If you love to cuddle up and watch a good movie, knowing what the best comedy movies are will help liven up your movie night and keep you laughing all night with your loved ones. Now, it can be hard to find the best comedy movies that everyone agrees on, but one thing is for sure, laughing in any form is excellent for your health.
According to a recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Basel in Switzerland, laughter and smiling can help relieve daily stress. While there’s no real connection between how hard you laugh and the effectiveness it has in relieving stress, scientists concluded that laughing and smiling can help you cope with stressful situations in your everyday life.
That’s not to say you need to start laughing at your boss or in the face of an important client, but a little humor goes a long way in establishing a connection. In fact, humor can even help kids learn. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania found that young adults are more likely to remember what was covered in a newscast when it takes a humorous approach. The study shows that when news or otherwise serious material is delivered mixed with humor, kids are more likely to absorb and remember important information.
That definitely makes the case for watching more of the Daily Show with your kids and teens. However, what makes these ‘funny news shows’ so popular is the use of dark humor to cover much more serious topics, and according to research, that’s also a good thing. According to a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Vienna in Austria, people who like dark humor, or black humor, tend to possess higher levels of intelligence than those who simply ‘don’t get it.’ The researchers showed the connection between processing information and the brain power it takes to understand dark humor.
But, that’s enough of the scientific talk, you came here looking for the best comedy movies and that’s exactly what we’re giving you. Study Finds did the research, consulting several movie critics’ and other pop culture websites to bring you the best comedy movies. As always, please feel free to share your personal favorites with everyone in the comments section below!
The List: Top 5 Best Comedy Movies Most Recommended by Critics
1. Superbad (2007)
While there are a lot of funny movies that deserve the top spot, Superbad reigns supreme, according to the experts. Surprisingly, the one movie that consistently came in at the number one spot for the best comedy movies across expert movie critic websites is Superbad. We were all introduced to Jonah Hill’s brilliance in this epic comedy.
“Superbad is one of the rare comedies that manages to incorporate and resolve a variety of plot twists without sacrificing the humor,” writes Listverse.
Unlike a lot of spoofs or satires, Superbad tells a complete story, and that’s appreciated by movie lovers looking for a laugh. “Everything fits right into place, with a perfect hang-out vibe throughout the film that’s warmly invitational. The story of Seth and Evan’s final high school days is relentlessly hilarious, with excellent line readings, outrageous scenarios, and witty improvisation all fitting together to create a well-oiled comedy machine that just keeps trucking,” explains Movieweb.
Superbad littered the sites we visited looking for the best comedy movies, and even when it wasn’t sitting in the top spot, it was always near the top. One reason for that is the success Superbad experienced during it’s time in theaters.
“The film was warmly received by the critics and also aced at the box office, so much so, that now it is considered one of the best comedies of the 2000s,” adds Pinkvilla.
2. Dumb and Dumber (1994)
1) Dumb and Dumber (1994)
Probably the only movie which I recommend you to watch in hindi dubbed version. pic.twitter.com/tZYi38fDOz
— J I G A R (@thatfilmymonk) November 7, 2022
There are so many funny movies that deserve to make this list, but one of the undisputable favorites amongst fans and critics alike has to be Dumb and Dumber. This movie was Jim Carrey’s third huge box office hit of the early 90s, and it is widely regarded as one of the best comedy movies of all time.
“Prior to 1994, Jim Carrey was merely known as “that white guy from In Loving Color.” By the end of the year, he was one of the most famous men on the planet. That’s because in that 12-month period he released, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask and, that December, his masterpiece Dumb and Dumber,” explains Rolling Stone.
Dumb and Dumber is most beloved for the goodhearted nature of its two main characters, Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunn. “Filmed and completed during one of the great runs in any actors career, Jim Carrey is joined by Jeff Daniels in an absolutely ridiculous and out-of-norm (for Daniels) performance as two well-intentioned imbeciles who just want to do what’s right,” adds The Manual.
This movie was also the first from director Peter Farrelly, who also directed other hit comedies such as There’s Something About Mary. “Directed by Peter Farrelly, the film has garnered somewhat of a cult-favourite status though it surely was a hit at the time of its release,” explains Pinkvilla.
3. Caddyshack (1980)
July 25, 1980: 40 years ago, Caddyshack was released in theaters. #80s pic.twitter.com/z8n9OAnu6t
— Old School 80s (@OldSchool80s) July 25, 2020
Perhaps the funniest and most iconic golf movie of all time, Caddyshack consistently came up across critic websites as one of the best comedy movies ever. This is a comedic look at the country club life from the eyes of a golf caddy, and it certainly sits atop most lists of funniest sports movies of all time.
“Riding Rodney Dangerfield’s boorish irreverence, 1980’s Caddyshack does so with a style that smacks the smarm right off a country club member’s face,” explains Listverse.
This film features some of the most iconic names in comedy. Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, and Rodney Dangerfield all have somewhat small roles, but together, they steal the show.
“It helped establish Rodney Dangerfield as a movie star and kick-started Chevy Chase’s film career after a series of missteps in the 1970s,” adds Rolling Stone.
According to the critics, those secondary characters truly make this movie comedic gold. “Like so many comedies, the actual plot is almost entirely besides the point, as is the main protagonist. It’s all the “side characters” that make this comedy gold, and Caddyshack is also one of the best Bill Murray movies of all time, so it has that going for it,” writes The Manual.
4. Blazing Saddles (1974)
Blazing Saddles (1974) pic.twitter.com/KFCpoo5376
— Monica Mc Callion (@CallionMonica) June 20, 2021
Any list of the best comedy movies of all time is not complete without Blazing Saddles. Honestly, Blazing Saddles was one of the most agreed upon top 10 comedies across expert sites. Although this movie is getting up in age, released in 1974, it’s still one of the most iconic funny movies ever made.
“More importantly, it’s relentlessly silly. There’s been talk of transforming it into a Broadway play like The Producers and Young Frankenstein, but so far it hasn’t happened. Maybe this one is best left as a movie,” explains Rolling Stone.
And, two of the greatest comedy minds had a hand in writing this movie – Mel Brooks and Richard Pryor. “Like Brooks’ brilliant comedy The Producers, Blazing Saddles explores the relationship between failure and profit, using the theme to celebrate the socially outcast and condemn the elitists, racists, and wealthy who control everything,” adds Movieweb.
“Cowritten by Richard Pryor, Blazing Saddles is so politically incorrect that it somehow manages to go full circle and wind up as hilariously progressive,” adds AARP’s review of the best comedy movies between 1951 and 2021.
“The masterful Blazing Saddles follows the exploits of a newly-appointed Black sheriff (installed by a scumbag attorney general hoping to profit off a new railroad) who does a much better job than everyone expected,” furthers Movieweb.
5. Monty Python and The Holy Grail (1975)
Rounding out the list of best comedy movies is another older yet equally deserving movie – Monty Python and The Holy Grail. This is one of the most quoted movies of all time and for good reason, Monty Python’s most infamous production defines cult-classic comedy.
“British comedy troupe Monty Python were near the peak of their popularity when they decided to shoot a film parodying King Arthur’s quest to find the Holy Grail during a break between seasons of their BBC sketch show,” explains Rolling Stone.
Monty Python and The Holy Grail is full of absurdities but that’s what makes it, well, funny. “The movie meanders down all sorts of absurdist sidetracks, with plenty of anachronisms, snide camera commentary, looks behind the scenes, and a musical number for no good reason at all. In other words, it’s a lot easier to follow than the Monty Python TV show,” The Manual comments.
The comedy troupe Monty Python was certainly on point with their most infamous movie. “No comedy group does “morons on a mission” better than Monty Python. Half a dozen knights crouching dutifully behind a boulder, cautiously peering out at “the beast” that ends up being a bunny,” adds Listverse.
Sources:
- IMDB
- Listverse
- The Manual
- Rolling Stone
- AARP
- Movieweb
- The Gentleman’s Journal
- Pinkvilla
- The Top Tens
- Chillopedia
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Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.
It’s not an exact science…everyone has different opinions. But…Crowd being polled must’ve been mostly 30 & under. “My Cousin Vinny”.. “Young Frankenstein”.. “Airplane”..etc??