This is our ongoing series of the Top Teen & College Comedies You Haven’t Seen. You can access links to previous lists below. This article is about the Top Teen & College Comedies You Haven’t Seen – 1985 – 1989.
Listed below are the links to previous years and links of the Top Teen & College Comedies You Haven’t Seen lists:
- Teen & College Comedies – The 1970’s
- Teen & College Comedies – 1980 – 1984
- Teen & College Comedies – 1985 – 1989
- Teen & College Comedies – 1990 – 1994
- Teen & College Comedies – 1995 – 1999
- Teen & College Comedies – 2000 – 2004
- Teen & College Comedies – 2005 – 2009
- Teen & College Comedies – 2010 – 2013
- Teen & College Comedies – 2014 – 2017
- Teen & College Comedies – 2018 – 2022
In the mid-80’s, additional themes appeared in Teen & College themed comedies. Sci-Fi, Horror and Fantasy genres became more prominent within the subgenre, high school nerds or outcasts became a popular subgenre theme, and black comedy started to appear more frequently in Teen Comedy films from 1985 – 1989.
Sci-Fi themed Teen Comedies became more prevalent in the latter half of the 80’s with Back to the Future (1985), Weird Science (1985), My Science Project (1985), School Spirit (1985), The Invisible Kid (1988), Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989) and Back to the Future Part II (1989). Fantasy also became a more utilized genre in Teen Comedies with The Heavenly Kid (1985), Teen Wolf (1985), Once Bitten (1985), 18 Again! (1988), Girlfriend from Hell (1989) and Teen Witch (1989). And Horror Comedies featuring Teens or College Students would become popular during this period with Night of the Creeps (1986), Killer Party (1986), Slaughter High (1986), Class of Nuke ‘Em High (1986), My Best Friend is a Vampire (1987), The Lost Boys (1987), Zombie High (1987) and Society (1989).
Though Revenge of the Nerds (1984) had thrust the Nerds and Outcasts subgenre theme into the mainstream, the back half of the decade would make this theme a fixture of the subgenre. The Breakfast Club (1985), Weird Science (1985), Real Genius (1985), Fraternity Vacation (1986), Pretty in Pink (1986), Hunk (1987), Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise (1987), Can’t Buy Me Love (1987), Three O’Clock High (1987) and The Night Before (1988) all had film narratives primarily featuring Nerds, Losers or Outcasts.
And Black Comedy also became a comedic theme used within Teen & College Comedy Films from 1985 – 1989 in Better Off Dead (1985) and Heathers (1989).
Other classic and notable subgenre films from 1985 – 1989 included Fandango (1985), Heaven Help Us (1985), Mischief (1985), Poison Ivy (1985), The Sure Thing (1985), Moving Violations (1985), Just One of the Guys (1985), Summer Rental (1985), Wildcats (1986), Lucas (1986), Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986), Back to School (1986), One Crazy Summer (1986), Adventures in Babysitting (1987), Summer School (1987), Heartbreak Hotel (1988), Say Anything… (1989), Loverboy (1989), Dead Poets Society (1989) and Uncle Buck (1989).
For our list of the Top Teen & College Comedies You Haven’t Seen – 1985 – 1989, we selected some lesser-known films from a variety of subgenre themes. We also tried to select films that were representative of later 1980’s culture and nostalgia.
Classic, must-see subgenre films from 1985 – 1989: Heaven Help Us (1985), The Breakfast Club (1985), Just One of the Guys (1985), Back to the Future (1985), Weird Science (1985), Real Genius (1985), Better Off Dead (1985), Pretty in Pink (1986), Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986), Back to School (1986), Summer School (1987), Can’t Buy Me Love (1987), Three O’Clock High (1987), Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989), Heathers (1989), Say Anything… (1989), Dead Poets Society (1989), Uncle Buck (1989) and Back to the Future Part II (1989).
Lesser-known subgenre films that didn’t make our list: Hamburger: The Motion Picture (1986), Pretty Smart (1987), Campus Man (1987), A Tiger’s Tale (1987), The Night Before (1988), Heartbreak Hotel (1988), Loverboy (1989) and Society (1989).
Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Here is our list of the Top Teen & College Comedies You Haven’t Seen – 1985 – 1989:
#10
Stitches
Plot: The misadventures of three medical school students.
KBZ’s Take: We decided to go with a very obscure 1980’s College Comedy film in this spot with Stitches. The film is directed by Rob Holcomb (listed as Alan Smithee) which is a general sign of a troubled production and horrible film. However, Stitches does have some humorous moments and the comedy is very juvenile and raunchy at times. Though we wouldn’t normally recommend the film, for subgenre fans its worth seeking out.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://youtu.be/ybPmFWphGQE
Plot: Cop goes undercover as a high school student to prove his brother’s innocence in a murder.
KBZ’s Take: Another obscure entry on our list that is a very funny film. While the story itself is a bit predictable, the humor is very dry and offbeat. There are some very hilarious moments in this film not only with the dialogue, but also with background placement of satirical set pieces. Arliss Howard and Seymour Cassel are outstanding in this film as both police partners and eventual undercover son and father. There’s also a very good supporting cast with Suzy Amis, Diane Ladd, Abe Vigoda and Norm! (George Wendt). Highly recommended film for fans of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/407o2MK
Plot: Sam is new in town and tries to make friends by allowing students to use his dad’s motel’s honeymoon suite.
KBZ’s Take: A very under the radar and obscure subgenre film, Paradise Motel should have been more well known. Though it follows many of the same film tropes of similar “new high school kid in town comedies”, there are some surprisingly good performances in the film and a well-defined, underlying message. Gary Hershberger, Robert Krantz and Jonna Leigh Stack all give great performances around a message of being yourself versus trying to impress friends who take advantage of you. Recommended film of the subgenre.
Additional Lists: More Top 1980’s Sex Comedies You Haven’t Seen #2
Where to Stream / Buy: https://youtu.be/yMYMC9wXsU0
Plot: Rival frat members in Palm Springs have a contest to sleep with a designated woman.
KBZ’s Take: This film falls into the Raunchy Humor and Sex Comedy subgenre, but is still a funny film. Though a very minor hit during the 1980’s, the film featured a who’s who of 80’s actors including Stephen Geoffreys, Cameron Dye, Tim Robbins, Leigh McCloskey, Matt McCoy, Amanda Bearse, Barbara Crampton and John Vernon. If you’re in the mood for Animal House (1978) type College humor, then this film is for you.
Additional Lists: The Best 1980’s Sex Comedies #18
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3w8tz7V
#6
Poison Ivy
Plot: Two teenage summer camp counselors struggle with their younger campers.
KBZ’s Take: If you grew up in the 80’s, chances are you’ve seen this film and remember it as part of your childhood. It was an NBC TV-Movie featuring Michael J. Fox right before he became a star with Teen Wolf (1985) and Back to the Future (1985). As far as comedy, it’s a weaker version of Meatballs (1979) but does have some very humorous situations with the stereotypical campers – Timmy the shy outcast, Jerry the conman, Toby the overweight funny kid and more. Recent generations might find the film boring but it’s a film older generations will reminisce about (especially if they had to go to summer camp as a kid).
Where to Stream / Buy: https://youtu.be/KoRF_TrIdhU
Plot: 19-year-old college student becomes infatuated with an older Oxford student.
KBZ’s Take: This UK film is a bit hit-or-miss, but when it hits, it’s one of the better films of the subgenre. While it starts off a bit like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1985) with Charles (Dexter Fletcher) breaking the fourth wall in comedic fashion, the film soon turns into a drama as Charles pursues Rachel (Ione Skye). The film also stars James Spader in a somewhat subdued role as Rachel’s controlling boyfriend. Though it’s not a classic film of the subgenre, it’s highly recommended for fans of the subgenre who might have missed this film during the 80’s.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/40d0ndY
#4
Aloha Summer
Plot: American teenagers visit Hawaii during their summer holiday.
KBZ’s Take: This is an obscure film of the subgenre but shouldn’t be missed. It’s one of the best of the subgenre. Though there are other period teen comedies and dramas of the subgenre (i.e. Porky’s (1981)), Aloha Summer rises above the rest with some very unique themes. The film focuses on the interracial friendship and racism between Hawaiian born Japanese and the American students from the mainland. And with its setting in 1959 Hawaii, it explores the generational gap between a traditional Japanese father and his son. The film is very hard to find, but for fans of the subgenre, it’s highly recommended to seek out and watch.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://youtu.be/YQd4EdsahNU
Plot: Nerdy high school journalist accidentally touches new student Buddy Revell, who now challenges him to an afterschool fight.
KBZ’s Take: This was a somewhat popular film during 1987, but we wanted to list it here for new generations to experience. This Teen Comedy broke a lot of new barriers when it first came out. Though the story is somewhat predictable, the direction and editing in the film was novel at the time. You just didn’t see the type of zoom shots and quick edits in a Teen Comedy before this film. It also has one of the best school bully roles of all time with Richard Tyson (Buddy Revell). Though most subgenre fans have likely seen this film and deem it a classic, for those who haven’t seen it yet, it’s worth moving up to the top of your queue.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3HIQ1v7
Plot: A female high school journalism student goes undercover as a male at a rival high school.
KBZ’s Take: Often overlooked Teen Comedy that trades the raunchiness for more gender swapped-based comedy. However, this still has loads of laughs especially from Billy Jayne as Buddy (the younger sex starved brother of his now male impersonating sister). Be on the lookout for William Zabka of Cobra Kai in yet another role as the main high school bully (Karate Kid and Back to School being the other films with Zabka as the lead bully).
Additional Lists: Top Raunchy Comedy Films and Sex Comedies You Haven’t Seen #10, The Best 1980’s Sex Comedies #10
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3IV7hy3
Plot: New student at St. Basil’s Catholic Boys School joins a band of misfits.
KBZ’s Take: We’re listing this film as #1 for one reason – it’s a criminally underrated and unknown film that somehow is never listed on Best Teen Comedies of the 1980’s lists. It belongs along side The Breakfast Club (1985) and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1985) as one of the subgenre comedies that defined the decade. For those of you who went to Catholic school growing up, it’s a film that shouldn’t be missed. For everyone else, it’s an accurate look at the differences between public and private school life even in 1965. There are many funny, funny moments in the film with some heartbreak and an ending that will have you cheering like you did at the end of Karate Kid (1984). The film has an amazing cast with Donald Sutherland, Andrew McCarthy, John Heard, Mary Stuart Masterson, Kevin Dillon, Malcolm Danare, Dana Barron, Wallace Shawn and Jay Patterson (as one of the cruelest teachers you will ever see on film). Highly recommended film of the subgenre and should not be missed!
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Jw7zMe
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