Comedy, like any form of art, is subjective and has always been a source of debate. Humor also comes in many different forms. From the biting undercurrent of dark humor found in classics likeAmerican Psycho,Pulp Fiction, andThe Ladykillersto the moredramatic comedieslikePunch-Drunk Love,Moonrise Kingdom, andJuno, humor can be sharp, subtle, or laced with poignancy.
But here, we’re focusing on movies for those who crave a pure, uninterrupted dose of laughter. These films aren’t just funny—they’re relentless in their humor, delivering punchline after punchline, joke after joke, from the opening scene to the closing credits. They don’t let up, ensuring that no moment passes without a bout of laughter.
Here are 10 great comedy movies that are hilarious from start to finish.
10’Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping' (2016)
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping
Written by and starring the musical comedy troupeThe Lonely Island,Popstar: Never Stop Never Stoppingis a mockumentary chronicling the life of a pop star named Kid Conner on his journey to solo superstardom after parting ways with his group,The Style Boyz. Marvelously satirizing the music industry and celebrity culture, it was a hit with critics and, despite only performing modestly at the box office, has garnered a strong cult following.
‘Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping’ Brings ‘Spinal Tap’ Into the 21st Century
Clearly inspired by the iconic mockumentaryThis Is Spinal Tap,Popstartakes everything that made that movie such a classic and cranks it up to 11. WhileSpinal Taphilariously skewers rock bands of the ’70s and ’80s,Popstarupdates the formula for the digital age, taking aim at modern pop, hip-hop, and social media-fueled celebrity culture.
9’Blazing Saddles' (1974)
Blazing Saddles
Blazing Saddlesis a masterpiece of satirical comedy directed by Mel Brooks. Taking place in the Old West, it follows the story of a corrupt official who appoints a Black sheriff in a racist town, hoping it will descend into chaos, only to have the tables turned on him. The sheriff wins over the people with the help of a drunken gunslinger, and they rise up against the crooked official and the legions of bandits and ne’er-do-wells at his disposal.
‘Blazing Saddles’ Is a Bold Piece of Filmmaking
Blazing Saddlesmanages to masterfully combine all the best aspects of satire, slapstick, surrealism, and absurdity, all while fearlessly mocking racism, Hollywood tropes, and Western clichés. The rapid-fire gags, sharp dialogue, and fourth-wall-breaking moments keep the humor constant and unpredictable. WhileBrooks has plenty of comedy classicsunder his belt, none hit quite as hard or are quite as relentlessly hilarious asBlazing Saddles.
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8’Black Dynamite' (2009)
Black Dynamite
The uproarious action comedy centers on former CIA agent Black Dynamite, who is out to avenge his brother’s death while cleaning the streets of a new drug that is ravaging the community. Now considered a cult classic, the movie’s fast pace and self-aware humor won over critics, landing it an impressive score of 84% on Rotten Tomatoes.
‘Black Dynamite’ Is a Loving Send-up of Classic Blaxploitation Cinema
Black Dynamiteplays out like a love letter to 1970s Blaxploitation cinema. From the funky soundtrack and audacious outfits to its Super 16 format, it perfectly encapsulates the bygone era. This makes it all the more amusing when the over-the-top, exaggerated characters deliver a torrent of absurdly ridiculous dialogue, all while maintaining a masterfully self-aware, straight-faced commitment to the bit.
7’Monty Python and the Holy Grail' (1975)
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Often regarded as one of the funniest films ever made,Monty Python and the Holy Grailfollows King Arthur as he sets out on a surreal quest to recruit men to join his Round Table. Along the way, he rides an invisible horse, encounters a limbless knight, and meets an enchanter known simply as Tim. The film also features a hilarious musical number involving the Knights of Camelot.
‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ Combines Silly Slapstick with Sharp Satire
Controversial and recklessly funny, the movie certainly doesn’t skimp on laughs. From the opening scene where we’re introduced to a knight and his imaginary horse to the final, fourth-wall-breaking utterance of “Alright, that’s enough” before the organ-accompanied end credits, theMonty Pythoncomedy troupe delivers a riotously funny piece of cinema that has firmly cemented itself in the annals of comedy history.
6’Caddyshack' (1980)
Caddyshack
Caddyshack’s irreverent humor, blending absurdism with sharp satire, makes it the quintessential ’80s comedy movie. The film follows a young golf caddy as he’s forced to navigate the world of an elitist country club filled with eccentric golfers, boisterous businessmen, an unhinged groundskeeper, and… lots of gophers.
‘Caddyshack’ Boasts One of the Greatest Casts of Its Era
Led by Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Rodney Dangerfield, and Ted Knight, the cast ofCaddyshackstands among the greatest ever assembled for a comedy movie. Each actor brings their own unique flair to the proceedings, and every character is hilarious in their own right, contributing to the film’s overall comedic brilliance.
Based on a story Seth Rogen had been developing with Evan Goldberg since he was just 13 years old,Superbadfollows three teenage boys as they embark on a chaotic night of misadventures while trying to procure alcohol for a party. The Apatow-produced coming-of-age flick is a masterclass in comedy and quite possibly one of the most quoted movies of the millennial generation.
From the hilarious back-and-forths between the teen leads to the gross-out sight gags, the humor never misses a beat. Despite all the ridiculousness and vulgarity, the characters and story are strangely relatable in portraying the awkwardness of navigating high school. Not only this, but it is also responsible for providing a launchpad for megastars Emma Stone, Michael Cera, Jonah Hill, and, of course, Christopher Mintz-Plasse as the notorious McLovin.
4’Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy' (2004)
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Will Ferrell stars as Ron Burgundy, an out-of-touch 1970s news anchor struggling to adapt to the times. Supported by a wild and wacky news team played by the likes of Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, and David Koechner, this boys’ club struggles to accept the newly appointed female anchor, played by Christina Applegate.Anchormanmasterfully draws from multiple humor types, ranging from one-liners and slapstick to surrealism and absurdism, and wraps it all into one side-splitting ball of satirical silliness.
Ron Burgundy Is One of the Funniest Characters Ever Committed to Film
Perfectly deriding the outdated nature of the Action News format and the views and culture of the era, the movie was a huge hit and is now consideredan iconic piece of classic comedy cinema. Will Ferrell’s tongue-in-cheek portrayal of the cocky, sexist, titular lead anchor particularly won over critics and audiences alike, landing the news anchor on multiple publications’ “greatest character” lists.
3’Weird: The Al Yankovic Story' (2022)
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story
Whilst being touted as being based on the life of beloved parody pop star “Weird Al” Yankovic, it’s safe to say that some creative liberty may have been taken in the writing ofWeird: The Al Yankovic Story. Daniel Radcliffe plays the titular, accordion-wielding songster as he works his way to the top of an industry that wasn’t always receptive to his unique brand of playful, polka-powered performances.
‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story’ Perfectly Captures the Essence of the Eccentric Musician
Never pausing for a breath between jokes, Yankovic’s absurdist essence is perfectly captured as audiences are tossed between endless ridiculous gags, over-the-top character performances, silly songs, outlandish twists, and exaggerated clichés. Daniel Radcliffe looks as if he is having a great time and does a fine job portraying the man in question, winning himself a British Academy Television Award for Best Male Comedy Performance in the process.
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2’Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga' (2020)
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
While relatively unheard of in the States,the Eurovision Song Contest is a big deal in Europe. The hugely extravagant and flamboyant musical pageant is a contest like no other. It makes perfect sense, then, that Will Ferrell would appear in a musical comedy based on the event. He, alongside Rachel McAdams, plays part of an Icelandic duo who have dreams of winning the contest. As they bungle their way through the competition, it begins to look as if their dream could soon become a reality.
Everyone Involved Demonstrates an Unwavering Commitment to the Bit
Whether it’s Ferrell’s exaggerated Icelandic accent, the costume department’s outrageous wardrobe, or the cameos from real Eurovision stars, the film never breaks character, making every joke land harder. Elsewhere, Pierce Brosnan counters Ferrell’s silliness, portraying the overly macho, disapproving father, while Dan Stevens hams it up as Alexander Lemtov, the ludicrously flamboyant Russian pop star. Other highlights in this laugh-a-minute comedy include its selection of hilarious original songs, includingJa Ja Ding DongandVolcano Man.
1’Airplane!' (1980)
Airplane!is a hilarious parody movie spoofing the disaster genre and any other Hollywood cliché fodder that lands in its way. Reveling in the absurd and delivering more witty puns and slapstick sight gags than one could shake a stick at, it follows an ex-pilot with a fear of flying who must land a plane after the pilots and cabin crew succumb to food poisoning.
Leslie Nielsen Was a Revelation
In just under 90 minutes, actor Leslie Nielsen’s life was turned around forever. Best known for his dramatic work earlier in his career, Nielsen demonstrated his comedic chops through his deadpan delivery, bringing a sense of gravitas to the chaos unfolding around him. His success inAirplane!saw a seismic shift in his career trajectory, leading him to leave dramatic roles behind and cement himself as the king of spoof comedy, later appearing in the likes ofThe Naked Gun,Spy Hard, andScary Movie 3and4.
