15 Classic Comedy Movies That Are Surprisingly Funny in 2023

1. Airplane! (1980)

When the passengers and crew of a jet get food poisoning, the control of the plane falls to an ex-war pilot. Ted Striker? Yup, that's our guy. Ted's got a terrible fear of flying due to his war traumas, but he's the only hope. Queue the most absurd airplane journey you'll ever witness: from a jive-talking grandma to a sickly girl serenaded with a guitar. Oh, and the autopilot? It's a literal inflatable pilot doll! It's all the goofy 80's charm packed into one flight.

2. Caddyshack (1980)

Ever been to a golf course with a rogue gopher? Meet Bushwood Country Club. While the golfers are busy with their swings and divots, there's a wild backdrop of wacky subplots. You've got the snobbish Judge, eager-to-impress Danny, and Carl the groundskeeper, who's hell-bent on catching that pesky gopher—even if it means blowing up the entire course. Spoiler: The explosive finale? Literal dynamite.

3. The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)

Los Angeles detective Frank Drebin is as clueless as they come, but that doesn't stop him from trying to save Queen Elizabeth II from an assassination attempt. The plot spirals from Drebin falling for the villain's ex-girlfriend to, believe it or not, a baseball game climax where the Queen's life is hilariously hanging in the balance. The slapstick? Top-notch. The sight gags? You'll be laughing way into the 2020s.

4. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

Play hooky, they said. It'll be fun, they said. And Ferris Bueller took that to heart. One fake illness and voila! Ferris, his girlfriend Sloane, and his grumpy friend Cameron are off on a whirlwind tour of Chicago. They catch a baseball game, gatecrash a parade, and even 'borrow' Cameron's dad's Ferrari. But Principal Rooney isn't fooled easily. Will Ferris make it home before he's busted? The city escapade is a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

5. Groundhog Day (1993)

Picture this: you wake up, live your day, go to bed...and wake up to the exact same day. Over and over again. That's the life of grumpy weatherman Phil Connors, stuck reliving Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney. Initially using it for mischief (because why not?), Phil eventually realizes the potential for self-growth. Imagine learning the piano or saving a kid falling from a tree daily. Funny with a hint of life lessons, it's a tale that still clicks today.

6. Coming to America (1988)

Prince Akeem from the affluent African nation of Zamunda isn't your usual royalty. Instead of an arranged marriage, he sets off to Queens, New York, to find true love. Disguised as a commoner, he gets a job in a fast-food joint and navigates the Big Apple's quirks. Think princely robes swapped for neon jackets and a royal entourage traded in for a sassy landlord. With Eddie Murphy brilliantly juggling multiple roles, it's a crown jewel in the comedy realm.

7. Clueless (1995)

High school politics? Bring it on! Cher Horowitz, with her iconic yellow plaid outfit and a heart of gold, rules the school. When she isn't giving herself a "makeover project" like Tai, she's giving driving instructors near-death experiences or matchmaking teachers. The lingo might be so '90s ("As if!"), but the humor? Timeless. Cher's navigation of friendships, love, and teen angst is something every generation can, like, totally relate to.

8. Dumb and Dumber (1994)

Lloyd and Harry redefine the term dim-witted. With an aim to return a briefcase to its owner, they embark on a cross-country trip filled with bizarre encounters. From a parakeet with its head taped on to mistaking rat poison for meds, the duo's misadventures are side-splitting. You'd think it's just plain silliness, but hey, isn't that what we need in this era of complex comedies?

9. Big (1988)

Ever wished to be an adult as a kid? 12-year-old Josh Baskin did, and bam! He wakes up as a 30-year-old. Tom Hanks shines as the oversized kid navigating the grown-up world—think chopsticks on a giant piano or playing with toys for a job. But as the novelty wears off, Josh realizes being big isn't all it's chalked up to be. It's a heartwarming story that shows age is just a number; it's the child within that counts.

10. The Princess Bride (1987)

It starts as a simple story: a grandfather reading to his sick grandson. But what unfolds is a fairy-tale filled with romance, adventure, and ROUS (Rodents of Unusual Size). Westley's quest to save his true love, Princess Buttercup, from an unwanted marriage is a roller—oops, a wild ride. With iconic lines like "As you wish" and "Inconceivable!", this one's got all the ingredients for a perfect laugh.

11. Spaceballs (1987)

A farce of galactic proportions, this Mel Brooks classic takes every sci-fi trope and turns it upside down. When Princess Vespa is kidnapped, it's up to Lone Starr and his half-man, half-dog sidekick, Barf, to rescue her. From the ludicrous villain Dark Helmet to the "May the Schwartz be with you" catchphrase, it's a film where almost everything is a delightful parody.

12. Ghostbusters (1984)

Ghosts in New York City? Call the Ghostbusters! This team of parapsychologists-turned-ghost-catchers, with their proton packs, tackle all things supernatural. From gooey green Slimer to the gigantic Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, they ain't afraid of no ghost. It's action-packed, spooky at times, but most importantly, it's filled with laughs that still echo in the 2020s.

13. Home Alone (1990)

Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister gets his Christmas wish when his family accidentally leaves him behind on their vacation. But the joy of independence quickly turns into a mission when two burglars target his house. Using toys and household items, Kevin sets up hilarious traps to fend them off. Paint cans swinging from ropes, tarantulas on faces – it's a festive riot.

14. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

Divorced and desperate to spend time with his kids, Daniel Hillard has a wacky idea: become a nanny. With the help of prosthetics and a killer British accent, he transforms into Mrs. Doubtfire, the elderly Scottish nanny. Robin Williams, in this iconic role, navigates cooking disasters, wild pool antics, and, of course, the challenge of not letting his ex-wife find out. It's touching, it's funny, and it's oh-so-memorable.

15. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

Set in the '70s, this flick follows the life of San Diego's top-rated newsman, Ron Burgundy. When ambitious journalist Veronica joins the all-male channel and eyes Ron's position, it's newsroom warfare! From jazz flute solos to street brawls with rival news teams, Will Ferrell's hilarious portrayal of the clueless chauvinist is a comedic masterclass. Heck, it made over $90 million at the box office.