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generations) that many comedies struggle to have a strong, immediate impact, and a lot of the ones that do soon become outdated and glaringly of their time.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.
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‘M*A*S*H’ (1970)
Directed by Robert Altman
A razor-sharp and wickedly divine combination of piercing black comedy and anti-war sentiment, M*A*S*H is a true triumph of comedy cinema from Robert Altman that cleverly marries the absurdly hilarious with the considered and contemplative. It follows the American staff in a field hospital during the Korean War as they try to stomach the horrors of what they see by indulging in darkly humorous antics.
Imbued with the scathing, realistic bite that defined 1970s cinema, yet excelling as a timeless commentary on war and how the human condition responds to trauma, M*A*S*H manages to be both hysterically funny and poignant. It received five Academy Award nominations and won for its screenplay. It also effectively launched the hit comedy series of the same that ran for 11 seasons from 1972 to 1983.
64
‘Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein’ (1948)
Directed by Charles Barton
The greatest triumph of the famed comedy duo’s exploits in feature film, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein mixes classic horror cinema with Bud Abbott and Lou Costello’s delirious comedy senses to produce a wonderfully whimsical crossover that swept the nation. It focuses on the duo as railway baggage handlers whose mishandling of a pair of crates belonging to a house of horrors museum embroils them in a nightmare of undead beings and fiendish monsters.
The bold foray into comedy horror kick-started a new wave of crossover movies between Universal’s pantheon of cinematic monsters and the eponymous comedy pairing, one that proved to be a box office goldmine for the studio. However, none of the ensuing releases were equal to Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, with its irreverence and spoofing antics making it a true classic of the genre.
63
‘Being There’ (1979)
Directed by Hal Ashby
Poignant, contemplative, and skewering American wealth, Being There is a brilliant adaptation of Jerzy Kosiński’s novel that coasts on a fantastic lead performance from the ever-exceptional Peter Sellers. He stars as Chance, a gardener for a wealthy old man who has spent his entire life living under his employer. When his boss dies, however, Chance finds himself out on the street knowing only what he learned from television. When he integrates into high society accidentally, many of the elites he encounters mistake his humility and naivety for profound wisdom.
While the premise has plenty of potential for loud and bombastic comedy, Being There thrives more through its subtlety and gentleness. Sellers imbues Chance with plenty of pathos, one complemented by the sensitivity injected into every element of the picture by Hal Ashby. The end result is a deft and classy satire that is often as heartfelt as it is hilarious.
62
‘The Birdcage’ (1996)
Directed by Mike Nichols
One of the most ceaselessly hysterical releases of the 1990s, The Birdcage marries a brilliant premise with a cast of comedic geniuses to deliver a truly hilarious viewing experience. Armand (Robin Williams) and Albert (Nathan Lane) are lovers who manage and perform in a gay nightclub in Miami. When Armand’s son from a previous marriage announces he is set to marry the daughter of a prominent conservative politician, Armand and Albert try to pose as a heterosexual couple to appease their important guests.
With Williams and Lane—and even with Hank Azaria’s performance as their flamboyant housekeeper, Agador Spartacus—The Birdcage offers laughs aplenty through its farcical story that pivots from one impending calamity to the next. Offering an abundance of vibrant and silly fun while also touching on an important underlying message about self-acceptance and humanity, The Birdcage is as delightful a comedy to have come out of the 90s.
61
‘Bringing Up Baby’ (1938)
Directed by Howard Hawks
A timeless gem of old Hollywood comedy, Bringing Up Baby coasts on its sublime screenplay, Howard Hawks’ calculated direction, and on the powerhouse performances of Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn at their bright and bubbly best. The chaotic farce sees zoologist Dr. David Huxley (Grant) desperate to secure a $1 million contribution for his work. On the eve of his wedding day, the befuddled paleontologist finds himself attracting the attention of the free-spirited and precocious daughter of a possible donor, leading to a manic series of events involving a missing dinosaur bone and a pet leopard.
An enchanting triumph of whimsical and whacky fun, the film soars with its rapid-fire story and its stunning, note-perfect performances. While it does have a knack for overwhelming viewers in its most erratic sequences, Bringing Up Baby has aged magnificently with its alluring star power and its feverish appetite for gags that remains tireless right up until the end.
60
‘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.
59
‘Animal Crackers’ (1930)
Directed by Victor Heerman
From the witty wordplay to the physical absurdity, the social commentary, and even the wild musical mayhem, every defining aspect of the Marx Brothers’ eccentric style is on full display in the 1930 comedy gem, Animal Crackers. Based on the troupe’s Broadway play of the same name, it focuses on a dinner party held in the honor of famed African explorer Captain Jeffrey T. Spaulding (Groucho Marx). Chaos ensues when a valuable painting goes missing at the party, leading Spaulding to investigate the mystery.
Amid the madness and the mania of the story, an unbridled comic genius presents itself through the sheer abundance of punchlines and the relentless high-octane energy of the 97-minute spectacle. Even with its unrestrained silliness and some sequences that don’t quite work, Animal Crackers conjures more laughs than most comedy movies can dream of to stand as a quintessential highlight of the Marx Brothers’ filmography.
- Release Date
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August 8, 1930
- Runtime
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97 minutes
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Groucho Marx
Captain Jeffrey T. Spaulding
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Chico Marx
Signor Emanuel Ravelli
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Zeppo Marx
Horatio Jamison
58
‘Clerks’ (1994)
Directed by Kevin Smith
As revered for its comedic excellence as it is for the legend of its production, Clerks is an indie icon of 90s cinema that soars with its quirky characters and quotable quips to be a glorious embodiment of the aimlessness of early adulthood. Dante (Brian O’Halloran) is called in to work on his day off. He makes his way through the difficult day with the company of the clerk of the neighboring video rental shop and the anticipation of a hockey game he and his friends are playing later on.
Made on a production budget of less than $30,000, and shot during closing hours in the convenience store where Kevin Smith worked, Clerks became a towering triumph of independent filmmaking not only with its commercial success, but with its vast cultural impact as well. Even today, Clerks is a striking picture with its natural sense of real-life comedy and its authentic depiction of middle-class malaise.
57
‘The Full Monty’ (1997)
Directed by Peter Cattaneo
Delightfully cheeky, The Full Monty may run with a rather obscure and absurd premise, but its ability to blend grounded and lovable characters with genuine pathos that doesn’t stoop to soggy sentiment makes it a finely tuned comedy that fires on all cylinders. Set in Sheffield, it follows a small group of steelers workers who, after their mill shuts down and they find themselves in need of money, decide to put on a strip show to make some quick coin.
The film finds hysterical situational comedy in every step of the characters’ journey, from their ideation to their practicing and rehearsals, inevitable hesitation, and to the show itself. Also thriving with strong comedy performances from every member of the main cast, The Full Monty is an uproarious English comedy that balances wit, social commentary, crass humor, and character drama together to be both hilarious and moving.
- Release Date
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August 13, 1997
- Runtime
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91 Minutes
- Director
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Peter Cattaneo
- Writers
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Simon Beaufoy
56
‘The Nice Guys’ (2015)
Directed by Shane Black
Quite possibly the best buddy comedy of the century so far, The Nice Guys has overcome its initial commercial failure to be widely revered as one of the most enjoyable and hilarious movies in recent decades. The crime-comedy follows a shifty private investigator and a thug for hire in 1970s L.A. as they join forces to work the case of a missing girl and the death of a porn star. Their investigation soon unearths political corruption as well.
The core of the film hearkens back to the buddy cop movies of old, but its implementation of some racier themes and jokes gives it a distinctly modern sensitivity as well. Further complemented by a brilliantly constructed screenplay and the fantastic chemistry between Ryan Gosling, Russell Crowe, and even Angourie Rice, The Nice Guys is a genre-meshing masterpiece that deserves every bit of its growing cult classic status.