For this list, we’re focusing exclusively on feature films. Comedy covers a lot of ground, and we’ve included selections for all ages and a variety of tastes. This includes Netflix originals and imports. Here are the best, funniest comedy movies you can watch right now on Netflix. This list is updated regularly.
Best Comedies on Netflix Right Now
1. When Harry Met Sally (1989)
We’ll have what she’s having. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan star in this modern classic about friends who test their theory that friends can’t have sex with each other, over several years. Written by Nora Ephron and directed by Rob Reiner, When Harry Met Sally was named the 23rd best American comedy ever by the American Film Institute; it’s the most loved romantic movie of its era. It all ends with an oft-quoted declaration of love moments before the clock strikes twelve.
2. The Nice Guys (2016)
Shane Black’s critical hit buddy caper stars Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling as mismatched investigators who discover a web of corruption in the wake of a porn star’s violent death. The Nice Guys weaves genres into an appealing, relentlessly package. Warner Bros.
3. Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979)
Classic comedy troupe Monty Python’s crowning achievement, this edgy and ambitious British satire has lost none of its bite 40 years later. In many circles, it’s considered a strong contender for best British comedy movie of all time. The religious subject matter has made Life of Brian hugely controversial since it was released, with many markets (including several in the United Kingdom) outright banning it back in the day. The UK’s Channel Four named this the greatest of all comedy films from around the world in a 2006 poll.
4. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Another high-water mark for Monty Python is this endlessly quotable, micro-budgeted lampooning of King Arthur’s quest for the Holy Grail. In 2011, Tom Bergeron and Cynthia McFadden hosted Best in Film: The Greatest Movies of Our Time. This was a collaboration between People and ABC News to give film fans a chance to vote for their all-time favorites. Monty Python and the Holy Grail was named the second-best comedy ever, behind Airplane!. Note: Netflix is currently streaming several Monty Python specials, and episodes of Flying Circus. These are full of iconic zany moments, and they’ve held up really well.
5. Don’t Look Up (2021)
Adam McKay’s ensemble satire has ambition, fine performances across the board and some big laughs. Still, it’s hard not to see it as underwhelming, given the astronomical talent involved. It’s dark and dour to a fault—clumsily strung together at times, even. Dark comedy has so much potential when it’s handled right, but it’s hard to fully defend an often downright unpleasant, shrill viewing experience in this genre. Jennifer Lawrence is characteristically brilliant and sympathetic as a pariah no one believes, but it’s an oddly muted role (Leonardo DiCaprio’s is the meatiest) for an actress whose abilities appear unlimited. Many will say seeing the A-list talent riffing off each other in this flick is worth the price of admission.
6. The Other Guys (2010)
Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell headline Adam McKay‘s buddy comedy action favorite, about two underling NYPD detectives who seize an opportunity to step up on the force.
7. How Do You Know (2010)
Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson and Paul Rudd star in this laugh-out-loud funny rom-com about a woman whose entire life has been defined by softball. When Lisa (Witherspoon)’s cut from the team for being too old—at the ripe age of 31—her life seems adrift. She impulsively has a fling with Matty (Wilson), then goes on a blind date with George (Rudd). Almost instantly she finds herself in a made-for-movies love triangle.
8. The Bad Guys (2022)
DreamWorks Animation Studios’ critical and box-office hit sees Sam Rockwell headline an all-star voice cast in a comedy-caper based on the book about anthropomorphic animals who face a collective crisis of conscience after being caught for criminal activity, facing a new foe in the process. The Bad Guys combines animation styles in a story with heart and hilarity; there’s nothing bad about it.
9. Dolemite is My Name (2019)
2019 saw a considerable Eddie Murphy comeback. The film, TV and standup legend won an Emmy for hosting SNL, and received a Golden Globe nod for his work in Craig Brewer’s acclaimed biopic of blaxploitation and comedy icon Rudy Ray Moore. Many observers say Murphy was robbed of an Oscar nod.
10. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)
Three years after scoring an Oscar nod for Almost Famous, Kate Hudson starred in a box-office smash alongside Matthew McConaughey, about a jaded magazine journalist who falls for a cocky executive.
11. Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
If you’re curious as to how New Zealand’s Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok) rapidly became one of the most prominent filmmakers in Hollywood, look no further. This screamingly funny comedy adventure stars Julian Dennison and Sam Neill as a son/father figure duo who become the target of a massive manhunt in the New Zealand bush. This is fairly family-friendly, and an overall gem. Don’t miss it.
12. Holidate (2020)
We always love a Netflix holiday rom-com. In this Christmas flick—more risqué and star-studded than other films of its ilk, Emma Roberts and Hacksaw Ridge hottie Luke Bracey star as lonely singles who agree to be platonic plus-ones for a year…only to catch feelings along the way. Sappy? Sure. It’s fun, too. Holiday time or any other time of the year.
13. Other People (2016)
A splendid tragicomic performance from Molly Shannon is the big draw in this dramedy, a semi-autobiographical look at writer/director Chris Kelly‘s family life. Shannon won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work here.
14. Murder Mystery (2019)
Co-starring Jennifer Aniston, Adam Sandler’s Netflix venture Murder Mystery had the biggest opening weekend in Netflix’s history in its time, surpassing Bird Box. Other Sandler films on Netflix right now include Hubie Halloween and more.
15. Marriage Story (2019)
Noah Baumbach‘s emotional juggernaut showcases career-best work from Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson. The rare kind of picture that can make you guffaw hysterically and ugly-cry within the same scene, this epic divorce saga is an instant classic. Laura Dern won an Oscar for her portrayal of an L.A. power-lawyer who wears pants so tight you can see bone, then fake-apologizes for looking like a slob. Perfect. Brilliant. Nailed it.
16. Hail, Caesar! (2016)
Next-level production design, big laughs and a uniformly excellent all-star ensemble cast including Josh Brolin, Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Frances McDormand and Ralph Fiennes shine in Joel and Ethan Coen’s retro 1950s-set comedy loosely based on a real-life Hollywood “fixer.”
17. Alex Strangelove (2018)
All at once joyous, raunchy and disarmingly poignant, this Netflix original movie stars Daniel Doheny as Alex Truelove, a deeply closeted high school senior who loves his girlfriend Claire (Madeline Weinstein), but is overwhelmed with confusion when he falls for a handsome, comfortably out boy named Elliot (Antonio Marziale).
18. Always Be My Maybe (2019)
Co-writers Ali Wong and Randall Park star in this charming rom-com about childhood friends reunited years after a disastrous fling. A loose and nimble Keanu Reeves, playing himself, can’t help but steal every scene he’s in.
19. Love Hard (2021)
Nina Dobrev, Jimmy O. Yang, Darren Barnet, Matty Finochio, James Saito and Harry Shum Jr. star in a rom-com co-produced by McG, about a young woman who flies 3,000 to meet dating app find, only to discover she’s been catfished. Helmed by Costa Rican director Hernán Jiménez.
20. National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)
An essential ’80s movie, and one of the most iconic R-rated comedies ever stars Chevy Chase as a husband and dad who spearheads a road trip from hell. Harold Ramis’ original, co-starring Beverly D’Angelo, John Candy and Randy Quaid, spawned a franchise including five sequels.
21. Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
Funny, mature performances from Steve Carell and Julianne Moore as a married couple on the skids mostly overcome a familiar script about reigniting spark, rediscovering manhood and that kind of stuff. All is upstaged, however, by the eminent chemistry of costars Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling—harnessed to perfection in musical drama La La Land half a decade later.
22. Risky Business (1983)
Tom Cruise has grabbed the side of a plane as it soared through the skies. He’s clung to the side of a cliff. He’s piloted assorted aircraft. He’s defied death again and again. Still, if there is a single most iconic visual in his filmography, it’s a 21-year-old Cruise dancing around a living room in his underwear to Bob Seger’s “Old Time Rock & Roll.” Risky Business is so good it hasn’t been overshadowed by one of cinema’s most memorable dance numbers. A satire about sex and 1980s capitalism, Paul Brickman’s electrifying comedy stars Cruise (opposite Rebecca De Mornay and Joe Pantoliano) as a preppy youth who runs hires a hooker and wrecks a Porsche while his parents are out of town. Unafraid of dark themes while blissfully aware of the privileged specificity of its world and characters, Risky Business is one of the best comedies ever made.
23. Bad Trip (2021)
Eric André, Lil Rel Howery and the incomparable Tiffany Haddish star in an admirably go-for-broke mix of scripted comedy and hidden-camera pranks à la Jackass, about two buddies on a road trip to New York. Initially scheduled for a spring 2020 release, Bad Trip was delayed, accidentally released and pirated online before a sale to Netflix. Since its turbulent release window, it’s gained a considerable following and positive critical notices.
24. The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)
A breakout critical and commercial hit of the pandemic era, Michael Rianda‘s animated sci-fi comedy is about a road-tripping family who must defend each other and all of Earth from uprising technology. The Mitchells vs. the Machines was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 94th Academy Awards. The film has been commended for its relatable, inspirational inclusion of LGBTQ character Katie (voice of Abbi Jacobson).
25-27. The Austin Powers Trilogy (1997-2002)
If the question is, “Do the Austin Powers movies hold up as glorious silly fun all these years later?”… the answer is a resounding, “Yeah, baby!” They’re all here: International Man of Mystery, The Spy Who Shagged Me and Goldmember. We just sincerely hope Mike Myers’ beloved British super spy returns for a fourth outing some day.
28-30. The Rush Hour Trilogy (1998-2007)
Some of the humor has aged like milk, but if you can look past that, Brett Ratner’s buddy-cop series about a [very] fast-talking LAPD detective (Chris Tucker) and Hong Kong inspector (Jackie Chan) a has plenty of fast-paced entertainment value.
31-33. The Ocean’s Eleven Trilogy
With an astonishing A-list cast including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, and , Steven Soderbergh’s remake of the classic caper about charming gangsters plotting an unprecedented Las Vegas heist was a massive hit, spawning sequels Ocean’s Twelve (2004) and Ocean’s Thirteen (2007). All three are now on Netflix.
