1984 was a golden year for Hollywood comedies, headlined by Eddie Murphy’s Beverly Hills Cop, which grossed $977 million, and Bill Murray’s Ghostbusters, which earned an estimated $882 million (both figures adjusted for inflation). These films featured original narratives (unrelated to existing intellectual property), anchored by rising stars whose appeal hinged on their comedic talents. Buying a ticket to these movies meant entering into a social contract, exchanging money for the promise of laughter.
Källa: Why Did Hollywood Stop Making Comedies? A Statistical Analysis
