Every Tom Hanks ‘80s Comedy, Ranked

Though Tom Hanks is best remembered today for his award-winning dramatic performances, his 1980s comedies were some of the funniest films of the decade. Hanks' rise to stardom was somewhat meteoric, and after only a few years appearing on TV shows, he was thrust into the spotlight with 1984's Splash.

The box office smash cemented Hanks as a comedy powerhouse, and he would go on to appear in a further 10 comedy films before the end of the 1980s. With his likable persona, Hanks fit perfectly into the '80s comedy formula, and he excelled at playing the put upon straight man. Underneath the laughs, Hanks' acting chops were evident.

Hanks' comedy filmography from the '80s was quite diverse. He tried his hand at the classic sex romp, and even delved into a bit of horror comedy too. No matter what movie Hanks starred in, audiences were guaranteed to see the actor's best work each and every time. That being said, some were clearly better than others.

11 The Man With One Red Shoe (1985)

After having a triumphant 1984, Tom Hanks' next year was a dismal failure. In The Man with One Red Shoe, Hanks plays a hapless violinist who finds himself at the center of a CIA conspiracy. Blending elements of thriller and comedy, the movie is a remake of the 1972 French film, The Tall Blond Man with One Black Shoe.

The film sorely misses the point of the original film, and banks far too heavily on Hanks' everyman persona. The thrills are quite tepid, and the humor is light to say the least. What that leaves is an utterly forgettable experience that even Tom Hanks can't save.

10 Volunteers (1985)

In the same year that Hanks starred in The Man with One Red Shoe, he co-starred in the equally forgettable Volunteers. A wealthy playboy (Hanks) trying to escape his gambling debts stows away on a Peace Corps plane and ends up overseas where he helps build a bridge and uncovers a multinational conspiracy.

Scattershot to say the least, Volunteers has all the ingredients for a good comedy but doesn't know how to mix them together. Hanks and John Candy have excellent chemistry, but they aren't given anything particularly funny to do. Volunteers suffers from too many ideas and not enough polishing.

9 Punchline (1988)

Movies about stand-up comedy are a tricky proposition because it requires a keen wit to capture the essence of the artform on screen. Punchline enlists Hanks to play a comic who mentors a homemaker and aspiring stand-up (Sally Field), only to find she's stiff competition. Subtle with its laughs, Punchline is a character-driven comedy with an all-star cast.

Though the film has obvious care for stand-up comedy and those who face the trials and tribulations of pursuing the career, it has little else to offer. Field and Hanks work well together, but the film often forgets to be particularly funny, and feels a step behind the stand-up comedy scene in the late 1980s.

8 Nothing In Common (1986)

There were inklings of Tom Hanks' dramatic future in films like Nothing in Common, and it remains one of his most underrated movies. A childish, but successful, advertising executive (Hanks) is forced to grow up and mature when his parents get a divorce. Part cliché '80s comedy, and part dissection of yuppie culture, Nothing in Common has two distinct halves.

Hanks gives a subtle performance that sees his character grow and change throughout the running time, and he holds his own alongside comedy legend Jackie Gleason. While the film certainly has strong highlights, Nothing in Common is hampered by its own radical shifts in tone. Unlike other dramedies, the film never quite finds a balance.

7 Dragnet (1987)

Dragnet is a forgotten TV show movie, and it certainly deserves more attention as a hidden gem '80s comedy. Subtly spoofing the classic show, Dan Aykroyd plays the straight-laced Sgt. Joe Friday who must team with an unorthodox detective (Hanks) to crack a strange case. Light and breezy, Dragnet is a fun little movie that's good for a few laughs.

The film isn't anything particularly special, but it's a pleasant experience that hearkens back to the golden age of comedy. Buddy cop movies were all the rage throughout the '80s, and Dragnet falls somewhere in the middle of the pack. Hanks does a lot with a little, and his performance elevates the so-so film into something a bit more memorable.

6 Bachelor Party (1984)

The 1980s was awash in raunchy sex comedies, and Bachelor Party is actually one of the more well-crafted examples. On the eve of his wedding, Rick (Hanks) is dragged out for a night of debauchery by his friends, only to find it might jeopardize his marriage. Along with the usual zany antics, Bachelor Party also has a great cast.

Tom Hanks is the piece that unites the entire film, and his increasingly exasperated performance is still hilarious to this day. Like its contemporaries, Bachelor Party is of its time, but it has aged better than most. While a good movie overall, it does overstay its welcome just a bit and begins to get repetitive by the end.

5 Turner & Hooch (1989)

Hanks transitioned toward more family-friendly comedies as the '80s waned, and Turner & Hooch remains one of his best PG efforts. An ambitious young detective (Hanks) inherits an unruly dog from a recently deceased friend, and employs the pup to help him solve a murder case. Spoofing the buddy cop formula, Turner & Hooch launched a cop dog subgenre.

The box office hit scored middling reviews from critics, but is now accepted as a family classic in many circles. Hanks is perfectly cast as the foil to Hooch's doggy antics, and it's a well-written film with a lot of charm. Though hardly groundbreaking cinema, Turner & Hooch never fails to entertain.

4 The Money Pit (1986)

Established as one of the best comedy actors of the '80s, Tom Hanks continued his hot-streak with The Money Pit. A city couple (Hanks and Shelley Long) buy a cheap house out in the country, but soon learn the reason for its cut-rate price. The best comedies are relatable, and The Money Pit is a familiar experience for many homeowners.

The script for The Money Pit is surprisingly shallow, and it mostly exists as a platform for the abundant physical gags. As the house falls apart, Hanks' performance becomes more and more unhinged until he throws a sidesplitting fit. Though there were better comedies coming out around that time, few used physical comedy as effectively.

3 Splash (1984)

Though Splash is notable for being the film that introduced Tom Hanks, it's also a great comedy too. A man (Hanks) falls in love with a mermaid (Daryl Hannah) who has come on land to enlist his help, but their romance is interrupted by a scientist. Despite its odd premise, Splash has all the important human elements that comedy needs.

Director Ron Howard captures the magic and romance of the script in the film's visual approach, and Hanks brings his signature charm. There are certainly clunky elements to Splash (especially 40 years later), but the whole is better than the sum of its parts. After all, it made Tom Hanks a star for a reason.

2 The 'Burbs (1989)

Closing out the decade strong, Tom Hanks headlined the underrated Joe Dante horror comedy, The 'Burbs. While trying to enjoy a week off, Ray (Hanks) is roped into his nosy friends' plan to spy on their unusual new neighbors. Effortlessly goofing on suburban culture in the '80s, The 'Burbs is creepy and funny.

Though the movie had a turbulent production, the finished product is really strong. Hanks plays off his co-stars perfectly, and Dante's filmmaking prowess is on full display. Horror comedy is not an easy genre to master, but The 'Burbs understands the delicate blend that's required to be successful.