Comedy movies continue to get better at entertaining and making audiences laugh every year, with the best ones from the past decade almost always delivering powerful messages or important lessons with their well-written narratives and witty lines.
Fans on Letterboxd – a social media platform for film buffs – have chosen the best comedy movies in each of the last ten years through their ratings. From the quirky absurdity in Hunt for the Wilderpeople to the dark humor in Parasite, there’s something for every viewer among the top-scoring comedy films.
A Story Of Yonosuke (2013) – 4.05
Fans of Japanese romcoms are likely already familiar with director Shuichi Okita’s A Story of Yonosuke. The 2013 film follows the titular protagonist, Yonosuke Yokomichi, as he experiences how different life in Tokyo is compared to his hometown in Nagasaki.
With his disheveled clothes and awkward expressions, Yonosuke stands out among his peers, but it doesn’t bother him in the least. There are genuinely humorous moments caused by his naivety and obliviousness. It may not seem like it at first, but viewers who end up liking this will find that it’s one of the best philosophical movies, as it tackles themes like discrimination and true happiness in a nostalgic and smart manner.
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) – 4.21
Since it’s often praised for its impeccable set design and signature color palette, it’s easy to overlook the well-written narrative and funny lines in director Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Set in the now-legendary European hotel, the drama-comedy film follows an ensemble cast led by Monsieur Gustave H., who teams up with his charming protégé to steal a Renaissance painting to avoid being framed for murder. It’s one of the auteur’s most recognizable and widely-acclaimed works, which is why it’s not surprising that it consistently receives high ratings from critics and fans.
Heart Attack (2015) – 3.93
Director Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit’s Heart Attack is a criminally underrated romcom that revolves around the budding romance between Yoon, a freelancer who works too hard, and Imm, a doctor who teaches him how to take better care of himself. Yoon has to make a difficult choice between prioritizing his career or his health, which is now inextricably linked with his potential relationship.
The funny quips between the two will make most audiences giggle, but it’s not just the back-and-forth flirtation that makes the film funny. There are also hilarious but thought-provoking moments that underscore how difficult life is for Yoon, who, at one point, asks to connect to the Wi-Fi network in a temple to meet a deadline.
Hunt For The Wilderpeople (2016) – 4.04
Often considered among the best indie movies, director Taika Waititi’s Hunt for the Wilderpeople thrusts viewers into a wacky adventure in the woods that’s centered on Ricky Baker, a mischievous foster child, and Hector Faulkner, his cynical father figure. The duo unintentionally become the subject of a manhunt after Ricky fakes his own death and runs away into the forest.
There are countless gut-busting moments in the film, with most being quirky, and some bordering on the absurd. Fans will likely never forget comedic scenes like the one with the talking burger, as well as the more heartfelt moments as the pair find that they get along better than they think.
Paddington 2 (2017) – 4.18
Paddington Brown came back to make audiences smile and laugh once again in director Paul King’s critically-acclaimed sequel, Paddington 2. The comedy film follows Paddington’s misadventures with the Brown family in London, where he’s wrongly accused of stealing an expensive gift for his aunt.
It’s a great example of a sequel done right, as it improves upon the humor, visual effects, and narrative of the original. The movie is a perfect balance of pure adventurous fun and heartfelt moments, which makes it ideal for movie nights with one’s family.
Ee.Ma.Yau (2018) – 4.1
Even audiences who enjoy satirical dark comedy should brace themselves before watching director Lijo Jose Pellissery’s Ee.Ma.Yau. The Indian Malayalam-language has a simple enough premise, as it starts with the death and funeral of Valiyathuparambil Vavachan Mesthiri, an important figure in the local Latin Catholic community.
The rest of the movie explores his family and friends’ experiences as they deal with his loss. There are some hard-hitting moments that are almost too painful to watch, but the smart humor makes the difficult subject matter easier to absorb.
Parasite (2019) – 4.59
Parasite is a film that needs no introduction, as director Bong Joon-ho’s black comedy thriller movie is already considered a classic at this point. It tells the story of a cunning family who slowly infiltrate a wealthy family’s home one by one by pretending to be competent workers.
It’s one of those movies that – for audiences who still haven’t seen it – is best viewed for the first time knowing as little as possible about the plot. It gained international acclaim because of its unapologetic and often jarring portrayal of themes like social inequality and class conflict.
The Real Will Wood (2020) – 4.07
Described as a “part mockumentary” and “part documentary” on Letterboxd, The Real Will Wood is a concert film documentary that delves into the life and career of the titular singer-songwriter. Will Wood and Chris Dunne direct the comedic film, which is mostly a satirical and humorous, if sometimes chaotic record of some of the artist’s experiences.
They interview the people close to Will Wood and find that they give very different answers. It’s a movie that mostly his fans will appreciate, but even viewers who know nothing about the singer may find the documentary’s wacky approach to the medium entertaining.
Bo Burnham: Inside (2021) – 4.22
Directed, written, filmed, and performed alone by the comedian Bo Burnham, Inside pushes the limits of what is possible in the genre. Burnham’s creative performances for the special range from parodying a “White Woman’s Instagram” to depicting the horrors of his scheduled FaceTime call with his mom.
It’s all in an attempt to capture his deteriorating mental health and struggles as he, like most other people in the world, has to stay indoors during the pandemic. The award-winning special is as comedic as it is poignant, proving Burnham’s resourcefulness and incredibly ability to produce smart and relatable works.
Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022) – 4.47
Everything Everywhere All at Once is a recently released sci-fi action comedy film that has already become a favorite for fans of the genre. Director Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert thrust viewers into the multiverse along with the likable protagonist, Evelyn Wang.
Evelyn’s life changes when she realizes there are infinite versions of her out there, but she’s the only one who can truly save everything from destruction. The film is a perfect mix of action, comedy, and family drama, and a refreshing new take on the concept.