Comedy movies are littered with hilarity, taking you along a journey of endorphin release. Some of these films are strictly meant to be comedic and the journey is silly and light-hearted through and through. Movies like “Dumb and Dumber” (1994), “Napoleon Dynamite” (2004) and “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” (2004) contain some of the most ridiculously humorous lines, while films like “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” (1975) tickle your funny bone with British humor.
Other comedies meld with different themes, including thrillers, adventures and musicals. Well-timed comedic input transforms films, drawing you in further with each scene. Movies like the comedy/thriller “The Favourite” (2018), the comedy/war film “Dr. Strangelove” (1964) and the comedy/romance “The Awful Truth” (1937) offer a cinematic escape along parallel journeys. Sometimes you’re on the edge of your seat, sometimes you feel your heart swell, and sometimes you laugh.
Even fun, family/fantasy movies like “The Little Mermaid” have sprinkles of comedy, adding to the vibrant personalities of the animated characters. You probably know some movie lines in this list by heart and can recite them in the character’s cadence as if you had been cast for the role yourself. You can picture the scene in which the words were spoken perfectly, almost like there was a lit movie screen ahead of you. Context is crucial in some of these and if you’re not familiar with the film, it may go over your head. But some of these lines are stand-alone funny, and you get the joke even without the context. Don’t be surprised if you get a sudden urge to watch (or re-watch) some of these favorites after reading through.
To put this list of the funniest movie lines ever written together, 247 Tempo reviewed opinion-based sites like Reddit, where those who appreciate film come together to share their favorite quotes and moments. We also reviewed IMDb, a trusted database, to confirm the characters, actors, and directors. (Also, read about the 50 greatest movie quotes of all time.)
“So you’re telling me there’s a chance…”
Source: Courtesy of New Line Cinema
- Character: Lloyd Christmas
- Played By: Jim Carrey
- Movie: “Dumb and Dumber” (1994)
- Director: Peter Farrelly
“Did you just look at me? Did you? Look at me! Look at me! How dare you? Close your eyes!”
Source: Courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures
- Character: Queen Anne
- Played By: Olivia Colman
- Movie: “The Favourite” (2018)
- Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
“You sit on a throne of lies.”
Source: Courtesy of New Line Cinema
- Character: Buddy the Elf
- Played By: Will Ferrell
- Movie: “Elf” (2003)
- Director: Jon Favreau
“There are only two things I can’t stand in this world. People who are intolerant of other people’s cultures. And the Dutch.”
Source: Courtesy of New Line Cinema
- Character: Nigel Powers
- Played By: Michael Caine, Scott Aukerman
- Movie: “Goldmember” (2002)
- Director: Jay Roach
“Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here. This is the war room!”
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
- Character: President Merkin Muffley
- Played By: Peter Sellers
- Movie: “Dr. Strangelove” (1964)
- Director: Stanley Kubrick
“I don’t want to be rude, but may I have a drink? I had three or four before I got here, but they’re beginning to wear off. And you know how that is.”
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
- Character: Lucy Warriner
- Played By: Irene Dunne
- Movie: “The Awful Truth” (1937)
- Director: Leo McCarey
“Bye, Felisha.”
Source: Courtesy of New Line Cinema
- Character: Craig Jones
- Played By: Ice Cube
- Movie: “Friday” (1995)
- Director: F. Gary Gray
“It’s just a flesh wound.”
Source: Courtesy of Cinema 5 Distributing
- Character: The Black Knight
- Played By: John Cleese
- Movie: “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” (1975)
- Directors: Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones
“What you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.”
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
- Character: Principal
- Played By: James Downey
- Movie: “Billy Madison” (1995)
- Director: Tamra Davis
“Ligers are pretty much my favorite animal.”
Source: Courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures
- Character: Napoleon Dynamite
- Played By: Jon Heder
- Movie: “Napoleon Dynamite” (2004)
- Director: Jared Hess
“Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue.”
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
- Character: Steve McCroskey
- Played By: Lloyd Bridges
- Movie: “Airplane!” (1980)
- Directors: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker
“Will you marry me? Did he leave you any money? Answer the second question first.”
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
- Character: Rufus T. Firefly
- Played By: Groucho Marx
- Movie: “Duck Soup” (1933)
- Director: Leo McCarey
“I love lamp.”
Source: Courtesy of DreamWorks Distribution
- Character: Brick Tamland
- Played By: Steve Carrell
- Movie: “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” (2004)
- Director: Adam McKay
“Oh, right, to call you stupid would be an insult to stupid people… I’ve worn dresses with higher IQs.”
Source: Courtesy of MGM/UA Distribution Company
- Character: Wanda
- Played By: Jamie Lee Curtis
- Movie: “A Fish Called Wanda” (1988)
- Director: Charles Crichton
“I know a little German. He’s sitting over there.”
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
- Character: Hillary Flammond
- Played By: Lucy Gutteridge
- Movie: “Top Secret!” (1984)
- Directors: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker
“If I’m not back in five minutes, just wait longer.”
Source: Rich Fury / Getty Images
- Character: Ace Ventura
- Played By: Jim Carrey
- Movie: “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” (1994)
- Director: Tom Shadyac
“Did you ever think that maybe there’s more to life than being really, really… really ridiculously good-looking?”
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
- Character: Derek Zoolander
- Played By: Ben Stiller
- Movie: “Zoolander” (2001)
- Director: Ben Stiller
“Excuse me, I believe you have my stapler.”
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
- Character: Milton Waddams
- Played By: Stephen Root
- Movie: “Office Space” (1999)
- Director: Mike Judge
“You ever tried going mad without power? It’s boring, no one listens to you.”
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
- Character: Russ Cargill
- Played By: Albert Brooks
- Movie: “The Simpsons Movie” (2007)
- Director: David Silverman
“If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.”
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
- Character: Patches O’Houlihan
- Played By: Rip Torn
- Movie: “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story” (2004)
- Director: Rawson Marshall Thurber
“Ariel, you’re under a lot of pressure down here.”
Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
- Character: Sebastian
- Played By: Samuel E. Wright
- Movie: “The Little Mermaid” (1989)
- Directors: Ron Clements, John Musker
“I like your outfit, too, except when I dress up as a frigid b**ch, I try not to look so constipated.”
Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
- Character: Elle Woods
- Played By: Reese Witherspoon
- Movie: “Legally Blonde” (2001)
- Director: Robert Luketic
“Is that your gun in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?”
Source: Courtesy of Crown International Pictures
- Character: Marlo Manners
- Played By: Mae West
- Movie: “Sextette” (1977)
- Director: Ken Hughes
“It’s not a man purse. It’s called a satchel. Indiana Jones wears one.”
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
- Character: Alan Garner
- Played By: Zach Galifianakis
- Movie: “The Hangover” (2009)
- Director: Todd Phillips
“Last night you were unhinged. You were like some desperate, howling demon. You frightened me. Do it again.”
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
- Character: Morticia Addams
- Played By: Anjelica Huston
- Movie: “The Addams Family” (1991)
- Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
“We get the warhead and we hold the world ransom for…. One million dollars.”
Source: Courtesy of New Line Cinema
- Character: Dr. Evil
- Played By: Mike Myers
- Movie: “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery” (1977)
- Director: Jay Roach
“It’s like I have ESPN or something.”
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
- Character: Karen Smith
- Played By: Amanda Seyfried
- Movie: “Mean Girls” (2004)
- Director: Mark Waters
“Don’t point that gun at him. He’s an unpaid intern.”
Source: Rich Fury / Getty Images
- Character: Steve Zissou
- Played By: Bill Murray
- Movie: “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou” (2004)
- Director: Wes Anderson
“Harry, you might not believe this, but I never considered not sleeping with you a sacrifice.”
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
- Character: Sally Albright
- Played By: Meg Ryan
- Movie: “When Harry Met Sally…” (1989)
- Director: Rob Reiner
“You’re killing me, Smalls.”
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
- Character: Ham Porter
- Played By: Patrick Renna
- Movie: “The Sandlot” (1993)
- Director: David Mickey Evans
“It’s the first time I’ve ever seen you look ugly. And that makes me kind of happy.”
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
- Character: Annie Walker
- Played By: Kristen Wiig
- Movie: “Bridesmaids” (2011)
- Director: Paul Feig
“Good night, Westley. Good work. Sleep well. I’ll most likely kill you in the morning.”
Source: Phillip Faraone / Getty Images for Netflix
- Character: The Dread Pirate Roberts
- Played By: Cary Elwes
- Movie: “The Princess Bride” (1987)
- Director: Rob Reiner
“I’m in a glass case of emotion!”
Source: Courtesy of DreamWorks Distribution
- Character: Ron Burgundy
- Played By: Will Ferrell
- Movie: “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” (2004)
- Director: Adam McKay