Image: Columbia Pictures
While it might seem that we don’t get as many good comedies as we would want, when you look back at the young century, we had some really funny films in the genre spread out through the years. Based on the most important laughs per minute ratio, but also the significance and the themes they portray, here’s the list of top 10 comedy movies from the XXI century in no particular order.
Superbad (2007)
Famously, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg started writing the script when they were teens, and the two main characters are loosely based on them, although the majority of men can relate to them and their high school woes. It was the breakout movie for Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Emma Stone, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and the young cast was perfectly boosted by the screenwriters. The quest of getting liqueur for the party and trying to hook up will end up to be a timeless story, however weird that sounds, while the subtle back theme of the movie is what made this teen comedy into so many people’s favorite film.
21 Jump Street (2012)
We almost hate how good this movie is as it justified the trend of reviving all kinds of properties from the ’80s. Nobody expected 21 Jump Street to be anything more than a time-killer, even when Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum were attached and the trailer dropped. It seemed like the creators shot out all the jokes in two and a half minutes, but we were wrong as the action comedy with undercover police officers back in high school delivered so well that it produced an equally good sequel. Hill did what was expected of him, but Tatum showed that he has a natural funny bone by his performance.
Image: Rogue Pictures
The second movie from Edgar Wright’s Cornetto trilogy is an action comedy that really shouldn’t work as well as it does, yet somehow it manages to slay on both sides of the genre. Simon Pegg stars as the perfect big city cop transferred to the safest village in Britain, partnered with a good-hearted action enthusiasts played by Nick Frost, together they start to realize how come the village is such a crime-free heaven. Hot Fuzz has the best direction of the movies on this list, Pegg is inexplicably perfect in his most out of the character role, and flows per usual with the comic maestro and pal Frost.
The Hangover (2009)
Hand down the biggest box office comedy hit of all time probably, as The Hangover grossed $277,322,503, spawned two lesser movies, and indefinitely entered the pop culture. The ultimate bachelor party goes to unimaginable ends as three men wake up from it with no recollection of what happened. Tracking their events of the night lets all the numerous actors shine through, even the cameos, but Zach Galifianakis and Ed Helms absolutely steal the show. The movie likeliest to be on everyone’s list of top 10 comedy movies ever. It’s basically Memento of partying.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
Another Edgar Wright movie and the most different film of the bunch as it utilizes the material of the graphic novel it’s based on perfectly, erasing the boundaries between the two medias effortlessly. Starring Michael Cera, but boosting a wide variety cast out of which Kieran Culkin stands out the most with flawless delivery. Scott Pilgrim is a fun, visually stunning, movie with a great soundtrack and a specific feel to it. It will make you laugh in ways other movies just don’t even try, and also push its own boundaries by each passing minute.
Grandma’s Boy (2006)
Image: 20th Century Fox
Easily the most underrated comedy movie of all time, or at least the most underseen, and it’s a shame if only for one of the best characters in comedies ever – J.P. But it’s not only Joel David Moore from Avatar who delivers, the cast is very rich with proven comedic talent as Kevin Nealon has a minor but perfect part, Nick Swardson is the soul of the film, and the main star Allen Covert is spot-on with delivery of ludicrous dialogue. Set in the gaming world, it’s a semi-stoner movie with an unrepeatable plot making fun of a variety of stuff with no effort. Oh, and it’s the first movie of almost unrecognizable Jonah Hill.
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
A stoner comedy has to be included on this list and there was none better and more influential than the first adventure of Harold and Kumar. One solid and one bad sequel won’t be something we remember the two, but the crazy trip to their craving fast food restaurant surely will. John Cho and Kal Penn gave their most recognizable performances in a movie that drains the premise for all the sweet comedy juice you didn’t even know was there, with a great cameo by Neil Patrick Harris and the special artistic love montage between Penn and his lover.
Borat (2006)
The crazy genius of Sacha Baron Cohen cannot be denied as the English comedian embodies a Kazakhstani TV Star Borat Sagdiyev on his mission to explore cultural learnings of America for make benefit glorious nation of Kazakhstan. Which is also the longer title of this documentary comedy. With a mix of scripted and real life unplanned interactions, you’ll be amazed by the quick wit of Cohen as he makes fun of people blatantly and to their face without getting caught, while exposing the cluelessness and egocentricity of the American society.
EuroTrip (2004)
Image: DreamWorks Pictures
The superior of the “trip” comedies from this century, although it seems like the Road Trip is better known, mostly because of the far better-known cast. Yet, EuroTrip has some genuine comedic talents in Jacob Pitts and Travis Wester, but the majority of the jokes comes from the supporting cast and the situations that perfectly play with the stereotypes of several European nations. EuroTrip also has one of the best ever movie songs in Scotty Doesn’t Know, sang by the camouflaged Matt Damon.
Knocked Up (2007)
Although a rom-com, Knocked Up was equally loved by guys as it delivered on something that not many rom-com’s do – jokes. A story of an unlikely couple – a career-driven beauty Alison and a man-child Ben, who got together after a one-night stand went the way we all dread – baby way. The face of comedy in the 21st century Judd Apatow is behind this out of the box romantic comedy, and if not his most known movie, it’s the most polished one as it delivers not only on the laughs, but it has relatable messages and themes.
Honorable mentions go off to In Bruges, Role Models, Seven Psychopaths, Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
Tell us angrily which of your favorites we didn’t include in the list of top 10 comedy movies from this century?
