Top 10 Comedy Movies: 1990s

Before spawning multiple sequels and spinoffs, “American Pie” started off as a good old-fashioned teen comedy heavy on the raunchiness and cringe factor. Jason Biggs' Jim and the gang enter into a pact where each of them must lose their virginity before their high school graduation. Meanwhile, Eugene Levy is simply hilarious as Jim’s dad, who attempts to give his son uncomfortable advice and cover up some embarrassing evidence. Sure, it’s gross - but it’s also mindless fun and it can even be sweet at times, too.

This Adam Sandler flick, similar to his other comedy classic “Billy Madison,” proved that juvenile humor could work really well. Sandler stars as the titular character who can’t quite make the leap into professional hockey playing. Instead, he turns his sights to the golf green and becomes a hit. “Happy Gilmore” balances Sandler’s penchant for stock voices and violent physical comedy with a down-to-earth love story that influenced his later films. If his new stuff isn’t your thing, at least this sports comedy is worth the re-watch.

Thing aren’t easy for The Dude when his lazy laid-back lifestyle is turned upside down after he is caught up in a ransom and exploitation plot. A cast of hilariously cartoonish characters provides the background comedy for Lebowski and his semi-religious friend, who don't know what is really happening and just want to retrieve a carpet that “really pulled the room together.” The film became a cult classic and spawned all kinds of Dude-related merchandise and internet memes. But it’s the crime comedy’s surrealist humor that really sets “The Big Lebowski” apart from its contemporaries.

Peter Gibbons works an office job that he hates but feels powerless to change his life. When a hypnotherapy session goes awry, he is left forever in a relaxed state and begins to deal with his work problems by simply ignoring them. The movie’s comedy comes from an introspective look at daily office work and the zany characters therein. “Office Space” is also extremely relatable, features great casting and is a cult favorite.

Before “Austin Powers,” there was “Wayne’s World.” Mike Myers and Dana Carvey star as Wayne and Garth, based on their SNL characters of the same name. The sketches became so popular that this big screen adaptation was made. Myers’ noted style of self-reflexive comedy shines through in this movie, and the fourth wall doesn’t remain intact for too long. His chemistry with Carvey is undeniable and they manage to bring the laughs with the help of many pop culture references, unforgettable catchphrases and more.

At his peak, Jim Carrey was pulling in audiences everywhere with his zany performances and particular slapstick style. In this film, he plays a wacky detective who focuses on finding missing animals. With his trademark elastic face, acrobatic physical comedy and ridiculous delivery, Carrey made us keel over in laughter in “Pet Detective.” He also showed us that he takes his job very seriously and always gets his man - er, animal.

In one of his few big screen appearances, Chris Farley plays a screw-up who inherits his father’s company. Farley stars opposite David Spade and the two work together just as well as they did in their SNL days. Farley was best known for his physical comedy and in “Tommy Boy,” he truly pulls out all the stops. Popular with moviegoers upon its release, the road comedy is also often considered a must-watch ‘90s comedy classic.

Ben Stiller pulls out the big guns in this gross-out romantic comedy about a guy who can’t stop thinking about his high school crush. Most of the humor is pretty vulgar but that’s what makes “There’s Something About Mary” so fun to watch. Between getting his crotch caught in his zipper and getting a fishhook in his mouth, Stiller does a lot of great physical comedy that keeps us all entertained. Meanwhile, his off-kilter chemistry with Cameron Diaz just adds that extra little something to the outrageous obsession premise.

Straight from the mind of SNL alum Mike Myers, this spy-movie spoof hit theaters in a big way. Spawning several sequels and Halloween costume ideas for years to come, “Austin Powers” pokes fun at all the classic Bond movie tropes while pulling off an engaging story with memorably insane characters. Even today, the jokes are still sidesplittingly funny and Myers’ performances have us howling with laughter.

Before we unveil our pick for Comedy of the 1990s, here are a few honorable mentions:
- “Mrs. Doubtfire” (1993)
- “Clerks” (1994)
- “Groundhog Day” (1993)
- “South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut” (1999)
- “Half Baked” (1998)

Jim Carrey was a hot property in the ‘90s, but no matter how many movies he starred in, he still managed to keep things fresh. In “Dumb and Dumber,” he stars as Lloyd Christmas opposite Jeff Daniel’s Harry Dunne as two best friends without a brain cell between them. In an attempt to return some lost property and get the girl, the pair set out on a road trip and make friends on their adventure. While the flick is inarguably dumb, everything from its dream sequences to the toilet scene will still make you bust a gut, as there are simply no boundaries left uncrossed. That's thanks to the Farrelly Brothers' comedic writing, who’re the same force behind the equally brilliant-but-dumb bowling comedy, “King Pin.”

Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite 1990s comedy? For more hilarious Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.