Comedy movie reviews previously on Neon

Back To The Future (1985)

Maybe one of the most beloved films of all time, it’s been nearly 40 years since the release of sci-fi classic Back To The Future, and its cultural impact remains all but unparalleled. Propelled by the combined comedy genius of Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, Robert Zemeckis’s time travel caper is one of the greatest comedies of modern cinema.

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.

Bridesmaids (2011)

A veritable who’s who of women in comedy in 2011, it’s hard to overstate just how strong the cast of Bridesmaids is; Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Ellie Kemper… and that’s barely scratching the surface. A lot of movies have tried to recapture the frenetic improv-heavy joyousness of Bridesmaids, but nothing quite matches the magic of the original.

Colossal (2016)

Surprisingly weird and dark, Colossal is part classic kaiju monster movie, part gloomy indie film about going back to your hometown. With effortlessly captivating performances from Anne Hathaway and Jason Sudeikis as childhood friends drawn back together by alcoholism and circumstance, you won’t find another film that takes on addiction, guilt, and control quite like this one.

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.

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.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

Part raunchy rom-com, part poignant break-up story, Nicholas Stoller’s 2008 film follows a recently single man (Jason Segal) who checks into a Hawaiian resort to recover from a bad breakup—only to discover his ex (Kristen Bell) and her new boyfriend (Russell Brand) are staying there too. Sweet, funny, and featuring a very brave moment of full frontal nudity from Segal, Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a comforting classic for anyone who knows heartbreak.

Red Rocket (2021)

For those seeking a comedy with something a little deeper going on, Sean Baker’s 2021 film is among Neon’s hidden gems. Following a washed up porn star (Simon Rex) whose return to his hometown sees him groom a 17-year-old girl (Suzanna Son), on the face of it Red Rocket may not seem like a barrel of laughs. Yet in Baker’s hands, the story is expertly played for both comedy and tragedy, anchored by Rex’s extraordinary, and often very funny, performance.

Together Together (2021)

You’d think that getting Ed Helms (The Hangover) and Patti Harrison (I Think You Should Leave, various internet comedy things) together would be a recipe for something pretty obscene. Instead, Together Together is an understated and touching comedy-drama about a lonely middle aged man and his strained friendship with the surrogate carrying his child. Sad, poignant, and funny, you should probably be watching everything Patti Harrison is in regardless.

The World’s End (2013)

The final instalment in Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg’s Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, The World’s End is a fittingly apocalyptic follow-up to Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead. With all the wit and charm of its predecessors (and a bit more action to boot) explores friendship, ageing, and feeling alienated from your past with a literal alien invasion and an extremely good Madchester soundtrack.