Best Comedies of the 2010s
Imagine laughing so hard you nearly spill your LaCroix—yeah, the 2010s did that. The decade wasn't just a golden age of memes, TikTok dances, and avocado toast. It also gave us a treasure trove of laugh-out-loud comedies that—unlike your ex's mixtape—aged like fine wine.
But wait—weren't the 2010s just full of superhero flicks and sequels? Sure. But lurking between the capes and cash grabs were comedies that broke molds, poked fun at the system, and reminded us all that humor can be both smart and stupid at the same time.
Let's revisit 20 of the best. Not just the ones that topped box office charts—but the ones that genuinely made us laugh, sometimes through tears.
The Comedy Renaissance: 2010s Style
Hollywood in the early 2010s was like a moody teenager—awkward, unsure, but full of potential. Comedies had plateaued post-Apatow boom, and the genre needed a reboot. Enter: a fresh batch of voices who weren't afraid to get weird, political, or downright dirty.
From streaming services giving green lights to passion projects to a new wave of diverse creators flipping the script, the decade became a wild, hilarious ride.
Why the 2010s Were Peak Comedy
Think about it. This was the decade when studios let directors experiment. Writers weren't just punching down—they were punching up, sideways, and sometimes straight through the fourth wall. Comedies were no longer just “guy wants girl” or “let's party ‘til we puke.” They became… smarter. But not too smart. Just the right amount of dumb.
Also, Twitter happened. Meme culture collided with screenwriting, and suddenly, every joke had to land like a killer tweet.
Now the List is Complete: 20 Best Comedies of the 2010s
Here's a recap of all 20 films mentioned:
- Bridesmaids (2011)
- 21 Jump Street (2012)
- The Nice Guys (2016)
- Deadpool (2016)
- Booksmart (2019)
- Jojo Rabbit (2019)
- Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)
- Game Night (2018)
- The Big Sick (2017)
- Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
- Palm Springs (2020)
- The World's End (2013)
- Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
- Tucker and Dale vs. Evil (2010)
- This Is the End (2013)
- The Lego Movie (2014)
- The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
- Spy (2015)
- The Disaster Artist (2017)
- Swiss Army Man (2016)
Bridesmaids (2011)
This wasn't just a movie—it was a feminist fart in the face of the “women aren't funny” myth.
Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph showed the world that women could be gross, crass, lovable, and deeply human. Also, the dress shop diarrhea scene? Comedy gold. Writer Annie Mumolo once said they added that scene just to “mess with the studio”—and somehow, it stuck.
Fun Fact: Melissa McCarthy based her character on Guy Fieri. Let that marinate.
21 Jump Street (2012)
What happens when you give two of Hollywood's least likely comedic actors—Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill—a cop comedy with a meta twist?
You get a movie that roasts high school, action tropes, and itself. Tatum's gym teacher punchline? Iconic. This film didn't just reboot a TV show—it blew it up and danced on the ashes.
The Nice Guys (2016)
Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling playing bickering detectives in a 1970s LA noir? Yes, please. This was Shane Black firing on all cylinders, blending violence with humor like he was shaking a martini of chaos.
Why it worked: Gosling's physical comedy. That man falls down stairs like a seasoned clown.
Deadpool (2016)
This isn't your grandma's superhero flick. Unless she's into profanity and dismemberment.
Ryan Reynolds plays a self-aware mercenary with the comedic timing of a stand-up veteran. The jokes are rapid-fire, the references meta, and the emotional beats somehow real. Deadpool proved you could have R-rated chaos and still care.
Booksmart (2019)
What if Superbad was about smart girls instead of stoned boys?
Olivia Wilde's directorial debut is a whip-smart teen comedy that doesn't condescend to Gen Z—it celebrates their weirdness. Also, Billie Lourd's character is like a drug fairy godmother. Watch it for her alone.
Jojo Rabbit (2019)
Nazis. Hitler. A ten-year-old boy and his imaginary Führer friend. Sounds like a comedy setup for disaster, right?
And yet, Taika Waititi pulled it off. By making Hitler ridiculous, not terrifying, Jojo Rabbit finds its humor in absurdity—and its heart in resilience.
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)
Andy Samberg's hilarious mockumentary skewered celebrity culture so perfectly, it hurt. And then it flopped. But make no mistake—it's a cult classic.
If you've never seen “Finest Girl (Bin Laden Song),” prepare to laugh and question your life choices.
Game Night (2018)
A murder mystery party that turns into an actual mystery? With Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams at the helm, Game Night is as slick as it is silly. And that squeaky toy bullet scene? Comedy genius.
The Big Sick (2017)
Based on Kumail Nanjiani's real-life romance, this movie combines meet-cute charm with medical trauma. It's heartfelt without being sappy, and funny without being flippant.
Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
This wasn't just a romantic comedy—it was a cultural moment served with lobster dumplings. Crazy Rich Asians gave the rom-com a luxurious, high-gloss makeover while breaking ground as the first major studio film with an all-Asian cast in 25 years. And yes, Auntie Eleanor's stare could cut glass.
Palm Springs (2020)
Imagine Groundhog Day, but everyone's more self-aware, existentially exhausted, and a little drunk. That's Palm Springs. Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti bring sharp wit and heart to a time loop we actually want to be stuck in.
The World's End (2013)
The finale of Edgar Wright's Cornetto Trilogy. A pub crawl turns into an alien invasion. Think Shaun of the Dead, but with more beer, more existential dread, and surprisingly touching bromance beneath all the sci-fi chaos.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
Before Taika Waititi conquered the Marvel universe, he gave us this quirky gem. A grumpy survivalist and a misfit kid become unlikely fugitives in the New Zealand bush. Funny, heartfelt, and full of “majestical” moments.
Tucker and Dale vs. Evil (2010)
Two lovable hillbillies just want to fix up their cabin in peace—but a group of college kids mistake them for serial killers. This horror-comedy flips every slasher cliché on its bloody head. Pure brilliance.
This Is the End (2013)
What do you get when you trap James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, and Rihanna in a house during the apocalypse? Answer: this wonderfully bonkers, self-aware comedy where actors play deranged versions of themselves. Satan's, uh, “appearance” alone is worth the ticket.
The Lego Movie (2014)
Everything was indeed awesome. What could've been a lazy toy commercial turned into a whip-smart, hilarious meta-story about creativity, conformity, and Batman's emo phase. Oh, and Will Arnett's Batman? Iconic.
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Is it a comedy? A caper? A pastry-fueled fever dream? Wes Anderson's masterpiece is visually exquisite and filled with dry, razor-sharp humor. Ralph Fiennes delivers the most unexpectedly hilarious concierge performance in cinema history.
Spy (2015)
Melissa McCarthy goes from desk-bound CIA analyst to field badass, with one-liners sharper than a poisoned lipstick. Jason Statham plays a parody of himself and it's chef's kiss.
The Disaster Artist (2017)
James Franco becomes Tommy Wiseau in this so-bad-it's-good origin story of The Room. A love letter to bad filmmaking, it's bizarre, heartfelt, and proof that sometimes, passion trumps talent. (“Oh hi, Mark!”)
Swiss Army Man (2016)
Daniel Radcliffe plays a flatulent corpse. Yes, really. But somehow, this is a deeply moving comedy about loneliness, friendship, and the power of farts to guide you home. It's weird. It's poetic. And it's unforgettable.
Which comedy from the 2010s is most rewatchable?
Bridesmaids. Every time, it hits differently.
What's the most underrated 2010s comedy?
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping. Slept on, but pure gold.
Which film changed the genre the most?
Deadpool, hands down. It broke the fourth wall—and box office records.
Are there any great comedies outside the US?
Try Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) from New Zealand. Trust me.
What comedy holds up the best?
21 Jump Street. Still sharp, still hilarious.
Where can I stream these movies?
Most are on Netflix, Prime, or Hulu—but always check JustWatch.com for the latest.
Final Take
From super-stylized capers to raunchy R-rated romps, heartfelt indie gems to surreal farces—these 20 comedies didn't just make the 2010s funny. They made them unforgettable. They dared to be weird, bold, diverse, and often deeply human beneath the laughs.
So yeah, now the headline finally matches the goods. 😎
And if you haven't seen all 20? Well… what are you doing this weekend?
