There are several movies that are so unique and creative that they break the comedy genre mold. Some of the best movies of all time are remembered for their unusual yet refreshing takes on the usual stereotypes and tropes that are commonly found in comedy тιтles, many of which stick in audiences’ minds for years after their initial releases. Over the years, there have been all manner of wild and wacky comedy movies in the world of cinema, but certain eras stand out more than others.
There are loads of weird comedy movies from the 2000s, for example. These films bring something new to the table, and regardless of whether they reinvent comedy’s biggest clichés or simply present them in a new way, there’s no doubt that they’re mold-breakers.
10
Palm Springs (2020)
A New Twist On A Time Loop Movie
Palm Springs is a great time loop movie that isn’t Groundhog Day, by taking the concept and putting a spin on it that is both unique, yet still takes inspiration from the classic тιтle. The movie follows Cristin Milioti as Sarah, whose depressing day at her sister’s wedding takes a turn for the worse when she meets Andy Samberg’s Nyles. Experiencing the same day over and over again naturally sets up comedic situations, but the true humor of Palm Springs comes from the relationships that form.
Sarah and Nyles’ connection is realistic, which makes it easier to invest in the characters, and it’s hilarious to watch them progress from strangers to friends, and eventually, fall for one another. Reliving the same day is tough enough, but for Sarah, it’s possibly the worst day that could ever be picked for her. Palm Springs is fascinating because it looks at what happens if more than one person is in the time loop, all of whom get stuck at different points, and is an overall brilliantly funny watch.
9
Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil (2010)
A Horrific Misunderstanding
Tucker & Dale vs. Evil is a horror movie parody from the early 2000s, that focuses on a group of college students who mistake the тιтular characters for violent killers. Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine’s respective performances as Tucker and Dale are phenomenal, and it’s comical to see them portray a pair of misunderstood hillbillies who mean no harm. Tucker & Dale vs. Evil takes several intriguing horror tropes and subverts them, which results in all manner of comical situations.
The absurdity of the film is fantastic, but Tucker & Dale vs. Evil also does horror well, too.
Miscommunication in the comedy genre is the easiest way to get laughs, but Tucker & Dale vs. Evil’s use of it doesn’t feel overused. The absurdity of the film is fantastic, but Tucker & Dale vs. Evil also does horror well, too. In fact, there are several references to other horror movies. Despite being a parody, there are some genuinely scary moments, but it doesn’t dampen the comedic moments, and vice versa. Tucker & Dale vs. Evil is one of the most entertaining horror movies ever made, and an underappreciated тιтle in general.
8
Don’t Look Up (2021)
A Satirical Yet Truthful Look At The End Of The World
Don’t Look Up doesn’t initially appear to be a comedy, but that’s because of the film’s particular sense of humor. The rather dark, satirical movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio as astronomy professor Dr. Randall Mindy and Jennifer Lawrence as astronomy PHD candidate Kate Dibiasky, who discover a comet that is set to cause an extinction-level event. Don’t Look Up mocks modern-day politics, those who refuse to believe scientific fact, and the media in a brutal (and unfortunately realistic) way.
Don’t Look Up’s cast also includes Meryl Streep as the President, who provides an excellent performance as the deluded and scandalous politician. The deep dive into the intricacies of human nature is captivating, and while the film’s humor is rather blunt and quite dry, it only pushes the overall message further. Even though Don’t Look Up focuses primarily on the disaster at hand and society in general, the movie’s comedic direction is definitely unique and creative.
7
Spaceballs (1987)
A Groundbreaking Sci-Fi Parody
Spaceballs is one of the best ’80s sci-fi movies ever, and a hilarious parody of other тιтles from the genre, such as the original Star Wars trilogy and 2001: A Space Odyssey. The film stars тιтans of the industry like Rick Moranis, Joan Rivers, and Mel Brooks in an array of hilarious sci-fi parody characters. Despite the fact Spaceballs only exists because of other huge hits in the sci-fi genre, the movie also has its own cult following, and continues to grow in popularity with every pᴀssing year.
Spaceballs is a standout film in both comedy and science fiction, and it heavily relies on slapstick comedy and constantly mocks various sci-fi stereotypes and tropes. In fact, there are so many hilarious quotes in Spaceballs that there’s barely any time to stop laughing over one before another crops up. Spaceballs will forever be remembered for breaking the parody movie mold, and I can’t wait to see what the upcoming Spaceballs 2 will mock over 30 years after the original’s release.
6
Monty Python And The Holy Grail (1975)
The British Troupe’s Hilarious And Historical Tale
The Monty Python movies are some of the best comedy тιтles in cinematic history, but the crowning jewel of the bunch is easily Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The comical interpretation of King Arthur and his knights’ journey to locate the Holy Grail is a memorable one. The troupe’s first feature-length movie is full of iconic moments, like the Black Knight fight and the invisible horses in the opening sH๏τ, many of which are fondly remembered by audiences of various generations.
The most notable thing about Monty Python and the Holy Grail’s humor, however, is how meta it is. The fourth-wall-breaking jokes are astounding and crucial to the film’s success. Even though Monty Python and the Holy Grail is far from historically accurate at times, that’s kind of the point of it. Without the Monty Python group, future historical parody тιтles like Blackadder and The Princess Bride wouldn’t be as popular as they are.
5
Wet H๏τ American Summer (2001)
Not Your Average Camp Experience
I absolutely love the Wet H๏τ American Summer TV shows, and the original 2001 film sets up the success of the Netflix тιтles brilliantly. Wet H๏τ American Summer is one of the best summer camp movies, and features a star-studded cast of actors, including Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd, and Elizabeth Banks. While the story is generally as expected, there are moments that are so random that it’s impossible not to find them funny.
From a talking can of vegetables to a montage of the teens shooting up drugs in a strange house, Wet H๏τ American Summer’s sense of humor is completely wild. Wet H๏τ American Summer’s running gags, nonsensical interactions, satirization of the 1980s, and mocking of comedy tropes are fantastic, and I hope that Netflix will revisit the TV shows in the future.
4
Airplane! (1980)
A Staple тιтle In Comedy
If any movie can be considered the one to originally break the mold, it’s Airplane! Even decades after the film’s release, many audiences of all ages are familiar with Airplane!’s best quotes and ridiculous sense of humor overall. Airplane! parodies the disaster movie genre and follows the pilots, cabin crew, and pᴀssengers on board a flight to Chicago. Word play is essential to the movie’s comedy, and there’s no film past or present that executed it as well as Airplane! does.
Airplane!’s comic timing is also perfect, and it only adds to the overall surreal comedic tone of the тιтle. Even though some jokes age badly, most of Airplane! still holds up, proving itself to be a timeless classic not only in the comedy genre, but in cinema altogether. The fast pacing, non-stop jokes in every scene, and wacky atmosphere in Airplane! is truly like no other.
3
Ingrid Goes West (2017)
Aubrey Plaza Redefines Uncomforable Humor In This Movie
Ingrid Goes West’s sense of humor is painfully uncomfortable and a little eerie, but it works in the film’s favor, and also establishes an important message about mental health. The movie stars Aubrey Plaza as the lonely тιтular character, who becomes obsessed with Elizabeth Olsen as influencer Taylor, and the forced friendship that forms between them. Ingrid’s reinvention of herself in order to befriend Taylor is fascinating, and while it’s comical to see her pretend to be a rich socialite-esque figure, it’s also a little haunting.
It’s easy to feel second-hand embarrᴀssment for Ingrid at times, but it’s hard to look away from her, too.
Ingrid Goes West’s dark themes delve into the realities of toxic influencer culture, social media, and loneliness. It’s easy to feel second-hand embarrᴀssment for Ingrid at times, but it’s hard to look away from her, too. Plaza’s comedic timing, ability to beautifully portray twisted characters, and her subtle yet powerful facial expressions are truly fantastic. While you might not be laughing by the very end of Ingrid Goes West, it’s definitely a тιтle that undoubtedly breaks the comedy genre mold.
2
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010)
Edgar Wright’s Hilarious Adaptation Of The Comic Series
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is an iconic тιтle in the worlds of movies, TV, and comic books. Edgar Wright’s 2010 movie stars Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim, who falls in love with Mary Elizabeth Winstead as quirky cool girl Ramona Flowers, and is tasked with defeating her seven evil exes to win her heart. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World uses a combination of live-action footage and special effects to take the story of a bumbling guitar player and turn him into somewhat of a video game superhero.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World also has some great and inventive jokes, too. It’s incredibly surreal and meta at times, and the cult classic movie from the 2010s is one of the most notable тιтles within this strange subgenre of comedy, despite initially being a box office flop. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is wild and rather absurd, but it’s one that viewers don’t forget quickly, and I’m still disappointed that Scott Pilgrim Takes Off isn’t getting a season 2, but hopefully Netflix will reconsider the anime in the future.
1
Adaptation (2002)
Charlie Kaufman’s Strange Meta Movie
Adaptation is one of the most meta movies of all time, and one that I always find new little details in with every rewatch. The film stars Nicolas Cage in his Oscar-nominated performance as Adaptation’s writer Charlie Kaufman and his fictional twin, Donald. Adaptation strangely jumps between two main stories: Charlie’s struggles with writer’s block after he is tasked with, ironically, writing a film adaptation of a book, and Meryl Streep’s Susan Orlean, the author behind The Orchid Thief, and her relationship with Chris Cooper’s John Laroche.
Adaptation’s use of humor is dry and subtle. It’s hard not to cringe at Charlie’s non-stop randiness, as is Orlean’s inappropriate affair with the orchid-stealing Laroche, but it still works. The movie is often confusing at times, but not in a way that makes audiences feel overly ostracized, but the absurdity of it simply makes it funnier. While Adaptation is an odd тιтle in the comedy genre, it’s also thought-provoking and full of intelligent humor.
