The Funniest Movies of All Time

Some of us would rather challenge Dwayne Johnson to a cage match than watch a documentary. Others are butter-soft and can't mess with horror flicks. But there’s one classic film genre that every man, woman, and child can agree upon, and that’s comedy. Who doesn't want to laugh every now and then?

Compiling this list was hard, and not just because it's inevitable that one of you will go off in the comments about the ranking, or complain that we forgot your favorite indie movie from 10 years ago. Just because a movie has the "comedy" tag, however, doesn’t guarantee that it'll actually make you laugh. The last time we checked, some of Tyler Perry's unendurable character flicks fall under this category, as do Pauly Shore's movies and Carrot Top's punishing Chairman of the Board. By the same token, a movie could be marketed as the most hilarious comedy of the year and count some of the best comedic actors among its stars and still fail miserably at delivering solid laughs (we won’t point any fingers this time.)

The truth is, comedy is subjective AF, and a successful funny movie is actually a delicate balance of good jokes and a compelling story. The movie has to have some direction, and surprisingly enough, the best movies tend to walk the line between comedy and another genre. There is much laughter to be had in contradictions, paradoxes, and otherwise generally unfunny situations.

So, yeah, compiling any list of comedy movies entails some discretion, and even more so when trying to make an argument for the greatest comedies of all time. But that's where we come in, fam. Complex has had this list in some iteration on its website so years now, but great comedies are #blessing cinemas every single day, so we have to periodically re-evaluate our picks.

The result: our scrupulously rebuilt countdown of the funniest movies of all time, completed after hours of laughter.

Mean Girls (2004)

Director: Mark Waters

Stars: Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Amanda Seyfried, Lacey Chabert, TIna Fey ​Quotable: "If you're from Africa, why are you white?" "God, Karen, you can't just go around asking people why they are white."

An endlessly quotable movie, Mean Girls is the quintessential, post-’80s teenage high school comedy. Although it does veer to a slightly darker tone in its third act, possibly getting a bit too didactic over its general message of unity, it has such a clear and steady grasp on what being a girl in high school really means that it occasionally feels like a documentary rather than a movie. It’s funny because it always goes just one degree beyond the logical next step of any situation, which is exactly where comedy lives. Think: the scene where Cady likens the mall fountain to a watering hole, or the massive student revolt at the end. Tina Fey’s excellent screenplay helps hammer home joke after joke, rendering the movie a cutting satire of teenage life. It’s one of the most iconic movies of all time. Do @ me; I’ll fight to the death over this.

What We Do In The Shadows (2014)

Directors: Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi

Stars: Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement, Rhys Darby, Jonathan Brugh, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer

Quotable: "If you are going to eat a sandwich, you would just enjoy it more if you knew no one had fucked it."

From the mind of Jemaine Clement, one half of the hilarious New Zealand comedy duo Flight of the Conchords, comes this stellar mockumentary following the lives of four legit vampires who share a house in Wellington. The mockumentary style is so ripe for laughs (think The Office) that it’s often in danger of being overused, but it’s a perfect fit to tell the stories of these centuries old bloodthirsty idiots. It’s a powerhouse of dry, sarcastic humor and requires the same level of attention you might give to Arrested Development, since the film has a similar style of fast-paced comedy, with clever set ups and inside jokes.

Deadpool (2016)

Director: Tim Miller

Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, T. J. Miller, Gina Carano

Quotable: "Like the kind of stupid who admits he can't do the one thing I'm keeping him alive for?"

Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool is an R-rated, shit-talking, fourth-wall breaking reluctant superhero who was able to finally crack the code for a truly hilarious Marvel movie. Part of Deadpool’s success as a comedy is built right into the storyline: The very last thing Deadpool wants to do is conform to the X-Men, and that reversal from the norm creates a fertile plot for comedy, which is only bolstered by Reynolds' energetic performance. Deadpool is a movie that doesn’t take itself so seriously—even its marketing strategy was out of the box—and Deadpool’s knack for making fun of the “real world” (Marvel, Reynolds himself, even David Beckham) is a highly original and entertaining choice.

Don't Think Twice (2016)

Director: Mike Birbiglia

Stars: Keegan-Michael Key, Gillian Jacobs, Mike Birbiglia, Kate Micucci, Tami Sagher

Quotable: "The important thing is you don't think, you don't memorize..." "You don't get paid." "That's so true! But isn't that kinda fun, too?"

Is it cheating to make a funny movie about comedians? Honestly, with this cast, Don’t Think Twice would probably still be on this list even if it was about drywall. But instead it’s about The Commune, an improv group in New York City who go through a painful and long breakup after only one of their members gets selected to join Saturday Night Live. Like Chris Rock’s Top Five, this movie revels in all the expected laughs that come with such a funny cast, but it also takes the opportunity to explore the darker side of comedy, benefiting from an emotional element that renders the movie a more holistic and entertaining project. Funny people in deeply unfunny situations: a recipe for awesomeness.

Dear White People (2014)

Director: Justin Simien

Stars: Tyler James Williams, Tessa Thompson, Teyonah Parris, Brandon P. Bell, Kyle Gallner

Quotable: “We're not all homophobes, you know.” “Yeah, I'm listening to Frank Ocean right now! I don't give a fuck!”

Dear White People (the movie, not the Netflix show) is at its funniest when it’s at its most comfortable with the characters it has created. Lead character Sam’s eponymous radio show and activism hit close to home for any black American, and the movie tackles difficult race issues with poise thanks to its strong point of view. But when all of that is stripped away, it’s also just a movie about black students at a mostly white college, and that’s a surefire recipe for laughs.

Dope (2015)

Director: Rick Famuyima

Stars: Shameik Moore, Tony Revolori, Kiersey Clemons, Blake Anderson, Zoe Kravitz

Quotable: "I would not order a Macklemore CD. That wouldn't happen."

Otherwise known as the movie in which A$AP Rocky makes his surprisingly decent cinematic debut, Dope is funny mostly because it’s so real. A Harvard-bound young kid named Malcolm gets unwillingly mixed up in a dangerous drug deal, setting offa series of dangerous encounters that put his entire future at stake. But this is not the usual tale of life in the hood, and thanks to Rick Famuyiwa’s refreshing direction, all potential stereotypes are stripped away. All that's left is a group of friends trying to get through a tough situation in hilarious fashion.

Top Five (2014)

Director: Chris Rock

Stars: Chris Rock, Rosario Dawson, Gabrielle Union, J.B. Smoove, Romany Malco

Quotable: "I mean, any day somebody thinks about fucking you is a good day."

It’s not news to any Complex reader that Chris Rock is a national treasure. But Top Five, a movie he wrote, directed, and starred in, is one of his most underrated works. It’s got all of the energy of Rock’s stand up—and since he plays a stand up comedian named Andre Allen in the film, it’s also got plenty of jokes—but it goes to a dramatic place that would be hard to go with a comedy routine. The film only depicts about a day and a half of Andre’s life, during which he is interviewed by a New York Times reporter on the eve of his wedding. Andre is insecure about his career, and his fiancé doesn’t seem like the nicest woman alive; after more than a few twists and turns and cameos from the likes of DMX, Taraji P. Henson, and Jerry Seinfeld, the movie ends on a bittersweet note. Watch this for the laughs, but come back for the life lessons.

Tangerine (2015)

Director: Sean Baker

Stars: Kitana Kiki Rodriguez, James Ransone, Mya Taylor, Karren Karagulian, Alla Tumanian

Quotable: "Bitch, you know I don't do downers, bitch. You know I'm an upper hoe."

The general outline of Tangerine follows what could otherwise be a pretty predictable comedy: An outspoken young woman finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her, so she goes on a mission to find both of them and give them a piece of her mind. But in this case, the young woman is a transgender prostitute named Sin-Dee who just got out of jail, and her boyfriend, Chester, is also her pimp. Although the relationship doesn’t end well (big shock), Sin-Dee’s no-shits-taken demeanor is enough to earn quite a few laughs despite some more bittersweet moments. Tangerine is also notable for its stylistic innovations: The whole thing was shot on three iPhone 5S’s.

Neighbors (2014)

Director: Nicholas Stoller

Stars: Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Rose Byrne, Dave Franco, Christopher Mintz-Plasse

​Quotable: "John Madden before Jasmine from Aladdin."

If you’ve only seen the trailer or the poster for Neighbors, you might dismiss it as just another Seth Rogen comedy. And even though that’s not entirely wrong—expect all of the raunchy, testosterone fuelled humor Rogen in particular is known for—it’s also his highest grossing movie, which has to count for something. The relatively original storyline, in which a couple go to great lengths to protect themselves and their newborn from the frat house next door, helps a great deal in getting those laughs, since it means the neighbors concoct endless plots to embarrass or otherwise attempt to destroy one another. Of all the recent big-name blockbuster comedies, Neighbors has that extra something that makes it a genuinely funny movie, even if it’s entirely silly.

Four Lions (2010)

Director: Chris Morris

Stars: Riz Ahmed, Kayvan Novak, Nigel Lindsay, Arsher Ali, Adeel Akhtar"

Quotable: "I'm the Mujahideen and I'm making a scene / Now you's gonna feel what the boom-boom means / It's like Tupac said, "When I die, I'm not dead "/ We are the martyrs, you're just smashed tomatoes / Allahu Akbar!"

You know how sometimes people will get mad at comedians for making fun of things that should not be made fun of? Four Lions could so easily get hit with that argument: It’s about four radicalized Muslims plotting a suicide bomb attempt during the London Marathon. But those claims wouldn’t stick, because the movie is a damn comedic tour-de-force; it’s the darkest of dark satires, sure, but it’s not tactless. The four jihadis are right idiots, and their incompetence strips away the scary veneer of the word “jihadi,” effectively allowing the viewer to critique and eventually laugh at their faulty motives.

Bridesmaids (2011)

Director: Paul Feig

Stars: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper, Chris O'Dowd, Jill Clayburgh

Quotable: "You are more beautiful than Cinderella! You smell like pine needles, and have a face like sunshine!"

2011 was a dismal year for major studio comedies, from the all-out despicability of The Hangover Part II and The Sitter, to the ho-hum mediocrity of Bad Teacher and Horrible Bosses. Thank heavens for Kristen Wiig, then, the star and co-writer of one of the funniest movies in recent memory, mainstream or not: Bridesmaids.

Assembling an ace ensemble (powered by scene-stealers Melissa McCarthy and Rose Byrne), Wiig and director Paul Feig (creator of Freaks and Geeks) took a bunch of unexplored themes for a mainstream comedy (bridal party stresses and demands, feeling one's internal clock ticking while others get married) and shoved them in your face. Simply hilarious and disarmingly profound, Bridesmaids is good-hearted fun for everyone, and the smash hit that single-handedly saved Hollywood's funny movie genre from completely shitting the bed in 2011.

Wet Hot American Summer (2001)

Director: David Wain

Stars: Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde-Pierce, Michael Showalter, Michael Ian Black, Paul Rudd, Christopher Meloni, Ken Marino, Molly Shannon

Quotable: "Now finish up them taters; I'm gonna go fondle my sweaters."

If you're one of the hip kids, you should know all about The State, the MTV sketch comedy show that aired from 1993 to 1995. As its cult status continues to grow, several of the show's players have gone on to bigger and more heralded things, such as creating Reno 911!

For his first directorial effort, David Wain (who also directed the 2008 hit Role Models) gathered a bunch of his former State cohorts (co-writer Michael Showalter, Michael Ian Black, Ken Marino) to mock summer camp flicks in the ensemble comedy Wet Hot American Summer. In the spirit of Airplane! and Monty Python, Wain's light-hearted mashup of camp flick elements has its way with the genre's cliches, resting on the able shoulders of its extensive cast of comedy B- and C-listers, many of whom went on to reach the A-list. Rent it and invite some friends over for a DVD night, then reference The State. They'll admire your vast knowledge of fringe comedy. Guaranteed. And you can follow up with the Netflix series for good measure, too.

Borat: Cultural Learnings of American for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)

Director: Larry Charles

Stars: Sacha Baron Cohen, Ken Davitian

Quotable: "Jak sie masz? My name-a Borat. I like you. I like sex. Is nice!"

News flash: As great as our country is, America is the home of many idiots, racists, and plain old despicable human beings. If you're too patriotic to accept that, spend an hour-and-a-half with Borat. As a naive reporter from Kazakhstan intent on banging Pamela Anderson, Sacha Baron Cohen, working with director Larry Charles, used Borat's fish-out-of-water vibes to expose the worst facets of the red, white, and blue. Michael Moore wasn't responsible for this pseudo-documentary; Cohen makes sure that Borat's social awareness registers more as scathing comedy than alarming satire.

CB4 (1993)

Director: Tamra Davis

Stars: Chris Rock, Allen Payne, Khandi Alexander, Phil Hartman, Chris Elliot

Quotable: "Yeah, yeah, I'm lickin' ya balls."

Rock fans have This Is Spinal Tap; for hip-hop junkies, there's Chris Rock's persistently relevant CB4. See if this sounds familiar: Rappers from middle-class backgrounds fabricate a gangsta image in order to become famous, and wouldn't you know, the plan succeeds. Chances are your iPod includes songs by artists with similar backstories.

In that sense, CB4 was way ahead of its time. Prophecy aside, though, this fake "rapumentary" works just fine as a pure comedy, due in large part to hilarious songs inspired by actual rap favorites, like "Straight Outta Locash" (N.W.A.'s "Straight Outta Compton") and "Sweat From My Balls" (Kool G Rap and DJ Polo's "Talk Like Sex"). Every time we hear a Plies or Rick Ross song, CB4 immediately comes to mind. We wonder why...?

Groundhog Day (1993)

Director: Harold Ramis Stars: Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliot, Stephen Tobolowsky, Brian Doyle-Murray Quotable: "I'm a god. I'm not the God...I don't think." Who ever said that comedy can't serve a deeper purpose? Groundhog Day is a dually beneficial classic, one that provides a ton of laughs, but also inspires viewers to examine their own lives and make some much-needed alterations. Not bad for a movie that features Bill Murray driving off a cliff to his death while Punxsutawney Phil rides shotgun. Murray stars as a jerkoff TV personality who relives the same day over and over; at first, he uses the broken-record existence to indulge in women and alcohol, but he eventually realizes that he's been given a huge opportunity to better himself. Groundhog Day's script is so superb that it would still work like a charm if everything were played deadpan straight. But then it wouldn't be on this list, would it?

Black Dynamite (2009)

Director: Scott Sanders

Stars: Michael Jai White, Tommy Davidson, Arsenio Hall, Byron Minns, Miguel A. Nunez, Jr., Nicole Ari Parker, Salli Richardson

Quotable: "Fiendish Doctor Wu, you done fucked up now!"

Who knew that Spawn was so f'n funny? The brainchild of star/co-writer Michael Jai White, Black Dynamite capitalized on the semi-trend of exploitation-era homages, sparked by Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez's Grindhouse. Yet, what makes this Blaxploitation send-up so badass is how much better it handles the '70s-era aesthetic than Grindhouse, or any other film of its kind for that matter.

Everything about Black Dynamite screams nostalgia, from the music to the hammy dialogue. Fortunately, it's more than just a painstakingly accurate presentation; the film is also indisputably hilarious in every frame. Somebody better give White some starring roles, or at least the money needed for Black Dynamite 2: Blacker Than Ever. We'll even give him that title free of charge.

Airplane! (1980)

Director: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker

Stars: Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, Leslie Nielsen, Robert Stack, Lloyd Bridges

Quotable: "There's no reason to become alarmed, and we hope you'll enjoy the rest of your flight. By the way, is there anyone on board who knows how to fly a plane?"

The idea to make Airplane!, the disaster film parody classic, came to mind when the directors were researching commercials to create spoofs. Instead, they accidentally taped the way less popular and mediocre airplane drama Zero Hour!, which they later called "the serious version of Airplane!"

This slapstick comedy tells the story of an ex-pilot with a fear of flying (Robert Hays) who tries to win back his flight attendant girlfriend (Julie Hagerty) while on a flight from L.A. to Chicago. As if Hays' phobia isn't enough, everyone on the plane, including the pilots, contracts food poisoning from the fish dinner. The team has to resort to their "Otto" pilot, a life-size inflatable pilot doll to fly the plane. Hilarity ensues. Airplane! reminds audiences that logic is not a priority when it comes to making people laugh.

Dr. Strangelove, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Stars: Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, Keenan Wynn, Slim Pickens

Quotable: "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room."

Stanley Kubrick's funniest film, this 1962 parody stars Peter Sellers in multiple roles as the world faces nuclear annihilation at the hands of a U.S. military madman. General Jack D. Ripper, terrified that the Soviets are after American drinking water, sets in motion a cataclysmic missile attack. The ensuing political scramble to clean up the mess features the late, great Sellers as President of the United States and the title character, Dr. Strangelove, a hilarious send-up of Bond villains. Full of razor-sharp satire and absurdity, Dr. Strangelove is a chilling reminder of how those charged with protecting the world can sometimes be the least qualified people for the job.

Stepbrothers (2008)

Director: Adam McKay

Stars: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Richard Jenkins, Mary Steenburgen, Adam Scott, Kathryn Hahn

Quotable: "I tea-bagged your drum set!"

Though it ranks toward the bottom of Will Ferrell's catalog, 2006's Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby teases the chemistry between Ferrell and co-star John C. Reilly. Step Brothers, however, maximizes on their interplay to the point of uproarious combustion.

The simple plot—two 40-year-old man-children become step-siblings against their will—is the perfect setup for Sirs Ferrell and Reilly to constantly one-up each other with delusionally egocentric boasts ("I've been called the songbird of my generation!") and ruthless insults ("You and your mom are hillbillies; this is a house of learned doctors!").

Easily Ferrell's second-funniest movie (keep reading this list for the first), Step Brothers is one of those special comedies that remains laugh-out-loud hilarious with every subsequent viewing. It's a modern-day classic for "Boats N Hoes" alone.

Superbad (2007)

Director: Greg Mottola

Stars: Michael Cera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Seth Rogen, Bill Hader, Emma Stone, Martha MacIsaac

Quotable: "Nobody has gotten a hand job in cargo shorts since 'Nam!"

By nature, teen comedies appeal to the lowest common denominator of minds due to rampant sex, excessive alcohol consumption, and perverted dialogue. When done right, though, teenager flicks can reach a certain level of vulgar Zen, and there's no greater example than Superbad.

Line for line, its three main characters—Seth (Jonah Hill), Evan (Michael Cera), and the almighty McLovin (Christopher Mintz-Plasse)—discuss the finer points of teen life with sharp and rapid-fire wit. Bringing adult humor to the mix are co-writer Rogen and Bill Hader, having a blast as two of the most inept cops imaginable. Superbad set the bar sky-high for teen comedies to come, and it's yet to be topped.

Friday (1995)

Director: F. Gary Gray Stars: Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, Nia Long, Paula Jai Parker, John Witherspoon, Regina King, Faizon Love, Tommy Lister Jr. Quotable: "You got knocked the fuck out!" Given that he had already made a top-notch hood flick (Boyz N the Hood), it could've been easy for Ice Cube to go the cheaper route and make a goofy Boyz spoof. Thankfully, he took the classier path. Much to the delight of street peeps and film critics alike, Cube assembled a tirelessly quotable comedy that didn't trivialize urban life in any way; the result was, and still is, the 'hood comedy to end all 'hood comedies. Naturally, its success led to a couple of ho-hum sequels, but the crappiness of Friday After Next can't diminish the original's grandness. It's no coincidence that Chris Tucker isn't in the sequels. As the weed-loving sidekick to Cube's straightman, Tucker deserved a Best Supporting Actor nod; if only most members of the Academy at the time even knew where Compton was.

Office Space (1999)

Director: Mike Judge

Stars: Ron Livingston, Jennifer Aniston, David Herman, Ajay Naidu, Gary Cole, Deidrich Bader, Stephen Root, John C. McGinley

Quotable: "We're gonna be getting rid of these people here... First, Mr. Samir Naga... Naga... Naga... Not gonna work here anymore, anyway."

If you think your job sucks, just watch Office Space. Depicting a truly nightmarish 9-to-5, Beavis and Butthead creator Mike Judge turned many a youngster off to corporate desk jobs with this acutel-written cult favorite. There's the droll boss from hell (Gary Cole), the fat and irritating receptionist who repeats the same telephone greeting ad nauseam, and those damn TPS reports. Add those together, and you'll understand why we pursued the casually-dressed world of journalism.

Ron Livingston is cool as the disenchanted lead, but the film's supporting cast (especially MADtv alum David Herman as the unfortunately named closet Geto Boys fan Michael Bolton) are Office Space's strongest assets. Ranking as one of the most quotable flicks on this list, Office Space never gets old. Now excuse us while we try to show some lucky gal our O-face.

The 40 Year-Old Virgin (2005)

Director: Judd Apatow

Stars: Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, Romany Malco, Elizabeth Banks, Jane Lynch, Kat Dennings

Quotable: "Know how I know you're gay? You macraméed yourself a pair of jean shorts."

It's hard to remember a time when Judd Apatow's brand of everyman comedy and deep roster of go-to performers weren't in vogue. It wasn't until The 40 Year Old Virgin, though, that one of Hollywood's most underappreciated creators (responsible for the unfairly cancelled TV shows Freaks & Geeks and Undeclared) finally broke through.

The 40 Year-Old Virgin brought swag back to R-rated comedies, utilizing a well-crafted story and strong characters to lend undeniable credibility to some very raunchy humor. It's also the reason Steve Carell became the superstar he is today; perfectly cast, he nails every one of his awkwardly funny lines ("She was a hoe...fo sho!").

Coming To America (1988)

Director: John Landis

Stars: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones, Madge Sinclair, John Amos, Shari Headley, Eriq La Salle, Louie Anderson

Quotable: "From the 'What's Goin' Down?' episode of That's My Mama ... Randy Watson!"

Younger heads might not realize it due to his recent output of shit, but Eddie Murphy was once the funniest man in Hollywood. Coming to America is hands down his best movie, an airtight riot that's as funny today as it must've been back when it came out (most of us were younger than Bebe's Kids at that time).

As a sweet-hearted African prince living in Queens, N.Y., Murphy never misses a beat, playing brilliantly off of Arsenio Hall (as his sidekick) and appearing in makeup as a handful of other characters (the Murphy-heavy barbershop scene is one of comedy's great sequences). If you claim to know comedies but haven't seen this classic, slap yourself immediately; watching Coming to America is a rite of cinematic passage.

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

Director: Adam McKay

Stars: Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, David Koechner, Vince Vaughn, Fred Willard, Chris Parnell

Quotable: "Sixty percent of the time, it works every time."

Remember when Anchorman first came out, and filmgoers exited theaters more confused than amused? At the time, Adam McKay and Will Ferrell's anything-goes satire of '70s newscasters bewildered heads with its overt ridiculousness; in hindsight, though, we just weren't ready. It wasn't until the second or third time seeing Anchorman that its greatness became tangible. By then, its tone was accepted and the point was understood that Ferrell and his collaborators did whatever they thought was funny, without any regard for mass audiences.

Now way past our 50th viewing, we're certain that Anchorman is a gift from comedy's gods. Not only is it the most quotable movie ever, it's a tour de force of absurdity, a gathering of our some of our generation's most important funnymen (names like Ferrell, Rudd, Carell, Vaughn, Stiller, and Rogen), and a fitting way to end this list. Thanks for clicking through, fam; now go back to your homes on Whore Island.