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  • 10 Comedy Movies Everyone Loved That Have NOT Aged Well

10 Comedy Movies Everyone Loved That Have NOT Aged Well

Written by Turner Gray & Likewise Pix | Jan 27, 2025 Explore how these beloved comedies hit the wrong notes in today's world and why they simply don't hold up any more.

The world of comedy changes with the times, and some movies that were once hailed as uproarious or poignant have not aged so gracefully. Today, we're taking a humorous yet honest look at 10 comedies that once captured the hearts of audiences but now show their age with outdated humor and cultural insensitivity.

Revenge of the Nerds (1984)

Revenge of the Nerds
© Photo: Provided by Likewise.

This college comedy with its nerd vs. jock rivalry once championed the underdog. However, today's viewers might find its depictions of sexual assault veiled in humor more unsettling than funny. When it was released on July 20, 1984, it cleverly played on social dynamics but now stands as a reminder of how far we've come in rejecting such narratives. Average Rating: 3.5.

Sixteen Candles (1984)

Sixteen Candles
© Photo: Provided by Likewise.

The quintessential coming-of-age film for many teens in the 80s, Sixteen Candles presents themes that now draw criticism for racial stereotyping and casual sexism. As Samantha deals with her family's oversight of her sweet 16 against a backdrop of high school crushes, modern audiences are left cringing at its portrayal of Long Duk Dong and other dated elements. Released on May 4, 1984, it holds an Average Rating: 3.5.

American Pie (1999)

American Pie
© Photo: Provided by Likewise.

A defining teen comedy of its time, American Pie is famed for its raunchy humor and high school antics. The film centers around a group of friends entering a pact to lose their virginity before college. While it made waves for breaking taboos back on July 9, 1999, its objectification and gender politics fall flat in today's discussions. Average Rating: 3.3.

Trading Places (1983)

Trading Places
© Photo: Provided by Likewise.

When two millionaires orchestrate a switcheroo between a successful broker and a streetwise con artist, hilarity ensues—or so it did in 1983. Trading Places made sharp commentary on class and race, but its blending of comedy with stereotypes has aged uncomfortably since its release on June 7, 1983. Average Rating: 4.

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
© Photo: Provided by Likewise.

Jim Carrey's breakout role saw him as the zany pet detective hunting down a stolen mascot. The slapstick comedy resonated when released on February 4, 1994, but recent critiques focus on its problematic portrayals and an infamous scene that weaponizes gender identity for shock value. Average Rating: 3.6.

Porky's (1981)

Porky's
© Photo: Provided by Likewise.

This 1981 release, set in 1950s Florida, follows a group of teens scheming revenge on a strip club owner. Porky's was revolutionary for its time with its blatantly sexual humor. However, what might have been considered rebellious back then translates into shallow and problematic themes today, earning it an Average Rating: 2.9.

Weird Science (1985)

Weird Science
© Photo: Provided by Likewise.

'80s geek flick Weird Science saw two teens using technology to create their ideal woman. While its premise interested then, today's viewers criticize the objectification and the problematic male fantasies it peddles. Released on August 1, 1985, it holds an Average Rating: 3.3.

Shallow Hal (2001)

Shallow Hal
© Photo: Provided by Likewise.

Released on November 1, 2001, Shallow Hal tells a supposedly heartwarming story of seeing inner beauty but falls short with one-note jokes about body image. Jack Black's Hal is hypnotized to ignore appearances, a concept great on paper but awkward in execution today. Average Rating: 3.

I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007)

I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry
© Photo: Provided by Likewise.

A buddy comedy diving into the then-taboo topic of gay marriage, this film played on stereotypes for laughs when it premiered on July 12, 2007. These same jokes are glaringly problematic by today's more inclusive standards. Yet at the time, it showcased important themes obscured by slapstick humor. Average Rating: 3.1.

Animal House (1978)

Animal House
© Photo: Provided by Likewise.

The king of frat comedies, Animal House, released on July 28, 1978, laid groundwork for countless successors. However, its indulgence in boorish behavior, casual misogyny, and rebellious anarchy feels starkly outdated in modern discourse. Despite this, it retains a fond place in many hearts as foundational yet flawed. Average Rating: 3.6.

While these films remain beloved in the hearts of many, they're undeniable relics of their time—shedding light on societal shifts and the evolving landscape of comedy. Revisiting these movies gives us both laughter and lessons in how storytelling has changed over the decades.

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