The Most Popular Comedy Movie of All Time, Ranked

Choose the comedy movie you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 24, 2024 07:00
Imagine settling in for a movie night with friends or family, faced with the daunting task of picking something that guarantees laughs without the risk of choosing a dud. The last thing anyone wants is to spend more time scrolling through options than enjoying the movie. This is why having a definitive list of the top comedy movies, as voted by viewers like you, can be incredibly valuable. It simplifies the choice and ensures a fun viewing experience. By participating in voting for your favorite comedy films, you contribute to a dynamic and democratically created list that reflects the genuine preferences of a diverse audience. Each vote helps to fine-tune the recommendations, making it easier for everyone to find that perfect laugh-out-loud movie. Additionally, seeing how others have voted can give you new ideas for what to watch next, expanding your cinematic horizons and perhaps introducing you to hilarious gems you might have missed.

What Is the Most Popular Comedy Movie of All Time?

  1. 1
    64
    votes
    This classic supernatural comedy has stood the test of time and has become a cult favorite. Its iconic theme song, memorable characters, and hilarious script make it a must-watch for any comedy fan.
    Ghostbusters (1984) is a supernatural comedy film where three eccentric parapsychologists start a ghost-hunting business in New York City. As they battle paranormal entities, they uncover a plot to bring about the end of the world. The Ghostbusters must step up to save the city.
    • Release Date: June 8, 1984
    • Running Time: 105 minutes
    • Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
    • Director: Ivan Reitman
    • Writers: Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis
  2. 2
    27
    votes
    The Hangover (2009)
    Diseñadores publicitarios · Public domain

    The Hangover (2009)

    Directed by Todd Phillips
    This raunchy comedy follows a group of friends as they try to piece together the events of a wild bachelor party in Las Vegas. The film's outrageous humor and unexpected plot twists have made it a modern classic.
    The Hangover (2009) is a comedy film that follows the misadventures of four friends who travel to Las Vegas for a bachelor party, only to wake up the next morning with no memory of the previous night and a missing groom. As they try to retrace their steps and find their friend, they encounter hilarious obstacles and uncover shocking surprises along the way.
    • Release Date: June 5, 2009
    • Genre: Comedy
    • Duration: 100 minutes
    • Language: English
    • Country: United States
    The Hangover (2009) in other rankings
  3. 3
    21
    votes
    This spoof of disaster movies is filled with non-stop gags and puns that have become part of pop culture. The film's absurd humor and quotable lines have made it a beloved comedy classic.
    Airplane! (1980) is a hilarious parody film that takes on the disaster film genre with a satirical and offbeat sense of humor. The movie follows the story of a traumatized war veteran turned pilot, Ted Striker, who must overcome his fear of flying to save a plane full of passengers from certain doom.
    • Genre: Comedy, Parody
    • Release Year: 1980
    • Runtime: 88 minutes
    • Starring: Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty
    • Written by: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker
  4. 4
    17
    votes
    This female-led comedy was a critical and commercial success, earning over $288 million worldwide. Its raunchy humor and relatable characters broke new ground in the genre and paved the way for more female-driven comedies.
    Bridesmaids (2011) is a popular comedy movie that follows the story of Annie, a down-on-her-luck woman who becomes the Maid of Honor for her best friend Lillian's wedding. Alongside a diverse group of bridesmaids, Annie faces hilarious and sometimes outrageous obstacles as she tries to navigate through the wedding planning process and her own personal life. With its relatable characters and witty humor, Bridesmaids has become a beloved comedy film.
    • Genre: Comedy
    • Release Year: 2011
    • Director: Paul Feig
    • Writer: Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo
    • Leading Cast: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne
  5. 5
    18
    votes
    The Blues Brothers (1980)
    Nunezart · CC BY-SA 3.0
    This musical comedy follows two brothers on a mission from God to save their childhood home. The film's iconic soundtrack and wild car chases have made it a cult classic.
    The Blues Brothers is a 1980 American musical comedy film directed by John Landis and written by Dan Aykroyd and John Landis. The movie follows Jake and Elwood Blues, two blues musicians on a mission from God to save their childhood orphanage from foreclosure by reuniting their old band and staging a massive fundraising concert. Along the way, they encounter a series of hilarious mishaps and intense car chases. The film is famous for its energetic musical performances and features cameos from several legendary musicians.
    • Release Date: June 20, 1980
    • Running Time: 133 minutes
    • Genre: Comedy, Musical
    • Budget: $27 million
    • Box Office: $115.2 million
  6. 6
    5
    votes
    This absurdist comedy from the British comedy troupe Monty Python is a hilarious take on the Arthurian legend. Its off-the-wall humor and quotable lines have made it a beloved classic.
    Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) is a British comedy film that parodies the legend of King Arthur and his quest for the Holy Grail. The film follows King Arthur and his knights as they embark on a series of absurd and hilarious adventures.
    • Release Date: April 3, 1975
    • Director: Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones
    • Writers: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin
    • Genre: Comedy, Adventure
    • Runtime: 91 minutes
    Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) in other rankings
  7. 7
    7
    votes

    Animal House (1978)

    John Landis
    This raunchy college comedy set the standard for all future frat movies. Its gross-out humor and wild party scenes have made it a beloved classic.
    Animal House is a classic comedy movie released in 1978. It was directed by John Landis and written by Harold Ramis, Douglas Kenney, and Chris Miller. The film takes place in 1962 at Faber College and follows the wild and raucous antics of the Delta Tau Chi fraternity. With its outrageous humor and memorable characters, Animal House has become a cultural phenomenon and one of the most popular comedies of all time.
    • Release Year: 1978
    • Director: John Landis
    • Writers: Harold Ramis, Douglas Kenney, Chris Miller
    • Genre: Comedy
    • Setting: Faber College in 1962
  8. 8
    13
    votes
    Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
    Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain
    This spoof of spy movies follows the adventures of the swinging '60s secret agent Austin Powers. The film's over-the-top humor and memorable characters have made it a cult classic.
    Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) is a comedy film that follows the adventures of Austin Powers, a British secret agent from the swinging 1960s who is frozen and later revived in the 1990s to battle his nemesis Dr. Evil. The movie is known for its humor, colorful characters, and parody of spy movies.
    • Release Date: May 2, 1997
    • Genre: Comedy, Adventure
    • Runtime: 94 minutes
    • Box Office: $67.7 million
    • Production Companies: New Line Cinema, Capella International, Gratitude International
  9. 9
    12
    votes

    Groundhog Day (1993)

    Harold Ramis
    This romantic comedy starring Bill Murray follows a cynical weatherman who is stuck reliving the same day over and over again. The film's clever premise and heartwarming message have made it a beloved classic.
    Groundhog Day is a comedy movie released in 1993. The film follows the story of Phil Connors, played by Bill Murray, a grumpy weatherman who finds himself trapped in a time loop, forced to relive the same day (Groundhog Day) over and over again in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. As he continues to experience the same day repeatedly, Phil undergoes personal growth and learns valuable life lessons.
    • Release year: 1993
    • Director: Harold Ramis
    • Lead actor: Bill Murray
    • Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
    • Running time: 101 minutes
  10. 10
    6
    votes

    The Big Lebowski (1998)

    Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
    This quirky comedy from the Coen brothers follows a slacker known as "The Dude" as he gets caught up in a bizarre kidnapping plot. The film's offbeat humor and memorable characters have made it a cult classic.
    The Big Lebowski (1998) is a popular comedy movie known for its quirky and offbeat humor. The film was directed and written by Joel and Ethan Coen. It follows the story of 'The Dude,' an unemployed and laid-back character who gets caught up in a case of mistaken identity and embarks on a series of absurd adventures in Los Angeles.
    • Release Year: 1998
    • Genre: Comedy
    • Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
    • Writers: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
    • Main Cast: Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore

Missing your favorite comedy movie?

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Ranking factors for popular comedy movie

  1. Box Office Revenue
    The total earnings of the movie in domestic and international markets. High box office numbers often indicate a movie's popularity.
  2. Critical Reception
    Reviews and ratings from critics, as well as the movie's score on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb, may give an indication of the movie's quality and appeal to audiences.
  3. Audience Reception
    Audience scores and reviews on platforms like IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes, as well as anecdotal evidence from viewers, can show how much a movie resonates with the general public.
  4. Awards and Nominations
    A comedy movie that has received multiple accolades, particularly with prestigious awards like the Oscars and Golden Globes, gives an indication of the film's quality and impact on the industry.
  5. Cultural Impact
    The movie's influence on popular culture, such as catchphrases, memes, and references in other media should be considered as an indicator of its enduring popularity.
  6. Timelessness
    A popular comedy movie should have the ability to entertain and be enjoyed by multiple generations, even after many years have passed since its release.
  7. Re-watchability
    The ability of the movie to entertain and make people laugh upon multiple watches can be a strong indicator of its popularity and appeal.
  8. Unique Comedy Elements
    Memorable comedic characters, innovative humor styles, and original storylines make the movie stand out among other comedies and contribute to its popularity.
  9. Star Power
    The presence of popular and talented actors, actresses, and filmmakers can contribute to a comedy movie's draw and help with its popularity.
  10. Genre Influence
    If the movie had a significant impact on comedy as a genre or inspired other successful and popular comedy movies, it can be considered as a key factor.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular comedy movie of all time. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or comedy is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2086 views
  • 189 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each comedy once every 24 hours. The rank of each comedy is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular comedy movie of all time

Comedy movies have been a beloved genre for decades, with countless films that have left us rolling on the floor with laughter. From the silent era to modern-day blockbusters, comedy movies have been a staple of the film industry. In fact, some of the most iconic and memorable movies of all time have been comedies. But with so many hilarious movies out there, which one takes the crown as the most popular comedy movie of all time? That's what we aim to find out with this poll. So sit back, relax, and get ready to cast your vote for your favorite comedy movie of all time!

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