20 Best Comedy Movies of All Time
Comedy movies are a great way to overcome your boredom and fatigue. They are filled with funny and charming scenes that lead to a happy ending, making them perfect for a relaxing viewing experience.
Over time, comedy movies have undergone a significant evolution. Previously, comedic movies only focused on funny moments, but now they include various sub-genres such as parody and slapstick. Moreover, filmmakers all around the world have started combining the comedy genre with romance, action, and horror to create unique and engaging movies.
Showpoiler has compiled a list of the best comedy movies of all time that you must watch. Curious what movies made it to this list? Find the full list below!
1. What We Do In The Shadows
Not all vampire movies are meant to be scary, and "What We Do In The Shadows" is a perfect example of that. Instead of being scary, the movie takes a humorous approach. It revolves around the lives of four vampires who live together in a flat in Wellington, New Zealand, and struggle to adapt to the challenges of living in the modern 21st century.
Nick (Cori Gonzalez-Macuer) is a newly turned vampire who lives with experienced vampires: Viago (Taika Waititi), Vladislav (Jemaine Clement), Deacon (Jonathan Brugh), and Petyr (Ben Fransham).
During his time with the senior vampires, Nick introduces them to the ways of modern human life, including watching television, using cell phones, laptops, and cameras. He even helps Viago surf the internet to track down his past lover, Katherine.
Despite their apparent friendship, Nick and the senior vampires struggled to get along. Deacon, for example, often insults Nick for carelessly revealing his identity as a vampire to others.
Tragically, Nick's carelessness led to Petyr being killed by a vampire hunter. Now, the question arises: How will the senior vampires handle this situation with Nick?
Presented in a mockumentary format, the movie nicely blends drama and comedy in the right proportion. It is no surprise that "What We Do In The Shadows" was hailed as the best movie of 2014 by The Guardian.
2. Young Frankenstein
Old but Gold, "Young Frankenstein" is a horror-comedy that truly lives up to its name. This 1974 movie is a delightful collaboration between the famous director Mel Brooks and his close friend, the talented actor Gene Wilder.
Inspired by the famous Frankenstein legend, the movie guarantees hearty laughs with its cleverly crafted parody scenes. What makes it even more remarkable is that it was seriously made, as the sets and props used were lovingly borrowed from the 1931 classic Frankenstein movie.
It's no wonder that "Young Frankenstein" earned a place in the National Film Registry and is recognized as one of the best comedy films ever made.
The story follows a young neurologist named Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) who inherits his grandfather's old castle. While exploring the castle, Frederick discovers the personal journals of his late grandfather, the famous scientist Dr. Frankenstein.
Fascinated by the idea of bringing the dead back to life, Frederick is determined to prove himself as a scientist. With the help of Igor (Marty Feldman), he boldly steals the corpse of a recently executed criminal. Now, Frederick embarks on a thrilling experiment. Will his ambitious research pay off, or will it tarnish his reputation? The story unfolds with excitement and surprises.
3. Shaun of the Dead
While most zombie movies are known for their scary and intense scenes, "Shaun of the Dead" brings a different kind of vibe. Directed by Edgar Wright, this movie is full of hilarious antics that will make you laugh out loud.
The movie follows the life of a man named Shaun (Simon Pegg), an electronics salesman who lives an aimless life with no aspirations or dreams. As a result, he struggles to connect with his coworkers and family.
Despite his chaotic life, Shaun has a friend named Ed (Nick Frost), a slacker whose life is even more chaotic than Shaun's. One fateful day, the roommate's roommate, Ed (Nick Frost), becomes a roommate.
One day, their roommate, Pete (Peter Serafinowicz), comes home and complains of being bitten by a robber. At first, Shaun and Ed ignore him, but their world is turned upside down when London is suddenly overrun by zombies, and Pete becomes one of them, trying to attack them.
In a desperate attempt to survive, Shaun decides to look for shelter at his stepfather's house and attempt to rescue his ex-girlfriend. Together, they begin a hilarious adventure to avoid the zombies roaming the city.
However, this group dynamic is far from ideal, as everyone seems to have selfish tendencies, and their escape plan soon turns into a disaster.
Despite its absurdity, "Shaun of the Dead" masterfully weaves its storyline, balancing creepy moments with stomach-churning comedy. The movie's cinematography and scoring add to the overall entertainment value. Amazingly, the movie earned an impressive 92% score from 213 reviewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
4. The Nice Guys
Ryan Gosling's comedic performances never fail to captivate and delight audiences. "The Nice Guys," a neo-noir comedy movie, is an example of this. Many may expect a serious movie, but in reality, it is filled with hilarious scenes that will make you laugh.
In this movie, Ryan Gosling plays Holland March, a detective assigned to investigate the death of an adult magazine star named Misty Mountains (Murielle Telio). The case causes chaos in Los Angeles, as the beautiful model is found dead after crashing her car into a residential house.
During his investigation, March discovers that Misty had a meeting with a woman named Amelia Kuttner (Margaret Qualley). Amelia, a coworker of Misty's, becomes an important witness in the case. Feeling threatened, she hires a private detective named Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe) to intimidate March.
Interestingly, the two detectives who were once rivals end up working together to uncover this mysterious case. The matter becomes even more complicated when Amelia suddenly disappears without a trace. What lies behind this confusing and unsettling situation?
Directed by Shane Black, "The Nice Guys" nicely captures the essence of classic comedies from the past. From the well-crafted script to the fantastic cinematography and chemistry between the leads, the movie delivers great satisfaction.
It must be said that the collaboration between Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe is hilarious and thoroughly entertaining.
5. The Grand Budapest Hotel
The lineup of famous artists in "The Grand Budapest Hotel" already hints that this movie is no ordinary comedy. Written by Wes Anderson, the movie features famous actors like Ralph Fiennes, Bill Murray, and Tilda Swinton, all of whom have been Oscar nominees.
What really sets this movie apart and makes it a must-watch is its unique and refreshing storyline, which differs it from other comedies. The Grand Budapest Hotel engages its audience, challenging them to think a little, while providing moments of pure relaxation through its clever humor.
The story is about an interesting history of the ownership of a grand hotel called The Grand Budapest Hotel. The plot follows the journey of a lobby boy named Zero (Tony Revolori), who develops a close relationship with Monsieur Gustave H (Ralph Fiennes), a trusted figure responsible for the maintenance of the hotel.
Shortly after, a wealthy widow named Madam D (Tilda Swinton) is found dead in her room, leaving a will that bequeaths her most prized painting to Gustave H. This bequest comes as no surprise, as Gustave was known to charm wealthy women, and Madam D was one of his lovers.
However, the family, especially Madam D's son Dmitri (Adrien Brody), strongly objects to the will. Determined to secure the painting and eliminate Gustave, Dmitri sets Gustave up, leading to his imprisonment.
Meanwhile, Dmitri takes control of The Grand Budapest Hotel, since his late mother was its owner. With Gustave's reputation and future ruined, the question is: Will he remain silent and accept his fate?
The Grand Budapest Hotel spins a fascinating tale, blending mystery, humor, and drama in a captivating way, making it a cinematic gem not to be missed.
6. Guardians of the Galaxy Trilogy
Among all the Marvel movies, the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy stands out as a funny and highly entertaining movie, at least in my opinion.
Despite focusing on a group of superheroes exploring space, thanks to James Gunn's direction, the film franchise manages to instill a sense of comedy that never fails to make the audience laugh out loud.
The trilogy's narrative revolves around an American pilot named Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), who reluctantly works alongside a motley crew, including Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista), Groot (Vin Diesel) and Rocket (Bradley Cooper).
The story begins with Quill stealing the Orb from a planet called Morag, unknowingly inviting the wrath of a villain named Ronan. As events unfold, it becomes clear that the Orb contains a coveted stone known as the "Power Stone", which has unimaginable power capable of obliterating entire planets.
The group manages to defeat Ronan, but soon realizes that another great enemy, Thanos (Josh Brolin), Gamora's adopted father from the planet Titan, is after the stone for his own nefarious purposes. Thanos is on a dangerous mission to depopulate the world by extreme means.
The Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy has become one of Marvel's highest grossing and most successful movie series. Each series, from the first to the third, has received tremendous praise from movie critics.
Rotten Tomatoes gave it a score of 92%, while Metacritic rated it 76/100. Most critics appreciated the seamless blend of adventure, drama, and comedy that is natural throughout the movie. If you haven't watched it yet, you might want to give it a try-it's an exhilarating and hilarious ride that's worth your time.
7. Barbie (2023)
The list of the best comedy movies wouldn't be complete without mentioning "Barbie" (2023). Directed by Greta Gerwig, this movie is a must-watch, offering a delightful blend of childhood nostalgia, drama, comedy, and fantasy. Although the storyline starts off simply, the movie gradually builds in intensity, and the well-timed comedy provides moments of laughter amidst the heartfelt emotions.
The film centers on Barbie (Margot Robbie), the classic and stereotypical Barbie who lives happily in Barbieland. However, her perfect life takes a strange turn when she experiences disturbing phenomena, ranging from contemplating death to her high heels mysteriously sticking to the ground.
Curious and determined to uncover the truth, Barbie meets Weird Barbie (Kate McKinnon), who reveals that her inexplicable experiences are connected to her real-life owner. To reclaim her beautiful life, Barbie starts to understand what has happened to her owners and bring happiness back into their lives.
Accompanied by Ken (Ryan Gosling), Barbie travels to the real world, just to be faced with its distinct differences with Barbieland - a place that is scary and indifferent to women's issues. In addition, Ken is inspired by the real world to introduce patriarchy into Barbieland, which adds further complexity to Barbie's predicament.
As Barbie faces the challenge of reclaiming her perfect world from Ken's influence, she feels hopeless, unsure if she can bring happiness and inspiration back to her owner's life.
For those who haven't seen the movie yet, be prepared for a pleasant surprise from Ryan Gosling's performance. Watching "Barbie" will definitely keep you entertained and may even make you a loyal Ryan Gosling fan.
8. Hot Fuzz
Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) learns the hard way that being an outstanding and honest cop does not guarantee job security. Out of envy, the chief of police demotes him by transferring him to a small village called Sanford.
This unfortunate event tarnishes Nicholas Angel's reputation among his colleagues. When he arrived in Sanford, he was greeted with disrespect from the local police force, who regarded him only as a lazy officer.
Despite facing a team of less competent colleagues, Nicholas Angel remained determined to do his job to the best of his ability. However, instead of inspiring them, his seriousness is met with mockery, and he is labeled as a stiff.
Things take an interesting turn when the Sanford police department receives a report of a mysterious death in the village. While others handle the case casually, Nicholas Angel is convinced that this is no ordinary death.
Handling a mysterious case in a seemingly quiet place presents its own challenges. Fortunately, Nicholas Angel finds an unlikely partner in Danny Butterman (Nick Frost), an innocent man obsessed with cop movies. Together, they embark on a mission to uncover the mystery behind the deaths plaguing the villagers.
When it comes to comedy movies, Simon Pegg rarely disappoints, and "Hot Fuzz" is no exception. The brilliance of the movie won him the Best Comedy trophy at the Empire Awards, a well-deserved recognition of its comedic excellence.
9. School of Rock
Next on the list of comedy and musical movies, School of Rock is a must-watch movie. With Jack Black in the lead role, there is no doubt about the quality of this movie. Even together with a group of talented child actors, Jack Black shines with his amazing expressions and acting skills.
School of Rock follows the life of Dewey Finn (Jack Black), a man who loves rock music. His dreams of becoming a true rock star are shattered when he is kicked out of his band. Struggling with economic problems, Dewey's life gets worse and worse.
Desperate to fulfill his needs, Dewey takes the opportunity to disguise himself as his friend and work as a teacher at an exclusive school. But this is not just any school; it has strict rules and uses a monotonous teaching method.
Feeling pressured by the rigid school environment, Dewey decides to introduce his students to the world of rock music. At first, the kids showed little interest, but Dewey's determination paid off as he began to mold them into a rebellious kids' rock band. Also, he enrolls his students in rock and roll band competitions.
School of Rock is an excellent comedy movie recommendation for families and kids. The movie offers a refreshing selection of songs and delivers a highly entertaining comedy that will keep you entertained.
10. Zombieland
Zombieland is another zombie movie that strikes the perfect balance between humor and horror, making it less scary for the audience. With an impressive 89% rating from 259 critics on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie is praised for its comedic brilliance that keeps the audience laughing throughout the movie.
Although the movie adds some violent scenes to create a thrilling atmosphere, director Ruben Fleischer ensures that the scenes are not too sadistic.
The movie's storyline is about a zombie outbreak that sweeps across the United States, turning most of the population into terrifying creatures. Amidst the chaos, Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), a student at the University of Texas, miraculously survives the onslaught.
Initially, Columbus plans to return to Ohio in hopes of reuniting with his surviving family members. On the way, he meets Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), another survivor who kindly offers him a ride. Along the way, Columbus and Tallahassee cross paths with two other survivors, Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin).
The two girls propose to seek refuge in an amusement park believed to be free from zombie attacks. But the question remains: Is there really an area untouched by the zombie virus?
Zombieland brilliantly captures the essence of the zombie apocalypse with a blend of humor, horror, and thrilling moments, earning it praise from critics and audiences alike.
11. Superbad
Superbad is a fun comedy movie that centers on the lives of high school kids. The movie offers a lighthearted and highly entertaining experience, especially with the endearing friendship and antics of Jonah Hill and Michael Cera.
The story is about Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera), two high school students known for their geeky and nerdy attitudes. Friends since childhood, they have never explored the world of love and dating.
As graduation approaches, Seth and Evan receive an invitation to a party organized by the most popular girl in school, Jules (Emma Stone). Of course, both of them are very happy and eager to attend.
During the party, Becca (Martha Macisaac) asks Seth and Evan to buy alcohol for them. However, being underage, the two friends find it difficult to get liquor. In their desperation, they begin a series of ridiculous misadventures that lead to the party being canceled.
While the premise may seem familiar, Superbad manages to deliver a very entertaining and fun story. Jonah Hill's talent in comedy shines through, as he is already a seasoned actor in this genre.
With a mix of humor, friendship, and moments of maturity, Superbad is a comedy that guarantees a good time for its audience.
12. The 40-Year-Old Virgin
In America, there is a 40-year-old man named Andy Stitzer (Steve Carell) who is a virgin-an unlikely situation, right? Despite working as a stock controller at Smart Tech, Andy has never experienced sexual intimacy. He struggles not only to lose his virginity but even to ask women out on dates or get into romantic relationships.
Andy kept his virginity a secret, discussing women with his coworkers while clumsily and enthusiastically avoiding the topic of sex. One day, however, his secret was revealed, and his coworkers began to taunt him mercilessly. The ridicule becomes so unbearable that Andy considers quitting his job.
Interestingly, Paula (Jane Lynch), Andy's boss at the store, secretly admires him and proposes a physical relationship. However, Andy firmly rejects the offer, which disappoints his coworkers, who vigorously support him in his quest to lose his virginity.
Despite Paula's appeal, Andy's heart is set on Trish (Catherine Keener), a single mom who owns the store across from Andy's workplace. However, Andy lacks the courage to start a relationship with her.
The story that ensues can be seen in the movie The 40-Year-Old Virgin. One of the reasons why this movie is celebrated as one of the best comedy movies of all time is Steve Carell's brilliant performance.
Steve Carell's portrayal earned him several awards as best actor, including awards at the MTV Movie & TV Awards and the Golden Schmoes Awards.
13. 21 Jump Street
Seeing Jonah Hill in a comedy movie is not surprising, as he is an expert in this genre. But what happens when he teams up with Channing Tatum, a handsome actor known for his roles in romantic and action movies?
Their collaboration can be enjoyed in the comedy film 21 Jump Street. It was named the best movie at the Teen Choice Awards in 2012, making it highly recommended. Forget the cinematography; this comedy exudes the nostalgic charm of 80s movies, thanks to its satirical humor and smart comedic sense.
The story revolves around the meeting of Morton (Jonah Hill) and Greg (Channing Tatum), two young men who have just finished training as police officers. Coincidentally, they were also classmates at school.
Assigned to investigate a drug kingpin targeting school children, Morton and Greg decide to go undercover as students at a local high school. Initially, they think that posing as students will be a breeze, but they soon realize that high school life has changed significantly since their time.
Besides dealing with drug kingpins, Morton and Greg also experience the anxiety and terror that teenagers often face in their daily lives.
21 Jump Street presents the perfect blend of humor, action, and moments of maturity, making it a fun and entertaining comedy film that should not be missed.
14. Mean Girls
After spending 15 years in Africa, Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) returns to America, excited to start her new life. She enrolls at North Shore High School, a prestigious institution, where she soon hears about a group known as The Plastics.
The group consists of girls who consider themselves the most popular and attractive in the school. While they may be physically beautiful, their personalities are not what is expected. Cady is shocked when she finds her unremarkable appearance being made fun of by The Plastics.
Determined to teach these snobby girls a lesson, Cady goes to great lengths to become popular. Her efforts are successful, and her transformation catches the attention of The Plastics, who invite her to join their group.
However, as Cady spends more time with The Plastics, her initially kind and innocent personality begins to change. Her concerned friends observe that Cady has become self-centered and indistinguishable from The Plastics.
Mean Girls is a timeless comedy movie that every woman should watch. Since its release in 2004, it has remained a favorite and iconic movie for many, including me.
Lindsay Lohan's outstanding performance earned her awards, including Best Actress at the MTV Movie Awards and Teen Choice Awards.
15. Crazy, Stupid, Love
As the title suggests, "Crazy, Stupid, Love" follows a quest for love that is full of passion and foolishness. The film centers on Cal Weaver, a middle-aged man who is extremely devoted and fatherly towards his wife, Emily Weaver.
To Cal, Emily is the love of his life. However, their marriage failed to bring them happiness, leading her to have an affair and eventually ask for a divorce.
The divorce request left Cal devastated, feeling like his life had been ruined. While drowning his sorrows in a bar, Cal opens up about his failed love life to a young man named Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling). Touched by Cal's story, Jacob decides to help her move on and reclaim her life.
As a playboy, Jacob has no trouble impressing the women he targets. He starts by transforming Cal's old-fashioned and stiff fashion sense into something more youthful and charming. With Jacob's guidance, Cal learns the art of seducing women. Will Cal's attempt to become a playboy like Jacob succeed?
It's safe to say that Ryan Gosling excels in comedies, and his performance in the romantic comedy "Crazy, Stupid, Love" is no exception. His talent in this movie is truly amazing.
Despite receiving nominations at various prestigious award shows, Ryan Gosling has never taken home a trophy.
16. Tropic Thunder
Starring actors such as Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr, it's no surprise that Tropic Thunder is one of the best comedy movies of all time. The movie not only features top-notch actors but also presents stunning action and war scenes.
The 82% score from 252 critics on Rotten Tomatoes shows that the movie has a biting and subversive satirical comedy style, which has been widely appreciated.
The story unfolds when a group of actors come together for a war movie project inspired by the memoirs of a Vietnam war veteran. During the filming process, these actors create chaos and trouble on set.
In an attempt to teach them a lesson and build up their friendship, the director decided to shoot in an actual jungle. Tragically, the director accidentally stepped on a mine and lost his life. Despite this tragedy, the actors agreed to honor his memory by continuing the film project based on the notes he left behind.
Guided by the director's instructions, Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller), Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.), and Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black) bravely continued filming.
However, during the shoot, Tugg is captured by a dangerous armed group known as the Flaming Dragons. Now the cast and crew are faced with a daunting challenge: how can they rescue Tugg and finish the movie?
17. The Hangover
Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), Doug (Justin Bartha) and Alan (Zach Galifianakis) are best friends. One wild night, they get so drunk that they lose consciousness of what's going on.
When they wake up the next morning, they find themselves in a confusing and bizarre situation. Imagine this: a tiger, a baby chick, and one of them missing a tooth-all in the same room!
With no time to think straight, Phil, Stu, and Alan struggle to piece together the crazy and ridiculous events they experienced the night before. Doug has also disappeared, and no one knows where he is. The clock is ticking, and they must find Doug's location before the wedding.
Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, and Ed Helms display great chemistry. With a smart script and slick direction, their attempts to unravel the mystery are peppered with humor and hilarious moments.
The Hangover was a huge success, resulting in two sequels that completed the trilogy. However, the subsequent films could not match the brilliance of the original. Although they repeated the same formula with different settings, they failed to recreate the magic that made the first movie so unforgettable.
18. Dumb and Dumber
For Western movie fans, Jim Carrey is undoubtedly an actor who never fails to amaze with his absurd on-screen antics. This time, we will be talking about the comedy movie titled "Dumb and Dumber".
Teaming up with Jeff Daniels, the duo delivers a series of slapstick comedies that are undeniably entertaining. Their seemingly brainless stupidity never fails to bring out endless laughter. The overwhelming success of this comedy film catapulted Peter Farrelly's directing career to new heights.
So, what kind of silly antics do they get up to? Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carrey) and Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels) are actually neighbors living in the same apartment building, but they face different life challenges.
Lloyd works as a driver and one day, he falls in love with a woman named Mary Swanson (Lauren Holly). While driving Mary to the airport, he discovers that she accidentally left her bag behind. Determined to return it to his beloved, Lloyd goes on a wild journey around the world. And he's not alone; he invites Harry to join him on this adventure.
Without Lloyd's knowledge, Mary's bag contains a large sum of money. It turns out that Mary is not single; she is married, and her husband has been kidnapped by a gang of criminals. Initially, Mary intends to use the money to ransom her husband, but now everything depends on Lloyd.
Meanwhile, without knowing the contents of the bag, Lloyd and Harry are being chased by two mysterious men. Will Lloyd and Harry manage to deliver Mary's bag, and how will their adventure full of unknowns unfold?
19. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) was a famous news anchor in the 70s, leading the broadcast for a local television station in San Diego. Together with three male colleagues, Ron formed the famous "Channel 4 News Team", and made a name for themselves.
Looking for a new atmosphere, they agree to welcome a new reporter, Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate). Veronica is a charismatic and passionate woman, exuding ambition and dedication to her work.
However, her addition to Ron's team brings many challenges. Not that Veronica's work is substandard, but her presence poses a threat to the careers of the men in the Channel 4 News Team. Slowly but surely, Veronica managed to overshadow Ron, who was once a beloved anchor adored by the people of San Diego.
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy is no ordinary comedy movie. While the movie undoubtedly delivers laughs, it also delivers many inspirational quotes that will always stay with you. Moreover, the movie has earned its place in the list of the 100 best and funniest comedy movies of the 2000s.
20. Legally Blonde
No comedy movie collection would be complete without "Legally Blonde". This blockbuster may not have won over the critics, but it's a must-watch.
Reese Witherspoon's portrayal of the main character is iconic and spot-on. In fact, she took home three trophies, including Best Comedy Actress at the 2022 MTV Movie Awards.
Legally Blonde follows the journey of a blonde woman who fights against society's negative stereotypes.
Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) is a passionate and amazing woman. Unfortunately, in America, there is an unfair stereotype that most blonde women are just attractive yet intellectually empty individuals.
Elle seems to fit the stereotype perfectly, especially with her wealthy background full of shopping, parties, and recreation.
However, Elle's life took a drastic turn when she decided to attend Harvard Law School. Her motivation? To prove herself as the ideal wife for her boyfriend, Warner (Matthew Davis).
Against all odds, Elle's determination and confidence help her pass her exams and earn a place at Harvard. However, that was just the beginning of her challenges. Now, Elle must face new, tougher obstacles to challenge society's unfair judgment.
While many comedy movies use absurd themes and stories to get cheap laughs, only a few manage to touch the audience's sense of humor.