Pretty much everyone loves a good laugh. Ever since we could etch words into clay, people have writtencomedyskits and cracked lame puns and dirty jokes for the enjoyment of others. It’s a good way to relieve stress, and it’s a fantastic means to reconnect with others. And, ifPatch Adamsis to be believed, it’s also the best medicine. After a successful rebranding, the streaming serviceMaxis back with even more comedic films for an uproarious day off.
Countless slapstick, surreal jokes, and retro throwbacks can be found throughout Max’s backlog, meaning there’s something for just about everyone. We’ve done the hard work of assembling the best of the best Max has to offer, meaning you’re able to sit back, relax, and watch these laugh-out-loud comedies at your leisure.
27Get Shorty (1995)
Get Shorty
Besides Quentin Tarantino withJackie Brown, no one has better adapted the ingenious works of Elmore Leonard than Barry Sonnenfeld with hisGet Shorty. The movieis loaded with Leonard’s trademark dialogue, and director Sonnenfeld could not have lined up a better cast to spout it. John Travolta is on point as Chili Palmar (one of Leonard’s more interesting, laissez-faire protagonists), just as Rene Russo is sublime as femme fatale Karen Flores.
All Elements of the Movie Work Perfectly in Harmony
While the aforementioned aspects all contribute toGet Shorty’s effectiveness, what really makes it stand out (especially when it comes to fellow Leonard adaptations) is the constant sense of fun that permeates it. The actors are poking fun at their own industry, and that gives it a level of meta-appeal that’s also an asset. Lastly, Gene Hackman is incredible as Harry Zimm, a character who is constantly taking a beating (played by an actor who usually doles those out, e.g.inThe French Connection).
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26Election (1999)
An early and extra special work fromThe Holdovers’s Alexander Payne,Electionis a treat. What works best about it is its positioning of two very likable performers (Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon) as two very different unlikable people. Witherspoon’s Tracy Flick is a bit much at all times, and incredibly full of herself, but at least she isn’t a dirtbag like her teacher, Jim McAllister.
A Dark Comedy So Effective It Can Be Off-Putting
Everything aboutElectionworks. Heck, besidesAmerican Pie,it’s the only movie to find a decent usage of Chris Klein. But, it is a dark comedy, so it’s only truly going to be great for those who can get on its wavelength. For those who can’t, it’ll definitely be a little unsettling (though certainly not to the extent of fellowindie dark comedyHappinessfrom one year before).
25A Night at the Roxbury (1998)
A Night at the Roxbury
An early theatrical venture for Will Ferrell,A Night at the Roxburyteams him with Chris Kattan as they reprise theirSaturday Night Liveroles of Steve and Doug Butabi, respectively. Like most of theotherSNL-inspired filmsthat came out in the ’90s,A Night at the Roxburydoesn’t have enough juice to make it a truly great motion picture.
For Those Who Miss the Glory Days of SNL
Like the all-time classicWayne’s World,the looseness of the narrative works forA Night at the Roxburymore often than not. Furthermore, Ferrell and Kattan continue to have great chemistry after the sketch comedy show, and Dan Hedaya steals every one of his scenes as the duo’s perpetually disappointed father. This is also a bittersweet reminder ofSNL’s better days. While this isn’t technically from the show itself, that’s where the idea was born.
24Office Space (1999)
Office Space
The ultimate accomplishment ofBeavis & Butt-Head’s Mike Judge,Office Spaceis one of the most rewatchable comedy movies ever made. It’s also flat-outthe best comedy movie of the ’90s, filled with sharp dialogue and immensely likable characters. The lightly-plotted film follows an office drone who grows so bored with his existence he just checks out. But, when a coworker comes up with a scheme to slowly steal millions from their company, he livens up…even if they have no idea what they’re doing.
Classic ’90s Cinema
Ron Livingston is wonderfully dry in the lead role of office drone Peter Gibbons, but the supporting cast is just as fantastic. David Herman as the hysterically named Michael Bolton (no relation), Jennifer Aniston as the Kung-fu movie-loving Joanna, Ajay Naidu as the perpetually angry Samir, Diedrich Bader as nosey next-door neighbor Lawrence, Stephen Root as cinema’s best sheepish character, Milton Waddams, and, of course, Gary Cole as “Yeahhhh” Bill Lumbergh are all classic character portrayals of the comedic cinema world.
23Fargo (1996)
While watching The Coen brothers’ dark-humoredFargo,one can expect laughs, Midwestern accents, and an endless stream of clumsy violence. The film follows Jerry, a car salesman who is deep in debt and comes up with a plan to kidnap his wife in a scheme to extort money from his wealthy father-in-law. On the surface, it’s a simple plan whose primary objective is to help him get rid of his debt, butthings take a turn for the worsewhen people start dying. On the case is an extremely resourceful and self-assured Police Chief, Marge Gunderson (Francis McDormand) who will stop at nothing to get to the end of the truth.
Surprising and Darkly Comedic
Whether it’s the sublime script or equally engrossing performances from McDormand, Steve Buscemi, William H. Macy, Peter Stormare, and John Carroll Lynch, just about everything that makesFargohas gone on to become iconic. Not to mention, it may have the most shocking use of a woodchipper ever committed to celluloid. It’s a movie that feels realistic, sheds light on the animus of humanity, and does so with a uniquely grim sense of humor.
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22Shiva Baby (2021)
Rachel Sennott sets the screen on fire as Danielle inShiva Baby.The rising star gave a noteworthy performance in Emma Seligman’s debut film, where she played the role of a directionless college student with a morally wavering compass. It’s a riotous debut from writer and director Emma Seligman, who went on to create the hit comedyBottoms.
Intense Yet Hilarious
Loud, wild, and unapologetic,Shiva Babyaccurately brings to light the many pains of navigating young adulthood touching on all aspects of life, from relationships to career prospects. Despite not being the ideal family entertainer,Shiva Babyis a laugh riot that dares to capture and present the awkwardness that comes to the surface when conservative parenting meets modern young adult problems.
21Stranger Than Paradise (1984)
Jim Jarmusch’sStranger Than Paradiserevolves around a group of drifters that aimlessly wander the streets of America, engaging in mindless conversations, and witnessing time float by. For the narrative snob,Stranger Than Paradisemight seem like a college film with no plot to guide it, but for people with eclectic cinematic tastes, Jarmusch’s film is a treat to the eyes and the mind.
Unique and Influential
Known for his idiosyncratic and stylistic approach to filmmaking, Jim Jarmusch inadvertently contributed to defining the independent American film movement. With his second feature,Stranger Than Paradise,Jarmusch aimed at propelling a hip film that’s stylistically simple and leverages dead-pan humor while being told at a relaxed pace.
20Spy (2015)
Paul Feig’sSpyhit theaters with solid reviews and a respectable box office tally, but it still doesn’t get enough credit. The film is just as solid as the director’sBridesmaidsfrom four years prior, which is no small compliment. Melissa McCarthy is in her element as an underutilized woman with aspirations of much greater responsibilities. Rose Byrne, likewise, has a blast with the villain role. Jude Law, meanwhile, brings a lot of dimwitted tenderness to his role of an arrogant Bond-type spy.
An Underrated Feig Movie
The highlight is the usually-stoic Jason Statham, who doesn’t change that aspect of his performing style for Feig’s film but rather utilizes it to show his character is an even bigger dummy than Law’s. Statham’s rambling monologues about his past death-defying accomplishments are particularly hysterical, especially because the audience knows there’s no way he’s done any of it.
19Scary Movie (2000)
Scary Movie
The first and still the best, Keenen Ivory Wayans’Scary Moviewas one of the 1990s' biggest financial successes.As a parodyof some of the late ’90s most iconic horror films, it’s a comedy that throws jokes at the audience at a rapid-fire pace. If you’ve ever chuckled at the ridiculousness of certain horror movies, you’ll love this over-the-top comedic take on that very subject.
A Winning Horror Parody
Riding high off the success ofScream,Scream 2, andI Know What You Did Last Summer,it’s a film that came out at just the right time. Toss in the fact it’s very funny and intermittently smart andScary Movieis a winner. But its biggest accomplishment is putting Anna Faris in the lead role, effectively introducing her to worldwide audiences as a comedy legend right out of the gate.
18Legally Blonde (2001)
Legally Blonde (2001)
Legally Blondekicks it off by introducing beauty queen and bright sorority star, Elle Woods, who undoubtedly stands out with her all-pink outfits and perfectly styled looks. To everyone around her and even herself, her appearance is her most striking trait, but when her boyfriend dumps her, and she decides to attend the same law school as him, she realizes that the world has much more to offer. Most importantly, she figures out that her greatness goes beyond what she looks like.
A Must-Watch About Female Empowerment
Reese Whiterspoon’sLegally Blondehas made a significant impact with regard to women setting out on a journey to fulfill their goals. To this day, the role of Elle Woods positively influences young women to believe in themselves despite the hardships they have to face in this male-dominated world. The film beams with female encouragement, highlighting the beauty of being unapologetically yourself and believing in your skills and dedication.
