Comedy films are among the most commercially successful and highly-acclaimed movies today. From Academy-nominated movies such as last year's Everything Everywhere All At Once, there's always a comedy film that can tickle everyone's unique sense of humor.
More and more casual film fans and legitimate movie buffs have posted their film reviews on the growing social media platform Letterboxd. Out of the thousands of comedy films released over the previous decades, these are favored by Letterboxd s.
Sherlock, Jr. (1924) - 4.26/5
Directed and starring Buster Keaton, Sherlock, Jr. was a silent comedy film about a projectionist who dreams of becoming the world's greatest detective. The 1924 film features many of the hallmark traits of a Keaton film - playful slapstick, deadpan comedy, visual gags, and death-defying stunts.
The audience could see how dedicated Keaton was to his art in Sherlock Jr. In fact, one of the film's funniest stunts fractured and almost broke his neck he still had migraines attributed to the accident years after making the film.
Chungking Express ( 1994) - 4.27/5
Wong Kar-wai is known for his moody films that always touch on longing, mystery, and memory. His 1994 comedy-drama film Chungking Express doesn't fail to highlight the signature Kar-wai drama and atmosphere, but at the same time, Kar-wai incorporates some meaningful comedy that cuts the film's seriousness without downplaying its intensity.
The film stars some of Asian cinema's most iconic actors like Takeshi Kaneshiro, Brigitte Lin, Tony Leung, and Faye Wong. On Letterboxd, many of the film's reviewers think that it is Faye Wong's character who was able to bring the humor in the film.
City Lights (1931) - 4.27/5
Written, starring, produced, and directed by the great Charlie Chaplin, City Lights was a comedy film ahead of his time. The popularity of silent films started waning by the time the film was released to the public. Despite this, City Lights was still received warmly and is even one of Chaplin's most commercially successful works.
In the film, Chaplin's The Tramp falls head over heels with a blind girl. Because of its endearing story and hysterical moments, City Lights has been recognized as one of the best romantic comedy films of all time by the American Film Institute.
The Final Exit Of The Disciples Of Ascensia (2019) - 4.28/5
The Final Exit of the Disciples of Ascensia is an animated indie film created by animator and writer Jonni Phillips. Despite her young age, Jonni Phillips has already worked for various animation companies like Flightless Bird Creative, Squash Animation, and Frederator Studios.
Her 2019 film The Final Exit of the Disciples of Ascensia is a 46-minute comedic presentation about an alien cult and its . The preposterous scenes created on various mediums like gouache, digital, watercolor, and construction paper have undoubtedly impressed the s on Letterboxd.
Love Exposure (2008) -4.29/5
Released to critical acclaim in 2008, Love Exposure is a Japanese arthouse comedy-drama film about an "up-skirt" photographer who falls in love with a girl. Letterboxd s note that despite its ludicrous premise, the film tactfully explores sexual behavior while still managing to be humorous and entertaining.
In addition, reviewers also highlight how the themes of love, religion, and sexuality were masterfully portrayed on screen by the cast. With a runtime of over four hours, Love Exposure is one of the longest comedy films to come from Asian cinema.
It’s Such A Beautiful Day (2012) - 4.31/5
Academy Award nominee Don Hertzfeltdt is known for his exquisitely funny short films. His 2012 feature film It's Such a Beautiful Day is a seamless presentation of his three short films centered on a character named Bill.
In the film, Bill suffers from memory problems and gets bizarre visions, both of which are clear signs that he's struggling with a neurological problem. Casual film viewers and film critics both think that It's Such a Beautiful Life deserves to be considered one of the best animated films of all time for its profoundly comedic retelling of the human condition.
The Apartment (1960) - 4.32/5
Hollywood Legend Billy Wilder is not only known for directing groundbreaking drama films like Sunset Boulevard and Ace in the Hole. His 1960 comedy film The Apartment has received critical acclaim from critics due to its fantastic mix of humor-filled scenes, romance, and frank cynicism.
The Apartment is about an insurance clerk who tries to climb his way up the corporate ladder by allowing his higher-ups to use his apartment for their side flings. But as with most sly schemes, the ingenious plan starts to fall apart as more people get involved.
A Dog's Will (2000) - 4.53/5
A Dog's Will is a Brazillian comedy film directed by Guel Arraes. The movie is based on a play with the same name about impoverished guys who have wronged the folks of a small northeast Brazillian town. After their death, they have to face and convince Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the Devil in order to gain entrance to heaven.
The excellently written script, charismatic actors, and cameos of Brazil's biggest film and television icons are some of the reasons why A Dog's Will is considered by s on Letterboxd as one of the best comedy films of all time.
Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022) - 4.56/5
The directing duo the Daniels are most known for their 2016 surreal comedy-drama film Swiss Army Man. In 2022, the directors have returned to release one of the most critically-acclaimed films of this year so far, Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Starring the legendary Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh, Everything Everywhere All at Once is a multiversal exploration of nihilism and the immigrant family story. The stellar performance of Michelle Yeoh, as well as the amazing direction and writing of the Daniels, have cemented Everything Everywhere All at Once as one of the best films so far, this year.
Parasite (2019) - 4.58/5
From the brilliant mind of Bong Joon-Ho, Parasite is a film about a poor family who infiltrates a wealthy household in order to make ends meet. The Korean film has reached a lot of success outside South Korea - so much so that it even the Academy Award for Best Picture, alongside three other Academy Awards.
Apart from being extremely entertaining and smart, Parasite also establishes itself as a masterpiece in the world of comedy by taking dissecting real-world and relatable themes like poverty, social difference, and class consciousness. No wonder the film resonated with viewers from all over the world.
