Film Night Sorted: 5 of the Funniest Comedies Ever Made

Whether you’ve seen them all or just one, these films offer a perfect excuse to kick back, hit play, and laugh yourself silly.

A Good Laugh Goes a Long Way

Let’s face it—life hasn’t exactly been a comedy lately.

But sometimes, all you need is a great comedy to hit the reset button and laugh off the madness.

A Matter of Taste

What tickles one person might completely miss the mark for another. Humor is deeply personal, and the line between hilarious and offensive can be razor thin.

But some films manage to break through the divide and get nearly everyone laughing.

Here’s a list—compiled with inspiration from Forbes—of five comedy classics that have stood the test of time.

The Jerk (1979): Steve Martin’s Absurdist Debut

This offbeat comedy marked Steve Martin’s first leading role—and it still gets laughs over 40 years later. Not every gag has aged well, but Martin’s brilliant timing keeps the silliness sharp.

He plays Navin, a clueless optimist who strikes it rich only to come crashing back down.

It’s a wild ride through absurd scenarios that defined Martin’s early screen persona.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975): British Surrealism at Its Finest

The Monty Python crew—five Brits and one American, Terry Gilliam—turned Arthurian legend into a surreal, laugh-out-loud parody.

From the knights who shout “Ni!” to coconut-clacking steeds and a three-headed giant arguing with itself, this film remains a shining (and completely bonkers) gem of British humor.

Friday (1995): Chill Vibes, Big Laughs

Not as widely known outside the U.S., Friday has become a beloved staple in urban American cinema.

Set over the course of a single Friday, it follows two laid-back stoners who need to come up with $200 to pay off a neighborhood bully.

Light on plot but heavy on quotable moments, it earned praise from critics and audiences alike for its sharp wit and laid-back charm.

Dr. Strangelove (1964): A Masterclass in Dark Comedy

How do you turn nuclear war into a comedy? Leave it to Stanley Kubrick.

Dr. Strangelove is as dark as it is hilarious, with Peter Sellers playing no fewer than three roles: a British officer, the U.S. President, and an eccentric ex-Nazi scientist.

The film’s premise—an American general gone rogue with the nuclear codes—sounds grim, but the satire is biting and brilliantly executed.

Young Frankenstein (1974): A Mel Brooks Classic

Mel Brooks is a comedy legend, and Young Frankenstein is one of his finest works.

Blending parody, horror, and slapstick, the film retells the Frankenstein story from the perspective of the original monster-maker’s American grandson.

With Gene Wilder leading the charge, it’s a black-and-white masterpiece that spoofs monster movie tropes with loving precision and laugh-out-loud results.

More Than Just Gags

What unites these five comedies isn’t just the punchlines—it’s their originality, cultural impact, and the unique voices behind them.

Whether you’re into slapstick, surrealism, satire, or stoner humor, there’s something here to suit every sense of humor.