Best comedy movies of all time | Hoblist

February 11, 2020

Author: Hob List

What’s better than a good laugh to make your day?

Comedy has been an integral part of films ever since films themselves started being made. After all, laughter is said to be the best medicine. Fortunately for us audiences, we have an ample number of comedy films to pick from whenever we feel the need for a laughter riot. From classic comedy to horror comedy to action comedy, Hollywood has explored it all.

We present to you a list of the 50 best comedy films of all time, in chronological order, so you can pick one from whichever era you are interested in.

1. SAFETY LAST! (1923)

A silent comedy film starring Harold Lloyd, Safety Last! is a classic in the world of comedies. It also has the iconic image of the actor hanging on for dear life from the hands of a skyscraper clock.

2. DUCK SOUP (1933)

Directed by Leo McCarey, The Marx Brothers’ Duck Soup is one of the era’s most finely made comedies. It is a satirical piece on Fascism, nationalism and dictator-like leaders.

3. MODERN TIMES (1936)

One simply does not write about comedy films without mentioning Charlie Chaplin. Modern Times, both written and directed by Chaplin himself, is a slapstick satire on the Machine Age. It deals with his iconic character, Little Tramp, struggling to fit in with the modern, industrial world. It is considered to be Chaplin’s last silent comedy

4. THE PINK PANTHER (1963)

The Pink Panther first released in December 1963 in Italy. It later went on to become a franchise with several films under the banner. The film deals primarily with a clumsy detective in pursuit of an infamous jewel thief, eventually leading him to an unusual suspect. It also gave birth to a cartoon character with the same name.

5. DR. STRANGE LOVE: OR HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BOMB (1964)

The 1964 film was a political satire on the Cold War and the fears of a nuclear conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union. It showed an American general putting the world at risk of a nuclear warfare when he deploys a B-52 bomber on the Russians. Dark and funny at the same time, this film is relevant for many even today.

6. BLAZING SADDLES (1974)

Another masterpiece in satirical comedy, Blazing Saddles portrays the then taboo topic of racism in a hilarious manner. Bart is appointed the first black sheriff of an all-white small town when the previous sheriff is killed, in the hope that this will chase away the townsmen from their homes. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards and is considered to be a classic comedy today.

7. MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL (1975)

Monty Python and the Holy Grail, a British slapstick comedy, is a parody on the legend of King Arthur and his quest for the Holy Grail. Shot mostly in Scotland, the film in addition to bone-tickling comedy, offers several scenic shots and beautiful views of Doune Castle and a few others.

8. SILVER STREAK (1976)

Silver Streak, directed by Arthur Hiller, is a thriller comedy about a murder on a train from Los Angeles to Chicago. Based on an original screenplay by Colin Higgins, the movie collected over 51 million dollars at the box office and was the beginning of the comic duo of Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor.

9. UP IN SMOKE (1978)

Directed by Lou Adler, Up in Smoke was Cheech and Chong’s first feature length movie. Due to its stoner comedy genre, the film was initially received negatively upon release, but is now deemed as a classic.

10. CADDYSHACK (1980)

Directed by Harold Ramis, and starring Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Michael O’ Keefe and Ted Knight, Caddyshack was a sports comedy about an exclusive golf club and its members. The movie earned a cult fan following and later inspired several similar comedies.

11. AIRPLANE! (1980)

Airplane! is a satirical disaster comedy which ranked sixth on Bravo’s 100 Funniest Movies. The movie is popularly known for its fast paced slapstick comedy and surreal humour, with generous use of puns and veiled humour

12. Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

Based on the book ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High: A True Story’ by Cameron Crowe, this is a coming-of-age comedy film about a teenage girl named Stacy, who ventures into the world of dating and finds herself trapped in a love triangle. The film has attained iconic status among the youth over the years.