In dark times like this, there’s nothing like a comedy to lift the spirits and make it through the bleak days of being in quarantine and social isolation, to think about brighter worlds and happier times. Fortunately for everyone, Netflix has a number of comedies that are currently available for streaming.
Most of them have managed to fly a bit below the radar, so in the event you haven’t seen them, here are ten obscure but awesome comedies you can stream on Netflix.
The Little Hours (2017)
This is one of those quirky comedies that you have to be a bit patient to watch and get into. Though it’s set in the medieval period, it actually features contemporary dialogue. It focuses on a group of nuns who encounter a man pretending to be a deaf-mute. It features a top-notch cast, including none other than Aubrey Plaza, famous for her role as April in the comedy Parks and Recreation. The film premiered at Sundance.
Obvious Child (2014)
Who knew that you could take the issue of abortion - one of the most controversial topics going today - and make it into a romantic comedy? However, that’s just what Gillian Robespierre has managed to do with this film, which has none other than the divine Jenny Slate, who manages to wring every laugh from the excellent material that she’s given, as the star. It’s rather refreshing to see a woman in the director’s chair, and the critics certainly agreed.
My Life as a Zucchini (2016)
Most people probably do not associate animated films with emotional drama and the exploration of deep philosophical issues. However, that’s exactly what you get with this Swiss-French co-production that follows a boy who accidentally kills his mother and ends up in an orphanage.
Despite its dark beginning, the film ends up being quite funny and adorable. It was well-received by critics, and it would go on to be nominated for the Best Animated Feature Film Award at the Oscars.
What About Dick (2012)
When you have a film that features the truly great line-up of Billy Connolly, Tim Curry, Eddie Izzard, and Tracy Ullman, the result is sure to be great. Even in a film as strange as this one - and it is at times very strange - the acting talent on display shines through. Of course, the fact that it was written and directed by the great Eric Idle, one of the founding members of Monty Python, means that there is never a dull moment in this madcap comedy.
The Death of Stalin (2017)
Though probably best known for creating Veep, Armando Iannucci also created this fabulous comedy that focuses on the men who sought to gain power after the death of Stalin. The film is an embarrassment of riches in terms of the acting talent on display, featuring the likes of Steve Buscemi, Jason Isaacs, and Michael Palin. Though it met with critical acclaim, it struggled to make a profit at the box office. The Russians, unsurprisingly, didn’t like it.
How To Be A Latin Lover (2017)
What can you say about a film that’s about a young man who is kicked out of the house by his elderly lover and has to learn how to survive on his own? This movie is a true delight, and its lead, Eugenio Derbez, is quite adorable as the main character Maximo. It also features some excellent performances from the supporting players, including the radiant and divine Salma Hayek. It’s definitely an obscure film, but it’s worth watching to brighten up an afternoon.
Life After Beth (2014)
There’s just something incredibly wonderful about the actress Aubrey Plaza. She is, of course, best known for being in Parks and Recreation, but this showed that she also has the chops to carry a film all on her own. It’s a rather strange film, to be sure, but it’s worth watching just to see Plaza. It was, unfortunately, not well-received by the critics, and it didn’t perform well at the box office either.
Melvin Goes to Dinner (2003)
This rather strange comedy is just off-beat enough that it manages to be both wryly humorous and thought-provoking. It has an innocuous enough plot, with a man who goes to dinner with an old friend. Several flashbacks follow, and the film keeps you guessing right up until the end.
In a final twist of oddness, it was actually directed by Bob Odenkirk, famous for his roles in both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.
Results (2015)
Though best known for his work in dramatic roles, in this film Guy Pearce proves that he also has the ability to play well in comedy. Results debuted at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, as well as several other festivals including Capital Film Festival, South by Southwest, and the Dallas International Film Festival. It was well-received by the majority of critics, and it was directed by Andrew Bulaski, famous for being part of the mumblecore subgenre of independent film.
The Breaker Upperers (2018)
This comedy from New Zealand features two women who run an agency that specializes in breaking people up rather than in bringing them together. Though there are a few speed bumps in their friendship, the film ends on an upbeat note. There’s undeniable chemistry between the two leads, and the film is worth watching for the two of them alone. It was well-received by critics and was a significant box office success in its native country.