Best Comedies of All Time: The Ultimate List of 50 Movies That Never Stop Being Funny

Comedy is timeless. A truly great comedy can make us laugh decades after its release, transcending generations, cultures, and trends. Whether it’s slapstick chaos, razor-sharp satire, romantic wit, or absurdist humor, the best comedies of all time have one thing in common: they still work.

In this ultimate guide, we’ve compiled 50 of the best comedies of all time, spanning classic Hollywood, modern blockbusters, cult favorites, and international hits. This list celebrates movies that shaped the genre, launched iconic careers, and continue to make audiences laugh out loud.

If you’re searching for the best comedy movies ever made, start here.

What Makes a Comedy One of the Best of All Time?

Before we jump in, here’s what qualifies a film for this list:

• Long-lasting cultural impact
  
  

• Rewatch value
  
  

• Quotable dialogue
  
  

• Influence on future comedies
  
  

• Genuine laugh-out-loud moments
  
  

Now, let’s get into it.

The 50 Best Comedies of All Time

1. Some Like It Hot (1959)

A masterclass in comedic timing, disguise humor, and innuendo. Marilyn Monroe shines in this endlessly quotable classic.

2. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Absurd, low-budget, and completely iconic. Few comedies have influenced internet humor more than this British masterpiece.

3. Airplane! (1980)

Rapid-fire jokes, visual gags, and deadpan delivery make this one of the most joke-dense films ever made.

4. Groundhog Day (1993)

A rare comedy with heart and philosophy. Bill Murray delivers one of the most memorable performances in comedy history.

5. The Big Lebowski (1998)

A cult classic that gets funnier with every watch. “The Dude” is now a permanent fixture in pop culture.

6. Blazing Saddles (1974)

Mel Brooks’ fearless satire skewers racism, Hollywood, and Westerns in one hilarious, boundary-pushing film.

7. Caddyshack (1980)

An ensemble comedy powered by chaos, gophers, and Bill Murray being Bill Murray.

8. Annie Hall (1977)

A smart, neurotic romantic comedy that redefined the genre and still feels fresh today.

9. Dumb and Dumber (1994)

Proof that pure stupidity—when done right—can be comedy gold.

10. Dr. Strangelove (1964)

Dark, biting satire that proves comedy can be brilliant even when the subject is nuclear annihilation.

11. Bridesmaids (2011)

A modern classic that shattered expectations and reset the bar for ensemble comedies.

12. The Hangover (2009)

A wild, unpredictable ride that became an instant pop-culture phenomenon.

13. Ghostbusters (1984)

Perfectly balances comedy, sci-fi, and supernatural fun.

14. Coming to America (1988)

Eddie Murphy at his peak, playing multiple roles with unmatched charm.

15. Superbad (2007)

A defining teen comedy that feels painfully real and outrageously funny.

16. The Princess Bride (1987)

Adventure, romance, and endlessly quotable humor rolled into one perfect film.

17. National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)

The ultimate family road-trip disaster comedy.

18. Office Space (1999)

A cult favorite that somehow becomes more relatable every year.

19. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

A love letter to skipping school and living in the moment.

20. This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

The blueprint for mockumentary comedy and still the funniest fake band ever created.

21. Tropic Thunder (2008)

Bold, controversial, and packed with unforgettable performances.

22. The Naked Gun (1988)

Slapstick perfection with relentless visual and verbal jokes.

23. Shaun of the Dead (2004)

A brilliant blend of zombie horror and British comedy.

24. Mean Girls (2004)

Infinitely quotable and culturally immortal.

25. Animal House (1978)

The original college comedy that started it all.

26. The Producers (1967)

Mel Brooks strikes again with outrageous satire and musical comedy gold.

27. Clueless (1995)

A smart, stylish take on Jane Austen that defined a generation.

28. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)

Groovy, ridiculous, and endlessly meme-able.

29. Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)

A holiday comedy with genuine emotional payoff.

30. Step Brothers (2008)

Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly at peak absurdity.

31. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

Robin Williams’ energy carries this heartfelt and hilarious classic.

32. Hot Fuzz (2007)

A comedy that rewards repeat viewings with layered jokes and callbacks.

33. Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

Awkward, weird, and strangely brilliant.

34. The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)

A raunchy comedy with surprising warmth.

35. Duck Soup (1933)

The Marx Brothers at their sharpest and most anarchic.

36. There’s Something About Mary (1998)

Shock comedy that somehow still works.

37. Life of Brian (1979)

Monty Python’s most daring and intelligent satire.

38. Groundbreaking Honorable Mention: Tootsie (1982)

Gender comedy done with intelligence and heart.

39. Raising Arizona (1987)

Fast-talking, offbeat, and unmistakably Coen Brothers.

40. Zoolander (2001)

Ridiculously stupid in the best possible way.

41. Trading Places (1983)

A sharp social comedy disguised as a holiday classic.

42. The Truman Show (1998)

Funny, unsettling, and prophetic.

43. My Cousin Vinny (1992)

Courtroom comedy perfection with unforgettable performances.

44. Young Frankenstein (1974)

Mel Brooks’ loving parody of classic horror films.

45. School of Rock (2003)

Pure joy, powered by Jack Black.

46. The Jerk (1979)

Steve Martin’s breakout role and one of the funniest debuts ever.

47. Borat (2006)

Uncomfortable, shocking, and undeniably hilarious.

48. Rushmore (1998)

Wes Anderson’s signature style meets sharp comedy.

49. When Harry Met Sally (1989)

The gold standard for romantic comedies.

50. City Lights (1931)

Charlie Chaplin proves comedy doesn’t need dialogue to be timeless.

Why These Are the Best Comedies of All Time

The best comedies of all time aren’t just funny—they’re influential. They shape how comedy is written, performed, and consumed. Many of these films launched careers, created genres, or permanently altered pop culture.

From silent films to modern satire, comedy evolves—but laughter remains universal.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re revisiting an old favorite or discovering a classic for the first time, this list of the 50 best comedies of all time is your ultimate watch guide. Great comedy doesn’t age—it adapts, endures, and keeps making us laugh.

If you’re building a movie night playlist, writing about film history, or just need a guaranteed laugh, these films belong at the top.