There's a wide range of philosophies and faiths that people adopt in order to survive our sometimes difficult lives, but one thing is universally helpful — laughter. Comedy has forever been humanity's solace from the storms of suffering as a constant throughout history, but it may have found the perfect medium in cinema (and later television). The combination of acting, dialogue, music, visuals, and especially montage has resulted in the most manipulative art form ever, which is great for comedians, as laughter is essentially birthed from manipulation.
From the earliest silent films to the recent genre-blending madness of Everything Everywhere All at Once, movies have been making people laugh for more than a century in different ways. of course, comedy, like everything, is subjective. Hilarious genre mash-ups like Shaun of the Dead might make fans laugh, but they aren't explicitly comedies. Likewise, comedy directors like Charlie Chaplin or Mel Brooks might have multiple comedic films under their repertoire, but one always stands high above the rest. These movies truly make the audience laugh as opposed to more thoughtful or brilliant comedies that provide chuckles in addition to their great philosophical themes or important contributions to cinema.
Updated on August 3rd, 2023 by Hanumanth: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
35 We're the Millers (2013)
We're the Millers is the kind of movie that fans might dismiss as "dumb," but after watching it, they'll realize it is funnier than anyone thought initially. Despite featuring some ridiculous scenarios, the film turns them into a form of humor with creative execution. The cast did a fantastic job delivering the lines responsible for releasing Endorphins (happy hormones) to the audience.
This raunchy comedy follows David (Jason Sudeikis), a small-time pot dealer who is robbed of his drug money by a street burglar. He is then promised a huge sum of money by his boss to pick up a shipment of marijuana in Mexico. However, to do so, he must pass through the borders without being caught, so he decides to improve his odds by creating a fake family. He's joined by a stripper named Rose (Jennifer Aniston) and two local teenagers, Kenny (Will Poulter) and Casey (Emma Roberts) who all hilariously pretend they're on a family vacation.
34 Mr. Bean's Holiday (2007)
Mr. Bean's Holiday is a film that perfectly embodies the concept of summer fun because it is a comedy, a road adventure, and more than that, a musical with an endless stream of amazing performances. While simply seeing Rowan Atkinson on screen is enough to make anyone burst with laughter, his performance in the film is pure bliss as he pours his heart and soul into each passing second, making it not only one of his best films but also one of the greatest comedy movies to date.
Mr. Bean, after winning a trip to the Cannes Film Festival and a camcorder in a church raffle, boards a Eurostar train and arrives in Paris. However, the language barrier proves to be a real problem for him. To make matters worse, when he asks a Russian film director named Emil (Carel Roden) to record his boarding, he inadvertently leaves him behind and boards the train. Determined to reunite Emil and his son, who was on the train, Mr. Bean embarks on an exciting journey, but it is by all means not an easy one.
33 Rush Hour (1998)
Rush Hour is stacked with two talented actors and exceptional scriptwriters who didn't shy away from utilizing normal movie scenes to generate confusion. Chris Tucker plays a clumsy cop extremely well, while Jackie Chan does an incredible job of displaying his incredible martial arts skills alongside his calm demeanor. When these two actors come together in a desperate situation, fans get a fantastic comedy that is consistent from beginning to end.
In the film, when the eleven-year-old daughter of the Chinese Consul, Han, is kidnapped after arriving in Los Angeles, he insists on Inspector Lee, his old friend, assisting the FBI. The bureau, however, decides to keep him out of their way and pairs him with LAPD Detective James Carter, who is known for his big mouth. What starts as an argument between the two due to their conflicting personalities soon turns into the key to finding the young girl as they decide to put their differences aside and join forces.
32 Dude, Where's My Car? (2000)
Of all the goofy and ridiculous story-oriented films in the industry, Dude, Where's My Car? stands out from the crowd. This is because the talented dup of Ashton Kutcher and Sean William Scott were capable of compensating for everything the film lacked. In the era where the story played a very minimal role, this film managed to use that trope to the extreme. While subjective, the film is a breath of fresh air in the midst of all the comedy films that came out in the early 2000s.
Roommates Jesse (Ashton Kutcher) and Chester (Seann William Scott) wake up one morning with no recollection of what happened the night before after getting wasted at a party. However, once Jesse finds out his car is missing, they decide to relive the events from the beginning in order to find out. They are quickly sidetracked into unexpected situations that included high-speed chases with bad guys after a $200,000 suitcase and potential close encounters of the third kind. These events seemingly turn their ultimate goal to find Jesse's car into a far-fetched dream.
31 Drillbit Taylor (2008)
How should kids deal with a playground bully? They could try to avoid them at all costs, but that doesn't solve the issue entirely. They could also just watch Drillbit Taylor to find the most senseless solution that might just work with a bit of luck. Bob Taylor (Owen Wilson) is a homeless veteran who dreams of moving to Alaska someday. Wade (Nate Hartley) and his two friends, Ryan T-dog (Troy Gentile) and Jim (Ian Roberts) are bullied horribly by Filkins (Alex Frost) at their new high school.
He advertises for a bodyguard who can help them with the situation. Much to their delight, Taylor is both affordable and seemingly sane, though they soon come to regret their decision. Their new clueless bodyguard taught them fake self-defense classes instead of dealing with the bullies. While it may seem like a typical silly kids' movie, fans may change their opinion after learning the film stars Owen Wilson and was co-written by Seth Rogen.
30 Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy is a hilarious 2004 comedy that follows the silly ‘70s adventure of egomaniacal local television news anchor Ron Burgundy and his Channel 4 news team in San Diego. Will Ferrell stars as the quintessential male chauvinist news anchor who patronizes and rules the newsroom with the help of his loyal team of dimwitted reporters. Ron is the star and all but his shiny world comes crashing down when an ambitious female journalist Veronica Corningstone is hired.
The battle of the sexes stirs up an absurd plot, but it is the total lack of self-awareness among the characters that generates maximum laughs, great one-liners, and iconic comedic scenes. History has it that Anchorman is quoted more often than most of the comedy films of its generation, perfectly capturing the ‘70s aesthetic while aiming lowbrow humor straight at the head.
29 Wayne’s World (1992)
In the early '90s, Mike Myers and Dana Carvey created a wildly hilarious short-lived skit on Saturday Night Live. It introduced the world to two amateur metalheads named Wayne and Garth, hosts of a cable show accessible to the public, filmed from Wayne's basement. The 1992 movie version upped the jokes, the goofy antics, and the dynamic chemistry between the friends. But Wayne has always had bigger dreams for himself and his show.
So when a slimeball television producer attempts to buy the rights and monetize the show, Wayne jumps at the idea but soon realizes that the integrity of their creation is being compromised. Loaded with absurd jokes and endless catchphrases, Wayne's World parodies everything from infomercials and MTV to Alice Cooper and Starbucks before they were mainstream, cementing its status as a cult comedy.
28 Trading Places (1983)
Paramount Pictures
Written by Timothy Harris and directed by John Landis, this 1983 classic comedy stars Eddie Murphy and Dan Ackroyd in one of their earliest and best roles. The premise of Trading Places itself is utterly entertaining. It follows multi-millionaire broker brothers Mortimer and Randolph Duke who, on a sudden whim, decide to conduct a social experiment by switching the lives of a respected member of society with that of a street-smart criminal.
Their pawns? An upper-class Louis Winthorpe III who loses everything and becomes a meager hustler and con artist Billy Ray Valentine takes his place at a prestigious firm. Pranks and gags begin from the very first scene as both characters go to extreme lengths to play by the rules. A particular acid trip sequence still stands as one of the funniest drug hallucination scenes ever put on film. Moreover, this timeless comedy also features a talented supporting cast of Jamie Lee Curtis and Don Ameche.
27 Best in Show (2000)
If you’re a fan of improvised, semi-scripted documentaries, then Best in Show will give you the perfect 90 minutes of infectious, belly-laugh-inducing hilarity. Christopher Guest's 2000 mockumentary surrounds several competing dogs and their quirky owners at a prestigious dog show.
Everything – from the over-enthusiastic commentators to the parade of crazy pet owners – about the movie is only elevated through its razor-sharp script, physical comedy, and numerous cultural evidence. Moreover, the film has an all-star cast of regulars that brings the eccentric characters to life, led by Parker Posey, Catherine O'Hara, and Eugene Levy. Overall, Best in Show remains an endlessly rewatchable comedy.
26 Ghostbusters (1984)
Ghostbusters is a classic piece of pop culture that sets the bar for all genre comedies since the ‘80s. The simple premise – three eccentric parapsychologists lose their university jobs and decide to launch a business of their own where they capture and study ghosts in New York City – instantly transforms into cinematic gold because of Bill Murray, Dan Ackroyd, and Harold Ramis. Their chemistry and pacing throughout the movie still hold up surprisingly well even today.
Together, the ghost-catching team forms perhaps the most iconic troupe with each actor complementing the others’ talents while balancing the joke density with real emotion. Ever since its release, several aspects of the film like the jumpsuits, the Ecto-1 vehicle, the iconic Ghostbusters theme song, and the movie itself, have been imitated countless times yet the original 1984 version remains the funniest.
25 Top Secret! (1984)
There were enough James Bond rip-offs by the mid-80s that making a parody was long overdue. Top Secret! It is the film that started the Hollywood career of Val Kilmer. Jim Abrahams directs this hilarious slapstick classic, and his Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker team would create some of the best comedies of the '80s, including The Naked Gun, Airplane!, and Hot Shots. This wacky comedy is set in World War II and spoofs many spy and noir films of the golden age era with a musical touch in the mix.
Kilmer plays Nick Rivers, an American rock star who somehow finds himself entangled in a plot to undermine a military dictator. While the lead was unknown then, the film had quite a few powerhouses in supporting roles, such as Omar Sharif and Peter Cushing. The absurd humor, clever wordplay, and catchy musical numbers make this movie a beloved classic no one should miss.
24 The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)
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The Naked Gun was the spin-off of a short-lived TV show named Police Squad which premiered in 1982 and was canceled after six episodes. Determined to make the concept work, David Zucker sold the pitch as a movie, and comedy gold was created. This film made a star out of Leslie Nielsen, who was already a working actor with a few roles here and there (including the '50s sci-fi classic, Forbidden Planet), but nothing too noticeable outside of Airplane!
The movie parodies every single trope of police procedurals, with Nielsen playing the bumbling, but somewhat competent Detective Frank Drebin, who finds himself embroiled in a plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II. The deadpan humor and slapstick antics had no place on TV as the elaborate concept was meant to be seen. Drebin stumbles through some of the most absurd situations you'll ever see while trying to crack the case. It's another timeless classic you should watch at least once.
23 Home Alone (1990)
As we roll down the countdown, we get another film that launched a career. Home Alone made a superstar out of Macaulay Culkin. The family comedy directed by Chris Columbus was also helpful in showcasing Joe Pesci's comedic range, which was flawless (and can most recently be seen in Pete Davidson's show, Bupkis). In the film, we follow the misadventures of eight-year-old Kevin McCallister after his family accidentally leaves him behind during their Christmas vacation.
Being the kid he is, Kevin thinks he has wished his family out of existence, so he enjoys himself by eating everything he wants and staying awake to watch scary movies. Two robbers are ransacking houses in the neighborhood, and Kevin must defend his home from these bumbling burglars. He does so by using some of the most creative and hilarious traps ever set by a kid. The film is one of the quintessential Christmas movies, balancing humor with heartwarming moments, and the Home Alone cast set the template for child protagonists and wacky antagonists.
22 Hot Shots! (1991)
Jim Abrahams had a penchant for parodies, so when he returned to film Hot Shots! Everyone wanted to see the finished product. Hot Shots! is a zany spoof of action and romance films such as Top Gun, Dance with Wolves, 9 ½ Weeks, and many more. Charlie Sheen takes the lead here as the talented yet mentally unstable fighter pilot, Topper Harley.
With no pretense other than entertainment, Hot Shots mocks the extreme situations presented in multiple action films, such as the outrageous action shots and the stunts and camera play used in these films. While the cast conveys all the comedy without problems, Lloyd Bridges steals the show as RADM Thomas Benson. The exaggerated action sequences and over-the-top characters are spot-on, and the laughs are guaranteed. Be sure to also check out Hot Shots! Part Deux, which is one of the greatest comedy sequels of all time.
21 Dumb and Dumber (1994)
The buddy comedy film returned with Dumb and Dumber. The Farrelly brothers direct this hilarious story and follow the adventures of the most dimwitted duo of morons ever conceived for a script. Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels play Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne, respectively. People always say never to judge a book by its cover, yet when you see Harry and Lloyd on the screen, you know exactly what they are.
After meddling in a heist negotiation, the pair of idiots embark on a cross-country journey to return a briefcase to its rightful owner, unaware it contains ransom money. The wacky situations are turned up to eleven after Harry and Lloyd open the briefcase and start using the money. It's a film perfectly suited for Carrey's over-the-top physical comedy. The unique chemistry of Dumb and Dumber's cast and the film's unabashed silliness would make it a hit for the ages.
20 Scary Movie (2000)
30 Years of Slashers had to end with a parody of some sort, and Scary Movie fills the quota. Directed by the Wayans brothers, Scary Movie is the ultimate parody of horror films, taking cues from the Scream franchise (which was originally titled Scary Movie) and Friday the 13th, The Usual Suspects, The Sixth Sense, The Blair Witch Project, and others. It was the last hurrah of slapstick comedy as the industry slowly drifted away from these types of films.
The ensemble cast includes Anna Faris, The Wayans Brothers, Regina Hall, and others, who play the tired trope of having twenty-something adults playing teenagers stalked by a serial killer. Scary Movie is a self-aware satire that takes the absurdity of horror movie clichés to the extreme with many memorable scenes. Each one aims at every horror trope while incorporating clever cultural references of its era and irreverent humor. The many Scary Movie sequels have diminishing returns, but the original is a horror-comedy touchstone.
19 Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988)
The legendary Pedro Almodóvar is a true bastion of Spanish cinema, a man that lives, breathes, and has ultimately characterized an entire nation’s view of their country’s film. So much is his dedication and commitment to his native tongue, that over a career spanning 40 years, Almodóvar is yet to make an English language film.
His 1988 comedy, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, sees long-term collaborator Antonio Banderas star alongside Carmen Maura and Rossy de Palma. The dark comedy captures the tale of a 30-something woman who seeks answers after her lover and partner ups and leaves her inexplicably, encountering some of Madrid’s most eccentric and peculiar characters along the way.
18 The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
Wes Anderson's directorial style includes a mathematician's eye for scrupulous symmetry and unbridled vibrancy. Marry that facet with an artiste’s stroke and a writer’s ardor for witticism-infused dialogue, and you have arguably the most cinematically distinguishable style. Anderson is an instantly unmistakable filmmaking pioneer, and every one of his screenplays has led to films as infectiously quirky as the next. While The Grand Budapest Hotel and Fantastic Mr. Fox have garnered the most critical and commercial acclaim, one of his lesser-known titles steals this particular boat.
2004’s The Life Aquaticis a vivacious, full-bodied, and velvety picture, the literality of the spoken verbose, the unintended charm of its characters, and the subtlety of each and every joke interwoven into the script are exceptional. The film follows marine wildlife documentarian Steve Zissou (a brilliant Bill Murray portraying a melancholic, alcoholic variation of Jacques Cousteau). Zissou and his group of expeditionary’s attempt to track down a killer shark after his partner was killed while diving. Along the way he enlists the aid of his estranged might-be son, Ned (Owen Wilson), as well as onboarding a curious journalist, Jane (Cate Blanchett), with the three making a scintillating trio.
17 Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot (1953)
Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot, or the English translation, Mr. Hulot’s Holiday, is not just one of the defining comedies of French cinema, but of all time. Jacques Tati’s seminal picture has been studied, analyzed, and meticulously deconstructed by film students for decades. More poignantly, it's a film that has been widely loved for its charming and understated nature, and its lovable characters. It's been named a 'Top 10' film by a wide variety of directors, from the Safdie brothers and Rian Johnson to even David Lynch.
Tati not only assumes the role of director but as Hulot himself, a Frenchman who is holidaying in Brittany, inadvertently wreaks havoc wherever he goes. This monochromatic triumph has inspired decades of future comedies, including the much-loved Mr. Bean, with Rowan Atkinson citing Monsieur Hulot as a particular inspiration. Tati’s Hulot was such a hit, that he would go on to star in a further three movies as the comically catastrophic character, including the more postmodern masterpieces Mon Oncle and Playtime.
16 Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Monty Python and the Holy Grail sees the six-membered comedy troupe of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, and Terry Jones collaborate once more following the staunch success of their four-season sitcom Monty Python’s Flying Circus with Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
The 1975 picture essentially rewrites the history of 10th-century Britain in a comical fashion, as King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table embark on a quest that is beyond their wildest expectations. While at the time of its release, the satirization of religion was seen by some as a facetious act of blatant disregard for what is holy and deemed controversial, however, its British eccentricity, utter absurdity, and full-blown preposterousness (all ingredients one would typically associate with Monty Python) have made it a celebrated movie among comedy and film lovers.