Sometimes the comedy genre gets overlooked when it comes to awards season or when talking about the all-time greatest or most ground-breaking movies. It’s important, though, to remember just how big an impact the genre has had on Hollywood and beyond. From the silent comedy work of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, who pushed the boundaries of early cinema to more recent movies like Barbie, which simultaneously delighted children with its whimsical wonder while entertaining adults with its sharp satire – comedy is one of the most enduring, beloved and important forms of cinema.
Everyone loves a good laugh, and while humor is certainly subjective, we’ve compiled a list below which we believe is made up of the finest and funniest comedy movies the world has ever seen. From slapstick to surrealism, satire to spoof, there’s something here for everyone.
10
‘Superbad’ (2007)
Superbad follows three teenagers on a wild night of mishaps and shenanigans as they try and illegally procure alcohol and make it to a party. Written by Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen (who also stars) and produced by Judd Apatow, Superbad is a masterclass in teen comedy that has become one of the most quoted movies of the millennial generation.
Rude, Crude and Surprisingly Touching
While there’s all the smut, profanity and crass humor one would expect from a 2000s teen comedy, there’s also a lot of heart and genuine emotional depth in its portrayal of the awkwardness of navigating high school. It also provided a launchpad for megastars Emma Stone, Michael Cera, Jonah Hill, and, of course, Christopher Mintz-Plasse as the notorious McLovin.
9
‘Barbie’ (2023)
Who would have thought a movie based on a children’s toy would become one of the smartest, funniest and most successful comedies of the 21st century? When Barbie was released back in 2023, it was an astounding hit at the box office and impressed critics and audiences of all ages, genders, and nationalities alike.
Something for Everyone
The wonderful whimsical world of bright pink is fun and engaging for the young’uns, while its biting satirical humor and exploration of deeper real-world issues keeps the elders entertained. It’s also very, very funny. From the hilarious song and dance sequences to the presence of ‘weird barbie,’ there’s rarely a moment where you don’t find yourself chuckling like a joyful child.
8
‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ (2014)
Featuring a stellar ensemble cast including the likes of Ralph Fiennes, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Edward Norton, Tony Revolori, Saoirse Ronan, Willem Dafoe and Jeff Goldblum, The Grand Budapest Hotel follows a concierge, who has been framed for murder, and his friend as they embark on a quest for a priceless Renaissance painting amidst the backdrop of an encroaching fascist regime.
‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ Exemplifies Anderson’s Knack for Off-beat, Quirky Comedy
Wes Anderson is known for his whimsical, idiosyncratic style, dripping in irony and absurdism, and The Grand Budapest Hotel is no different. A critical darling, it was showered with praise and accolades, but not everyone shares the sentiment. But if deadpan delivery, quirky characters, pastel colors and symmetrical composition are your thing, you’re likely to love The Grand Budapest Hotel. It’s hilarious blend of absurdity, precise timing, and deadpan delivery makes it a much-watch for fans of off-beat comedy.
7
‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ (1975)
Monty Python and the Holy Grail sees Britian’s infamous and influential Monty Python comedy troupe on a hilarious medieval adventure that follows King Arthur as he sets out on a surreal quest to recruit men to join his Round Table. Along the way, he rides an invisible horse, encounters a limbless knight, and meets an enchanter known simply as Tim. The film also features a hilarious musical number involving the Knights of Camelot.
Controversial and Relentlessly Funny
Controversial and recklessly funny, the movie certainly doesn’t skimp on laughs. From the opening scene where we’re introduced to a knight and his imaginary horse to the final, fourth-wall-breaking utterance of “Alright, that’s enough” before the organ-accompanied end credits, the Monty Python comedy troupe delivers a riotously funny piece of cinema that has firmly cemented itself in the annals of comedy history.
6
‘Borat! Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhsta’ (2006)
Based on the outrageous character of the same name created by British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen for the sketch show Da Ali G Show, Borat follows the fictional Kazakh journalist through a series of unscripted vignettes in which he interviews and interacts with real-life Americans who believe he is a foreigner with little or no understanding of U.S. customs.
Bold, Brave, and Utterly Outrageous
With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 91%, the movie was a huge box office hit and received critical acclaim for its sharp satire, which holds a mirror to the U.S. and exposes underlying prejudices, ignorance, and contradictions in American society — revealing uncomfortable truths through the reactions of real people. Some of the most sidesplitting moments include Borat bringing a prostitute to a high society dinner party, visiting a car dealership and requesting a vehicle with a ‘cage for his sister’, and belting out the infamous “In My Country There Is Problem” song in an American bar.
5
‘Some Like It Hot’ (1959)
A classic crime caper from 1959 starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemon, Some Like It Hot follows two musicians who disguise themselves as women to escape Chicago mobsters they witnessed commit murder. Widely considered one of the greatest movies of all time, Some Like it Hot more than holds up today and is impossible to watch without grinning from ear to ear.
An Absolute Classic
It’s a screwball comedy with heart, blending chaos, wit and taboo-breaking humor — a comedy of errors with a dose of slapstick and a sprinkling of satire — the recipe for comedy perfection with not a misstep in sight. According to film historian Foster Hirsch, during a screening of the film at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre he bore witness to the “loudest, deepest, heartiest laughter” he had ever heard in a theater as “a thousand spectators roared in unified delight.”
4
‘Shaun of the Dead’ (2004)
Released to critical acclaim and achieving cult status, Shaun of the Dead follows the lives’ of two British everymen played by Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, who find themselves at the center of a zombie epidemic. As they proceed from one hysterical encounter to another, audiences are treated to a barrage of guts, gore, clever sight gags, quotable quips and iconic action — all delivered with a typically British sense of dry humor.
The Greatest Zom-Com of All Time
The Citizen Kane of the zombie comedy genre, Edgar Wright’s Shaun of the Dead is one of those movies in which every action, every line of dialogue, and every visual beat feels perfectly placed for maximum effect, making it one of the finest crafted and funniest movies of all time.
3
‘Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy’ (2004)
Will Ferrell stars as Ron Burgundy, an out-of-touch 1970s news anchor struggling to adapt to the times. Supported by a wild and wacky news team played by the likes of Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, and David Koechner, this boys’ club struggles to accept the newly appointed female anchor, played by Christina Applegate. Anchorman masterfully draws from multiple humor types, ranging from one-liners and slapstick to surrealism and absurdism, and wraps it all into one sidesplitting ball of satirical silliness.
Ron Burgundy Is One of the Funniest Characters Ever Committed to Film
Perfectly deriding the outdated nature of the Action News format and the views and culture of the era, the movie was a huge hit and is now considered an iconic piece of classic comedy cinema. Will Ferrell’s tongue-in-cheek portrayal of the cocky, sexist, titular lead anchor particularly won over critics and audiences alike, landing the news anchor on multiple publications’ greatest character lists.
2
‘Airplane!’ (1980)
On a laugh per minute basis, not much comes close to Airplane! A hilariously over-the-top parody movie spoofing the disaster genre (and any other Hollywood tropes that land its way). Reveling in silly slapstick, absurdism, and more one-liners and puns than you could shake a stick at, it revolutionized the parody genre and influenced dozens of movies in its wake.
It Changed Nielson’s Career Forever
Previously known for his dramatic roles, Leslie Nielson was cast in the lead role and exceeded all expectations, flexing his comedic chops through his deadpan delivery, adding a sense of gravitas to the chaos unfolding around him. The movie was a huge commercial and critical success and was responsible for a seismic shift in his career trajectory, leading him to leave dramatic roles behind and cement himself as the king of spoof comedy, later appearing in the likes of The Naked Gun, Spy Hard, and Scary Movie 3.
1
‘Blazing Saddles’ (1974)
Blazing Saddles is a masterpiece of satirical comedy directed by Mel Brooks. Taking place in the Old West, it follows the story of a corrupt official who appoints a Black sheriff in a racist town, hoping it will descend into chaos, only to have the tables turned on him. The sheriff wins over the people with the help of a drunken gunslinger, and they rise up against the crooked official and the legions of bandits and ne’er-do-wells at his disposal.
‘Blazing Saddles’ Is a Bold Piece of Filmmaking
Blazing Saddles manages to masterfully combine all the best aspects of satire, slapstick, surrealism, and absurdity, all while fearlessly mocking racism, Hollywood tropes, and Western clichés. The rapid-fire gags, sharp dialogue, and fourth-wall-breaking moments keep the humor constant and unpredictable. While Brooks has plenty of comedy classics under his belt, none hit quite as hard or are quite as consistently hilarious as Blazing Saddles.
