The 2000s played host to a diverse list of fantastic comedy films. They ranged in everything from Academy Award contenders to uniquely animated movies to some that feature darker humor than you might expect. There were all met with strong critical acclaim from critics and moviegoers around the world.
That's why, if you're looking to get a laugh from that decade, a good barometer for picking which film to check out is to see what the users at Letterboxd think. These are people who truly love their movies, so their ratings hold a lot of weight and their scores reveal the best comedies of the 2000s.
Shaun Of The Dead (2004) - 3.99
Rent On Vudu
The world created by Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg for the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy is pretty remarkable. It manages to expertly parody the genres that each focuses on while being great films in the genre themselves. The entire journey started with Shaun of the Dead.
Parodying zombie films, Shaun of the Dead centers on the titular Shaun (Pegg) as he attempts to survive an invasion from the undead alongside his fellow slacker best friend, ex-girlfriend, and family members. It is hilarious, well-written, and already considered iconic. Users have most often given this four stars (35%).
In Bruges (2008) - 4.00
Stream On Starz
Filmmaker Martin McDonagh is actually well-known for his somewhat dark humor. Although he certainly got serious with Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, his previous films were grounded in some odd hilarity like Seven Psychopaths and his feature directorial debut, In Bruges.
The film follows a pair of hitmen who, after a mission gone wrong, await further instructions while in Bruges, Belgium. Although some aspects are kind of dire, In Bruges is littered with absurd moments that make you laugh throughout the unexpected plot. Most reviewers gave it four stars (36%).
Adaptation (2002) - 4.03
Rent On Apple TV
When you're watching something written by Charlie Kaufman, you know you're in for a ride. Having penned films like Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Synecdoche, New York, his works are famously unique.
One of the most acclaimed films that Kaufman worked on was Adaptation, which earned him an Oscar nomination. Based on his own experiences, the film sees Kaufman (Nicolas Cage) struggling to adapt a novel to the big screen. The film was praised for being both thought-provoking and funny, with most Letterboxd users giving it four stars (33%).
Little Miss Sunshine (2006) - 4.04
Stream On Amazon Prime
Every so often, an independent film manages to kind of take the world by storm. That was the case in 2006 when Little Miss Sunshine was seemingly everywhere, managing to surpass $100 million at the box office and secure a nomination for Best Picture at the Oscars.
The incredible cast includes Steve Carell, Abigail Breslin, Toni Collette, Greg Kinnear, Paul Dano, and more. It centers on a quirky family that embarks on a road trip so the youngest member can participate in a beauty pageant. Audiences were captivated by these colorful characters and how they interacted. It holds up and four stars (35%) is the most common score.
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) - 4.05
Rent On Vudu
It's difficult to find a director with a more specific signature style than Wes Anderson. It only takes a few seconds of seeing one of his films to know that he made it. Anderson's style is as clear as ever in The Royal Tenenbaums, which earned him a screenwriting Oscar nomination.
The Royal Tenenbaums focuses on the titular wealthy family who, despite their many advantages are all damaged by their past, and they come together as the patriarch (Gene Hackman) fakes being terminally ill. With the likes of Bill Murray and Owen Wilson in the cast, hilarity was bound to ensue. This phenomenal film scored four stars (33%) more than any other rating.
Amélie (2001) - 4.09
Not Available To Stream
One of only a few foreign films to be ranked among the best, Amélie has often been cited as one of the most wholesome and heartfelt movies ever made. The plot itself is simple enough as Amélie (Audrey Tautou) is a waitress who finds she has a gift for helping those around her but isn't always great at assisting herself.
Made in France, Amélie might not be the most side-splitting film out there but it is kind of the quintessential romantic comedy. You can't help but smile as you watch the protagonist go on her journey. There's a reason so many users gave it a perfect score (30%).
Ratatouille (2007) - 4.11
Stream On Disney+
Most people seem to associate Pixar with some of the most heartbreaking moments ever included in an animated film. However, they have also delivered some truly hilarious movies in their history and one of the funniest was Ratatouille.
The entire premise of Ratatouille is a weird one, as a rodent who loves cooking works together with a garbage boy to create delicious dishes at a restaurant. The Best Animated Feature Oscar winner remains quotable to this day, features plenty of absurd yet fun scenes, and like most great comedies, feels endlessly rewatchable. Four stars (31%) is the most common score but five stars (29%) is right behind it.
Mary And Max (2009) - 4.12
Stream On AMC+
Stop-motion animation is something that tends to be used for dark fantasy films like The Nightmare Before Christmas or ParaNorman. In the case of Mary and Max though, it was used to create something that is legitimately funny while also including some serious dramatic moments.
The film tells the tale of a friendship between two unlikely pen pals. One is a lonely girl in Australia and the other is an American man with Asperger's syndrome. The setup allows for plenty of heartwarming moments while also bringing plenty of laughs. Most users have it at four stars (33%).
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) - 4.17
Stream On Disney+ & Amazon Prime
It's back to a world made by the creative Wes Anderson, except this time it's done in the form of stop-motion animation. Fantastic Mr. Fox is an adaptation of a children's novel of the same name but with all of the added quirks that Anderson's films are known for.
The story follows Mr. Fox (George Clooney), a notorious and charismatic thief, whose constant robberies put him and everyone he knows in danger when the farmers retaliate. Praised for the voice cast, screenplay, animation style, and almost everything else, Fantastic Mr. Fox is considered one of the best animated movies of the decade. Most reviews gave it either four (32%) or five stars (29%).
O Auto da Compadecida (2000) - 4.52
Not Available To Stream
Not only is O Auto da Compadecida the highest-rated comedy film from the 2000s but it's also among the ten films to score higher than any other in history on Letterboxd. Known as A Dog's Will in the United States, this Portuguese movie is a critical darling.
The plot sees Chicó and João at the center as they get judged by Jesus, the Devil, and the Virgin Mary in their attempt to enter paradise. It might not be as famous or popular as some of the others to score in the same vicinity but the reviews are incredible, with an astounding 60% of users considering it to be perfect.