When it came to the 1980s, you couldn’t watch a mainstream movie without seeing Rick Moranis. When it came to popular comedies, Rick Moranis movies were some of the most popular films of the 1980s. His films were both funny and heartfelt, and they touched on a variety of different topics.
So what were the best Rick Moranis movies of the 1980s?
The Best 80s Rick Moranis Movies
Even though Rick Moranis is no longer acting, he still left us with a treasure trove of great performances in many movies. Though we wish he was still acting, we can still pop in any one of the mega hits that he starred in over his career.
Here are our picks for the top Rick Moranis movies of the 1980s:
1. Ghostbusters (1984)
We couldn’t have a list of Rick Moranis movies from the 1980s without mentioning Ghostbusters, which was really the movie that put Rick Moranis on the map. His portrayal of the bumbling “Louis Tully” was one of the most memorable characters we remember from the 80s.
Ghostbusters became one of biggest franchises of the 1980s, and we strongly believe Rick Moranis had a lot to do with that.
2. Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
This movie was originally written by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken for the stag, but it was later adapted as a film. The story is about a flower shop employee, played by Rick Moranis, who discovers that the owner of the store has been feeding innocent people to his plant in order to keep it alive.
This movie is one that is uniquely 80s, and Rick Moranis’ performance in it is commendable.
3. Strange Brew (1983)
This is a film written by Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas. They had such great success with it that they decided to create the “SCTV” television show, which they both starred in along with Martin Short.
4. Spaceballs (1987)
Of course we had to have “Spaceballs” on this list of best Rick Moranis movies from the 1980s. His portrayal as “Dark Helmet”, a Darth Vader parody from Star Wars, is one of his more memorable comedic roles.
This movie is another Mel Brooks film. It was co-written by Brooks and Thomas, and they played the two main characters in the film: Lone Starr and Barf, who were also featured in an episode of “Saturday Night Live.”
This movie is a parody on the different elements in the Star Wars franchise, and one of Rick Moranis’ most memorable performances from the decade.
5. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)
This movie was written by Ed Solomon and produced by Steven Spielberg. Moranis plays Wayne Szalinski, a scientist who accidentally shrinks his children and sends them out into the backyard where they have to find their way back home.
This wacky comedy was a big box office success, and it really cemented Rick Moranis as an A-List movie star in Hollywood.
6. Parenthood (1989)
This film was written and directed by Ron Howard and also stars Steve Martin, Keanu Reeves, and Mary Steenburgen. Moranis plays a father of four kids who tries to raise them while coping with his own parents’ deteriorating marriage.
He finds it hard to be a good parent when he is on the verge of losing his job due to cutbacks from the company that has been employing him for over twenty years. Rick Moranis’ performance is memorable, and it’s why we included the film in this list.
The above are some of the best Rick Moranis movies from the 1980s. He has starred in, written, and produced many different films over the decade, but these are some of the most memorable and popular ones that we still remember today.
