Top 10 Funniest Comedy Movies of the 2010s
#10: “What We Do in the Shadows” (2014)
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This is one of those movie ideas where you think, “Why didn’t I think of that?” It’s a mockumentary that follows a group of vampires living together in a Wellington apartment. It was written and directed by Taika Waititi and Flight of the Conchords’ Jemaine Clement, serving as a strong entry in some strong bodies of work. The movie is more of an exploration of modern-day city living, especially among the younger generation - only with vampire characters, because that’s funny. The concept is incredibly fresh, and the writing from Waititi and Clement is both razor-sharp and insightful.
#9: “Booksmart” (2019)
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Directed by Olivia Wilde in her feature film debut, “Booksmart” follows the wacky adventures of two nerdy high school students who decide to start partying. It’s a coming-of-age teen comedy in the vein of “Dazed and Confused” and “Superbad,” featuring two spectacular lead performances from Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever. Rounding out the cast are some fantastic supporting players, including Lisa Kudrow, Will Forte, and Jason Sudeikis. Most of the praise is centered around the lead performances and the grounded yet hilarious screenplay, which received a BAFTA nomination. Teen comedies - especially teen comedies centered around partying - can be very hit or miss. Luckily, “Booksmart” was an incredible hit.
#8: “The Nice Guys” (2016)
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Who knew Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling would make for such a winning comedic duo? Co-written and directed by Shane Black, “The Nice Guys” is a period buddy comedy about a violent enforcer and an aloof private investigator attempting to find a missing girl. The 1970s period setting proves both nostalgic and fun, and the mystery-based story often proves legitimately captivating. But the movie belongs to Crowe and Gosling, whose hilarious and mismatched lead performances prove unendingly entertaining. Unfortunately, the movie greatly underperformed at the box office, grossing nearly $63 million on a $50 million budget. It’s a shame, because this is one of the freshest, funniest, and most creative comedies of the 2010s.
#7: “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” (2010)
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Acclaimed director Edgar Wright released multiple comedies throughout the 2010s. One was “The World’s End,” the excellent third and final entry in the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy. Then there was “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,” adapted from Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novels of the same name. Like “The Nice Guys,” the movie greatly underperformed at the box office, grossing a measly $48 million on an $85 million budget. But that is certainly not indicative of its quality. Not only is the movie funny, but it’s filled with imaginative filmmaking and expert direction under Wright. It’s literally like watching a comic book movie come to life, complete with stylized cartoon visuals and ludicrously bombastic action scenes. There is no other movie like this.
#6: “Spy” (2015)
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James Bond and spy spoofs are a dime a dozen, but “Spy” managed to stand out from the rest thanks to some fantastic writing, directing, and acting. Written and directed by Paul Feig, “Spy” stars Melissa McCarthy as Susan Cooper, a milquetoast CIA analyst who is sent into the field to find a nuclear device. The movie largely works owing to Feig’s talents behind the camera and McCarthy’s in front of it. Helping McCarthy are Rose Byrne and Jason Statham, both of whom turn in surprisingly great comedic performances, with Statham, in particular, stealing the show whenever he’s on-screen. Melissa McCarthy and Paul Feig dominated the 2010s, and “Spy” was a proud entry in their incredible filmography.
#5: “Game Night” (2018)
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Few comedy movies released throughout the 2010s were as smart, fun, or funny as “Game Night.” The movie stars Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams as Max and Annie Davis, a suburban couple who host a game night gone shockingly awry. Max’s wealthy brother Brooks is kidnapped, but the others think it’s all part of the game. Mark Perez’s beautifully original script is filled with twists and turns, ensuring that even the most genre-savvy aficionados can’t keep up with the plot. The movie is also deliriously funny, complete with some remarkable performances from the likes of Jesse Plemons and deft direction from John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein. “Game Night” is both wildly unpredictable and a ton of fun - much like game nights themselves.
#4: “Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping” (2016)
Yet another box office underperformer, “Popstar” stars the always funny Andy Samberg as Conner Friel, a once-popular boy band member whose solo career takes several mistteps. The movie is told in a mockumentary style reminiscent of “This Is Spinal Tap,” with most of its biting satire being updated for 21st-century audiences. The movie deftly mixes a number of comedic elements and styles, with its satire arguably proving the funniest. It’s a hilarious and insightful glimpse into celebrity and the extreme measures that some will go to in order to remain relevant. Viewers can’t help but think of certain musical acts and performers while watching the movie, and that only makes the satire funnier.
#3: “This Is the End” (2013)
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Part apocalyptic comedy, part scathing satire of celebrity narcissism, “This Is the End” is another winning comedy from creative duo Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. The movie contains an all-star cast, including Rogen, James Franco, Jay Baruchel, and Jonah Hill, all of whom play themselves in the midst of the biblical Rapture. The movie contains all the hilarious and juvenile improv one would expect from a Rogen-Goldberg comedy, and the self-deprecating performances on display are consistently hilarious. However, the movie also contains a surprisingly tender core, with Rogen and Baruchel’s characters embodying a theme of dwindling friendship amidst adulthood and fame. The film expertly balances heart, surprising character arcs, apocalyptic fun, and uproarious interplay between its talented cast.
#2: “21 Jump Street” (2012)
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Serving as a modern reboot of the beloved ‘80s TV series, “21 Jump Street” had no reason for being as good as it was. At least the movie recognizes as much, serving as a wonderfully self-aware comedy about the very nature of reboots. Of course, clever meta-humor can only go so far, and a movie is nothing without its actors. Luckily, both Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum prove commanding leads, complete with some impeccable comedic timing and incredible chemistry. The movie works on multiple levels, serving as a parody of police procedurals and teen movies, a clever deconstruction of reboots, and even a straightforward comedy with some killer jokes. Put simply, it was one of the most surprisingly great comedies of the decade. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Easy A” (2010) Emma Stone Proved Her Capabilities as a Leading Actress in a Surprisingly Smart Teen Comedy “The Grand Budapest Hotel” (2014) Wes Anderson Proves Both a Master Film Craftsman & Capable Comedic Director “We’re the Millers” (2013) This Movie Proved That the Family Road Comedy Is Alive & Well “Deadpool” (2016) A Hilarious, Shocking, & Violent Subversion of the Superhero Genre “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013) Martin Scorsese Crafts One of the Finest Black Comedies of Our Time
#1: “Bridesmaids” (2011)
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No other comedy of the 2010s was as funny or as influential as “Bridesmaids.” Directed by Paul Feig, produced by Judd Apatow, and co-written by star Kristen Wiig, “Bridesmaids” shattered preconceived expectations of the “chick flick” by offering some crude, gross, and often shocking humor. Its unique style helped inspire future female-centric R-rated comedies, (xref) including the fantastic “Girls Trip.” The screenplay is both hilarious and touching, and the performances are uniformly excellent. The obvious standout is Melissa McCarthy, who earned a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her performance as Megan Price. “Bridesmaids” expertly balanced a handful of disparate genres, including chick flick, gross-out comedy, and tender character drama, resulting in the most unique and acclaimed comedy of the 2010s.