It’s not hard to find a great comedy movie on Netflix. Unlike some other genres like sci-fi and fantasy, Netflix keeps its lineup of comedies well-stocked with some recent box-office hits, like Jennifer Lawrence’s No Hard Feelings, as well as classic titles on loan from other studios and a lot of original films. This month’s new additions include the first theatrical adaptation of The Addams Family, The Big Lebowski, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. It’s pretty hard to go wrong with those flicks.
Comedies come and go, which is why it’s important to stay glued to what’s new on Netflix. If you’re looking for laughs, these are the best comedies on Netflix right now.
We’ve also curated guides 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.
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No Hard Feelings2023 -
The Addams Family1991
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The Big Lebowski1998
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No Hard Feelings (2023) new
What kind of woman answers a Craigslist ad promising money from wealthy parents in return for dating their awkward son? Why, that would be Jennifer Lawrence’s character in No Hard Feelings. Lawrence plays Maddie Barker, a woman in her early 30s who is on the verge of losing everything she has, including her home and her car.
Unfortunately for Maddie, dating 19-year-old Percy Becker (newcomer Andrew Barth Feldman) may be next to impossible. He seems impervious to her charms, and even afraid of intimacy. For Maddie, it’s just a job, but she also hasn’t thought about what will happen if Percy ever learns the reason she pursued him.
The Addams Family (1991) new
In the early 1990s, movies based on TV shows didn’t tend to be very good. And yet, The Addams Family was not only great, it has a large fan base of its own thanks to Christina Ricci and the late Raul Julia. But the entire Addams family is impeccably well-cast for this revival. Gomez (Julia) and his wife, Morticia Addams (Anjelica Huston), fully embrace their macabre life, as do their kids, Wednesday (Ricci) and Pugsley (Jimmy Workman).
The only thing haunting Gomez is the loss of his brother, Fester, years ago. That’s when Addams’ shady lawyer realizes that Gordon Craven (Christopher Lloyd) looks just like Fester. A scheme is soon hatched to use Gordon to steal the family’s immense wealth. But when Gordon is instantly embraced by the Addams, he finds his loyalty torn between them and his malevolent mother.
The Big Lebowski (1998) new
It’s a common misconception that Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) is The Big Lebowski of the film that shares his name. This is a mistake that even characters in the movie make, but Jeffrey “The Big” Lebowski (David Huddleston) is the only one of the two Lebowskis who actually has wealth and power.
When the Dude is accosted by a mobster’s enforcers over Lebowski’s debts, he is unwittingly thrown into a tangled mess that involves Lebowski’s supposedly kidnapped trophy wife, Bunny (Tara Reid), and a wide array of eccentric criminals who just won’t let the Dude enjoy his chill.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) new
Director Edgar Wright’s adaptation of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a comic book movie that plays by video game rules. We’re talking boss battles, power-ups, and even an extra life for Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera), the leading character in Bryan Lee O’Malley’s hit graphic novel series.
Scott’s an otherwise ordinary slacker living in Canada who catches the attention of Ramona Flowers (Final Destination franchise actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead). Scott is so taken by Ramona that he doesn’t even bother to break up with his actual girlfriend, Knives Chau (Ellen Wong), until after he pursues his next love. Too bad for Scott, because now he has to face Ramona’s seven evil exes in battle if he wants to win her heart.
Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)
It’s a rare movie that has a title that gets right to the point of its high concept. There is indeed a Hot Tub Time Machine in this film, but this is more of a comedy than a sci-fi story. In the aftermath of a suicide attempt by Lou Dorchen (Rob Corddry), his friends Adam Yates (John Cusack) and Nick Webber-Agnew (Craig Robinson), decide to take him to the Colorado resort where they vacationed decades earlier. Adam’s nephew, Jacob Yates (Clark Duke), also accompanies them.
Once the group accidentally turns a hot tub into a time machine, everyone except Jacob finds themselves back in their 1986 bodies. And while the guys realize that history has to be maintained, the temptation to fix their past mistakes may prove to be too difficult to resist.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
Following a brutal breakup with his famous girlfriend, Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell), Peter Bretter (Shrinking‘s Jason Segel) is emotionally bereft. And as the title of Forgetting Sarah Marshall implies, Peter finds it very difficult to get over his ex. Even when Peter goes on a solo vacation in Hawaii, he ends up at the same resort as Sarah and her new boyfriend, Aldous Snow (Russell Brand).
Peter does make an instant connection with Rachel Jansen (Mila Kunis), a clerk at the hotel. As Peter and Rachel get closer, Sarah starts to feel jealous, which may jeopardize both of their new relationships.
The House Bunny (2008)
Anna Faris stars in The House Bunny as Shelly Darlingson, an aspiring Playboy centerfold who is unexpectedly evicted from the Playboy Mansion. Desperate to find a new place for herself, Shelly ends up getting hired as the new house mother of Zeta Alpha Zeta, a sorority of awkward students including Natalie Sandler (Emma Stone), Mona Rita (Kat Dennings), Harmony Bowels (Katharine McPhee), Carrie Mae Staten (Dana Goodman), and Joanne Davis (Rumer Willis).
While Shelly teaches the girls how to attract guys by appearing more superficial, she has a hard time landing Oliver Hauser (Colin Hanks), a man she really wants to impress. That’s why Shelly has a lot to learn from the Zetas as well.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
For its time, Fast Times At Ridgemont High was considered an edgy comedy. But since it came out 41 years ago, it seems a lot more subdued by today’s standards. But it’s still one of the classic high school comedies of the 1980s, with a cast full of breakout stars including Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Phoebe Cates, Forest Whitaker, and even Nicolas Cage in a minor role.
Penn’s Jeff Spicoli gets most of the film’s funny moments, but the heart of the story revolves around Mark “Rat” Ratner (Brian Backer), his best friend Mike Damone (Robert Romanus), and Mark’s crush, Stacy Hamilton (Leigh). Mark would do anything to be with Stacy, but she falls for Mike’s charms and ends up pregnant … which may end Mark’s relationship with both of them.
Midnight Run (1988)
Within the context of this movie, a midnight run is supposed to be an easy assignment for bounty hunter Jack Walsh (Robert De Niro). He has five days to retrieve a nonviolent criminal accountant, Jonathan “The Duke” Mardukas (Charles Grodin), who embezzled money from mob boss Jimmy Serrano (Dennis Farina).
What Walsh fails to realize until it’s too late is that Mardukas is a high-value target for the FBI, Serrano’s men, and even a rival bounty hunter named Marvin Dorfler (John Ashton). And much to his surprise, Walsh even finds himself bonding with Mardukas during their journey. That’s one of the big reasons why Midnight Run is remembered as one of the best buddy comedies of the ’80s.
The Jerk (1979)
Only Murders in the Building‘s Steve Martin finally got to headline his own film in The Jerk, which was directed by comedy legend Carl Reiner. Martin plays Navin R. Johnson, the titular jerk, but The Moron would have also been an appropriate title for this film. Navin is a true nitwit, and he embarks on a journey to Los Angeles because he believes that it’s his destiny.
Along the way, Navin inadvertently strikes it rich and forms a relationship with Marie Kimble Johnson (Bernadette Peters). However, Navin’s good fortune is fleeting, and he may lose everything that he has gained, even Marie.
Fatherhood (2021)
The Polka King (2017)
Between Two Ferns: The Movie (2019)
Metal Lords (2022)
Vampires vs. the Bronx (2020)
A Futile and Stupid Gesture (2018)
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Dolemite Is My Name (2019)
Life of Brian (1979)
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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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