Found in the Attic: 5 Sadly Forgotten Comedy Gems That Deserve More Recognition

Comedy is perhaps the most popular genre of fiction because it makes us feel better. Dozens of comedies are released every year, but frankly, most of them suck. These five forgotten movies from the twentieth century are far better than most modern comedies.

All of Me (1984, 6.7 on IMDb)

Available on: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime

Starring Steve Martin and Lily Tomlin, this fantasy comedy centers on Edwina Cutwater, a dying millionaire, and her lawyer, Roger Cobb. Before her imminent death, Edwina arranges a seance with a medium who will transfer her soul into the body of a young and beautiful but depressed woman, and instructs her lawyer to make the girl her sole heir. However ridiculous, the transfer is real, but it goes terribly wrong when the vessel containing Endwina's soul falls out of the window and her spirit is spilled on Roger. Now the two characters must coexist in the same body.

Nothing to Lose (1997, 6.7 on IMDb)

Available on: Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime

Steve Oedekerk's action comedy starring Tim Robbins and Martin Lawrence follows Nick Beam, an advertising executive who one day catches his wife cheating on him with his boss. Devastated by the situation, Nick takes off in his car, only to run into more trouble when T-Paul Davidson, who makes his living by scamming reckless drivers out of money by pretending they hit him with their cars, is waiting for his new victim on the road.

Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999, 6.7 on IMDb)

Available on: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime

This satirical mockumentary starring Kirsten Dunst, Amy Adams, Ellen Barkin and many others follows a beauty pageant in the small town of Mount Rose, Minnesota, and focuses on two contestants, Amber Atkins and Becky Leeman, as they vie for the crown of beauty queen. At the same time, their mothers, Annette and Gladys, are also competing and are willing to go to great lengths to ensure victory for their daughters.

Better Off Dead (1985, 7.1 on IMDb)

Available on: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime

Steve Holland's black comedy stars John Cusack as Lane Meyer, a high school student who develops depression and suicidal thoughts after his girlfriend Beth breaks up with him just before Christmas and starts dating Lane's worst nemesis and bully Roy, who didn't accept John as a member of the school's ski team. Now Lane's only goal is to beat Roy at the upcoming ski race and maybe impress French exchange student Monica.

Top Secret! (1984, 7.2 on IMDb)

Available on: Netflix, Paramount+, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime

This action comedy is a parody of several genres, including musicals and spy films, the latter of which were abundant during the Cold War. The movie follows Nick Rivers, an American rock musician who is invited to perform at an international music festival in East Germany. There he reluctantly becomes involved in the work of a large resistance movement when he falls in love with one of its members, Hillary, whose scientist father was kidnapped by the military to create a powerful bomb capable of destroying NATO warships.