The best comedies on Netflix right now

Animal House (1978) new

Genre Comedy

Stars John Belushi, Tim Matheson, John Vernon

Directed by John Landis

The classic college comedy Animal House tells the story of Dean Vernon Wormer’s (John Vernon) dogged pursuit to get the delinquent Delta House fraternity expelled from the campus of Faber College in 1962. The Deltas, however, led by Eric “Otter” Stratton (Tim Matheson) and populated by kooky characters like John “Bluto” Blutarsky (John Belushi in his signature film role), do not intend to go quietly.

The Hangover (2009) new

Genre Comedy

Stars Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis

Directed by Todd Phillips

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The Hangover was such a massive hit it that became the rare comedy to spawn a trilogy (the other two films are also on Netflix, but they are much less compelling than the outstanding original). Doug (Justin Bartha) is getting married soon, but before he does, he decides to head to Vegas for one last wild night with his buddies Phil and Stu (Bradley Cooper and Ed Helms), and his future brother-in-law, Alan (Zach Galifianakis).

When the three latter men wake up with absolutely no memory of the previous night, they realize they can’t find Doug. Following whatever clues are available to them, Phil, Stu, and Alan go on an odyssey to find Doug and get him to the altar on time. The closer they get, however, the more they realize how messed up the previous night was.

Big Daddy (1999) new

Genre Comedy, Drama

Stars Adam Sandler, Joey Lauren Adams, Jon Stewart

Directed by Dennis Dugan

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Adam Sandler ruled ’90s comedy, and it’s a testament to that hot streak that Big Daddy is often overlooked. While Big Daddy‘s premise is perhaps a bit more shocking today, the story remains a sweet one. Sonny is a lazy law school grad who never really put things together or committed to anything. When his girlfriend, Layla (Joey Lauren Adams), dumps him for his noncommittal attitude, Sonny has an opportunity to prove himself when a six-year-old boy named Julian enters his life. Although Julian isn’t his son, Sonny steps up to be his foster parent in hopes of impressing Layla into getting back with him.

Easy A (2010) new

Genre Comedy

Stars Emma Stone, Cam Gigandet, Amanda Bynes

Directed by Will Gluck

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A modern adaptation of The Scarlet Letter, Easy A follows Olive (Emma Stone), an average high school student who lives life below the radar. But when some uninformed gossip starts spreading about her alleged promiscuity, Olive decides any gossip is good gossip, and grasps onto the attention to elevate her social standing. With classmates turning on her, the faculty raising eyebrows at her, and the school board fearing her immorality, Olive soon finds the rumor mill might be a little too much for her. But with the help of a longtime crush and her offbeat parents, she seeks to harness her new notoriety to turn all the gossip on its head.

Julie & Julia (2009)

Genre Romance, Drama

Stars Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci

Directed by Nora Ephron

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Nora Ephron’s Julie & Julia draws from two true stories: legendary chef Julia Child’s My Life In France and New Yorker Julie Powell’s Julie & Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen. Separated by time and space, both Child (Meryl Streep) and Powell (Amy Adams) are dealing with loose ends in their lives. But through passion, fearlessness, and plenty of butter, they find they can do anything they set their minds to.

Spanglish (2004)

Genre Comedy

Stars Adam Sandler, Téa Leoni, Paz Vega

Directed by James L. Brooks

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In this culture-colliding comedy, Mexican immigrant and single mother Flor Moreno (Paz Vega) goes to work for Deborah and John Clasky (Téa Leoni and Adam Sandler) as a housekeeper. But when the schedule becomes too much for Flora to manage with her responsibilities to her daughter, Deborah invites them to move into the Clasky home. Needing the work, Flor agrees but soon finds that she and the Claskys have very different ideas of how to share a space and how to raise their children.

Fletch (1985)

Genre Comedy, Crime, Mystery

Stars Chevy Chase, Joe Don Baker, Dana Wheeler-Nicholson

Directed by Michael Ritchie

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Investigative reporter Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher (Chevy Chase) is working undercover at a local beach to write a piece about the drug trade when he’s approached by businessman Alan Stanwyk (Tim Matheson). Stanwyk offers Fletch $50,000 to murder him so that his wife will inherit a greater insurance windfall. Fletch, however, senses there’s more to meet the eye and steers his attention to a new story: One of murder, police corruption, and forbidden romance.

This Is 40 (2012)

Genre Comedy

Stars Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, John Lithgow

Directed by Judd Apatow

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A slightly more grounded follow-up to the more famous Knocked Up, This Is 40 sees Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Bibb) both on the verge of 40 and feeling everything fall apart. Their kids hate each other, both of their businesses are failing, they’re on the verge of losing the house, and it’s all threatening to destroy their relationship. But at least they both have a sense of humor.

The 'Burbs (1989)

Genre Comedy, Horror, Thriller

Stars Tom Hanks, Bruce Dern, Carrie Fisher

Directed by Joe Dante

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Life in the suburbs can drive you a little crazy. So when secretive new neighbors move in next door, Ray Peterson (Tom Hanks) and his crew quickly misinterpret privacy for something more sinister. Even though Ray would rather drink beer, read his newspaper, and watch the ball game, he somehow just can’t stop investigating what he believes to be a Satanic cult next door.

21 Jump Street (2012)

Genre Action, Comedy, Crime

Stars Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Brie Larson

Directed by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller

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In high school, Jenko (Channing Tatum) was big man on campus. Schmidt (Jonah Hill) was a loser. They came to the police force for different reasons, but when they were partnered on the city bike cop patrol, they became buddies. But now, they’re forced to go undercover back at high school to infiltrate a violent drug ring that has seeped into the school. Unfortunately, high school is nothing like how it was years ago and they quickly discover they aren’t over that teenage social anxiety just yet.

The Bad Guys (2022)

Genre Animation, Comedy, Family, Crime

Stars Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina

Directed by Pierre Perifel

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Based on the bestselling children’s book series, The Bad Guys follows an infamous criminal crew known as — you guessed it — The Bad Guys. There’s pickpocket and leader Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell), safecracker Mr. Snake (Marc Maron), master of disguise Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson), the muscle Mr. Piranha (Anthony Ramos), and hacker Ms. Tarantula (Awkafina). But after a heist goes wrong, the gang finally gets caught. In exchange for their freedom, Mr. Wolf brokers a deal to go good. Of course, he has absolutely no intention of keeping that deal. That is, until he starts to actually … enjoy being a Good Guy?

Dope (2015)

Genre Crime, Drama, Comedy

Stars Shameik Moore, Kiersey Clemons, Tony Revolori

Directed by Rick Famuyiwa

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This thoughtful, compelling comedy is told from the perspective of drug users, sellers, and law enforcement in Inglewood, California. At the center of it all is Malcolm (Shameik Moore), a geek who is determined to get into Harvard despite the tough neighborhood he grew up in. But when Malcolm is invited to a big underground party, he can’t resist the chance to transform from being a geek to being dope. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.

Fatherhood (2021)

Genre Drama, Comedy

Stars Kevin Hart, Melody Hurd, Alfre Woodard

Directed by Paul Weitz

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In Fatherhood, Kevin Hart ditches the four-letter-word shtick (for the most part) in favor of a role that allows him to deliver some humanity in a warm and embracing way. After the passing of his wife, Matt (Hart) is determined to do everything in his power to give their daughter the life she deserves. As any parent can attest to, raising a child can be the most beautiful adventure of your life … but also a never-ending nightmare, complete with diapers, saving for college, and any number of unexpected, overbearing situations. While not reinventing the wheel by any means, Fatherhood lands its laughs with kindness and compassion for its characters.

The Polka King (2017)

Genre Comedy

Stars Jack Black, Jenny Slate, Jason Schwartzman

Directed by Maya Forbes

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The Polka King stars Jack Black as the ever-off-kilter Jan Lewan, a polka band leader who has dreams of making it big in America. Leaning on the love, support, and cold hard cash of his dedicated fans, Jan launches a Ponzi scheme to grow the funding for his polka-flavored empire. But as the government starts closing in on his exploitive financial gains, the figurative walls start closing in too, as thousands of invested dollars evolve into millions. A rags-to-riches narrative with a “fall from grace” backbone, The Polka King leans heavily on the idiosyncratic chops of Jack Black, a calling card talent that does a pretty great job at portraying Jan Lewan, a real-life Ponzi devotee and polka extraordinaire.

The Polka King | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix

Between Two Ferns: The Movie (2019)

Genre Comedy

Stars Zach Galifianakis, Lauren Lapkus, Ryan Gaul

Directed by Scott Aukerman

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Between Two Ferns: The Movie goes for a meta approach, treating the Between Two Ferns web series as a cultural sensation that bumbling host Zach Galifianakis has no choice but to rescue. After getting recognition from comedic content host Funny or Die, platform-helmer Will Ferrell pitches Zach the deal of a lifetime: shoot 10 celebrity interviews in two weeks and become president of Funny or Die. Thus, the infamously clueless TV personality hits the road to chase his dreams of true stardom. Leaning on the many awkward strengths of the series it’s based upon, Between Two Ferns: The Movie manages to deliver plenty of laughs and a handful of ultra-cringeworthy moments, too.

Metal Lords (2022)

Genre Comedy, Drama, Music

Stars Jaeden Martell, Isis Hainsworth, Adrian Greensmith

Directed by Peter Sollett

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Game of Thrones co-creator D.B. Weiss is making his Netflix debut as the writer of a new rock comedy, Metal Lords. Within the film, high school students Kevin Schlieb (Jaeden Martell) and Hunter Sylvester (Adrian Greensmith) form their own heavy metal band even though they don’t quite have the talent to work as a duo. A new student, Emily Spector (Isis Hainsworth), may be just what the band needs. However, personality conflicts between the trio threaten to tear them apart before the big battle of the bands.

Vampires vs. the Bronx (2020)

Genre Comedy, Horror

Stars Jaden Michael, Gerald W. Jones III, Gregory Diaz IV

Directed by Oz Rodriguez

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Vampires vs. the Bronx may have skipped a theatrical release, but this Netflix original has earned its place on this list. As the title implies, gentrification isn’t the only evil thing to worry about, as Miguel Martinez (Jaden Michael) and his friends, Bobby Carter (Gerald W. Jones III) and Luis Acosta (Gregory Diaz IV), discover that the pale Europeans taking over the neighborhood literally want to suck out their blood. Realizing that the vampires are real and proving it are two different matters. The only guide these kids have to fighting vamps is the original Blade movie. But when push comes to shove, the people of the Bronx aren’t going to let some creatures of the night take their blood — or their homes.

VAMPIRES VS THE BRONX | Official Trailer | Netflix

Hail, Caesar! (2016)

Genre Comedy, Drama, Mystery

Stars Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Frances McDormand

Directed by Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

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Yes, it’s another Coen brothers movie on the list. That’s because they’re very good at making funny movies, even with a dash of drama. Hail, Caesar! takes place in the ’50s and puts the spotlight on a real Hollywood fixer, Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin), and puts him through a wild fictionalized story that includes a Communist abduction of movie star Baird Whitlock (George Clooney). There are a lot of familiar faces in this film, including Scarlett Johansson as a starlet, DeeAnna Moran, whose pregnancy causes some potential PR problems. It’s all Eddie can do to keep his head above water during the constant insanity in his life. But you can laugh at him, and with him.

A Futile and Stupid Gesture (2018)

Genre Comedy

Cast Will Forte, Domhnall Gleeson, Martin Mull

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This Netflix original movie tends to get buried under more high-profile releases, but A Futile and Stupid Gesture is a strongly constructed comedy biopic about Douglas Kenney (Will Forte), the co-founder of National Lampoon. Martin Mull co-stars as an older Doug while looking back at his career with his comedy partner-in-crime, Henry Beard (Domhnall Gleeson). Together, Douglas and Henry helped revolutionize comedy, and also paved the way for Animal House. But Doug’s struggle with addiction destroys nearly all of his relationships in the process. A very talented supporting cast including Joel McHale, Ed Helms, Matt Lucas, Thomas Lennon, Rick Glassman, and more also play some comedy legends who came to prominence thanks to Doug and Henry. This is a story that needed to be told, even though Doug’s legacy has largely been forgotten.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Genre Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy

Stars Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Michael Palin

Directed by Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones

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What is the airspeed of an unladen swallow? How do you tell if someone is a witch? And if you come across a rabbit at the entrance of a cave, how fast do you run and why aren’t you running already? All of these questions and more can be at least partially answered only with the 1975 comedy classic Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The second feature film made by the legendary cast of Monty Python’s Flying Circus, Holy Grail is absolutely mandatory for any fan of swords and sorcery fantasy, comedy, or any kind of movie that keeps you laughing so hard from start to finish that you’ll never stop to consider whether or not it makes any sense (SPOILER: it does not).

Dolemite Is My Name (2019)

Genre Drama, Comedy, History

Stars Eddie Murphy, Keegan-Michael Key, Mike Epps

Directed by Craig Brewer

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All hail the return of Eddie Murphy! Murphy plays Rudy Ray Moore in this Netflix original. Moore was a washed-up musician who transformed himself into the 1970’s blaxploitation character named Dolemite, becoming a cult star in the process. An ode to extremely independent filmmaking with a subtler touch than Bowfinger, this film features additional, outstanding performances from Wesley Snipes and Keegan-Michael Key.

Dolemite Is My Name | Official Trailer | Netflix

Life of Brian (1979)

Genre Comedy

Stars Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam

Directed by Terry Jones

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A person doesn’t truly love Monty Python unless they love Life of Brian. Well, and Flying Circus. There’s much more to Monty Python than Holy Grail. While Grail is the better-known film, Life of Brian is more ambitious, cynical, and downright crazier for a very simple reason: It parodies Jesus Christ rather than King Arthur. Well, Christ’s neighbor, Brian Cohen, played by Graham Chapman. The film follows a case of mistaken identity as Brian is treated as a prophet, blasphemer, and enemy of the state in a series of events meant to skewer the Bible. It was, needless to say, not popular with the Church upon its release, but it’s still darn funny and encourages everyone to “Always Look On the Bright Side of Life.”

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