Best 1980s Romantic Comedy Film

Everything was big in the 80s. The hair. The fashion. The movies. That included a slew of romantic comedies with modest budgets, but which became box-office smashes thanks to their novel concepts, sparkling scripts, and charismatic leads. In what other decade could you have a film about a magic mannequin that was secretly a naive sexpot, or gruff Australian hunter who charms the pants off a big-city reporter? Only the 80s, baby! So crack open a Bartles & James, warm up your crimper, and plate your McDLT, because the Great Pop Culture Debate wants to make love, not war, as we attempt to name the Best Romantic Comedy Film of the 1980s.

Films discussed: When Harry Met Sally, Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Mannequin, Big, Moonstruck, Hairspray, Overboard, Sixteen Candles, Coming to America, Arthur, Roxanne, Pretty in Pink, Look Who’s Talking, Crocodile Dundee, Splash, Romancing the Stone

Join host Eric Rezsnyak, GPCD panelists Jonny Minogue and Kevin Dillon, and special guests Maggie Hartman and Anna as they discuss and debate 16 of the most swoon-worthy films of the 1980s.

Play along at home by finding the listener bracket here. Make a copy for yourself, fill it out, and see if your picks match up with ours!

For the warm-up to this episode, in which we discuss even more 80s romcoms that didn’t make the bracket, become a Patreon supporter of the podcast today.

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Round 1 Match-Ups:

Not a Patreon subscriber? Here’s a primer on how we came up with the bracket.

Match-Up 2: Mannequin (3) vs. Big (2)

Match-Up 3: Moonstruck (1) vs. Hairspray (4)

Match-Up 4: Overboard (3) vs. Sixteen Candles (2)

Match-Up 5: Coming to America (1) vs. Arthur (4)

Match-Up 6: Roxanne (3) vs. Pretty in Pink (2)

Match-Up 7: Look Who’s Talking (1) vs. Crocodile Dundee (4)

Match-Up 8: Splash (3) vs. Romancing the Stone (2)


Want to play along at home?

Download the Listener Bracket and see if your picks match up with ours!

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Episode Credits

Host: Eric Rezsnyak

Panelists: Jonny Minogue, Kevin Dillon

Special Guests: Anna, Maggie Hartman

Producer: Derek Mekita

Editor: John Higgins

Theme Music: “Dance to My Tune” by Marc Torch

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