It's always nice to find some great comedy movies that can allow audiences to laugh and escape while also delivering a compelling cinematic experience. Among the comedy movies released in 2021, there are several standout titles that not only made audiences laugh but also impressed the critics as well.
The top-rated comedies of the year on Rotten Tomatoes make up a very diverse collection. From big-budget spectacles with plenty of humor to smaller character-driven stories with some hilarious moments, there were more than enough acclaimed movies to make audiences laugh in 2021.
The Suicide Squad (90%)
By now, fans know to expect a good amount of irreverent humor whenever they go to see a James Gunn movie. As fun as Gunn has been in the MCU, it was a thrill to see him get to play with a big-budget R-rated movie like The Suicide Squad.
The R-rating not only allowed for some wild violence but also some boundary-pushing humor. From darkly comedic moments like the team accidentally murdering rebel soldiers to the vulgar one-liners, it was one of the most outrageous comedies of the year.
Luca (91%)
Not only does Pixar's Luca feature one of the best movie friendships of 2021, but it also provides a lot of big laughs. The family-friendly animated adventure follows a pair of young sea monsters who explore the human world on the surface.
The literal fish-out-of-water story is a perfect setup for the kind of energetic and clever comedy set-pieces Pixar is known for. And, as with most Pixar movies, Luca also knows how to combine the humor with a lot of heart.
Days Of The Bagnold Summer (92%)
It is always fun to find an underseen comedy that received a positive reception from critics. Days of the Bagnold Summer could be one such movie from 2021. The English comedy follows a reserved librarian who attempts to connect with her metalhead son when he's stuck at home for vacation.
Critics acknowledged the movie's premise might feel like something that audiences have seen many times before. However, they also pointed to the performances and tenderness that add something special to the laughs.
Licorice Pizza (92%)
Paul Thomas Anderson is one of the most acclaimed filmmakers, known for intense movies like There Will Be Blood. However, he also has a lighter side which he embraced wonderfully in the coming-of-age comedy Licorice Pizza.
Set in California in 1973, the movie is an engrossing and hugely entertaining story of young love. It is the kind of movie that gets a lot of its humor from the kind of situations many viewers can feel nostalgia about along with Anderson's very sharp writing.
Baby Done (93%)
There were a number of solid baby-centric comedy movies in 2021 and Baby Done is one of the best. The English comedy follows a young couple who find out they are going to have a baby and set about preparing for the life-changing event in very different ways.
Critics hailed the movie as a light and funny look at a subject that can be filled with tension. But through the humor and the honesty of this grounded story, it makes for a very pleasant experience.
Plan B (96%)
The buddy teen comedy has been a staple of the comedy genre for years, though these movies have largely been male-centric. Plan B has a lot of fun going from a female perspective in the story of two high school girls who hunt down a Plan B pill after a regrettable night.
Though there is a larger message at the center of the story, critics found that the movie didn't overemphasize those aspects and managed to deliver a hilarious adventure. The chemistry between the two leads and a witty script helped make it a better movie than many expected.
Riders Of Justice (96%)
Actor Mads Mikkelsen is best known for his English movies, but some of his most acclaimed work comes from his native Denmark. One such movie is the wild action-comedy Riders of Justice. Mikkelsen plays a military man who begins to suspect his wife's death was not an accident.
While the setup doesn't sound overly humorous, the execution is darkly funny and quirky according to critics. It also shows a new side of Mikkelsen's already impressive talents.
Shiva Baby (97%)
For those who enjoy a lot of cringe with their comedy, Shiva Baby is the movie they should check out. It centers on a directionless young Jewish woman who attends a funeral with her parents where she also runs into her ex-girlfriend and the married man she's having an affair with.
Despite a premise that might sound like a typical sitcom, critics agreed that Shiva Baby is far cleverer than that. With strong performances, thoughtful moments, and hilariously uncomfortable situations, it is a gripping comedy.
The Mitchells Vs. The Machines (97%)
While it is usually Pixar holding the crown as the best-reviewed animated movie of the year, The Mitchells vs. the Machines was a surprise hit from the first half of the year that also happens to be one of the funniest movies of the year.
The story follows a family who takes a tense cross-country road trip together only for an A.I. system to go rogue and take over the world in the midst of their journey. The movie throws so many jokes in its fast-paced energy, from one-liners to sight gags to the relatable family moments, that it begs to be watched multiple times.
The Worst Person In The World (100%)
The Norwegian movie The Worst Person in the World is the concluding chapter in Joachim Trier's Oslo Trilogy. It is a dark romantic comedy about a woman navigating the struggles of her complicated love life.
The movie follows the same acclaimed nature of the proceeding projects in the trilogy as one of the best-reviewed movies of the year. Critics called it a brilliant and funny subversion of the well-worn tropes in the rom-com genre while also featuring a terrific lead performance from Renate Reinsve.