Here’s something that isn’t funny about Netflix’s comedy films: The latest round of content churn means a lot of great comedies left in the last month, and a surprisingly high amount of Adam Sandler flicks remain. That’s either good news or bad news depending on how much you like Sandler. Regardless, the comedy lineup is a little thin on Netflix as we head into the colder months. Fortunately, we’ve already picked out the best choices that remain in our updated list of the best comedies on Netflix right now.
We’ve also curated a guide to the best comedies on Hulu, the best romantic comedies on Netflix, and the best rom-coms on Hulu, if you’re looking for additional recommendations.
Chef (2014)
Avengers Assemble! … for Jon Favreau’s passion project, Chef. That said, Scarlett Johansson and Robert Downey Jr. only have minor roles compared to Favreau’s Carl Casper. Carl is a popular chef at one of L.A.’s top restaurants who feuds with his boss, Riva (Dustin Hoffman), and a respected food critic, Ramsey Michel (Oliver Platt). When these constant battles cost Carl his job, he rediscovers his passion for cooking in a food truck alongside his son, Percy (Emjay Anthony), and with the support of his ex-wife, Inez (Sofía Vergara). By putting the focus back on his food and his family, Carl is able to embrace the good things in his life.
Midnight Run (1988)
Pay attention, kids: Midnight Run is just about the perfect buddy action comedy. Robert De Niro stars as Jack Walsh, a former cop turned bounty hunter. It’s Jack’s job to escort a corrupt accountant, Jonathan “The Duke” Mardukas (Charles Grodin), to Los Angeles. Unfortunately, Jack and Jonathan have a mutual enemy in a drug dealer named Jimmy Serrano (Dennis Farina). Jack also makes an enemy out of FBI Special Agent Alonzo Mosely (Yaphet Kotto), who makes it his goal in life to take down both Jack and Jonathan. Along the way, the unlikely duo form an odd friendship and emotional bond.
Mystery Men (1999)
You can either blame Mystery Men or Shrek for inflicting Smash Mouth’s All Star upon an unsuspected population. Regardless, we’re quite fond of this superhero spoof which managed to predate almost all of the modern Marvel movies. Within the world of the film, Captain Amazing (Greg Kinnear) makes the monumental mistake of freeing his enemy, Cassanova Frankenstein (Geoffrey Rush), from jail just to keep himself relevant and needed. With Captain Amazing out of the way, it falls to the Z-grade heroes like Mr. Furious (Ben Stiller), The Shoveler (William H. Macy), The Bowler (Janeane Garofalo), The Blue Raja (Hank Azaria), and more to pick up the slack … if they can.
Wine Country (2019)
Wine Country could be considered a female counterpart to Sideways. To celebrate the 50th birthday of her friend Rebecca (Rachel Dratch), Abby (Amy Poehler) invites four of their closest friends to take a vacation in wine country. Abby quickly becomes a nightmare to deal with, thanks to her lingering feelings about the loss of her job. But Catherine (Ana Gasteyer), Naomi (Maya Rudolph), Val (Paula Pell), Jenny (Emily Spivey), and even Rebecca herself have problems of their own. The only way for the ladies to salvage this trip is to open up to each other and face their fears and issues head on.
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Step Brothers (2008)
As is often the case, Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly take a relatively bland concept and turn it into comedy gold in this ridiculous comedy about two failures to launch who become bitter rivals when their exasperated parents get married. Brennan (Ferrell) and Dale (Reilly) are lazy, unemployed parasites destroying their respective single parent’s retirement. But when Brennan’s mother and Dale’s father get married and move in together, the two boys suddenly find neither is the center of the universe anymore. The insane rivalry it spawns threatens to tear the new family apart.
Mars Attacks! (1996)
An ode to the campy sci-fi and Cold War fearmongering of the ’50s, Tim Burton’s Mars Attacks! is utterly ridiculous, but that’s the point. It’s like Independence Day, but dumb. When a fleet of Martian spacecraft surrounds the world’s major cities, claiming they “come in peace,” the world holds its collective breath. Professor Donald Kessler (Pierce Brosnan) assures President James Dale (Jack Nicholson) that the Martians’ mission is a friendly one. But then a peaceful exchange results in the annihilation of the U.S. Congress, ramping up for nuclear retaliation.
The Interview (2014)
It’s almost impossible to beat the hype that The Interview drummed up ahead of its release. A film about a two-bit talk show host getting a once-in-a-lifetime chance to interview North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, the North Korean government was not happy about it. So, they hacked Sony, made a ton of private emails public, and got studio president Amy Pascal fired. Still, the show must go on and The Interview was still released. It’s not nearly as spicy or offensive as it could be but if you’re in the mood for a James Franco-Seth Rogen buddy comedy with a touch of political humor, it’s a good choice.
School of Rock (2003)
Jack Black stars as bigheaded guitarist Dewey Finn in this family-friendly comedy (with a little language) that was eventually turned into a Broadway show. After getting thrown out of his band, Dewey’s suddenly in desperate need of a job. So, he cons his way into a music teaching job at an elite private elementary school, where the kids know absolutely nothing about music. Dewey teaches them about the magic of rock and helps them tap into their inner musical talent, despite the displeasure of the school’s uptight principal (Joan Cusack). As the kids’ talent comes out, Dewey decides to seek redemption at a local Battle of the Bands.
Pineapple Express (2008)
A stoner comedy extravaganza, Seth Rogen and James Franco team up in this goofy comedy caper. Dale Denton (Rogen) loves marijuana. But when he witnesses a murder and drops his roach in a panic, it might just get him killed. The dangerous drug lord who committed the murder and the crooked cop on his payroll soon trace the roach back to Dale and his dealer, Saul (Franco), who go on the lam to escape vengeance.
Not Another Teen Movie (2001)
A send-up of the teen rom-coms and horror films of the ’90s, Not Another Teen Movie isn’t a classic by any means, but it’s a worthwhile parody for ’90s kids. From She’s All That to Varsity Blues, Not Another Teen Movie takes extremely obvious aim at the movies you’re now embarrassed you loved so much as a teenager. Janey Briggs (Chyler Leigh) is an aspiring artist who, because of her glasses, ponytail, and paint-covered overalls is deemed an outcast at her high school. So much so that football star Jake Wyler (Chris Evans) makes a bet that he can turn Janey into a prom queen, setting off a series of events that exactly mirrors every ’90s teen movie you ever saw.
Starsky & Hutch (2004)
While many remakes of TV shows from the ’70s abandon the decade that spawned them, Starsky & Hutch fully embraces its native time frame. Everything including the music, hairstyles, cars, and fashion scream 1975 as Detectives David Starsky (Ben Stiller) and Ken “Hutch” Hutchinson (Owen Wilson) are forced to team up as they build a case against local drug lord Reese Feldman (Vince Vaughn). Snoop Dogg co-stars as Huggy Bear Brown, the duo’s primary source on the streets. Neither detective is particularly sharp, but they’re all that stands between the public and Reese’s new untraceable cocaine.
Vampires vs. the Bronx (2020)
Vampires vs. the Bronx may have skipped a theatrical release, but this Netflix original has earned its place on this list. As the title implies, gentrification isn’t the only evil thing to worry about, as Miguel Martinez (Jaden Michael) and his friends, Bobby Carter (Gerald W. Jones III) and Luis Acosta (Gregory Diaz IV), discover that the pale Europeans taking over the neighborhood literally want to suck out their blood. Realizing that the vampires are real and proving it are two different matters. The only guide these kids have to fighting vamps is the original Blade movie. But when push comes to shove, the people of the Bronx aren’t going to let some creatures of the night take their blood — or their homes.
Beverly Hills Ninja (1997)
Beverly Hills Ninja is a screwball comedy that’s essential viewing for any Chris Farley fan. If you’re not a fan, you can probably pass. Farley plays Haru, a young man who, as a baby, washed ashore near a village populated by Japanese warriors. The warriors raise the child as one of their own and instruct him in the ways of ninjitsu. Unfortunately, he grows up to be overweight and inept — although it does not daunt his enthusiasm. When Haru receives his first assignment — protecting a beautiful Californian woman — he travels with her to Beverly Hills where he gets his first taste of Western culture.
The Disaster Artist (2017)
James Franco directed and stars in this unusual dramedy that earned a Best Picture nomination. The Disaster Artist tells the true story of Hollywood outsider and all-time curiosity Tommy Wiseau as he and his best friend make the infamously bad cult classic The Room. Refusing to take no for an answer and convinced of his film’s genius, Tommy embarks on a hilarious odyssey to make his dreams a reality.
Hail, Caesar! (2016)
Yes, it’s another Coen brothers movie on the list. That’s because they’re very good at making funny movies, even with a dash of drama. Hail, Caesar! takes place in the ’50s and puts the spotlight on a real Hollywood fixer, Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin), and puts him through a wild fictionalized story that includes a Communist abduction of movie star Baird Whitlock (George Clooney). There are a lot of familiar faces in this film, including Scarlett Johansson as a starlet, DeeAnna Moran, whose pregnancy causes some potential PR problems. It’s all Eddie can do to keep his head above water during the constant insanity in his life. But you can laugh at him, and with him.
A Futile and Stupid Gesture (2018)
This Netflix original movie tends to get buried under more high-profile releases, but A Futile and Stupid Gesture is a strongly constructed comedy biopic about Douglas Kenney (Will Forte), the co-founder of National Lampoon. Martin Mull co-stars as an older Doug while looking back at his career with his comedy partner-in-crime, Henry Beard (Domhnall Gleeson). Together, Douglas and Henry helped revolutionize comedy, and also paved the way for Animal House. But Doug’s struggle with addiction destroys nearly all of his relationships in the process. A very talented supporting cast including Joel McHale, Ed Helms, Matt Lucas, Thomas Lennon, Rick Glassman, and more also play some comedy legends who came to prominence thanks to Doug and Henry. This is a story that needed to be told, even though Doug’s legacy has largely been forgotten.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
What is the airspeed of an unladen swallow? How do you tell if someone is a witch? And if you come across a rabbit at the entrance of a cave, how fast do you run and why aren’t you running already? All of these questions and more can be at least partially answered only with the 1975 comedy classic Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The second feature film made by the legendary cast of Monty Python’s Flying Circus, Holy Grail is absolutely mandatory for any fan of swords and sorcery fantasy, comedy, or any kind of movie that keeps you laughing so hard from start to finish that you’ll never stop to consider whether or not it makes any sense (SPOILER: it does not).
Lady Bird (2017)
Greta Gerwig’s solo directorial debut, Lady Bird, works equally well as both a comedy and a drama. Saoirse Ronan stars as the titular Lady Bird. It’s the name adopted by Ronan’s character, Christine McPherson, as she starts openly rebelling against her Catholic high school and her mother, Marion (Laurie Metcalf). Over the course of Lady Bird’s senior year, she redefines herself through her friends, new and old, as well as her ambitions for college and her quest for love. Gerwig didn’t shy away from showing Lady Bird’s mistakes and growing pains, but those are some of the qualities that make her story so endearing to watch.
Dolemite Is My Name (2019)
All hail the return of Eddie Murphy! Murphy plays Rudy Ray Moore in this Netflix original. Moore was a washed-up musician who transformed himself into the 1970’s blaxploitation character named Dolemite, becoming a cult star in the process. An ode to extremely independent filmmaking with a subtler touch than Bowfinger, this film features additional, outstanding performances from Wesley Snipes and Keegan-Michael Key.
Life of Brian (1979)
A person doesn’t truly love Monty Python unless they love Life of Brian. Well, and Flying Circus. There’s much more to Monty Python than Holy Grail. While Grail is the better-known film, Life of Brian is more ambitious, cynical, and downright crazier for a very simple reason: It parodies Jesus Christ rather than King Arthur. Well, Christ’s neighbor, Brian Cohen, played by Graham Chapman. The film follows a case of mistaken identity as Brian is treated as a prophet, blasphemer, and enemy of the state in a series of events meant to skewer the Bible. It was, needless to say, not popular with the Church upon its release, but it’s still darn funny and encourages everyone to “Always Look On the Bright Side of Life.”
The Artist (2011)
There are elements of drama and romance, but at its core, The Artist is a comedy. Once you move through the black-and-white barrier, you enter a world of cinematic nostalgia unparalleled in film today. While old, silent films can be difficult on modern sensibilities, The Artist never stops trying to surprise with visual and audio tricks, along with humorous title cards and visceral acting. The 2011 film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and closes with a rollicking dance scene that rivals anything Fred Astaire created during his heyday.
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Can’t find what you want on Netflix? Fortunately, we’ve also rounded up the best comedies on Amazon Prime Video and the best comedies on Hulu.
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