Audiences always need a good laugh, and 2021 was a year that delivered some stellar comedies. Some of the most popular movies of the year leaned into their great sense of humor, adding a much-needed spark of joy into the moviegoing experience.
There were enough hilarious options to please fans of all kinds, from family-friendly adventures to the R-rated mayhem. Some were smaller movies that delivered grounded laughs, while others were huge blockbusters that found humor in their large stories. With so many options, audiences didn't have any trouble finding laughs at the movies in 2021.
Updated on July 26th, 2022 by Tanner Fox: Given how rough 2020 was for cinephiles, 2021 made, in some cases, for an encouraging return to form. Of course, with many movie theaters remaining closed for most of the year, a majority of the best comedy outings of 2021 landed on streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.
Still, from colorful Disney comedies to heartfelt holiday hijinx, there was a healthy amount of comedy in 2021 on which fans of all genres of film should not miss out.
Red Notice (6.3)
- Available on Netflix
Red Notice sees Dwayne Johnson portray a defamed FBI agent who teams up with Ryan Renolds, who plays a world-class art thief, in order to clear his name. To do so, the two must take down another art thief of even greater renown, played by Gal Gadot, but the villain always seems to be two steps ahead of the hilariously mismatched duo.
Though it didn't go down as one of the most well-received Netflix outings in 2021, Red Notice was an enjoyable action-comedy ride perfect for those who don't mind the overblown nature of the Fast and Furious or The Expendables movies.
Barb And Star Go To Vista Del Mar (6.3)
- Available on Hulu
Starring Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar concerns a pair of middle-aged friends who leave their native Nebraska to take a rare trip to Florida. They hope to see the sights and soak up the sun, but they soon find themselves caught up in a strange plan to destroy Vista Del Mar concocted by a vengeful ex-resident.
Somewhat reminiscent of The Hangover trilogy, Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar may not have been the most memorable comedy film of 2021, but it served as a fun outing that kept audiences guessing.
Bad Trip (6.5)
- Available on Netflix
Though the film bears no direct association to the auteur comic's Adult Swim series, 2021's Bad Trip is essentially The Eric Andre Show the movie. It follows two friends who embark on a road trip to New York and faceplant into every pitfall along the way. Meanwhile, they are pursued by an enraged prison-escapee sibling.
A surprising mix of scripted plots and real-world hijinx, Bad Trip comes across as a feature-length collection of Jackass-esque stuns. In fact, the Jackass spinoff Bad Grampa works as a solid comparison, though Bad Trip earned significantly higher review scores on IMDb.
8-Bit Christmas (6.7)
- Availalbe on HBO Max
Neil Patrick Harris stars as a father unraveling a yuletide tale of his childhood adventures in late '80s Chicago. Desperate to get his hands on the hottest Christmas gift of the year—a Nintendo Entertainment System—Harris' character and his younger counterpart show quite a bit of Home Alone-style heart in this hilarious, nostalgic throwback.
Though it's a bit broader in scope, 8-Bit Christmas feels like a slightly modernized version of the timeless holiday classic A Christmas Story, albeit with more Nintendo and fewer Red Rider air rifles.
Ron's Gone Wrong (7.1)
- Available on Disney+, HBO, HBO Max, DIRECTV and Spectrum on Demand
Disney had a big year with comedies in 2021, and, while Ron's Gone Wrong was not as popular as some of the other titles, it was another winner for the studio. The movie follows a socially awkward teen who gets the hottest new tech item of the season—a robot best friend. But, when his robot experiences some malfunctions, the two new buddies try to make their unusual friendship work.
The movie combined the kind of humor and heart fans usually expect from Disney's animated movies. It is a sharp, clever, and entertaining story for the whole family with an obvious but effective message at its center.
Red Rocket (7.2)
- Available on Apple TV+
Sean Baker's indie comedy Red Rocket was one of the overlooked gems of the year that will no doubt find a larger audience in years to come. Simon Rex stars as a washed-up adult film star who has to return to his hometown in Texas where he deals with the various relationships he left behind.
The movie is a perfect example of how a small movie can get big laughs with human moments. Rex makes for a hilarious and entertaining lead and the movie has a lot of fun not making his character easy to like.
Don't Look Up (7.2)
- Available on Netflix
Not only is Don't Look Up one of the most popular comedies of the year, but it is also likely the most star-studded movie. Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence play frustrated scientists attempting to warn the world about a comet that will destroy Earth.
Featuring a cast that also includes Jonah Hill, Mark Rylance, and Meryl Streep, to name but a few, Don't Look Up is a wild satire that targets many of the biggest issues facing society today. For many fans, the important messages were balanced nicely with the humor.
Free Guy (7.2)
- Available on Disney+, HBO, HBO Max and Spectrum on Demand
Ryan Reynolds has become one of the most popular comedic actors in recent years, and Free Guy was another winning movie from him. Reynolds stars as Guy, an NPC in an intense, Grand Theft Auto-esque video game who begins to take control of his life for the first time and changes the world around him.
Reynolds is joined by the likes of Jodie Comer, Lil Rel Howery, and Taika Waititi, all of whom give hilarious performances. There are plenty of references and cameos that will please fans as well as a fast-paced sense of humor to accompany the clever premise.
The Suicide Squad (7.2)
- Available on HBO, HBO Max, DIRECTV and Spectrum on Demand
After bringing one group of oddballs to the big screen in the MCU, James Gunn delivered the best DCEU movie of 2021 with The Suicide Squad. Gunn combines the superhero genre with a war adventure movie and wraps it all in his twisted humor for a wild ride.
It is a lot of fun seeing Gunn play around with an R-rating, making for some hilarious dark humor throughout the movie. The movie also introduces some of the funniest DCEU characters like Peacemaker and King Shark.
The French Dispatch (7.2)
- Available on HBO, HBO Max, DIRECTV and Spectrum on Demand
While not everyone is a fan of Wes Anderson movies, his distinct sense of humor is hilarious for many devoted fans. Anderson's latest voyage is to France in The French Dispatch which tells various stories surrounding the titular magazine.
The movie is packed with funny people like Bill Murray and Owen Wilson as well as some actors giving unexpectedly funny performances like Benicio Del Toro and Jeffrey Wright. The result is a magical and pleasant ride with Anderson's signature style.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife (7.2)
- Available on Apple TV+
The original Ghostbusters is one of the most beloved comedies of all time, and Ghostbusters: Afterlife attempts to recapture some of that magic. The direct sequel follows the family of Egon Spengler as they inherit his house and find themselves on a new ghost-busting adventure.
The new cast of characters makes for a fun reintroduction into this world, and there are a number of crowd-pleasing cameos, as well. While it might not provide as many iconic comedic moments as the original, it does add a good bit of charm with the supernatural laughs.
Encanto (7.3)
- Available on Disney+
Another win for Disney and another hit animated movie from 2021 was Encanto. The enchanting fantasy comedy follows a young woman in Columbia who is the only one in her family who does not have magical abilities.
The movie serves as a bright and beautiful visual stunner while also featuring some truly great musical numbers including the hit song "We Don't Talk About Bruno." But, like the best Disney animated movies of the past, it is also able to infuse so much fun and humor into its magical story.
Cruella (7.4)
- Available on Disney+
The latest live-action retelling of a Disney animated classic focused on one of the most infamous villains in movie history. Cruella explored a different side of Cruella de Vil and saw Emma Stone giving a winning performance in the lead role.
Stone brings her usual humor, charm, and considerable acting talent to the role. The movie itself was also a surprisingly fun ride that turns Cruella's origins into a stylish heist movie. Along with a lot of funny supporting characters, Cruella was one of 2021's biggest surprises.
Licorice Pizza (7.4)
- Available on Apple TV+
It is not surprising to see a Paul Thomas Anderson movie getting a strong reception from audiences, but, just as his intense dramas like There Will Be Blood wowed fans, his lighter side in Licorice Pizza is just as effective.
The coming-of-age comedy set in 1973 explores a story of first love. Anderson's sharp writing and some memorable characters helped Licorice Pizza become one of the most entertaining movies of the year.
Sing 2 (7.4)
- Available on Apple TV+
The mix of family-friendly humor and popular songs proved to be a winning combination for Sing, so it is not surprising that the sequel stuck to that formula. Sing 2 follows the lovable group of animals hoping to bring a reclusive rock star out of retirement to participate in their new talent show.
With an all-star cast including Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, and Scarlet Johansson, as well as a number of beloved songs from iconic artists, Sing 2 appeals to audience members of all ages.
Luca (7.5)
- Available on Disney+
Though Luca didn't catch on in the same way as some other Pixar movies, it is still a wonderful and entertaining family-friendly adventure. It follows a pair of young sea monsters who decide to go above the surface and explore the world of humans.
The movie has the same vibrant energy and fun tone that makes all Pixar movies such wonderful adventures. It also follows the similar formula of combining that humor with a lot of heart which makes it all the more special.
The Mitchells Vs The Machines (7.7)
- Available on Netflix
Yet another animated adventure that had audiences laughing this year was The Mitchells vs. the Machines. The DreamWorks project follows a family with their fair share of tension who embark on a cross-country road trip together, only for a rogue A.I. system to take over the world.
The movie is perhaps the most fast-paced comedy of the year with hilarious jokes flying at the audience every minute. It is a wild and touching ride with many moments that will have the viewers laughing out loud.
The Worst Person In The World (7.9)
- Available on Apple TV+
While there are usually some international movies that are able to grab the audience's attention every year, it is rare for them to be comedies. However, the humor of the Norwegian movie The Worst Person in the World didn't get lost in translation.
The inventive comedy follows a young woman dealing with her complicated love life. The darkly subversive take on the rom-com genre really struck a chord with many viewers, and it became one of the best-reviewed movies of the year within the genre.
CODA (8.1)
- Available on Apple TV+
The recent Best Picture winner also happens to be one of the best comedies of 2021. CODA is the story of a young high school girl who is the only member of her family who is not deaf. While dealing with her responsibilities to her loved ones, she begins to pursue her love of singing.
There are a lot of touching and tearful moments in the movie to be sure, but there are also some big laughs from the likable cast. The combination of humor, heart, and a unique coming-of-age story helped to make CODA one of the most crowd-pleasing movies of 2021.
Inside (8.6)
A comedy special developed by musician and comedian Bo Burnham, 2021's Inside primarily served as a bitterly comedic reflection of the lockdowns many experienced during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. Burnham satirizes the realities of working from home, ordering things on Amazon, and spending excessive amounts of time on the internet, blending his observations with a hallmark cynical singer-songwriter twist that feels like a modern-day take on the works of Tom Lehrer.
Set in a single room, there's a manic horror burbling under songs like "Welcome to the Internet" that connected with many people, and the entire special still serves as an excellent exploration of what it was like to live through the past few years.