The 10 Best Comedies of the Last 10 Years

It’s quite unfortunate that as we desperately yearn for humor and escape, it appears that comedic movies from Hollywood are becoming scarce – almost extinct when we need them the most. In essence, reality is tough at the moment, but comedies play a crucial role in helping us forget our troubles, even if just for a while, by providing a much-needed distraction beyond the movie theater entrance.

It’s quite disappointing that the major film studios have mainly shifted away from traditional movie comedies towards constantly rehashing intellectual properties instead. While there are many comedies on television and endless funny content on TikTok, it doesn’t compare to the experience of laughing in a large theater filled with strangers, enjoying a big bucket of popcorn. These are indeed challenging times for those who appreciate a good laugh in a communal setting.

Fortunately, there are still some instances that buck the trend. These come from different streaming platforms, but others originate from conventional studios and graced cinemas nationwide. Here’s a list of the ten funniest comedies from the past decade (2015-2024). (There’s another ten worthy mentions listed below.) If you’re seeking a film to uplift your spirits, give one of these titles a go. In particularly tough times, watch them all in succession.

The 10 Funniest Movies of the Last Ten Years (2015-2024)

10. The Trip to Spain (2017)

I wholeheartedly believe that no ongoing comedy franchise surpasses “The Trip” in its unique charm. Penned by writer/director Michael Winterbottom, this long-running series follows Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, who portray fictionalized versions of themselves, embarking on a gastronomic journey through various regions. Each installment sees them savoring local cuisines, pondering their lives and careers, and engaging in a perpetual contest to be crowned the ultimate Michael Caine impersonator. Initially, these films were simply hilarious, but as they’ve progressed, they’ve taken on more profound layers, delving into Steve and Rob’s struggles with mortality and professional setbacks. If you haven’t experienced this series yet, I highly recommend starting from the original “Trip” and continuing until you reach “The Trip to Greece.

9. Blockers (2018)

To demonstrate that traditional Hollywood comedies can still be innovatively approached, check out the film “Blockers“. Instead of focusing solely on the usual teenagers eager to lose their virginity on prom night, this movie flips the script by concentrating equally on the worried parents (Leslie Mann, Ike Barinholtz, and John Cena), while the high school characters (Kathryn Newton, Geraldine Viswanathan, and Gideon Adlon) are depicted as hormone-driven. This unexpected plot twist makes for an amusing sex comedy, skillfully brought to life by a talented cast and director Kay Cannon.

8. Good Boys (2019)

The idea that young boys behaving inappropriately might seem like an old trick in the book, particularly in teen comedies focusing on immature males. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Good Boys was not only funnier but also more insightful about this turbulent, humorous phase of childhood than expected. The movie offers a blend of crude humor and characters that resonate with a young teen audience; my frequent and boisterous laughter during the film may hint at my own immaturity level. To borrow words from critic Robert Warshow, “An adult acting like a child goes to the movies. The critic must be honest enough to admit they are that adult acting like a child.

7. Girls Trip (2017)

In this movie titled “Girls Trip“, assemble an outstanding comedic ensemble, including Regina Hall, Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, and particularly Tiffany Haddish. Set in New Orleans and rated R, it’s a recipe for a bawdy, boisterous film that will leave you laughing until it hurts. This hilarious movie was exceptional enough to win a few awards, with Tiffany Haddish even taking home Best Supporting Actress honors from prestigious groups like the New York Film Critics Circle. A word of caution: after watching this film, your perspective on grapefruits will never be the same again!

6. The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)

For a couple of years now, my oldest daughter and I have been on a roll with “The LEGO Batman Movie.” It’s been our go-to pick for movie nights, and let me tell you, we’ve seen it more times than I can count. This film has proven itself to be one of the most rewatchable comedies from the last decade, hands down!

With its endless supply of visual jokes, clever puns, and deep-rooted Batman trivia, it never fails to keep us entertained. And who could forget Will Arnett’s spot-on, pompous portrayal of LEGO Batman? I’ve watched my fair share of kids movies over the past decade, some that made me laugh, some that were a struggle to get through. But “The LEGO Batman Movie” stands out as the funniest by far!

5. Jackass Forever (2022)

In the last decade, the most outrageous comedy has brought together some of the country’s sharpest and most imaginative producers of silly humor for another round of daring stunts and friendly tricks. This time around, they also set a new record for male frontal nudity in a mainstream Hollywood film. As they’ve entered their 40s and 50s, the Jackass crew might not be as agile as before, but they’re funnier than ever. New members such as Rachel Wolfson and Sean “Poopies” McInerney have shown they can handle getting stung by scorpions or drenched in disgusting bodily fluids just as well as the veterans. If this is their final Jackass production, they certainly ended on a high note (though it’s easy to achieve greatness after taking a hit below the belt).

4. Game Night (2018)

Oh, “Game Night”! It’s a delightful twist on a familiar setup – an ordinary game night among friends turns into wild and hysterical chaos. The humor is consistently funny, boosted by standout performances from Rachel McAdams and Jesse Plemons. Visually, it surpasses most mainstream comedies in the past decade. This film is so enjoyable that you’ll likely want to watch it again and again, 100 times if necessary!

3. Bad Trip (2021)

In an intriguing twist, the movie titled “Bad Trip” weaves a believable narrative amidst daring hidden-camera pranks. Starring Eric Andre and Lil Rel Howery as friends embarking on a road trip to New York, their journey is complicated by Howery’s fugitive sister, portrayed hilariously by Tiffany Haddish, who brings the same humor she displayed in “Girls Trip“. The kindness and care extended by everyday people they meet along the way almost makes you believe in humanity again. Overall, “Bad Trip” serves as a stunning homage to the influence of movies in general, and more specifically, to the movie “White Chicks“.

2. Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)

The film “Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping” might have underperformed at the box office (earning only $9.6 million during its entire theater run, which is less than what Battlefield Earth made on its opening weekend). However, no other movie in the last decade has Andy Samberg serenading a song about a woman reaching climax as clinically as the assassination of Osama Bin Laden. Furthermore, only “Popstar” showcases Mariah Carey bragging about her humility. In essence, “Popstar” is one of the funniest comedies in recent history, while the highly-acclaimed painting “Mona Lisa” is often considered overrated and mediocre.

1. Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar (2021)

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase that description as follows: After a long wait, the dynamic duo Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, known for their hilarious work in “Bridesmaids,” have returned with another unforgettable comedy. They penned and starred in this gem where they play best friends, stuck in Soft Rock, Nebraska, working at Jennifer Convertibles. When they lose their jobs, they splurge their severance on a luxurious trip to Florida, only to find themselves smitten by a captivating enigma (Jamie Dornan, daringly poking fun at his own persona as a chiseled ladies’ man). This stranger is part of a scheme to ruin the town using genetically-modified mosquitoes, yes, the old trope about killer bugs. Wiig and Mumolo shine in their roles, joking about Tommy Bahama wear and the mystique of the name Trish. The script is quotable gold, providing laughter even in these challenging times. “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar” came along like a pair of sequined bell-bottoms, brightening our spirits and guiding us out of the gloom.

NOTABLE RECOMMENDATIONS: The Big Sick, Booksmart, The Disaster Artist, Dolemite Is My Name, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, Hail Caesar!, Happy Death Day, Hundreds of Beavers, The Mitchells vs. the Machines, The Nice Guys.

The 10 Worst Movies of the Last Ten Years (2015-2024)

10. The Happytime Murders (2018)

As a movie critic, I must confess that Brian Henson’s adult puppet comedy, “The Happytime Murders,” is a film filled with crude humor that caters to an immature audience. It seems the creators merely thought, “Why not make a risqué comedy featuring puppets and lots of lewd jokes?” Sadly, this one-dimensional approach leaves the movie devoid of depth.

If you ever find yourself in a bar trivia game, and they ask about the film where Melissa McCarthy bites a puppet’s private parts or Joel McHale gazes at a puppet’s vagina in a parody of the iconic “Basic Instinct” scene, the answer would undoubtedly be “The Happytime Murders.”

However, among the cast, Maya Rudolph stands out as the only shining light. Her delivery of a simple rice pilaf joke is nothing short of heroic. Rice pilaf? That woman deserves our admiration!

9. The Book of Henry (2017)

Colin Trevorrow’s follow-up to Jurassic World was The Book of Henry, a film that left many puzzled and disappointed. It’s an unusual blend of magical realism and child abuse themes, and it also serves as a modern retelling of the story of Christ, featuring a powerful, divine figure who sacrifices himself so that his troubled mother can commit murder and adopt her abused stepdaughter. Furthermore, The Book of Henry carries a cautionary tale about the perils of apathy, using a deceased child prodigy teaching his mother how to become an assassin as a metaphor for this message, and it treats this extraordinary premise with unwavering seriousness. (Yes, these events actually occur in The Book of Henry.)

8. Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021)

In the movie “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” Warner Bros. portrayed itself as a heartless entity controlled by an antagonistic AI, making it a remarkable example of self-mockery in cinema. The overall film, unfortunately, was weak and unfunny, causing the original “Space Jam” to appear more like the thought-provoking “2001: A Space Odyssey.” LeBron James is not a poor actor, but he is no better in the lead role than Michael Jordan was in the first film. However, almost every aspect of “A New Legacy” is cringe-worthy from start to finish. It seems the movie doesn’t grasp the charm of Looney Tunes, and particularly Bugs Bunny, who is transformed into a grumbling complainer in this film. My recommendation: Instead, watch some classic Looney Tunes cartoons on Max. Even a few random shorts offer at least five times more laughter than this entire two-hour feature, and the animation quality is superior as well.

7. Dirty Grandpa (2016)

The movie “Dirty Grandpa” follows a similar humor strategy as “The Happytime Murders”: If an otherwise pure character like a grandpa or puppet says something vulgar, it’s supposed to be funny. If hearing Robert De Niro utter words like “smegma” amuses you, then you’ll enjoy “Dirty Grandpa”. However, if your humor preference leans towards genuine jokes (or avoiding persistent homophobia), you may find yourself disappointed. On the bright side, the title does accurately represent the film.

6. Marmaduke (2022)

If there’s an animated movie less aesthetically pleasing than “Marmaduke”, I’ve never seen it. I hope I never come across such a production. Frankly, it seems as though the film was produced through some illicit activities or under unusual circumstances where creators had to produce something by a certain deadline.

However, what makes this movie truly perplexing is that it boasts the vocal talents of several well-known and funny actors, such as J.K. Simmons, David Koechner, and Pete Davidson. Did they not scrutinize the script? Were they unaware of how hideous their characters would appear? Or were they offered lavish incentives for their involvement? It’s hard to fathom how this occurred. “Marmaduke” is an absolute mess; I wouldn’t even subject it to my former school bullies, who used to torment me with creative songs about booger-picking – a pastime that was arguably more imaginative than “Marmaduke”.

5. Madame Web (2024)

Reminiscent of many Marvel films prior to Marvel Studios, the movie “Madame Web” appears somewhat sheepish about its comic book origins, much like Dakota Johnson’s portrayal of the title character. Strictly speaking, is she a title character if no one in the film refers to her by the name on the marquee? Instead, we see Cassie Webb, but there’s not a single “Madame Web” uttered on screen. With only one brief exception, she never dons a superhero costume either. The general air of awkwardness isn’t entirely unexpected given the circumstances.

Ridiculous, peculiar, bordering on incoherent at times, it makes “The Amazing Spider-Man” seem like “Spider-Man 2.” Imagine watching it with Kevin Feige – that would be quite entertaining.

4. The Emoji Movie (2017)

Imagining an engaging film about smartphone culture, possibly incorporating emojis, is conceivable; however, such a script would necessitate a sharper, more biting satire than what’s found in the movie The Emoji Movie. Despite a faintly optimistic undertone about celebrating diversity, this production unfortunately lives up to expectations: It’s essentially an advertisement for a tech company that profits from selling millions of smartphones each year. The film subtly implies that owning a cell phone will boost your popularity and attractiveness towards the opposite sex. Yuck!

A movie about smartphone culture or emojis could be interesting, but it would need more biting humor like in a satirical comedy. Unfortunately, The Emoji Movie wasn’t that. It seemed to be an advertisement for a company that makes smartphones, suggesting owning one will make you popular with girls. Not great!

3. Artemis Fowl (2020)

During the initial outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic around 65 years ago (it was actually 2020), Disney postponed all its 2020 blockbuster releases, except for “Artemis Fowl,” which they decided to release on Disney+ instead. In retrospect, this should have been a warning sign. This film adaptation of the well-known young adult book series compresses content equivalent to about ten novels into just 90 minutes, making it confusing and nearly impossible to watch. If you can figure out how Josh Gad’s character transitioned from breaking into Artemis Fowl’s house to teaming up with him to stop another character without any dialogue between them, then you are more intelligent than I. It’s quite an achievement for a poor-quality streaming movie to make viewers feel cheated even when they haven’t spent a penny beyond their existing subscription fee, but “Artemis Fowl” managed it.

2. Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey (2023)

This low-budget horror film, inspired by A.A. Milne’s classic book now in the public domain, serves neither as an effective slasher nor a satire of children’s literature. In fact, it strangely supports its own case – that a public domain might not be so great after all. (If strong copyright protection keeps productions like this off the market and away from unwitting audiences… perhaps it’s not all bad?) Essentially, “Blood and Honey” is an unbearable mess.

1. Dolittle (2020)

In the style of Tim Burton’s Batman, where a disreputable doctor inadvertently transforms Jack Napier into the menacing Joker, Dolittle is similar – it’s a chaotic, senseless film that seems pieced together from scraps and leftovers of an entirely different project. Originally intended to be a more serious production, it morphed into a cinematic Frankenstein’s monster filled with toilet humor, animal puns, shoddy CGI, and Robert Downey Jr.’s over-the-top performance that makes Captain Jack Sparrow appear reserved by comparison.

2025-04-01 16:55