The 1980s are an iconic decade for several reasons. From the fashion and the music to the carefree attitude of teenagers, it was truly a phenomenal decade. In addition to all the pop-culture relics, the 1980s also gave birth to some of the most iconic and memorable romantic comedies of all time. In fact, some might say that the 1980s perfected the romantic comedy genre.
While John Hughes dominated the teen romantic comedy genre, there were other great writers and directors who were turning out rom-coms, as well. Some of today's A-list stars got their start in the 80s thanks to these romantic comedies, including Julia Roberts, John Cusack, Meg Ryan and more.
10 Mystic Pizza - 6.3
Kicking off the list is the 1988 romantic comedy Mystic Pizza. The film is set in a pizza parlor in the fictional town of Mystic and follows the lives of three young waitresses who are determined to enjoy the summer after their senior year of high school.
Mystic Pizza stars Julia Roberts, Annabeth Gish, and Lili Taylor as the three main protagonists who each have their own journey with love over the course of the film. Interestingly enough, Matt Damon has a small role in the film, which was his first-ever role.
9 Can't Buy Me Love - 6.8
Released in August of 1987, Can't Buy Me Love has since become a cult classic amongst romantic comedy fans. The film centered on Ronald (Patrick Dempsey), a geeky kid who is infatuated with Cindy (Amanda Peterson), a popular girl at the high school.
When Cindy steals a piece of her mother's clothing and ruins it, Ronald steps in to save the day with one condition: Cindy must pretend to be Ronald's boyfriend for a month so he can become popular. In the world of 80s romantic comedies, Can't Buy Me Love is often overlooked. In fact, it was overlooked at the time as well, earning mixed reviews at the time of its release.
8 Pretty In Pink - 6.8
Released in 1986, John Hughes and Molly Ringwald worked together for the third and final time for the iconic romantic comedy Pretty in Pink. The film center on Andie (Ringwald), a high school outcast whose only friends are her classmate Duckie (Jon Cryer) and her boss (Annie Potts). Andie's mundane world is thrown for a loop when Blane (Andrew McCarthy), a wealthy and popular student at her high school.
While John Hughes' films usually revolved around one central love story, Pretty in Pink was one of his only films to feature a love triangle between his leads.
7 Overboard - 6.9
Directed by the legendary Garry Marshall, Overboard starred Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell as the main characters and love interests and has since become a cult classic. In fact, Overboard has spawned two reboots in the United States, and it has also been adapted to foreign films.
Overboard centers on Heiress Joanna Stayton, a spoiled and proper woman who enjoys the finer things in life. One day, Joanna falls overboard and when she wakes up, she can't remember who she is or where she is. Her story gets aired on the news and a carpenter who was working for Joanna recognizes her and decides to take advantage of her amnesia to teach her a lesson.
6 Coming To America - 7.0
Coming to America is a romantic comedy released in 1988 and was actually inspired by a story Eddie Murphy created, spawning a sequel due at the end of this year, 32 years after the original. The film starred Eddie Murphy as Akeem Joffer, an African crown Prince who travels to America in the hopes of finding the love of his life.
While it's uncommon for romantic comedies to get nominated in the award circuits, Coming to America was actually nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Costume Design and Makeup.
5 Moonstruck - 7.1
Moonstruck was a massively successful romantic comedy of the 1980s and of all time. The film starred Cher as Loretta Castorini, an Italian-American widow who is engaged but ends up falling in love with her fiancé's estranged younger brother.
Moonstruck went on to become the fifth highest-grossing film released in North America in 1987. In addition, it earned six Academy Award nominations including one for Best Picture, though it lost the Best Picture award to The Last Emperor.
4 Some Kind Of Wonderful - 7.1
Some Kind of Wonderful is an interesting John Hughes film because it's actually a retelling of Pretty in Pink but gender-swapped. In fact, Hughes' penned Some Kind of Wonderful because he was so displeased with the fact that Andie and Duckie didn't end up together at the end of Pretty in Pink.
The film centers on Keith Nelson (Eric Stoltz), a teenage outcast, who is infatuated with Amanda Jones (Lea Thompson), the popular girl at school who has never paid him any mind. At the same time, Keith's best friend Watts (Mary Stuart Masterson) is in love with him but he doesn't know it.
3 Sixteen Candles - 7.1
Sixteen Candles is not only the third-best romantic comedy of the 80s according to IMDb, but its also the first teen story John Hughes penned that helped launch his success with teenage-driven films. Sixteen Candles centers on Sam (Molly Ringwald) whose 16th birthday is overshadowed by her sister's upcoming wedding. In the midst of all the chaos, Sam manages to catch the attention of Jake Ryan, the "it boy" at school.
Though Sixteen Candles has its faults, the romantic element of the story is endearing and still relevant and moving to this day.
2 Say Anything - 7.3
Written and directed by Cameron Crowe, Say Anything follows Lloyd (John Cusack) as he falls in love for the first time with Diane (Ione Skye), a beautiful and intelligent high school student who doesn't typically date. Though Llyod and Diane like each other, their relationship is put to the test due to Diane's overprotective father.
Say Anything is a timeless tale of first love that ends with one of the most famous romantic gestures of all time. While it lands at number two on the list of best 80s romantic comedies according to IMDb, Entertainment Weekly claimed it was the best romantic comedy of all time in 2002.
1 When Harry Met Sally - 7.6
Coming in as the number one 80s romantic comedy according to IMDb is the classic When Harry Met Sally. The film stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan as Harry and Sally, two college acquaintances who meet 10 years later and are determined to prove to themselves and the world that they can be friends, sometimes with benefits, without falling for each other.
When Harry Met Sally is as classic as romantic comedies come, as its full of all the best tropes. In addition, it has one of the most iconic scenes of all time that is regularly parodied and brought up in other shows and films.
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