Greatest Comedy Films

Ranked #79 in Entertainment, #1,086 overall

Best Comedies of All Time

Comedy movies come in lots of different shapes and sizes including, comedies about family, romantic comedies, comedies about college or high school, comedy capers, etc. At Rankography top ten movies, our members have created lots of specific comedy movie categories including those mentioned above. However, this lens highlights the best comedy films of all time regardless of comedy movie category.

There have been so many great comedies over the years that is very difficult to limit a list to the top ten comedies. To create our list, we used the comedy movie rankings of a group of movie bloggers and other knowledgeable fans to create this blended average composite ranking of the greatest comedies. Don't forget to vote for the best comedy movie of all time at the end of the lens.

We hope you enjoy the list and be sure to vote for the best comedy film near the end of the lens or sign up at Rankography and add your own rankings to the composite. If you like this lens, you might also want to check out our lens on the Best Jim Carrey Movies.

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10. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

Enjoying the Windy City as only Ferris Can

Ferris Bueller's Day Off movie poster comedy movieWhile Matthew Broderick was already a star from the 1983 blockbuster, WarGames, he will forever be remembered for his role as Ferris Bueller. Ferris is that fantasy kid we all wished we could have been in high school; loved by everyone (except his sister), the life of the party and able to get away with anything because most adults think he is an 'angel'. School is winding down in their senior year and Ferris has missed so many days during the year that he knows that he only has one more 'hooky day' left -- so it needs to be a good one.

Ferris, his girlfriend Sloan (Mia Sara) and his troubled friend Cameron (Alan Ruck) all take the day off and have an incredible day playing hooky in Chicago. They go to a Cubs Game, visit the Art Institute, have an incredible free lunch at a fancy French restaurant and dance and sing in the German parade; all while the evil Principal, Ed, brilliantly played by Jeffrey Jones, tries to chase them down.

Other interesting cast appearances include Jennifer Grey as Ferris' bitter angry sister, Jeanie, Charlie Sheen as a delinquent that hooks up with Jeanie at the police station, and Edie McClurg as Ed's assistant. Edie is fantastic and delivers dry sarcastic humor in her unique voice that you will instantly recognize from many movies, TV and cartoons.

Great cast, great story and a full day of outrageous fun in the Windy City!

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Or, how about a Save Ferris Shirt
Ferris Bueller - Save Ferris

9. Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

Jeff Spicoli Becomes an Instant Cult Hero

fast times at ridgemont high comedy movie sean pennFew characters in film have left as lasting an impression as Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn). Sean Penn served notice on the world that he was going to be a major Hollywood player with his first two movie roles in Taps and then Fast Times at Ridgemont High. While many of the characters in this film are funny, it is Jeff Spicoli that really makes this comedy film soar.

This is a high school comedy movie with many similarities to Porky's, American Pie and Dazed and Confused. But what put this film on the list of best comedies, instead of the others, was the unique and engaging Spicoli character. We enjoy watching him coast through life without a care spitting out hilarious one liners along the way.

Fast Times is a fun romp through the awkward teenage years that is as relevant today as it was nearly 30 years ago.

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Sample Songs from this classic comedy movies soundtrack

Find some great 80s music on the movie soundtrack from the great comedy film. Some of the artists include Sammy Hagar, The Go-Gos, Don Henley, Billy Squier and Oingo Boingo.

8. The Blues Brothers (1980)

Their on a Mission from Gaaad!

blues brothers comedy movie akroyd belushiJohn Belushi was a comedic genius and it was such a shame that we lost him early in his life. He is the key reason behind two of the movies appearing on this top comedies list, including The Blues Brothers. First introduced on Saturday Night Live, the Blues Brothers concept was a huge smash right from the beginning. Belushi and Aykroyd were fantastic together.

Jake (Belushi) and Elwood (Aykroyd) are trying to save their childhood orphanage by reassembling their band to raise money. The film combines an assortment of side-splitting scenes and outstanding blues music by some legendary stars like Ray Charles, Cab Calloway, James Brown and Aretha Franklin. This comedy also features some outstanding appearances from some legendary characters such as John Candy, Carrie Fisher, Twiggy, Joe Walsh and Paul Reubens. Finally, it also has cameos from three legendary Directors, John Landis (who directed this film), Steven Spielberg and Frank Oz.

There are so many great scenes in this film such as the scenes with Henry Gibson and the Nazis, those in the Bob's Country Bunker, lunch at Chez Paul ("How much for the women?") and the sewer scene with Carrie Fisher. This is definitely one of the best comedies of all time.

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The Blues Brothers - Tonight Only

Sample the Soundtrack from this top comedy film

The Blues Brothers soundtrack includes songs from the actual Blues Brothers band in the movie. It includes all the songs they sing onstage in this funny comedy but also some additional songs in their repertoire.

7. Wedding Crashers (2005)

Because Everyone is Looking to Hookup at a Wedding

wedding crashers poster vince vaughn owen wilsonThis 2005 film was an instant cult classic because of its unique comedy movie theme and the great cast of comedic actors. John Beckwith (Owen Wilson) and Jeremy Grey (Vince Vaughn) are best friends and business partners who have a very unique hobby, crashing weddings to pick up women. Their strategy is very successful until...each of them meets their match.

While the stars are great in Wedding Crashers, some of the supporting roles really make this comedy film. Will Ferrell as Chazz Reinhold, the guys wedding crashing mentor, is a showstopper (outrageously funny. As usual, Christopher Walken is excellent. Bradley Cooper, Isla Fisher and Rachel McAdams are also very good.

Wedding Crashers will live on as a cult comedy film for decades to come.

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Sample songs from the Wedding Crashers movie soundtrack

One of the best comedies, Wedding Crashers also has one of the best movie soundtracks. It is a compilation of songs from some great alternative rock bands, including Death Cab for Cutie, Jimmy Eat World, The Flaming Lips and Spoon.

6. Old School

We all Wish We Could Go Back to College

old school movie poster will ferrell vince vaughnA silly premise and an even sillier comedy movie. When Mitch's (Luke Wilson) girlfriend cheats on him, his two friends, Beanie (Vince Vaughn) and Frank the Tank (Will Ferrell) try to get him out of a funk but forming a fraternity in Mitch's rented house on campus. The only problem is...they are long past their college days.

Love the silly premise, a bunch of old guys forming a fraternity on a college campus even though they are not in school. The recruiting and fraternity hazing scenes are hilarious. Naturally, it is a hodgepodge of motley characters that sign up. This is a hysterical comedy movie that will keep you laughing throughout. It is probably one of Will Ferrell's top three comedic performances and could be the best comedy movie about college since Animal House.

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5. The Hangover (2009)

This Ain't Your Parents "Three Men and a Baby"!

Signed Hangover photo from best comediesThe Hangover was a pretty revolutionary comedy movie when it came out in 2009. Besides being incredibly funny, it utilized an unusual "unwinding" storyline in which they wake up after a the bachelor party night with one of them missing, a tiger in their room, and an unknown baby in their midst. They must unwind the night to try to figure out what happened and find their friend (the groom).

Zach Galifianakis is hysterical as the brides brother and the "one man wolfpack". His lovable loser personality combined with incredibly weird tendencies keep us laughing from morning to night in this comedy. Ed Helms and Bradley Cooper are both outstanding straight men that also deliver many hilarious lines of their own.

One of the real showstoppers is the appearance by Mike Tyson proving that there really is life after losing one's mind in boxing. The Hangover is definitely one of my favorite comedies and likely the best comedy movie of the past 10 years.

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The Hangover - Baby Bjorn Costume Tee

Sample Songs from The Hangover

One of the Best Comedies of this Decade

The Hangover was a cutting edge comedy film unraveling its story from the end to the beginning. Fittingly, the movie soundtrack is also unusual and distinct. It is a mix of some newer less known alternative bands such as The Donnas, The Cramps and The Belle Stars, and some old classics such as Phil Collins "In the Air Tonight".

4. Caddyshack (1980)

A Superb Comedic Cast Delivers this Comedy Masterpiece

caddyshack movie poster bill murrayOriginally, Ty Webb (Chevy Chase) and Al Czervik (Rodney Dangerfield) were going to be the primary comic characters in this 1980s comedy film. However, Bill Murray was so over the top funny during filming that his part was expanded and ultimately he stole the show as Carl Spackler, the eccentric loner groundskeeper at Bushwood Country Club. Caddyshack may be the most oft quoted comedy movies ever. There are so many great one liners that it is tough to go to a golf course without hearing at least one of them.

Everybody in this cast was fantastic but both Murray and Ted Knight as the vindictive Judge Smails were over the top excellent in this comedy movie. If you like golf, you have most likely seen this comedy before, but to all those that have not seen it --- PUT it on your list now! It is definitely one of the best comedies ever.

Bushwood CC hole flag signed by Danny Noonan and Lacey Underal

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Caddyshack - Property Of Bushwood

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3. The Big Lebowski (1998)

"The Dude Abides..."

big lebowski movie jeff bridgesOver the years, The Big Lebowski has grown in stature and is probably the biggest cult comedy film of all time. Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski is considered the Dalia Lama of 'slackerdome'. This Coen Brothers comedy is a black comedy caper film. The Dude is mistaken for a different millionaire Lebowski that owes money to some local gangsters. While he is shaken down, the thugs urinate on his rug and he is hell bent on getting restitution for one of the few assets that he owns.

While meeting with the millionaire Lebowski, he is offered a one-time job with a big payday and accepts the job. Of course, nothing is as it seems a seemingly simple job becomes much more complex than expected. He enlists this bowling buddies, Walter (John Goodman) and Donny (Steve Buscemi) to try to complete the job. The threesome bumbles their way through the job in hilarious fashion.

While the plot is simple, the comedy is anything but ordinary. The script is excellent and some of the diversionary dream scenes are hysterical. Bridgest, Goodman and Buscemi are excellent together and have me hoping for another future collaboration of this threesome. The Big Lebowski's cult status is well deserved and the Coen Brothers perfected what they started Raising Arizona and Fargo in this classic comedy movie.

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Sample Songs from The Big Lebowski

A Cult Comedy Classic

This is a very interesting movie soundtrack with a mix of songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s including songs from Elvis Costello, The Gipsy Kings, Nina Simone and Captain Beefheart.

2. Ghostbusters (1984)

"Who Ya Gonna Call?"

ghostbusters movie aykroyd murray ramisJust prior to releasing Ghostbusters, the stars of the film went on David Letterman to discuss their new "career" in the paranormal arts. They stayed in character for the entire appearance and if you did not know they were comedians you would have thought they were serious. Of course, once this sidesplitting comedy movie was released, everyone knew the real deal.

Ghostbusters is one of the funniest comedies ever. It stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis and Sigourney Weaver. What an outstanding cast line-up and they did not disappoint. Bill Murray is the most memorable character as Dr. Peter Venkman but all the acting and roles are excellent. Rick Moranis as Louis Tully, Dana Barrett's (Sigourney Weaver) crazy accountant neighbor, is absolutely hysterical. He has several one liners that will keeping you laughing uncontrollably.

This is definitely a must see comedy movie and one of my all time favorites.

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1. Animal House

Taking Fraternity Life to Double Secret Probation

animal house movie john belushiTwo of the top three comedies on this list, Animal House and Caddyshack were written by the brilliant team of Harold Ramis and Douglas Kenney. In fact, it is no coincidence that Ramis' name appears three times as co-writer on this greatest comedies list (co-wrote Ghostbusters too) as he has been involved with so many great comedies over the years; others include Vacation, Meatballs, Stripes and Groundhog Day. It is a tragedy that Kenney died so young (age 32) while in Hawaii, when the cliff edge he was standing on gave way and he fell to his death. There is no telling what more these two writers could have done together.

Animal House definitely deserves its place at the top of the Best Comedies list as it is often cited as the funniest comedy film ever. John Belushi is at his absolute best as John Blutarsky, a seven year college slacker that parties hard every day. Besides Belushi, this film was largely filled with young unknown actors that gave great comedic performances; many of which went on to solid acting careers including Tom Hulce (Amadeus), Kevin Bacon, Tim Matheson and Karen Allen.

The lack of big names in the film, beyond Belushi, is a real testament to the top-notch screenwriting and to Director John Landis. This film is absolute comedic genius. If you could only see one film on this best comedy movies list, Animal House is the one I recommend.

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Funny T-Shirts from the Top Comedies

Caddyshack Bushwood CC Vintage Golf Shirt

Many think this is the best comedy movie ever, get a Bushwood CC shirt

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from The Hangover comedy movie

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