Comedy movies are a dime a dozen, but there are some timeless comedy classics that continue to win over audiences time and time again. Comedy has been a staple of entertainment long before cinema. On the stage, comedies were a staple of entertainment, and many playwrights found fame and fortune through producing comedy stories. Then, as the popular medium for these stories transitioned to radio and eventually the big and small screens, the stories evolved with it.

Today, comedy movies and shows hold a special place in most people's hearts. While an inspiring drama or an epic adventure may spark the imagination and inspire the audience, comedies provide warmth, comfort, and joy. But, as highlighted above, there are a lot of comedy movies out there. From the rom-coms to the tragicomedies, this format is in high demand, but it takes a truly special movie to stand out and earn a spot in the comedy hall of fame.

10 The Big Lebowski

The Dude's Iconic Quotes

The Big Lebowski came out in 1998, and while the movie initially received negative reviews, it's gone on to be a cult classic. With a stunning cast including Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, John Turturro and many more, The Big Lebowski delivered something unique and thrilling with this crime comedy story from the Coen Brothers.

The movie is a fever dream, but the incredible performances throughout make it special. And thanks to the plot taking the story in what may be defined as aimless circles, it's a low effort, enjoyable watch.

The story is filled with vibrant, eclectic characters, and it delivers on the promise of a good time. And perhaps even more importantly, there is nothing else like it. The Big Lebowski created something unique, and it paid off.

9 Young Frankenstein

Mel Brooks' Hilarious Parody

Mel Brooks is renowned for his incredible contributions to film, and among them, Young Frankenstein stands out as one of the greatest hits. The movie stars Gene Hackman as the grandson of the deceased Victor Frankenstein. Upon his grandfather's death, he inherits the castle and resumes his work. While the story is similar to traditional adaptations of Frankenstein, the film embarks on a wild and imaginative retelling with a huge injection of humor throughout.

The stars, Gene Wilder, who is perhaps best known for his role in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, and Peter Boyle, who went on to play the grandfather in Everybody Loves Raymond, play Frederick Frankenstein and the Monster, respectively. The humor is wacky and absurd, and it makes for another instant classic. Despite being released in 1974, Young Frankenstein is just as fun and engaging today.

8 Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Absurdist Humor at its Finest

The Monty Python movies are all treasures of the genre, and have continued to propel the comedians involved forward in the decades since they debuted, but Monty Python and the Holy Grail deserves some special recognition. The comedy group, Monty Python, was already a hit in the UK with a TV series airing on the BBC, but during a hiatus, they worked together to produce this film. Though a feature film was released prior, it was a series of sketches, much more similar to their show, while The Holy Grail was a feature-length comedy story.

Reimagining the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Monty Python turned it into a laugh-out-loud parody which was extremely quotable, and a huge hit. The film became the highest-grossing movie in the UK in 1975, and helped to launch the group in markets abroad, which led to the release of subsequent films like The Life of Brian, and The Meaning of Life. Monty Python is one of comedy's greatest groups, and the films are a testament to their wonderful humor.

7 Airplane!

Slapstick and Puns Galore

Comedy often works best when it is interacting with other genres, and blending them together. So when Airplane! came out in 1980 as a parody of disaster films, drawing heavily on inspiration from movies like Zero Hour!, it's no wonder the movie was a huge hit. The movie leans heavily into the surrealist dark comedy which works perfectly in tandem with the events of the film.

As a plane suffers a catastrophic issue, the engers on board begin to panic, leading to a whole host of wacky events. Thankfully, an ex-fighter pilot is aboard to aid in the situation when the pilot is out of commission, but after an incident, he is deathly afraid to get behind the wheel again. This film is filled to the brim with visual gags, irreverent humor, and non-stop humor.

6 Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

Will Ferrell's Over-the-Top Character

For a more modern vibe, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy contains many of the core elements that made classic comedies like the above great, but debuting in 2004, the movie is built for a more modern audience. However, with a story set in 1974, it plays with the time periods and creates something truly special. Starring Will Ferrell as the titular lead, and produced by the legendary Judd Apatow, this movie was destined for greatness from the start.

Ferrell plays Burgundy, a news anchor in a time when news anchors supposedly appeared as rockstars.

Ron is selfish, egotistical, and incapable of seeing his own flaws. However, when a new female news reporter s the team, it shakes everyone up. Christina Applegate stands out as the incredible Veronica Corningstone, and together the movie escalates in scale and humor until the incredible payoff. The film also stars an ensemble of comedy greats, with even more stars ing for the sequel.

5 Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Teen Rebellion and Freedom

Back in time again, Ferris Bueller's Day Off is the equivalent of a coming-of-age anthem song in movie form. The film stars Matthew Broderick, and it was directed by John Hughes. Ferris has a knack for everything working out, and a tendency to speak directly to the audience, and all of it combines to create a charming and witty hit film. While Matthew Broderick certainly shines brightest here, others like Alan Ruck, Jeffrey Jones, and Jennifer Grey also stand out.

The plot is simple. Ferris decides to pull a sick day, opting to not attend school, and instead enjoy his youth. He also manages to convince his reluctant best friend to tag along, despite actually being unwell, and pulls his girlfriend out of school with a clever disguise. Together, the three have a wild adventure packed with fun, while Principal Rooney attempts to catch Ferris in his lies, only to fall flat on his face.

4 Dumb and Dumber

Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels' Chemistry

Jim Carrey is one of the all-time comedy greats, having starred in films like the Ace Ventura series and The Mask alongside many others. However, the same year that the above-mentioned titles were released, 1994, Carrey also starred alongside Jeff Daniels in a movie that has become the seminal buddy comedy hit movie, Dumb and Dumber. Their chemistry and the comedic genius of the movie made it an instant classic, which continues to be held in high regard today.

The duo play best friends who have not been blessed with much intelligence, though they do have a lot of gumption. As events unfold, and they find themselves trapped in the middle of a huge criminal conflict, Lloyd (Carrey) and Harry (Daniels) must creatively find solutions to get themselves out of trouble. Mix that with some romance and plenty of laughs, and the film continues to be a huge hit with any audience.

3 Office Space

Satirizing Corporate Culture

Office Space approaches comedy a little differently. The setup is an extremely boring office, where dozens of people are employed in mundane menial work, and ekeing out their existence in relative invisibility. However, tired of working for the invisible man upstairs, and earning a whole lot of nothing, Peter, a man whose life appears to have hit a wall, visits a hypnotherapist in an effort to overcome his issues with confrontation and depression.

However, when the therapist dies in the middle of the session, after putting Peter into a state of not caring about his work, things take a hard turn. The film is brilliant, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, and a wonderful cast of characters. It also highlights a series of events that lead to the characters ending up in unexpected places in a hilarious way.

2 The Hangover

A Wild and Unforgettable Bachelor Party

The Hangover is in many ways the opposite of Office Space. A group of friends get together for a bachelor party, only to wake up with the most intense hangovers they have ever experienced. They also find a tiger in the bathroom, and their friend who is due to get married is missing. They embark on a series of quests to figure out what exactly happened the night before, and slowly piece together their night of frivolity before finally finding their friend.

The concept is simple, but the execution is exceptional. From start to finish, the film is a romp with outstanding performances from Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifinakis. This unlikely pairing makes for an outstanding comedy film that stands the test of time, and with multiple sequels expanding this hit film to become a hit franchise, there is just no beating the original.

1 Shaun of the Dead

Zombie Apocalypse Comedy

Shaun of the Dead is the first entry in Edgar Wright's Cornetto Trilogy. A series of wild and wacky comedy films that star Simon Pegg, and feature largely disconnected stories. The British duo, along with Nick Frost, create something exceptional that falls into the world of parody, while creating something that screams originality and excitement.

Shaun, is having a rough day, when things get infinitely worse as zombies begin appearing in his little village. Despite being a regular salesman, Shaun steps up, and, equipped with little more than a cricket bat, he gathers a group of survivors to take down the zombies and protect the village. The film is incredibly well-made, and despite the small intimate scale of production, it grew to become one of the best and most enduring comedy movies of all time.