Comedy and smart are not always synonymous terms, with humor sometimes relegated to the masses in the form of endless Adam Sandler movies. Yet, much like any other genre, it can touch on deeper issues or, more generally, offer an abstract way of looking at the world through its humorous approach. Sometimes a comedy movie’s ‘smartness’ can be deceptive, as even slapstick or gag-heavy films can subvert expectations to deliver small moments of profundity that cause viewers to self-reflect.
Here we celebrate humor with a little bit of brains behind it, presenting some of the smartest comedies ever made. From different eras, backed by some of the greatest directors and actors, these movies will make you think while also having a hearty laugh.
20
‘Trading Places’ (1983)
Starring the hilarious Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd, and Jamie Lee Curtis, Trading Places presents the effects of when the lives of an upper-class broker (Aykroyd) and a poverty-stricken man (Murphy) are switched. For just one dollar, the characters are taken through hell and back for the amusement of two greedy businessmen, Randolph and Mortimer Duke (Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche, respectively).
This film was an achievement because it confronted class, discrimination, and prejudice in hilarious ways that criticize the corrupting influence of money. While this movie shows that you can never truly understand a situation until it is brought upon you, it also sheds light on the power of money and how it can change a person. A comedic representation of capitalism at work.
19
‘The Other Guys’ (2010)
Any comedy movie with Will Ferrell is going to be worth your time. That is for sure. The Other Guys is no different. Along with the legendary Mark Wahlberg, the two star as two desk-bound detectives for the N.Y.P.D. They are not heroes, nor are they on good terms. However, when the department’s two elite yet expensive detectives, Danson (Dwayne Johnson) and Highsmith (Samuel L. Jackson), unexpectedly die on duty, there is a void in the department. That is when Gamble (Ferrell) and Hoitz (Wahlberg) must step in and become the heroes of the N.Y.P.D.
There are lots of buddy cop films out there, but it’s hard to find a funnier one than this Adam McKay classic. The film also shows that you can overcome your past mistakes and heartaches in the quest for redemption. Where it gets its clever label is in its deconstruction of cop-movie cliches, including killing the ‘cool’ cops to focus on a boring duo. Making that premise work as well as it does in The Other Guys is an impressive feat.
18
‘Back to the Future’ (1985)
Back to the Future, the iconic ’80s movie directed by Robert Zemeckis, follows Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) as he is accidentally sent back to 1955 by a time-traveling automobile built by his scientist friend, Doc Emmett “Doc” Brown (Christopher Lloyd). Stuck in the past, Marty accidentally prevents his parents from meeting and must get them back together so he can return to the future.
By taking seriously the dire consequences of Marty altering just one moment in the past, Back to the Future shows how important our decisions are in building a valuable future. Initially, Marty’s home life is fragmented, his father is powerless, his mother is overweight, and his siblings are lazy. However, after helping his father stand up for himself in 1955, Marty returns to the exact opposite. This humorous classic offers hope that even small changes can dramatically improve our futures. Moreover, the entire trilogy remains relevant decades later.
17
‘Due Date’ (2010)
The combination of Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis could not have been more perfect. Due Date tells the story of two different guys forced on a road trip together after they both get thrown off a plane after an altercation. Peter Highman (Downey) is an accomplished businessman looking to get on a flight home just in time for the birth of his first child. Ethan Tremblay is a hopeful, pot-smoking actor who is coming off the loss of his father.
They are completely different people, but in the end, they grow to become great friends. What unfolds is a character-driven, subversive road comedy that never looks down on its viewers, balancing smart jokes with a few absurd ones. Moreover, Due Date offers a great lesson about being careful about how you judge people.
16
‘Some Like It Hot’ (1959)
Some Like It Hot is a romantic comedy directed by Billy Wilder. Starring the legendary Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon, this film focuses on two musicians who, to escape vengeful mafia men, disguise themselves as women and join an all-female band. The film was a huge success, which was both to be expected (considering the cast) and a surprise (considering the subject). While the LGBTQ+-related themes in the plot have made the film popular today, it was not celebrated as much in the late 1950s.
However, that is what makes this movie so great — Some Like It Hot presented a progressive narrative of two men dressed as women without any connotations of sexuality or mental health. It challenged the limitations of the archetypal man and the view of a woman through a masculine lens. This movie did not portray a woman as weak or needy, but rather as independent and liberated. Monroe’s character, Sugar, was everything women were told not to be. Some Like It Hot comically went against conventions, daring to step over the line of normality and paving the way for comedies like Mrs. Doubtfire and Tootsie to be championed.
15
‘When Harry Met Sally’ (1989)
Written by Nora Ephron and directed by Rob Reiner, When Harry Met Sally is a timeless romantic comedy that asks whether a man and a woman can ever just be friends. Starring Billy Crystal (Harry) and Meg Ryan (Sally), the plot follows the title characters as they initially meet in Chicago and part ways before seeing each other again through a series of chance meetings over 12 years.
The relatable story of romantic confusion between male and female friends has resonated with many people over the years. Unlike other romantic comedies that opt for a rushed relationship, When Harry Met Sally is authentic, balancing humor with the importance of building a friendship and connection with someone. To many, the movie remains the best romantic comedy of all time.
14
‘Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story’ (2004)
Sometimes, some of the smartest comedy films ever made are the ones that are sort of stupid and goofy. That is certainly true with Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. How many films are out there that tell the story of adults playing a kid’s game for thousands of dollars? Not many. Peter La Fleur (Vince Vaughn) and his group of ragtag workout friends from Average Joe’s Gym are in danger of losing their gym. Their only way of raising money? Winning the grand prize of a dodgeball tournament in Las Vegas.
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story is one of the funniest sports movies of all time and one of the most cleverly crafted. This is because it sticks to its guns, subverting the sports underdog story by keeping its roster of lovable losers and weirdos’ self-indulgent throughout. Moreover, the movie explores the importance of never giving up on something so valuable to one’s life. In this case, it’s the gym for La Fleur and his friends.
13
‘Groundhog Day’ (1993)
Speaking of over and over again, living the same day on repeat only brings one word to mind: torture, which is what Phil Connors (Bill Murray) has to endure. A cynical weatherman covering the annual Groundhog Day event, Conners becomes trapped in a time loop and is forced to relive February 2nd repeatedly with no apparent way out. Groundhog Day allows everyone to stare their worst nightmare straight in the face and laugh as Phil Connors frustratingly wakes up to the same thing time and time again.
The film is relatable to anyone afraid of change, as people get caught in a repetitive routine until every day feels the same. When Phil stops blaming the world for his problems and accepts responsibility to be the agent of his positive change, things eventually start going in a better direction. Ultimately, there was a new beginning hidden under his suffering. Groundhog Day uses comedy as a way to inspire its audience to sit back, take a look at life, and appreciate what they have. If you dig a bit deeper into the comedy, you will find that Groundhog Day is a spiritual and philosophical masterpiece.
12
‘Liar Liar’ (1997)
Liar Liar is a comedy that is still providing stomach-clutching laughter to this very day. Directed by Tom Shadyac and featuring one of Jim Carrey’s best performances, this film tells the story of a deceptive lawyer who, after a birthday wish from his son, is unable to lie. Delivering many memorable scenes, such as Carrey’s breakdown in the courthouse bathroom, Liar Liar presents its audience with the consequences of not valuing our priorities and those around us.
While this outcome is somewhat exaggerated, it conveys that not appreciating those around you can lead to suffering. However, this film also creates a dilemma between lying and telling the truth. Throughout life, most of us have been told to always be honest and speak our minds; however, ‘white lies’ exist to keep things civil. When Carrey tells lies, he alienates himself from his family, but when he speaks the truth, he is humiliated both privately and publicly. It is the exploration of this middle ground that makes Liar Liar a clever comedy.
11
‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ (1988)
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is an intelligent movie about greed and deception, starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine as con men trying to swindle Glenne Headly out of $50,000. Here, the con men are portrayed as heinous as they have built a career out of tricking gullible women out of thousands, with Headly initially just another target. Yet, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels presents the men as suave, savvy, likable characters who the audience wants to see win.
Overflowing with moments of hilarity, the film simultaneously questions poor ethics and morals while also glorifying them. Consequently, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is clever because, just as the con men trick their victims with their undeniable charm, they deceive the audience in the very same way. The movie’s comedic beats are also subtle here, not necessarily hitting you over the head, but presenting believable scenarios as feuding con men try to outdo each other.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
