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.
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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 Fiction (2023)
Watch on Prime VideoThe dark horse of the 2024 awards season, Cord Jefferson’s wry comedy-drama follows a frustrated African American author (Jeffrey Wright) skewering literary stereotypes expected of black writers—only for his satirical novel to be received both unironically and uproariously by the liberal elite. Sharp, incisive, and making the most of its excellent ensemble cast, American Fiction’s irreverent comedy cuts right to the bone.
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.
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.
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.
Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)
Watch on Prime VideoA razor sharp send up of Gen Z culture, Halina Reijn’s 2022 comedy-horror follows a group of 20-somethings whose hurricane party goes badly wrong when members of their group start dying horrible deaths one by one. Starring Amandla Stenberg, Rachel Sennott, Lee Pace, and Pete Davidson, Bodies Bodies Bodies is the blackest of black comedies, and features one of the best (and funniest) twists in recent movie history.
Bottoms (2023)
Watch on Prime VideoLed by two of Hollywood’s hottest up and comers, the buzz around Bottoms has been huge—and entirely justified. Emma Seligman’s follow up to her wickedly funny debut Shiva Baby, Bottoms follows a pair of queer teen outcasts (Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edeberi) who, in the hopes of hooking up with hot cheerleaders, start a women’s fight club at their school. Audacious, outrageous and featuring a montage set to Avril Lavigne’s “Complicated”, Bottoms is irresistible.
Bros (2022)
Watch on Prime VideoOne of the first gay romantic comedies to come out of a major studio, on its release Bros was unfortunately overshadowed by off-putting talk of box office numbers—but deserves to be reevaluated now that the #discourse has died down. Billy Eichner co-writes the script and stars as Bobby, a commitment-phobic man who finds himself embroiled in an increasingly serious romance with the equally flighty Aaron (Luke Macfarlane). This charming, self-aware romcom is well-worth checking out.
Come To Daddy (2019)
Watch on Prime VideoFrom Kiwi director Ant Timpson, this gleefully gory, entirely unpredictable horror-comedy follows a reunion between an estranged father and son (Martin Donovan and Elijah Wood) is balls-to-the-wall insane and the perfect hidden gem for comedy lovers looking for something off the beaten track. Shocking, sharp and a lot of fun, this darkly comic flick is a guaranteed good time for anyone who likes their humour on the bizarro side.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)
Watch on Prime VideoVanquish all thoughts of 2011’s ill-advised gender-swapped remake from your mind—Frank Oz’s 1988 conman comedy is as clever and charming as ever. Starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine as two con men competing to swindle an heiress (Glenne Headly) out of $50,000 in the South of France, this delightfully adroit feat of comic timing is the kind of harmless fun that we need now more than ever.
Fargo (1996)
Watch on Prime VideoJoel and Ethan Coen’s blackly comic 1996 crime film may have inspired an entire anthology TV series—but there has still never been anything quite like this entirely original absurdist masterpiece. Starring Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare, and William H. Macy, this deceptively simple, deliciously deadpan tale of monstrous greed and humanistic goodness is a cult classic for a reason.
Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
Watch on Prime VideoThe first of Richard Curtis and Hugh Grant’s many comedic collaborations, this 1994 classic set in motion a romcom golden age and minted Hugh Grant’s delightfully foppish everyman persona. Following a group of friends and their various romantic foibles through a series of social occasions, 30 years on from its release Four Weddings and a Funeral remains the gold standard for charming British comedy.
Miss Congeniality (2000)
Watch on Prime VideoIt’s been nearly 25 years since Miss Congeniality cemented Sandra Bullock as one of the most winning rom-com stars of our time—and to this day it’s nearly impossible to resist its charms. The story of a federal agent going undercover as a beauty queen, this endlessly quotable film (the “perfect date” joke will go down in comic history) is a timeless fish-out-of-water crowd-pleaser.
My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)
Watch on Prime VideoStarring 90s rom-com queen Julia Roberts at the peak of her glory days, My Best Friend’s Wedding may be one of the best ever entries to the genre. It follows a woman attempting to sabotage the nuptials of her lifelong friend and secret crush (Dermot Mulroney) in the hopes of having him for herself, up against the sheer cheeriness of Cameron Diaz’s fiance character.
No Hard Feelings (2023)
Watch on Prime VideoMany of us lament the dearth of sex comedies that once dominated the early 2000s box office: a call finally answered by 2023’s No Hard Feelings. Starring Jennifer Lawrence as a struggling slacker hired by a pair of overly anxious parents to deflower their socially awkward 19-year-old son (Andrew Barth Feldman) before he heads off to college. A rude, raunchy romp with all the sweetness of a romcom, No Hard Feelings is the answer to your sex comedy prayers.
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.
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.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Watch on Prime VideoMartin Scorsese doesn’t get enough credit for his comedy chops—and his 2013 film based on the real-life exploits of stockbroker and convicted fraudster Jordan Belfort, is proof that he has better comic instincts than some of Hollywood’s most popular comedians. Brimming with pitch-black comedy and starring Leonardo DiCaprio at his sleazy best, The Wolf of Wall Street is a comedy classic as well as a dramatic masterpiece.
