List of comedies everyone should watch

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

It's always easier to upset someone than to make them smile. For this reason, horror films and melodramas are always released more than good comedies. Despite the complexity of the genre, there are many really well-made funny films in the world. Let's take a look at the list of the best comedies that each of us should watch.

Soviet comedies

Most of us come from the Soviet Union. Therefore, it would be best to start with a list of Soviet comedies that everyone should watch:

1. "Funny guys".
2. "Girls".
3. "Wedding in Malinovka".
4. “Moscow does not believe in tears.”
5. "The most charming and attractive."

Let's look at each of them in more detail.

One of the first really successful pictures of this kind is the film "Merry Fellows" in 1934. It tells about the love of the shepherd Kostya and the housekeeper Anyuta. Despite the difficulties, the heroes manage not only to find happiness, but alsomake a career on stage.

"Merry Fellows" - this is the case when the picture was successful not only in the USSR, but also abroad, where it was at the box office under the name "Moscow Laughs" (Moscow Laughs).

Which comedies are worth watching? The list continues with the tape "Girls". It tells about the life and love of the inhabitants of the Ural village timber industry. The plot revolves around the appearance of a new cook, Toshi. She is young, naive, but with character. Ilya Kovrigin, a local celebrity, a labor striker and just a handsome foreman of lumberjacks, begins to court her. Subsequently, Tosya finds out that the guy bet on her…

The performer of the role of Tosya, Nadezhda Rumyantseva, later played in 2 more excellent comedies: "The Unyielding" (1959) and "Queen of the Gas Station" (1962).

Later, the musical comedy "Wedding in Malinovka" (1967) was filmed. It tells about the period of the Civil War. A small detachment of the Red Army decides to free Malinovka from the gang of Gritian Tauride. As a cover, they use the marriage of the ataman himself to a local girl.

In 1979, Vladimir Menshov filmed the lyrical comedy Moscow Doesn't Believe in Tears about the fate of three limit girls who came to conquer Moscow. Each of them understands their happiness in their own way and strives for it. It is worth noting that this comedy was awarded the "Oscar" in the category "Best Foreign Language Film".

In later periods, several more excellent comedies were shot in the USSR. One ofof them - "The most charming and attractive" (1985) - tells about the attempts of the nondescript Nadenka Klyueva, with the help of her friend's advice, to win the heart of his handsome work colleague Volodya Smirnov.

Ryazanov's best comedies

The work of Eldar Ryazanov is a special phenomenon in Soviet cinema. Therefore, his work should be given special attention.

The Carnival Night of 1956 is rightfully considered one of the most successful Soviet comedies. This light and musical picture tells about the preparation of the workers of the House of Culture for the celebration of the New Year. The main problem is the new boss - the limited and authoritarian Seraphim Ogurtsov. The main characters have a difficult task: to save the holiday and sort out their feelings.

20 years after "Carnival Night" Ryazanov shot another New Year's comedy - the film "Irony of Fate". In the center of the plot is the story of the acquaintance of a teacher from Leningrad, Nadenka Sheveleva, and a Moscow surgeon, Yevgeny Lukashin. The latter, after celebrating his engagement with friends in the bathhouse, was accidentally sent by them to Leningrad. Not knowing that he was in another city, the hero went to his address and went to bed, thinking that he was at home. Soon her owner (Nadya) returns to the apartment and is not very happy with the unexpected visitor…

In 1978, Ryazanov shot another well-known comedy - Office Romance. It is also a love story. However, this time it developsat the workplace between nondescript senior extras Anatoly Novoseltsev and his boss, whom all subordinates call Mymra behind her back for her strict disposition and terrible appearance.

To all the above paintings by Ryazanov, sequels were subsequently filmed, but none of them were successful.

Another famous work of this director is the film "The Incredible Adventures of Italians in Russia" (1973). She talks about the search for treasure by tourists from Italy in Soviet Leningrad.

Gaidai's comedies

Continuing to consider the list of the best comedies worth watching, it is necessary to mention the work of another great Soviet film director - Leonid Gaidai. In total, during his career, he filmed 23 projects. But only a few of them turned out to be truly successful:

1. "Operation "Y"…".
2. "Prisoner of the Caucasus".
3. "Ivan Vasilyevich is changing his profession."
4. "12 chairs".
5. "Diamond Hand".
6. "Operation "Cooperation"".
7. "The weather is good on Deribasovskaya…".

"Operation "Y"…" (1965) is a collection of 3 comedy stories united by one hero - a nondescript but noble student Alexander (Shurik).

The following year, another project with this hero appeared - “Prisoner of the Caucasus”. This time Shurik found himself in folklore practice in the Caucasus. Here he meets the local beauty Nina. However, it turns out that the girl was kidnapped and they want to marry someone else. The hero decides to save Nina at all costs.

The third film about Shurik is the 1973 comedy "Ivan Vasilievich changes his profession." In it, the hero has already matured and married. In his free time, he invents a time machine. One day Shurik accidentally transfers Ivan the Terrible to the present…

In addition to the already listed works by Gaidai, the list of comedies worth watching for everyone should include a few more films shot by him. This is a film adaptation of the novel by Ilf and Petrov "12 Chairs", which tells about the search for treasure by two swindlers - Ostap Bender and the former nobleman Kisa Vorobyaninov. It also includes the story of the Diamond Arm smugglers.

On the eve of the collapse of the USSR, the great director shoots his last 2 films, which, although they did not reach the fame of his early works, nevertheless became entertaining. This is a story about the work of a private Soviet detective agency "Operation Kooperatsia" and a spy tape about the fight against the Russian mafia in the USA "Good weather on Deribasovskaya …".

List of Russian comedies to watch

After the collapse of the USSR, the film industry of the Russian Federation was not immediately able to recover and start shooting interesting and high-quality projects. Here is a list of the most successful:

1. "Window to Paris".
2. "Listener".
3. Hottabych.
4. "Carrot Love".
5. Radio Day.
6. Election Day.
7. "What Men Talk About"
8. "What else men talk about."
9. "Concert".
10. "Love in the big city".

One of the bestfilms shot in Russia can rightfully be considered "Window to Paris" (1993). This is a lyrical story about the position of the intelligentsia in Russian society. In the center of the plot is the aging musician Nikolai Chizhov, who lost his job because of his principles. At the same time, he received a room in a communal apartment. While celebrating with the neighbors, the hero accidentally finds a window in the closet through which one can get to Paris…

In 2004, the film "The Listener" was shot. In the center of the plot is the Fedulov family, hiring a listener - a person to whom they express all claims to each other. In this way the members of the family pour out all their anger on the wage-worker and keep the peace in the family. However, their new listener falls in love with the owner's daughter and decides to get her attention.

In 2006, the comedy "Hottabych" was released on Russian screens. In the spirit of the times, she told about the adventures of the hacker Gena, who accidentally bought a jar of genie.

In the same year, another interesting comedy about spouses who switched bodies appeared at the box office - "Love-Carrot". In the future, 2 more sequels were filmed for it, but they were already not so interesting.

When considering the list of comedies worth watching, it is important to include the projects of the "I Quartet" in it. It is they who should be grateful for the appearance of such tapes as “Radio Day”, “Election Day”, “What Men Talk About” and “What Else Men Talk About”. These projects are full of sparkling intellectual humor, but at the same time they are without base jokes.

One more speciala successful comedy is the Russian-French project "Concert" (2009). It tells about the attempts of the former conductor, and now a janitor Andrei Filippov, to send his own on tour to Paris instead of the Bolshoi Theater Orchestra. However, his musicians (like the maestro himself) have not played for 30 years. Moreover, many of them do not have passports and money for the journey. Despite all these obstacles, Filipov is determined to make his dream come true.

At the end of the Russian list of films (comedies) worth watching for everyone, it is important to mention the Love in the City trilogy. This story tells about three lovelace friends who were cursed by Saint Valentine. Now they can only have intimate relationships with the women they love. However, to find those, and even more so to achieve their favor, is not entirely simple. In fairness, it should be noted that the most interesting can be considered the first and third parts.

American comedies of the 20th century

Studying the list of interesting comedies worth watching, it is important to consider that Americans are the global producer of this genre of cinema. Unfortunately, not all of their products are worthy of attention. So, what are the funniest tapes that were filmed in the USA in the 20th century:

1. "It's only girls in jazz."
2. Tootsie.
3. "It's a wonderful life."
4. Home Alone.
5. Christmas holidays.
6. "Who would say 1-3".
7. "True Lies".
8. The Last Action Hero.
9. "Go ahead,sister!”.
10. "Death Becomes Her"
11. Forrest Gump.

The best project of this kind, filmed in the past century, according to the Americans themselves, is the tape "Only Girls in Jazz" (1959) with Marilyn Monroe in the title role. This is a story about two musicians who accidentally witnessed a murder. Hiding, the guys pretend to be girls and join the women's jazz band.

Based on the plot of this picture, many other comedies were subsequently shot. The most successful of them can be considered "Tootsie" (1982) - a story about an unemployed actor who was forced to impersonate a female actress.

If we consider the list of family comedies worth watching (we are talking about American films of the 20th century), then we need to pay attention to the Home Alone project (1990). This is a story about a boy, Kevin, whose parents left him at home alone for Christmas. However, he not only did not lose his head and managed to have a good time, but also helped the police to catch dangerous robbers. In the future, the tape had several sequels, but only the second part, “Home Alone. Lost in New York.”

A classic family comedy with elements of drama is It's a Wonderful Life (1946). It tells about the fate of George Bailey, who madly dreamed of leaving his hometown, but each time he had to sacrifice his own interests to help others. One day he wished to seea world without himself, and his wish came true…

Another well-known family comedy is Christmas Holidays (1989). This is a film about the attempts of the Griswold family to celebrate Christmas in all traditions.

The Who's Talking Trilogy is also one of the classic American family pictures. She talks about Molly, who became pregnant by a married lover and was left alone. But meeting jolly taxi driver James changes everything…

In the mid-1990s, action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger changed his major and began acting in comedies. His most interesting works in this genre are the films True Lies and The Last Action Hero. The first is a remake of the French comedy Total Surveillance about a superspy who discovers that his wife is cheating on him, and his daughter has problems at school. The second is about a boy who is an action fan who accidentally enters the world of cinema.

When considering the list of comedies worth watching, it is important to pay attention to the film Emile Ardolino "Act Sister!". In this comedy film, the main character is a black casino singer who witnesses a murder. To hide her from the mob until the trial begins, the police send her to a convent disguised as Sister Mary Clarence. However, the restless heroine begins to interfere in everything and changes this place for the better.

Among the well-known comedies of the 1990s, a special place is occupied by the mystical film “Death to Herface starring Bruce Willis. He plays a plastic surgeon, for whose heart 2 friends are fighting: actress Madeline Ashton and her nondescript friend Helen Sharp. The Doctor marries Madeline, but Helen decides to take revenge…

To round out our list of must-see comedies (movies made in the USA in the 20th century), we can't help but mention Forrest Gump. This is a tragicomic story about the life of a mentally retarded boy who, despite his shortcomings, leads a very colorful and eventful life.

Comedies by Ivan Reitman

Considering the list of comedies worth watching, one must definitely mention the name of the famous American director Ivan Reitman, who shot in 1980-1990. some incredibly successful films, which are still perceived by the audience with a bang.

First of all, the whole world knows his dulogy "Ghostbusters" (1984 and 1989). What these comedies are about, it makes no sense to tell, since the name speaks for itself. By the way, in 2016 there was a sequel, but it could not be compared with the original paintings.

Also Reitman was one of the producers of the touching comedy "Beethoven" about the appearance of a dog in an American family. In the future, the tape was overgrown with less successful continuations.

In the XXI century. he has not ceased to please his admirers. So, in 2001, Reitman filmed "Evolution" (about the fight against aliens with dandruff shampoo) and "My super-ex" (about how dangerous it is to leave a girl if she is endowed withsupernatural abilities).

Jim Carrey

This person, although not a director, deserves attention by right. After all, Jim Carrey has a special place in American comedy culture. Many projects from his filmography are classics.

These are such tapes: "The Mask" (the story of a shy bank worker who finds an artifact that allows him to turn into an immortal playboy-jolly fellow), "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" and "Liar, Liar" (a tape about a lawyer who has lost the ability to lie).

In the XXI century. this comedian did not lose popularity and continued to successfully make viewers around the world laugh to tears. His best work in the genre of fun during this period: "Me, Me Again and Irene" (about a split personality) and "Bruce Almighty" (about an unlucky TV host who received the power of the Lord).

List of comedies to watch (USA, 21st century)

These tapes include the following:

1. Eurotour.
2. "American Pie".
3. Legally Blonde.
4. Miss Congeniality.
5. "Soldiers of Doom".
6. Welcome to Zombieland.
7. "Neighbor".
8. Blades of Glory: Stars on Ice.
9. Kick-Ass.
10. Route 60.

The study of American comedy films of the new millennium should start with Eurotour (2004). This tape immediately after the release became a living classic. It can be found on every modern list of teen comedies worth watching. By the way, in the same listusually turns out to be "American Pie". However, not everyone considers a tape about problems with sex in American teenagers actually worthy of attention.

In the new century, a lot of comedies about brave independent women appeared in the USA. Legally Blonde (2001) is one of those. This is a story about a beautiful woman who dreams of getting back a guy who left her for a career because he thought the girl was too stupid. To get her way, she decides to go to Harvard Law School.

The comedy Miss Congeniality (2000) tells the opposite story. In it, an ugly and unkempt FBI agent is forced to participate in a beauty contest. Her task is to find the terrorist. However, how can a woman who looks more like a man fit into an environment of not very smart, but very attractive contestants?

Both of these pictures were well received by the public and soon received sequels. But none of them were successful.

Continuing to look at projects from the list of the best comedies to watch (films made in the USA), we can stop at Tropic Soldiers. This is a film about how the crew of another action movie is trying to survive in the jungle.

Comedy "Welcome to Zombieland" is a parody of numerous films about the end of the world.

Continuing the theme of successful parody films, it is worth paying attention to "The Neighbor" (2004). This is the story of a graduate who cannot find his place inlife. Suddenly, he falls in love with the girl next door, but it turns out that she is a porn star.

Blades of Glory: Stars on Ice is another parody. The main characters of the project are 2 athletes who were excluded from single figure skating. Now, in order to win gold, they are forced to skate in pairs, although neither of them is gay.

"Kick-Ass" is a parody of superhero movies. In the center of the plot is a schoolboy who, following the example of comic book heroes, decides to fight crime. However, on his first attempt, he is beaten half to death. But that doesn't stop the guy…

Finishing out the list of must-see comedies (movies made in the US) is Route 60. This painting is a parable that makes fun of American standards of thought. Although film critics greeted the project negatively, the audience loved it.

French comedies

French humor is unique and not always understood by representatives of other cultures. At the same time, many French comedies are truly masterpieces. Let's look at the most famous of them:

1. The Runaways.
2. "Daddies".
3. "Twin".
4. "Toy".
5. "A tall blond man in a black boot."
6. "Between an angel and a demon."
7. "Asterix and Obelix 1, 2".
8. Chameleon.
9. "1,000,000 BC."
10. "Aliens".

"Runaways" and "Dads" are two sparkling pictures of the 1980s, which starred a wonderful duo of artists: Pierre Richard and GerardDepardieu.

The first draft is about a famous safecracker who got out of prison and went to the bank. Suddenly, they tried to rob the institution, and the former criminal himself was taken hostage. Now the police believe that he was the one who robbed the bank…

According to the plot of the second picture, the former mistress of each of the main characters has lost his son. Since the official husband of the heroine is not particularly involved in the search for the child, she finds her exes and convinces each of them that he is the father of the missing boy. Going in search, the dads meet by chance…

Pierre Richard starred in "Twin", "Toy" and the film "Tall blond in a black shoe". All of them were re-shot by the Americans. As for the plot, at the center of the events of each of the tapes is a lonely man who finds himself in an unusual situation. In the first tape, he invents a twin brother who does not exist, in the second he gets a job as a personal slave of a rich boy. The third picture tells about a modest violinist whom the special services take for a dangerous agent and begin to pursue.

With the participation of Depardieu, the list of comedies-melodramas worth watching is more extensive. For example, the tape "Between an angel and a demon." She talks about a cabaret owner who is suddenly haunted by an angel and tries to reason with him. In frustration, the hero finds a priest who is also pursued by an unusual creature, only not an angel, but a demon.

Also, this artist played Obelix in the films "Asterix and Obelix vs. Caesar" and "Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra". This project infurther overgrown with sequels, but not all of them turned out to be worthy.

Another good work of Depardieu is the comedy "Chameleon". It is worth noting that a lot of French comedians gathered in this picture. In the center of the plot is a boring divorced accountant who is about to be fired. To keep his job, he is forced to pass himself off as a homosexual.

"1,000,000 BC" is a slightly unusual work by Depardieu. In this project, he plays the leader of a tribe who dreams of stealing the secret of shampoo.

Continuing to look at the list of comedies that everyone should watch (films shot in France), one cannot fail to mention another famous comedian - Christian Clavier (he played Asterix and the priest in the listed tapes with Depardieu).

The most successful and famous comedy with his participation is "Aliens" (1993). It tells about a brave medieval knight and his servant who find themselves in the modern world. This comedy was so interesting that the Americans made a remake of it. Moreover, they invited the performers of the main roles to play in it. However, this project, like the two French sequels to Aliens, was not very successful.

British comedies

Finish the list of comedies everyone should watch, best of all with British projects.

Although "Mr. Bean" (about the adventures of a dupe) is considered a classic of English comedy films, in reality there are more intellectual comedies:

1. "Shut up in a rag."
2. "Easy behavior".
3. "The Diary of Bridget Jones".
4. Be a man.

For example, the same Rowan Atkinson, who played Mr. Bean, starred in another comedy - "Keep Quiet". It is a kind of parody of the rural detectives, for which British cinema is so famous. This tape tells how murders begin to occur in the family of the vicar of a small town.

"Easy Virtue" is an elegant English film about the marriage of a son of a noble family to an American racing driver from Detroit. As in the previous picture, so in this one, events take place in the rural wilderness.

Oddly enough, the British have a lot of interesting romantic comedies worth watching. The list of them, however, is not very large.

The most famous of these is the story of Bridget Jones's Diary. This is a tape about finding a second half for a fat woman who is already over thirty.

One of the relatively fresh romantic comedies can be considered the tape "Be a Man" (2015). This is the story of a girl who comes on someone else's blind date.