50 insanely funny movies with previews and trailers (caution, do NOT view while driving)

by Jonathan Fields | 04/19/08

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):

  1. Superbad
  2. American Pie
  3. There’s Something About Mary
  4. Blazing Saddles
  5. Napoleon Dynamite
  6. Stripes
  7. A Fish Called Wanda
  8. The 40 Year Old Virgin
  9. Clerks
  10. Monty Python And The Holy Grail
  11. 16 Candles
  12. The Princess Bride
  13. South Park: Bigger, Longer, Uncut
  14. This Is Spinal Tap
  15. Revenge Of The Nerds
  16. Office Space
  17. My Cousin Vinny
  18. Airplane
  19. Four Weddings And A Funeral
  20. Naked Gun
  21. Young Frankenstein
  22. Dumb & Dumber
  23. Meet The Fockers
  24. Bad Santa
  25. Mony Python’s The Meaning Of Life
  26. The Birdcage
  27. Duck Soup
  28. Beverly Hills Cop
  29. Back To School
  30. Wayne’s World
  31. Kentucky Fried Movie
  32. Animal House
  33. Old School
  34. Harold And Kumar Go To White Castle
  35. Pink Panther (original 1963 version)
  36. Space Balls
  37. Slapshot
  38. Dr. Strangelove
  39. The Blues Brothers
  40. Zoolander
  41. Dodgeball or alternate version
  42. Borat
  43. 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)…

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  1. soultravelers3No Gravatar said:
    April 19th, 2008 | 9:04 am

    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). ;)

  2. StephanieNo Gravatar said:
    April 19th, 2008 | 9:04 am

    What about Johnny Dangerously?

  3. MikeNo Gravatar said:
    April 19th, 2008 | 10:43 am

    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..

  4. Jonathan FieldsNo Gravatar said:
    April 19th, 2008 | 11:17 am

    @ 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!

  5. KellyNo Gravatar said:
    April 19th, 2008 | 2:45 pm

    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

  6. MichelleNo Gravatar said:
    April 19th, 2008 | 4:51 pm

    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.

  7. Jim WNo Gravatar said:
    April 19th, 2008 | 5:13 pm

    Great post, Get the reader involved and excited to participate. Great Idea.

  8. StephanieNo Gravatar said:
    April 19th, 2008 | 6:56 pm

    We watched Tootsie the other day, which reminds me of Mrs. Doubtfire.
    Oh and I was surprised how funny Over the Hedge was.

  9. “50 Insanely Funny Movies…” A Reply | The Marketing Caddy said:
    April 19th, 2008 | 7:28 pm

    [...] you’re new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!Jonathan Fields how could you NOT [...]

  10. CaraNo Gravatar said:
    April 19th, 2008 | 7:52 pm

    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.”

  11. Tim BrownsonNo Gravatar said:
    April 20th, 2008 | 9:45 am

    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

  12. CarolNo Gravatar said:
    April 20th, 2008 | 10:26 am

    What about Bob??? Super silly!

  13. LindaNo Gravatar said:
    April 20th, 2008 | 2:43 pm

    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

  14. MoniqueNo Gravatar said:
    April 20th, 2008 | 2:48 pm

    A couple of others come to mind…

    Planes, Trains and Automobiles

    and

    Throw Mama From the Train.

  15. Jonathan FieldsNo Gravatar said:
    April 20th, 2008 | 6:46 pm

    @ everyone - man, I am soooo happy you guys are here! I forgot some awesome ones, will add to the list!

  16. MichelleNo Gravatar said:
    April 21st, 2008 | 12:34 am

    OH

    I forgot “The Big Lebowski”

    Oh my!!! How can one forget THAT???

  17. MatinNo Gravatar said:
    April 21st, 2008 | 4:03 am

    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

  18. LenaNo Gravatar said:
    April 21st, 2008 | 9:58 am

    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

  19. CheranyNo Gravatar said:
    April 21st, 2008 | 6:13 pm

    You must list Bowfinger!

  20. Carol L. Skolnick, Clear Life SolutionsNo Gravatar said:
    April 21st, 2008 | 7:00 pm

    http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/52384/Victor-Victoria/trailers
    Victor/Victoria!

  21. MattNo Gravatar said:
    April 24th, 2008 | 10:49 am

    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!

  22. MattNo Gravatar said:
    April 24th, 2008 | 10:59 am

    [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…

  23. kateNo Gravatar said:
    April 24th, 2008 | 2:58 pm

    Super Troopers - you will thank me later.

  24. IngridNo Gravatar said:
    May 2nd, 2008 | 6:07 pm

    50 First Dates
    heck most anything with Adam Sandler

  25. NoahNo Gravatar said:
    May 18th, 2008 | 9:32 pm

    I never really liked the South Park movie. The show is good but the movie was just awful.

  26. maxNo Gravatar said:
    May 30th, 2008 | 2:44 am

    HOT SHOT rule!
    or put EVIL DEAD!

  27. CodyNo Gravatar said:
    July 12th, 2008 | 11:58 am

    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. :)

  28. LisaNo Gravatar said:
    July 26th, 2008 | 1:22 pm

    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.

  29. TedNo Gravatar said:
    July 31st, 2008 | 6:53 pm

    hwo about son Tom hanks movie about the OC and him going to college with Jack Black messing up his chances..evbry funny flick

  30. Nick AlverioNo Gravatar said:
    September 27th, 2008 | 10:19 pm

    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

  31. RayneNo Gravatar said:
    October 11th, 2008 | 5:35 pm

    How about Simon Pegg movies, such as Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and Big Nothing?

    Those were probably my three favorites. :]

  32. stanleyNo Gravatar said:
    October 12th, 2008 | 12:04 pm

    A real classic:
    “Some Like it Hot” with Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon in drag.
    Marilyn Monroe was great too.

  33. juanNo Gravatar said:
    October 14th, 2008 | 9:20 pm

    anything with chris farly or bill murray. i really liked stripes.

  34. SamanthaNo Gravatar said:
    October 31st, 2008 | 8:25 am

    super troopers for sure.

  35. KristyNo Gravatar said:
    November 10th, 2008 | 1:14 pm

    What about Bird on a Wire…with Goldie Hawn and Mel Gibson? Not to mention Overboard! These movies are good for a laugh also!

  36. ChrisDyeNo Gravatar said:
    November 16th, 2008 | 6:04 pm

    Great list, but what about Momma’s boy?

  37. WaybittenNo Gravatar said:
    November 21st, 2008 | 12:12 am

    Strange Wilderness is insanely funny. It got bad reviews but you need to give it a chance, its awesome.

  38. erinNo Gravatar said:
    November 24th, 2008 | 11:29 am

    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 :P… help?

  39. kassidyNo Gravatar said:
    November 27th, 2008 | 11:55 pm

    little miss sunshine!!!
    that is one funny movie!

  40. nehseulNo Gravatar said:
    December 6th, 2008 | 10:54 pm

    the hottie and the nottie. try this movie its

  41. Mad WorldNo Gravatar said:
    December 9th, 2008 | 2:21 am

    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.

  42. funnyNo Gravatar said:
    December 9th, 2008 | 10:22 pm

    History of the world part 1! Totally hilar!!!

  43. jackNo Gravatar said:
    December 11th, 2008 | 8:31 pm

    tropic thunder
    jackass 1 and 2
    ali g in da house
    borat

  44. mercbloggerNo Gravatar said:
    January 21st, 2009 | 5:03 am

    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…

  45. jessicaNo Gravatar said:
    March 7th, 2009 | 2:04 pm

    Saving Grace is hillarious! and I second Rat Race, was very funny. how about porky’s or idiocracy. that was good too.

  46. utoNo Gravatar said:
    March 7th, 2009 | 8:10 pm

    The Return of the Living Dead
    Wayne’s World
    Dumb and dumber
    National Lampoon’s Vacation series
    Kingpin
    Billy Madison
    Mrs. Doubtfire

  47. specialKNo Gravatar said:
    March 18th, 2009 | 9:07 pm

    I went through all and finally Uto put Kingpin…you forgot FLETCH!! A classic.

  48. NicoleNo Gravatar said:
    April 13th, 2009 | 9:42 pm

    Wedding Crashers
    Old School
    Superbad

    Enough said.

  49. Steve NorquistNo Gravatar said:
    May 18th, 2009 | 1:50 pm

    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.

  50. Amber RainesNo Gravatar said:
    May 19th, 2009 | 3:33 pm

    Encino Man, Bio Dome, Airheads, Son in Law, Dogma, etc.

  51. Steve NorquistNo Gravatar said:
    May 19th, 2009 | 10:36 pm

    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.

  52. MaximusNo Gravatar said:
    June 5th, 2009 | 2:27 am

    the hangover

  53. THRILLHOUSENo Gravatar said:
    June 23rd, 2009 | 5:03 pm

    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.

  54. rajeevNo Gravatar said:
    June 24th, 2009 | 9:32 pm

    babys day out
    stuart little series
    mousehunt
    airbudies

  55. Braydon HarmamamaNo Gravatar said:
    June 28th, 2009 | 12:57 am

    dude pineapple express, grandmas boy, how high hhaa all funny movies :)

  56. LollyNo Gravatar said:
    June 29th, 2009 | 6:27 am

    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.



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