While there are plenty of hysterical moments in comedy movies, there are some that simply aren’t talked about enough. Several of the best comedy movies of the 21st century are renowned for their iconic and memorable quotes and references, but it’s always annoying when one moment flies under the radar and doesn’t get the appreciation it deserves.
Some of these moments and scenes come from well-known тιтles, but a lot of others come from underrated comedy movie masterpieces that most audiences are typically unfamiliar with. Whether these are favorites of yours or not, these hysterically funny comedy film moments definitely aren’t appreciated as much as they should be.
Rosemary Answers The Door To Brandon
Easy A (2010)
There are many talented figures in Easy A‘s cast. However, one of the most underrated funny moments in the film comes from Patricia Clarkson as Rosemary, the mother of Emma Stone’s Olive, when she lets Dan Byrd’s Brandon into their home.
There’s something comical about Rosemary’s gasping voice as she calls up the stairs to Olive about a gentleman caller asking for her hand in marriage, especially as Brandon is gay. This over-the-top interaction between Olive and Rosemary is by far one of the funniest and unappreciated moments throughout the movie, which brilliantly demonstrates the odd yet heartwarming relationship Olive has with her parents.
Brick’s Funeral
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)
One of the funniest moments in the Anchorman movies is Brick’s (Steve Carell) funeral in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. It’s baffling that Brick fakes his own death anyway, let alone speak at his own funeral, but what makes it even funnier is that he tells those in attendance that he will seek out his own killer.
The silly thing about this statement, other than the obvious, is that everyone believes Brick died while lost at sea. It’s ridiculous Brick can’t remember his own cover story, but it also makes sense for his character, too. There’s a focus on Brick and Chani’s (Kristen Wiig) romance in Anchorman 2, which provides many comical moments, so this scene can often fall to the wayside.
“I Would Like To Buy A Hamburger”
The Pink Panther (2006)
All the Pink Panther movies contain multiple amazingly funny moments, but one of the best and most underrated is in the first of the rebooted series from 2006. While learning to adopt an American accent, Steve Martin’s Jacques Clouseau struggles, especially with the statement “I would like to buy a hamburger.”
Considering Martin’s French accent as Clouseau is somewhat poor on purpose, it makes this scene even funnier. It’s such a simple sentence for him to say, but he fails to replicate the right sounds, and simply doesn’t have the ear for it. Clouseau’s inability to pronounce “hamburger” later results in his arrest, which is the moment many tend to focus on instead of this one.
“Pools Are Perfect For Holding Water”
H๏τ Rod (2007)
There are too many brief moments and quotes in H๏τ Rod that are hilarious to count, but one that many consider as mᴀssively underappreciated is a throwaway line during the pool scene. Everyone chiming along with the bell and Rod being held underwater is hysterical, but the funniest part happens before this, when Dave (Bill Hader) and Rico (Danny McBride) fill up the pool.
Dave’s remark that “pools are perfect for holding water” is so ridiculous. It’s an easy line to miss, but Hader’s subtle delivery is nothing short of stellar. While this isn’t the most obvious or important joke in H๏τ Rod, it’s a beautifully unappreciated piece of dialogue that shows just how layered the humor is in this film.
Translating For The Farmer
H๏τ Fuzz (2007)
H๏τ Fuzz, arguably the best of Nick Frost and Simon Pegg’s movie collaborations, is another movie with endless hilarious moments. However, while things like the missing swan and Angel’s (Pegg) reaction to Leslie Tiller’s (Anne Reid) death are frequently referenced, one scene that is discussed less is the scene in which Danny (Frost) has to translate for a farmer.
It’s hysterical that Angel can’t understand the accent of local farmer Arthur Webley (David Bradley), and despite PC Bob Walker (Karl Johnson) being more intelligible, H๏τ Fuzz‘s lead character still can’t decipher it. This leaves Danny to fill in the gaps, resulting in an absurd chain of translations that highlight just how wacky Angel’s new lifestyle is.
Dr. Evil Talks About His Childhood
Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery (1997)
The Austin Powers movies are renowned for their stupid humor and jokes, but there are a few moments that are both funny and more complex story-wise. Dr. Evil’s (Mike Myers) breakdown of his upbringing while at the child psychologist in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery is brilliant.
Scott (Seth Green) is once again overlooked because of his father, as Dr. Evil goes into detail about his childhood, specifically the messed-up tidbits about his own parents, which he calls “inconsequential.” Dr. Evil talks about the events of his past so nonchalantly that it’s both hilarious and explains why the character is the way he is.
The Window Scene
Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa (2013)
Steve Coogan’s Alan Partridge is one of the greatest British comedy characters of all time, and his 2013 film Alpha Papa is a hugely underrated тιтle. Alpha Papa features all kinds of wild and wacky humor, but the window scene is one of the best scenes throughout. After accidentally locking himself out, the тιтular character decides to climb back in the window.
However, his trousers fail to make it back inside with him. Despite the wall not being very high, Alan struggles to get back in, and somehow manages to pull his legs through the window before the rest of him. Hilariously, the window closes around him, where his trousers get caught on the latch, leaving him hanging midair, halfway in.
Billy’s First TV Interview
Love Actually (2003)
There are almost too many brilliantly funny quotes to choose from during the first of Billy Mack’s (Bill Nighy) TV interviews in Love Actually. The out-of-touch singer’s attempts to market his Christmas single in the lead-up to the holidays are unbelievably comical, from his inappropriate comments about rival boyband Blue to his swearing on live TV.
The funniest line in this scene, by far, is when he tells the children in the audience not to buy drugs, and instead to “become a pop star, and they give you them for free.” This prompts hosts Ant and Dec to quickly cut him off, but their facial expressions in response to his unhinged ramblings on the air are hilarious.
The Spoof ’80s Single
Mindhorn (2016)
Mindhorn is a forgotten cult classic movie and a spoof of ’80s action films starring several notable British comedians. Mindhorn‘s dedication to being a parody is fantastic, and the song “You Can’t Handcuff The Wind” is a great example of why. After the credits roll, audiences are treated to the music video of this song, performed by Julian Barratt as Mindhorn‘s main character, Richard Thorncroft.
Thorncroft is a washed-up actor who reprises his iconic past character in Mindhorn in order to help track down a serial killer, and this music video hilariously demonstrates just how easy it is to cling onto the one piece of success you once had. The music video is cheesy but tries to be deep, which encapsulates both Mindhorn‘s ridiculous humor and the 1980s overall.
The Training Montage
Wet H๏τ American Summer (2001)
Wet H๏τ American Summer‘s quotes and running gags are iconic, and it’s a shame that both the movie and the TV show aren’t appreciated more. One of the funniest moments from the original film is when Gene (Christopher Meloni) takes a heartbroken Coop (Michael Showalter) under his wing and pushes him into a training regimen in order to help him win back Katy (Marguerite Moreau).
However, this training generally involves the pair flailing across the campsite, dancing in a studio, and doing other seemingly unrelated things. Coop’s pathetic attempt to smack a wooden pillar is stupidly funny, as is him smoking a cigarette and cradling a mug while talking in what appears to be a group therapy session, too.
