2023 saw the release of some of this decade’s funniest films, especially from around the world. From America and Finland to France and Italy, regions across the globe contributed greatly to the realm of comedy cinema. The entries on this list will run the gamut of popularity, but audiences can rest assured that there’s great appeal to be found in each of these films. There’s something for everyone here — raunchy sex comedy, intellectual and artsy humor, genre spoofs and satires, extremely dry and deadpan humor, and so much more.
Most of these movies feature well-known actors, and they were made by talented directors to boot — even if the movie’s title appears unfamiliar, you’ll likely recognize the names attached to the respective project. It is worth noting, though: This list will prioritize comedy, ranking the movies according to how funny they are, not necessarily by their all-around cinematic mastery. That being said, these are the 20 funniest movies of 2023, ranked.
23 The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
In his second adaptation of a Roald Dahl work, American filmmaker Wes Anderson recruits English actor Benedict Cumberbatch as the lead character in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar. Fans of Anderson’s know that every film under his belt features some degree of comedy. Usually, it’s defined by offbeat jokes delivered by quirky characters. That’s very much the case with Henry Sugar.
A Funny and Charming Short Film
Even for a short film, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar features a star-studded cast. Cumberbatch is joined by talented thespians such as Ralph Fiennes, Dev Patel, Ben Kingsley, and Richard Ayoade — everyone involved sees an idiosyncratic plot come into wonderful fruition. Their characters break the fourth wall during dialogue attributions, adding a unique essence to an overall hilarious project from the acclaimed auteur in Anderson.
22 Hello Dankness
Within its ambitious opening minutes, Hello Dankness should effectively blow the minds of film fans across the country. It pieces together YouTube videos, news footage, and scenes from cinema’s past to explore the political landscape of America from 2016 to 2020. It’s one of the more unique projects you’ll read about today, and its creators deserve far more love for their work.
A Unique Critique of American Politics
From Tom Hanks in The Burbs (1989) and Mike Myers in Wayne’s World (1992) to Ice Cube in Next Friday (2000) and Annette Bening in American Beauty (1999), you’ll experience a sui generis project while reuniting with some of Hollywood’s most memorable characters. Production on Hello Darkness began in 2019, with filmmakers Soda Jerk developing the project all throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. A long wait, and well worth it in the end.
21 Rye Lane
With direction by Raine Allen-Miller in her feature debut, the romantic comedy Rye Lane excels across the board with imaginative filmmaking. Co-writers Nathan Bryon and Tom Melia craft a compelling plot about two heartbroken strangers bonding over the course of 24 hours, and cinematographer Olan Collardy creates a tangible, textural tone.
Analyzing Love From Various Perspectives
When detailing their recent relationships, Dom and Yas are thrown into flashback scenes as spectators, watching the events of their break-ups play out in real-time. This provides a unique perspective on their relationships, and the counterpart of a given flashback rattles off hilarious commentary. Lead actors David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah put in tremendous comedic work, and as a whole, Rye Lane is among the funniest and sweetest films of 2023.
20 Love at First Sight
Love At First Sight
- Release Date
- September 15, 2023
- Director
- Vanessa Caswill
- Rating
- PG-13
- Runtime
- 1hr 30min
Among the more overlooked movies of the year is Love at First Sight, a romantic comedy by Vanessa Caswell. With a tangible tone established in the opening scene, the plot perfectly balances undercurrents of humor with an overarching emphasis on love. Specifically, it focuses on Hadley, a young woman who meets a man named Oliver in an airport.
An Electric Chemistry Between the Leads
With extraordinary efforts from the two leads — Haley Lu Richardson plays Hadley, while Ben Hardy shows up as Oliver — this film features one of the most endearing dynamics of any two film characters of 2023. While also tapping into the human condition, the two exchange well-written dialogue in a movie that explores the unrealistic nature of romantic films themselves and the statistical improbability of ‘love at first sight.’
19 Smoking Causes Coughing
A French anthology film, Smoking Causes Coughing is helmed by the popular Surrealist, Quentin Dupieux. He also wrote the original script, which follows a group of Power Rangers-style superheroes who are ordered by their boss (an oversexed rat who drools green goop) to go on a team-building retreat. When an evil force named Lézardin initiates his plans to take over the world, the group’s sojourn is unfortunately cut short.
Dupieux Emphasizes Absurdism
Critics cited the wit of its script and the commitment of its cast as reasons it resonates across the board of comedy. And while Dupieux’s movies often employ a specialized brand of absurdist humor — without a doubt, his style is not for everyone — Smoking Causes Coughing provides some undeniably funny moments. Its satirical commentary on the absurdity of superheroes feels extremely relevant to 2023.
18 Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget
A stop-motion animated film by the legendary Aardman Animations (Wallace & Gromit), Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget is the sequel nobody knew they needed. The original Chicken Run (2000) was released to tremendous acclaim from critics and audiences alike — the same can be said for Dawn of the Nugget, which starts right after the events of the prior film.
A Superb Stop-Motion Sequel
Charming characters rattle off hilarious dialogue as Ginger (voiced by Thandiwe Newton) breaks into a chicken farm to rescue her daughter Molly, a little chick who’s voiced by Bella Ramsey. There’s also Zachary Levi taking over Mel Gibson’s old role, Rocky the rooster. That’s only scratching the surface of this unique array of characters, with everyone providing dozens of laugh-out-loud moments. This is among the best animated films of the year, and undoubtedly the funniest. Check out our interview with Levi in the video below:
17 Champions
From Mark Rizzo’s original script, Champions comes from the comedy master Peter Farrelly. Along with his brother Bobby, Farrelly helped direct several comedy classics, such as Dumb and Dumber (1994) and There’s Something About Mary (1998). An underrated example is Kingpin (1996), which features Woody Harelson. The same can be said for Champions, where Woody provides one of his funniest performances yet.
Champions Puts a Spotlight on Character
Famous comedians like Katilin Olson, Cheech Marin, and Ernie Hudson all show up within a hilarious plot. It follows Marcus Marakovich, a minor-league basketball coach who gets arrested for drunk driving. This forces him into community service, where he leads an intellectually disabled basketball team to unity. Tangible character development is matched by well-timed jokes to create a triumphant comedy.
16 Down Low
Off the bat, there are a few names worth noting with regard to Down Low: director Rightor Doyle, screenwriter (with Phoebe Fisher) and actor Lukas Gage, and star Zachary Quinto. Doyle created the underrated Netflix series Bonding, Gage is a tremendous young actor known for White Lotus and Euphoria (and now a talented screenwriter), and Quinto is a blockbuster actor and gay icon who lends charm to a variety of indies in his spare time. Together, the group crafts a hilarious project that follows a recently divorced man named Gary who develops an unlikely bond with a sex worker after they accidentally kill someone.
Some Truly Memorable Performances
Lukas Gage is fun and sexy as Cameron, while Zachary Quinto is quietly hilarious as the anxious Gary. And from start to finish, the two performers provide two of the most uproarious efforts of their respective careers. Although some critics found the film too zany and raunchy, Down Low received decent reception overall, and is a wacky, delightful LGBTQ+ comedy.
15 American Fiction
American Fiction
- Release Date
- December 15, 2023
- Rating
- R for language throughout, some drug use, sexual references and brief violence
Starring Jeffrey Wright as a frustrated writer, Cord Jefferson’s film American Fiction was adapted from Percival Everett’s 2001 novel, Erasure. Amid a bout of writer’s block and angry at the state of Black representation in literature, Thelonious “Monk” Ellison pens an anonymous piece of stereotypical proportions, intending to satirize the way Black men are predominantly depicted as poor, fatherless, violent gangsters. Unfortunately, his angry joke of a book is taken seriously, and he’s offered huge sums of money to go forward with the book and create a film from it, all while he’s dealing with death in the family.
Thoughtful Dialogue and Beautiful Performances
Sure, American Fiction covers an array of personalities and themes, tackling more hard-hitting topics than you might expect from one of the funniest films of the year. Death, rejection, family dysfunction, depression, and racism are all captured effectively despite the film’s breezy nature. It works thanks to the strong dialogue and excellent supporting cast (Sterling K. Brown, Erika Alexander, Issa Rae, Leslie Uggams, John Ortiz, Tracee Ellis Ross, Adam Brody,and Myra Lucretia Taylor). You can hear more about the film in our interview with actors Jeffrey Wright and Sterling K. Brown:
14 Quiz Lady
Quiz Lady
- Release Date
- November 3, 2023
- Director
- Jessica Yu
- Rating
- R
- Runtime
- 1hr 39min
Starring Awkwafina and Sandrah Oh play against type as polar opposite sisters in Quiz Lady, which chronicles the pair’s attempt to pay off their mother’s overdue gambling debts by winning big on a game show. Awkwafina’s Anne is obsessed with the amiable Jeapordy!-like show Can’t Stop the Quiz, and thinks she has a chance to beat the competition.
A Star-Studded Cast Makes a Memorable Movie
Across the board, absolute legends of comedy are featured among the cast: Jason Schwartzman plays the champion of the game show, while Will Ferrell shows up as the host; Paul Reubens (Pee-Wee Herman) appears in his final role. Under the colorful and competent direction of Jessica Yu, everyone gives their all in one of the most genial and uproarious films of the year. Check out our interview with the aforementioned director:
13 80 for Brady
80 for Brady
- Release Date
- February 3, 2023
- Director
- Kyle Marvin
- Rating
- PG-13
- Runtime
- 1hr 38min
The plot of 80 for Brady is fairly straightforward: a few octogenarian women — except Betty, who is only 75 — win a trip to see Tom Brady play in Super Bowl IL. The epic 2017 match becomes the backdrop for a madcap journey about aging women creating some great last memories together. The lifelong friends are portrayed by Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, and Sally Field, all comedic legends, and they are effortless in this laugh-out-loud sports comedy.
A Great Idea With Better Execution
In its premise alone, 80 for Brady is extremely specific —a group of old women who’ve had a lifelong bond over their love for the football team, the New England Patriots. The actresses maintain a tangible rapport until the film’s final frame, delivering their lines to perfection. Screenwriters Sarah Haskins and Emily Halpern crafted a solid plot in 80 for Brady, and it features hilarious dialogue to boot. It’s also one of the rare films this year to focus on older women and their friendships, which makes it special enough.
12 The Blackening
The Blackening
- Release Date
- June 16, 2023
- Cast
- Antoinette Robertson , Dewayne Perkins , Sinqua Walls , Grace Byers , X Mayo , Melvin Gregg
- Runtime
- 1hr 36min
Led by the underrated Tim Story in the director’s chair, The Blackening is among the funniest slashers in recent memory. Its immensely clever script was penned by Tracy Oliver and Dewayne Perkins — the latter also appears among the great ensemble cast of The Blackening alongside actors like Grace Byers, Jermaine Fowler, Jay Pharoah, and Yvonne Orji.
Satirizing the Slasher Subgenre
The plot follows a group of friends staying in a forested cabin to celebrate Juneteenth. Upon arriving for their sojourn, twists unfold in bloody yet hilarious fashion, with The Blackening perfectly parodying the tropes of slasher movies past and dissecting the way race has been used in horror. Critics and audiences were quite pleased with the product overall, and justifiably so. This isn’t just a stand-out entry in the popular horror subgenre, but also a memorable comedy from 2023.
11 Dicks: The Musical
Adapting their own off-Broadway musical F*cking Identical Twins, writers Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp constructed the witty and raunchy script for Dicks: The Musical with Larry Charles (Seinfeld, Borat) in the director’s chair. What’s more, Jackson and Sharp also provide the leading efforts in the film and manage to hold their own alongside major talent like Nathan Lane, Megan Mullally, Megan Thee Stallion, Bowen Yang, and Tom Kenny.
Dicks’ Simple Plot Facilitates Hilarious Moments
Its plot centers on Craig and Trevor — played by Sharp and Jackson, respectively — as identical twins who spend the film’s runtime trying to reignite the electricity of their divorced parents’ relationship. A decent plot is greatly elevated by catchy musical numbers with great choreography, bold humor, and a vibrant, colorful aesthetic. This is the first musical produced by entertainment company A24, and considering the quality and acclaim, it may not be their last.
10 Wingwomen
A French action-comedy, Wingwomen is directed by the acclaimed actor Mélanie Laurent (Inglourious Basters, Beginners, Now You See Me). She also co-stars alongside Adèle Exarchopoulos and Manon Bresch — each of the leads perform brilliantly, sharing a tangible rapport that defines the film’s quality overall. And while it runs the gamut of emotions, embedding poignant moments with well-choreographed action, the film is arguably a comedy at its core.
Wingwomen’s Keen Comedic Timing
Whiplash-inducing action, smart dialogue, and charismatic performances with keen direction from Laurent — everything parlays into a charming outing that also tugs at your heartstrings and gets the blood pumping in any given scene. But, again: with perfect comedic timing implemented around every corner of its plot, Wingwomen is among the funniest movies of the year.
9 Fallen Leaves
A romantic comedy highlighted by a deadpan style, Fallen Leaves tells the story of two lonely Helsinki residents who meet and form a relationship. The creative genius of writer-director Aki Kaurismäki, who is basically the Finnish Jim Jarmusch, is on full display here, though this may be one of the least cynical and more accessible films of his career.
Impressive Cinematography, Droll Comedy, and a Legendary Director
With a carefully curated color palette and long, dryly humorous takes, Fallen Leaves is worth a watch for the beauty of its cinematography alone. Beyond being a realistic look at a normal, everyday working-class romance, the film is also perfect for cinephiles, filled with easter eggs referencing other movies. This is fitting, considering the main couple seek escapism through movies. Dry like an old white wine, Fallen Leaves is a sophisticated, honest, and modern romance that will keep you smiling.
8 The Holdovers
The Holdovers
- Release Date
- November 10, 2023
- Rating
- R
- Runtime
- 2hr 13min
Directed by Alexander Payne from David Hemingson’s script, The Holdovers stars Paul Giamatti as a history teacher at a stuffy boarding school in the 1970s who spends Christmas chaperoning a student who doesn’t travel home for the holidays and the head cook for the school. This marks that famous American actor’s second collaboration with Payne following their work on Sideways (2004). They’re quite the dynamic pair, with both films under their collective belts garnering widespread acclaim from critics.
The Genius of Alexander Payne
Praise was doled out to Da’Vine Joy Randolph for her supporting efforts, with other actors among the cast of The Holdovers including Dominic Sessa and Carrie Preston forming a great cast. And while the film is punctuated by drama just as often as comedy, there’s a quietly resonant humor featured throughout. From its naturalistic but witty dialogue to its well-paced plot, Payne struck comedic gold with The Holdovers. Check out our video of Giamatti discussing Payne behind the scenes of the film:
7 Bottoms
Bottoms
- Release Date
- August 25, 2023
- Director
- Emma Seligman
- Cast
- Ayo Edebiri , Dagmara Dominczyk , Nicholas Galitzine , Rachel Sennott , Kaia Gerber , Ruby Cruz
- Rating
- R
A satirical teen comedy, Bottoms was directed by Emma Seligman from a script she penned with Rachel Sennott. The former debuted as a filmmaker with the acclaimed Jewish comedy Shiva Baby (2020), which also features Sennott in the lead role. The two have great chemistry together and are unafraid of broaching taboo subjects, and Sennott is a wonderfully physical actor who’s willing to look extremely silly or unlikable. Their efforts result in some truly laugh-out-loud moments across both films.
Eccentric Characters Let Loose Witty One-liners
With a 90% approval rating on critical consensus website Rotten Tomatoes, Bottoms is one of the highest-rated comedies of the year. Following a pair of lesbian best friends in high school, the plot kicks off when they start a fight club as a way to hook up with cheerleaders. The result is a refreshing teen comedy defined by a raunchy style of humor, featuring outlandish jokes the whole way through.
6 They Cloned Tyrone
They Cloned Tyrone
- Release Date
- July 21, 2023
- Director
- Juel Taylor
- Rating
- R
- Runtime
- 2hr 2min
Among the most inventive movies of the year is They Cloned Tyrone. Directed by Juel Taylor from a script he co-wrote alongside Tony Rettenmaier, the film features a talented primary cast: John Boyega, Jamie Foxx, and Teyonah Parris. They play an unlikely trio who uncover a series of mysteries regarding the government cloning of humans.
A Masterclass in Screenwriting
The lived-in and organic dynamics of its characters, the back-and-forth nature of its dialogue, the well-paced rhythm of its plot — They Cloned Tyrone has a practically perfect script across the board. What’s more, its cast brings an idiosyncratic story into hilarious fruition, with each of the aforementioned names providing indelible performances until the film’s finale. Whether analyzing the best comedies of 2023 or the greatest sci-fi films of the year, They Cloned Tyrone should be mentioned among the best. Below, you can watch our interview with Boyega and Parris:
5 Barbie
Barbie
- Release Date
- July 21, 2023
One of the funniest films of 2023 — and the highest-grossing with about $1.5 billion — is Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig. She co-wrote the script alongside her husband, Noah Baumbach, with both of their efforts creating a perfect setting for actors to goof around with. Margot Robbie plays Barbie, while Ryan Gosling shows up as Ken, with the two heading to reality and discovering the complexity of gender relations. Individually, the performers are perfect fits, and however you interpret the movie politically or culturally, it’s hard to deny that the fun these actors have is infectious.
Barbie Is a Win for Original, Non-Franchise Movies
There’s a reason Barbie has gone down among the biggest films of the year, as it appeals to a wide range of audiences and modernizes an intellectual property in an incredibly unique way. The film had one of the best marketing campaigns of the year, and being one half of Barbenheimer certainly didn’t hurt. With great musical numbers and impressive production design, Barbie proved that audiences were willing to flock to theaters for something that wasn’t a sequel or a reboot, and that was boldly unique. Check out our analysis of the film in the video below:
4 You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah
Based on Fiona Rosenbloom’s 2005 novel of the same name, You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah has a fairly simple plot but proves that charming characters and dialogue are usually more important than narrative complexity when making a comedy. Best friends Stacy Friedman and Lydia Katz spent their childhoods envisioning the perfect bat mitzvah. But with their respective big days approaching, Lydia begins dating Stacy’s crush, which causes a rift in the friendship.
The Sandler Family Makes Waves
By dint of hilarious dialogue, cultural specificity, and thought-out character dynamics, this movie hits home from a screenwriting perspective alone. But mostly, You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah shines thanks to its star-studded cast. Stacy is played by Sunny Sandler, the daughter of Adam Sandler, who also appears with his other daughter, Sadie, and his wife, Jackie. The family performs wonderfully together in one of the sweetest comedies of the year and a surprise hit for Netflix.
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Laura Lynch Dies in Car Crash
Very sad news out of Hollywood this weekend: Laura Lynch, a founding member of country group The Chicks, was killed on Friday in after a head-on car accident in Texas. She was 65 years old. Emily Strayer, Natalie Maines, and Martie Maguire of The Chicks perform on stage at Bridgestone [...]| Play | Cover | Release Label |
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