The 25 Best Comedies of the 2020s So Far, Ranked
Updated
Writing from the Chicagoland area in Illinois, Robert is an avid movie watcher and will take just about any excuse to find time to go to his local movie theaters. Robert graduated from Bradley University with degrees in Journalism and Game Design with a minor in Film Studies. Robert tries his best to keep up with all the latest movie releases, from those released in theaters to those released on streaming. While he doesn't always keep up with the latest TV shows, he makes it a goal to watch nearly every major new release possible. He has been honing his craft and following any and all movie news all his life, leading up to now, where he has a vast knowledge of film and film history. He also logs every movie that he watches on his Letterboxd page, and has hosted a weekly online movie night with his closest friends for over 6 years.
For as long as cinema has been a mainstay in culture and society, comedy movies have been the perfect avenue for film to bring joy and laughter to audiences worldwide. Some of the most recognized and well-known movies of all time are comedy films, with every filmmaking era having its standout picks of amazing comedies that define the era. The 2020s have already proven to be another great decade for comedy, with many hilarious and iconic films already released.
The number of iconic, widely renowned comedy movies released in the 2020s is a great sign that even more inventive comedies will be released in the rest of the decade. Especially with the rise of streaming services, the amount of high-quality comedies being released is at a staggeringly high rate. From massive blockbuster successes that millions worldwide have watched to more niche indie darlings that received massive critical praise and awards nominations, there is no shortage of notable comedies released in the 2020s.
25 'No Hard Feelings' (2023)
The raunchy R-rated studio comedy is a specific style of film that, while massively popular throughout the 2000s and 2010s, has seemingly fallen out of favor in the modern landscape of franchises and streaming services. However, one major example that proved the genre's fluidity and proven success is No Hard Feelings, which harkens back to the classic type of chaotic, sex-fueled comedies in the vein of Superbad and Saving Sarah Marshall. The film stars Jennifer Lawrence as Maddie, a girl who, in an attempt to earn money to save her childhood home, agrees to be paid by a 19-year-old's helicopter parents to go on a date with him before college.
There is an inherent charm and honesty present within No Hard Feelings that is largely missing from comedies of the modern era, making its simple execution and style hit that much harder for a contemporary audience. Lawrence proves that she has exceptional comedic chops in the film, largely elevating the material and committing to the chaos required to make its premise work well. Especially for those who are looking for a comedy in the same vein as classics from previous eras, No Hard Feelings is definitely worth seeking out.
24 'Between the Temples' (2024)
There's an inherently difficult balancing act when it comes to making a great cringe-comedy film, as their goal of finding laughter out of the most uncomfortable of situations is tricky to pull off effectively. Easily one of the best modern films that flourishes in this distinct style of painfully awkward comedy is Between the Temples, which acts as a masterclass of awkward personality in all regards. The film follows a grief-stricken cantor forging an unexpected friendship with his grade school music teacher, who has reentered his life as his new adult Bat Mitzvah student.
Between the Temples makes the most out of its quirky and irregular characters, placing them in increasingly uncomfortable and painful situations where the only reaction is to laugh out of pain. It's certainly a comedic style that doesn't align with everyone, yet when it's working at the height of its powers, it makes for one of the funniest experiences imaginable. The film's energy feels in line with the classic rom-com works of Elaine May, especially sharing a lot of energy with films like The Heartbreak Kid.
23 'Another Round' (2020)
Another Round is a Danish film that follows a group of four high school teachers who, as a way to add some spice and variety into their increasingly boring lives, launch their own experiment in making day-to-day life more enjoyable. They attempt to continuously drink alcoholic drinks to hold a constant low level of intoxication going forward, including while working their job as well as their time at home. The experiment proves itself to come with upsides as well as major difficulties, as it becomes a balancing act for each of them to adjust to the new lifestyle.
While international movies always seem to be harder sells for more general audiences, Another Round is easily one of the most accessible and adaptable international films to be released in recent memory. The film's very simple yet highly effective premise leads to a great deal of comedy and shenanigans, which are only further amplified by the terrific performances of everyone involved and the great directing style of Thomas Veinterberg. The film made enough of a splash worldwide that there are even plans for an English remake starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
22 'Emma.' (2020)
Adapted from the iconic classic Jane Austen novel, Emma follows the story of the well-meaning but selfish young woman of Emma, living in 1800s England as she meddles with the love lives of her friends and family. As she continues to play matchmaker in the lives of everyone around her, Emma soon enough finds herself unknowingly at the center of her own romance as it begins to unfold around her.
The story of Emma has been adapted to film a multitude of times throughout film history, both through direct adaptations of the novel and loose adaptations like the teen sensation Clueless. However, Autumn de Wilde's Emma is able to perfectly combine the themes and attributes of the original novel with enough modern flair and conventions to make it an exceptional comedic period piece. The true highlight of the film is Anya Taylor-Joy, who provides an iconic and scene-stealing comedic performance in the leading role of Emma.
21 'Theater Camp' (2023)
A love letter to the small-scale, chaotic nature of summer camp and amateur theater, Theater Camp is equal parts defined by its endless charm as it is by its embracing of its nonsensical supporting cast. The mockumentary follows a scrappy upstate New York theater falling into shambles after its beloved founder ends up in a coma, forcing the eccentric staff and the founder's failure of a son to keep the camp afloat for the summer.
No other film has such an intelligent, fundamental understanding of the ins and outs of youth theater quite like Theater Camp, making for the perfect setup to absolutely make fun of it with pitch-perfect satire. Each member of the supporting cast gets time to shine, whether it be the charmingly idiotic Troy (Jimmy Tatro) or the inseparable pair of Amos (Ben Platt) and Rebecca-Diane (Molly Gordon). While the film was originally overlooked during its theatrical release due to releasing at the same time as Barbie and Oppenheimer, it soon found a new life and fan-favorite status on streaming.
20 'Hit Man' (2024)
Richard Linklater has helmed a wide variety of exceptional comedy films over the years, including the likes of School of Rock and Dazed and Confused. Hit Man is simply the latest smash hit comedy from the director, using an ingenious premise to get a wide variety of laughs and mileage out of one of Hollywood's biggest rising stars, Glen Powell. The film sees Powell as Gary Johnson, a mild-mannered professor who works on the side as a fake hitman in police stings, who finds himself in the middle of a major predicament when he begins to fall for his latest client.
Hit Man fully delivers on the comedic potential of its concept, giving free rein for Powell to show off his comedic chops in a wide variety of fun and hilarious performance styles and personalities. However, what continues to make the film one of the biggest and most acclaimed comedies of the streaming service era is the signature heart and charm that is present within all of Linklater's works. The phone call sequence at the end is especially one of the greatest comedic setups in recent memory, and is emblematic of the entire film's overwhelming charm and electrifying energy.
19 'Palm Springs' (2020)
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Palm Springs follows the story of carefree spirit Nyles and reluctant Maid of honor Sarah, who, after their brief encounter during a Palm Springs wedding, find themselves at the center of a supernatural event. The duo is stuck in an endless time loop where they are forced to repeat the day of the wedding over and over and subsequently exhaust all possibilities of what could happen on the wedding day. With endless time on their hands, the duo soon form a connection and bond, which begins to crack as the duo attempts to find a way to escape.
Time-loop movies have become a staple of comedy ever since the massively popular Groundhog Day, yet Palm Springs stands out as the first comedy since Groundhog Day to make perfect comedic use of the premise. Palm Springs understands both the inherent comedy and potential present within time loops, as well as the eventual dread and horror that come as a result of exhausted possibilities. The primary focus of the film being on a duo as opposed to a singular person only further adds to the comedic potential, as well as the inevitable crash and burn.
18 'The Drama' (2026)
Quickly making a name for itself as one of the defining dark comedies of the decade, Kristoffer Borgli's The Drama isn't afraid to delve into some fundamentally uncomfortable subject matter while simultaneously finding the comedic elements within such unsettling concepts. The film sees happily engaged Emma (Zendaya) and Charlie (Robert Pattinson) have their bonds tested after some shocking truths from Emma's past come to life in what was supposed to be a fun game of awkward truths.
The Drama gets a lot of mileage out of pushing the strange absurdities of its painful central concept, one that can't truly be stated without spoiling the movie but undeniably is considered a major taboo to discuss in the realm of comedy. However, it's tackled with such inherent precision and finesse, focusing more on the psychological dynamics of these characters instead of the pain of the concept itself, that it allows the film to greatly succeed as one of the funniest yet darkest films of 2026.
17 'The Worst Person in the World' (2021)
A strikingly prolific and brilliant coming-of-age story about the transitionary period of young adulthood, The Worst Person in the World is a singular cinematic experience that feels timeless in its execution. The film chronicles four years in the life of Julie (Renate Reinsve) as she navigates a troubled love life and struggles to find her career path. The chaos and unpredictability of her life lead her to look inward in hopes of discovering who she truly is as a person.
The Worst Person in the World provides a more intimate look at a period of time not often explored for its development and growth, yet is undeniably important and emblematic of modern human experience. The film blends its serious and impactful messaging with an array of comedic, lighthearted moments, with deeply engrossing characters to further amplify the themes and energy of the film. Even for those who don't normally watch international filmmaking, this Norwegian film is absolutely worth watching for any fans of serious dramatic rom-coms.
The Menu follows the story of a couple who travel off to a coastal island in order to eat at a highly prestigious, exclusive restaurant in which the head chef, Slowik, has prepared an extensive and lavish menu. As the night progresses, it becomes more and more apparent that the planned menu and dinner are much more sinister, as the guests' lives are on the line. Already an outsider to this exclusive and high-class world, Margot attempts to do everything that she can to escape the dinner before it's too late.
The Menu is a film that is as sinister and disturbing as it is hilarious and satirical in its lambasting and portrayal of the upper class and the culture that it perpetuates. The film is filled with hilarious characters and set pieces that complement the rising tension and stakes of the film perfectly. The film is all brought together by the comedically terrifying central performance of Ralph Fiennes as Chef Slowik, who perfectly balances being a cold and calculating villainous force with the comedic service industry revenge fantasy.
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