The marketing behind Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo's new comedy Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar has been surprisingly vague and mysterious given that it appears to be a light-hearted vacation comedy from two Oscar-nominated writers. But what the trailers successfully concealed is just how incredibly bizarre the movie is.
The movie is about two middle-aged friends who go to a sunny getaway, but it also involves talking animals, spontaneous musical numbers, and an evil plot to kill millions of people with deadly mosquitos. Barb and Star is a hilarious ride that fully embraces its own weirdness. As unique as it is, though, there are some other great comedies that are also proudly absurd.
Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy (2004)
Like Kristen Wiig, Will Ferrell was a standout performer on Saturday Night Live. But it was unclear if his wild antics on that show would translate well in a feature-length movie. Thankfully, Ferrell chose not to back down from his outlandish sense of humor with his early starring role in Anchorman.
His creation of Ron Burgundy is one of the greatest characters in comedy history. While a movie about him just reading the news would be funny enough, Anchorman decides to go all-in with sequences involving extended flute playing and an epic brawl between rival news teams.
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)
Yet another SNL alumnus, Andy Samberg was known for his hilariously strange Digital Shorts on the sketch comedy show. He used both his wacky sense of humor and his musical talents to make the tragically underrated gem Popstar.
Samberg plays a self-centered and dim-wittered popstar in this mockumentary that follows his downfall following the release of a terrible album. Packed with celebrity cameos, random gags, and some genuinely catchy songs, the movie is a great satire of the popstar world.
Team America: World Police (2004)
South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone stepped away from the animated world to deliver the wild action movie Team America about the titular team of patriotic soldiers. The parody of the massive Michael Bay-like actioners works very well, especially with the whole thing being told with marionette puppets.
The puppet work and set designs are really impressive, but the vulgar, violent, and boundary-pushing comedy is the real reason to watch the movie. Parker and Stone do not shy away from poking fun at any and all subjects in silly yet clever ways.
Harold And Kumar Go To White Castle (2004)
Though there had been plenty of stoner comedies that came before it, Harold and Kumar is generally viewed as one of the best of the unique subgenre. It stars John Cho and Kal Penn as two friends who set out on a quest to get the perfect snack to satisfy their munchies.
The movie does a great job of taking such a pointless premise and expanding it into this insane adventure with two very likable heroes. Also, the cameo from Neil Patrick Harris as an R-rated version of himself is a highlight of the movie.
Wet Hot American Summer (2001)
Though Wet Hot American Summer looks like an ordinary raunchy comedy about teens at summer camp, this movie has no desire to be anywhere close to ordinary. It pokes fun at the usual tropes of this genre while also introducing things like a talking can of vegetables and a meteor that threatens to destroy the world.
The movie is packed with A-list celebrities like Paul Rudd and Bradley Cooper before they became big stars. Wet Hot American Summer has that fun feel of a summer comedy while also being bolder with its weirdness.
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007)
After there was a trend of musical biopics like Walk the Line and Ray that seemed to follow a very similar outline, it was only a matter of time before a movie parody of the genre came along. John C. Reilly stars in Walk Hard as country singer Dewey Cox as the movie follows his rise and fall in the music industry.
This is another movie packed with famous faces playing other music legends like The Beatles and Elvis who meet Dewey along the way. After watching this movie have such a fun time poking fun at the genre, it is hard to watch another musical biopic the same way.
Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery (1997)
There is a surprising amount of spy movie fun in Barb and Star which feels very reminiscent of the greatest spy comedy ever, Austin Powers. Mike Myers created his most iconic character as the titular British spy who is frozen in the groovy 1960s and transplanted into the 1990s.
While it might sound like a cheesy fish-out-of-water setup, Myers and company have a lot of fun with the outlandish story. And like Wiig in Barb and Star, Myers pulls double-duty, also playing the hilarious villain of the film, Dr. Evil.
Hot Rod (2007)
Before showing off his singing skills in Popstar, Andy Samberg starred in another overlooked and hilarious gem in Hot Rod. Samberg plays an aspiring daredevil who attempts to raise money for his stepfather's surgery so he can beat the man in a fair fight.
That beautifully bizarre premise is only the beginning of the insanity this movie offers. Like Barb and Star, the filmmakers were totally unafraid to let their most idiosyncratic humor shine brightly. The result is a wild comedy with amazing "WTF" moments.
MacGruber (2010)
Movies based on SNL skits have been very hit-or-miss over the years. While MacGruber was largely seen as a bad idea that flopped terribly, it has since acquired a reputation as one of the funniest and strangest comedies in recent memory.
Will Forte plays the arrogant and reckless government agent who is called back into service when his old enemy returns. MacGruber is at once a loving homage to cheesy '80s action movies and also a graphic R-rated blast that pulls no punches in making the audience double over with laughter.
Zoolander (2001)
Watching the first scene of Barb and Star and realizing it is going to be a much weirder comedy than expected is very similar to watching the opening scene of Zoolander for the first time. What appeared to be a goofy comedy about a male model turned out to be hiding some very crazy ideas.
Ben Stiller is hilarious as Derek Zoolander, whose success in the modeling world has also made him a vapid and senseless bimbo. That makes it even funnier when he finds himself at the center of an international assassination plot.