The best comedy movies on Prime Video New Zealand
Looking for a laugh? Amazon’s streaming service has you covered, with all-time classics and underseen gems.
Subscribe to Prime Video? In the mood for a rib-tickler? Critic Katie Parker has scoured the platform and retrieved the funniest films—from recent hits to decades-old classics.
See also
* All new movies & series on Prime Video
* All new streaming movies & series
The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)
Watch on Prime VideoCrass, adolescent and brimming with heart, Judd Apatow’s 2005 directorial debut is among his most likable films. The story of one man’s (Steve Carrell) bid to lose his v-card late in life, The 40 Year Old Virgin kicked off a new style of sex comedy that would become all but ubiquitous for the next decade—but which few have been able to imbue with more sweetness and charm as Apatow did here.
American Pie (1999)
Watch on Prime VideoIn an age where cinematic sex scenes are hotly debated, the lewd misadventures of Jason Biggs, Sean William Scott, Chris Klein et al. seem like something of a fever dream—but not so long ago, these horny young men brought the box office to its knees. While this tale of teens attempting to lose their virginities would likely meet a very different reception were it released today, it’s still hard to resist the charms of this quintessential 90s sex comedy.
Anyone But You (2023)
WATCH ON PRIME VIDEOTaking its cues from the Shakespeare-inspired, “will they or won’t they?” romcoms of the 2000s, Will Gluck’s fun and flirty film loosely reworks Much Ado About Nothing. The story is a bonafide crowd pleaser, starring hotties Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney as sworn enemies who reluctantly join forces at a wedding to try and win back their exes.
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
WATCH ON PRIME VIDEOA schlocky James Bond parody has no right to be this good. The first film in what would become one of the world’s funniest cinematic trilogies remains a masterpiece of modern, absurdist satire. Packed full of sight gags, innuendo, and undeniably genius set pieces, Austin Powers is crude, crass and absolutely hilarious.
Back To The Future (1985)
Watch on Prime VideoJust shy of 40 years since its 1985 release, sci-fi classic Back to The Future’s cultural impact—and enduring universal popularity—remains all but unparalleled. Propelled by the combined comic talents of Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, Robert Zemeckis’s zany time travel caper remains as hilarious, rewatchable and crowd pleasing today as ever.
Beau is Afraid (2023)
WATCH ON PRIME VIDEOHorror films may have put Ari Aster on the map, but it’s the director’s knack for wry pitch-black humour that makes this one of his most devilish productions. Joaquin Phoenix leads the cast of this epic and incredibly strange story of a pathologically neurotic man going to visit his mother.
The Big Lebowski (1998)
Watch on Prime VideoIt would probably be fair to call nearly every entry in the Coen brother’s extensive ouvre a cult favourite—but few films have quite the following devoted to their 1998 comedy The Big Lebowski which has inspired, among other things, an annual convention (Lebowski Fest), a religion (‘Dudeism’), and even the names of two species of African spider (Anelosimus biglebowski and Anelosimus dude). Believe the hype—The Big Lebowski is as funny now as ever.
Bridesmaids (2011)
Watch on Prime VideoConsidered a breakthrough for female-led comedy, Paul Feig’s 2011 film following a disillusioned woman’s (Kristin Wiig) misadventures while preparing to serve as maid of honour in her best friend’s wedding was a critical and commercial hit—and over a decade later, it still holds up. On the surface a crass, gross out comedy befitting producer Judd Apatow’s signature style, Bridesmaids also succeeds as a wry deconstruction of female friendship.
Brittany Runs a Marathon (2019)
WATCH ON PRIME VIDEOFollowing a late-20s party girl who decides to turn her life around by training for the New York Marathon, this film is the very definition of a crowd pleaser, filled with life-affirming humour. Starring SNL alum Jillian Bell, director Paul Downs Colaizzo turns what could’ve been a formulaic retread into a hilarious and inspiring comedy gem.
Come to Daddy (2019)
WATCH ON PRIME VIDEOElijah Wood stars in this gleefully gory, entirely unpredictable psychological horror-comedy from Kiwi director Ant Timpson. Following a young man (Wood) travelling to meet with his long-estranged father (Stephen McHattie), their reunion gets off to a rocky start—and things quickly take a dark turn. Totally unhinged and wickedly funny, this film is balls-to-the-wall insane, in the best way.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)
WATCH ON PRIME VIDEOStarring Steve Martin and Michael Caine and set on the French Riviera, Frank Oz’s film about two con men caught in an escalating bet to swindle a wealthy heiress is pure comedy gold. With the stars at their comedic best and an incredibly wry supporting performance from Glenne Headly, it’s as funny today as ever.
F*** Marry Kill (2024)
WATCH ON PRIME VIDEOEqual parts cute rom-com and genuinely compelling whodunit, F*** Marry Kill Follows a true crime lover who fears that one of her dates is the notorious “Swipe Right Killer.” It’s a delightful genre-mashup that pairs sharp, witty performances with a genuinely killer twist that you won’t see coming.
The Mask (1994)
WATCH ON PRIME VIDEOA 90s classic burned into the brains of a not-inconsiderable percentage of millennials, starring Jim Carrey at his manically bombastic best. Following a mild-mannered man who is transformed into a mischievous prankster by a magical green mask, this delightfully cartoonish and completely insane film is over-the-top and hilarious.
Men in Black (1997)
WATCH ON PRIME VIDEOFollowing Will Smith’s wisecracking everyman, who’s recruited by a secret government agency to investigate extraterrestrial life on earth, Barry Sonnenfeld’s buddy comedy is a bonafide classic—and perhaps the highlight of Smith’s career. At less than 100 minutes long, it’s a tight, taught blockbuster.
My Old Ass (2024)
WATCH ON PRIME VIDEOAn 18-year-old (Maisy Stella) comes face-to-face with her future self (Aubrey Plaza) while tripping on mushrooms—and discovers her alter ego has lots of advice for the coming years. Combining science fiction with coming-of-age comedy to create something truly fresh, this hilarious and poignant film is something special.
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
Watch on Prime VideoWhen it comes to off-beat comedy, you can’t go wrong with the Coen Brothers—and this satirical comedy, loosely based on ancient Greek epic poet Homer’s Odyssey, is among their best. Following three escaped convicts (George Clooney, John Turturro, and Tim Blake) on the run in rural Mississippi in the 1930s, O Brother, Where Art Thou? joins the trio on a series of misadventures as they try to outrun the law.
Palm Springs (2020)
Watch on Prime VideoThe past few years have seen a boom of time loop movies, but few perfected the genre quite like 2020’s Palm Springs. Following two strangers (Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti) who hook up at a destination wedding only to get stuck in a seemingly infinite time loop, that has them living the last 24 hours on repeat, forever, this solid, self-assured and incredibly winning romcom is one of the best in recent memory.
Red, White and Royal Blue (2023)
WATCH ON PRIME VIDEOEver wondered what would happen if, out of nowhere, Hunter Biden and Prince Harry became an item? Me neither, until this delightfully delusional comedy. Based on the bestselling romance novel of the same name, and starring Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez as the (fictionalised) Prince of England and First Son of the USA respectively, this cheesy LGBTQ+ romcom is cute, corny and completely irresistible.
A Simple Favour (2018)
Watch on Prime VideoAppearing on the surface to be yet another melodramatic domestic thriller, Paul Feig’s gleefully silly 2018 black comedy turns the usually somber genre on its head. Following a widowed mummy-blogger (Anna Kendrick) who becomes obsessed with the mysterious disappearance of a glamorous new friend (Blake Lively), the increasingly bonkers twists come thick and fast in this deliciously twisted and delightfully campy flick.
Step Brothers (2008)
Watch on Prime VideoCrude, cringeworthy, and completely, hilariously silly, Adam McKay’s 2008 film is an under-sung piece of modern comedy gold. Starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly as two spoiled adult men who, having never flown the nest, find themselves living together when their parents get married, Step Brothers’ brand of no-holds-barred vulgarity is not for everyone, but can’t be overlooked by comedy lovers.
Time Addicts (2023)
WATCH ON PRIME VIDEOFollowing two Melbourne junkies (Freya Tingley and Charles Grounds) who spend their days bickering and trying to score, things take an unexpected turn when they try a new drug that sends them travelling through time. Dark, inventive, and wickedly funny, Sam Odlum’s directorial debut is an admirably ambitious sci-fi comedy.
Totally Killer (2023)
WATCH ON PRIME VIDEOCombining horror, comedy and sci-fi in one movie is ambitious, to be sure—but this mashup is a gleefully gory and funny success. Starring Kiernan Shipka as a teen who travels back in time to the 80s to stop a serial killer, the film nails its numerous genres, combining a Back to the Future-esque narrative with nail-biting horror.
You’re Cordially Invited (2025)
WATCH ON PRIME VIDEOComedy legends Will Ferrel and Reese Witherspoon team up for a delightfully old school film about a double-booked wedding venue, and two very different families who have to share it. With a classic set-up and two pros at the helm, it doesn’t reinvent the wheel – but it doesn’t need to
