10 Funniest Comedy Films Of The 1980s

Airplane! is arguably the funniest film ever created. In their attempt to fulfill the "laugh every minute" formula, Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker instead created a film that would make audiences laugh continuously for the entire 87 minutes of running time.

Modifying a screenplay from the relatively forgotten airplane disaster film Zero Hour (1957), the filmmaking trio were successfully able to turn a mediocre drama into one of the most quotable films of all time. Airplane! is relentless in its efforts to make audiences laugh, whether the gags are moments of complexed absurdity or silly puns.

Airplane! was also a major breakthrough performance for Leslie Nielsen, who despite having only a supporting role in the film, provided his most iconic performance as the straight-faced Dr Rumack. The film also stars Robert Hays and Julie Hagerty as troubled ex-lovers Ted Striker and Elaine, while Hollywood legend Lloyd Bridges also stars as the hilarious air control supervisor Steve McCroskey.

Airplane! would make $171 million at the box office and in 2010 it was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.