Pretty much everyone loves a good laugh. Ever since we could etch words into clay, people have written comedy skits and cracked lame puns and dirty jokes for the enjoyment of others. It's a good way to relieve stress, and it's a fantastic means to reconnect with others. And, if Patch Adams is to be believed, it's also the best medicine. After a successful rebranding, the streaming service Max is back with even more comedic films for an uproarious day off.
Countless slapstick, surreal jokes, and retro throwbacks can be found throughout Max's backlog, meaning there's something for just about everyone. We've done the hard work of assembling the best of the best Max has to offer, meaning you can sit back, relax, and watch these laugh-out-loud comedies at your own leisure.
Updated on August 11th, 2023, by Amanda Minchin: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
20 Safety Last! (1923)
Safety Last! is one of the best comedies of the silent era, headlined by one of its greatest performers, Harold Lloyd. The film sees Harold Lloyd playing a character of the same name, who takes on a job at the De Vore Department Store. A case of mistaken identity, a need to impress his girlfriend, and a promise of $1,000 (or, $17,000 today) leads to Lloyd climbing a twelve-story building.
It also features one of the most iconic images of the silent era: Harold Lloyd dangerously dangling off the side of a building from the minute hand of a clock. Safety Last! serves as a brilliant introduction to one of the titans of silent slapstick comedy. This gem from the silent era deserves to be seen in the modern day
19 Dumb and Dumber (1994)
Dumb and Dumber is a movie that's hard not to love. Starring a pair of dim-witted, but well-meaning Rhode Islanders named Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne, played by Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels, respectively. When the two find themselves in possession of a briefcase full of cash, they embark on a road trip to Colorado in order to return it to its rightful owner. However, their good intentions may ultimately get them into trouble, as the briefcase was meant to pay for a ransom.
Directed and co-written by Peter Farrelly, who was also responsible for films like Green Book and Osmosis Jones, Dumb and Dumber is as iconic a road trip comedy as they come. With tons of memorable moments, chances are you'll already know how some of the film's gags go without ever having seen the full film to begin with.
18 The Night is Short, Walk on Girl (2017)
A loose spiritual sequel, The Night is Short, Walk on Girl is an animated romantic comedy with a particularly striking art style. Largely made by the same team behind The Tatami Galaxy, the film tells a deceptively simple story: an unnamed man seeks to confess his romantic feelings towards a girl at a university. However, a series of increasingly surreal inconveniences keep the two apart throughout. Will the two ultimately end up together? Or are these two simply not meant to be?
It's probably the only romantic comedy you'll ever see that features drinking contests, natural disasters, musical numbers, and other fever-dream scenarios that only make sense in the world of animation. The Night is Short, Walk on Girl is a film that does a lot with its modest runtime and premise, all while taking full advantage of the animated medium to dazzle the senses.
17 Man Bites Dog (1992)
Putting the "dark" in "dark comedy," Man Bites Dog is a film that was originally released in the 1990s. In this mockumentary, we follow the fictional exploits of a serial killer as a documentary crew tags along, filming his various antics and musings before they get caught up in the madness themselves. A low-budget piece, this film teeters less on jokes and more on the absurdity of the situation, making the over-the-top cruelty its biggest punchline.
While it's absolutely not for everybody, Man Bites Dog has since become a cult film for its bizarre setup and off-color moments. Beloved by both Steve Buscemi and Quentin Tarantino, the film's legacy also had a hand in inspiring future hand-held horror films decades later. Just be aware of what you're getting into, if the film's controversial poster wasn't enough of a red flag.
16 Airplane! (1980)
Spoof movies are a coin-flip: they're either timeless classics or utter trash fires. Luckily, Airplane! is indeed a timeless classic, featuring one of the best comedic performances of the beloved Leslie Nielsen. A parody of "disaster" films, Airplane! sees Robert Hays as a former pilot overcoming his newfound fear of flying. But when the rest of the flight's crew is incapacitated, he'll have to face his fears and safely land the plane with the help of a glue-sniffing air traffic controller. No, that last part isn't a joke. Kind of.
Airplane! is the epitome of surreal humor, with bizarre nonsequiturs, wild visual gags, silly slapstick, and incredibly memorable quotes. It's a movie with seemingly no real-world logic that defies every possible expectation, delivering memorable laughs in their place.
15 Caddyshack (1980)
It simply wouldn't be a list of the best comedies without Caddyshack. Directed by the late Harold Ramis in his directorial debut, Caddyshack features an ensemble cast, from Chevy Chase to Rodney Dangerfield, Bill Murray, Ted Knight, and more. It's easily of the most goofy sports movies ever made. Of course, we use the term "sports movie" loosely.
Caddyshack can be described as a loose series of events happening for around 100 minutes, but what happens in that short span of time is sure to leave you in stitches. The plot tells the story of an everyday caddie as we follow the various happenings at a golfing country club as the attending groundskeeper attempts to deal with a pesky gopher. It would also lead to the creation of "I'm Alright," one of the biggest Kenny Loggins hits alongside "Danger Zone" and "Footloose."
14 Team America: World Police (2004)
Matt Stone and Trey Parker of South Park fame hit the big screen in an unconventional way with Team America: World Police. Utilizing intricate marionettes, this raucous puppet film serves as a counter-terrorist organization that goes head-to-head with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il in a biting parody of blockbuster action films that also satirizes the United States' geopolitical relationships.
Being a politically-charged Bush-era film — especially one from the South Park guys — Team America's sense of humor may be a little too dated after almost two decades. But if you're not bothered by that, what you'll find is a film with jokes that are strengthened by its noodle-limbed puppets, outrageous shock humor, and a closing theme that still makes the rounds in internet circles to this day.
13 The Bob's Burgers Movie (2022)
Despite underperforming at the box office, The Bob's Burgers Movie is a fun-filled time for both fans of the animated series and newcomers alike. Featuring the Belcher family, the film tackles two storylines. Back at the restaurant, Bob and Linda Belcher deal with a sinkhole that opened in front of their family eatery, while their children — Tina, Gene, and Louise — attempt to solve a crime that could fix the family's troubled summer.
While longtime fans of the series may dislike the gradual trend towards constant positivity, a 2D animated film getting wide distribution is practically unheard of nowadays. Beautiful visuals, charming songs, and a talented voice cast make The Bob's Burgers Movie a delightfully upbeat comedy that feels refreshingly bold when compared to the original series. If you haven't given it a chance before, you may want to reconsider.
12 Tommy Boy (1995)
Prior to his tragic passing, the legendary comedic actor Chris Farley was in a total of ten movies. Tommy Boy is arguably one of the best. Also featuring David Spade, this Midwestern road-trip buddy-comedy sees Farley and Spade as a pair of brake-pad sales representatives tasked with saving their company from financial ruin. Along the way, Farley's character finds newfound emotional maturity as he copes with the sudden absence of his beloved father.
There's a reason Tommy Boy is a cult classic. Farley and Spade are the perfect duo, with the former offering his trademark over-the-top antics and the latter being the perfect straight-man to play them against. If you enjoy these two comedic legends just doing their thing, then Tommy Boy easily tops the rest.
11 Wayne's World (1992)
Wayne's World, released in 1992, follows the exploits of Wayne Campbell (Mike Myers) and Garth Algar (Dana Carvey), a pair of public-access television hosts who stumble into success after a lofty television contract. But the road to success is paved with sacrifice and compromise, two words that these rock enthusiasts have never heard. They'll laugh, they'll cry, they'll hurl, all with the audience along for the ride.
Wayne's World is so 90s, it hurts. But there's something admittedly charming about this SNL skit-turned-movie that just keeps us coming back. Maybe it's that famous Bohemian Rhapsody scene... Or maybe it's the mix of visual gags and referential comedy. Maybe it's the love interest that acts like an actual person. Or maybe it's that our two protagonists are more than just dull dude-bros. Whatever it is, Wayne's World continues to impress, even decades after it originally hit theaters.
10 Click (2006)
Adam Sandler comedies may not be everyone's cup of tea, but there's something special about Click that just makes it stand out. The movie stars Sandler as Michael Newman, a workaholic who comes across a major discovery. When a universal remote control is mysteriously gifted to him by a man named Morty, Newman discovers that it has the power to manipulate time with just the "click" of a button.
A shockingly sentimental film, Click is easily up there as one of the better entries in Adam Sandler's vast filmography. Yes, the typical Sandler staples are still alive and well, but there's an emotional core underneath the cheesy jokes and gross-out gags here that most will appreciate. At the very least, it's a comfortable, easy-viewing film that's sure to entertain, if just for a little while.
9 I, Tonya (2017)
If you've been a long-time viewer of the Winter Olympics, then the name "Nancy Kerrigan" may hold some weight. I, Tonya, a 2017 comedy directed by Craig Gillespie, is not about her. Instead, this comedic mockumentary follows the life of Tonya Harding, a competing figure skater who orchestrates the controversy that befalls Kerrigan at the 1994 Winter Olympics.
We get an examination of what -- allegedly -- really happened from Harding's perspective, which paints a completely different context for the events that transpired on that faithful day. Scoring critical praise for Margot Robbie's performance as the lead, I, Tonya is a dark, but still hilarious twist on a controversial story that has long since fallen to the wayside. But even outside the real event it's based on, I, Tonya is just as effective as a standalone story, one no doubt carried by both Margot Robbie and Allison Janney.
8 Modern Times (1936)
Charlie Chaplin remains one of the all-time greats of the silent era. Nowhere is this more apparent than with his very last performance as his "Little Tramp" character. Modern Times, released in 1936, sees Chaplin struggling to adapt to a world that keeps on chugging along without him as the modernized industrial revolution begins to take hold in society.
Underneath the over-the-top slapstick, there's an intriguing examination of how incorporating technology into everyday life has both positive and negative aftereffects. With AI becoming frighteningly competent and convenient in recent years, this throwback feels eerily appropriate. Looking past the gloom in Modern Times' themes, however, there are plenty of memorable moments strewn throughout. Chaplin's physical comedy is on-point. Combined with an optimistic core amid a hilarious climax, it's a wonderful introductory piece to the world of silent film.
7 My Dinner with Andre (1981)
It's hard to make a movie that takes place in a single location interesting. To make it work, there is usually some degree of tension or external force that makes the process a bit easier. But what happens when the entire movie is just a dinner conversation? My Dinner With Andre, released in 1981, may not be for those who want something a little more dramatic in their comedies. But, if you're willing to experiment with something new, what you'll find is truly something special.
The film is carried by Wallace Shawn and Andre Gregory. In it, the two have an insightful get-together over dinner that discusses a great variety of topics, including their previous work as playwrights, disagreements over Andre's new-found philosophy, and insightful meditations. This somehow fills a sizable runtime, yet the conversation never really feels dull or monotonous. It's a comedy you'd need to be in a certain mood to watch, but it works brilliantly under this condition.
6 Swiss Army Man (2016)
Before they would hit mainstream success with their beautifully surreal sci-fi film Everything Everywhere All At Once, Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert directed Swiss Army Man. Co-starring Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe, the former plays a man on an island who is seemingly at his wit's end. Before he can take his own life, however, he discovers a corpse along the shoreline. What starts as the easiest fart joke in history turns into a tender comedic drama about changing for the better, with a surprisingly heartfelt core behind the flatulence.
Being an A24 film, there's some weirdness to be expected. But piling Dano, Radcliffe, Kwan, and Scheinert on top of makes for one of the most memorably silly masterpieces in the past decade. The only downside is that it may be a bit too absurd to be taken seriously.
5 Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (2006)
Three years after School of Rock, there premiered Tenacious D In The Pick of Destiny, a tale of epic proportions that once again showcased the rock n roll talents of Jack Black alongside fellow bandmate Kyle Gass. In the film, costars and writers Jack Black and Kyle Gass shine as two slackers who take on the ultimate risk for the sake of their band. Their goal is to steal a legendary guitar pick with the power to bestow them with epic guitar skills, all for the sake of their wanna-be rock star careers.
The film even features Dave Grohl as Satan and Meatloaf as, well, a father figure. Tenacious D is in reality a comedy rock duo originally formed by Black and Gass that still tours to this day. While this film was not well received at the box office, it has become a cult classic in recent years, full of memorable characters and lines that are in the vein of The Blues Brothers and Wayne's World. If nothing else, the film's soundtrack is well worth the listen, though be warned - the songs are nearly impossible to get out of your head!
4 Juno (2007)
Juno is a quirky cult classic and with good reason. Its cast reads like a casting call for who's who in Hollywood, from Elliot Page and Michael Cera to Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney, and J.K. Simmons. Page stars as Juno, a teenager who becomes pregnant after her first sexual encounter with her good friend, played by Cera.
At the time of its release, it was a fan favorite among both teens and adults. Among a slew of nominations and wins, Diablo Cody came away with the Oscar for best original screenplay. Its adult themes are taken on with a respectful levity that is unique to coming-of-age films. Its offbeat humor and situational comedy is tough to beat.
3 The French Dispatch (2021)
The French Dispatch is about as Wes Anderson a movie as they come. Much anticipated upon its release, the film features a lineup of usual suspects, from Adrien Brody and Tilda Swinton to Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, and Owen Wilson, though it also included relative newcomers Saoirse Ronan and Timothée Chalamet. Set in a fictional French town, the film follows the antics of a 20th-century American newspaper and the various stories it covers.
Wes Anderson's ability to completely encapsulate an audience in a world of his creating is on full display in the film, which was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The anthology is brilliantly scripted, with plenty of ad-lib from the cast piled on for good measure. Those wanting to feel like they've been swept away to another time and place will inevitably enjoy this film.
2 Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)
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Robin Hood: Men in Tights is a hilarious Mel Brooks venture into the swashbuckling, arrow-wielding, steal from the rich to give to the poor world of Robin Hood... with a twist. For example, many of the beloved character names were given a distinctly puny reprise, from the Sheriff of Rottingham to Will Scarlet O'Hara and Ahchoo... Gesundheit! They may look like "sissies", but watch what you say before they put out your lights!
Perhaps one of Carey Elwes' most notable roles, the casting here just couldn't be more spectacular, from Dave Chapelle as Ahchoo to Patrick Stewart as King Richard. The film features enough tongue-in-cheek antics to choke a decibel. Audiences will come away with a renewed respect for Brook's dance numbers, and, of course, locksmiths.
1 Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Little Miss Sunshine is a family road trip comedy that puts the "d" in dysfunctional. The film features an all-star cast, from Abigail Breslin and Toni Collette to Paul Dano, Steve Carell, Greg Kinnear, and Alan Arkin (who won the Oscar for his portrayal as the grandfather in the film). Each family member is unique in their own way, from the depressed Carell to the crotchety Arkin. The story centers around the youngest member of the Hoover family, who has her heart set on becoming the next winner of the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant.
This film has simply one of the best scripts of all time. Period. No wonder it won the Academy Award in 2007! Little Miss Sunshine features a slew of iconic scenes, from the VW's numerous jumpstarts to Breslin's final performance at the competition (inspired by her deceased grandfather's eclectic tastes). This film is just about as quirky as it is heartwarming, in all the right ways. It's taken its rightful place as an instant classic ever since.