Ten Best Comedy Movies of 2020!
Every year, coming up with a top ten of comedy movies for the year is always a bit challenging. There aren’t typically ten great comedy movies every year, a great comedy movie comes along very rarely. But even with that difficulty, we try to stick to actual comedy movies, so we shy away from hybrids that are more drama than comedy, like this year’s QT-alike, The Gentlemen, and still managed to come up with ten comedy movies that are well worth your time.
In 2014, Wes Anderson’s gorgeous Grand Budapest Hotel took the honors in this category. In 2015, it was Amy Schumer’s Trainwreck that got your vote. In 2016, Deadpool was your favorite movie. And in 2017 you loved Gilbert: A Gilbert Gottfried Story as much as we did. In 2018, the best comedy movie of the year came from the Coen Brothers with The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. Last year, you picked Dolemite Is My Name as your comedy movie of the year.
Now it’s your turn to read the nominees for the #1 comedy movie of 2020. Scroll down to read our top 10 picks, and then come back on December 30th to vote!
Also don’t forget to vote on the best of everything in comedy this year– books, albums, specials, stand up of the year and more! And read all of our 2020 year in comedy coverage here.
Director: Sacha Baron Cohen.
Cast: Sacha Baron Cohen, Maria Bakalova.
BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIEFILM. We didn’t see this coming…After a 14 year absence, Sasha Baron Cohen’s most iconic character came back with a vengeance, making hit and run stops across a COVID-ravaged U.S. This time out, Kazakhstan’s 4th best journalist is sprung from jail and tasked to deliver the country’s Minister Of Culture, Jonny The Monkey, to the U.S as a symbol of re-establishing diplomatic relations. Arriving in Texas by cargo ship, Borat finds the monkey gone and his 15 year old daughter, Tutar as his traveling companion. Together, the pair go through the state and various parts of the country, horrifying doctors, dress makers, debutantes and various right wing factions, in their attempt to present Tutar to Vice President Pence. Hilarious from start to finish, Cohen shows a side of America that will crack you up and horrify you at the same time. Bakalova steals the movie as the teenage Tutar, who goes from blissfully ignorant to willfully empowered – especially in the film’s now infamous confrontation with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. It’s social commentary, political satire and cringe humor at its best. Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is available now on Amazon Prime.
Director: Judd Apatow Writers: Judd Apatow, Dave Sirus, Pete Davidson
Cast: Pete Davidson, Bill Burr, Marisa Tomei, Ricky Velez, Maude Apatow, Lynne Koplitz, Carly Aquilino, Bel Powley, Keith Robinson, Rich Vos, Bonnie McFarlane, Liza Treyger, Derek Gaines, Steve Buscemi, Pamela Adlon, Robert Smigel, Mike Vecchione, Jessica Kirson
THE KING OF STATEN ISLAND. Pete Davidson delivers an impressive entry with his semi-autobiographical Judd Apatow-directed film. The world couldn’t wait to see this movie which has Davidson star as Scott Carlin, a 24 year old high school dropout living with his mother Margie (Marisa Tomei) and his sister Claire (Maude Apatow) in Staten Island. Haunted by the death of his firefighter father, the unemployed Scott spends most of his days smoking pot, haphazardly attempting to become a tattoo artist and hanging out with his friends, and his dating attitude is equally noncommittal. Scott’s life get flipped when his mother begins seeing Ray (Bill Burr), a single dad and a fireman. Scott is openly hostile to Ray, which only gets worse when Margie kicks him out of the house to focus on her new relationship. All of this sets up a journey of self-discovery for Scott. Working with Apatow gave Davidson the perfect opportunity to tap into all of his comedic strengths, and flex his acting chops to deal with his own personal demons. Bill Burr turns in a standout performance, showing a side of his talent that we haven’t seen yet. Tomei is perfect as the widow and single mom who finally regains her own sense of independence and identity. Bel Powley puts in a breakout performance as Kelsey, who’s helping to push Scott into the responsibilities of adulthood, while at the same time, looking to elevate herself personally and professionally. Steve Buscemi and Pamela Adlon are aboard in critical supporting roles, along with cameo appearances by some of New York’s absolutely funniest comics, and they’re all great in it. After watching Pete Davidson excel on SNL, we can now say that he also has a promising future on film. The King Of Staten Island is available now on Amazon Prime.
Director: Max Barbakow Writer: Andy Siara
Cast: Andy Samberg, Cristin Millioti, JK Simmons, Camila Mendes, Peter Gallagher, Meredith Hagner
PALM SPRINGS. Andy Samberg co-produced and starred in this critically acclaimed Hulu comedy from director Max Barbakow. Samberg plays Nyles, who’s in Palm Springs for a wedding with his girlfriend Misty as one of the bridesmaids. When he discovers that Misty is cheating on him, he hooks up with the bride’s sister, Sarah who later follows Nyles to a mysterious cave. There, they become sucked into world where she and Nyles are stuck in a time loop, forever repeating November 9th. Comparisons to the classic ‘Groundhog Day’ are inevitable, but Palm Springs is just as sharp, featuring another killer performance by Samberg, and a career defining turn by Milioti. Their on-screen chemistry is undeniable and they handle Andy Siara’s offbeat script with ease. Simmons is just as good as Roy, whose anger at Nyles masks the loneliness he feels being trapped in time. With a dynamic script and strong cast, Barbakow has put together a fantastic, left of center comedy. Palm Springs is available now on Hulu.
Director: Sofia Coppola. Writer: Sofia Coppola
Cast: Bill Murray, Rashida Jones, Marlon Wayans, Jessica Henwick, Jenny Slate, Liyanna Muscat
ON THE ROCKS. Bill Murray and Sofia Coppola’s third collaboration taps into many of their respective life experiences. It stars Rashida Jones as Laura, who’s struggling to maintain footing within her marriage, raise two young daughters, and find her own voice as a writer. Her insecurities worsen when she notices her husband spending increasingly more time with his younger, attractive co-worker Fiona. She turns to her wealthy, highly influential art dealer father Felix to help address all the problems in her life, but undoubtedly, he’s one of those unresolved issues. Growing up in the shadow of a famous father is at the center of Coppola’s script, and its complex emotions are wonderfully captured by Jones, who like Coppola, grew up with a larger than life dad. Murray is also in great form as the always flirtatious, every time is a great time Felix. He always turns it up a notch when working with Coppola and this performance is no different. Skillfully using a pre-COVID New York City as a backdrop, Coppola has added another strong film to an already impressive catalog. On The Rocks is available now on Apple TV+.
Director: Steve Byrne. Writer: Steve Byrne
Cast: Jimmy O. Yang, Alex Moffat, Cedric the Entertainer, Bill Burr, Neal Brennan, Ken Jeong, Jermaine Fowler, Whitney Cummings, Tom Segura, Roy Wood Jr, Iliza Shlesinger Russell Peters and more
THE OPENING ACT. Wanting to perform comedy progressing through the early stages of stand-up is at the heart of the narrative feature film debut from Steve Byrne. It stars Jimmy O. Yang as Will Chu, who works a desk job at an insurance company, but moonlights at a local comedy club, longing to become a full time stand up comic. Will gets a giant break when he’s offered a paid gig emceeing a weekend of shows featuring his idol, Billy G (Cedric the Entertainer). Will quits his job and heads to Pennsylvania, believing that the shot will be the launchpad to success. But as the weekend progresses, it becomes an unforgiving crash course on what it really takes to become a mainstay on the comedy circuit. Byrne pulls off the rare feat of capturing all aspects of that life, including crafting a set, dealing with hecklers and groupies, the tediousness of life in between gigs and, worst of all, rebounding after bombing. Yang, also a stand up and TV show vet, is great in the title role, wonderfully displaying all of the neuroses and nuances that comics face on stage and off. Cedric the Entertainer and SNL member Alex Moffat contribute solid supporting performances as veteran stand-ups who become Will’s mentors and guides through the long weekend. Featuring cameo appearances by Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Neal Brennan, Ken Jeong and Jermaine Fowler, Steve Byrne has put together a textured look at the pursuit of making people laugh. The Opening Act is available now on Amazon Prime.
Director: Autumn de Wilde. Writers: Eleanor Catton, Jane Austen
Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Bill Nighy, Angus Imrie, Gemma Whelan, Rupert Graves
EMMA. Autumn de Wilde’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel stars Anya Taylor-Joy as the wealthy, matchmaking Emma Woodhouse, who’s in search of a new companion after her governess gets married. When she settles on Harriet Smith (Mia Goth), it sets off a series of events in which Emma interjects herself into Harriet’s love life, only to find herself the object of a couple of suitors. Taylor-Joy, who already had a breakthrough year with The Queen’s Gambit, puts her own mark on Austen’s most revered works, proving that she’s an actress with considerable staying power. She leads a strong cast that includes actor/musician Johnny Flynn, Mia Goth, Miranda Hart and Amber Anderson. With her debut feature, Autumn de Wilde easily transitions from photography to film director, using her experience to capture the lush British landscapes in all of their splendor. It’s a great period piece with well placed laughs delivered by a great cast. Emma is available now On Demand.
Director: Chris Henchy. Writers: Chris Henchy, Sal Vulcano, Joe Gatto, James Murray, Brian Quinn
Cast: Joe Gatto, James Murray, Brian Quinn, Sal Vulcano, Paula Abdul, Will Ferrell, Jaden Smith, Joey Fatone
(IMPRACTICAL) JOKERS: THE MOVIE. The Impractical Jokers teamed up with writer/director Chris Henchy (Land of the Lost, The Other Guys) to make a successful leap from TV to film. The plot has successful TV hosts Joe, Sal, Murr and Q, holding a competition to see which three of the four Jokers will party with Paula Abdul in Miami. The Jokers cause havoc all along the East Coast, with challenges that include delivering a fake eulogy, being locked in a hotel room with a chained tiger, and successfully stealing a 1986 Ford LTD Crown Victoria. By combining the aesthetics of Candid Camera with Jackass, the Impractical Jokers made a big splash onto the big screen, leaving an indelible mark with their brand of cringe humor. Impractical Jokers: The Movie is available now on HBO Max.
Director: Michael Showalter. Writers: Aaron Abrams, Brendan Gall, Martin Gero
Cast: Issa Rae, Kumail Nanjiani, Paul Sparks, Anna Camp
THE LOVEBIRDS. In The Lovebirds, a New Orleans couple en route to a party, mid-breakup, get wrapped up in a hit-and-run/murder plot. The beats that follow heighten in their silliness and the name of the game ultimately becomes survive til the next morning unscathed and un-arrested. The Lovebirds may remind you of 2018’s ensemble comedy Game Night, and 2010’s Steve Carell/Tina Fey vehicle Date Night. Here, Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani’s Leilani and Jibran are a likeable couple to watch from their first moments of romance to their loudest and most hurtful, potentially relationship-ending fights. While the story that lies ahead of us has wildly varying levels of believability, the fight that we see first, matters because it and its stakes do feel real. But Rae and Nanjiani ground the material they’re given in a way the prior movies refused to do, in an endearing yet clear-eyed sweetness. The film is certainly not without its flaws, but by the end, you’ve watched a romantic comedy that feels – even in light of the outrageous circumstances – familiar, like you’ve seen this sort of relationship in real life, but rarely onscreen. Overall, a fun departure from our hellscape of the current moment. Available now on Netflix.
Director: Dennis Dugan. Writers: Dennis Dugan, Larry Miller, Eileen Conn
Cast: Maggie Grace, Diane Keaton, Jeremy Irons, Diego Boneta, Andrew Bachelor, Todd Stashwick, Jesse McCartney Richard Kline, Veronica Ferres, Elle King, Caroline Portu, Gail Bennington, Sally Meehan, Natalia Grace, Melinda Hill
LOVE WEDDINGS & OTHER DISASTERS. Writer-producer Dennis Dugan was able to complete production on his long gesting project just as the pandemic took hold, and produced a much needed light, fun romantic comedy. It stars Maggie Grace as Jessie, a Boston-based wedding planner who gets unexpected fame when an ill-fated skydive wrecks a wedding along with her relationship with her news anchor boyfriend. Despite this, she gets a chance to plan the wedding of mayoral hopeful Robert Barton (Dennis Staroselsky), and turns to top planner Lawrence Phillips for help. The demanding and ultra meticulous Lawrence gets fixed up on a blind date with Sara, who is the exact opposite of Lawrence – and just happens to be blind. Meanwhile, Barton’s brother Jimmy goes on a dating reality show to pay off gambling debts and is paired up (actually chained up) with Olga (Melinda Hill), a Russian stripper who dances at a mob owned club. Finally, duck boat city tour guide Captain Ritchie (Andrew Bachelor) is a lovelorn Prince Charming, searching the city to find the Cinderella with a distinctive tattoo that he met and lost on one of his tours. This light and breezy comedy provides a comedic detour from the barrage of bad news that has been hitting us throughout the year. Maggie Grace delivers a great performance as the slightly klutzy Jessie, trying to move on after a breakup and unexpected Internet notoriety to pull off the biggest wedding of her career. Irons and Keaton are also in great form as the mismatched couple who find late in life love. With singer-songwriter Elle King providing a musical bridge between stories, Dennis Dugan has put together another winning comedy. Love, Weddings & Other Disasters is available now on Amazon Prime.
Director: Brandon Trost. Writers: Simon Rich
Cast: Seth Rogen, Sarah Snook, Molly Evensen, Eliot Glazer, Kalen Allen, Kevin O’Rourke, Sean Whalen, Carol Leifer
AN AMERICAN PICKLE. It seems like our top ten list wouldn’t be complete without an annual entry from Seth Rogen. Whether as producer, director, writer, or star, Rogen’s creative and comedic contributions always make you laugh or smile. An American Pickle didn’t get a lot of attention, partly because it was an early offering on a brand new platform, and partly because it was weird as fuck. Critics didn’t hate it, but it wasn’t considered particularly original or important, even by comedy standards. Think of it as a Jewish Unfrozen Caveman sketch, but instead of being trapped in ice for centuries, this relic was preserved by a vat of pickle brine for 100 years. The boisterous Herschel Greenbaum awakens to a whole new world and join forces with his great grandson who sorely lacks the self confidence needed to succeed. The clashes that ensue are products of time and personality. And in his dual role, Rogen personifies the cultural changes that take place in cultural groups from immigrant class to integrated members of the American culture. Available now on HBO Max.
