The 2020s have seen a wide variety of genre-blending films, but despite the diversity of modern cinema, comedy movies have still maintained relevancy by making viewers laugh and offering all sorts of engaging stories. Though the genre's subjective nature can be divisive for fans, the rare few acclaimed comedy films manage to resonate with the largest audience possible.
Many comedies from the 2020s have provided moviegoers with several points of intrigue in society’s current climate, whether it be through outrageous humor, satire, absurdity, poignant storytelling or strong filmmaking. For these reasons, as well as many others, the decade's best comedy fills are necessary viewing for cinema fans.
10 No Hard Feelings Gives Jennifer Lawrence a Fun Lead Role
Leaning on adult humor and good acting performances, the 2023 sex comedy No Hard Feelings finds a nice balance between establishing funny moments while layering the film with some heart. Anchored by the talents of Jennifer Lawrence, the performer incorporates great physicality and line delivery to heighten the material and makes the plot about a woman hired to seduce a wealthy couple’s sexually inexperienced son both humorous and believable.
The chemistry between Jennifer Lawrence and co-star Andrew Barth Feldman equally connects with the audience when the duo’s characters learn from one another. Additionally, both actors’ juxtaposed performances elevate the conflict and drive home the comedic structure of each joke within the film.
9 Joy Ride Gets Raunchy and Breaks Barriers
Property of Lionsgate and Point Grey Productions
Highlighting a solid ensemble cast with provocative comedy, the 2023 comedy Joy Ride easily engages viewers with a road trip narrative and delivers four great performances from Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu and Sabrina Wu, who all display varying personalities as a hilarious quartet. At the same time, the film executes multiple outrageous scenarios filled with either sex or drugs and engages the viewer thanks to the committed performers who bring out the best in one another’s characters.
While Joy Ride incorporates laugh-out-loud material, there are also relevant themes in its narrative that deal with identity and friendship. The film also reflects important representation from an Asian American perspective, as well as an often underutilized female outlook, with the main quartet all making audiences laugh through gags and realistic banter.
8 Bottoms Is Driven by a Talented Cast and Fun Satire
Property of MGM Pictures, Orion Pictures and Brownstone Productions
Emma Seligman’s 2023 satirical comedy Bottoms evokes an over-the-top narrative that follows two high school senior girls starting a fight club as a way to hook up with cheerleaders. The film's unsubtle satirization of violence, as well as female empowerment and victimization, make it one of the most memorable comedies in recent memory.
The duo of Rachel Sennott & Ayo Edebiri emphasizes these facets through strong performances, helping the film explore identity and sexuality through a female perspective. By doing so, Bottoms offer audiences a whole new outlook on queerness in modern times, while simultaneously being constructed to feel timeless in any era thanks to the tight production team.
7 Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar Embraces Absurd Humor
Property of Lionsgate and Gloria Sanchez Productions
Guided by its offbeat tone, as well as a vibrant production design, the 2021 comedy Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar features the return of comedy writing duo Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo of Bridesmaids fame, who perfectly execute a confidently silly narrative. Moreover, the film’s combination of musical sequences, dynamic comedic rhythm and hilarious performances, especially Jamie Dornan’s lovelorn character Edgar, elevates the film as one of the most eccentric comedies of the 2020s.
Although Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar suffered a low box office performance upon its initial release, the film’s legacy could easily change into that of a future cult classic. Given the uncertain nature of theatrical success for movies in the 2020s, the audience’s revaluation of the film should undoubtedly highlight the importance of viewing comedies in a large group with excited glee.
6 The Mitchells vs. the Machines Displays Heartfelt Zaniness
Property of Netflix, Sony and Columbia Pictures.
Netflix’s 2021 animated sci-fi comedy The Mitchells vs. the Machines imbues great lessons through its comedic tone and delivers a structurally tight narrative. As the film's titular family fight to save the Earth from a global uprising of robots, the Mitchells evoke some memorable sci-fi elements that deepen the family’s sense of humanity and bond with each other.
The fantastic animation of The Mitchells vs. the Machines and its all-star cast captivates the viewer throughout the film’s runtime with effective jokes and dramatic nuance. Its lighthearted and sincere attitude offers audiences a different facet to comedy instead of relying on mean-spirited humor, and as a result, the film's laughs can reach all moviegoers.
5 Borat 2: Subsequent Moviefilm Continues to Mock Extremists
Succeeding as a sequel while also being a biting criticism of zealotry, Amazon’s 2020 mockumentary black comedy Borat 2: Subsequent Moviefilm sees the return of Sacha Baron Cohen’s exaggerated character Borat Margaret Sagdiyev. IN the film, Borat experiences the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 American presidential election, delivering just as many laughs as ever. With an abundance of comedy set-pieces establishing American society’s chaotic nature during this era, the film seeks to challenge viewers while telling a ridiculous father-daughter story.
Borat 2’s dual leads, Sacha Baron Cohen and Maria Bakalova, work their hardest to drive home the film's absurdity for the viewer. Its loose plot allows for both actors to react in real-time to their stimuli, reflecting the current state of American affairs in the process.
4 Barbie Satirizes an Iconic Toy With Depth
Property of Warner Bros. Pictures and Mattel
Greta Gerwig’s 2023 comedy fantasy flick Barbie tackles a symbolic doll that not only offers great humor but also imbues the narrative with profound messaging. With an all-star ensemble led by Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, the film highlights both characters' journeys of self-discovery within Barbieland and the real world, where the audience revels in the narrative’s silly tone. Furthermore, Barbie’s vibrant technical quality equally adds to the film’s comedy, whether it be the music, set design or solid costuming.
Besides the comedic elements entertaining the viewer, Barbie also portrays dramatic themes in the narrative, such as gender, feminism, patriarchy and much more. It is within the balance of comedy & drama that Greta Gerwig derives her artistic expression and brings depth to the film's titular toy.
3 Another Round Features Laughs & Profound Themes
Property of Zentropa Entertainments, Film i Väst and Nordisk Film Distribution
Thomas Vinterberg’s 2020 Danish black comedy-drama Another Round toys the line between a heavy drama and an efficient comedy about the ups and downs of the human experience. The film’s follows four high school teachers who execute an experiment to maintain a constant level of intoxication throughout the workday is a controversial premise that presents viewers with ample possibilities for laughs and emotional moments. Overall, Another Round’s terrific cast, such as Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Magnus Millang, and Lars Ranthe, all evoke different personalities that emphasize the dual tones of the film.
Another Round’s narrative tackles themes of friendship, alcoholism, depression and the joys that can come from life through the core quartet. Additionally, as each character embarks on a multifaceted journey, the audience becomes captivated by each teacher’s response to getting drunk every day and wants each man to find a sense of purpose and love for themselves.
2 Hundreds of Beavers Harkens Back to Classic Comedies
Property of Cineverse and Vinegar Syndrome
Implementing timeless film techniques with top-notch jokes, the 2024 slapstick indie comedy Hundreds of Beavers evokes the core elements of characterization and delivers a simplistic narrative dealing with an applejack maker fighting beavers while also trying to woo a merchant’s daughter. Throughout its runtime, Hundreds of Beavers succeeds at visualizing well-constructed gags that make the audience laugh, displaying an abundance of comedic set pieces that are always unique and offer varying degrees of humor in each sequence.
The lead performance by Ryland Brickson Cole Tews as the protagonist of, Jean Kayak, shines in performing great slapstick and quality action. Its a great showing from the talented actor who leaves viewers in stitches while struggling against an army of anthropomorphic beavers.
1 Palm Springs Blends Humor and Philosophical Elements
Headlined by talented performers and a sharp script, Hulu’s 2020 sci-fi romantic comedy Palm Springs boasts a familiar but terrific premise that instantly excites the viewer and is given depth thanks to the two lead performances. With the acting talents of Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti, the film’s humor and romantic elements are always at the highest level, as well as played with sincerity, where the audience’s connection to the characters is never lost amidst the sci-fi shenanigans of two strangers stuck in a time loop at a wedding reception.
Palm Springs’ tight runtime reveals the necessity of structure in comedies and how great writing engages with viewers above all else. Similarly, the film’s central themes, which revolve around love, friendship and appreciating life, also resonate with most moviegoers, making it one of the better romcoms to debut this decade.
