We’re gonna miss these funny movies from their original platforms. The good news is, you can click on the titles below to find each film’s new streaming home!
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
The man, the myth, the legend. Has anyone ever come close to what Mike Myers did with Austin Powers? A parody of James Bond that had no right to be as good as it was, the first film in what would become the world’s funniest trilogy remains a masterpiece of modern satire. Packed full of sight gags, innuendo, and undeniably genius setpieces, the world has never been the same since.
Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)
Haters who think that this is the worst Austin Powers movie, I see you—and even kind of agree with you. Yet while it lacks some of the heart possessed by its predecessors (partly due to a total lack of chemistry between Myers and love interest Beyonce), there is still so much comic genius at play in 2002’s Goldmember that any misgivings are eclipsed by a profound sense of gratitude that we got three of these movies in our lifetime.
Black Sheep (2007)
Featuring a bevy of Aotearoa’s best talent and demonstrating our affinity for pitch-black humour, Jonathan King’s quintessentially Kiwi tale of a man (Nathan Meister) whose fear of sheep turns out to be justified is New Zealand horror comedy at its best. Employing B-movie madness and some truly revolting moments of grotesque violence, Black Sheep’s take on the zombie movie is both hilarious and genuinely freaky.
Blades Of Glory (2007)
Inexplicably immortalised by the sample of Will Ferrel’s pep talk to Jon Heder featured in a certain infamous song by Jay Z and Kanye West, Blades of Glory is far more than a mere bizarre pop culture reference. Released in Ferrel’s golden era this send-up of of the world of figure skating sees him at his best while milking the comedic potential of its plot for all its worth.
Blockers (2018)
With a more progressive attitude and diverse cast than the sex comedies of yesteryear, 2018’s Blockers still captures all of the crude charm of its predecessors with its story of a group of parents attempting to stop their daughters losing their virginity on prom night. Starring John Cena, Leslie Mann, and Ike Barinholtz alongside an excellent young supporting cast, Kay Cannon’s film takes an intelligent approach to the subject matter without sacrificing laughs.
Clueless (1995)
Nearly 20 years on from its release, the legacy of teen comedy Clueless only continues to grow, and for good reason. An update of Jane Austen’s classic Emma with the action relocated to upscale Beverly Hills, this movie has it all: incredible outfits, a makeover montage, quotable catchphrases, and a star-making performance from 90s angel Brittany Murphy. Fun, funny and insanely influential, it’s always the right time to watch Clueless.
Come To Daddy (2019)
From 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.
Crazy Stupid, Love (2011)
A sweet, good natured romcom with a big heart and a top tier cast, 2011’s Crazy, Stupid, Love sees long married man Cal (Steve Carell) turn to young playboy Jacob (Ryan Gosling) for advice—and a makeover—when his marriage hits the skids. Costarring Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Marisa Tomei and Kevin Bacon, this feel-good crowd-pleaser is smarter and sharper than it would have you think—and actually features a pretty good twist.
Dazed And Confused (1993)
When Parker Posey uttered the lines “What are you looking at? Wipe that face off your head, bitch”, the world changed forever. The same could be said for Matthew McConaughey’s “I get older, they stay the same age”. But while a few key quotes from Richard Linklater’s 1993 teen comedy carry forth the film’s cult legacy, its enduring appeal is down to its funny and affectionate take on the rites and rituals of adolescence.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)
Vanquish 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.
Dual (2022)
Set in the not so distant future, this pitch black science fiction satire follows a woman (Karen Gillan) who, after unexpectedly recovering from a terminal illness, must face a fight to the death with the clone who was created to replace her. Employing a Yorgos Lanthimos-esque stylisation and taking an incredibly original approach to some very complex ideas, Dual further establishes director Riley Stearns as one to watch.
Easy A (2010)
Establishing Emma Stone’s prowess as a comedienne (a muscle she doesn’t stretch often enough if you ask me) Easy A was one of the last great teen comedies of the 2000s. Inspired by The Scarlet Letter and following a high schooler whose lie about losing her virginity spirals wildly out of control, Stone and co-star Amanda Bynes are pitch perfect in this incredibly fun satire.
Eighth Grade (2018)
It’s almost shocking that Bo Burnham wrote and directed Eighth Grade. Of course, Burnham’s other work has proven he can do clever and funny, and his lockdown Netflix special Inside has made him a near household name, but Eighth Grade’s tender and poignant portrayal of a girl finding her place in the world proves that Burnham has real insight and talent as a film-maker. The essential coming-of-age film of the 2010s.
Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)
Taking the 2023 Academy Awards by storm, action-adventure-comedy Everything Everywhere All At Once made history as A24’s highest-grossing film, garnering widespread critical acclaim and commercial success with its story of multiverse madness. Following a woman (Michelle Yeoh) who finds herself and her family embroiled in a battle across parallel universes whilst in middle of an audit with the IRS, this irreverent, ambitious and very funny film is a must-see.
Falling For Figaro (2021)
Very much the kind of movie you watch with your auntie, Falling For Figaro stars Dumplin’s Danielle Macdonald as a fund manager who wants to give up her high-powered business lifestyle and become an opera singer in Scotland (philosophy of the world etc.). What really makes it worth watching though is its supporting cast. Joanna Lumley as a faded ex-opera star! Hugh Skinner from Fleabag! Shazad Latif a.k.a Clem Fandango from Toast of London! Low-key fun.
Fargo (1996)
Joel 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.
Friends With Benefits (2011)
Starring Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake as the titular friends, Friends With Benefits is one of those crowd-pleasers that you probably know exists but has blended into the haze of early 2010s lightly raunchy romantic comedies. Shockingly, it’s actually pretty great, with the leads both more than proving their comedy chops, and great cameos from the likes of Woody Harrelson, Jason Segal, Emma Stone, and Andy Samberg.
Hitch (2005)
Sure, Hitch is a movie about a relationship coach struggling to let love into his own life, but really it’s a movie about watching Will Smith do what Will Smith does best; be charismatic and charming. With a surprisingly grounded performance from Kevin James, and Eva Mendes at her cinematic peak, really the only thing letting down Hitch is that it doesn’t include the Will Smith song Switch (obviously written as the theme tune).
The Inbetweeners (2011)
Created to cap off the conclusion of the hilarious, beloved British comedy series of the same name, The Inbetweeners movie is every bit as crudely funny as fans would expect. Following Will, Simon, Jay and Neil as they embark on a lads holiday to Malia to celebrate leaving school, shenanigans inevitably ensue as the boys come of age in the Crete sunshine.
Jackass Forever (2021)
A symphony of stupidity. Johnny Knoxville and co return to the world of getting hit in the nuts and setting themselves on fire twelve years on from the last film in the Jackass series. Weirdly, while Jackass used to seem edgy and nihilistic, with the way the world’s gone there’s something almost wholesome about the simple joy of getting bitten on the dick by a snapping turtle. – Amelia Berry
Reunited after more than a decade, the fourth instalment of the Jackass film series sees the crew older but definitely not wiser, and still up for all the juvenile antics we know and love them for. Imbued with a strangely moving nostalgia, Jackass Forever is an infectiously exuberant last hurrah for the recklessness and absurdity of a time long ago. – Katie Parker
Knocked Up (2007)
The slacker comedy that started it all (for writer-director Judd Apatow at least), Knocked Up launched Seth Rogen as the world’s favourite lay-about stoner in this comedy following the unexpected pregnancy that follows a one-night stand. Signalling the start of an era of films keen to capitalize on this contemporary incarnation of the everyman, the film’s story of a man-child coming-of-age as he faces fatherhood remains the gold standard for the genre.
La La Land (2016)
Damien Chazelle’s follow-up to the acclaimed Whiplash, La La Land is a weird and ambitious movie. A tribute to the golden age of Hollywood musicals, it feels like it wants to pull in a dozen directions all at once, it’s just that excited about The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. Thankfully, it’s anchored by strong and starry-eyed central performances by Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. Worth finding out what all the fuss was about.
Licorice Pizza (2022)
Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza is a gorgeous love-letter to California in the 1970s and a wistful meditation on the weird purgatory of adolescence. Starring Alana Haim (yes, from the band) and Cooper Hoffman (yes, the son of Philip Seymour Hoffman), this bitter-sweet coming of age story is a must watch. Be warned though, it is a PT Anderson film so expect some odd ambiguity and nagging discomfort amongst the San Fernando sunshine.
Little Nicky (2000)
The names ‘Adam Sandler’ and ‘Netflix’, when used together, have not in recent years been signifiers of quality. But while the likes of Murder Mystery 2 and The Ridiculous 6 are best avoided, the glow of his glory days cannot be extinguished. Little Nicky, the story of the devil’s son sent on a mission to earth to retrieve his bad boy brothers, harks back to Sandler’s unappreciated golden era, when fabulously lowbrow humour reigned supreme.
Mars Attacks! (1996)
With an insanely stacked all-star cast including Jack Nicholson, Danny Devito, Annette Bening, Sarah Jessica Parker, Pierce Brosnan, Jack Black, Glenn Close, Tom Jones and a very young Natalie Portman, Tim Burton’s 1996 sci-fi satire is an under-appreciated gem. Following an invasion carried out by a race of bizarrely big headed aliens and the hilariously inept attempts of humanity to stop them, Mars Attacks! is a dark, gleefully chaotic cult classic.
Meet The Parents (2000)
“I have nipples, Greg. Can you milk me?” If you were not among the lucky members of society to hear these words come out of Robert De Niro’s mouth before they were parodied ad nauseam for the decade that followed Meet The Parents’ 2000 release, then all I can say is: I’m sorry. An instant hit, the tale of one man’s (Ben Stiller) stay with his in-laws launched two sequels, a sitcom and a reality series—and remains a classic today.
Millie Lies Low (2021)
Starring up and coming Kiwi star Ana Scotney, this local comedy gem sees a lie spiral out of control when a neurotic young social media obsessive misses her plane from Wellington to New York. Unable to accept the shame of fumbling the bag, she uses her online profile to pretend that the trip went ahead and that she’s living out her dreams in the big apple—but finds faking it is harder than it seems.
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)
From Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone and Andy Samberg—better known as musical parody trio The Lonely Island—Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping follows pop-rap superstar Conner4real (Samberg) as he reckons with dwindling fame. Weaving together a slew of the kind of ingeniously witty, genuinely enjoyable pop parody songs for which Schaffer, Taccone and Samberg are famous, with a hilariously charming story told mockumentary style, Popstar is a foolproof crowd pleaser.
Snatch (2000)
Guy Ritchie’s sophomore feature is cast in a very similar mould to his debut Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Stylishly shot, packed with big, fast-talking characters, and with a twisty tangly plot, it’s hard to hold the similarity against it so many years later. You might even wind up wishing we’d gotten a few more of these out of Richie (just maybe without Brad Pitt’s Irish accent).
Suddenly 30 (2004)
Pitched as something of a gender-swapped version of Big, Gary Winick’s 2004 romantic comedy follows Jenna, a teen who makes a birthday wish to be 30 years old—which, with the help of some magic dust, comes true. Hilarity ensues as Jenna acts out her adolescent fantasy of adulthood, the highlight of which involves an impromptu line dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”. Starring a pitch-perfect Jennifer Garner, Suddenly 30 is one of the cutest romcoms of the 2000s.
Superbad (2007)
With its blend of sweetly awkward characters and wild gross-out situations, Superbad is not only a defining movie of the late 2000s, but one that’s set the pace for every subsequent teen buddy movie. Boasting a creative team that includes Seth Rogen and Judd Apatow, and brilliant central performances from Jonah Hill and Michael Cera, Superbad might make you cringe, it might make you wince, but it’ll definitely make you laugh.
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
Something of a spiritual sequel to Anchorman, Talladega Nights is really Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s collaboration in its purest form. It’s goofy, it’s puerile, it has the uncanny ability to lodge itself in the brains of impressionable fourteen year old boys, and if a Will Ferrell movie about NASCAR sounds like your cup of tea, then you’re going to bloody love it.
The Worst Person In The World (2021)
A coming-of-age comedy and tearjerker in one, Norwegian film The Worst Person In The World was among the most revered films of 2021 for good reason. Starring Renate Reinsve as Julie, a young torn between the forks in the world that appear in her personal and professional life, Joachim Trier’s melancholy yet masterful take on the hot mess trope is funny, sweet and exquisitely sad.
You’ve Got Mail (1998)
This quintessential cutesy 90s romcom represents the pinnacle of both Nora Ephron and Meg Ryan’s careers (and, arguably, Tom Hanks’ too) and crystallised that magical early internet, pre-9/11 era. With it’s story of an independent bookstore owner unwittingly falling in love with the guy putting her out of business over email, You’ve Got Mail is as enjoyable now for its out of date technology and ominous message about the destruction of small businesses, as it is Hanks’ and Ryan’s adorable foibles.
