Laughter is the best medicine, and I’ve got an incredible list of comedies for you. From cult classics to forgotten gems, these are the greatest comedies of all time, according to IMDb. Do you agree?
1. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
This classic comedy makes fun of history in a silly way. In the movie, King Arthur and his men go on a quest to find the Holy Grail. Along the way, they face strange obstacles and meet strange people.
Monty Python’s humor is unmistakably unique. It encompasses knights who declare Ni, a murderous rabbit, and the iconic coconuts, cleverly substituting for horses. These elements have collectively elevated it to the status of one of the greatest sitcoms ever.
2. Airplane! (1980)
The disaster movie type is turned on its head in the Airplane! The movie makes fun of the high-stakes drama of in-flight incidents with fast-paced puns, visual jokes, and one-liners. This is a classic because of how Leslie Nielsen plays it straight and how funny it is.
3. Blazing Saddles (1974)
Blazing Saddles by Mel Brooks is a satire Western that uses humor to discuss racism and stereotypes. The movie makes fun of the rules of the genre while giving us memorable one-liners and strange situations. Its comedy and social criticism approach is bold and still makes people laugh out loud. The fart scene is one of the funniest in cinematic history.
4. Caddyshack (1980)
A funny comedy about golf, Caddyshack pokes fun at the stuffy world of country clubs and competitions. The film’s group cast, which includes Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, and Rodney Dangerfield, makes it funny in a variety of ways. Get that gopher!
5. Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
Dr. Strangelove by Stanley Kubrick is a darkly funny look at the fear of the Cold War. The crazy idea behind the movie is that a bad U.S. Air Force general ordered a nuclear attack on the Soviet Union.
Peter Sellers gives a famous performance as many different characters, including the title character in Dr. Strangelove. The movie makes fun of the stupidity of nuclear security and political gamesmanship in a way that makes you think and is also darkly funny.
6. Duck Soup (1933)
The Marx Brothers’ Duck Soup is a famous comedy that makes fun of politics and war. Groucho Marx plays Rufus T. Firefly, and the movie shows how he becomes the leader of the made-up country of Freedonia. It’s a classic comedy with political humor that will always be funny. It has smart one-liners and crazy physical comedy.
7. Annie Hall (1977)
Annie Hall by Woody Allen is a romance comedy that shows how complicated love and relationships can be. The film’s non-linear story and smart, nervous humor give an interesting look at the ups and downs of a modern relationship. Diane Keaton received an Academy Award for her well-known role as Annie Hall.
8. Modern Times (1936)
Charlie Chaplin’s silent film Modern Times is a sharp critique of industry and the ways that modernity makes people less human. Chaplin’s famous Tramp figure lives in a world full of machines and assembly lines. This leads to physical comedy and social commentary that never gets old.
9. The Jerk (1979)
Steve Martin’s The Jerk is a comedy about a simple man who stumbles into wealth and success. It tells the story of Navin R. Johnson and his mishaps. Martin’s rude humor and over-the-top antics make this movie a favorite that will make you laugh out loud.
10. Stir Crazy (1980)
In Stir Crazy, Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder play two friends who are wrongly accused of robbing a bank and sent to a hard jail. Any movie with Wilder and Pryor is guaranteed to make you laugh. They were an incredibly funny duo.
11. The Blues Brothers (1980)
The Blues Brothers is a musical comedy that follows Jake and Elwood Blues, played by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, on a mission from God to save their childhood orphanage. With its astonishing musical showcases and adrenaline-pumping car pursuits, this movie delivers a thrilling experience that exults in the enchanting influence of rhythm and blues.
12. Up in Smoke (1978)
Up in Smoke is a stoner comedy starring Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong as two pot-loving buddies who unwittingly become involved in a smuggling operation. The film’s absurd humor and countercultural commentary made it a cult classic among fans of ’70s comedy.
13. Young Frankenstein (1974)
Mel Brooks‘ Young Frankenstein is a loving parody of classic Universal horror films. Gene Wilder stars as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, the reluctant heir to the Frankenstein legacy. With its clever wordplay and affectionate nods to the original Frankenstein movies, this film is a comedic masterpiece.
14. Dumb and Dumber (1994)
“Want to hear the most annoying sound in the world?” Dumb and Dumber stars Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels, who play two well-meaning but not very smart friends. They go on a cross-country trip after unwittingly picking up a suitcase of cash that an attractive woman left behind. This movie’s goofy humor and memorable gags have made it a popular comedy that shows how funny Carrey can be.
15. National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)
National Lampoon’s Vacation is a comedy about a family’s bad trip to the made-up amusement park Walley World. It follows the Griswolds as they try to get there. Clark Griswold, the family patriarch, is played by Chevy Chase charmingly and hilariously. This movie delivers many laughs. However, I’d argue that National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is even funnier.
16. National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978)
Regarding boisterous college comedies, Animal House is the gold standard. The Delta Tau Chi fraternity at Faber College gets into a lot of trouble in this movie, which John Landis directed. The movie is a classic because of its outrageous sense of humor and memorable characters, like Bluto Blutarsky, who John Belushi played.
17. Office Space (1999)
Office Space is a comedy about the workplace that will speak to anyone who has ever felt stuck in a boring job. The film is about the complaints and rebellions of office workers who want to break away from the monotony of their jobs. People liked its dry humor and how it showed what it was like to work in an office.
18. The Big Lebowski (1998)
Following Jeff The Dude Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) on a bizarre trip involving mistaken identity, bowling, and a missing rug, The Big Lebowski is a cult classic from the Coen Brothers. It has a strong fan group because of its strange characters and complicated plot.
19. It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963)
It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World is a crazy comedy featuring an ensemble cast of legendary comedians. The movie is about a mad rush to find hidden treasure, which leads to a number of crazy and funny situations.
20. Spaceballs (1987)
Mel Brooks is back on the list with Spaceballs, a spoof of science fiction and space opera movies like Star Wars. In the movie, Lone Starr and Barf try to save Princess Vespa from the bad guy Dark Helmet. They do this with a smart mix of slapstick humor and witty references. It’s a trip through space that will make you laugh out loud. Rick Moranis is a hoot!
21. Old School (2003)
In the movie Old School, Luke Wilson, Will Ferrell, and Vince Vaughn play three friends who start a club in their neighborhood. The movie is a wild celebration of midlife problems, wild parties, and lasting friendships, all done in Ferrell’s signature style of comedy.
22. Super Troopers (2001)
Super Troopers is a comedy that has become a cult classic. It is about a group of strange state cops who do crazy things while patrolling a lonely stretch of highway. The film’s sarcastic sense of humor and catchy lines have made it a favorite among comedy fans.
23. The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)
It is no surprise that Leslie Nielsen’s The Naked Gun made IMDb’s list of greatest comedies of all time. It is a hilarious send-up of serious police procedurals. Nielsen plays Lieutenant Frank Drebin, who is clumsy but likable. His investigations lead to a number of funny and crazy situations.
24. Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is a funny and touching trip with John Candy and Steve Martin in the lead roles. The movie is about two strangers trying to get home for Thanksgiving but having trouble with their transportation. It’s a sweet story about friendship and the dangers of traveling during the holidays, filled with hysterical scenes.
25. Clerks (1994)
Low-budget indie comedy Clerks by Kevin Smith is set in a convenience shop over the course of a day. The witty and profanity-filled dialogue in the movie catches the everyday moments that are both boring and funny, making it a landmark in independent filmmaking.
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Featured Image Credit: Animal House – Universal Pictures. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles – Paramount Pictures. National Lampoon’s Vacation – Warner Bros.
Elizabeth Ervin is the owner of Sober Healing. She is a freelance writer passionate about opioid recovery and has celebrated breaking free since 09-27-2013. She advocates for mental health awareness and encourages others to embrace healing, recovery, and Jesus.