Summary
These are the tenbest comedy moviesof the year as of June 2024. Overall, the first half of 2024 has quietly been a great year for innovative and original comedy movies even though many of these great films don’t have the box office numbers to back them up.2023 saw a surge of interest in classic screwball romantic comediessuch asNo Hard Feelings, starring Jennifer Lawrence and a breakout performance from Andrew Barth Feldman, and thehilariousAnyone But You, which saw the highly topical onscreen pairing of Glen Powell (Top Gun: Maverick) and Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria).
Yorgos Lanthimos' celebrated Oscar-winning filmPoor Thingsstarring Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, and Mark Ruffalo also fell into the realm of dark comedy, among many other subgenres.The Holdovers, another2024 Oscar winnerfrom director Alexander Payne (The Descendants,Sideways), is also classified as a holiday comedy/drama hybrid. Thebox office success ofBad Boys: Ride or Dieis also a great sign of the state of the modern action comedy blockbuster. There are still many highly anticipated comedy releases to look forward to in 2024, such asDespicable Me 4,Deadpool & Wolverine, andBeetlejuice Beetlejuice.
Every Comedy Movie Releasing In 2024
Comedy movies are having a resurgence in 2024 with promising titles set to release throughout the year, from original films to remakes and reboots.
Argylle
Cast
Argylle is an action thriller by director Matthew Vaughn. The movie centers on an introverted novelist who is thrown into the real world of espionage after the plot of her most recent spy thriller parrels the crimes of an underground syndicate. Argylle has a star-studded cast, including Henry Cavill, Bryce Dallas Howard, Dua Lipa, and Samuel L. Jackson, among others.
Matthew Vaughn’s highly anticipated spy movie features an ensemble cast led by Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston, and Catherine O’Hara. Of course, there is also Henry Cavill sporting an unforgettable haircut, as well as John Cena, Ariana DeBose, Richard E. Grant, and pop star Dua Lipa. While certain cast members appear in the film much more often than others, Vaughn’s ambitiousArgylleis full of twists and turnsthat will certainly leave viewers guessing, or questioning, what will happen next.
Argyllespoofs many standard genre tropes of the spy action thriller which makes for plenty of humorous moments. Argylle underperformed at the box office, but Vaughn has plans to expand hisArgylleseries with the addition ofseveral prequels, sequels, spinoffs,and potentially even aKingsmancrossover.Argylleis available to stream exclusively on Apple TV+.
Babes
After becoming pregnant from a one-night stand, Eden leans on her married best friend and mother of two, Dawn, to guide her through gestation and beyond.
From the hilarious mind ofBroad Cityco-creator Ilana Glazer,Babesis one of the standout original comedies of 2024. The film is co-written by Glazer and Josh Rabinowitz (Broad City,Ramy) and directed by Pamela Adlon, who notably played Pamela in the celebrated comedy seriesLouie(2010-2015) and Sam Fox inBetter Things(2016-2022).Babesfollows lifelong friends named Eden (Glazer) and Dawn, played by Michelle Buteau (Survival of the Thickest), as Eden chooses to pursue pregnancy alone after a one-night stand.
Given the iconic comedic genius ofBroad City, it’s no surprise that Babes features the same type of signature humor from the beloved Comedy Central series that ran from 2014 until 2019.Babesis one of the highest-rated comedies of the year on Rotten Tomatoes, receiving an impressive critic score of 91%.Babesis currently screening in select theaters.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire continues the story of a new generation of ghost hunters composed of Phoebe (Mckenna Grace), Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) and Podcast (Logan Kim), who received help from the original team in the previous movie. Paul Rudd returns as Gary Grooberson and franchise co-creator Ivan Reitman returns to write and produce.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empiresees the return of the originalGhostbusterscast members Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson. The film also stars Paul Rudd, who reprises his role from the previousGhostbustersinstallment from 2021,Ghostbusters: Afterlife,alongside co-star Carrie Coon. While some viewers didn’t findGhostbusters: Frozen Empireto be as enjoyable asGhostbusters: Afterlife, it still marks a notable entry into the beloved franchise that has had a history of misfiring with its sequels.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empireobviously leans into the realm of supernatural, fantasy, sci-fi, and adventure genres, meaning there is plenty more to offer throughout the movie than punchlines alone.Ghostbusters: Frozen Empireis directed and co-written by Gil Kenan (City of Ember, Monster House) along with Jason Reitman (Ghostbusters: Afterlife,Juno,Up in the Air).Ghostbusters: Frozen Empireis available to rent or buy on VOD.
Kung Fu Panda 4
Kung Fu Panda 4 is the fourth film in the animated martial arts adventure franchise. The film will see Po leave his home and enter the city to search for his future Dragon Warrior replacement while dealing with a dangerous shapeshifting foe known as The Chameleon.
Kung Fu Pandais one of the most profitable animated movie franchises of the 21st century, earning more than $2.36 billion worldwide across four separate installments. The most recent film of the celebrated series, Kung Fu Panda 4, is already the most profitable installment of the Kung Fu Panda franchise, earning more than $545 million worldwide against a franchise-low production budget of just $85 million. The budgets for the other threeKung Fu Pandafilms were $130 million, $150 million, and 140 million, respectively.
Kung Fu Panda 4sees the return of the irreplaceable Jack Black as protagonist Po and features a fantastic ensemble cast that includes Awkwafina, Viola Davis, Dustin Hoffman, Bryan Cranston, Seth Rogen, and more. Movies starring Jack Black are typically best known for their laughs.Kung Fu Panda 4is available to rent or buy on VOD.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is a World War II film depicting a British Army unit’s covert operations against Nazi forces. The movie focuses on the Special Operations Executive, a clandestine organization established by Winston Churchill, whose unconventional tactics helped shape modern black operations.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfareis the second 2024 comedy starring Henry Cavill. From writer and director Guy Ritchie,The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfareis based on a true story about the real-life Special Operations Executive that was founded by Winston Churchill, who is widely considered to have started modern “black ops” in the UK. Despite its historical and dramatic premise, the film is very much an action comedy that is full of Ritchie’s signature style.
Cavill lets loose inThe Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfarein one of his most entertaining movies sinceMission: Impossible - Fallout(2018).The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfaremarks the first reunion between Henry Cavill and Guy Ritchie since the celebrated 2015 spy thrillerThe Man from U.N.C.L.E.The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfareis available to rent or buy on VOD.
Mean Girls (2024)
Mean Girls is a reimagining of the 2004 classic comedy film as a musical, directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr. When Cady Heron and her family move from Africa to the United States; she experiences a culture shock when she enters the public school system for the first time. While trying to fit in, she is roped into the popular but superficial and cruel clique, the Plastics.
The classic Tina Fey comedyMean Girlsgot a musical remake in 2024, and it ended up being one of the best comedies of 2024. The film successfully captures the essence and themes of the original instant classic comedy from 2004, which is not surprising since Fey returned to write the screenplay for the 2024 redux. 2024’sMean Girlsfeatures a new slate of female leads playing high school teenagers such as Angourie Rice and Reneé Rapp, and features performances from Jenna Fischer, Tim Meadows, John Hamm, and a surprise cameo from Lindsay Lohan. As one of the first movies that came out in 2024, it left a lasting impression.Mean Girlsis available to stream exclusively on Paramount+ and MGM+.
Ricky Stanicky
Directed by Peter Farrelly, Ricky Stanicky is a comedy film that follows three friends, Dean, JT, and Wes, who create an imaginary friend as children to shield themselves from their various misdeeds. Now grown up and with their own families, the trio of friends is caught in a tricky situation when they’re forced to prove the man’s existence to their significant others - and they decide to hire a former celebrity to bring the lie to life.
Ricky Stanickymarks Zac Efron’s return to comedy after the 2019 stoner comedyThe Beach Bumstarring Matthew McConaughey, Snoop Dogg, and Isla Fisher. Efron has starred in a number of notable comedies such as the 2014 classicsNeighborsandThat Awkward Moment. He has also recently flexed his dramatic acting muscle in the outstanding wrestling dramaThe Iron Clawfrom A24. Like Jake Gyllenhaal’s recentRoad Houseremake,Ricky Stanickywas released exclusively on Amazon Prime Video and features John Cena as well as comedic actors Andrew Santino (Dave) and Jermaine Fowler (Sorry to Bother You). The film was directed by Peter Farrelly, the acclaimed director ofDumb and Dumber,There’s Something About Mary, andFever Pitch.Ricky Stanickyis available to stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
Lisa Frankenstein
Lisa Frankenstein is a comedic fantasy-horror film by first-time director Zelda Williams and is a twist on the classic Frankenstein formula. Set in 1989, a high school outcast named Lisa accidentally revives a handsome corpse from the Victorian era and resolves to rebuild him into the perfect man.
Lisa Frankensteinwas written by Diablo Cody, the acclaimed screenwriter ofJuno(2007) andJennifer’s Body(2009). The film stars Kathryn Newman ofFreaky(2020) andBig Little Lies(2017-2019) acclaim and pairs her alongsideRiverdaleandBig Daddyactor Cole Sprouse. Despite being a box office flop, earning a worldwide total of just under $10 million, the film is already being considered a future cult classic and is being celebrated amongst viewers for its highly original story and nostalgic themes. Critics who likedLisa Frankensteinapplauded the film’s sharp and comedic screenplay as well as the performances from its great cast.Lisa Frankensteinis available to stream exclusively on Peacock.
Hit Man
Hit Man centers on a mild-mannered professor involved in police sting operations as a fake hit man. His life spirals into chaos when he unexpectedly falls for a potential client, initiating a series of unforeseen complications and dilemmas.
The new Glen Powell film features theTop Gun: Maverickbreakout star in his most versatile role yet, playing a loner college professor who moonlights as an assassin for his local police department.Hit Manalso became Powell’s highest-rated movie of his acting career afterearning a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, slightly getting the edge over the massively successful box office hitTop Gun: Maverick.Hit Manis full of interesting twists and cleverly toys with the concept of identity through Powell’s dual portrayals of Ron and Gary, but still effectively carries some familiar tropes of beloved action comedies.
Hit Man’scastis also led by Adria Arjona who plays Madison, the unexpected love interest of Powell’s Gary Johnson. Madison believes that Gary is actually Ron, a stylish, confident, and very dangerous trained assassin. Already considered one of thebest movies of Richard Linklater’sextensive career as a director and screenwriter,Hit Manblends several genres to create a well-balanced mix of screwball/romantic comedy, action-inspired thriller, and classic film noir.Hit Manis available to stream exclusively on Netflix.
The Fall Guy
The Fall Guy is an action thriller from Bullet Train and Deadpool 2 director David Leitch. Ryan Gosling stars as a stuntman who is forced to find a missing movie star, investigate a conspiracy, and repair his relationship with the love of his life. The film was written by Drew Pearce and inspired by the 1980s TV series of the same name.
The Fall Guystars Ryan Gosling in his highly-anticipated follow-up to 2023’s highest-grossing film,Barbie. It’s also a massive love letter and tribute to the history of stuntmen and stuntwomen in Hollywood, featuring several wild stunts while offering glimpses of behind-the-scenes movie magic.The Fall Guyis part romantic comedy, part action comedy, and 100% crowd-pleasing fun. Gosling shines alongside Emily Blunt, and a stellar supporting cast of Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, Winston Duke, and a late cameo from Jason Mamoa make this easily one of director David Leitch’s best and most passionate films.
Outside of being a hilarious comedy,The Fall Guymakes a clear and direct effort to raise awareness about the historic lack of recognition of stuntwork at the Academy Awards. Not only does it achieve this point by including real-life stunt workers in the movie, and featuring Gosling as a resilient, death-defying stuntman in the lead role, but it also mentions the lack of recognition in the movie itself. Leitch (Atomic Blonde,Deadpool 2,Bullet Train) was also a former stuntman himself, which makes the message even more resoundingly intentional and felt while still being hilarious and entertaining.The Fall Guyis currently screening in select theaters.
