Top 20 Greatest Ever Satire Movies

#20: “Sorry to Bother You” (2018)

A movie that belongs to multiple genres should take aim at multiple targets. That’s what writer-director Boots Riley does in this surreal critique of all things capitalism. As telemarketer Cassius Green uses his “white voice” to succeed at the job, “Sorry to Bother You” begins as an intriguing take on code-switching and shameless corporate trickery. But the movie’s inventiveness has only just kicked into gear. Green’s biggest client is hiding a dark secret, and the lengths he’ll go to expose it eventually turn “Sorry to Bother You” into something else entirely. Visually and thematically, what makes it such a revelation is its portrayal of consumerism. In a world where everything can be commodified, not even rebellion can compete with the allure of the almighty dollar.

#19: “Election” (1999)

This mean-spirited high school comedy becomes relevant almost every November, and for good reason. Reese Witherspoon stars as Tracy Flick, an overtly ambitious girl determined to be elected student body president. However, her teacher, Mr. McAllister, seeks to sabotage her campaign by persuading the school’s beloved quarterback to run, as well. “Election” maintains a timeless quality due to its insight into the electoral process, not to mention the superficial relationship between candidates and their voters. It’s a hilarious takedown of the pettiest people you remember from high school, but also a sobering look at who’s actually pulling the strings in democracy. “Election” is incredibly rewatchable if only because it shows how the actions of a few lead to a divisive outcome for the many.

#18: “Brazil” (1985)

Although Terry Gilliam cut his comedic teeth as a member of the Monty Python troupe, the humor he fashions in “Brazil” is of a much different variety. This dystopian film envisions a future that seems so out of the ordinary that you can’t help but chuckle. And that’s exactly the point. When bureaucrat Sam Lowry seeks to correct a mistake that led an innocent man to his death, the zany visuals and larger-than-life characters collectively feed his desire to be seen as heroic. “Brazil” can certainly be called psychedelic, but it’s also an Orwellian story about people who escape reality by pretending it doesn’t exist. It’s a potent film with increasingly dangerous ideas about corporate overreach, surveillance, and the loss of individuality.

#17: “The Player” (1992)

If Apple TV’s “The Studio” captures the desperation of those who want to make meaningful art in an era of IP and streaming, then this movie ominously foreshadows that struggle. Here, studio exec Griffin Mill is stalked with anonymous threats, finding himself in his own big budget crime story while attempting to greenlight the movie that may be his salvation. As Mill covers his tracks in a frantic quest for answers, “The Player” has numerous celebrity cameos and flashy production techniques to back up its critique of the industry’s conceited standards. It’s at once an absorbing mystery and a humorous testimonial about how to make it in Hollywood. Let’s just say we’re not meant to appreciate everything that goes into making the movies we love.

#16: “Bamboozled” (2000)

Great satire typically relies on subtlety, which is not a quality Spike Lee is known for. But his abrasive filmmaking style is precisely what benefits a movie like “Bamboozled.” Pierre is a frustrated TV writer trying to get himself fired in order to draw attention to the industry’s reliance on racial stereotypes. Unfortunately, his efforts backfire, as his bizarre pitch for a modern-day minstrel show becomes an unexpected ratings smash. Although it initially split critics down the middle, “Bamboozled” has since been re-appraised for its confrontational and morose tone. Like many of Lee’s best movies, it boldly crosses a line in order to portray how even those who are most dedicated to fighting a racist system can still end up perpetrating it.

#15: “The Lobster” (2015)

A master of absurdism, Yorgos Lanthimos knows how to deconstruct every genre under the sun. That’s precisely what he does in this dark rom-com, which envisions a world where people are required to find romantic partners or be turned into animals. Colin Farrell plays one such hopeful in a sea of people who are far more interested in bending the rules than finding the One. “The Lobster” is a searing and openly brash put-down of modern relationships and the difficulty of finding genuine love. With the actors playing even the most ridiculous situation completely straight, it’s also uncomfortably funny, giving the societal pressures surrounding marriage a much-needed wake-up call. Whether or not “The Lobster” is your speed, it’s an undeniably original satire.

#14: “Wag the Dog” (1997)

The president has found himself in a misconduct scandal, hiring a spin doctor to fabricate a fictitious war that will distract the public. Suffice it to say “Wag the Dog” benefitted from lucky timing, as it came along just a month before the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal officially broke. The movie would continue to make headlines as the administration carried out an air campaign in the Middle East during Clinton’s impeachment trial. And yet, the prescience of “Wag the Dog” is downright eerie in the year 2026, a time when scandalous events have made government and media more intertwined than ever. As the truth becomes stranger than fiction, reality is bent in so many directions that it’s impossible to determine what’s real until it’s too late.

#13: “RoboCop” (1987)

Paul Verhoeven’s satires are so good that you don’t even realize they’re satires at first. That’s definitely the case with “Starship Troopers,” a movie so over-the-top that many critics didn’t notice its warnings about colonialism and xenophobia. But his most skillful blend of hardcore action with social commentary is undoubtedly “RoboCop,” which finds the Detroit Police Department bankrolled by a private corporation. When a wounded officer is turned into a crime-fighting cyborg, the movie uses his ultraviolent tactics to examine many ideas that are way more relevant now than in 1987. Consumerism, gentrification, and police brutality are just some of the vices that have made this dystopian world go bad, but “RoboCop” is wise to conceal its critique of these issues beneath its action-packed exterior.

#12: “American Psycho” (2000)

Patrick Bateman believes in taking care of himself. That means a balanced diet, a rigorous exercise routine, and having a better business card than his co-workers. The yuppie investment banker belongs to a world where beauty and success are everything, and those who threaten his place in the social hierarchy aren’t worth keeping around. These are the people Bateman targets while moonlighting as a serial killer in “American Psycho.” The controversial horror flick searches for the depravity in a lifestyle many aspire to, and more than succeeds thanks to its blend of disturbing kills and uneasy humor. “American Psycho” crystallizes the protagonist’s worst traits through his horrifying actions, condemning the narcissism and materialism of corporate culture while making Bateman an irresistible presence.

#11: “This is Spinal Tap” (1984)

You see what we did there? As the mockumentary by which all others are measured, “This is Spinal Tap” gleefully taps into the excess and absurd behaviors that define the rock n’ roll lifestyle. As England’s loudest band embarks on a disastrous U.S. tour, their crowds become smaller, their egos become bigger and the deadpan fittingly reaches an eleven. Beyond the fake interviews and improvised dialogue, however, is a group with surprising musicianship, giving “This is Spinal Tap” a unique brand of authenticity. As the band sincerely powers through bizarre numbers like “Big Bottom” and “Stonehenge,” we’re reminded of how much they, and the real-life acts that influenced them, can actually accomplish. That is, if they could just get out of their own way.

#10: “Fight Club” (1999)

David Fincher’s movies often focus on social outcasts rebelling against the status quo, and “Fight Club” is a quintessential example. In fact, it’s so good at condemning corruption and elitism that some mistook it as a radical call to arms for anarchists like Tyler Durden. And yet, the satirical jabs are a double-edged sword, as “Fight Club” also skewers Durden, Edward Norton’s Narrator, and the misguided causes they champion. As the two mismatched companions search for meaning, the titular club gives way to a violent uprising that’s just as deplorable as the institutions they hope to conquer. “Fight Club” is a movie where everyone is wrong, but with fourth wall breaks, ingenious editing, and a jaw-dropping twist, it’s certainly an entertaining brand of chaos.

#9: “Get Out” (2017)

When it was announced that sketch comedian Jordan Peele was writing and directing a horror movie, more than a few heads were scratched. But, as we should’ve expected, his debut feature “Get Out” was loaded with the discomforting humor he’d built his name off of. That’s an apt term for the weekend Chris experiences when meeting his white girlfriend’s parents, who he eventually realizes are a little too inviting for their own good. Every awkward exchange slowly unravels the sinister mystery at play, with the movie’s phenomenal screenplay building up our nerves before descending into all-out terror. It’s a chilling yet rewarding look not just at Black identity, but also the complacency that allows racism to persist in the modern world.

#8: “The Great Dictator” (1940)

A certifiable trailblazer, Charlie Chaplin’s transition to sound sent a message the whole world needed to hear. In “The Great Dictator,” the acting legend is doubly cast as fascist leader Adenoid Hynkel and a Jewish barber with a remarkably similar appearance. As with Chaplin’s most iconic films, hijinks ensue as a case of mistaken identity gives the barber an unexpected platform to speak his truth. The messaging isn’t subtle, but Chaplin’s conviction in delivering such a startling blow to the Axis powers makes “The Great Dictator” a stirring act of defiance. At a time when American audiences were largely unaware of Hitler’s most twisted beliefs, Chaplin aimed his humor not just at the man himself, but those who let him get away with his atrocities.

#7: “Parasite” (2019)

South Korean auteur Bong Joon-ho has been a gifted satirist his entire career, but it was this comedic thriller that made mass audiences finally take notice. “Parasite” follows the downtrodden Kim family as they successfully work their way into the lives of an upper-class family. But what starts out as a humorous caper eventually gives way to a dark revelation that causes us to contemplate serious topics like social stratification and the ignorance of the wealthy. “Parasite” is a masterful blend of multiple genres grounded by incredible visual metaphors and realistic performances from its ensemble cast. Even the most hilarious moments are brimming with unpredictability and tension, reminding us that even the most outspoken satire can still be quietly devastating.

#6: “The Truman Show” (1998)

As Shakespeare once wrote, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” He was truly ahead of his time with that line, as was this movie which took such a notion to its most extreme end. Anchored by Jim Carrey’s dramatic turn, “The Truman Show” follows the titular character as he learns his entire existence is a 24/7 TV show. Although it’s ultimately a feel-good story about a lost soul reclaiming their identity, the movie’s implications are spine-chilling. “The Truman Show” predicted the rise of reality TV and our collective paranoia about surveillance with astonishing accuracy. It’s a movie that leaves you wondering what can possibly be real when reality can be whatever we want it to be.

#5: “La Dolce Vita” (1960)

With a title translating to “The Sweet Life,” this epic dramedy is a class commentary that many others are indebted to. Following a week in the life of tabloid journalist Marcello, Federico Fellini’s masterpiece is all about having everything you could ever want and still feeling unsatisfied. Despite an unconventional plot structure and short supply of likeable characters, the brilliance of “La Dolce Vita” is how Fellini makes each of Marcello’s brushes with fame so compelling. As he routinely finds himself caught up in the enviable lifestyle he reports on, the movie’s glamorous aesthetic and sleek camera work are designed to distract the viewer, as well. It’s a morally complex tale of vanity and celebrity where true happiness is often at a premium.

#4: “In the Loop” (2009)

A spin-off of Armando Iannucci’s celebrated political series “The Thick of It,” “In the Loop” may be the most volatile satire on this list. Peter Capaldi reprises his role as the foul-mouthed Malcolm Tucker, who must do damage control after a colleague makes baseless claims about war in the Middle East. As British diplomats clash with their larger-than-life American counterparts, “In the Loop” captures the chaos and grandstanding that led both countries to invade Iraq in the early 2000s. The fly-on-the-wall storytelling can make things all too real at times, but it’s an uproariously funny look at just how cartoonish politics can be. An Oscar-nominated screenplay and some conniving performances give it the same cautionary sense of humor Iannucci would later bring to HBO’s “Veep.”

#3: “Monty Python’s Life of Brian” (1979)

Brian just wants to live an ordinary life, but thanks to unfortunate timing and wild misunderstandings, he’s mistaken for the Messiah. He tries to shake off his unwanted notoriety anywhere he goes, and the escalating chaos that follows is classic Monty Python. Amazingly, that chaos is way more calculated than it looks, as “Life of Brian” takes hysterical shots at all the ways in which the Bible’s sincere teachings are used for insincere purposes. It’s one of the comedy genre’s greatest examples of how to poke fun at a viewer’s values while also making them question if those values are worth holding onto. The religious farce inevitably faced backlash, but the fact that so many were quick to call it blasphemous only reaffirmed its point.

#2: “Network” (1976)

Sometimes, you have to look at the present in order to see the future. In that respect, “Network” was 50 years ahead of its time. When news anchor Howard Beale breaks down live on air, his moment of liberation is anything but, as his fiery rant is exploited by the network to boost their ratings. Although satire often relies on comedy, the humor in this movie can be so dark that you may have trouble laughing. “Network” sadly anticipates the rise of sensational journalism and the media’s increasing reliance on cold, hard cash. The movie’s “mad as hell” outlook has aged like fine wine, and it's arguably more daunting to watch today once you realize it was right about everything.

#1: “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” (1964)

Talk about mutually absurd destruction! Only a filmmaking mastermind like Stanley Kubrick could turn the most deadly serious of topics into the funniest movie of his career. This legendary Cold War romp follows a group of politicians and military officers attempting to avert a nuclear war after a paranoid general launches an attack on the Soviet Union. Perhaps best remembered for giving us three iconic turns from Peter Sellers all at once, “Dr. Strangelove” is just as memorable for the wickedly comical one-liners that pervade its intense atmosphere. The apocalypse has never been so inevitable yet so insanely fun as it is here, as “Dr. Strangelove” reminds us that the only thing standing between us and the end of the world is ourselves.

What’s the best movie satire you’ve ever seen? Dial things up to eleven and let us know in the comments!