Welcome to the Hilarious World of the 2000s
So you are one of those keen comedy lovers, who like to travel back in time to experience the humor of earlier cinematic eras. So are we!
The funny stuff of the 2000s may be a thing of the past, but thanks to an enthralling, good old invention called Film, it will never be really gone.
Whenever you miss the first decade of the third millenium and feel like laughing your heart out, all you have to do, is watching one (or more) of its best comedies.
But which ones should you watch?
Well, if that’s the question lurking in your mind right now, then you came to the right place. We’re just about to present 21 of the greatest comedy films of the 2000s.
This is not your average comedy list featuring only the funniest and stupidest films. We treat comedy as the broad genre it actually is. Thus, we tried to diversify this collection as much as possible.
We picked black comedies, romantic comedies, comedy-dramas, horror comedies, action comedies, fantasy comedies, sex comedies, tragicomedies, mockumentary comedies, teen comedies, crime comedies, satirical comedies, post-apocalyptic comedies and everything in between.
Ready to see the list? Buckle up then, and let the best comedies of the 2000s make you laugh out loud!
This collection is an episode of FrameTrek’s Best Comedies of All Time. A mega-journey dedicated to identify the funniest films of each cinematic era, chronologically. It starts with the Comedies of the Silent Era and wanders ahead decade-by-decade, all the way to our ever moving present.
Revealing the Top 21 Comedies of the 2000s
Chronologically
Snatch (2000)
British crime comedy film written and directed by Guy Ritchie.
Story: Unscrupulous boxing promoters, violent bookmakers, a Russian gangster, incompetent amateur robbers and supposedly Jewish jewelers fight to track down a priceless stolen diamond. (IMDB)
Though perhaps a case of style over substance, Guy Ritchie’s second crime caper is full of snappy dialogue, dark comedy, and interesting characters.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Snatch among the best 2000s comedy films?
✓ The movie is distinguished by a kinetic direction and editing style, an intricate double plot featuring numerous ironic twists of chance and causality, and a fast pace.
✓ It was largely successful, both in critical response and financial gross, and has gone on to develop a devoted cult following.
✓ Featured on Empire magazine’s 2008 poll of the 500 greatest movies of all time.
American Psycho (2000)
Black comedy slasher film co-written and directed by Mary Harron, starring Christian Bale, Willem Dafoe and Jared Leto.
Story: A wealthy New York City investment banking executive, Patrick Bateman, hides his alternate psychopathic ego from his co-workers and friends as he delves deeper into his violent, hedonistic fantasies. (IMDB)
If it falls short of the deadly satire of Bret Easton Ellis’s novel, American Psycho still finds its own blend of horror and humor, thanks in part to a fittingly creepy performance by Christian Bale.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is American Psycho among the best 2000s comedy movies?
✓ It was a financial success and received generally positive reviews, with particular praise for both Bale’s performance and the screenplay.
✓ The film has attracted a sizeable cult following.
Amélie (2001)
Romantic comedy film co-written and directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, starring Audrey Tautou.
Story: Amélie is an innocent and naive girl in Paris with her own sense of justice. She decides to help those around her and, along the way, discovers love. (IMDB)
The feel-good Amelie is a lively, fanciful charmer, showcasing Audrey Tautou as its delightful heroine.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Amélie among the best 2000s comedies?
✓ The film received critical acclaim, with praise for Tautou’s performance, the cinematography, production design, and writing.
✓ It won Best Film at the European Film Awards, also won four César Awards, and two British Academy Film Awards. Also nominated for five Academy Awards.
✓ It is one of the biggest international successes for a French film.
Love Actually (2003)
Christmas-themed romantic comedy film written and directed by Richard Curtis.
Story: Follows the lives of eight very different couples in dealing with their love lives in various loosely interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London, England. (IMDB)
A sugary tale overstuffed with too many stories. Still, the cast charms.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Love Actually among the best comedy movies of the 2000s?
✓ Frequently shown during the Christmas season, and it has been discussed as being arguably a modern-day Christmas staple.
✓ A box office success, and one of the most popular comedies of the 2000s.
Lost in Translation (2003)
Romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Sofia Coppola, starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson.
Story: A faded movie star and a neglected young woman form an unlikely bond after crossing paths in Tokyo. (IMDB)
Effectively balancing humor and subtle pathos, Sofia Coppola crafts a moving, melancholy story that serves as a showcase for both Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Lost in Translation among the best comedy films of the 2000s?
✓ Included among the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die and featured in Roger Ebert’s Great Movies list.
✓ It was a major critical and commercial success with audiences and critics praising the performances of Murray and Johansson, as well as the writing and direction of Coppola.
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Horror comedy film directed by Edgar Wright and starring Simon Pegg.
Story: A man’s uneventful life is disrupted by the zombie apocalypse. (IMDB)
Shaun of the Dead cleverly balances scares and witty satire, making for a bloody good zombie movie with loads of wit.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Shaun of the Dead among the best comedies of the 2000s?
✓ It was met with universal critical and commercial acclaim upon release and quickly acquired a cult following.
✓ Ranked third on the Channel 4 list of the 50 Greatest Comedy Films.
✓ In film studies, it is seen as a model for transnational comedy.
The Terminal (2004)
Comedy-drama film produced and directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Tom Hanks, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Stanley Tucci.
Story: An Eastern European tourist unexpectedly finds himself stranded in JFK airport, and must take up temporary residence there. (IMDB)
The Terminal transcends its flaws through the sheer virtue of its crowd-pleasing message and a typically solid star turn from Tom Hanks.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)
Action comedy film starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
Story: A bored married couple is surprised to learn that they are both assassins hired by competing agencies to kill each other. (IMDB)
Although this action-romance suffers from weak writing and one too many explosions, the chemistry generated by onscreen couple Pitt and Jolie is palpable enough to make this a thoroughly enjoyable summer action flick.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Fantasy comedy film directed by Tim Burton, starring Johnny Depp and Freddie Highmore.
Story: A young boy wins a tour through the most magnificent chocolate factory in the world, led by the world’s most unusual candy maker. (IMDB)
Closer to the source material than 1971’s Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is for people who like their Chocolate visually appealing and dark.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)
Sex comedy film directed by Judd Apatow, starring Steve Carell.
Story: Goaded by his buddies, a nerdy guy who’s never “done the deed” only finds the pressure mounting when he meets a single mother. (IMDB)
Steve Carell’s first star turn scores big with a tender treatment of its titular underdog, using raunchy but realistically funny comedy to connect with adult audiences.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is The 40 Year Old Virgin among the best 2000s comedy films?
✓ It received positive reviews from critics and audiences and became a box office success.
✓ Chosen by the American Film Institute as one of the ten best movies of the year 2005, the only comedy film to be so recognized.
✓ Featured on Bravo’s 100 Funniest Movies list.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Tragicomedy road film directed by the he husband-wife team of Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris.
Story: A family determined to get their young daughter into the finals of a beauty pageant take a cross-country trip in their VW bus. (IMDB)
Little Miss Sunshine succeeds thanks to a strong ensemble cast that includes Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Alan Arkin, and Abigail Breslin, as well as a delightfully funny script.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Little Miss Sunshine among the best 2000s comedy movies?
✓ Included among the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die.
✓ It was an overwhelming box office success, and was praised mainly for the performances, screenplay and humor.
✓ Nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won two. It also won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Feature and received numerous other accolades.
Borat (2006)
Mockumentary comedy film directed by Larry Charles and starring Sacha Baron Cohen.
Story: Kazakh TV talking head Borat is dispatched to the United States to report on the greatest country in the world. With a documentary crew in tow, Borat becomes more interested in locating and marrying Pamela Anderson. (IMDB)
Part satire, part shockumentary, Borat gets high-fives almost all-around for being offensive in the funniest possible way. Jagshemash!
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Borat among the best 2000s comedies?
✓ Included among the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die.
✓ Despite it’s controversial style and content, it was very well received, both critically and commercially.
✓ The Guardian included the film in its list of ten ‘Best Films of the Noughties’ (2000–09).
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
Comedy-drama film directed by David Frankel, starring Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Stanley Tucci.
Story: A smart but sensible new graduate lands a job as an assistant to Miranda Priestly, the demanding editor-in-chief of a high fashion magazine. (IMDB)
A rare film that surpasses the quality of its source novel, this Devil is a witty expose of New York’s fashion scene, with Meryl Streep in top form and Anne Hathaway more than holding her own.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is The Devil Wears Prada among the best comedy movies of the 2000s?
✓ The movie received generally positive reviews from critics, with Streep’s performance being singled out for praise.
✓ The film was honored by the National Board of Review as one of the year’s ten best and The American Film Institute gave the film similar recognition.
Superbad (2007)
Coming-of-age teen comedy film directed by Greg Mottola, starring Jonah Hill and Michael Cera.
Story: Two co-dependent high school seniors are forced to deal with separation anxiety after their plan to stage a booze-soaked party goes awry. (IMDB)
Deftly balancing vulgarity and sincerity while placing its protagonists in excessive situations, Superbad is an authentic take on friendship and the overarching awkwardness of the high school experience.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Superbad among the best comedy films of the 2000s?
✓ Received widespread critical acclaim, with critics praising the dialogue, the screenplay and the chemistry between the two leads.
✓ Earned a huge financial profit, making it the highest domestic grossing high school comedy at the time.
✓ Featured on Empire’s 500 Greatest films of all time list.
Juno (2007)
American coming-of-age comedy-drama film starring Ellen Page and Michael Cera.
Story: Faced with an unplanned pregnancy, an offbeat young woman makes an unusual decision regarding the unborn child. (IMDB)
One of the brightest, funniest comedies of the year, Juno’s smart script and direction are matched by assured performances in a coming of age story with a 21st century twist.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Juno among the best comedies of the 2000s?
✓ Received highly positive reviews from critics, many of whom placed the film on their top ten lists for the year.
✓ It was a box office success and it became one of the most popular movies of the 2000s.
Hot Fuzz (2007)
Action comedy film directed by Edgar Wright, starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.
Story: A skilled London police officer is transferred to a small town with a dark secret. (IMDB)
The brilliant minds behind Shaun of the Dead successfully take a shot at the buddy cop genre with Hot Fuzz. The result is a bitingly satiric and hugely entertaining parody.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Hot Fuzz among the top comedy movies of the 2000s?
✓ Praised by critics for its performances, direction, and humour.
✓ Empire magazine ranked it 50th on their list of the 100 best British films.
In Bruges (2008)
Black comedy crime film written and directed by Martin McDonagh, starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes.
Story: Guilt-stricken after a job gone wrong, hitman Ray and his partner await orders from their ruthless boss in Bruges, Belgium, the last place in the world Ray wants to be. (IMDB)
Featuring witty dialogue and deft performances, In Bruges is an effective mix of dark comedy and crime thriller elements.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Tropic Thunder (2008)
Satirical action comedy film written and directed by Ben Stiller, starring Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., and Tom Cruise.
Story: Through a series of freak occurrences, a group of actors shooting a big-budget war movie are forced to become the soldiers they are portraying. (IMDB)
With biting satire, plenty of subversive humor, and an unforgettable turn by Robert Downey, Jr., Tropic Thunder is a triumphant late Summer comedy.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Tropic Thunder among the top comedy films of the 2000s?
✓ The film received generally positive reviews, with critics praising the film’s characters, story, faux trailers, and the performances of Stiller, Downey, Black and Cruise.
✓ The film also appeared on several critics’ top ten lists of the best films of 2008.
The Hangover (2009)
American comedy film directed by Todd Phillips, starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis.
Story: Three buddies wake up from a bachelor party in Las Vegas, with no memory of the previous night and the bachelor missing. They make their way around the city in order to find their friend before his wedding. (IMDB)
With a clever script and hilarious interplay among the cast, The Hangover nails just the right tone of raunchy humor, and the non-stop laughs overshadow any flaw.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is The Hangover among the top comedies of the 2000s?
✓ Included among the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die.
✓ It was a critical and commercial success.
✓ Won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, and received multiple other accolades.
Zombieland (2009)
Post-apocalyptic zombie comedy film directed by Ruben Fleischer, starring Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg and Emma Stone.
Story: A shy student trying to reach his family in Ohio, a gun-toting tough guy trying to find the last Twinkie, and a pair of sisters trying to get to an amusement park join forces to travel across a zombie-filled America. (IMDB)
Wickedly funny and featuring plenty of gore, Zombieland is proof that the zombie subgenre is far from dead.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Zombieland among the greatest comedy movies of the 2000s?
✓ It was a critical and commercial success. It became the top-grossing zombie film in the United States at the time.
✓ Critics and audiences praised its humor, script and the performance of the principal cast.
500 Days of Summer (2009)
Romantic comedy-drama film directed by Marc Webb, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel.
Story: An offbeat romantic comedy about a woman who doesn’t believe true love exists, and the young man who falls for her. (IMDB)
A clever, offbeat romantic comedy, 500 Days of Summer is refreshingly honest and utterly charming.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is 500 Days of Summer among the greatest comedy films of the 2000s?
✓ It garnered favorable reviews and became a successful “sleeper hit”.
✓ Many critics lauded the film as one of the best from 2009.
✓ The film received Best Original Screenplay and Best Screenplay awards at the 14th Satellite Awards and 25th Independent Spirit Awards, respectively.
…end of the reel…
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