Many of the best American comedies of all time changed the landscape of the genre in one way or another and hold up well today. What audiences find humorous varies from person to person, and as societal attitudes shift over time, so do the things people deem funny. As a result, it is easy for many comedy movies to become outdated fast, and while some of these films certainly have a dated joke or two, they are generally considered timeless and staples within the genre.
Comedy is a wide-ranging genre, with the roundup of the best American comedies of all time covering parodies, romantic comedies, black comedies, and more. While there is a strong argument to be made about several modern American comedies being considered some of the all-time best in the genre, these films range from the 1930s to the 1990s. Whether they are infused with clever social commentary meant to challenge the audience's relationship with sensitive subjects or they feature brazen, over-the-top displays of comedy simply meant to get a good laugh out of audiences, the power of a good comedy movie is undeniable.
10 It Happened One Night (1934)
Directed by Frank Capra
Romantic comedies are an ever-evolving subgenre that adapt to society's views on love, with certain components in Frank Capra's film, while certainly not as risky by today's standards, pushed boundaries in its depictions and discussions involving sex and romantic relationships at the time of its release.
It Happened One Night sees Claudette Colbert's socialite Ellie Andrews falling in love with Clark Gable's reporter Peter Warne after they start off on the wrong foot upon their first meeting. Colbert and Gable's chemistry is electrifying, and their humorous banter and interactions with one another make It Happened One Night a fun and refreshing watch decades later, despite the setup and tone of the film having been replicated numerous times since. It Happened One Night is the blueprint for modern rom-coms and one of the best American comedies of all time.
It Happened One Night is one of three movies to win all five major Academy Awards categories: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Actress.
9 National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)
Directed by Harold Ramis
Kicking off what would eventually grow to become the Griswold family for the first time. The film sees Clark (Chevy Chase) and Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo) Griswold traveling across the country to take their kids to the Walley World amusement park. In classic Vacation fashion, the trip doesn't go according to plan.
National Lampoon's Vacation sets a strong comedic tone for the remainder of the franchise and many family road trip films that followed. For as absurd as the Griswolds' adventures are in National Lampoon's Vacation, the film hits the nail on the head when it comes to capturing the restlessness that defines many family road trips. Clark's resolute attitude when it comes to giving his family the perfect vacation is often what leads to chaos for them, with Ellen, as the voice of reason, doing her best to keep things under control.
8 Harold And Maude (1971)
Directed by Hal Ashby
Though it didn't open to the warmest reception in the early '70s, Harold and Maude has gained a cult following in the decades since and is beloved as a one-of-a-kind dark romantic comedy. Bud Cort leads the film as the young death-obsessed Harold, who forms a unique friendship and eventual romance with the elderly, free-spirited Maude (Ruth Gordon). Many romantic comedies in the years before and since Harold and Maude's release see their characters exploring the meaning of life, but Colin Higgins' screenplay breathes new life into the familiar narrative.
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Harold and Maude's tone is drastically darker than the other great American comedies mentioned, but its central message about the meaning of life means the film is surprisingly uplifting. Harold and Maude balances its morbid elements with comedy well and remains humorous in even its darkest instances, including times when Harold attempts to scare off various computer dates by shocking them with gruesome acts of self-harm.
7 M*A*S*H (1970)
Directed by Robert Altman
Before becoming a beloved TV show on CBS, Robert Altman's M*A*S*H first introduced audiences to the memorable staff of a medical unit during the Korean War, made up of actors like Donald Sutherland, Elliott Gould, and Sally Kellerman. A war film isn't always the first place audiences expect to find humor, but M*A*S*H expertly injects fun hijinks into a story about war in a way that prompts audiences to laugh and invest in the relationships between the medical staff.
Though M*A*S*H is set during the Korean War, it was largely understood at the time of its release that much of the film's commentary was in response to the ongoing Vietnam War. To combat the horrors witnessed daily during this time, the characters in M*A*S*H engage in humorous antics as a means to keep their spirits alive. Equal parts funny and affecting, M*A*S*H successfully stands apart from other war movies and is one of the best American comedies of all time.
6 Groundhog Day (1993)
Directed by Harold Ramis
A film like Groundhog Day is only as strong as its leading performer, as much of the film is centered around the protagonist's seemingly never-ending journey to become a better person. Thankfully, Bill Murray's performance as the cynical weatherman Phil Connors easily captivates audiences. Groundhog Day follows Phil's odd and understandably frustrating predicament that has him repeating the same day over and over again. In spite of its repetitive setup, Groundhog Day is kept fresh as a result of Phil's wide-ranging emotions and various attempts to exit out of the time loop.
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Groundhog Day allows Murray to show his range as a dramatic actor, and while there is a necessary amount of sentimentality within the film to its uplifting themes, there is still lots of fun to be had with the movie as well. Beyond Groundhog Day's accomplishments as a heartfelt comedy, it has had a greater impact within the film industry, as its title is often used as a general descriptor for movies like Groundhog Day.
5 Some Like It Hot (1959)
Directed by Billy Wilder
Billy Wilder's Some Like It Hot, which was one of the first films preserved in the United States National Film Registry, holds up incredibly well, and it is just as refreshing today as it was in 1959. Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon's jazz musicians, Joe and Jerry, witness a mob-related hit at the beginning of the film, which prompts them to disguise themselves as women and an all-female band heading to Miami. Some Like It Hot is a mixed bag of comedy subgenres that includes elements of dark, romantic, and screwball comedies, as well as slapstick humor.
The element of romance comes into play when Joe (Curtis) attempts to win over the band's singer, Sugar (Marilyn Monroe). The quickness at which Some Like It Hot moves, in combination with Wilder and I. A. L. Diamond's clever script, has allowed the film to endure as one of the best comedies and cinematic achievements of all time. All the way to Some Like It Hot's memorable ending, the film is full of life and is consistently funny.
4 City Lights (1931)
Directed by Charlie Chaplin
Released at a time when talkies began to take over, Charlie Chaplin moved forward with his original idea for City Lights, which didn't include any audible dialogue. The film follows Chaplin's Tramp character, who falls in love with a blind woman (Virginia Cherrill), and his attempts to acquire enough money to pay for a treatment that would restore her vision. Chaplin wrote, directed, produced, edited, and helped compose City Lights' score, in addition to leading the film with his signature comedic flair.
The film's success is a testament to Chaplin's ability as an earnest storyteller.
Even though the popularity of silent films was diminishing during the time of City Lights' release, the film wound up being an immediate hit. The film's success is a testament to Chaplin's ability as an earnest storyteller. City Lights is regarded as one of Chaplin's best films for its ability to bring audiences to tears as a result of both genuinely funny and romantic moments.
3 The Philadelphia Story (1940)
Directed by George Cukor
Released at a time when divorce was considered a taboo subject, The Philadelphia Story earned positive attention for its hilarious and timeless narrative about a recent divorcee. The Philadelphia Story combines humor and romance in a plot that sees the wedding plans of Katharine Hepburn's socialite character, Tracy Lord, be derailed by her ex-husband and a magazine reporter, portrayed by Cary Grant and James Stewart, respectively. Donald Ogden Stewart's script is smart, and the chemistry between the three leads in a love triangle is truly captivating.
Though the film was remade as a musical in 1956 with Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, and Frank Sinatra, the power of Grant and Hepburn as a duo is at its peak in The Philadelphia Story, making the film a better version of the story. Additionally, Hepburn, whose career took a turn for the better following the film's release, had previously starred in Philip Barry's play of the same name, portraying Tracy, which adds to her superior comedic timing as the character in the film.
2 Airplane! (1980)
Directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker & Jerry Zucker
Aiming to parody the popular disaster films from the preceding decade, Airplane! is a classic spoof comedy that doesn't skimp on the number of jokes served to audiences. In the film, a severe case of food poisoning causes problems for the crew and engers aboard a flight, leading to a desperate attempt to land safely. The weight of the situation is downplayed by the surreal humor that defines Airplane! and the fast-paced comedy style that doesn't allow audiences much time to breathe.
Writers and directors Jim Abrahams, David, and Jerry Zucker do the most with what the comedy genre has to offer without ever truly overwhelming or wearing audiences out. The fun rotation of characters in Airplane! keeps the film moving at a quick pace and contributes to the film's iconic collection of movie quotes. Airplane! is a highly quotable film, which only adds to the film's enduring legacy and influence among American comedies.
1 Dr. Strangelove (1964)
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
Despite the numerous laugh-out-loud moments to be had with Dr. Strangelove and the three roles performed by comedian Peter Sellers, Stanley Kubrick's film never loses sight of its poignant, anti-war message. The film is centered around the efforts of politicians and other individuals to prevent a devastating nuclear strike. Dr. Strangelove is among Kubrick's most rewatchable films, and its timeless quality is evident in its stunning black and white visuals and sharp writing.
Sellers takes on the role of three separate characters in the film, and excels at making each one distinctly hilarious, particularly the film's title character. Additionally, Dr. Strangelove's pointed messaging and comedic excellence ensure the film's relevancy doesn't fade. Satirizing the Cold War and playing with the idea of mutually assured destruction, Dr. Strangelove stands out as Kubrick's best war movie and one of the greatest comedies the history of film has to offer.