59. Scrooged (1988)
This take on the classic Christmas Carol tale is still my favourite movie to watch over the festive period. What makes this stand out is Bill Murray’s brilliant performance as a successful TV executive who makes his staff work over Christmas. The film has the right amount of sentimentality mixed with comedy to make it a bit of a classic and holds up well on repeated viewings.
Director: Richard Donner
Starring: Bill Murray, Karen Allen, John Forsythe
Rated: PG-13
58. Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
Mike Newell’s 90′s classic follows the adventures of a group of friends through the eyes of Charles (Hugh Grant), a committed bachelor, who ends up becoming smitten with Carrie (Andie MacDowell), an American whom Charles repeatedly meets at different weddings and at a funeral.
Director: Mike Newell
Starring: Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell, James Fleet, Simon Callow
Rated: R
57. Bananas (1971)
Before Woody Allen became the serious film-maker he is today, he was renowned for his quick-fire one-liners and insecure, skittish characters. Bananas is still one of Allen’s most beloved movies, following a bumbling New Yorker who’s dumped by his activist girlfriend, so he travels to a tiny Latin American nation and becomes involved in its latest rebellion.
Director: Woody Allen
Starring: Woody Allen, Louise Lasser, Carlos Montalbán
Rated: PG-13
56. Top Secret! (1984)
Off the success of their Airplane movies, It’s creators turned their focus to the spy movie genre. Set after WW2, Val Kilmer stars as Nick Rivers, a handsome American 50s-style rock and roll singer. While performing in East Germany, he falls in love with a beautiful heroine and becomes involved with the French Resistance. It’s full of great sight gags, which the Zucker’s are famous for and is still a great way find some laughs.
Director: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker
Starring: Val Kilmer, Omar Sharif, Jeremy Kemp
Rated: PG (UK)
55. Borat (2006)
Of all Sacha Baron Cohen’s creations, Borat remains our favourite, and his big screen outing didn’t disappoint with Borat managing to upset a great many people and providing a great many laugh out loud moments. Still waiting for the sequel.
Director: Larry Charles
Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Ken Davitian, Luenell
Rated: R
54. Big (1988)
Back in the 80’s, Tom Hanks was the undisputed master at playing sweet, likeable characters in comedies. Big was one of his most successful and still works on all levels. It follows the story of a 12 year-old boy who wishes he was bigger at a magic wish machine. He wakes up the next morning and finds himself in an adult body literally overnight and has to navigate the world of grown-ups like getting a job, and having his first romantic encounter with a woman. What makes the film is Tom Hanks’ ability to make you believe that he really is 12 years-old on the inside.
Director: Penny Marshall
Starring: Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia
Rated: PG (UK)
53. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
After the critical mauling of his previous movie ‘Best Defense’, Eddie Murphy bounced back with what would become his most iconic character; Detective Axel Folwely. Although just as much an action movie as a comedy, it’s full of laughs, with Murphy at the top of his game.
Director: Martin Brest
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton
Rated: R
52. Beetlejuice (1988)
Tim Burton’s cult classic comedy all hinges on Michael Keaton’s excellent turn as freelance “bio-exorcist” Beetlejuice, a ghost who gets rid off ghosts. A strong supporting cast make this zany black comedy still a hoot to watch.
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder
Rated: PG (UK)
51. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Massively underappreciated when it was first released, this clever comedy follows Mr. Fox (voiced by George Clooney) as his wife makes him give up his dare-devil antics on the local farm and settle down with his family and be a responsible father. Mr. Fox struggles against his urges and ends up trying “just one more raid” on the three nastiest, meanest farmers; Boggis, Bunce and Bean. It’s all done with stop-motion, and director Wes Anderson’s sublime touches are in every scene. It looks like a kids film, but it’s so much more, with big laughs throughout.
Director: Wes Anderson
Starring: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Bill Murray
Rated: PG (UK)
50. When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
One of the biggest comedies of it’s day, Billy Crystal explores whether a man and a woman can be purely just friends, or will sex always get in the way. This movie pretty much gave birth to the rom-com, but it’s also so much more and still provides great viewing.
Director: Rob Reiner
Starring: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher
Rated: R
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