Sex comedies use sexual situations and innuendo as a primary source of humor, often exploring themes of relationships and societal attitudes towards sex. 1. American Pie (1999) Four high school friends make a pact to lose their virginity before graduation. Why it’s great: 2. The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005) A 40-year-old man’s friends try to help […]

Screwball comedies, popular in the 1930s and 1940s, feature fast-talking, witty dialogue, farcical situations, and often a battle of the sexes. 1. His Girl Friday (1940) A newspaper editor uses every trick in the book to keep his ace reporter ex-wife from remarrying. Why it’s great: 2. Bringing Up Baby (1938) A paleontologist gets mixed […]

School days movies focus on the experiences, relationships, and challenges of students in educational settings. 1. The Breakfast Club (1985) Five high school students from different cliques bond during Saturday detention. Why it’s great: 2. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) A high school student skips school for a day of adventure in Chicago with his […]

Satire uses humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to criticize contemporary politics, society, and human vices or follies. 1. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) Stanley Kubrick‘s satirical take on Cold War politics and nuclear annihilation. Why it’s great: 2. Network (1976) A TV network exploits a deranged […]

Remarriage comedies, popular in the 1930s and 1940s, feature couples who divorce but eventually reunite. 1. The Philadelphia Story (1940) A socialite’s wedding plans are complicated by the arrival of her ex-husband and a charming reporter. Why it’s great: 2. His Girl Friday (1940) A newspaper editor uses every trick in the book to keep […]

Pre-teen comedies focus on the experiences and adventures of children on the cusp of adolescence. 1. The Goonies (1985) A group of kids embark on an adventure to find pirate treasure and save their homes. Why it’s great: 2. Home Alone (1990) An 8-year-old boy is accidentally left behind when his family goes on vacation […]

Parenthood comedies find humor in the challenges, joys, and mishaps of raising children. 1. Parenthood (1989) An extended family deals with the ups and downs of raising children at various stages of life. Why it’s great: 2. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) A divorced actor disguises himself as a female housekeeper to spend time with his children. […]

Political comedies use humor to satirize and comment on political systems, figures, and events. 1. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) Stanley Kubrick‘s satirical take on Cold War politics and nuclear annihilation. Why it’s great: 2. Wag the Dog (1997) A spin doctor and a Hollywood producer […]

Musical comedies combine the joy of music and dance numbers with comedic storylines and characters. 1. Singin’ in the Rain (1952) A silent film production company and cast make a difficult transition to sound. Why it’s great: 2. The Producers (1967) Two theatrical producers scheme to get rich by overselling interests in a Broadway flop. […]

Mockumentaries adopt the style of documentaries to tell fictional stories, often for comedic or satirical effect. 1. This Is Spinal Tap (1984) A fake documentary following a fictional British heavy metal band on their disastrous American tour. Why it’s great: 2. Best in Show (2000) Christopher Guest‘s comedy follows several eccentric dog owners as they […]