From ‘Bridesmaids’ to ‘Dumb and Dumber,’ see our complete list of the greatest comedy movies of all time.
Comedy is a tricky genre to master for filmmakers and actors. A movie can either resonate with viewers or flop at the box office. But, since the earliest days of cinema, countless movies went on to become the GOATs of laugh-out-loud films. Marilyn Monroe‘s Some Like It Hot is still considered one of the best, according to viewers. Decades later, the 1980s and 1990s were overloaded with comedies, but only a handful were widely considered to be the funniest.
From Ferris Bueller’s Day Off to Groundhog Day, these films inspired future comedies of the 2000s.
If you’re looking for more laughs, scroll through our gallery to see the best comedy movies of all time — in no particular order!
1 of 20
‘Airplane!’
Paramount Pictures
This disaster film is the epitome of slapstick comedy. Widely considered one of the funniest movies ever, Airplane! was even selected for preservation for the Library of Congress by the National Film Registry.
July 23, 2024, 12:34PM 2 of 20
‘Bridesmaids’
Universal Pictures
With an all-star cast, frilly wedding attire and laugh-out-loud scenes blended with heartfelt moments. Bridesmaids is a widely loved comedy.
July 23, 2024, 12:34PM 3 of 20
‘Clueless’
Paramount Pictures
The 1990s coming-of-age teen comedy became a cult classic among multiple generations. Who would have thought that any movie would create a new Jane Austen fan base, since Clueless is loosely based on Emma?
July 23, 2024, 12:34PM 4 of 20
‘Dr. Strangelove’
Columbia Pictures
The film’s official title is Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. Directed by Stanley Kubrick, the war comedy has been voted one of the funniest movies.
July 23, 2024, 12:34PM 5 of 20
‘Dumb and Dumber’
New Line Cinema
With Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels leading this film, viewers knew it would become an instant hit.
July 23, 2024, 12:34PM
MoreAt The Movies
6 of 20
‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’
Paramount Pictures
Matthew Broderick led one of the most successful 1980s movies, and it catapulted him to stardom. The phrase, “Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?” gradually became a popular trend.
July 23, 2024, 12:35PM 7 of 20
‘Ghostbusters’
Columbia Pictures
“Who’re you gonna call? Ghostbusters!” is one of the most famous catcphrases in cinematic history thanks to this timeless horror-comedy.
July 23, 2024, 12:35PM 8 of 20
‘Groundhog Day’
Columbia Pictures
Bill Murray fearlessly led this romantic comedy, which features his character, Phil Connors, uncontrollably travel back in time to the exact same day, reliving every single moment.
July 23, 2024, 12:35PM 9 of 20
‘It Happened One Night’
Columbia Pictures
This 1934 film shouldn’t get drowned out by all of the modern hits. Selecte by the Library of Congress for preservation by the National Film Registry, It Happened One Night is an iconic rom-com.
July 23, 2024, 12:35PM 10 of 20
‘Little Miss Sunshine’
Fox Searchlight Pictures
With a star-studded cast — Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Paul Dano, Alan Arkin and Abigail Breslin — Little Miss Sunshine’s simple plot features countless hilarious tidbits that made this film one of the greatest of all time.
July 23, 2024, 12:35PM 11 of 20
‘Mean Girls’
Paramount Pictures
“Fetch,” “Get in, loser, we’re going shopping” and “The limit does not exist” all became some of the most recognizable movie phrases in history. Mean Girls became such a classic that it led to sequels, a musical and even an informal day to celebrate its story: October 3.
July 23, 2024, 12:35PM 12 of 20
‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’
EMI Films
Widely considered to be one of the funniest movies ever, Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a parody of the legend of King Arthur’s quest for the Holy Grail.
July 23, 2024, 12:35PM 13 of 20
‘My Cousin Vinny’
20th Century Fox
This 1990s comical courtroom cinematic materpiece brings together two different worlds: New York and the deep South. Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei’s on-screen banter along with the rest of the cast’s hilarious performances made My Cousin Vinny one of the most iconic of all time.
July 23, 2024, 12:35PM 14 of 20
‘Napoleon Dynamite’
Fox Searchlight Pictures/Paramount Pictures
This independent coming-of-age movie features a socially awkward 16-year-old named Napoleon Dynamite who has to navigate multiple predicaments. Various audiences have dubbed this one of the greatest comedies ever because of its sharp wit and relatable humor.
July 23, 2024, 12:35PM 15 of 20
‘Office Space’
20th Century Fox
Parodying the downsides of corporate America, Office Space holds high approval ratings among viewers and critics alike.
July 23, 2024, 12:35PM 16 of 20
‘Some Like It Hot’
United Artists
As one of Marilyn Monroe’s most popular films, Some Like It Hot is still considered a hilarious and fun movie to watch despite how many decades have gone by since its 1959 release.
July 23, 2024, 12:36PM 17 of 20
‘Step Brothers’
Sony Pictures Releasing
With two comedy stars like Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly leading this film, fans knew Step Brothers would be a hit.
July 23, 2024, 12:36PM 18 of 20
‘The Hangover’
Warner Bros. Pictures
The Hangover resonated with countless viewers around the world, and the film went on to become a trilogy. Thanks to its witty charm and dedicated cast, fans would never forget about “The Wolfpack.”
July 23, 2024, 12:36PM 19 of 20
‘There’s Something About Mary’
20th Century Fox
Cameron Diaz and Ben Stiller’s on-screen budding romance created a perfect blend of innocence with hilarity in There’s Something About Mary.
July 23, 2024, 12:36PM 20 of 20
‘Borat’
20th Century Fox
Officially titled Borat! Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, this mokumentary dark comedy features Sacha Baron Cohen in its lead role.
July 23, 2024, 12:50PM Click to Subscribe to Get Our Free HollywoodLife Daily Newsletter to get the hottest celeb news. Articles Trending Now
Trending Now
Elon Musk Says Estranged Daughter Vivian Was "Killed" by "Woke Mind Virus"
'Love Island USA' Season 6 Winners Kordell & Serena Talk Future Plans
Bill Ray Cyrus Seemingly Calls Ex-Wife Tish 'Scum of the Earth' in Leaked Text Message: Report