Top 17 Greatest American Comedy Movies of All Time

A Thousand Words follows the quirky Jack McCall, a man with a rapid-fire speech disorder. His life takes a dramatic turn after a lie told to a professor, leading him to a situation where he can only speak a thousand words before his life is cut short. Each word he speaks causes a leaf to fall from a mystical tree, and when the last leaf falls, his life ends. Can Jack find a way to keep living, or will he simply stay silent for the rest of his days?

Movie Information:

Director: Brian Robbins

Cast: Eddie Murphy, Kerry Washington, Cliff Curtis, Clark Duke, Allison Janney

Runtime: 91 minutes

IMDb Rating: 5.9 (41,000 votes)

The Heat is a 2013 action-comedy film about the hilarious partnership between FBI agent Sarah Ashburn (Sandra Bullock) and local Boston cop Shannon Mullins (Melissa McCarthy). The two women couldn't be more different—one is intelligent and arrogant, while the other is fiery, impulsive, and street-smart. Initially, they can't stand each other, but they must work together to take down one of Boston's most notorious drug lords.

Movie Information:

Director: Paul Feig

Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Sandra Bullock, Dan Bakkedahl, Michael Rapaport, Ben Falcone

Runtime: 117 minutes

IMDb Rating: 6.6 (165,000 votes)

The Hangover is a trilogy of American comedy films created by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, and directed by Todd Phillips. The series follows the wild misadventures of a group of friends attending a bachelor party. The first film centers around three bachelors: Doug Billings, who is about to get married, and his friends Phil Wenneck, Stu Price, and brother-in-law Alan Garner. They throw Doug a legendary bachelor party, but after a wild night, Doug goes missing, and unexpected events unfold. The film is packed with hilarious moments and surprising twists.

Movie Information:

Director: Todd Phillips

Cast: Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms, Ken Jeong, Justin Bartha

Runtime: 100 minutes

IMDb Rating: 7.7 (730,000 votes)

Mean Girls is the ultimate teen girl movie. The story follows Cady Heron, who grew up in Africa and moves to the U.S., where she navigates the complex social life of high school. She is baffled by the cliques in school, each with its own hierarchy, interests, and personalities. Cady befriends two girls and infiltrates The Plastics, the most popular and fashionable group at school. The three girls devise a plan to make Cady a spy within the group, and as she becomes closer to The Plastics, she starts changing and adopting their bad habits. Cady loses her innocence and becomes a true "mean girl."

Movie Information:

Director: Mark Waters

Cast: Tina Fey, Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Amanda Seyfried, Lacey Chabert

Runtime: 97 minutes

IMDb Rating: 7.0 (344,000 votes)

Just Go With It follows Danny, a charming plastic surgeon who, haunted by a failed romance from 20 years ago, devises a clever way to win over women. His strategy involves wearing a fake wedding ring and pretending to be a married man trapped in an unhappy marriage. Behind this false facade, many young women fall for his charms. However, Danny's plan unravels when he falls for Palmer, a gorgeous schoolteacher. After accidentally mentioning his "wife," Danny is forced to keep up the lie, but how long can he maintain this web of deception?

Movie Information:

Director: Dennis Dugan

Cast: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Brooklyn Decker, Bailee Madison, Nicole Kidman

Runtime: 117 minutes

IMDb Rating: 6.4 (226,000 votes)

The Boss Baby tells the story of 7-year-old Tim, who once had a picture-perfect life until a major change came: the arrival of a baby brother, forcing Tim to adjust to life as an older sibling. Previously the center of attention for his parents, Tim now has to share the love and affection with his new brother. To make matters worse, his baby sibling seems to rule the household, constantly crying to get the attention of their parents. But this baby is no ordinary infant—he speaks like an adult and behaves like a little boss. What is the true purpose of this baby who is more than meets the eye?

Movie Information:

Director: Tom McGrath

Cast: Alec Baldwin, Lisa Kudrow, Jimmy Kimmel, Ariana Greenblatt, James Marsden

Runtime: 97 minutes

IMDb Rating: 6.3 (112,000 votes)

Elf delivers laughs from the moment we see Will Ferrell, a towering actor, dressed in an elf costume typically suited for smaller people. But the humor doesn’t stop there. The story follows Buddy, a human raised as an elf who works for Santa in the North Pole. One day, Buddy ventures to New York to find his biological parents. In the city, he crosses paths with Zooey Deschanel's character, a comedic role she nails as always. Elf stands out as one of the finest "fish-out-of-water" comedies ever made.

Movie Information:

Director: Jon Favreau

Cast: Will Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel, James Caan, Ed Asner, Mary Steenburgen

Runtime: 97 minutes

IMDb Rating: 7.0 (235,000 votes)

21 Jump Street brings together Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill in a wild, outrageous comedy full of surprising twists and crude humor. Based on the popular 80s TV series, the movie centers on two very different characters: Schmidt, the smart but awkward and slow-moving one, and Jenko, the handsome, muscular one who’s clueless in basic police work. Forced to work together as a team, their friendship is tested by the challenges of high school life and the demands of their roles as undercover officers.

Movie Information:

Directors: Phil Lord, Chris Miller

Cast: Holly Robinson Peete, Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Richard Grieco, Ice Cube

Runtime: 109 minutes

IMDb Rating: 7.2 (519,000 votes)

The Croods (original title: The Croods) is a 3D animated comedy-adventure film produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by 20th Century Fox. The story revolves around a prehistoric family trying to survive during a mass extinction event. They live in a primitive world where they still crawl on all fours. However, when they meet Guy, a more advanced human from the same era, hilarious conflicts arise. The Croods is not only a fun-filled journey but also carries deep messages about growth and change.

Movie Information:

Directors: Chris Sanders, Kirk DeMicco

Cast: Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Nicolas Cage, Catherine Keener, Cloris Leachman

Runtime: 98 minutes

IMDb Rating: 7.2 (198,000 votes)

Cruella is an upcoming American comedy-crime drama film that explores the backstory of the infamous Cruella de Vil. Based on Dodie Smith's 1956 novel *The Hundred and One Dalmatians* and Disney's 1961 animated adaptation, the film tells the tale of Estella, a young woman with big dreams of becoming a fashion designer. However, life seems intent on keeping her from realizing her ambitions. After losing everything and becoming orphaned in London, Estella teams up with two streetwise thieves, Horace and Jasper. As she enters the world of the rich and famous, she begins to question the life she’s built and wonders if destiny has more in store for her. When a rising rock star commissions her to design a signature piece, Estella begins to feel that she might finally be on the path to greatness.

Movie Information:

Director: Craig Gillespie

Cast: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Emily Beecham, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Mark Strong

Runtime: 134 minutes

IMDb Rating: 7.4 (54,000 votes)

Raya and the Last Dragon is a 2021 American animated action-adventure fantasy film, co-produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Walt Disney Animation Studios, and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

In the fantastical world of Kumandra, humans and dragons once lived in harmony. However, when monstrous creatures called Druun threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, the same creatures have returned, and it falls to a lone warrior to find the last dragon and stop the Druun from destroying the world once again.

Movie Information:

Directors: Carlos López Estrada, Don Hall

Cast: Awkwafina, Kelly Marie Tran, Gemma Chan, Sandra Oh, Ross Butler

Runtime: 107 minutes

IMDb Rating: 7.4 (74,000 votes)

The Mitchells vs. the Machines is a 2021 American animated sci-fi comedy film produced by Sony Pictures Animation.

This action-comedy follows a typical family caught in the middle of their biggest challenge: saving the world from a robot apocalypse. It all starts when Katie Mitchell, an aspiring filmmaker, is accepted to her dream school and is eager to leave home and find her tribe. However, her nature-loving father insists on a family road trip to drop her off, turning the trip into an awkward and forced bonding experience. Just when things couldn’t get worse, the family finds themselves in the middle of a robot uprising, with everything from smartphones to Roombas and evil Furbys being used to capture humanity. Now, it’s up to the Mitchells, including the optimistic mother Linda, quirky younger brother Aaron, their chubby pug Monchi, and a couple of other friendly folks, to stop the machines and save the day.

Movie Information:

Director: Michael Rianda

Cast: Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Blake Griffin, Olivia Colman, Michael Rianda

Runtime: 113 minutes

IMDb Rating: 7.8 (57,000 votes)

The Gentlemen is a 2019 British-American action-comedy film written, directed, and produced by Guy Ritchie, based on a story by Ivan Atkinson, Marn Davies, and Ritchie.

The plot follows an American genius graduate from Oxford, who uses his unique skills and boldness to build a cannabis empire by acquiring land from struggling British aristocrats. However, when he attempts to sell his empire to an American billionaire, a chain of events unfolds involving blackmail, deception, chaos, and murder, all entangling street gangsters, Russian crime lords, Triad drug dealers, and journalists.

Movie Information:

Director: Guy Ritchie

Cast: Charlie Hunnam, Matthew McConaughey, Colin Farrell, Michelle Dockery, Hugh Grant

Runtime: 113 minutes

IMDb Rating: 7.8 (267,000 votes)

Another Round is a 2020 Danish-Swedish-Dutch comedy-drama film directed by Thomas Vinterberg, co-written with Tobias Lindholm. The story explores the theory that humans are born with a blood alcohol level that is too low and that a small amount of alcohol can improve creativity, open the mind, and make problems seem less daunting. Martin, a high school teacher, feels worn out and disconnected. His students and their parents push him to retire early, so Martin and three colleagues decide to test this theory by maintaining a consistent level of alcohol in their systems throughout daily life. They soon find that the experiment leads to unexpected results, both uplifting and troubling, as the alcohol brings out new aspects of their personalities and relationships, while also challenging their limits. What begins as a fun experiment quickly turns into something more complex, with profound consequences for their lives and those around them. The film is described as a fun, heartfelt, and thought-provoking exploration of friendship, freedom, and the impact of alcohol.

Movie Information:

Director: Thomas Vinterberg

Cast: Mads Mikkelsen, Maria Bonnevie, Magnus Millang, Helene Reingaard Neumann

Runtime: 117 minutes

IMDb Rating: 7.8 (83,000 votes)

Home Alone is a holiday classic that has delighted audiences with its mix of comedy and Christmas charm. The story revolves around young Kevin, who is left home alone and faces off against two bumbling burglars. The movie, spanning six parts, has become an annual favorite, especially during the Christmas season. Kevin, a clever and resourceful 9-year-old, outsmarts the thieves in increasingly hilarious ways, turning what should be a terrifying experience into an adventurous victory. It’s a film that blends childhood innocence with comic genius, making it one of the best-loved holiday films.

Movie Information:

Director: Chris Columbus

Cast: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O'Hara, John Heard

Runtime: 103 minutes

IMDb Rating: 7.6 (498,000 votes)

There’s Something About Mary is not just one of the funniest comedies, but also a massive box office hit. Featuring Ben Stiller, whose natural acting style brings the character to life, the film follows a man pursuing a dream romance with the irresistibly charming Cameron Diaz. What starts as a typical love story quickly turns into a series of absurd, hilarious, and sometimes awkward moments that make this film a true romantic comedy classic. With a series of unpredictable and laugh-out-loud situations, it’s a must-watch that delivers both humor and heart.

Movie Information:

Directors: Peter Farrelly, Bobby Farrelly

Cast: Cameron Diaz, Ben Stiller, Matt Dillon, Chris Elliott, Lee Evans

Runtime: 119 minutes

IMDb Rating: 7.1 (295,000 votes)

The Proposal centers around Margaret, a powerful book editor, who faces deportation to Canada. In a desperate move to avoid this fate, she convinces her assistant, Andrew, to pretend they are engaged. Andrew, who has endured years of Margaret's harsh treatment, agrees, but only on his own terms. The two head to Alaska to meet Andrew's family, where Margaret experiences a series of hilarious and awkward situations that remind her that not everything is under her control. Despite the challenges, they remain determined to go through with their surprise wedding. But as they spend more time together, their feelings for each other begin to change in unexpected ways.

Movie Information:

Director: Anne Fletcher

Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Betty White, Mary Steenburgen, Malin Åkerman, Craig T. Nelson

Runtime: 108 minutes

IMDb Rating: 6.7 (302,000 votes)