Why Comedy Is The 2020s’ Favorite Genre To Talk About Death

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Comedy films have changed the most over the last twenty years. This year’s release of The Naked Gun – a fresh take on the classic – felt different because it brought back a style of comedy focused on physical humor, playful jokes, and exaggerated silliness. It stood out because most comedies today are different from that classic approach.

Movies that successfully blend humor and heartfelt moments are increasingly popular. Pure comedies aren’t as guaranteed to succeed in theaters anymore—over-the-top comedy now often does better as live stand-up. However, films with a more subtle and balanced approach can appeal to fans of independent and artistic films, and they can often be made for a lower cost than big-budget studio comedies.

Actually, many popular movies subtly blend comedy with other genres like drama, thrillers, or even horror. That’s why action comedies and horror comedies consistently rank among the year’s biggest hits, and why comedy has unexpectedly become the leading genre for films dealing with death.

There Has Been An Uptick In Comedy Movies About Death In The 2020s

I became a huge Rachel Sennott fan after seeing Shiva Baby. What’s so interesting about it is that almost the entire movie takes place during a shiva – that’s the Jewish mourning period. It’s a really messy, awkward comedy, but all that awkwardness is happening while everyone’s grieving someone’s death, which adds a whole other layer to it.

As a film buff, I was thrilled to see Kieran Culkin take home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor earlier this year – totally deserved for his work in A Real Pain. It’s a really touching story about two cousins traveling through Poland to remember their grandmother. While it definitely has some emotional weight, what I loved about it was how funny it was – that’s what really made it special. And speaking of funny, James Sweeney’s Twinless, with Dylan O’Brien, is another gem. It’s seriously one of the most underrated comedies of the year, dealing with a man grieving the loss of his twin brother. Both films prove you can be moved and laugh out loud, and that’s a winning combination for me.

Comedian Jerrod Carmichael surprised audiences with his directorial debut, On The Count of Three, a film about two friends making a pact to end their lives. Another lesser-known but excellent movie from last year was His Three Daughters, a funny and touching story about three sisters caring for their dying father. And these are just a few examples of great films that deserve more attention.

We’re seeing a growing trend of using comedy to deal with death and grief, something people have always done, but which is especially common now. Why does this type of humor work so well when tackling such difficult topics?

Comedy Undercuts The Tension While Still Being Respectful

Comedy is a powerful tool for screenwriters because it lets them explore difficult realities while still respecting the weight of those subjects. Life isn’t always purely happy or sad, and a touch of humor can make serious topics feel more honest and approachable.

This type of comedy lets you deal with difficult or sad events without becoming too upset or feeling guilty. Because it often finds humor in everyday life, comedy is a surprisingly effective way to discuss serious topics.

Awkwardness Is A Better Comedic Device Than A Dramatic One

Both Twinless, a standout film from the 2025 Sundance festival, and Shiva Baby explore the uncomfortable moments that arise when people are grieving. When someone is mourning, they often feel disoriented and struggle to understand what’s happening, leading to awkwardness in even simple interactions.

That feeling of discomfort mirrors how confusing and overwhelming grief can be. But when used in comedy, it can surprisingly bring joy. It allows you to laugh and smile, reconnect with your emotions, and still acknowledge that your feelings of loss are real and valid.

Comedy Makes Our Darkest Impulses Seem More Acceptable

The movie If I Had Legs I’d Kick You isn’t your typical comedy, but it surprisingly received a Golden Globes nomination in that category. While the film is full of awkward and chaotic moments that are humorous, it explores a difficult and often painful topic: a parent’s frustration with having children.

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Comedy helps us connect with a character, even when she makes mistakes. We might easily criticize her for being a bitter parent, especially since she sometimes acts impulsively and puts her child in danger. But comedy softens those harsh judgments, making even our most negative thoughts feel a little less scary.

Recent Events Have Made Death A Harder Subject To Make Movies About

Going through a global pandemic really changes how you think about death. Seeing so many people die, and becoming used to it, was deeply unsettling with COVID-19. It’s also hard to ignore the dangerous political events happening worldwide, and it almost feels wrong to create entertainment focused on death when these real tragedies are unfolding.

Although movies can inspire change, most big-budget films are ultimately made to earn profits. While death and destruction are nothing new – and recent events haven’t caused more deaths than history has seen before – the way we see these events now means we shouldn’t focus on the drama of death, but rather accept it with dignity. Comedy is often the best way to achieve this kind of acceptance.

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2025-12-21 15:59