The 12 Most Hilarious Comedies We've Ever Watched

      The funniest comedies we've encountered feature satire, trickery, kung-fu, “hair gel,” and foolish characters.

      It’s important to note that these aren’t the sweetest, most romantic, or most significant comedies — but they undeniably rank as the funniest, in our opinion. These are the films that genuinely made us laugh without a mission to change the world.

      Let’s dive in.

      The Jerk (1979)

      Universal Pictures

      Steve Martin’s character in The Jerk is not truly a jerk; rather, the kindhearted and naive Navin Johnson is one of the most endearing protagonists we've come across, even as he ascends to fame.

      One could suggest that the entirety of The Jerk serves as a setup for the kung-fu fight scene that follows when corrupt real estate developers embroil Navin in their racist plot. His explosive response is both politically incorrect and fervently anti-racist — an experience that is completely cathartic, naive, and beautiful. This movie is a true favorite of ours.

      We also appreciate The Jerk for creating space for an extended, frivolous moment featuring the line, “I’ve heard about this — cat juggling!”

      Airplane (1980)

      Paramount

      “Oh stewardess? I speak jive,” proclaims Barbara Billingsley in one of the countless absurd, anarchic jokes found in this parody of disaster films, which takes every scenario, no matter how outrageous, at face value.

      No film delivers more jokes per minute, and the majority are quite good, with some being utterly brilliant. It deserves a high spot on any list of the funniest comedies.

      Also Read: SNL Gone Wild: 12 Behind the Scenes Stories of Saturday Night Live

      Top Secret! (1984)

      Paramount

      Following their major success with Airplane!, David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker created this bizarre comedy that parodies a blend of an Elvis film and a war movie. Even the creators view it as somewhat of a miss — the beginning lacks many jokes, so one can hardly blame audiences for not grasping the satire.

      However, the setup merely paves the way for a series of absolute visual gags, like the backward library scene, the animated train station moment, and the tunnel gag. The more you enjoy esoteric and niche humor (apologies to Ford Pinto), the more you will appreciate Top Secret! This is a film where careful attention to the background often reveals absurdities.

      We also love the soundtrack, and Val Kilmer’s exceptional portrayal of the American singer Nick Rivers — though he has mentioned feeling a bit embarrassed by the silliness of the project while filming.

      One reason this film is among the funniest comedies is that so many viewers may not fully understand it.

      Coming to America (1988)

      Paramount

      A brilliant showcase of Eddie Murphy’s abilities, Coming to America appeals to everyone across various demographics, and good luck if you can’t appreciate a joke. Murphy’s Prince Akeem primarily plays the straight man amid a parade of self-deprecating eccentrics.

      The film depicts a New York where nearly everyone is a con artist to some degree — giving Murphy and Arsenio Hall the freedom to portray an array of questionable characters.

      Nonetheless, the movie has a warm heart: Akeem embodies decency in both his wealthy and impoverished lives, and his quest for a genuine partner keeps us engaged amidst all the chaos. It stands out as one of the funniest and most thoughtful comedies.

      Best in Show (2000)

      Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

      Rob Reiner's This Is Spinal Tap, featuring Christopher Guest, introduced the comedic power of the documentary style, but Guest’s 1996 film Waiting for Guffman is what made it widely popular for the subsequent decade.

      We could have included many Christopher Guest films on this list, but we chose Best in Show due to Jennifer Coolidge’s hilarious monologue about whether to talk or remain silent for hours.

      Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

      EMI Films

      We had to include Monty Python eventually. This parody of Arthurian legend films is filled with absurdity masked as intense seriousness, a hallmark of Python comedy.

      It also signifies the directorial debut of Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones, who shared the directing responsibilities — a methodology that seemingly results in great comedic films, as the number of co-directed features on this list should illustrate.

      We adore the Trojan Rabbit, the Knights Who Say “Ni!,” the coconuts, the French Taunter, and especially Eric Idle (above) exclaiming, “Message for you, sir!”

      There’s Something About Mary (1998)

      20th Century Fox

      Our top choice among the many hilarious Farrelly Brothers films revolves around Cameron Diaz as the enchanting Mary, whose kindness, cool demeanor, and beauty make her the fixation of nearly