100 Greatest Comedy Films


  1. smith44
  2. Jeremy

Comedies are light-hearted plots consistently and deliberately designed to amuse and provoke laughter (with one-liners, jokes, etc.) by exaggerating the situation, the language, action, relationships and characters. This section describes various forms of comedy through cinematic history, including slapstick, screwball, spoofs and parodies, romantic comedies, black comedy (dark satirical comedy), and more. A large portion of the winners on this list involve men dressing up as women, cross-dressing.

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1
The Producers (1968,  PG)
The Producers
The funniest film I have ever seen. Mel Brook's best film. With hilarious plot, hysterical characters, and great song 'Springtime for Hitler'. The biggest joy of the film is Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel as the Producers Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom their chemistry is unparalleled. The Producers is a Comedy classic. Winner of my Funniest Film.
2
Some Like It Hot (1959,  Unrated)
Some Like It Hot
The greatest comedy classic in Cinematic History. Hilarious comedy with stellar performances by Monroe, Curtis and Lemmon, and memorable musical numbers. Memorable throughout, especially for the last line, "Well, nobody's perfect." Some Like It Hot is the perfect comedy.
3
The General (1927,  Unrated)
The General
One of my new all time favourite movies, simply perfection. The best silent film ever and one of the greatest comedies ever. Poetry in motion.
4
Dr. Strangelove Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964,  PG)
Dr. Strangelove Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
Dr Strangelove is the greatest black comedy ever made. I found it to be one of the funniest, cleverest films I have ever seen. Stanley Kubrick is simply a genius of film making, like Mozart was a genius of music or Rembrant with art. In my opinion Dr Stranglove comes in a close second after Space Odessey. Peter Sellers is also a genius but, a genius of comedy his three performances were side splittingly funny as they were staggeringly perfect. One can see that it was made as a cynically objective, Monty Python-esque, humorous, biting response to the apocalyptic fears of the 1950s. The final scene montage of exploding nuclear bombs with the song We'll meet again, is amongst the most memorable endings ever. "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room!"
5
Tootsie (1982,  PG)
Tootsie
Tootsie is one of the funniest films ever. Why is it that most of the funniest films to come out of Hollywood are cross dressing comedies, i.e. Some Like It Hot? Hoffman is sensational; puts on a dress, lands the role of a lifetime in a TV soap opera and makes a complicated, gender-bending love story. "That's one nutty hospital!."
6
Duck Soup (1933,  Unrated)
Duck Soup
The best Marx Brothers comedy and one of the funniest films ever. The war between Freedonia and Sylvania. Made in the height of the Depression as a great way to escape from your troubles and it is just the same way today. This Marx Brothers comedy is basically a satirical attack on politics and the absurdity of war. Most memorable scene, of the mirror image. "Remember, we're fighting for this woman's honor, which is probably more than she ever did."
7
Annie Hall (1977,  PG)
Annie Hall
"La-dee-da, la-dee-da."
8
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975,  PG)
9
Auntie Mame (1958,  Unrated)
Auntie Mame
One of the funniest films I have seen, Aunty Mame is a comic classic. A comedy that the whole family can enjoy. "Life's a banquet, and most suckers are starving to death."
10
His Girl Friday (1940,  Unrated)
11
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944,  Unrated)
12
It Happened One Night (1934,  Unrated)
It Happened One Night
"Well, I proved once and for all that the limb is mightier than the thumb."
13
Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949,  Unrated)
Kind Hearts and Coronets
Best Of The British. Ranked as an all time greatest British film. Alec Guinness stars as a remarkable 8 characters, in this black comedy of a young man's startling rise to the top of his family tree, by means of murder. Terribly British, terribly black, terribly funny and terribly brilliant. A masterpeice of comedy and remarkable story. Winner of my Top Ealing Comedy. Winner of my Best Revenge Films.
14
The Lavender Hill Mob (1951,  Unrated)
15
The Philadelphia Story (1940,  Unrated)
The Philadelphia Story
Sophistication takes a film form in this devine marriage drama/comedy features three of the screen's biggest stars at their wittiest and most beautiful Grant, Hepburn and Stewart. The most memorable 'drunk' scenes between Stewart and Hepburn, and Stewart and Grant. The dialogue, costumes and acting are absolutely perfect. "What a fine day, is everybody fine, that's fine".
16
Singin' in the Rain (1952,  G)
Singin' in the Rain
The musical of life, "to sing in the rain". Delightful musical send-up of the transition period from silent to sound films. "Good Morning", "Make 'Em Laugh," "Broadway Rhythm" among the best. With the most talented dancer Gene Kelly singing, dancing and splashing in puddles. Winner of my Best Film from the 1950's.
17
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993,  PG-13)
Mrs. Doubtfire
One of the funniest films I have ever seen. I don't work with the males because I ust to be one
18
National Lampoon's Animal House (1978,  R)
National Lampoon's Animal House
Rude but funny. "My advice to you is to start drinking heavily." and "Toga! Toga!" The boys from the Delta House are immature, irresponsible, disrespectful, and not all that bright; in short, the perfect heroes for a Guy Movie.
19
The Odd Couple (1968,  G)
20
The Apartment (1960,  Unrated)
The Apartment
I had heard that this film was a romantic comedy, but as I watched the comedy almost shrank to irrelevance as the deep saddness roze. Jack Lemmon is perfect as always and Shirley MacLaine is so sweet and innocent that you cannot help but wonder at her current demeanor. If anything this film is a truly heart aching romance that takes you on a journey of laughs, pity, sorrow and love. Amazingly winner of Academy Awards for Best Picture, Director, and Original Screenplay. Billy Wilder has to be one of the all time great directors and king of famous last lines: "Shut up and deal".
21
Modern Times (1936,  Unrated)
Modern Times
Machinery that gives abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge as made us cynical; our cleverness, hard and unkind.
22
Groundhog Day (1993,  PG)
23
The Great Muppet Caper (1981,  G)
The Great Muppet Caper
Muppets all the way.
24
Harvey (1951,  Unrated)
Harvey
Comedy Classic
25
City Lights (1931,  Unrated)
City Lights
One of my new all-time favourite films. Has one of the best, most romantic tearful, endings ever. The best of the phenomeon that was Charlie Chaplin.
26
The Lady Eve (1941,  Unrated)
The Lady Eve
One of the cleverest romantic comedies of all. "I need him like the axe needs the turkey." Flawless
27
High Society (1956,  G)
High Society
Grace Kelly, Bing Cosby, Frank Sinatra, What a cast, not to mention great music, ie, It's in the stars next July we collide with Mars.
28
The Awful Truth (1937,  Unrated)
29
The Ladykillers (1955,  Unrated)
30
Waking Ned Devine (1998,  PG)
Waking Ned Devine
Oh so funny!
31
Mixed Nuts (1994,  PG-13)
32
Trading Places (1983,  R)
33
The Court Jester (1956,  Unrated)
The Court Jester
The Court Jester is a comic classic, with its hillarious plot, take off of the medieval genre and manic performance by the great comedian Danny Kaye. A garrenteed barrel of laughs that the whole family can enjoy. Get it, got it, good.
34
The Princess Bride (1987,  PG)
35
Amarcord (1974,  R)
36
Zoolander (2001,  PG-13)
37
Fargo (1996,  R)
38
Adam's Rib (1949,  Unrated)
39
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006,  R)
40
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975,  R)
41
Ghost Busters (Ghostbusters) (1984,  PG)
42
The Blues Brothers (1980,  R)
43
Little Miss Sunshine (2006,  R)
Little Miss Sunshine
Dysfunctional Family: A Study Of Human Hilarity. An exercise in dark comedy, this film stands out as a work of comical genius. Strikingly original, perfectly casted and acted with a strong message to top it off. A road trip with a yellow van full of tragically flawed characters that induces joy. Little Miss Sunshine is the funniest and one of the best films of the year. Breathing a fresh breeze into a stagnant comedy year, and the movie year as a whole.
44
Rat Race (2001,  PG-13)
45
Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959,  Unrated)
Plan 9 from Outer Space
Generally considered the worst film ever made, I would have to agree. A classic for all the wrong reasons. Underneath all the hype, however, is a really ridicuouslly bad movie. You will feel humanity is mentally retarded.
46
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936,  Unrated)
47
Toy Story 2 (1999,  G)
48
The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005,  R)
49
Bananas (1971,  PG-13)
50
Coming to America (1988,  R)
51
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986,  PG)
52
My Best Friend's Wedding (1997,  PG-13)
53
The First Wives Club (1996,  PG)
54
Muriel's Wedding (1995,  R)
55
Back to the Future (1985,  PG)
56
Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948,  Unrated)
57
Roman Holiday (1953,  Unrated)
Roman Holiday
My first oversaes trip was to Rome, Italy and no other film could capture the feeling of Rome, or indeed travel in general than Roman Holiday. So much is this film loved by myself and my family that it has practically become part of our personal history. No matter how I may be feeling Roman Holiday always puts a smile on my face and makes me cry. The breakout Oscar winning performance of Audrey Hepburn, one of my all time favourite actresses and the ideal leading man role of Gregory Peck truly make the film what it is. My favourite scene, by far is the Mouth of Truth visit where Peck actually improvised an unscripted moment when he pretended to have his hand eaten off, always makes me laugh."I don't know how to say goodbye. I can't think of any words. Don't try."
58
Lolita (1962,  Unrated)
59
My Fair Lady (1964,  G)
My Fair Lady
An adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion. Harrison is fantastic as the obliviously cruel Henry Higgins, and the beautifully sensational Eliza Doolittle (Hepburn). Although the acting is superb, the music is the film's enduring element. The best are: "I Could Have Danced All Night", "Wouldn't It Be Loverly," "The Rain In Spain," . Overall a great musical with some of the most memoriable songs in musical history.
60
Sabrina (1954,  Unrated)
61
Shrek 2 (2004,  PG)
62
The Muppet Movie (1979,  G)
63
Toy Story (1995,  G)
Toy Story
Winner of my Top Pixar film.
64
Hot Fuzz (2007,  R)
Hot Fuzz
Side-splittingly funny, hands down the funniest film of 2007.
65
Spaceballs (1987,  PG)
66
Robin Hood - Men in Tights (1993,  PG-13)
67
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971,  G)
68
Manhattan (1979,  R)
69
Life Is Beautiful (La Vita č bella) (1998,  PG-13)
Life Is Beautiful (La Vita č bella)
One of the saddest, moving, masterpeice films I have ever seen. Once watched it will be locked in your memory forever holding the key, awaiting your return. Winner of my Top foreign language film.
70
Clueless (1995,  PG-13)
71
Finding Nemo (2003,  G)
Finding Nemo
The Best Pixar film of the deacde and second only to Toy Story as the best ever. I loved this movie, I cannot remember when I have laughed so hard in my life. One of the best of 2003.
72
A Serious Man (2009,  R)
A Serious Man
So hillarious!
73
A Night in Casablanca (1946,  Unrated)
74
Sullivan's Travels (1941,  Unrated)
Sullivan's Travels
John Sullivan: "There's a lot to be said for making people laugh. Did you know that's all some people have? It isn't much, but it's better than nothing in this cockeyed caravan. Boy!"
75
Holiday (1938,  Unrated)
76
Dumb and Dumber (1994,  PG-13)
77
The Man in the White Suit (1951,  Unrated)
The Man in the White Suit
Another great Ealing Comedy, with the star of the studio, Alec Guiness always teriffic in the productions. Not as great as previoious ealing productions, such as Kind Hearts and Coronets, but still a must see, for British comedy and Ealing fans.
78
Analyze This (1999,  R)
79
Pleasantville (1998,  PG-13)
80
Meet the Parents (2000,  PG-13)
81
Shrek (2001,  PG)
82
Home Alone (1990,  PG)
83
Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987,  R)
84
Mujeres al Borde de un Ataque de Nervios (Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown) (1988,  R)
Mujeres al Borde de un Ataque de Nervios (Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown)
Pedro Almadova is the 'women's director'. A melodramatic, hysterically hillarious, kiny farce, about women on the verge of a nervous breakdown
85
Babe (1995,  G)
86
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988,  PG)
87
My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002,  PG)
88
Three Amigos! (1986,  PG)
89
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988,  PG)
90
Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines (1965,  G)
91
Juno (2007,  PG-13)
92
Bean (1997,  PG-13)
93
Tropic Thunder (2008,  R)
Tropic Thunder
The funniest film of 2008. The Zoolander of actors. A hillariously sharp satire on the movie business. The opening credits are intensely enjoyable from vapid rap-star promoting "booty sweat" beverage, to the man who gave the world the "faty farts" franchise in return for drugs (aka Eddie Murphy), to an aging formerly highest grossing action star whos once sucess hinged on 6 films involving a man saving the world from its staryed tilt, to my favourite of all a five time Academy Award winning Australian actor who recently stared in "Satan's Alley" a story about a priests love for another priest. In truth Robert Downey Jr. steals the show and is fast becoming one of the best acors working today. Stiller shows he still has the nack to send up another overly self concious industry wether it be models/actors (not the other way round). If you hate the way Hollywood is headed, let it redeem itself by making fun of its many character flaws. See this movie.
94
Brüno (Bruno) (2009,  R)
95
Forrest Gump (1994,  PG-13)
Forrest Gump
A simple, kind man changes history. With flashbacks through some of the highlights of modern American history. It is such a fascinating story as he becomes central to the major events of the late 20th century. I thought it was very clever how, through the use of seamless digital visual imagery, Forrest appears to interact in scenes with famous historical people. "Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."
96
You've Got Mail (1998,  PG)
97
The Truman Show (1998,  PG)
The Truman Show
An Intellectual masterpeice. The story of a lifetime. Provokes deep thought on important issues. How will it end? Simply genius, In a better world everyone would watch and think about this film.
98
Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003,  PG-13)
99
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953,  Unrated)
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
One, only sees this film for two reasons, firstly to see Marilyn Monroe struggling to act, but still fabulous, and secondly to see the all time famous song 'Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend'. Heaps of fun.
100
Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994,  R)

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  1. greenkisses41
    greenkisses41 posted 418 days ago

    That is a descent list. I love some of the movies you listed.

  2. smith44
    smith44 posted 418 days ago

    Thanks