10 Underrated Black Comedy Movies of the 1980s Worth Revisiting

"A Fish Called Wanda"

The fish, though important, isn't the real star of this comedy gem. No, it's a gang of criminals and the shenanigans that ensue after a diamond heist.

Wanda, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, is not a fish, but a woman with a penchant for manipulation and an odd fascination with languages. Then there's her dim-witted lover, Otto, and a stuttering, animal-loving hitman, Ken. Add in John Cleese as an unwitting barrister, and you have a laugh riot on your hands.

When you mix a barrister, a criminal, and a fish named Wanda, you get the recipe for hilarious misunderstandings.

"Withnail & I"

Ready for a trip to the countryside? Withnail and "I" – that's our unnamed protagonist – could use a break from their squalid London flat. So they seek refuge in the rustic house of Withnail's peculiar Uncle Monty. But sometimes, it seems, the country can be as mad as the city.

Forget peaceful relaxation; these two struggling actors stumble from one hilarious misadventure to another. A malfunctioning heater, an obsessed uncle, and a savage bull are just a few obstacles on their chaotic retreat. You may not learn about agrarian life, but you'll be laughing your way through the mayhem.

"Heathers"

Meet Veronica Sawyer, a high school student who finds herself in the popular clique of Heathers. But, as it turns out, popularity isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Veronica teams up with a mysterious new student, J.D., and together, they set out to take down the tyrannical Heathers. One by one, the Heathers meet their end in a string of seemingly accidental deaths that are more than they appear.

Is it all a big joke, or have things taken a sinister turn? And, most importantly, who would you trust with a chainsaw?

"Beetlejuice"

Are you ready to say his name three times? Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetle—wait, maybe not just yet! When the Maitlands tragically pass away, they find themselves haunting their former home, now occupied by the quirky Deetz family.

But getting rid of the living proves harder than they anticipated. Enter the mischievous, wisecracking demon, Beetlejuice. Before long, the Maitlands learn that some afterlife help may be more trouble than it's worth. Trust me, a dinner party has never been this entertaining.

"The War of the Roses"

Wedded bliss? More like marital mayhem! Oliver and Barbara Rose seemingly have it all: a successful marriage, a luxurious house, and a life of wealth and privilege. But when the love fades and divorce looms, their once-idyllic life devolves into a battlefield.

Vying for control of their mansion, the couple's feud escalates to ludicrous proportions, with each determined to outdo the other. Who gets the house, who wins the war, and who comes out alive? It's a wild ride from start to finish!

"The 'Burbs"

Step into the quiet, unassuming neighborhood of Mayfield Place, where everything appears to be normal. Well, except for the peculiar new neighbors. Ray Peterson, played by Tom Hanks, can't shake the feeling that there's something fishy going on with the Klopeks. Are they just a tad odd, or could they be hiding dark secrets?

Armed with his buddies, an overactive imagination, and a whole lot of neighborhood gossip, Ray sets out to uncover the truth. It's a hilarious take on suburban paranoia and the absurd lengths we'll go to fuel it.

"Throw Momma from the Train"

Ah, what to do when you have an overbearing mother and a writer's block? Well, if you're Larry Donner, you meet an eccentric student named Owen, who has an unusual proposition – a "crisscross" murder scheme inspired by Hitchcock's "Strangers on a Train." Owen will take care of Larry's ex-wife if Larry deals with Owen's tyrannical momma.

But things never go as planned, do they? Owen's upholding his end of the bargain, but Larry's reluctant to follow suit. And who knew disposing of a problematic momma would be so challenging?

"After Hours"

Ever had a night that seems to spiral out of control? For Paul Hackett, it starts with a chance encounter and an invitation to a downtown apartment.

A simple quest for romance becomes a nightmarish journey through the eccentric characters and absurd predicaments of New York's SoHo district. Lost keys, stolen money, angry mobs, and a relentless paper mache artist – what else could possibly go wrong? By the time the sun comes up, you'll be relieved to see the ordinary world again.

"Lost in America"

The American dream isn't always what it seems. Take David and Linda Howard, a yuppie couple who decide to quit their jobs, buy an RV, and live life on the open road, a la "Easy Rider."

Unfortunately, their vision of a carefree, nomadic existence quickly falls apart. Gambling losses, menial jobs, and the harsh realities of life on the road put their relationship to the test. Is the freedom of the open road all it's cracked up to be, or is there no place like home?

"Real Genius"

Meet Chris Knight, a brilliant but unorthodox student at Pacific Tech, who loves science and a good prank. When he learns that his latest project – a high-powered laser – is destined for a nefarious military purpose, he and his friends decide to take matters into their own hands.

The quirky gang of geniuses plots a scheme that involves popcorn, sabotage, and a grandiose spectacle that'll leave you popping with laughter.