Multi-generations of comedy lovers grew up laughing at some of the most hilarious films involving legendary comedianJohn Candy. When he tragically passed away in 1994, the entertainment world lost a gentle giant, a wonderfully talented Canadian actor best remembered for his considerable contributions tosome of the greatest comedies of all time.
From his rise to prominence on the popular Canadian sketch comedy seriesSCTVto his major starring roles in amusing hits such asPlanes, Trains and Automobiles,Spaceballs, andUncle Buck, Candy amassed an impressive and hilarious acting career during his lifetime. Users onLetterboxdcertainly agree, since most of his filmography has beenhighly praised on this popular movie-focused platform. Candy’s immense presence in some of the greatest movies ever made has cemented his place as a legend in Hollywood and is a bold testament to his status as an icon.
15’Splash' (1984)
Letterboxd Rating 3.0
After almost drowning in Cape Cod as a boy, Allen Bauer (Tom Hanks) is saved by a mermaid but doesn’t believe what he saw. Twenty years later, after a terrible breakup, Bauer returns to Cape Cod and falls unconscious after a boating accident. He is saved again by the mermaid, which then sparks a movie of twists, turns, and romance as Allen Bauer must protect his girlfriend’s secret life as a mermaid. John Candy plays Freddie Bauer, Hank’s older brother, who supports his brother’s strange love affair.
The movie was given positive reviews, sitting as the tenth highest-grossing film of 1984, and was said to be a highlight of Ron Howard’s directorial career. Critics on Letterboxd were not as generous, with most finding the movie to be full of genre tropes.One critic on Letterboxd said, “With sprinkled comedy that keeps the story upbeat, along with clever edits to make the film flow strongly, this is a well made, but flat film.”
14’The Great Outdoors' (1988)
Letterboxd Rating: 3.1/5
Dan Aykroydstars as Chet Ripley in this comedy movie about a man set to go on vacation in the great outdoors, only to have his weekend crashed by his wife’s brother-in-law Roman Craig (John Candy) and his stuffy family. This is one of John Hughes' lesser-known movies that he wrote and produced. While the movie was panned by critics, viewers thought the opposite, with a 71% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The viewers on Letterboxd also thought somewhat highly of the film, giving it three and a half stars withone user saying, “What an absolutely charming, and hilarious treat to throw on for the summer. ‘The Great Outdoors’ (1988) is not a particularly complex film with a whole bunch of bells and whistles, but it is effective in its effortless storytelling and comedic timing.”
The Great Outdoors
The Great Outdoors follows the Ripley family as they embark on a peaceful lakeside vacation in Wisconsin, only to have their plans interrupted by the unexpected arrival of the overbearing Craig family. Tensions rise as the two families struggle to coexist, leading to a series of comedic conflicts and adventures.
Rent on Amazon
13’Brewster’s Millions' (1985)
Letterboxd Rating: 3.2/5
An aging minor league baseball player, Monty Brewster (Richard Pryor), is about to inherit 300 million dollars. However, to get the money he must spend 30 million dollars in 30 days without telling anyone what he’s doing. The movie did fairly well at the box office, earning $45,833,132 against its $30,000,000 budget.
Critics did not love the movie saying the movie wasn’t geared toward Richard Pryor’s comic talents and that for a screwball comedy, neither Pryor nor Candy were acting very screwy.One critic on Letterboxdsaid, “‘Brewster’s Millions’ is a comedy that lacks in punchlines, but makes a recurring joke out of the biggest gag of all: wealth management.”
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12’Only the Lonely' (1991)
Letterboxd Rating: 3.1
John Candy stars as Danny Muldoon, a Chicago cop who still lives with his mom. After falling in love with a girl from the funeral parlor, he must prove to his overbearing mom that he is ready for a relationship with someone else other than her. It’s a straightforward movie with no twists or turns, but Candy gives an excellent performance. The majority of the film was shot in Chicago with many local spots being used as sets.
Directed by Christopher Columbus, who also worked with Candy in Home Alone, it was given average to mostly positive reviews, with most saying that it didn’t take any risks, but was a feel-good movie that anyone could find something to enjoy.A Letterboxd criticwho gave it four stars said, “It is the kind of film that won’t set the world alight and will probably not be that well known today, however, it is worthy of being watched.
Only the Lonely
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11’Stripes' (1981)
Letterboxd Rating: 3.2
A sad man, played byBill Murray, in his 30s has no hope left after he loses his job and his girlfriend, so he impulsively joins the U.S. military, but, he isn’t quite cut out for army life. John Candy plays Dewey “Ox” Oxberger, another enlistee looking to better his life.Dan Goldberga producer and writer forStripes, knew Candy as they both grew up in Toronto, Canada. Most of the film was improvised due to Murray and Harold Ramis having an established relationship, it was easy for them to riff off one another.
The movie was a commercial success and was met with positive reviews. One Letterbox critic wrote, “With Stripes, what we essentially get is a combination of ‘Animal House’, and ‘Full Metal Jacket’ starring Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, John Candy, and Judge Reinhold.”
10’Spaceballs' (1987)
Letterboxd Rating: 3.4/5
Spaceballsis a 1987 satirical comedy co-written and directed bythe king of parody films,Mel Brooks. With big-named comedy stars attached, including Brooks,Rick Moranis, and John Candy,it’s a hilarious spoof that pokes fun at the critical and commercial success of popular science fiction films at the time, such asStar Trek,2001: A Space Odyssey,Planet of the Apes, and primarilyGeorge Lucas' iconicStar WarsSaga.
For his part, Candy plays Barf, the lovable half-man, half-dog sidekick to his best friend and co-pilot, Lone Starr (Bill Pullman). This Han Solo and Chewbacca parody duo cruises through the galaxy looking for their next big score while avoiding the clutches of their evil archnemesis, Dark Helmet (Moranis). However, when the sinister Helmet captures the beautiful princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga) for ransom, it’s up to Lone Starr and his loyal companion to go on a hilarious adventure to rescue the princess and save the day. Many Letterboxed users agree that it’s simply a joy to see Candy on screen, along with other comedic titans such as Rick Moranis and Mel Brooks. “More fun in a nostalgic way; it’s pretty groan-inducing with its gags,“reviewer Mike Allen said, giving it three stars. “Still, it’s a joy to see Candy, Moranis, and Brooks.” We couldn’t agree more.
Spaceballs
9’Uncle Buck' (1989)
Uncle Buckis a heartwarming 1989 cult classic comedy directed and written by the lateJohn Hughes, one of seven films he has made alongside his frequent star and close friend, John Candy. Though it initially received mixed to average reactions, the film still made animpressive$79.2 million at the box officeand is now regarded as a cult comedy classic.
The story follows Buck Russell (Candy), an unreliable, fun-loving slob who’s counted on to care for his brother’s three children while he and his wife are away. While the two youngest kids, Miles (Macaulay Culkin) and Maizy (Gaby Hoffman), quickly warm up to their bumbling uncle, he’s not given much respect by his rebellious teenage niece Tia (Jean Louisa Kelly), who wants him out of her life. However, as they slowly learn from each other, they eventually form an unexpected and touching father-daughter bond. Candy’s portrayal of Buck is John at his comedic best, and while it may not be among his highest-acclaimed roles, it’s still fun to watch Buck Russell’s freewheeling ways clash with those of his suburban, uptight family.
Uncle Buck
8’Cool Runnings' (1993)
Letterboxd Rating: 3.5/5
Cool Runningsis a lighthearted 1993 sports comedy directed byJon Turteltaub. Loosely based on the 1988 Winter Olympics debut of the first-ever Jamaican national bobsledding team, it follows four aspiring young Jamaicans trying to prove themselves and represent their country. Although the events portrayed in the film are mostly inaccurate,it’s still an inspiring and fun story that became the highest-grossing live-action Disney film up to that point.
In one of his last starring roles before his untimely death, Candy co-stars as the Jamaican team’s reluctant but mentorly coach, Irving ‘Irv’ Blitzer, a disgraced former bobsledding champion and gold medalist who lost his medals and reputation due to a cheating scandal. Though initially hesitant about helping the team at first, he slowly begins to realize their full potential and strives to help them succeed.Despite unfortunately losing in the end, Irv and the team find pride in what they’ve accomplished and are ultimately admired by everyone for their bravery. Even in a more toned-down comedic role, Candy brought a lot of personality and laughter to the role of Coach Blitzer, and his comedic timing with his surrounding co-stars makesCool Runningsthe underrated gem that it is today.
Cool Runnings
7’National Lampoon’s Vacation' (1983)
The first installment of the much-lovedNational Lampoon’s Vacationseries kicked off a hilarious franchise with three mostly successful sequels, including ahighly popular Christmas classic. StarringChevy Chase,Beverly D’Angelo, andRandy Quaid, it followsthe comedic cross-country road tripof the Griswold family as they drive to see the world-famous Wally World theme park.
Candy gives a brief but memorable performance as the timid and likable Wally World security guard, Lasky, a man who finds himself becoming a hostage after the Griswold family patriarch Clark (Chase) becomes upset once he realizes the park is closed for renovations. Despite being held at gunpoint with a BB gun, Lasky oddly enjoys his day of riding the many attractions around the park with the Griswolds. Although their day ends with the SWAT teams arriving to arrest Clark, at least Lasky had a fun experience. Landing this role just two years after his breakout performance as “Ox” inStripes,Vacation’sending wouldn’t have been the same without the hilarious interaction between Candy and Chase.
6’Planes, Trains and Automobiles' (1987)
Letterboxd Rating: 3.8/5
There’s no better way to enjoy the holidays than to put on John Hughes' 1987 holiday classicPlanes, Trains and Automobiles. Starring Candy and fellowcomedy iconSteve Martin, it shows the two in their comedic prime, brilliantly playing off each other’s strengths and delivering a laugh-out-loud hilarious and quite touching film.
All Neal Page (Martin) wants to do is have a smooth and quick journey home for the holidays to be with his family. Unfortunately, he’s accompanied along the way by Del Griffith (Candy), a friendly but obnoxious shower curtain ring salesman who unintentionally makes their trek all the more difficult. But despite the many bizarre situations they encounter and the friction they share at first, Neal and Del eventually learn to understand each other. By the film’s end, they’ve happily grown an unexpected friendship. While Candy certainly brought the comedic charm,Planes, Trains and Automobileswas one of the first movies in which audiencesgot to see a more serious side to him, especially during the iconic “You Wanna Hurt Me?” monologue that would move people to tears. That, and the ending scene, showed that Candy had a lot more range as an actor than most people may have realized at the time.
