully done and paved the way for the sequel.

Romancing The Stone

Romancing the Stone is included in this list for a unique reason. Jack, portrayed by Michael Douglas, doesn’t just navigate a large yacht through Manhattan searching for Jane, but he raises the sails on the boat as well! Have you ever imagined walking down the bustling streets of New York City on a windy day? Consider what could happen to a sailboat with its sails up in such conditions? Quite a spectacle, wouldn’t it be!

Armed And Dangerous

As a die-hard fan of “Armed and Dangerous”, let me tell you, the climax is nothing short of wild! John Candy pulls off some remarkable, underrated performances in this chase scene. Now, I’m not saying it’s the best movie ever made, but the ending sure does make up for some of its shortcomings.

The Couch Trip

Many people may not be aware of “The Couch Trip”. This film boasts an impressive cast that includes Dan Aykroyd, Charles Grodin, and Walter Matthau, known for their comedy skills. One reason alone to watch it is the thrilling finale where Matthau finds himself in need of rescue from atop the iconic Hollywood sign – making the ticket price more than worthwhile!

The War Of The Roses

In the 1980s, Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas starred in several notable films, among which “The War of the Roses” stands out as particularly intense. This movie portrays a divorce gone awry, where two characters, the Roses, become increasingly irrational as they fight over their house and possessions. The film reaches its climax when both characters lie on the floor, barely conscious, yet still engaged in a bitter struggle.

Weird Science

In an unusual twist, a missile of nuclear origin, two senile grandparents, and a rather unattractive older sibling – these elements culminate in the climax of “Weird Science”. Although everything is resolved by the end, it presents a surprising finale to John Hughes’ timeless classic.

Beverly Hills Cop

Did you know that “Beverly Hills Cop” initially planned to be an action film featuring Sylvester Stallone as the main character? However, what we ended up with was one of the 1980s funniest movies starring Eddie Murphy as a Detroit cop seeking vengeance in L.A. The final shootout may appear unusual, but it becomes understandable once you learn about the movie’s original backstory.

2025-04-26 17:43