Ten Best Comedy Movies of 2021!
Everyone knows that finding ten great comedy movies in a given year is pretty impossible. If you get one great comedy in a year, its a good year. But genre blending keeps trending up, and an avalanche of great comedy documentaries, we had no trouble picking ten movies we loved this year.
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. In 2019 you picked Dolemite Is My Name as your comedy movie of the year, and last year, the #1 comedy movie award went to Borat.
Before we get to the nominees, we have to take a moment to look at the comedy documentaries that came out this year. Even though a great comedy movie can hard to find, in 2021 you can watch a great new comedy documentary every day of the week for nearly two weeks, and want to see every one of them again. We’re the most excited for everyone to get a chance to see the Super Bob Einstein movie, which will be released on HBO on December 28th. Just announced today, the doc was released too late to be under consideration for Comedy Movie of the Year this year. But it will be released on HBO next week and it’s 100% must see. Whether you were a fan of Super Dave, or Marty Funkhauser (and of course everyone who loves comedy was), you will learn something about Bob Einstein that you didn’t know before. His career path is unlike anyone else that we’ve ever heard of, particularly his entry into the business. It’s packed with all of your favorite celebrity comedians like Albert Brooks, Steve Martin, David Letterman, Sarah Silverman and the entire cast of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Conversations with Bob’s family are so illuminating and the look back at the origins of his career in comedy will have you googling for all the Dave/Bob you can get your hands on. Bob is so missed by everyone in the documentary and undoubtedly by everyone who will be watching it. It’s worth watching just to see the discussion about his brilliant scene in Albert Brooks’ Modern Romance. But there’s so much more Please feel free to write it in as a top ten candidate, it’s certainly worthy.
We were unable to get our hands on screeners for the Untitled Dave Chappelle Documentary or get in to see any of the very limited showings, but we’re all confident that it will make a great watch. The long overdue Patrice O’Neal documentary came out this year. Patrice O’Neal: Killing is Easy is required viewing (as is anything you can get your hands on that showcases his enormous talent). The Real Charlie Chaplin, just released on Showtime is an excellent look at another side of Chaplin. You’ll definitely want to watch the FX doc Hysterical, a revealing look at what its like to be a woman who performs stand up comedy told from the perspective of the best women in comedy: Jessica Kirson, Rachel Feinstein, Fortune Feimster, Nikki Glaser, Marina Franklin, Kathy Griffin, Carmen Lynch, Lisa Lampanelli, Iliza Shlesinger and Bonnie McFarlane. Too Soon: Comedy After 9/11 looks back 20 years to look at the painful process of returning to comedy after the World Trade Center terrorist attacks in 2001. Made for Vice and available on YouTube, Too Soon is an unintended but perfect bookend with Sam Morril’s Full Capacity, which examines the reopening of clubs in New York City after Covid lockdown restrictions began to ease up. The parallels and the differences between the impact these two events had on the comedy business will have you thinking about both documentaries long after you finish watching them. Be sure to also check out Kurt Vonnegut Unstuck in Time on Amazon, CNN: The Story of Late Night which is a documentary tv series, but still fits here, and Dark Humor, a series of stand up and conversational shorts about the black experience in comedy. The series features Greer Barnes, Mike Brown, Tommy Davidson, Nore Davis, Sonia Denis, Ayanna Dookie, Eddie Griffin, Chloe Hilliard, Lil Rel, Josh Johnson, Ms. Pat, Open Mike Eagle, Donnell Rawlings, Rae Sanni, Yamaneika Saunders, Sinbad, Cipha Sounds, Jordan Temple, Baron Vaughn, Neko White, Roy Wood Jr., Gina Yashere and so many more.
There are a few honorable mentions to sneak in beyond the comedy doc realm. Free Guy is a fun watch on Netflix. Starring Ryan Reynolds, its a bit of a cross between The Truman Show, and Wreck it Ralph, and its a throwaway but good for a snowy night on the couch and a few laughs. The French Exit is a darker comedy that you will enjoy if quirky character driven movies are your thing, and for fans of the ever growing Groundhog Day genre, the teen-aimed Map of Tiny Perfect Things will go great with hot cocoa and homemade cookies over Christmas Break. That’s on Amazon.
Now it’s your turn to read the nominees for the #1 comedy movie of 2021. Scroll down to read our top 10 picks, and then vote! You can vote every day, we don’t care! It just is more love for these wonderful films.
Don’t forget you can also vote now for Comedian of the Year! Vote forComedy Movie of the Year! Vote for Comedy TV Series of the Year! Vote for Comedy Special of the Year! Vote for Best Comedy Book of the Year! Vote for the Best Comedy Album of the Year!
Director: Wes Anderson.
Cast: Bill Murray, Angelica Huston, Owen Wilson, Elisabeth Moss, Tilda Swinton, Benicio Del Toro, Frances McDormand, Timothee Chalamet, Jeffrey Wright, Willem Dafoe, Jason Schwartzman
THE FRENCH DISPATCH. Wes Anderson returns for his 10th masterpiece in the form of The French Dispatch. The title refers to an independent newspaper published in Paris helmed by an American editor played by Bill Murray. The Dispatch is closing its doors upon the passing of its esteemed editor, but Anderson’s film takes us through the creation and publication of the paper’s final edition. Four separate segment chapters are contained within this beautiful package, and each is a work of art. The Cycling Reporter has Owen Wilson as travel writer Herbsaint Sazerac, cycling through the town of Ennui-sur-Blasé, where we get to tour the towns famous attractions, like pickpocket alley. The Concrete Masterpiece tells the tale of an imprisoned murderer who becomes the toast of the art society while painting abstracts in prison. In the third segment, Revisions to a Manifesto, we are handed a front row seat to the student uprising and its fearless leader. And the showstopper is the films final vignette, The Private Dining Room of the Police Commissioner, initially meant to be a story for the food section about a well known chef who just happens to work at the police station, but it evolves into a madcap caper. The film is first and foremost beautiful, but it’s also incredibly funny. The French Dispatch is available now in Theaters.
Director: Craig Bower. Written by: Kenya Barris, Barry Blaustein, David Sheffield
Cast: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Jermaine Fowler, Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan, Kiki Layne, Louie Anderson, John Amos, James Earl Jones, Wesley Snipes, Shari Headley, Bella Murphy.
COMING 2 AMERICA.The long anticipated sequel to 1988 hit movie Coming To America was released this year exciting Eddie Murphy fans everywhere, and there are plenty of them. The setting for the sequel isn’t really that important, this movie is all about seeing old friends and new rising stars. But the storyline centers on the kingdom of Zmunda and a threat to the royal family’s sovereignty. Akeem and Lisa have beautiful daughters but no male heir, and an archaic law is invoked, setting the story in motion. When King Akeem finds out that he has a son in Queens, the illegitimate offspring of a one nighter with someone we never saw in the first movie, he goes to find his son and reunite. Along the way, he manages to alienate his oldest daughter who is more than fit to become the hair to the throne. Hijinx ensue. Tracy Morgan and Leslie Jones are always funny, Jermaine Fowler shows that he’s got a major future on the big screen, but the big star here is the return of Murphy to broad comedy, and nostalgia for a beloved comedy classic. Coming 2 America was released via Amazon Studios and is available now on Amazon Prime.
Director: Bobcat Goldthwait
Cast:Bobcat Goldthwait and Dana Gould
JOY RIDE. Friends and comedians Bobcat Goldthwait and Dana Gould go on the road, touring, documenting the trip, the shows, their friendship and their careers along the way. The only question we had about this movie, was whether to nominate it for best comedy special or best movie. This film works equally as a fascinating documentary, or as a filmed comedy special with documentary elements. It’s entertaining, it’s fascinating and its fall-out funny. The archival footage selected by these two killer comedians is as funny as it gets. Whether you are old enough to remember Bobcat’s antics in the 80’s or not, all of these scenes are must-watch and Dana Gould’s stories from his developing years are riveting and well mined for big laughs. The stand up scenes alone are worth the watch. Both Gould and Goldthwait are at the top of list of killers in comedy, and they are both at the top of their game in Joy Ride. Double points for Goldthwait, one of the best filmmakers in the business. He directs a beautiful funny film without an ounce of fat. We’ve seen stand up filmed in many ways- for television, for movies, for specials- using many cinematic styles but we believe Bobcat has found the most effective way to capture stand up on stage. This is as close as it gets to feeling like you are in the room with the performers. This movie has everything. Comedy, action, a car accident, a concussion, history, a road trip, and a look behind the brick wall at what its like to go on the road. Don’t rent it, buy it because you’re going to want to watch it again. Joy Ride is available now through Video on Demand.
Director: Kilau Saukurai.
Cast: Eric Andre, Lil Rel Howery, Tiffany Haddish
BAD TRIP. As Eric Andre fans might guess, there is nothing formulaic about this movie, and it’s difficult to describe the arc except in its most general terms. Two best friends Chris (Andre) and Bud (Howery) take a weed soaked road trip from Florida to New York City in pursuit of a high school crush, so Chris can tell her he loves her. All the while, they are being pursued by a crazy and scary sister, (Haddish) because they took her car, and she’s not happy. Being recently incarcerated, you can imagine that she doesn’t take shit off of anybody. The movie was purportedly created Borat style- full of hidden camera pranks, with unsuspecting regular people providing most of the reaction shots, and in some cases, someone you think is an actor might just be an innocent bystander. There’s also real life danger which in one case led Lil Rel to quit the project until Andre was able to coax him back onto the set. If this style of comedy is in your wheelhouse (and it should be) its a laugh-your-ass-off movie that will have you punching the person next to you. Bad Trip is available now on Netflix.
Director: Amy Pohler.
Cast: Hadley Robinson, Lauren Tsai, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Amy Poehler, Ike Barinholz, Marcia Gay Harden
MOXIE.16-year-old Vivian is disillusioned by the white male narrative everywhere around her, replete with bullying, and harassment. She starts a feminist zine, Moxie, to call out unfair treatment of girls and empower the young women in her school. It’s not like the comedies of decades ago where bullying and harassment were mined for comedic effect. This is an empowerment comedy where the laughs don’t come from getting hit in the face. This is Amy Poehler’s directing debut and she also co-stars in the film as Vivian’s mom. Moxie is available now on Netflix.
Director: Josh Greenbaum. Writers: Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo
Cast: Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo, Jamie Dornan, Damon Wayans Jr., Wendi McLendon Covey, Vanessa Bayer, Fortune Feimster
BARB & STAR GO TO VISTA DEL MAR. If you are looking for the silliest most joke-packed comedy of the year, go directly to Barb & Star. This will remind you of movies you grew up with– Zoolander, Austin Powers, Dodgeball– the movies of Will Ferrell, Mike Myers and Ben Stiller with over the top nuttiness that makes you laugh out loud. Barb and Star are two best friends from Nebraska who don’t do anything adventurous. They decide to break out of their play-it-safe lifestyles and take a trip to mythical Vista Del Mar. Once in their vacation paradise, the two midwestern women meet and fall in love with the same man, who unbeknownst to them is a henchman for an evil villainess who is plotting to blow up the town. It’s a perfect absurd adventure, and Wiig and Mumolo are everything you hope they will be. Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar is available now on Hulu.
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson Writer Paul Thomas Anderson
Cinematographer: Paul Thomas Anderson
Cast: Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman, Sean Penn, Tom Waits, Bradley Cooper, Benny Safdie, Emma Dumont, Maya Rudolph, John C. Reilly, Ben Stiller.
LICORICE PIZZA Paul Thomas Anderson’s new coming of age dramatic comedy is set in 1973 in the San Fernando Valley. Gary Valentine is fifteen when he meets Alana Kanally. She is a twenty something photographer’s assistant at Gary’s High School picture day. Gary charms his way into a friendship with Alana, and orchestrates opportunities for them to spend time together despite their significant age gap. Together they start a waterbed company, audition for movies and get involved in a Mayoral campaign while navigating a politically and culturally changing time. It’s frequently funny, although funny isn’t necessarily the point of the movie. The film makes excellent use of Paul Thomas Anderson’s ability to take you through a time and place, exploring all of the colorful and interesting characters that inhabit that time and place along the way. A phenomenal soundtrack is the cherry on top. This is a movie to watch and rewatch and then watch again.
Licorice Pizza is in theaters now.
Director: Aaron Sorkin Written by: Aaron Sorkin
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, Nina Arianda, JK Simmons, Alia Shawkat, Linda Lavin, Josh Rubenstein, Tony Hale
BEING THE RICARDOS. The story of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz is too big a story to tell in one movie, so Aaron Sorkin selects one important week long period to explore their on and off screen lives. As Sorkin often does, he mixes in some other stories into the week hoping to give the audience a taste of different elements of their lives. Nicole Kidman is impressive inhabiting the look and voice of Lucille Ball off camera, and there’s no doubt that nailing the look and sound took a great deal of work and focus to pull off. What is lost in that exchange is how funny Lucy/Lucille is, but if you accept that you’re watching a story unfold, and not recreating everything that made Lucy the queen of comedy, then you’ll enjoy the movie. The week, and the film both begin Walter Winchell accusing Lucy of being a communist on air- though Lucy had already appeared before the House Committee and was cleared of wrongdoing. But this storyline is really just a set for Sorkin to explore different facets of Lucy and Desi’s relationship and often fades into the background while we explore themes of jealousy, work ethics, unfaithfulness, celebrity, credit and commerce. The film takes audiences into the writers’ room, onto the soundstage and behind closed doors of the groundbreaking sitcom I Love Lucy. It’s not funny, but it’s still pretty fabulous, and it is a story about one of the most important teams to ever create comedy. Being the Ricardos is in Theaters now, Coming to Netflix soon.
Director: Andre Gaines.
Appearances by Christian Gregory, W. Kamau Bell, Dick Gregory, Wanda Sykes, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart and more.
THE ONE AND ONLY DICK GREGORY.. This outstanding documentary film produced for Showtime follows the life and career of Dick Gregory. With a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film takes us through the life of the activist, comedian and wellness advocate. When looking back on the life, career and legacy of Dick Gregory, it’s astounding just how far ahead of the curve he was in comedy and with other issues and platforms that he chose to address. With this extraordinary Showtime documentary, director Andre Betts spent six and a half years combing through TV show appearances, news clips, extended interviews and audio to tell Gregory’s imprint on the world of comedy, setting new standards in the world of stand up, while tackling racism and bigotry in the process. Gregory’s cool, laid back stage persona was fully formed from jump, laying the blueprint for such future legends such as Bill Cosby, Jerry Seinfeld and Dave Chappelle. The doc also looks back at how Gregory’s friendship with Medgar Evans put him at the forefront of the American Civil Rights Movement, as he all but walked away from his highly successful career to put himself on the front lines for equal rights for Blacks, women, Native Americans, and animals; becoming a fierce opponent of the Vietnam War, and later, a staunch environmentalist and nutritional advocate. Betts also covers Gregory’s later years that showed how the world finally caught up to Gregory’s genius and gave him the elder statesperson status that he so richly deserves. The One And Only Dick Gregory is available now on Showtime on Demand and the Showtime app.
Director: Sean Baker. Writers: Sean Baker, Chris Bergoch
Cast: Simon Rex, Bree Elrod, Suzanne Son, Brenda Deiss, Judy Hill, Marlon Lambert and Dustin Hitman Hart.
RED ROCKET. You might remember Sean Baker as the filmmaker behind the indie darling movies Tangerine, and The Florida Project. Baker has a remarkable ability to capture downtrodden communities on film with beauty, and sadness, while also managing to mine the scenes for what is funny about these slices of life. He does it again in Red Rocket to tremendous effect. The movie follows Mikey Saber, a small town Texas boy who made it big in the porn business until a series of poor decisions and bad luck sent him packing. When the movie opens, Mikey is on a bus from Los Angeles heading to Texas city, hoping to find refuge in the run down house his estranged wife occupies with her elderly mother. Armed with a kids bike and lots of ambition Mikey attempts to get his life back together and maybe even make a big comeback. The performances are some of the best this year, a feat all the more impressive when you realize that Baker’s penchant for street casting means many of the parts are played by first timers. Heartbreaking, bittersweet and full of funny moments, this movie deserves to be seen and loved by a wide audience.
Red Rocket is available in Theaters now.
