Top 10 Underappreciated Comedy Movies
#10: “Burn After Reading” (2008)
The Coen brothers know how to make us crack up and drop our jaws, often in the same movie. “Burn After Reading” arrived a year after the brothers’ Best Picture-winning “No Country for Old Men.” While it has a lighter tone than that gritty thriller, it’s no ordinary studio comedy. The film is about two gym workers who come across a CD containing what they think are confidential government documents, leading to a hilarious mess where nobody seems to know what’s going on. With on point performances from typically dramatic actors like John Malkovich, Brad Pitt, Frances McDormand, and George Clooney, “Burn After Reading” is a highly entertaining glimpse at the more ridiculous side of espionage.
#9: “Rat Race” (2001)
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Looking for a relaxed and subtle comedy? Then, stay away from “Rat Race.” But if you appreciate comedies that pile on gag after gag, you might have a new favorite. Taking inspiration from “It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World,” “Rat Race” stars John Cleese as a billionaire who puts on a cross-country race for $2 million. Among the contestants vying for this fortune are Whoopi Goldberg, Jon Lovitz, and Rowan Atkinson. “Rat Race” is endlessly energetic, and for every gag that misses, there are several that more than make up for it. If we had a dollar for every laugh in “Rat Race,” we’d have a lot of money.
#8: “Grandma’s Boy” (2006)
When it was released in theaters, “Grandma’s Boy” was panned by critics and ignored by audiences. But the Happy Madison stoner comedy found a fandom through home media and is a great pick if you’re looking to watch something truly lowbrow yet hilarious. Adam Sandler associate Allen Covert plays a video game tester who moves in with his grandmother and her two friends. He also courts his coworker Samantha, played by Linda Cardellini. "Grandma's Boy" isn't exactly the kind of movie you'd want to watch with your actual grandma, but it’s a quotable and uproarious experience.
#7: “The Golden Child” (1986)
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Eddie Murphy has starred in plenty of beloved comedies, but one that deserves more recognition is “The Golden Child.” The first Murphy movie not rated R, “The Golden Child” was released between the first two “Beverly Hills Cop” movies. While it was a financial success, it didn’t exactly click with critics. But even if Murphy doesn’t seem like a natural fit for this story, which is about a social worker tasked with protecting a Tibetan boy with special powers, he still manages to convey his typical comedic energy throughout. “The Golden Child” feels like a mix between an Eddie Murphy movie and an old-fashioned adventure movie. Don’t think about the plot too much and just enjoy the laughs and excitement.
#6: “The ‘Burbs” (1989)
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We all know Tom Hanks is an accomplished dramatic actor. But he first rose to fame in comedies. Among the best of these is “The ‘Burbs,” a great satire of suburban life from “Gremlins” director Joe Dante. Hanks plays Ray Peterson, a man living in the suburbs who has suspicions about his neighbors. Namely, he thinks they’re members of an evil cult. What proceeds is as unpredictable as it is hilarious, and Hanks shows just how committed of a performer he’s always been. You might be looking at your neighbors a little funny after watching this one.
#5: “Accepted” (2006)
While “Accepted” might be best remembered for a scene involving Jonah Hill in a hot dog costume, it deserves recognition beyond that crude-yet-hilarious moment. The movie stars Justin Long as a high school graduate who, after being rejected from every college he applies to, decides to start his own school. Does that sound completely illogical? Well, "Accepted" doesn't try to make sense, but it does try to make us laugh and it more than succeeds. With memorable scenes and a great cast, including early roles for Hill and Blake Lively, "Accepted" makes the grade.
#4: “I Love You, Man” (2009)
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A “bromance” isn’t quite a romance, but it’s more than a casual friendship. Arguably no comedy understands this better than “I Love You, Man.” Paul Rudd stars as a man about to get married who realizes he needs to do something about the lack of male friends in his life. Enter Sydney Fife, played by Jason Segel, who becomes Rudd’s new platonic sweetheart. “I Love You, Man” is both incredibly funny and sweet, treating male friendship with the kind of affection it’s rarely afforded. And the chemistry between its leads is completely effortless. In other words, we love “I Love You, Man.”
#3: “Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping” (2016)
A great mockumentary needs to clearly understand what it’s satirizing. And “Popstar,” made by comedy team The Lonely Island, feels so accurate in spoofing egotistical musical documentaries, it can sometimes seem genuine. Andy Samberg stars as Conner4Real, a former boy band member whose solo career has recently taken a dive and who tries again and again to recapture his past glory. Like many pop songs, "Popstar" is ridiculous but also addictive, and its cast, including numerous musicians cameoing as themselves, keeps the groove going. Once you start it, you’ll never want to stop it.
#2: “The Birdcage” (1996)
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You might not expect a comedy about a gay couple released in the 90s to go beyond stereotypes. But that's what happened with "The Birdcage," a remake of "La Cage aux Folles", starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane as a club owner and drag star. When Williams' son announces he's getting married to a woman, he and Lane are forced to hide their true selves to appease his conservative new in-laws, played by Gene Hackman and Dianne Wiest. Written and directed by legendary comedy team Elaine May and Mike Nichols, “The Birdcage” was a hit with critics and audiences and showed just how important it is to be true to yourself. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Three Amigos” (1986) A Classic Comedy Starring Steve Martin, Chevy Chase & Martin Short “Idiocracy” (2006) Mike Judge Expertly Satirizes the Present & Future with this Comedy “Blankman” (1994) An Underrated Superhero Spoof “Kung Pow! Enter the Fist” (2002) A Ridiculous & Hilarious Spoof of Martial Arts Movies “Undercover Brother” (2002) A Hilarious Homage to Blaxploitation Movies
#1: “Bowfinger” (1999)
“Bowfinger” stars two of the funniest people of all time - Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy. And it boasts a hilarious premise. While that’s not always enough to make a good comedy, “Bowfinger” absolutely clicks. Martin, who also wrote the script, stars as a low-level movie producer trying to get a ridiculous sci-fi thriller off the ground. So, he gets the famous Kit Ramsey, played by Murphy, to star. The only problem? Murphy has no idea he's in the movie and starts to believe aliens are after him. Murphy delivers some of his best work in dual rules as Kit and his brother, Jiff. "Bowfinger" is a Hollywood satire that’s still as fresh and as funny as ever.
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