In our ever-changing streaming world, finding a gem that tickles your funny bone is like finding a needle in a haystack. While Netflix NFLX’s vast catalog of movies can be overwhelming, there are a few standout comedies that really shine. So I decided to round up the ten best comedies I think Netflix has to offer in September 2023.
If you’re in the mood for absurd stories about newsroom antics, raucous misadventures during a disastrously hilarious home renovation, or the secret escapades of an unlikely beauty queen, this platform has you covered. Below are the ten I’ve selected, followed by a number of honorable mentions.
So, if you’re in dire need of a laugh or just want to brighten up a gloomy day, join me as I list the ten funniest offerings currently available on Netflix.
Bridesmaids
Directed by Paul Feig, showcasing the talents of Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy. Bridesmaids This isn’t just another wedding movie. It’s an incredibly funny exploration of friendship, love, and everything chaotic in between. Wiig, who also co-wrote the film, takes a deep dive into the challenges of being a bridesmaid, the competition it can sometimes entail, and the messiness of life itself. Perfect for anyone who’s been part of a wedding circus or just loves a good laugh, this film promises laughs and heartfelt emotion in equal measure.
Host: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Ah, the 1970s—a time of questionable fashion and unbridled masculinity. Meet Ron Burgundy, played by the inimitable Will Ferrell, the protagonist of the news in San Diego. Directed by Adam McKay leading invites viewers into a world where newsrooms are a battlefield of the absurd. Supported by a stellar cast including Steve Carell and Paul Rudd, the film is a delightful mixture of satire, farce and pure silliness. It’s a cult comedy as smooth as Scotch, Scotch, Scotch.
Coming to America
When royalty and romance combine with the comedic genius of Eddie Murphy, what do you get? Like a classic Coming to America. Directed by John Landis, the film stars Murphy as Prince Akeem, an African prince searching for true love in the busy boroughs of New York City. With a plot that’s both touching and hilarious, as well as a memorable performance by Arsenio Hall, the film has earned its status as a timeless laugh-out-loud classic. It’s a comedic look at love, heritage and the great American Dream.
Not just another teen movie
Joel Gallen Not just another teen movie is a rowdy parody of the teen movie genre. Starring Chyler Leigh and Chris Evans, this film revels in unabashedly mocking all the high school movie stereotypes you love (and love to hate). Whether it’s the cliché jock, the quirky underdog, or the epic transformation scenes, nothing is off limits. If you’ve ever laughed at the predictability of teen movies, this film amplifies it tenfold by infusing the whole thing with a dose of playful sarcasm.
This is the end
When Hollywood faces the apocalypse, the result is a hysterical star-studded extravaganza that… This is the end. Directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, the film turns self-parody into an art form, featuring real-life celebrities like James Franco, Jonah Hill and Rogen himself playing exaggerated versions of themselves. As they navigate a world suddenly plunged into chaos and doom, their antics serve as a comedic counterpoint to the usually grim end-of-days scenario. Whether it’s Franco’s obsession with art or Rogen’s bromance dilemmas, the film is a rollercoaster of laughs, unexpected sequences and absurd survival strategies.
money pit
The film is directed by Richard Benjamin and stars the dynamic duo of Tom Hanks and Shelley Long. money pit is a rollicking journey into the world of a home renovation gone awry. When a couple decides to renovate their dream home, they find themselves in a comedic spiral of unforeseen disasters. This film serves as a delightful metaphor for life’s unexpected pitfalls and the lengths we go to achieve an ideal. Hanks’ impeccable comedic performance turns any disaster into a laugh-out-loud moment, making it a must-see for anyone who needs a reminder of the unpredictability of life.
The sweetest thing
Cameron Diaz, Christina Applegate and Selma Blair star in Roger Kumble’s film The sweetest thing. This film is a living ode to female friendship, the search for love and the stormy moments that connect them. The narrative, which combines quirky humor and off-color jokes, seamlessly shifts between the realms of romantic comedy and buddy cinema. Diaz’s search for love, aided by her devoted friends, evokes both laughs and nods of familiarity. If you’re in the mood for a cheeky and unapologetic celebration of laughter, this is your choice.
How high
Jesse Dylan How high it’s where academia meets high-spirited fun, all thanks to Method Man and Redman. When two underachieving friends get their hands on a magical herb that boosts their intelligence, they end up at Harvard. The idea alone guarantees comedy gold, but it’s the chemistry between the leads that elevates it to cult classic status. With its unconventional mixture of farce and a dash of the supernatural, the film proves that sometimes the most unexpected combinations are the most interesting.
Miss Congeniality
Sandra Bullock as an undercover agent at a beauty pageant? Yes please! Directed by Donald Petrie Miss Congeniality demonstrates Bullock’s unparalleled ability to combine comedy with charm. With a mission to prevent a potential explosion, her character’s transformation from no-nonsense FBI agent to wannabe beauty queen is both hysterical and touching. Supported by a stunning cast including Michael Caine and William Shatner, the film is a testament to inner beauty, friendship and the hilarity of unexpected situations.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
If ever there was a master class in turning historical epics on their heads with sheer absurdity, this would be it. Monty Python and the Holy Grail. This cult film, directed by Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones, is based on the legends of King Arthur and his knights, but presents them through the hilariously twisted lens of the Monty Python troupe. The fight involves John Cleese, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman and the rest of the gang. Expect horses, coconuts clapping, logic-defying witch trials and the most infamous bunny in cinematic history.
Honorable Mentions: 10 More Comedies
Very bad
Directed by Greg Mottola and starring Jonah Hill and Michael Cera. Very bad it’s a raunchy coming-of-age masterpiece. Traveling through one wild night, he captures teenage antics and friendship with genuine fun.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
John Hughes provides delightful entertainment for a truant day. Matthew Broderick shines as Ferris, reimagining teenage rebellion with charm and wit.
Jerk
Steve Martin’s naive Naveen Johnson and director Carl Reiner take us on an absurd journey from rags to riches. A comedic exploration of identity and the American dream.
Zombieland
This post-apocalyptic comedy directed by Ruben Fleischer offers a mixture of zombies and humor. With Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg, the rules of survival just got funnier.
Kick ass
Matthew Vaughn’s superhero satire introduces us to an unlikely hero played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson. A gritty and humorous look at vigilante violence in a world hungry for justice.
Murder Mystery
Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler dive into a comedy detective film directed by Kyle Newacheck. The holiday becomes chaotic, combining mystery, laughter and unexpected twists.
Liar liar
Jim Carrey, directed by Tom Shadyac, plays a lawyer cursed to tell only the truth. A hilarious exploration of issues of fairness and unintended consequences.
lost World
Directed by Brad Silberling and starring Will Ferrell, this comedic reboot of the classic series takes us into a prehistoric alternate universe. Dinosaurs, time warps and Ferrell’s antics merge into delightful chaos.
Accepted
Steve Pink tells the story of an academic riot in which Justin Long leads a fake college. A satirical mockery of education and conformity, it champions the underdog with humor and heart.
Ted
Seth MacFarlane’s raunchy comedy brings Mark Wahlberg and a foul-mouthed teddy bear to life. About adulthood and friendship, this is a hilariously absurd look at childhood desires gone awry.
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