2002 was a big year for franchises at the box office domestically. Spider-Man made its debut, dominating the box office followed closely behind by Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. It was also a massive year for romantic comedies and family-friendly movies. Unfortunately, that meant that the comedy genre was left floundering.
Comedies in 2002 took an interesting approach, going for niche audiences that would bring in a steady stream of profits instead of record-breaking ones. Ultimately, what happened was Hollywood created a lot of comedy movies that have been forgotten from the pop culture zeitgeist. Still, there are some that are worth revisiting to remember the simpler times of 2002.
Eight Crazy Nights - 5.3
Adam Sandler first experimented with animation in 2002 with the release of Eight Crazy Nights. The movie, which was inspired by one of Sandler's hit SNL songs, centers on Davey (Sandler), a trouble maker who has to referee a youth basketball league over the holidays as a form of community service.
While the movie was a box office bomb that was panned by critics, it is fun and one of the best Hanukkah movies out there. It's also worth watching during the holiday season after watching the best Hanukkah TV episodes.
The Hot Chick - 5.5
When popular mean girl Jessica (Rachel McAdams) steals a pair of earrings that are actually cursed, her perfect world is turned upside down. Now Jessica is stuck in the body of Clive (Rob Schneider), a sleazy crook, while Clive is stuck in Jessica's body.
The Hot Chick might be one of the weirdest teen movies ever made which is why many people don't remember it. However, the movie did boast an incredible cast of soon-to-be stars like McAdams and Anna Faris in addition to comedy stars like Schneider.
Mr. Deeds - 5.8
Adam Sandler was on a roll in 2002 churning out movies left and right, including one of Sandler's best romantic comedies Mr. Deeds. The movie centers on Deeds (Sandler) and an average man living a happy life who has his world changed when a long-lost relative dies and leaves him his $40 billion fortune and his media company.
Intrigued by the story, a young journalist (Winona Ryder) sets out to do a piece on Mr. Deeds. Despite being panned by critics and being nominated for several Razzie Awards, Mr. Deeds was extremely successful at the box office.
Drumline - 5.9
Drumline is one of the most underrated coming-of-age teen dramas of all time. The movie was inspired by a true story and went on to earn $56 million in the United States box office alone.
The movie centers on Devon Miles (Nick Cannon), a young and talented drummer from New York who is starting college at a fictional Atlanta university. Devon plans to become the leader of the school's drumline but instantly butts heads with the current leader which has him questioning his talent for the first time ever.
Austin Powers In Goldmember - 6.2
After the success of the first two Austin Powers movies, it's no surprise that a third movie was made. Michael Myers reprised his role and even added a few for Austin Powers In Goldmember. It was a box office hit and quickly became New Line Cinema's highest-earning comedy movie.
The movie begins with Dr. Evil and Goldmember joining forces to travel back in time, kidnap Nigel Powers, and ultimately take over the world. Austin Powers also goes back in time where he teams up with Foxxy Cleopatra in the hopes of saving his father and stopping Dr. Evil and Goldmember.
Barbershop - 6.3
Ever since his father's death, Calvin Palmer Jr. (Ice Cube) has worked to keep his father's beloved barbershop open despite never having a passion for it. Tired of the burden, Calvin sells the shop to a greedy loan shark who has an ulterior motive for the sale. It's only after the sale that Calvin realizes just how special the show is.
Barbershop was incredibly successful at the box office bringing in $77 million against a $12 million budget. It also launched a successful franchise which includes two sequels to date.
Jackass: The Movie - 6.6
After much success on MTV as a television series, the gang of Jackass decided to set their eyes on something bigger by creating a feature-length movie. Sticking to their slapstick comedy roots, the movie is a compilation of dangerous and dumb stunts, skits, and pranks that are woven together with backstage footage of the cast.
Jackass: The Movie has a very niche audience but that audience came out in droves pushing the movie to nearly $80 million at the box office. It was so successful that the entire cast reprised their "roles" and created a sequel in 2006.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding - 6.6
For years romantic comedies struggled to make it at the box office but My Big Fat Greek Wedding ended the unsuccessful streak bringing in over $368 million to become of the most successful romantic comedies ever made. A record held for over a decade after.
About A Boy - 7.1
Adapted from the 1998 novel of the same name by Nick Hornby, About A Boy follows Will (Hugh Grant), a man who is so desperate for love he invents an imaginary son so he can attend single parent meetings. This leads Will to meet Marcus (Nicholas Hoult), a young boy who is a bit troubled. The two begin an unlikely pair as they help each other navigate the world.
About A Boy went on to become a major hit and was even nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy Awards.
Ice Age - 7.5
When it comes to best comedy movies not everyone immediately thinks of family animated comedies, but in 2002 the best comedy movie really was a family animated one. Ice Age centers on a ragtag group of animals who are trying to escape an ice age when they stumble across an orphaned baby. The trio decides to work together to reunite the baby with its family.
Ice Age was incredibly successful at the box office and launched one of DreamWorks's best franchises of all time. It went on to be nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards.