50 insanely funny movies with previews and trailers (caution, do NOT view while driving)
by Jonathan Fields
So, following on the massive success of my recent “108 songs that’ll stop you from biting your cubicle-mate” post, I now bring you the funny-movie master list.
Fifty movies, painstakingly picked, hand-washed and professionally-framed to inspire hours of smiles, with links to the trailers for every single one (the trailers, alone, are worth the effort).
Please note–I have made absolutely no attempt to keep this list remotely clean, PC or otherwise remove offensive, idiotic, outright dopey, infantile, adolescent, goofy, suggestive, dry, sarcastic, satiristic or offbeat material.
Nor are these general, feel-good date movies, but rather guilty-pleasure, LMAO funny, line-memorizingly timeless ditties, so proceed at your own risk.
Click on the movie-name to view the trailer/clip (the trailers, alone, are worth the time. Please note, these are in random order, NOT in order of maximal-funniness):
- Superbad
- American Pie
- There’s Something About Mary
- Blazing Saddles
- Napoleon Dynamite
- Stripes
- A Fish Called Wanda
- The 40 Year Old Virgin
- Clerks
- Monty Python And The Holy Grail
- 16 Candles
- The Princess Bride
- South Park: Bigger, Longer, Uncut
- This Is Spinal Tap
- Revenge Of The Nerds
- Office Space
- My Cousin Vinny
- Airplane
- Four Weddings And A Funeral
- Naked Gun
- Young Frankenstein
- Dumb & Dumber
- Meet The Fockers
- Bad Santa
- Mony Python’s The Meaning Of Life
- The Birdcage
- Duck Soup
- Beverly Hills Cop
- Back To School
- Wayne’s World
- Kentucky Fried Movie
- Animal House
- Old School
- Harold And Kumar Go To White Castle
- Pink Panther (original 1963 version)
- Space Balls
- Slapshot
- Dr. Strangelove
- The Blues Brothers
- Zoolander
- Dodgeball or alternate version
- Borat
- Big Momma’s House 2
Ooooh, I got so close to 50, before exhausting my funny-movie repertoire!
Please, please, please…help me complete the list. We only need 7 more to get to 50.
Share your choice for funniest movie not on the list in the comments below (include a link to the trailer if you like)…
66 comments
POSTED IN: Happiness | 04/19/08
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Great list…I am always up for a good laugh and good movie! How about Ground Hog Day, GhostBusters, Big and most anything with Richard Pryor?
( Perhaps my age is showing, but Young Frankenstein is one of the most popular movies in this household and my 7yo can quote most of the movie).
What about Johnny Dangerously?
I´m with soultraveler3 on Groundhog Day and Ghostbusters (which has one of the funniest commentary tracks ever). I´d also nominate Bill and Ted´s Excellent Adventure, It´s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, and Never Give a Sucker and Even Break..
@ everyone – nice adds, those are all great! I’ll update the list and include links to trailers later. Plus, Anita over at SmallBizTrends added Caddyshack.
Keep’em coming, people!
Jonathan,
You hit most of my faves, especially Clerks, A Fish Called Wanda, and all things Monty Python. If you speak French or are not bothered by subtitles, La Cage Aux Folles (1978) is actually funnier than The Birdcage, IMHO.
I might add: Enchanted (whole family can laugh); Johnny English; Waiting for Guffman; Postcards From the Edge; It Happened One Night; and The Gold Rush (Chaplin).
Neat list. I’m going to check out your songs right now.
Regards,
Kelly
Hi
I’d nominate Rat Race (Rowan Atkinson, John Cleese and Whoopi Goldberg) as every time I watch it, I just die laughing! Sheer outright lunacy and a lot of fun!
Wild Hogs isn’t too bad either for a few really good belly laughs.
Great post, Get the reader involved and excited to participate. Great Idea.
We watched Tootsie the other day, which reminds me of Mrs. Doubtfire.
Oh and I was surprised how funny Over the Hedge was.
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Great list, lots of my favorites on here, but missed “Raising Arizona.”
Once broke up with a boyfriend because he didn’t like it. I also second “Big” and “Young Frankenstein.”
Where’s Life of Brian and Live at the Hollywood Bowl??? LOB is my favorite Python film.
The Man With Two Brains
The Jerk
This Is Spinal Tap
The Odd Couple
Happy Gilmore if only for this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aR86lxHG74
Caddyshack
What about Bob??? Super silly!
Great adds, Stephanie — love Robin Williams!
An oldie — the original “Yours, Mine & Ours” with Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda, made in 1968. I never saw the re-release.
“Father of the Bride” with Steve Martin was funny, too.
8 G
Cheers,
Linda
A couple of others come to mind…
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
and
Throw Mama From the Train.
@ everyone – man, I am soooo happy you guys are here! I forgot some awesome ones, will add to the list!
OH
I forgot “The Big Lebowski”
Oh my!!! How can one forget THAT???
How about:
1. Big Lebowski
2. Van Wilder
3. Happy Gilmore
4. Waterboy
5. Snatch
6. Orange County
7. Raising Arizona
8. Tommy Boy
9. Black Sheep (Chris Farley)
10. Clerks
11. Dogma
12. Jay and silent bob strike back
13. Clerks II
Knocked Up
Best in Show
A Mighty Wind
So I Married an Axe Murderer
Shaun of The Dead
Any comedies with Chris Farley or Bill Murray
You must list Bowfinger!
http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/52384/Victor-Victoria/trailers
Victor/Victoria!
Not one Woody Allen movie – wow. How about “What’s up, Tiger Lily?” to start. Also:
- “Take the Money and Run”
- “Bananas”
- “Sleeper”
- “Love and Death”
- “Broadway Danny Rose”
- “Zelig”
Also love “Repo Man” and “Buckaroo Banzai” from the wacky 80s.
Great blog!
[slap forehead!]
I forgot about the Marx Brothers, W.C. Fields, Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton!
- “It’s a Gift” – Fields
- “Duck Soup,” “A Night at the Opera,” “The Big Store,” “Animal Crackers,” “The Cocanuts,” “Monkey Businese” – Marx Bros.
- “The Gold Rush,” “City Lights,” “Modern Times, “The Great Dictator” – Chaplin
- “The General,” “The Cameraman,” “Steamboat Bill Jr.” – Keaton
I’m not an old film expert, so I’m sure I’m leaving out a lot…
Super Troopers – you will thank me later.
50 First Dates
heck most anything with Adam Sandler
I never really liked the South Park movie. The show is good but the movie was just awful.
HOT SHOT rule!
or put EVIL DEAD!
Another vote for super troopers. I literally almost died laughing.
I don’t think anyone mentioned Gradma’s Boy. Its very funny, plus it has Linda Cardellini in it, as the love interest. I’ve had a thinkg for her for a while now.
I haven’t seen The ‘burbs with Tom Hanks mentioned anywhere. I’m a big Hanks fan, and I still love this movie. Another one that’s really funny, but most people don’t see to know about it is High Spirits. The cast is great too: Peter O’Toole, Steve Guttenberg, Daryll Hannah, Liam Neeson, and Beverly D’Angelou.
hwo about son Tom hanks movie about the OC and him going to college with Jack Black messing up his chances..evbry funny flick
Anchorman, Eurotrip, cable guy, Beverly Hills Ninja, Robin Hood: Men in tights, Half Baked, Ace Ventura pet detective, Anger management, Friday, Coming to America, black night, rush hour, Snatch, all must see movies
How about Simon Pegg movies, such as Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and Big Nothing?
Those were probably my three favorites. :]
A real classic:
“Some Like it Hot” with Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon in drag.
Marilyn Monroe was great too.
anything with chris farly or bill murray. i really liked stripes.
super troopers for sure.
What about Bird on a Wire…with Goldie Hawn and Mel Gibson? Not to mention Overboard! These movies are good for a laugh also!
Great list, but what about Momma’s boy?
Strange Wilderness is insanely funny. It got bad reviews but you need to give it a chance, its awesome.
hey… so like i was lookin for fnny movies for a speech and drama act. and i came across this. im lookin for a humorous duet one. in needs to bee H.S. aproved too
… help?
little miss sunshine!!!
that is one funny movie!
the hottie and the nottie. try this movie its
This is a great list of movies – I’m surprised you have Clerks on there but you don’t have Mallrats! BTW Clerks 2 was one of the funniest movies I’ve seen in a long time.
History of the world part 1! Totally hilar!!!
tropic thunder
jackass 1 and 2
ali g in da house
borat
tropic thunder rock’s. It’s so funny that i even forgot the rice that i cooked, because i don’t want to stand up anymore…
Saving Grace is hillarious! and I second Rat Race, was very funny. how about porky’s or idiocracy. that was good too.
The Return of the Living Dead
Wayne’s World
Dumb and dumber
National Lampoon’s Vacation series
Kingpin
Billy Madison
Mrs. Doubtfire
I went through all and finally Uto put Kingpin…you forgot FLETCH!! A classic.
Wedding Crashers
Old School
Superbad
Enough said.
Me Myself and Irene, High Anxiety, Midnight Run, Strange Brew, Ruthless People, Let It Ride, Crazy People, Get Crazy, Bachelor Party, Little Big Man, CB4, Mr. Saturday Night, Seems Like Old Times, Freddy Got Fingered.
Encino Man, Bio Dome, Airheads, Son in Law, Dogma, etc.
The American Film Institute, in 2000, listed their 100 (allegedly) funniest films of all time; google that for further suggestions, even tho none of the 15 I listed above was on that list. I would also add a couple of hilarious movies from around a quarter-century ago; Wise Guys (with Joe Piscopo) and Back to School (with Rodney Dangerfield, and worth it for Sam Kinison’s appearance alone). Bobcat Goldthwait also had a hilarious bit in Whoopi’s “Burglar.” If you want more older & foreign stuff included, check out chlotrudis.org (here’s the intro to their top 100 funniest films list):
100 Funniest Films of All Time!
As has become an annual tradition, the Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film has compiled its list of the top 100 funniest films of all time. Members weighed in with their individual picks of the 20 funniest films of all time, then the lists were merged to create this list of laughs. The list is overwhelmingly American, with only fourteen of the 100 films originating without U.S. involvement. Not surprisingly, the UK had the second most representation on the list, including the list’s #1 film, MONTY PYTHON & THE HOLY GRAIL!
The films skewed fairly modern, with the 1980’s representing the funniest decade with a total of 28 films. The 1990’s followed with 16. The new millennium fared well too, considering there have only been eight years of it so far, with 15 films on the list the same number as films from the 1970’s. From there we jump to the 1930’s with 8 films, 1940’s with 6, the ’50s and ’60s each with 5, and the 20’s with two Charlie Chaplin films. Interestingly enough, the Top 10 spreads things out pretty well with six decades represented, and the first film from this millennium doesn’t show up until #15 with Christopher Guest’s BEST IN SHOW.
Several filmmakers appear more than once on this list. A host of expected (and some not-so expected) names showed up twice: Tim Burton, Christopher Guest, Albert Brooks, John Waters, Charles Chaplin, Buster Keaton (both times uncredited and working with other men), George Cukor, Peter Bogdanovich, Nick Park (as half of an animation team), Carl Reiner, Kevin Smith, and Preston Sturges. Mel Brooks, Howard Hawks, Woody Allen, and Rob Reiner were all represented on the Top 100 three times, with the latter being the only filmmaker to score two in the Top 10! But there was one filmmaking team who managed a surprising four films in the list of Top 100 films, although considering the group making the list, it shouldn’t be too shocking. Joel & Ethan Coen are the funny guys whose films show up more than anyone else’s on the list. Starting with the quirky, cult-fave THE BIG LEBOWSKI at #13, they squeeze two more into the Top 25 with FARGO at #22 and O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU at #25. Finally, RAISING ARIZONA comes in at #57 giving them their total.
Sadly, but not surprisingly, there are only two women’s names among the directors of these funny films. Valerie Faris, who co-directed LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE pops up at #20, and Nicole Holofcener squeezes on at #99 with her debut feature, WALKING & TALKING.
Step Brothers!!!
the hangover
FUBAR
NIGHT AT THE ROXBERRY
REFER MADNESS
FIDO
BEAVIS AND BUTTHEAD DO AMERICA
BILL AND TEDS EXCELLENT ADVENTURE
BILL AND TEDS BOGUS JOURNEY
hope none of those were repeats.
babys day out
stuart little series
mousehunt
airbudies
dude pineapple express, grandmas boy, how high hhaa all funny movies
The Hangover is hilarious. Random one I watched the other day- Drop Dead Gorgeous…it’s actually a very funny movie. Anything Mel Brooks does is hilarious…..all the ones I’ve read, both in the list and in comments are pretty much ones I’d agree with too.
Heres my list, in order of comedic appreciation:
1.) Anchor Man
2.) Blades of Glory
3.) Me Myself and Irene
4.) Bruce Almighty
5.) Bongwater -(that was f***in hilarious)
6.) In the Army Now
7.) Welcome home Rosco Jenkins
8.) Police Academy 4
9.) Hot Shots
10.) Cheech & Chong (every one of them)
11.) Rain Man
12.) Life (eddie murphy & martin lawrence…..really good movie)
13.) Orgasmo
14.) Dogma
15.) Scary Movie 1 & 2
16.) Don’t be a menace in south central while drinking your juice in the hood
17.) Forgetting Sarah Marshall
18.) Just Friends
19.) Bebe’s Kids
20.) Airplane
21.) Harlem Nights
22.) Tommy Boy
23.) Billy Madison (all the sandler movies)
24.) Superstar (Supa-STAHHHH)
25.) Taxi
26.) Father of the Bride 1& 2
27.) Bio Dome
28.) Encino Man
29.) Problem Child
30.) Home Alone
31.) Zack & Miri Make a Porno
32.) Knocked Up
33.) Coming to America
34.) Ferris Buelers Day Off
35.) Dirty Love
36.) Big
37.) Cable Guy
38.) The Ladies Man
39.) Undercover Brother
40.) The Break Up
41.) Along Came Polly
42.) Talladega Nights
43.) You Me And Dupree
44.) Blue Streak
45.) Queens of Comedy & Kings of Comedy
46.) The Mask
47.) Deuce Bigalow Male Jigalow
48.) Beverly Hills Ninja
49.) Half Baked
50.) Nothing to Lose
King Pin with Woody Harrelson and Bill Murray surpised me as a funny movie!
One good one that probably wouldn’t show up on most people’s top 50, is 1987’s “Tin Men,” starring Richard Dreyfuss & Danny DeVito. Mr. Fields, I challenge you now to complete your list of 50!
FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL DEFINATELY NEEDS TO BE THERE
overall good list but how about the Big Lebowski or Oh Brother Where Art Thou. the coen brothers are great directors and the movies are great.
hangover!!!!!!!!!!!best movie ever
blades of glory should definitely be included an that list and also happy gilmore is essential.
and I almost forgot…… THE HANGOVER!
A Dirty Shame… funniest movie ever although the last 10-15 minutes isn’t really worth watching.