15 Best Comedy Movies of 2023, Ranked (2024)

Entertaining global audiences from every corner of the world, the comedy genre has always been a beloved one; when it comes to the film industry, it is no exception. Part of what makes the category so great is how it can easily be blended with other genres, resulting in tragicomedies, dark comedies, and other forms of humor.

With that being said, 2023 proved to have been great and also quite diverse for the comedy genre, with Greta Gerwig's joyful but provocative Barbie grossing over one billion worldwide and sweeping viewers off their feet with its inventive, comical premise. Towards the end of the year, Yorgos Lanthimos provided audiences with a very different take on the genre, leaning more towards the eccentric and surrealistic and managing to surpass expectations. From Flora and Son to The Holdovers, these are the best comedy movies of 2023, ranked by entertainment value and overall quality.

15 'No Hard Feelings'

Director: Gene Stupnitsky

Starring Jennifer Lawrence delivering a Golden Globe-nominated performance, No Hard Feelings follows Maddie's (Lawrence's messy but lovable character) quest to find a job on the brink of losing her home. When she comes across a couple trying to bring their introverted 19-year-old out of his shell before college, she quickly accepts the challenging mission and puts her skills to practice over the course of the summer.

Although it is not the best comedy film of 2023, Gene Stopnisky's fun movie is undoubtedly an entertaining viewing, offering tons of belly laugh moments despite its slightly controversial, at times even uncomfortable narrative (given the age differences between the two lead characters). Nonetheless, No Hard Feelings is worth checking out, sending valuable messages about class by presenting the struggles of working-class people, and ultimately, self-development.

Watch on Netflix

14 'You Hurt My Feelings'

Director: Nicole Holofcener

Blending the comedy and drama genres, You Hurt My Feelings centers around a novelist and creative writing teacher's (played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus) long-term marriage. Although her relationship with therapist Don (David Cross) is loving and healthy, the bond between the two is put to the test when she overhears her husband's thoughts on her last book.

Featuring solid acting by the two leads and witty dialogue, Nicole Holofcener's touching and bittersweet A24 film is engaging throughout, providing audiences with an intriguing study on long-term relationships, especially in middle age, as well as the deceit and emotional pain that comes. Despite its seemingly simplistic and comedic premise, You Hurt My Feelings is also elevated by its dramatic aspects, making for a solid dramedy.

Watch on Starz

13 'Joy Ride'

Director: Adele Lim

Starring the talented Stephanie Hsu, Sherry Colo, AshleyPark, and Sabrina Wu, Adele Lim's tender and irreverent girl's trip film tackles identity and friendship as it tells the story of four Asian American friends as they embark on a journey of self-discovery while traveling through China in search of one of their birth mothers.

What is so great about the well-written and seemingly lighthearted Joy Ride is how it flips stereotypes and provides an incredible self-exploration premise, absorbing audiences in its messy, though undeniably fun trip. Female friendship is also a recurring theme in Lim's movie, which is part of what makes it so tender and endearing. Plus, the comedic acting efforts — namely from Cola and Hsu — are top-tier. It is undoubtedly the right pick for a girl's night movie session.

Watch in Cinemas

12 'Dumb Money'

Director: Craig Gillespie

Based on the book The Antisocial Network by Ben Mezrich, Dumb Money tells the true story of a real-life Reddit trader, skillfully played by Paul Dano, who struggles to make ends meet for his family and is mocked by his brother (PeteDavidson) for posting his opinions on the stock market on YouTube. However, when his posts start blowing up, Keith finds his life taking a wild turn.

The ensemble cast is an appealing side to Craig Gillespie's movie. However, the engaging story revolving around GameStop stock unexpectedly taking Wall Street by storm in the year 2021 is also what makes it so good. Its approach is similar to The Big Short and The Social Network (the latter is also adapted from a novel written by Mezrich), resulting in an effective biographical comedy that will keep audiences invested.

Watch in Cinemas

11 'Dream Scenario'

Director: Kristoffer Borgli

This black comedy fantasy by Kristoffer Borgli — produced by the fan-favorite horror director Ari Aster — stars Nicolas Cage at its center. It invites audiences to take a sneak peek inside the life of Paul Matthews, a biology professor who begins making appearances in the dreams of strangers. Ultimately, Paul sees his life turned upside down when he sees himself forced to navigate his newfound stardom.

Dream Scenario was nominated for several awards when it premiered, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for Cage. Meditating on empathy, fame, and cancel culture, Borgli's movie features an impressively original screenplay that will steal some laughs out of viewers. Whether it be for its creative storytelling or top-notch acting, Dream Scenario deserves a spot among the best 2023 comedy movies.

Watch in Cinemas

10 'Flora and Son'

Director: John Carney

The heartwarming dramedy Flora and Son focuses on single mother Flora (EveHewson) and her rebellious 14-year-old son, Max (Orén Kinlan). Set in Dublin, this JohnCarney feature invites viewers to tag along as the two characters navigate a strained relationship. It sheds light on how music bonds this duo and, consequently, heals their emotional wounds.

Featuring great original songs that will bring audiences to tears and steal a smile out of them all the same, this music-infused watch truly incorporates the songs in its narrative in a compelling way. Not only does the lovely, heartwarming Carney film highlight the power of music and writing, making for a solid pick for those who feel deeply connected with any or both of those things, but it also tackles motherhood. Furthermore, Flora and Son is really well-acted.

Watch on Apple TV+

9 'Bottoms'

Director: Emma Seligman

Featuring two of the most promising young stars of their generation — The Bear's Ayo Edebiri and Shiva Baby's Rachel Sennott — Bottoms was one of this year's biggest surprises concerning the comedy genre. The Emma Seligman LGBTQ+ film focuses on two girls who start a fight club as a way to lose their virginities to cheerleaders. While this initially works, PJ and Josie attempt to find a way out when their plan is exposed.

A unique and refreshing movie of the genre, Bottoms is a flimsy, lighthearted comedy and very much the epitome of a silly Gen-Z movie. It serves as a satire of victimization and violence — it's as if Mean Girls and Fight Club had a baby. Drawing inspiration from those iconic films and with memorable characters audiences can't help but root for, the playful 2023 comedy is worth checking, benefiting from not taking itself very seriously and being unafraid of tapping into ridiculousness.

Watch on Fubo

8 'Beau Is Afraid'

Director: Ari Aster

Ari Aster's latest feature steps into tragicomedy ground by throwing drama, horror, and comedy into the mix. The anxiety-inducing absurdist film follows an anxiety-ridden middle-aged man (Joaquin Phoenix) who embarks on a nightmarish journey to get home to his mother (Patti LuPone).

While Beau Is Afraid isn't Aster's best film to date (it is a surreal movie that hardly appeals to everyone's taste), it is, nonetheless, a solid effort in the comedy genre. Featuring an ambitious film with terrifying world-building, this unsettling black comedy makes for a visceral watch that combines horror and comedy elements to fascinating results. Its trippy visuals that almost feel like a fever dream at times and Phoenix's performance are undoubtedly two of Beau Is Afraid's strongest aspects.

Watch on Hoopla

7 'May December'

Director: Todd Haynes

From the viewer's standpoint — especially considering the disturbing real-life history that inspired it — May December initially seems far from a comedy; after all, it is literally about grooming. The movie illustrates a married couple (Julianne Moore and Charles Melton) twenty years after their bizarre relationship gripped the nation. Their bond is put to the test when an actress (Natalie Portman) comes to stay with them to do research for a film about their past.

Despite the backlash from being nominated in the category and its heartbreaking and shocking narrative, Todd Haynes' drama still features some dark comedy elements. Being categorized as such and submitted to the comedy category at the Golden Globes, it would be a major omission not to include it on this list. With masterclass performances from all those involved (particularly Melton, who has proven to be a promising rising star), May December is one of the sharpest and most complex movies of 2023 and has certainly inspired a lot of conversations.

Watch on Netflix

6 'Asteroid City'

Director: Wes Anderson

Taking place in a fictional American desert town in 1955, the poetic Asteroid City follows a writer's (Edward Norton) play about a grieving father (Jason Schwartzman) who travels with his family (Jake Ryan, EllaFaris, GracieFaris, and WillanFaris) to a small rural city to compete in a junior stargazing event.

With Asteroid City and four Netflix shorts released this year, 2023 was far from a bad year for WesAnderson enthusiasts. While this sci-fi dramedy is arguably not as good as initially expected, it is still a great watch by the acclaimed director. As always, the visuals and acting performances did not disappoint. The deadpan humor, characteristic of most of Anderson's films, in addition to the quirky, unforgettable characters and star-studded cast, makes it impossible not to at least like the film. All in all, Asteroid City is a truly layered movie about the journey of self-discovery and the quest for the meaning of life.

Watch on Amazon Prime

5 'American Fiction'

Director: Cord Jefferson

In the utterly compelling American Fiction, a frustrated veteran writer of literary fiction (Jeffrey Wright) uses a pen name to write a book that launches him into the center of hypocrisy he claims to disdain after getting fed up with the establishment profiting from "Black" entertainment that relies on offensive tropes.

Cord Jefferson's directorial debut is nothing short of incredible. With a clever screenplay, this bold and biting social satire is touching, thought-provoking, and also hilarious. Not only does it reflect on our culture and its tendency to reduce people to stereotypes and put them into boxes, but it also sheds light on the price of Black success in a White-dominated industry. At its core, American Fiction is not only a sharp social commentary but also a heartfelt family drama film with an incredible ending.

Watch in Cinemas

4 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.'

Director: Kelly Fremon Craig

Directed by talented The Edge of Seventeen director Kelly Fremon Craig — who has proven to be an expert in the coming-of-age film genre — this big-screen adaptation of Judy Blume's seminal 1970 novel of the same name did not disappoint. The story follows the titular 11-year-old Margaret (Abby Ryder Fortson) as she is forced to settle in the suburbs of New Jersey after her life in New York. Margret navigates through puberty with new friends in a new school, often relying on the support of her mother (Rachel McAdams), who struggles with issues of her own.

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. is a charming tale that depicts adolescence honestly and authentically, shedding light on religion, puberty, identity, and other universal topics. Given that the 2023 comedy is sweet and comical in some instances but provocative and sensitive in others, it is a good pick for adults and younger audiences. In addition to the incredible and vulnerable acting efforts, what is so great about it is the way it pays homage to the original novel — which has impacted generations by breaking ground — and elevates it to even higher grounds by improving upon the source material.

Watch on Starz

3 'The Holdovers'

Director: Alexander Payne

Alexander Payne's new film, set in 1970s Massachusetts, follows a bad-tempered history professor (Paul Giamatti) at a New England prep school. He is forced to remain on campus during Christmas break to babysit the students who have nowhere else to go. He strikes an unlikely bond with a student (Dominic Sessa) and a grieving mother (Da'Vine Joy Randolph).

The Holdovers is a moving story about family and friendship, as well as healing and overcoming grief. What makes it stand out is how it depicts loneliness and isolation during such a treasured time of the year, shedding light on the other side of the coin that denotes those who do not have anyone to come home to. With a very humane premise and interesting characters, The Holdovers serves as a comedy as it does as a drama, with an inspirational story at its heart and three fantastic acting performances. Additionally, it is the perfect holiday viewing and will certainly be added to many seasonal watchlists for years to come.

Watch on Peaco*ck

2 'Barbie'

Director: Greta Gerwig

Chronicling Margot Robbie's Stereotypical Barbie journey from Barbieland to the real world after confronting a sudden identity crisis, Greta Gerwig's most recent film (and the highest-grossing of 2023, crossing $1 billion worldwide) depicts, through a truly entertaining narrative and incredible production design, the importance of self-discovery.

While Gerwig's movie is far from being a political, feminist manifesto, it has certainly stirred hilarious reactions to how it addresses the patriarchy — something that a big blockbuster hasn't done before, or at least not so straightforwardly. Be that as it may, the "Barbenheimmer" phenomenon has proven that maybe plastic really is fantastic and that Barbie is one of the biggest movies of the year as a result of its entertaining, joyful, and truly hilarious premise from start to finish (and even some inspiring, touching lines in between).

Watch on Max

1 'Poor Things'

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos

Like many films by the Greek filmmaker, Poor Things is a peculiar watch that sticks with viewers long after the credits roll. It tells the story of Victorian young woman Bella Baxter (Emma Stone in one of her most memorable and possibly challenging roles), who is resurrected by a scientist (Willem Dafoe) following her suicide. She then runs off with a lawyer (Mark Ruffalo) to embark on a self-discovery and sexual liberation odyssey.

Yorgos Lanthimos' movie is nothing short of weird and fantastic. Based on the open-ended novel of the same name by AlasdairGray, Poor Things blends the comedy, drama, fantasy, and science fiction genres and delivers a never-seen-before narrative heightened by Stone's impeccable efforts. The script is top-tier, as is its execution. Overall, the film fully displays that Lanthimos is among the most interesting filmmakers and storytellers working today.

Watch in Cinemas

NEXT: The Best TV Shows of 2023