Nothing feels as good as a deep, genuine laugh. It’s an expression of joy! It’s a workout. It’s a sign that you’re having a good time.
Netflix has a dazzling selection of comedy movies that put that good-time feeling on demand. Whether you’re craving action-spiked shenanigans, quirky coming-of-age adventures, awkward humor, stranger-than-fiction silliness, madcap musical numbers, or crime with a spree of laughs, there’s a perfect pick for you. And we’ve made singling it out all the easier by highlighting the most hilarious below.
Here, in no particular order, are the 20 funniest movies now streaming on Netflix.
20. Everything Everywhere All at Once
Michelle Yeoh kicks butt in “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
Credit: A24
Want a movie with a little bit of everything? Then you can’t beat the 2023 Oscar winner for Best Picture. Academy Award–winner Michelle Yeoh stars as a disgruntled Laundromat owner who’s at her wit’s end between her obligations as a boss, wife, mother, and daughter. And just as she’s braced to deal with a tax auditor with a surly attitude (Academy Award–winner Jamie Lee Curtis), a dashing version of her husband (Academy Award–winner Ke Huy Quan) bursts onto the scene from a parallel universe to loop her into a quest to save all existence. Packed with absolutely bonkers action, outrageous jokes, dizzying style, and performances as silly as they are deeply poignant, The Daniels’ Everything Everywhere All at Once is the kind of movie that’ll have you laughing, crying, gasping, and maybe even reconsidering your life up to now. — Kristy Puchko, Film Editor
How to watch: Everything Everywhere All at Once is now streaming on Netflix.
How a one-hit wonder became absolutely crucial to ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’
19. My Best Friend’s Wedding
Credit: Tri-Star / Kobal / Shutterstock
P.J. Hogan’s 1997 offering blew up the traditional rom-com standards. Forget the tale of boy meets girl that ends in a happily-ever-after wedding between the two. America’s Sweetheart Julia Roberts playfully torched her casting niche as the masterfully (and hilariously) manipulative Jules, who’s hellbent on getting her bestie (Dermot Mulroney) to fall for her before he can marry a much younger woman (Cameron Diaz). Cultures clash as this city girl invades the bride’s Southern-charmed family. Plus, there are dangerous flirtations, outrageous jokes, an infectious sing-along, and Rupert Everett as the gay bff who proves to be the movie’s MVP. — K.P.
How to watch: My Best Friend’s Wedding is now streaming on Netflix.
18. The Holiday
There’s no better balm for heartbreak and loneliness than ditching your life to fly to another country for a cute solo vacation. That is, until the loneliness and heartbreak follow you there. In The Holiday, Kate Winslet’s depressed British journalist Iris decides to do a house swap with Cameron Diaz’s newly single Amanda, a Hollywood trailer editor (the least believable part of the film, but we’ll take it). Amanda heads to a dreamy cottage in the English countryside where she meets a charming single father played by Jude Law, while Iris gets a taste of L.A. glamour living in Amanda’s modern Hollywood Hills home. Mind you, this is a Nancy Meyers film, so every set is a magazine-worthy dream house. Plus, there’s a Jack Black musical interlude!
As much as The Holiday is a perfectly cozy rom-com, it’s also an excellent comedy about Hollywood itself. If you love movies that humorously wink at the industry, complete with fabulous cameos, this one hits the spot. — Oliver Whitney, Contributing Writer
How to watch: The Holiday is now streaming on Netflix.
Jack Black’s totally brill video store scene in ‘The Holiday’ is prime flirting that died with Blockbuster
17. Bodies Bodies Bodies
Credit: Erik Chakeen / A24
Like your comedy with a side of murder? Directed by Halina Reijn, this A24 thriller boasts a playful premise and a bevy of hot stars. Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Myha’la Herrold, Chase Sui Wonders, Rachel Sennott, Lee Pace, and Pete Davidson play a motley crew of friends who plan for a wild weekend in a remote mansion. But when a childish game of pretend murder leads to real bloodshed, these friends turn suspicious of each other faster than you can say party foul. Cleverly constructed, wickedly funny, and weirdly hot, Bodies Bodies Bodies is a demented delight. —K.P.
How to watch: Bodies Bodies Bodies is now streaming on Netflix.
Let’s talk about that shocking ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’ ending, with director Halina Reijn
16. Bullet Train
If you like your comedy with in-your-face action, you should race to check out this 2022 romp from Deadpool 2 director David Leitch. It’s a high-octane film that asks the classic question: “What happens if you pile a bunch of assassins onto one bullet train through Japan?” The answer is delightfully daffy carnage.
Brad Pitt leads a star-studded cast as a merc who’s lost his bloodlust. What’s supposed to be a simple snatch-and-go job turns dangerously complicated as he crosses paths with a cavalcade of curious characters, all of whom are rocking code names like Tangerine, Lemon, Wolf, The Prince, The Hornet, and White Death. Rapid-fire wit is wielded by the likes of Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Michael Shannon, Bad Bunny, Andrew Koji, Hiroyuki Sanada, Joey King, Zazie Beetz, and Sandra Bullock. Also wielded? Every form of weapon you can imagine, from guns and knives to poison, wild animals, and even a well-traveled water bottle. Sound cool? Catch it while you can. — K.P.
How to watch: Bullet Train is now streaming on Netflix.
15. Between Two Ferns: The Movie
Credit: Adam Rose / Netflix
Zach Galifianakis’ awkward celebrity interview web series Between Two Ferns might not seem like fodder for a full-length movie, but Between Two Ferns: The Movie goes double meta by presenting his success on Funny or Die as an insult to the actor’s intention to host a “serious” interview show. Galifianakis the character sets off to correct the assumption that his original show is a joke by interviewing even more celebrities, like John Cho, Keanu Reeves, Gal Gadot, Tiffany Haddish, and more. — Alexis Nedd, Senior Entertainment Reporter
How to watch: Between Two Ferns: The Movie is now streaming on Netflix.
14. Do Revenge
Credit: Netflix
Looking for a revenge flick that pays tribute to teen classics like Mean Girls, Heathers, Cruel Intentions, and more? Then check out Do Revenge, a dark comedy sure to join the canon of iconic high school movies. Students Drea (Camila Mendes) and Eleanor (Maya Hawke) couldn’t be more different… apart from the fact that both have major bones to pick with people who ruined their reputations. They decide to team up and execute one another’s revenge plans, which leads down a winding road of morally dubious choices, snappy one-liners, and excellent outfits.
Mendes and Hawke have great chemistry, but it’s Sophie Turner who damn near steals the show in a bit part that simply must be seen to be believed.* — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter
How to watch: Do Revenge is now streaming on Netflix.
Sophie Turner steals Netflix’s ‘Do Revenge’ in 5 outrageous minutes
13. Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Credit: Piki Films / Kobal / Shutterstock
This 2016 adventure about bad egg Ricky Baker (Julian Dennison) and his curmudgeonly foster father Hec (Sam Neill) is the kind of eccentric delight that writer/director Taika Waititi specializes in (this time co-writing with Barry Crump, who wrote the original book).
After losing his foster mother, Ricky flees into the forests of New Zealand; Hec pursues him, only to realize he doesn’t feel the need to return to civilization either. Together, they become the wilderpeople, living off the land and evading capture from authorities, including Thor: Ragnarok‘s Rachel House. Wilderpeople is equal parts stirring, hilarious, and absurd — a silly yet sentimental story of found family and adventure that can be loved by all. — Proma Khosla, Senior Entertainment Reporter
How to watch: Hunt for the Wilderpeople is now streaming on Netflix.
12. Always Be My Maybe
Credit: Netflix
What if the one who got away got a second chance? Back in the day, Sasha and Marcus were tight as a slap bracelet. But one fumbled night in a sweaty backseat seemed to shatter their future together.
Fifteen years later, she’s a world-renowned chef and he’s — well — he’s working for his dad’s HVAC business and playing with his band on the side. Still, fate arranges for them to reconnect, which could mean Marcus (Randall Park) has a shot to show Sasha (Ali Wong) how he feels. Comedy ensues as the stakes get high when Keanu Reeves crashes the party, being all weird and hot and having the audacity to be Keanu Reeves! This Nahnatchka Khan–helmed laffer also boasts appearances by James Saito, Charlyne Yi, Karan Soni, Daniel Dae Kim, and Michelle Buteau.* — K.P.
How to watch: Always Be My Maybe is now streaming on Netflix.
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11. The ‘Burbs
If you’ve ever wondered what the hell your weirdo neighbors have been getting up to over there, then director Joe Dante has got just the comedy for you.
Tom Hanks and Carrie Fisher star as Ray and Carol Peterson – normal folks, leading normal suburban lives — until a family moves in next door that Ray becomes convinced are part of a Satanic cult practicing ritualized human sacrifice.
Spurred on by his pushy best friends, Art (Rick Ducommun) and Mark (Bruce Dern), Ray’s investigation goes off the deep end fast. And Dante, whose oeuvre ranges from Piranha to The Howling and Gremlins, ramps up the outrageousness with wild abandon. The ‘Burbs is a cult classic in the sense that it got bad reviews when it first came out but became beloved over the years, thanks to its endless rewatchability on home video and cable. Treat yourself to the spooky comedy that’s a great watch year-round.* — Jason Adams, Contributing Writer
How to watch: The ‘Burbs is now streaming on Netflix.
10. Dolemite Is My Name
Credit: François Duhamel / Netflix
Chronicling the true story of late comedian Rudy Ray Moore — also known as Dolemite — this Eddie Murphy vehicle is worth every minute of viewing.
An outrageous showbiz comedy, Dolemite Is My Name is at once a poignant look at the life of an underdog and an unbelievably good time. With supporting performances by Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Wesley Snipes, Craig Robinson, and more, this biopic offers more beat-for-beat joy than many of its fictional counterparts. Sensational, aspirational, and electric: You’ll love it. — Alison Foreman, Entertainment Reporter
How to watch: Dolemite Is My Name is now streaming on Netflix.
9. The Polka King
Credit: Netflix
Sometimes true crime can lead to some pitch-perfect dark comedy. This is the case for this outrageous offering, which stars Jack Black as infamous scammer/local celebrity Jan Lewan. Black brings all the rock star panache you need to understand how Lewan could be so beguiling to the Pennsylvanian retirees who surrendered their savings to the self-proclaimed Polka King.
Screenwriters Maya Forbes and Wallace Wolodarsky gave this story of fraud and showmanship shape. But they wisely trusted in the local flair of the terrific 2009 documentary The Man Who Would Be Polka King to provide some of the wildest lines of dialogue. Plucking directly from interviews with the friends, family, and victims of Jan Lewan, this comedy feels stranger than fiction but is jaw-droppingly real. Salty supporting turns from Jenny Slate, Jacki Weaver, and Jason Schwartzman bring added fun.* — K.P.
How to watch: The Polka King is now streaming on Netflix.
Love me like a Polka King
8. The Mitchells vs. The Machines
Credit: Netflix
Sony Pictures Animation has given audiences such daring and dynamic animated movies as Surf’s Up, Hotel Transylvania, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. This zany 2021 release centers on a family who’s battling back the robo-apocalypse with togetherness, internet savviness, and a wall-eyed pug named Monchi (voiced by social media icon Doug the Pug).
The Mitchells’ adventure into chaos begins when daughter Katie (Abbi Jacobson) is poised to go off to college. Desperate for one last family-unifying road trip, her dad (Danny McBride) piles the whole family into his beater of a vehicle, unknowingly charting a fateful route into heroics. Director Mike Rianda infuses Katie’s excitable perspective throughout the film by working in internet memes, social media-style reactions, and blitz of bonkers visuals. It’s a bold move that might alienate some viewers but has largely won the acclaim of critics and kiddos.* — K.P.
How to watch: The Mitchells vs. The Machines is now streaming on Netflix.
7. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Credit: Netflix
Writer/director Rian Johnson follows up his critically heralded whodunnit with a sequel that’s even more explosive than Knives Out. Southern gentleman/detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is back, drawling deductions and whipping out witticisms, much to the chagrin of a group of wealthy and conniving friends.
It was supposed to be a murder mystery weekend where homicide was just a game. But when tech scion Miles Bron (Edward Norton) brings together his closest friends and worst enemy, real blood will be spilled, and the game is afoot! Joining in on the comically chaotic fun are Kate Hudson, Janelle Monáe, Dave Bautista, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., and Jessica Henwick. — K.P.
How to watch: Glass Onion is now streaming on Netflix.
All those ‘Glass Onion’ cameos, ranked
6. The Forty-Year-Old Version
Credit: Jeong Park / Netflix © 2020
The Forty-Year-Old Version isn’t just any film about a struggling New York artist, but one about a Black female playwright who’s continually held back from creating something authentic to her perspective. Radha Blank’s autobiographical directorial debut, which she also wrote, produced, and stars in, is a searing, funny, and unabashedly honest look at the compromises Black creatives are pushed to make in a world dominated by whiteness.
A teacher approaching her 40th birthday, Radha (Blank) gets the chance to produce one of her plays — only after she refuses to write a slave musical. But forced to change her vision to appease white audiences, Radha considers a totally different medium to express herself: becoming a rapper. The Forty-Year-Old Version may be one of the most slept-on Netflix originals, and it’s a shame we’ve yet to see another film from Blank since, itself an indictment of an industry that fails to continually platform raw and honest Black storytelling.* — Oliver Whitney, Freelance Contributor
How to watch: The Forty-Year-Old Version is now streaming on Netflix.
5. Vampires vs. the Bronx
Credit: Netflix
Want a movie that’s got excitement, comedy, a scorching message about the evils of gentrification, and is a kid-friendly romp? Then take a bite out of Vampires vs. the Bronx.
Oz Perkins’s PG-13 horror-comedy centers on Afro-Latino teens who recognize that a flurry of missing person posters and an influx of rich white folks with tote bags means bad news for the neighborhood. Together, they team up Monster Squad-style to take down the bloodsuckers and save their community. With a sharp wit, a warm heart, a rich sense of atmosphere, and an equal appreciation for the Blade movies and ’80s Amblin, Vampires vs. the Bronx is an easy watch full of rewards.* — K.P.
How to watch: Vampires vs. the Bronx is now streaming on Netflix.
4. The Boxtrolls
Laika Studios has made a name for itself in animation by creating whimsical stop-motion adventures like Coraline, ParaNorman, Kubo and the Two Strings, and Missing Link. But the funniest of the bunch is their quirky adaptation of Alan Snow’s novel Here Be Monsters! Set in a town where wealthy men wear tall white hats and dine on rare cheeses, The Boxtrolls swiftly ushers audiences into the sewers below, where the eponymous critters live peacefully, building gadgets from garbage and wearing abandoned cardboard boxes as clothing. Living among them is a human child called Eggs. Why? Well that’s at the heart of this wacky tale of prejudice to unbox. The key thing you’ll want to know is this film is funky, fun, and family-friendly while be absolutely hilarious, stuffed with visual gags, kooky music, and comical twists you won’t see coming. — K.P.
How to watch: The Boxtrolls is now streaming on Netflix.
3. The Breaker Upperers
This hidden gem comes from New Zealand, the fertile comedy ground that gave us Taika Waititi, Flight of the Conchords, and What We Do in the Shadows. Waititi collaborators Jackie van Beek, James Rolleston, and Jemaine Clement team up for a deeply quirky buddy comedy about two long-time besties with a bonkers — but brilliant — business model.
Need someone to dump your partner so you can avoid a messy confrontation? Call on Jen and Mel (co-writers/co-directors/co-leads van Beek and Madeleine Sami). For a reasonable fee, these fearless Breaker Upperers will impersonate police officers, play pregnant, or even fake your death to help you ghost an ex. Whatever the shenanigans, van Beek and Sami sparkle. Booming with wild humor and big heart, this comedy is guaranteed to leave you cackling.* — K.P.
Where to watch: The Breaker Upperers is now streaming on Netflix.
2. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
Credit: John Wilson / Netflix
With its reputation for wacky musical numbers, the Eurovision Song Contest is ripe for parody. Luckily for Eurovision lovers, the contest gets the send-up it deserves in this gloriously goofy flick starring Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams. They play the Icelandic musical duo Fire Saga, who find themselves in the Eurovision spotlight. There, they discover that the famed competition is a world of cutthroat competitors, glitzy costumes, and many, many bops.
Eurovision Song Contest is full of larger-than-life characters and ridiculous humor, but it’s also teeming with Eurovision references that will have fans laughing and cheering. For every “Jaja Ding Dong,” there’s a joyful Song-A-Long — and both are great! Pair all that with pitch-perfect comedic performances from Ferrell and McAdams, and you have a comedy that will both have you in stitches and win your heart. (Best of all, if you weren’t a Eurovision fanatic before seeing this movie, you’ll definitely be one by the time it ends.)* — B.E.
How to watch: Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is now streaming on Netflix.
1. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Credit: FilmPublicityArchive / United Arch
Made up of Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, John Cleese, Michael Palin, and Terry Gilliam, the comedy troupe Monty Python are the uncontested kings of comedy. So it’s only fitting that we raise a glass to their most popular film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Sure, Life of Brian has iconoclastic fun with Bible stories — and a toe-tapping sound number to boot! But many of the crew’s most memorable characters tumble forth in this parody of Arthurian lore.
From the knights Who Say “Ni!” to the dreaded Rabbit of Caerbannog to a taunting Frenchman to the Black Knight who’ll never say die, Holy Grail is overflowing with madcap comedy. It’s endlessly quotable, stupidly funny, and captures everything that made this comedy team spectacular. Not to mention, it forever changed how we see coconuts, swallows, hamsters, and elderberries. — K.P. & A.F.
How to watch: Monty Python and the Holy Grail is now streaming on Netflix.
* denotes that this blurb appeared in a previous Mashable list.
UPDATE: Mar. 27, 2024, 2:21 p.m. EDT This story has been updated to reflect the current selection on Netflix.
