Even with the most diverse and stringent metric, it’s hard to say what makes a well-rated comedy. There are plenty of comedic vehicles out there slam-packed with good jokes that for one reason or another fall flat. Meanwhile, other comedies seem designed to alienate, yet audiences come away from screenings loving every minute of it. Whatever the case, the most underrated comedies often fail to meet commercial success, yet linger in the minds of audiences and critics alike.
Be it too early of an anticipation of cultural trends like “Mystery Men” or a polarizing sense of style like “Observe and Report,” many comedies earn their underrated status by failing at the box office before making an eternal return when compared to other comedies. Some of the best comedy movies run on their own internal logic, unwavering in the pursuit, though this often makes them fail to match cultural expectations. In this article, we will explore some of the most underrated comedies ever made. (For other films that deserved more attention, discover 30 movies that were really underappreciated upon release.)
To compile a list of the most underrated comedies, 24/7 Tempo consulted a range of entertainment and cinema sources including Reddit and MovieWeb. Next, we selected underrated comedies based on their critical reception, humor perspective, and cult status. After that, we confirmed aspects of the movies’ plots and critical reception using sites like IMDB.com and Rottentomatoes.com.
“In Bruges” (2008)
Upon completing a tough murder-for-hire job, criminals Ray and Ken travel to Bruges, Belgium, to rest and keep their heads down until the killing blows over. While Ken finds the medieval city beautiful and charming, Ray hates it. While there, they encounter an increasingly strange cast of characters leading them through surreal and life-changing events.
Packed with witty dialogue and sardonic perspectives, “In Bruges” finds a nice balance between boredom, tedium, and absurd violence. While some form of plot eventually comes together, what makes this film so underrated is how deftly it handles the relationships between Ray and Ken and the many strange, singular characters they encounter in the idyllic, ancient city of Bruges. If it feels like a play, that’s probably by design, as director Martin McDonagh came to fame first as a playwright.
“The Nice Guys” (2016)
It’s 1977 in sunny Los Angeles and private eye Holland March finds himself down on his luck. Meanwhile, across town, Jackson Healey works as an enforcer for various unseemly elements. When a young woman named Amelia mysteriously disappears, fate crosses the paths of March and Healey. Upon working together to find Amelia, they discover just how many dangerous people are also looking for her.
Written by lauded screenwriter Shane Black, “The Nice Guys” features a caustic, almost acerbic wit that transcends the jubilant southern California atmosphere. The film, while filled with delightful little eccentricities that add credence to its resolutely 70s setting, balances its witty core with very heartless moments, resulting in a combined testament to adept filmmaking and popcorn-munching entertainment. It also features formidable performances by leads Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe, forced to join up while attempting to reconcile their very different, equally alienating personalities.
“After Hours” (1985)
While sitting in a Manhattan cafe, Paul Hackett meets Marcy and spends the day talking about literature with her. Sensing their connection, Hackett takes a cab that night to her downtown apartment. After his $20 bill flies out the window of the cab, however, he can’t pay his tab. This leads him on an increasingly tense, bizarre, and absurd journey through the New York night as he attempts to get back uptown.
One of the most underrated comedies, and the rare comedy from directing giant Martin Scorsese, “After Hours” crackles with a vibrant, manic energy. Already a master of the New York ennui, Scorsese deftly transforms the late-night, big-city dread into a vehicle for comedic absurdism. Beyond the great acting performances, “After Hours,” in some ways, feels like a nightmare. Yet it manages to transform that energy into a slick, almost surreal comedy that finds humor in the protagonist’s suffering.
“Waiting for Guffman” (1996)
As the small town of Blaine, Missouri, approaches its anniversary, the townsfolk decide it best to celebrate by hosting a musical called “Red, White, and Blaine.” Director and impresario Corky St. Clair sees it as his chance to get back to Broadway, so he hires a motley crew of untalented but enthusiastic locals to act in his masterwork. After St. Clair announces that theater critic Mort Guffman will be in attendance, the stakes rise and the townsfolk find themselves increasingly over their heads.
One of the first in a long, celebrated line of Christopher Guest mockumentaries, “Waiting for Guffman” captures the passive-aggressive powerplays that often overtake small communities. It’s zany and gleeful, yet anchors on a deadpan, sly comedic style that finds easy marks for satire in everything from talent shows to small-town politicians. Though more subtle than most comedies, it’s one of the more underrated comedies due to its eschewing of loud gags, opting instead for barbed, quiet humor.
“Kingpin” (1996)
“Kingpin” centers on Roy Munson, a young bowler with a promising career ahead of him. All that changes, however, when his rival Ernie McCracken tricks him into a con game that leaves Munson’s bowling hand crippled for life. Years later, Munson is left to live a hardscrabble existence – until he meets Amish bowling virtuoso Ishmael. Determined to make his mark on the sport he had to leave behind, Munson takes Ishmael under his wing and attempts to take him to bowling greatness.
While the Farrelly Brothers have been churning out silly comedies for decades, to varying success, “Kingpin” hits all the pins and serves as a high watermark of the Brothers’ comedic perspective of heartwarming character arcs meeting gross-out gags. It is funny, vulgar, and even outrageous, but propels itself forward easily thanks to solid performances from acting greats like Bill Murray, Woody Harrelson, and Randy Quaid. Ultimately, it’s a guilty pleasure, but one that only improves with age.
“Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” (2005)
While fleeing the police, small-time thief Harry Lockhart accidentally stumbles into an audition for a mystery film. Unaware of the circumstances, he accidentally gives an audition that earns him a part in the movie. Upon entering the Hollywood starlight, however, Lockhart soon finds himself embroiled in a murder conspiracy involving both private investigator Perry van Shrike and Lockhart’s childhood sweetheart, Harmony Lane.
What makes “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” one of the most underrated comedies is how self-aware it presents itself. An obvious homage to noir films of old, the film updates the atmosphere to include smart, merciless banter and moments of absurd tedium interrupted by explosive violence. While the plot is ultimately convoluted, it matters little when the character’s humanity shines through even the strangest plot twist and cruel joke.
“Ghost World” (2001)
Enid and Rebecca are best friends on the eve of their high school graduation. Whatever hopes and dreams they had, they are now forced to reflect on as the cold light of adult life begins to shine. While Rebecca does the conventional thing and gets a job at a coffee shop, Enid flounders, searching for something to give her life meaning. After Enid turns her attention to pathetic but sincere record collector Seymour, and Rebecca fixates on the pair’s mutual attraction Josh, the girl’s friendship is irrevocably transformed.
Based on the graphic novel by Daniel Clowes and directed by the zany, unconventional Terry Zwigoff, “Ghost World” remains one of the most underrated comedies because its focus on sardonic wit never fully crowds out the sobering reflections people have as they transform from childhood to adulthood. On the surface, it appears melancholic, but dig a little deeper and find a subtle humor that gets to the heart of adolescent alienation as it’s forced to confront the rest of its life. (For more adult-oriented humor, discover the best R-rated comedies of all time.)
“Mystery Men” (1999)
Champion City has a reigning superhero, the aptly named Captain Amazing. After villain Casanova Frankenstein kidnaps the Captain, however, a group of seven oddball crimefighters seizes the opportunity to save him and prove themselves in the process. The only problem is that the mystery men don’t have the most useful powers. To find success, they must figure out how to use powers like farting, silverware hurling, and incompetent invisibility to save the day and build their reputation.
Another one of the most underrated comedies that excels in self-awareness, “Mystery Men” elicits laughs as it relentlessly makes fun of itself. What makes it rise above, however, besides anticipating the superhero media craze a decade in advance, is the films harkening back to childlike wonder. If you ever dreamed of being a superhero as a kid, then “Mystery Men” is the movie for you.
“Observe and Report” (2009)
As the head of security for the Forest Ridge Mall, Ronnie Barnhardt takes his job almost too seriously, enforcing the slightest rules with a totalitarian-like streak. After a flasher begins targeting the mall, Barnhardt sees his chance to showcase his underappreciated justice-delivering skills, impress his dream girl, and possibly win a coveted spot at the police academy. It does not go exactly as planned, however.
What makes “Observe and Report” one of the most underrated comedies is its unpredictability. With a vibe hovering somewhere between twee and terrifying, it never gives the audience a chance to form an opinion, opting instead to sully expectations in strange, dirty, and delightfully cruel ways. What sets “Observe and Report” apart, however, is it gives audiences a sense of liberation, even catharsis, as it moves through mean, contemptuous moments found in the heart of a suburban mall. Furthermore, Seth Rogen’s pure commitment to his character helps the movie stay true even as it goes wildly off the rails.
“The Foot Fist Way” (2008)
Fred Simmons runs a strip mall dojo somewhere in the heartland of America. Though full of energy, he remains a hopelessly inept sensei for his young martial arts students. After he discovers his wife cheating on him, he unwinds. Hoping to regain some sense of himself and his career, Simmons embarks on a quest to meet his inspiration and martial arts movie idol, Chuck “The Truck” Wallace.
Besides being an independent movie with a small budget and equally small release, what makes “The Foot Fist Way” one of the most underrated comedies is how well it finds the endearing aspects of idiocy. While moments in the film don’t seem to hit like intended, other parts bristle with infectious energy, enrapturing the audience in moments of unexpected but contagious charm only elevated by Danny McBride’s alluring haplessness and determination to see things through in his incompetent way. With its subtle style and gut-busting moments, “The Foot Fist Way” seems destined for cult status in the future, and serves as an early indication of the success of creative pair Danny McBride and Jody Hill.
“John Dies at the End” (2012)
The story focuses on David Wong and his sexual appendage-obsessed friend John. After a new drug hits the streets called soy sauce, David and John unwittingly ingest some. Instead of killing them, it changes them forever, allowing them to see otherworldly creatures that are gearing up for an invasion of Earth.
What makes “John Dies at the End” one of the most underrated comedies is how well it upturns every logical thought as it races the audience through a gonzo level of freakiness that’s hard to compare. While undeniably humorous in a terrifying way, it manages to cram every genre into one. This results in a film that is so weird yet youthful that it manages to end up beautiful in a perverse, manic sort of way. What’s more, it’s one of the rare movies that manages to capture the unique, twisted, and ironic energy of the book it’s based on. Like the book, it’s one of those films that simply needs to be experienced, but leave your sense of logic at the door if you intend to have a good time.
“Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story” (2007)
Dewey Cox is a young child when tragedy strikes, upturning his family, life, and sense of self. As he grows up, he finds his own unique way into music. Always emblematic of the times, Cox remains adaptable as music styles change. Though he reaches superstardom, he gets addicted to every known drug and suffers bouts of uncontrollable rage in the process. Ultimately, he perseveres, winning the heart of his loyal backup singer Darlene.
While it saw relatively bad reviews upon release, with critics lambasting the tired, endlessly repeated gags, something about “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story” endures. It captures, albeit in an over-the-top idiotic way, a keen observance of the music industry and the road to stardom. What makes the film one of the most underrated comedies is how it manages to use dumb humor and self-referential moments to create arguably the most definitive music biopic ever made. How it works, however, is anyone’s guess.
“How High” (2001)
Jamal and Silas are two regular guys with a penchant for smoking weed. After their friend dies and they unwittingly smoke some of his ashes, they ace their college entrance exams and win spots at the prestigious Harvard University. Though they come from different worlds, they take the peculiarities of elite living in stride. After they run out of their magically-ashed weed, however, they must rely on their natural wits to make the grade and not get kicked out of school.
Though seemingly just another film in a long line of stupid stoner comedies, what makes “How High” one of the most underrated comedies is how unabashedly it serves up exactly what the audience wants without any pretense. Though many of the gags are demonstrably stupid, it harken back to the ’70s screwball comedies in a way that has the potential to delight even the most cynical movie fan. The effortless charm of rappers turned actors Method Man and Redman only propel the movie higher.
“Four Lions” (2009)
After a group of Muslim men in Sheffield, England, decide to wage jihad, they formulate a plan to become suicide bombers. While members Omar and Waj make an abysmal appearance at a terrorist training camp in Pakistan, Faisal attempts an ill-fated plan to train birds to carry bombs. Their grand plans culminate at the London Marathon, where their plans for holy war are outpaced by their bumbling tactics.
Directed by the elusive but utterly talented Christopher Morris, “Four Lions” is one of the most underrated comedies because it takes real chances and approaches controversial stances without hesitation, yet couches the landing in the type of slapstick humor rarely pulled off in modern cinema. It manages to take the least funny topic on Earth, terrorism, and transform it into a bumbling cavalcade of ineptitude and imbecilic charm.
“What About Bob?” (1991)
Right before he goes on vacation, psychiatrist Dr. Leo Marvin makes the mistake of accepting a new patient named Bob Wiley. As a compendium of fears and a constellation of neediness, Wiley naturally follows Marvin to his family’s vacation house. Though Marvin wants Wiley to leave, everyone else seems charmed by him. Soon, Marvin loses his composure and runs the risk of ending up in the looney bin himself.
Though not a classic by any means, what makes “What About Bob?” one of the most underrated comedies is that it manages to destroy the credibility of its own concept as it successfully delivers on the concept at the same time. Featuring a standout manic, aggressive, yet vulnerable performance by Bill Murray contrasting with the uptight, composed performance of Richard Dreyfuss, the movie takes the played-out uptight rich guy meets lovable oddball trope and delivers in unexpected, delightfully funny ways.
“Tucker & Dale vs. Evil” (2011)
Tucker and Dale are two unkempt friends who decide to take a vacation. They head to their fixer-upper vacation cabin deep in the woods where they plan to spend their days drinking beer, fishing in the nearby lake, and overall, kick back and have a good time. Upon arriving there, however, the pair runs into a group of preppy college kids. Assuming their looks mean the pair are inbred, chainsaw-wielding killers, Tucker and Dale are forced to confront their looks and life when things take a bloody turn.
What makes “Tucker & Dale vs. Evil” one of the most underrated comedies is how it takes the overdone “evil hillbillies in the woods hoping to kill young college kids” trope and flips it on its head in a certifiably insane way. While graphically violent, the film injects a subtle, slight intelligence into all its moments. It pokes fun at every splatter horror trope known to man while simultaneously providing the audience with lots of heart and sincere feelings amid all the bloodshed. (For fan-favorite comedies with little critical appreciation, discover comedy movies that audiences love but critics hate.)