There’s a wide range of philosophies and faiths that people adopt to survive our sometimes difficult lives, but one thing is universally helpful — laughter.Comedyhas 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 ofEverything 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 likeShaun of the Deadmight 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 Feb 8., 2024, by Soniya Hinduja:This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
55Meet the Parents (2000)
Meet the Parents
Ben Stiller plays a nurse named Greg Focker inMeet the Parents. Inclassic 2000s rom-com fashion, the premise takes the protagonist on a hilarious adventure where he hopes to meet his girlfriend’s parents and spend the weekend with them. But from the moment Greg meets Pam’s father, the legendary Jack Byrnes, he’s faced with distaste, a series of interrogations, and embarrassing tests to see if the guy has any flaws.
A Classic Premise Executed Excellently
With razor-sharp one-liners and a comical farce that is endlessly hilarious,Meet the Parentsforms a familiar family drama. Pairing Stiller with Robert De Niro’s ferocious father-in-law seems like a great idea because it not only ratchets the stakes for Greg but also makes room for little moments of nuance and heart. The movie also stars an amazing set of supporting characters played by comedic actors like Owen Wilson, Teri Polo, Dustin Hoffman, and Blythe Danner.
Stream on Netflix
54Young Frankenstein (1974)
Young Frankenstein
Blending every beloved trope of two popular genres,Young Frankensteintells the story of Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, who is sick of townsfolk ruining his family’s reputation. After inheriting his infamous grandfather’s castle – and by extension, his laboratory and book of experiments – Frederick decides to test the theories by reanimating dead tissue and breathing life into a dramatic new creature. Themonster is extraordinaryand it becomes a catalyst for a series of hijinks.
1970s Monster Mania
During the ’70s, monster mania had become a supremely exciting trope.Young Frankensteinpays homage to it by packing more laughs than any comedy before or since. The film is directed by Mel Brooks, who makes sure it has enough physicality and sharp comedic timing to turn it into a classic. Moreover, the whole legendary cast, whether it is major ones like Gene Wilder and Marty Feldman, or smaller roles like that of Teri Garr and Cloris Leachman, delivers perfect performances.
Stream on DirecTV
53Up in Smoke (1978)
For twoslacker stoners on a never-ending pursuitof the perfect high, any scenario can become a wild and reckless scheme. Play that out on the wide screen and what you have is a psychedelic paradise of a film that marks as one of the most hilarious projects in the history of cinema.Up in Smokefollows Tommy Chong and Cheech Marin as two disciples of drugs unknowingly smuggling a van stuffed with grass while being pursued by a straight-laced Sergeant Stedenko.
Geniusly Ridiculous and Absurd
You’ve seen slacker comedies before, and you’ve definitely watched two hapless characters get into the most ridiculous situations. But we’re sure none of those films match the deadpan humor and deliberate nonsense ofUp in Smoke. The film was Cheech and Chong’s cinematic breakthrough, and clearly, they floated to iconic status by being brilliantly absurd. While the comedy saw many imitators in the decade after, they missed the heart and genius of the film.
52The Jerk (1979)
As a white child adopted by a Black family living in the Mississippi backwoods, young Navin Johnson grew up as a simpleminded and innocent man. He always knew he was somehow “different,” but it was only when he turned 18 that Navin decided to head to the big city and put his uniquely optimistic nature to the test. His naivety became his best friend and worst enemy until a strange invention led him to bigger dreams and a fortune.
1970s Comedy that Stands the Test of Time
Steve Martin is undoubtedly one of theall-time great comedy performersin the industry. As Navin, he displays a perpetual innocence that defies all logic and takes “humor” to a higher place.The Jerkstars Bernadette Peters and Caitlin Adams as supporting players, who have a distinct gift for wordplay and warmth. Moreover, under Carl Reiner’s direction, the story feels fresh and charming.
51The Hangover (2009)
The Hangover
This first film in a beloved trilogy sees three friends, Alan, Phil, and Stu, embarking on a wild night to celebrate their best friend Doug’s marriage. However, their night in Las Vegas becomes even more outlandish when the trio wakes up with no memory of how they got into their hotel room and a tiger in the bathroom, especially when the groom-to-be is missing. They frantically retrace the previous night and soberly navigate the seedy underbelly of the city.
Over-the-Top absurdity
Director Todd Phillips had been making movies throughout the 2000s, but it wasThe Hangoverthat brought him to prominence in the industry. With phenomenal performances from Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis, the film is insanely funny. Whether it is their memory-void manhunt or the new moments of discovery, every scene somehow tops the last in terms of absurdity and genius.
Rent on Apple TV
50Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bombis directed by Stanley Kubrick, and it stars Peter Sellers as an unhinged American general who orders a nuclear strike on Russia. Naturally, the world tilts itself over the idea and the situation soon goes from light to dire. The sheer absurdity of the order forces the war council to take measures to stop the attack.
A Masterful Blend of Themes and Genres
Parodying the entire atmosphere of the Cold War era by using satire, the movie is a masterpiece in filmmaking. The idea behind Kubrick’s film is to address the masses’ fear of the hydrogen bomb. But in doing so, he ends up constructing characters that are so brilliant they’ve become memorable in the history of cinema. Moreover, the film’s use of existential humor is so subtle yet so resonant that it is impossible not to find yourself grinning.
Stream on Max
49Annie Hall (1977)
Annie Hall
Woody Allen plays the protagonist, Alvy Singer, inAnnie Hall. He is a divorced Jewish comedian who had a very tumultuous relationship with his ex-lover Annie Hall, who was a vibrant and lively nightclub singer. But before he dives into the psychoanalysis of how they fell apart, Singer whisks us into his childhood, the traumas he faced, and how he met and fell in love with Annie.
Romance with a Quirk
Woody Allen writes, directs, and stars in thismodern masterpiece. To say that itdefines romance as a genre would be an understatement because the film captures the very nucleus of what makes us fall in love. You know how, after a relationship ends, we go back and trace every little argument and quirk and petty grievance and end up blaming the person and the memories that linger? Well, Allen does just that, but in a more poetic, humorous, and understanding way than our subconscious allows.
Stream on Prime Video
48The Blues Brothers (1980)
The Blues Brothers
John Landis directs this musical comedy about Jake and Elwood Blues, who are on a mission to make $5000 to save the orphanage they grew up in. The story begins with Jake, fresh out of prison, reuniting with his brother only to find out that their childhood home, their safe haven, is about to be locked down because the taxes are due. Determined to save it, the Blues Brothers bring together their old band and insist they play gigs and save up the money. However, in the process, they end up enraging a bunch of people, including the police, and now they have to get through more obstacles than they bargained for.
Classic Hijinks With an Emotional Core
The Blues Brothersisa classic ‘80s comedy, and because it is paired with R&B slammers, the film is even more iconic. John Belushi and Dan Akroyd wring gold from their raggedy roles of two brothers doing “God’s work.” Whether it is their sincere effort to raise funds by performing gigs or the many misadventures while dodging the police, there isn’t one scene that isn’t hilarious and heartfelt.
47Office Space (1999)
Office Space
Venturing a little further and into the ‘90s, we haveOffice Space. The movie follows Peter Gibbons, a perpetually unfulfilled corporate worker who is fed up with his mundane job at a software company called Initech. He turns to hypnotherapy to find some peace and satisfaction, but when his therapist dies in the middle of a session, Peter is left in a blissful and unbothered state. Back at work, Peter is stress-free, he plays games and even woos colleagues. With his two anarchic friends, he plots a revenge plan against their greedy boss.
Consistently Relatable and Enormously Funny
As far as office comedies go, few manage to strike this exact chord of relatability and fun. Writer and director Mike Judgeuses this hilarious premise to commenton consumerism, corporate drudgery, and the 9 to 5 culture. Even though the movie was released over two decades ago, these subjects still resonate with the audience, and that endurance, perhaps, is its greatest achievement.
46Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
Napoleon Dynamite
A proper high school comedy that understands small-town politics like few other flicks,Napoleon Dynamitefollows the titular character, a 17-year-old awkward teenager who lives with his grandmother and older brother and struggles to fit into the school’s golden stereotypes. When a transfer student joins the school and shows an interest in running for class president, Napoleon not only befriends him but also helps him with his school council campaign. All the while, he’s also dealing with the odd habits of his folks.
Infinitely Charming
There are many elements of the film that make it memorable, but mainly it is John Heder’s performance that anchors the narrative. From his facial expressions to his distinctive running style, his character is absolutely endearing. Moreover, Haylie Duff, and Efren Ramirez embody characters that become instantly memorable. The jokes land perfectly, the cliques are resonant, andthe magic of teenagehood is ever so peculiar. Overall, the film is a cult hit and will probably remain so for generations to come.
Stream on Hulu
