50 Best Comedies of All Time, Ranked (2024)

Of all the cinematic genres, comedy is the hardest to truly master. Humor is so context-dependent, and changes so wildly from person to person (let alone between generations) that many comedies struggle to have a strong, immediate impact, and a lot of the ones that do soon become outdated and glaringly of their time. However, there have been plenty of comedy movies throughout cinematic history that have proven themselves to be timeless and stand among the best movies of all time.

In a sprawling range that spans from masterpieces of the silent era to striking satires and 70s spoofs, and even to some instant classics of the modern age, comedy cinema is littered with hilarious hits. United by runaway creativity and a universal embracing of the sheer, unbridled joy of a good laugh, these quintessential comedy classics are sure to leave audiences in stitches.

50 'Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery' (1997)

Directed by Jay Roach

Offering emphatic proof that spoof movies didn’t completely die in the 80s, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery was the perfect parody of what was, at the time, a dwindling Bond franchise. It follows the titular spy, an agent from the 1960s awoken from cryogenic sleep to face off against his arch nemesis, Dr. Evil (also played by Mike Myers), when he returns to Earth and holds the planet to ransom.

The spy spoof is relentless in its pursuit of gags, taking direct aim at 007’s more anachronistic and chauvinistic tendencies with reckless abandon. The end result is so ridiculous that it works, hinging on its parody prowess and its central goofiness to stand among the most brilliantly ingenious dumb comedies ever made. The catchphrases alone are enough to leave fans in hysterics.

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

PG-13

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Release Date

May 2, 1997

Director

Jay Roach

Cast

Mike Myers , Elizabeth Hurley , Michael York , Mimi Rogers , Robert Wagner , Seth Green , Fabiana Udenio , Mindy Sterling

Runtime

89 Minutes

49 'Arsenic and Old Lace' (1944)

Directed by Frank Capra

A delightful pivot to the macabre from Frank Capra, Arsenic and Old Lace is a black comedy gem that has maintained its hilarious punch over the decades. It focuses on Mortimer Brewster (Cary Grant), a notorious marriage detractor who is amazed to find himself in love and eager to marry. When he travels home to tell his family the news, he is disturbed by a corpse hidden in the window seat, a discovery that forces Mortimer to take more notice of his aunts’ misdeeds.

Grant excels at the film’s particular blend of fast-paced, frenzied storytelling and the dark comic allure that bubbles to the surface as he learns his aunts are serial killers. While its shock factor has dissipated over the years, Arsenic and Old Lace still thrives as a brilliant comedy that does justice to the Joseph Kesselring play it was based on.

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48 'The Mask' (1994)

Directed by Russell Chuck

It is hard to observe modern cinematic comedy without addressing the seismic impact the physically outrageous genius Jim Carrey had on the genre through the 1990s, with his 1994 picture, The Mask, among the most iconic movies of all time. Presenting Carrey with ample opportunity to flaunt his zany hilarity, The Mask sees him star as a meek bank employee whose life is uprooted when he discovers a mask that contains the spirit of the Norse god Loki.

A wild adventure ensues when he succumbs to the mask’s allure, transforming into a confident playboy with a dangerous criminal urge to boot. Wild and exhilarating, the film displays Carrey at his bombastic, cartoonish best while also coasting on an excellent supporting performance from Cameron Diaz to be a true comedy classic and one of the defining movies of the 90s.

The Mask

PG-13

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Release Date

July 29, 1994

Director

Chuck Russell

Cast

Jim Carrey , Peter Riegert , Peter Greene , Amy Yasbeck , Richard Jeni , Orestes Matacena

Runtime

97 mins

47 'In Bruges' (2008)

Directed by Martin McDonagh

Martin McDonagh has risen to great heights with his ability to mesh black comedy with dramatic punch, notably doing so with the Oscar-nominated The Banshees of Inisherin, which also made exceptional use of stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. However, the writer-director's funniest movie is still his debut feature, In Bruges, with the anxiety-inducing crime-dramedy following two Irish hitmen as they are sent to the picturesque Belgian city of Bruges after a job goes horribly wrong.

Embedded within the film's dark comedic allure, there is an unpredictable tale of morality and regret which was largely defining of the picture's brilliance. Also running with fabulous, profanity-laden dialogue, occasional strong violence, and an unforgettably erratic yet hilarious villainous performance from Ralph Fiennes, In Bruges is a laugh-a-minute comedy that thrives as a contemplative tale of crime and remorse as well.

In Bruges

R

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Release Date

February 8, 2008

Director

Martin McDonagh

Cast

Elizabeth Berrington , Rudy Blomme , Olivier Bonjour , Mark Donovan , Ann Elsley , Colin Farrell

Runtime

107

46 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin' (2005)

Directed by Judd Apatow

One of the most polarizing yet celebrated comedies of the 2000s that saw Steve Carell become a noteworthy leading man while also ushering in a new generation of Hollywood comedy stars, The 40-Year-Old Virgin is an outrageous gem that has only grown more hilarious (and more excruciatingly painful) with age. It focuses on an awkward though amiable store clerk whose co-workers learn has never had sex. While his colleagues try to help him lose his virginity, he begins to form a romance with a local shop owner.

While it isn’t shy when it comes to shock humor and contains hilariously juvenile moments like the famous waxing scene, the film finds its true quality in the tenderness with which Carell’s Andy is explored. Beneath the vulgarity and smut, The 40-Year-Old Virgin is one of the most surprisingly earnest rom-coms of the 2000s and a true highlight of 21st-century comedy cinema.

The 40-Year-Old Virgin

R

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Release Date

August 11, 2005

Director

Judd Apatow

Cast

Steve Carell , Catherine Keener , Paul Rudd , Romany Malco , Seth Rogen , Elizabeth Banks

Runtime

116

45 'The Jerk' (1979)

Directed by Carl Reiner

The movie which saw Steve Martin truly make the leap from a stand-up comic to a leading man in Hollywood comedies, The Jerk was the actor's first starring role in film. Serving primarily as a vehicle for Martin's effervescent and highly energetic brand of goofy comedy to take center stage, The Jerk follows Navin Johnson (Martin), the adopted son of a black family whose sheltered naivety explodes into a journey of self-discovery which takes him to St. Louis.

Embarking on one chaotic misadventure after another, Navin goes from rags to riches and back to rags again all while pursuing the love of cosmetologist, Marie Kimble (Bernadette Peters). Even finding an unlikely diehard fan in Stanley Kubrick, The Jerk displays Martin at his high-octane best and proves that, when it comes to being stupid, there is no greater genius than Steve Martin.

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44 'Galaxy Quest' (1999)

Directed by Dean Parisot

Lovingly referred to as one of the best, albeit unofficial, Star Trek movies ever made, Galaxy Quest is one of the more underrated spoof movies, winning admirers aplenty through the love and affection it shows its source material. Jason Nesmith (Tim Allen) is a washed-up star of the once-popular sci-fi series ‘Galaxy Quest,’ which has attracted a dedicated cult following. As he and his former co-stars get by appearing at conventions, they are approached by an alien race who has mistaken the series to be historical records and enlists the cast to help them fight an intergalactic tyrant.

Capitalizing on its sensational premise, Galaxy Quest dazzles as a fun-fueled sci-comedy that doesn’t skimp on elements of action and adventure either. Buoyed by an exceptional supporting cast that includes Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Sam Rockwell, and Tony Shalhoub among others, it transcends its comedy framework to simply be a stunning, pure-hearted spectacle of sci-fi adventure.

Galaxy Quest

PG

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Release Date

December 23, 1999

Director

Dean Parisot

Cast

Tim Allen , Sigourney Weaver , Alan Rickman , Tony Shalhoub , Sam Rockwell , Daryl Mitchell

Runtime

102

43 'A Night at the Opera' (1935)

Directed by Sam Wood

A successful vaudeville and Broadway comedy troupe through the early part of the 20th century before they made the transition to film with the advent of the talkies, the Marx Brothers were arguably Hollywood's greatest comedic talents through the 30s and 40s. The first film of the group's post-Zeppo era, A Night at the Opera sees the three brothers infiltrating the highbrow opera scene to help a young aspiring singer, Rosa (Kitty Carlisle), achieve her dreams while thwarting her enemies.

Featuring witty wordplay, physical comedy, and musical numbers, as well as elaborate set pieces like the famous stateroom scene, the film has become an all-time comedy classic. The feverishly upbeat movie is jam-packed with gags while allowing the brothers a rare chance to show off a more sympathetic side to their anarchic personas.

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42 'Heathers' (1989)

Directed by Michael Lehmann

A critical counter-punch to the sunny optimism of many '80s teen comedies, Heathers offers a masterclass in cynical and subversive dark comedy. Tired of the elitist and cruel clique led by three girls, all of whom are named Heather, Veronica Sawyner (Winona Ryder) teams up with her rebellious new boyfriend, J.D. (Christian Slater), to devise a twisted plot that will rid the school of the rigid and oppressive social order. However, things spiral out of control when J.D.'s plan escalates to full-blown murder.

An astute deconstruction of high school tropes, Heathers takes plenty of potshots at teenage alienation and schoolyard hierarchies. Despite being a box office flop on release, it has become a cult film of significant acclaim. More than 35 years on from its release, it still feels pointed and modern, thanks in no small part to its inventive dialogue written by Daniel Waters.

Heathers

R

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Release Date

March 31, 1989

Director

Michael Lehmann

Cast

Winona Ryder , Christian Slater , Shannen Doherty , Lisanne Falk , Kim Walker , Penelope Milford

Runtime

103 minutes

41 'The Death of Stalin' (2017)

Directed by Armando Iannucci

A criminally underrated satire that takes great delight in skewering politics and power plays in the historical setting of the Soviet Union immediately after Stalin’s death, The Death of Stalin is a modern masterpiece of comedy. Its focus resides on the tyrannical dictator’s underlings as each of them scrambles and schemes to succeed Stalin as the next Soviet leader all while having to put on a united front as the nation ceremoniously mourns Stalin.

Using its acidic wit and comedic prowess like a scalpel, The Death of Stalin excels as a dissection of political power and the people who most crave it. Featuring the likes of Steve Buscemi, Paddy Considine, Simon Russell Beale, Rupert Friend, and Jeffrey Tambor, the film capitalizes on its sharp script with its incredible cast, which also includes a now-famous supporting turn from Jason Isaacs as the medallion-speckled Georgy Zhukov.

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40 'Superbad' (2007)

Directed by Greg Mottola

Following three high school boys in their pursuit to gain access to a party and hook up with the girls they like, Superbad has become a modern teen comedy classic with its mix of awkward adolescent angst and vulgar hilarity. It focuses on Seth (Jonah Hill), Evan (Michael Cera), and Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), a trio of unpopular youths who try everything to illegally obtain alcohol in order to attend a student house party.

A wild adventure of chaotic, teenage exuberance that ranges from the absurd and audacious to the surprisingly heartfelt, Superbad excels as both a vibrant and vile comedy, and an earnest meditation on friendship. Writers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg loosely based the film on their own experiences as teens in Vancouver in the late 1990s. It is further enhanced by an incredible supporting cast including Rogen, Emma Stone, Joe Lo Truglio, and Bill Hader.

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39 'Shaun of the Dead' (2004)

Directed by Edgar Wright

The first film in Edgar Wright’s famous ‘Cornetto Trilogy’, Shaun of the Dead is a true modern classic of comedy cinema, as well as a brilliant nod to the history of zombie horror cinema. It follows an aimless sales assistant, Shaun (Simon Pegg), whose uneventful life is imbued with new meaning when the dead rise. Desperate to save his mother and his failing relationship, Shaun sets out with his lazy flatmate to face the zombie apocalypse.

With Wright utilizing his trademark style, Pegg and Nick Frost performing at their hilarious best, and plenty of comical yet shocking bloody effects, it has become one of the all-time great horror comedies. It also served as a significant big-screen success for Wright following his hit series Spaced, while Shaun of the Dead’s toying with an established American film genre in zombie horror enabled it to reach an international audience.

Shaun of the Dead

R

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Release Date

April 9, 2004

Director

Edgar Wright

Cast

Simon Pegg , Kate Ashfield , Nick Frost , Lucy Davis , Dylan Moran , Nicola Cunningham

Runtime

99

38 'Office Space' (1999)

Directed by Mike Judge

Office Space is Mike Judge's send-up of corporate culture and the drudgery of the modern workplace. Starring Ron Livingstone, it follows software engineer Peter Gibbons who despises his mundane job at a soulless, life-sapping tech company. Further frustrated by his micromanaging boss, Bill Lumbergh (Gary Cole), and the mind-numbing routine of cubicle life, Peter finds clarity when a hypnosis session goes askew, inspiring him and his co-workers to take revenge on their boss.

Judge's story taps into the understated, maniacal rage that the monotonous boredom of such jobs can instill in many employees, an achievement complemented by hilarious performances from all involved. Its commentary on the modern workplace and its resonant ideas have made Office Space a cult classic comedy that has influenced pop culture through the memes that have spawned from it.

Office Space

R

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Release Date

February 19, 1999

Director

Mike Judge

Cast

Ron Livingston , Jennifer Aniston , David Herman , Ajay Naidu , Diedrich Bader , Stephen Root

Runtime

89 mins

37 'The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!' (1988)

Directed by David Zucker

As pure and potent as comedy cinema gets, The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! hinges on Leslie Nielsen’s spoof movie starring brilliance as it lampoons police movies while serving as a continuation of the short-lived 1982 series Police Squad!. It focuses on a bumbling and inept NYPD policeman whose rivalry with a notorious criminal grows urgent when he learns the crook is planning on assassinating the Queen of England.

Given that Nielsen and much of the creative team behind the film worked on Police Squad! as well, The Naked Gun presented a rare opportunity for the masters of mockery to not only poke fun but deepen their comedic understanding of a character. The end result is as precise as it is plentiful, offering a laugh-a-minute frenzy of crude humor and slapstick hilarity that perfects the comedic art of unbridled silliness and stands as one of the most outrageously funny movies ever made.

The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad

PG-13

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Release Date

December 2, 1988

Director

David Zucker

Cast

Leslie Nielsen , Priscilla Presley , Ricardo Montalban , George Kennedy , O.J. Simpson , Susan Beaubian

Runtime

85 minutes

36 'The Producers' (1967)

Directed by Mel Brooks

A Mel Brooks masterpiece that danced on society's sensitivities, The Producers followed washed-up Broadway producer Max Bialystock (Zero Mostel) and his timid accountant Leo Bloom (played by Gene Wilder) as they hatch a devious scheme to get rich quick. Realizing that if they can get people to invest in a play which flops that they'll be able to keep the leftover money, Max and Leo gather financiers for their surefire musical flop, "Springtime for Hitler."

The Producers received only mixed reviews upon release, with many critics finding its narrative detailing two Jews trying to profit off Hitler to be in poor taste (it is worth noting the film was released at a time when WWII was in living memory for most). However, it has come to be celebrated as a daring and divine success, with its searing mockery of the entertainment industry and its willingness to explore controversial topics making it a timeless classic.

The Producers (1967)

PG

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Release Date

November 10, 1968

Director

Mel Brooks

Cast

Zero Mostel , gene wilder , Dick Shawn , Kenneth Mars

Runtime

88 minutes

35 'Hot Fuzz' (2007)

Directed by Edgar Wright

The first and best entry of Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost's acclaimed 'Cornetto' Trilogy, Hot Fuzz saw the idiosyncratic filmmaker firing on all cylinders. When elite London police officer Nicholas Angel (Pegg) is transferred due to making everyone else in his station look bad, he lands in the sleepy country town of Sandford. When a series of violent murders hit the town, Angel and his partner Danny Butterman (Frost) begin investigating the malicious mystery.

Wright and Pegg's script is consistently hilarious, as is every single one of the performances, but what truly made Hot Fuzz distinct as a comedy masterstroke was its visual gags. Wright is peerless among his generation when it comes to visual humor, be it his smash cuts and dynamic camera moves or simple set pieces like Nick Frost running through a fence. He was at his very best with Hot Fuzz which is a masterpiece of modern comedy. All those who agree say "Yarp."

Hot Fuzz

R

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Release Date

February 20, 2007

Director

Edgar Wright

Cast

Simon Pegg , Martin Freeman , Bill Nighy , Robert Popper , Joe Cornish , Chris Waitt

Runtime

121 minutes

34 'Life of Brian' (1979)

Directed by Terry Jones

Throughout cinematic history, there is no comedic troupe that has become as notorious, nor as polarizing, as Monty Python. More so than any other film that they made, Life of Brian exhibits the comedy group's appetite to dismantle sacrosanct ideas and serious topics in attention-grabbing ways. It revolves around Brian of Nazareth (Graham Chapman), a man born on the same night as Jesus and who is often mistaken to be the Messiah, even as he inadvertently becomes the face of a revolutionary group's stance against the Romans.

The Monty Python movie is a fantastic satire of religious dogmatism, packed with hard-hitting references to Christianity, politics, history, and even classic literature. From gags like Biggus Dickus to "what did the Romans ever do for us?", and, of course, to the finale which sees Brian and his comrades in crucifixion looking on the bright side of life, Life of Brian is loaded with moments which are as gut-bustlingly hilarious as they are iconic.

Life of Brian

R

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Release Date

August 17, 1979

Director

Terry Jones

Cast

Graham Chapman , John Cleese , Terry Gilliam , Eric Idle , Terry Jones , Michael Palin

Runtime

94

33 'The Big Lebowski' (1998)

Directed by Joel & Ethan Coen

One of the most beloved achievements of the Coen Brothers, The Big Lebowski blended elements of quirky comedy with film noir to be an intriguing yet absurd mystery as well as a uniquely hilarious modern classic. It centers on Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski (Jeff Bridges), an easygoing slacker and avid bowler who becomes embroiled in a criminal conspiracy when he is mistaken for a millionaire also named Jeffrey Lebowski. As the Dude seeks compensation for his soiled rug, he is sucked into the L.A. criminal underbelly and a bizarre kidnapping case.

Utterly surreal, joyously silly, and endlessly quotable, The Big Lebowski became an instant cult classic. Also featuring unforgettable supporting performances from the likes of John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, John Turturro, and Philip Seymour Hoffman, it is nothing short of a sublime comedy masterpiece, with many who abide regarding it among the best films ever made.

The Big Lebowski

R

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Release Date

March 6, 1998

Director

Joel Coen , Ethan Coen

Cast

Jeff Bridges , John Goodman , Julianne Moore , Steve Buscemi , David Huddleston , Philip Seymour Hoffman , Tara Reid , Peter Stormare

Runtime

117 minutes

32 'Modern Times' (1936)

Directed by Charles Chaplin

The master of the silent era, Charles Chaplin made many of cinema's earliest masterpieces, with Modern Times viewed to be among the best silent films ever made. Serving as Chaplin's last performance as his iconic tramp character, the film follows a fired factory worker as he struggles to adjust to the industrial advancements of a rapidly evolving America. Befriending an orphaned and homeless young woman, he strives to find his place in the new-age world.

It shouldn't be lost on modern audiences that Chaplin's decision to make Modern Times a mostly silent picture when the film industry had embraced the talkies was met with some strong criticism. In hindsight, it's a perfect metaphor for what the film is about; a humble worker lost in a mechanical world where new is best and advancement is everything. A masterful blend of physical comedy and thoughtful themes, its social criticism has only grown more poignant over time.

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31 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles' (1987)

Directed by John Hughes

One of the greatest road comedies, Planes, Trains and Automobiles sees stars Steve Martin and John Candy at the peak of their powers, with their chemistry sublime as the friendly yet perpetually squabbling travel companions. With Thanksgiving fast approaching, advertising executive Neal Page (Martin) is desperate to get back to his family in Chicago, but when inclement weather grounds his flight home, he finds himself hitting the road with the overall joyous Del Griffith (Candy) in a bid to get home in time for the holiday.

Thriving with the odd-couple dynamic, the film excels at creating conflict between the two vastly different personalities. By the end of the film, though, most audiences have come to be charmed by the two men's complicated and hilarious, yet undeniably heartfelt friendship. The stellar performances by Martin and Candy have earned it a place among the most beloved road trip movies.

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