Selecting the top ten comedies of all time is a difficult undertaking for anyone. There is just a lot of great material out there. The comedy genre has taken a hit recently, as comedies just do not seem to do extremely well in wide release at the multiplex. Still there is just something special about a movie that can make you laugh. Rare is it that a movie can make you laugh over an over again every time it is watched. Therefore, many of the movies on list can bring a smile to your face over and over again. Some movies on this list may not necessarily fall into the comedy genre per se, however, any movie that gets a laugh out loud result from every person watching deserves to be recognized. So setting aside the “R” ratings just to put every movie on an even keel, here are the top ten comedies of all time:
#10 Wedding Crashers
Wedding Crashers has a certain degree of charm about it. The first time you watch it, you constantly find yourself laughing at the ridiculous faces of Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn, as the two are called upon to deliver lines that are hilarious with a straight face. The real charm and laugh value of Wedding Crashers, is the fun that takes place at the expense of the main characters.
#9 Vacation
The Griswold family deserves a place on any top ten comedy list. The initial movie, National Lampoon’s Vacation introduces everyone to the dysfunctional Griswold clan. This movie is always good for a laugh, and the security guard played by the immortal John Candy is just sheer genius. Sparky and company embark on the family road trip from hell, and the craziness that ensue are surprisingly very easy to relate to.
#8 Blazing Saddles
Blazing Saddles is a hilarious romp through the old west courtesy of Mel Brooks an company. Blazing Saddles is the precursor to the modern “R” rated comedy, the wit and bluntness of people is what makes this movie so special. Just catching a few minutes of this film generally results in watching the whole thing, time and time again.
#7 Ghost Busters
Can a list of comedies be complete without the likes of Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd, and Bill Murray? Ghost Busters is one great joke after another. Perhaps the greatest accomplishment of the movie though is that it never takes itself too seriously. The paranormal investigation world got a huge lift when this comedy hit theaters, and it continues to be a great film to this day.
#6 Wild Hogs
Wild Hogs was an unexpected hit. The film shows off the various talents of several great comedic actors living up to their true form. Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, and the irreplaceable William H. Macy bring out the mid-life crisis in all of us. Of course the supporting cast here is just as brilliant as Ray Liotta and Marisa Tomei come to the brink of stealing every scene in which they appear. Still, the real scene stealer in this biker comedy is the police officer played by John C. McGinley.
#5 Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
While appeal of Austin Powers may never truly be understood, Mike Meyers clearly was on his “A” game when he created the super secret agent with bad teeth. While Austin has his problems, and a penchant for making bad decisions, he is almost always good for smile and a gut busting laugh. This is on film that keeps the laughs coming.
#4 Spaceballs
In what has got to be one of the most quotable movies of all time, Mel Brooks’s sci-fi spoof is just a riot from beginning to end. The rag tag group of actors brought together for the film include John Candy, Bill Pullman, Rick Moranis, and of course Mel Brooks himself. Put all that talent into a blender, and you end up with one of the most beloved comedies of all time, and one of the best.
#3 Finding Nemo
Who would have thought an animated film could be so funny. Of course the folks at Pixar and Disney have talent to spare, and of course the voice of Ellen DeGeneres just adds to the flair seen in Finding Nemo. But what you hear is only half the fun, as immersing visuals and crazy colors follow Marlin (who is actually a clown fish) on his quest to bring Nemo home. The fish tank gang just brings out more slapstick humor to an already brilliant work of comedy.
#2 American Pie
As far as comedies go, the original piece of American Pie is as raunchy as they come. But this is just laugh after laugh. Sure the original has spawned some forgettable sequels, but what movie has not? American Pie serves up some hilarious coming of age jokes and introduces the characters no one can forget after watching. “This one time, at band camp…,” may be one of the most famous quotes of all time.
#1 Shrek 2
Shrek 2 may be the perfect comedy. Odd that an animated ogre and his supporting cast can be ranked as the funniest movie of all time, but according to imdb it is the highest domestic grossing animated movie and comedy as of right now, it is also the fourth highest grossing movie of all time. That is a lot of green, and good enough to make it the number one comedy of all time. Mike Meyers, Cameron Diaz, and Eddie Murphy put on quite a show in a great adventure through Far Far Away.
Still with so many great comedies to choose from honorable mentions go to: Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Beverly Hills Cop, This is Spinal Tap, Fletch, Big Trouble in Little China and a host of cult classics and favorites.
sources:
personal experience
www.imdb.com
