Best 20 American Comedy Movies

By Vlad Zakh · January 19, 2026

From Anchorman and The Hangover to Jojo Rabbit and Palm Springs, this list covers American comedy in all its shapes: outrageous adventures, sharp dialogue and unforgettable characters. The Naked Gun follows a clueless detective, Borat sends a fictional Kazakh journalist to America, Planes, Trains & Automobiles races a marketing executive home for Thanksgiving, and Step Brothers pits two middle-aged men as stepsiblings. Some Like It Hot, Airplane!, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Dumb and Dumber, Ace Ventura, Happy Gilmore and Nothing to Lose round out the list.

The Naked Gun (1988)

IMDb ★ 7.6 RT 88% Metacritic 76

A bumbling police lieutenant investigates an assassination plot against the Queen of England.

"I've finally found someone I can love - a good, clean love... without utensils." - Frank Drebin

Directed by David Zucker · 1h 26m · Rated PG-13

2 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd Amazon Prime Video HBO Max Hulu YoutubeTV

Borat (2006)

IMDb ★ 7.4 RT 90% Metacritic 89

A Kazakh journalist's tour of America draws real, unscripted reactions from unsuspecting people.

"Very nice!" - Borat Sagdiyev

Directed by Larry Charles · 1h 24m · Rated R

Nominated for 1 Oscar20 wins & 34 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Rent or buy: Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd Amazon Prime Video YoutubeTV

Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)

IMDb ★ 7.6 RT 93% Metacritic 72

Two mismatched strangers endure a nightmare cross-country trip home for Thanksgiving.

"Those aren't pillows!" - Del Griffith

Directed by John Hughes · 1h 32m · Rated R

1 nomination

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, YouTube TV · Rent: JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd Amazon Prime Video Hulu YoutubeTV

Step Brothers (2008)

TMDB ★ 6.6

Two middle-aged men become stepbrothers when their single parents marry, leading to a rivalry that refuses to grow up.

"I'm not gonna call him Dad. Ever!" - Brennan Huff

Directed by Adam McKay · 1h 38m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, YouTube TV · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd Netflix Amazon Prime Video YoutubeTV

Some Like It Hot (1959)

IMDb ★ 8.2 RT 95% Metacritic 98

Two musicians disguise themselves as women to escape the mob after witnessing a gangland killing.

"Well, nobody's perfect." - Osgood Fielding III

Directed by Billy Wilder · 2h 03m

Won 1 Oscar11 wins & 13 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, YouTube TV, MGM Plus · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd Amazon Prime Video HBO Max Hulu YoutubeTV

Airplane! (1980)

IMDb ★ 7.7 RT 97% Metacritic 78

A disaster-movie parody in which almost every gag lands, one after another.

"Surely you can't be serious." "I am serious... and don't call me Shirley." - Dr. Rumack and Ted Striker

Directed by Jerry Zucker & David Zucker · 1h 28m · Rated PG

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award3 wins & 7 nominations total

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd Amazon Prime Video YoutubeTV

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

IMDb ★ 7.8 RT 85% Metacritic 61

A high schooler fakes his way through one perfect, elaborate day off school.

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." -

Directed by John Hughes · 1h 43m · Rated PG-13

3 wins & 1 nomination

Where to watch

Stream: Apple TV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, YouTube TV · Rent: JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd Netflix Amazon Prime Video YoutubeTV

Dumb and Dumber (1994)

IMDb ★ 7.3 RT 69% Metacritic 41

Peak Jim Carrey physical comedy, dumb by design and better for it.

"So you're telling me there's a chance!" - Lloyd Christmas

Directed by Peter Farrelly · 1h 47m · Rated PG-13

5 wins & 3 nominations

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd Amazon Prime Video Hulu YoutubeTV

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)

TMDB ★ 6.6

A quirky detective who specialises in animal cases is hired to find the Miami Dolphins' missing mascot.

"Allllllrighty then!" - Ace Ventura

Directed by Tom Shadyac · 1h 26m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: YouTube TV · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd Netflix Amazon Prime Video HBO Max

Happy Gilmore (1996)

TMDB ★ 6.7

A failed hockey player discovers his slapshot translates perfectly to golf.

"The price is wrong, b***h." - Happy Gilmore

Directed by Dennis Dugan · 1h 32m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Starz, Starz Roku Premium Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd Amazon Prime Video Hulu YoutubeTV

Nothing to Lose (1997)

TMDB ★ 6.6

An advertising executive discovers his wife is having an affair and ends up teaming with a petty thief.

"I'm not crazy. I'm just colorful." - T. Paul

Directed by Steve Oedekerk · 1h 37m · Rated R

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd Netflix Amazon Prime Video HBO Max YoutubeTV

Sgt. Bilko (1996)

TMDB ★ 5.9

Master Sergeant Bilko, stationed at the rundown Fort Baxter in Kansas, is a brilliant but cunning schemer.

"You gotta win 60% of the time, Bilko, otherwise, you're a loser." - Major Thorn

Directed by Jonathan Lynn · 1h 30m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd Amazon Prime Video YoutubeTV

Superbad (2007)

IMDb ★ 7.6 RT 88% Metacritic 76

Two inseparable best friends face the reality of splitting up for college the night of one legendary party.

"I am McLovin." - Fogell / McLovin

Directed by Greg Mottola · 1h 53m · Rated R

11 wins & 24 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Apple TV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, YouTube TV · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd Netflix Amazon Prime Video HBO Max

The Hangover (2009)

IMDb ★ 7.7 RT 79% Metacritic 73

Three friends piece together a wrecked Vegas bachelor party with no memory of the night before.

"What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." - Various Characters

Directed by Todd Phillips · 1h 40m · Rated R

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award13 wins & 25 nominations total

Where to watch

Stream: Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, YouTube TV · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd Netflix Amazon Prime Video HBO Max

Bridesmaids (2011)

IMDb ★ 6.8 RT 89% Metacritic 75

A maid of honour's life falls apart as she competes with a rival bridesmaid for her best friend's approval.

"I'm ready to party!" - Megan

Directed by Paul Feig · 2h 05m · Rated R

Nominated for 2 Oscars25 wins & 73 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd Netflix Amazon Prime Video HBO Max YoutubeTV

21 Jump Street (2012)

IMDb ★ 7.2 RT 85% Metacritic 69

Two bumbling cops go undercover as high school students to bust a drug ring.

"You have the right to remain an attorney." - Jenko

Directed by Phil Lord & Christopher Miller · 1h 49m · Rated R

11 wins & 21 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Netflix, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd Netflix Amazon Prime Video HBO Max Hulu YoutubeTV

Coming to America (1988)

IMDb ★ 7.1 RT 71% Metacritic 47

An African prince travels to Queens, New York, in search of a wife who will love him for himself.

"I want a woman that will arouse my intellect as well as my loins." - Prince Akeem

Directed by John Landis · 1h 57m · Rated R

Nominated for 2 Oscars5 wins & 5 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: AMC Plus Apple TV channel, YouTube TV, AMC · Rent: JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd Netflix Amazon Prime Video YoutubeTV

Deadpool (2016)

IMDb ★ 8.0 RT 85% Metacritic 65

A wisecracking mercenary gets experimental powers and immediately breaks the fourth wall about it.

"You're probably thinking, 'This is a superhero movie, but that guy in the suit just turned that other guy into a f***ing kabob!'" - Deadpool

Directed by Tim Miller · 1h 48m · Rated R

29 wins & 78 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Disney Plus · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd Amazon Prime Video

The Disaster Artist (2017)

IMDb ★ 7.3 RT 90% Metacritic 76

The making of the worst movie ever made, told with real affection for its delusional creator.

"I did not hit her, I did not! Oh, hi Mark." - Johnny (from "The Room")

Directed by James Franco · 1h 44m · Rated R

Nominated for 1 Oscar32 wins & 84 nominations

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd Amazon Prime Video Hulu YoutubeTV

Jojo Rabbit (2019)

IMDb ★ 7.9 RT 81% Metacritic 58

A lonely Hitler Youth member's worldview cracks after he discovers his mother is hiding a Jewish girl.

"Love is the strongest thing in the world." - Rosie Betzler

Directed by Taika Waititi · 1h 48m · Rated PG-13

Won 1 Oscar53 wins & 191 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, YouTube TV, FXNow · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd Amazon Prime Video HBO Max

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix. He started the site because most recommendation pages felt like noise. Here, lists are sorted by who's in the film, where it's from and what mood you're in tonight.

Best 20 American Comedy Movies

The Naked Gun (1988)

Borat (2006)

Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)

Step Brothers (2008)

Some Like It Hot (1959)

Airplane! (1980)

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

Dumb and Dumber (1994)

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)

Happy Gilmore (1996)

Nothing to Lose (1997)

Sgt. Bilko (1996)

Superbad (2007)

The Hangover (2009)

Bridesmaids (2011)

21 Jump Street (2012)

Coming to America (1988)

Deadpool (2016)

The Disaster Artist (2017)

Jojo Rabbit (2019)

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