Comedy Movies, Ranked

A relentless joke-per-second parody of 1970s disaster films that redefined the spoof genre and made 'Surely you can't be serious... I am serious, and don't call me Shirley' a permanent part of the culture. Routinely tops critics' greatest-comedy lists.

The Pythons' Arthurian send-up gave us the killer rabbit, the Black Knight, and coconut horses. Endlessly quotable and hugely influential on British and American comedy.

Bill Murray's time-loop comedy is so beloved its title became shorthand for repetition. Praised by critics and philosophers alike for its wit and unexpected depth.

The Coens' stoner-noir spawned an actual mock religion (Dudeism) and annual Lebowski Fests. Jeff Bridges' The Dude is one of comedy's most quoted characters.

Billy Wilder's cross-dressing farce topped AFI's 100 Years...100 Laughs as the funniest American film ever made. Its closing line 'Nobody's perfect' is legendary.

Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels at peak rubber-faced idiocy in a Farrelly-brothers road-trip comedy that became a defining 90s hit. 'So you're telling me there's a chance.'

Will Ferrell's mustachioed newsman is one of the most quoted comedies of the 2000s. Launched a decade of improv-heavy Adam McKay/Ferrell hits.

The Apatow-produced teen comedy boosted Jonah Hill and Michael Cera, gave Emma Stone her feature debut, and made 'McLovin' iconic. A defining raunchy coming-of-age film.

A comedy-blockbuster hybrid that was the highest-grossing comedy of the 1980s and spawned a massive franchise. Murray, Aykroyd, and Ramis at their best.

Kristen Wiig's ensemble comedy earned two Oscar nominations (Best Supporting Actress for Melissa McCarthy and Best Original Screenplay) and proved raunchy female-led comedy was box-office gold. McCarthy became a star overnight.

Sacha Baron Cohen's guerrilla mockumentary earned an Oscar-nominated adapted screenplay and made 'Very nice!' a global catchphrase. Fearless prank comedy.

Mike Judge's cubicle satire flopped in theaters but became a defining cult classic about corporate misery. TPS reports and the printer beating live forever.

A micro-budget indie that became a surprise phenomenon on the strength of its deadpan awkwardness. 'Vote for Pedro' shirts were everywhere.

Ben Stiller's dim male-model satire grew from a modest opening into a quotable cult favorite. 'Blue Steel' and the gasoline fight are comedy staples.

Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson's crash-the-party comedy was a huge summer hit and cemented the R-rated buddy formula of the era.

Ben Stiller's cringe-comedy opposite Robert De Niro was a massive hit that spawned two sequels (Meet the Fockers and Little Fockers). The lie-detector dinner is a classic set piece.

A profitable horror spoof that launched a five-film franchise, but its gross-out gags leaned on shock over craft. Diminishing returns set in fast.

A commercial hit built on Sandler's buddy-vacation formula, but widely panned by critics as lazy, low-effort star-hangout comedy.

Adam Sandler in drag as his own twin sister; at the 2012 Razzies it became the first film ever to sweep all 10 categories, including Worst Picture. A byword for comedy at its worst.

A star-studded gross-out anthology critics called one of the worst films ever; it won Worst Picture at the Razzies. Notorious for wasting its A-list cast.