Prior to the new millennium, the world possessed an optimistic innocence that seems to have been lost to the ages. It was this atmosphere that made the'80sand'90sa golden age in Hollywood for quaint, heartwarmingcomedies. It is unsurprising that this era produced some of the industry’s mostenduringly funny classics.
Within the comedy genre, wedding movies are particularly appealing. Domineering parents, headbutting in-laws, jealous exes, unexpected run-ins, and bridezillas are prime plot points for some hilarious set-ups. Here are 10 top'80s and ’90s wedding comedies to watch that encapsulate the charm of these delightful decades.
10Father of the Bride (1991)
A remake of the 1950 film by the same name,Father of the Bridestars Steve Martin, a prolific comedian with a hugearray of great movies, some of which fans may have overlooked. He plays a hilariously overprotective dad to Annie (Kimbery Williams), whosewedding is plagued by an endlessly unfolding series of comical struggles.
Steve Martin Stands up to Original in Father of the Bride
Martin, who will be best recognized by younger generations for his recent collaboration with Disney queen Selena Gomez in Netflix’sOnly Murder in the Buildings,is funnily relatable as hiswedding stress makes him lose his coolover silly frustrations like a hot dog bun conundrum. The film is bolstered by the talents of co-producer Nancy Meyers, who went on to direct Lindsay Lohan in the iconic remake ofThe Parent Trap.
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9My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)
My Best Friend’s Wedding
’90s darling Julia Roberts, best remembered as the endearing Vivian inPretty Woman,leads this charming tale about amarriage-pact gone wrong. Many people have a half-joking pact to marry their best friend if both are still single by a certain age, andMy Best Friend’s Weddingexplores the calamity that unfolds when one friend gets engaged just as the other realizes she was in love with him all along.
Strong Script Carries My Best Friend’s Wedding
Critics have agreed the movie’s strongest point is its script, with one Rotten Tomatoes critic calling it “witty and acerbic.” Theskillful writing paired with strong comedic performances, particularly from Rupert Everett, proved enough to help Roberts' overcome a string of flops and made the movie one ofher best.
8Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
Four Weddings and a Funeral
Hugh Grant, known for starring in one of thegreatest modern Christmas classicsLove Actually, leads as a bumbling perpetual groomsman in a film that bears similarities to Katherine Heigl’s beloved wedding classic27 Dresses. Stuck in a loop of dating fellow Britains with whom things never seem to work out, hislove is tested when he falls for a visiting American journalistwho makes him consider taking the leap of commitment.
Fast Pace and Strong Jokes Make Hugh Grant Rom-Com Shine
UK critic John Miller described the film as fast moving and “scattered with great jokes,” while Miami critic Rene Jordan praised director Mike Newell for expertlyspotlighting a large ensemble of over 20 characters. Though slightly predictable,Four Weddingsentertains from start to finish.
7Working Girl (1988)
Working Girl
Working Girlis the tale of an ambitious, intelligent secretary played by Melanie Griffith who doesn’t get her due in the office. The plot thickens when her boss, Sigourney Weaver’s “Katharine Parker,” attempts to steal and take credit for her ingenious business idea, and the comedy ramps up when Tesscrashes a wedding while covertly meetingwith Katharine’s boyfriend, Jack.
Working Girl Is Unrealistic, But Uplifting
Some viewers complained that the ending, in which the idea-stealingboss is fired while the underappreciated employee gets duly rewarded, is cartoonishly simplistic.Still, the movie received an 83% from Rotten Tomatoes critics, with reviewers praising the positive tone and immersive ’80s visuals, particularly the hair styling. The wedding-crash scene also shines, especially when Jack comically dances with a stranger.
6Runaway Bride (1999)
Runaway Briderecaptures thechemistry between Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, nine years after they first brought their fiery spark to the screen. Robert’s Maggie Carpenter has earned a reputation for running from the altar, this time leaving her fiancé, Ike, heartbroken by hitching a ride on a passing FedEx truck to escape the wedding venue. The two reconcile when Maggie realizes what she needed was a small, personal wedding rather than a crowded production.
Runaway Bride Is Easy-to-Watch Fluff With Great Cinematography
This is the type of film towatch when you don’t want to think too hard. While some reviewers have critiqued the plot as overly simplistic, many fans appreciate it for the same reason, along with the bits of silly humor sprinkled in. The cinematography is also to be commended, especially theoutstanding opening sceneof Roberts galloping on a horse in a wedding gown.
Richard Gere Improvised Pretty Woman’s Sexiest Scene Because His Character Was ‘Criminally Underwritten’
The film needed a little “Richard Gere magic” to become truly memorable.
5Betsy’s Wedding (1990)
Director Alan Alda’sBetsy’s Weddingstars Molly Ringwald, an icon of teen ’80s movies who once surprisingly turned down asuper famous role. She is joined by Joey Bishop in this funny tale ofover-excited parents who get carried away with planning a grand wedding for their children.
Catharine O’Hara’s Snarky Delivery Makes the Movie
The film, centered around agrandiose wedding being planned for a privileged couple, can be a bit unrelatable and has been called a movie about “rich white people problems.” However, the entertainment value is there, especially with Catharine O’Hara’s snappy delivery of the standout line, “You’re a rat, Oscar. It’s a good thing we never had children. You probably would have eaten them!”
4Mystic Pizza (1988)
Mystic Pizza
Mystic Pizzais Julia Roberts' breakthrough film that started her reign as a comedy queen. Set in a small Connecticut town, the coming of age tale follows themisadventures of three pizza waitresses. It features two weddings, one at which the bride, Lili Taylor’s “Jojo,” comically faints due to her fear of commitment.
Mystic Pizza Is Rewatchably Heartwarming
Mystic Pizzais a solid family film which has beenunfairly forgottenby today’s generation. The script is interwoven with feminine intelligence, and the atmospheric ambiance makes viewers feel as if they’re in New England. Intriguedfans can trek to the real-life pizza shopof the same name that inspired the film.
3The Wedding Singer (1998)
The Wedding Singer
This fun-filled flick pairs a young Drew Barrymore with effortlessly funny icon Adam Sandler. They play Frank, a singer, and Julia, a waitress, who are both planning to marry other people until atwist of fate brings them together. Fans may be interested to know that the script was edited byStar Warsicon Carrie Fisher, who spent six months “making the women smarter” and improving the romance scenes.
Likeable Characters Make the Wedding Singer Work
The film stands out among Sandler’s lengthyfilmography of funny moviesfor being heartfelt, if slightly sappier than some of his other work. A rotten tomatoes critic conceded that despite its excessive sweetness, he"couldn’t help pulling" for the two stars.
2Sixteen Candles (1984)
Sixteen Candles
Sixteen Candles,widely considered one ofMolly Ringwald’s top performances, is a gem of the ’80s and still popular among teens today. The coming-of-age plot revolves Ringwald’s character Sam, whosesweet sixteen gets off to a terrible startas her parents forget it in the frenzy of her older sister’s wedding preparations, and she fails to catch the attention of her crush. Plenty of funny twists and high school hijinks play out before viewers learn whether Sam finally gets her big birthday wish.
Sixteen Candles Is Great for Its Self-Aware Campiness
In contrast to one ofThe Breakfast Club, another of Ringwald’s top hits,Sixteen Candleshas a refreshing lack of pretentiousness. However, audiences should not let the film’s strong story and enjoyable watchability cause them to overlook thepotentially problematic Asian stereotypingof Gedde Watanabe’s character, Long Duk Dong. This is one instance from which Hollywood can learn to do better.
10 ‘80s Fantasy Movies That Never Lost Their Magic
While the genre has long captured our collective interest, it was perhaps the 1980s that truly marked the golden age of fantasy movies.
1The Princess Bride (1987)
The Princess Bride
No rundown of ’80s comedy classics would be complete without a mention ofThe Princess Bride,an enduring and beloved romp that only gets better with time. The movie starsHouse of CardsalumRobin Wright as Princess Buttercup, who pairs enchantingly with Cary Elwes’s Westley, afarmhand on a quest for the princess’s love.
The Princess Bride’s Otherworldly Timelessness Is Key to Its Longevity
The film’s fantasy setting prevents it from getting stuck in time. Additionally, the jokes are situational and don’t reference the context of the time period, helping the film conjure a sharp separation from reality. Physical comedy is also incorporated, such as when Westleyhilariously tumbles down a hill. Director Rob Reiner perfectly combines these elements for a project which has been loved since its release and is going nowhere soon.
