Who doesn’t appreciate a good laugh, right? Comedies do very well in the box office because, in part, people love to laugh. Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, improves mental and physical health, and even helps burn calories. What’s not to love? The great thing with this genre is that it’s very flexible and insertable into just about any type of film give it a fun edge. And sometimes, onscreen chemistry between actors give an otherwise D.O.A. project new life.
Some films see their best success from two actors that may not even share bill as main leads. Such is the case with Melissa McCarthy and Jason Statham in Spy (2015). Statham is definitely in the supporting actor role, but his interactions with his lead, McCarthy, is an absolute pleasure from the first scene to the last. Even animated chemistry can move the giggle gauge. Sherk (2001), starring Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz can attest to finding chemistry in a different kind of lab, a sound lab.
This list is by no means to be intended as a “best of the best” in the eyes of critics, audiences, box office performance, or even myself for that matter. Instead, this is a roster of films that fall into the genre of Comedy while happening to fit nicely with the vibe of Paramount Pictures brand new action comedy adventure, The Lost City, in theaters Friday, March 25. Speaking of the number 25, this list consists of 25 feature films released over the last 25 years. There’s some symmetry for you readers.
Just Go With It (2011)
Danny and Katherine
His heart recently broken, plastic surgeon Danny (Adam Sandler) pretends to be married so he can enjoy future dates with no strings attached. His web of lies works, but when he meets Palmer (Brooklyn Decker)– the gal of his dreams — she resists involvement. Instead of coming clean, Danny enlists Katherine (Jennifer Aniston), his assistant, to pose as his soon-to-be-ex-wife. Instead of solving Danny’s problems, the lies create more trouble.
Palm Springs (2020)
Nyles and Sarah
While stuck at a wedding in Palm Springs, Nyles (Andy Samberg) meets Sarah (Cristin Milioti), the maid of honor and family black sheep. After he rescues her from a disastrous toast, Sarah becomes drawn to Nyles and his offbeat nihilism. But when their impromptu tryst is thwarted by a surreal interruption, Sarah must join Nyles in embracing the idea that nothing really matters, and they begin wreaking spirited havoc on the wedding celebration.
Knocked Up (2007)
Alison and Ben
Rising journalist Alison Scott (Katherine Heigl) hits a serious bump in the road after a one-night stand with irresponsible slacker Ben Stone (Seth Rogen) results in pregnancy. Rather than raise the baby on her own, she decides to give Ben a chance to prove he is father material. However, he is unsure if he is ready to be a parent, and both wonder if they would be compatible lifetime partners.
As Good As It Gets (1997)
Melvin and Carol
Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson) is an obsessive-compulsive writer of romantic fiction who’s rude to everyone he meets, including his gay neighbor Simon (Greg Kinnear), but when he has to look after Simon’s dog, he begins to soften and, if still not completely over his problems, finds he can conduct a relationship with the only waitress (Helen Hunt) at the local diner who’ll serve him.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
Peter and Sarah
Struggling musician Peter Bretter (Jason Segel) is better-known as the boyfriend of TV star Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell). After she unceremoniously dumps him, he feels lost and alone but makes a last-ditch bid to get over it by going to Hawaii. However, she and her new boyfriend (Russell Brand) are there in the same hotel.
Free Guy (2021)
Guy and Millie
When a bank teller (Ryan Reynolds) discovers he’s actually a background player in an open-world video game, he decides to become the hero of his own story — one that he can rewrite himself. In a world where there’s no limits, he’s determined to save the day his way before it’s too late, and maybe find a little romance with the coder who conceived him.
Friends with Benefits (2011)
Jamie and Dylan
Jamie (Mila Kunis) is a New York-based executive recruiter who entices Dylan (Justin Timberlake), an art director from Los Angeles, to take a job at the New York office of GQ magazine. Finding that they have much in common, the two become fast friends. Feeling jaded by a number of broken romances, Dylan and Jamie decide that they are ready to quit looking for true love and focus on having fun. However, complications unfold when the two best pals add sex to their relationship.
Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008)
Zack and Miri
Lifelong friends and now roommates, Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) are buried under a mountain of debt. When the electricity is turned off, they realize that desperate times call for desperate measures. They decide to make an adult film to raise some cash. Though they swear that having sex will not damage their friendship, their business proposition quickly turns into something much more.
Long Shot (2019)
Fred and Charlotte
Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogen) is a gifted and free-spirited journalist who has a knack for getting into trouble. Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron) is one of the most influential women in the world — a smart, sophisticated and accomplished politician. When Fred unexpectedly runs into Charlotte, he soon realizes that she was his former baby sitter and childhood crush. When Charlotte decides to make a run for the presidency, she impulsively hires Fred as her speechwriter — much to the dismay of her trusted advisers.
Undercover Brother (2002)
Undercover Brother and Sistah Girl
Blasted from the past and ready to take care of business, “Undercover Brother” (Eddie Griffin) is recruited to infiltrate a sinister underground movement headed by The Man. Partnered with the sassy, stunning Sistah Girl (Aunjanue Ellis), our hero must first undergo the ultimate attitude adjustment and trade in his ‘fro and platforms for tennis sweaters and penny loafers. Once the transformation is complete, he’s ready to take on the evil perpetrators of Operation Whitewash.
We’re the Millers (2013)
David and Rose
Small-time pot dealer David (Jason Sudeikis) learns the hard way that no good deed goes unpunished; trying to help some teens, he is jumped by thugs and loses his cash and stash. Now, David’s in big debt to his supplier and — to wipe the slate clean — he must go to Mexico to pick up the guy’s latest shipment. To accomplish his mission, Dave devises a foolproof plan: He packs a fake family into a huge RV and heads south of the border for a wild weekend that is sure to end with a bang.
There’s Something About Mary (1998)
Mary and Ted
Ted’s (Ben Stiller) dream prom date with Mary (Cameron Diaz) never happens due to an embarrassing injury at her home. Years later, Ted hires Pat Healy (Matt Dillon) to track down Mary so he can reconnect with her. Pat lies to Ted about Mary and he finds out everything he can about her to trick her into dating him. Ted travels to meet Mary and has to weave through the web of lies that Pat and Mary’s friend Tucker (Lee Evans) have woven to try and win her over.
Shrek (2001)
Shrek and Fiona
Once upon a time, in a far away swamp, there lived an ogre named Shrek (Mike Myers) whose precious solitude is suddenly shattered by an invasion of annoying fairy tale characters. They were all banished from their kingdom by the evil Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow). Determined to save their home — not to mention his — Shrek cuts a deal with Farquaad and sets out to rescue Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) to be Farquaad’s bride. Rescuing the Princess may be small compared to her deep, dark secret
Licorice Pizza (2021)
Alan and Gary
The story of Alana Kane and Gary Valentine growing up, running around and falling in love in the San Fernando Valley, 1973. The film tracks the treacherous navigation of first love.
Spy (2015)
Susan and Rick
Despite having solid field training, CIA analyst Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) has spent her entire career as a desk jockey, working hand-in-hand with dashing agent Bradley Fine (Jude Law). Using high-tech equipment and a hidden earpiece, Susan is the guardian angel who helps Bradley avoid danger. However, when Bradley is assassinated by Bulgarian arms dealer Rayna Boyanov (Rose Byrne), Susan wrangles her way into her first undercover assignment to help capture Boyanov and avenge Bradley.
Don Jon (2013)
Jon and Barbara
New Jersey bartender Jon Martello (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) knows what’s important: his friends, his family, his car, his church, his sexual conquests — and porn. In fact, Jon is a porn addict and has never had a genuine relationship with a woman. However, when he meets Barbara (Scarlett Johansson) he has to change his operating methods, because Barbara won’t be bedded easily. For the first time in his life, Jon begins a real courtship, but his obsession with erotica threatens to ruin everything.
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2008)
Dewey and Darlene
Following a childhood tragedy, Dewey Cox (John C. Reilly) follows a long and winding road to music stardom. Dewey perseveres through changing musical styles, an addiction to nearly every drug known and bouts of uncontrollable rage, until finally, he wins the heart, but not necessarily the body, of his loyal backup singer, Darlene (Jenna Fischer).
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
Austin and Vanessa
Spoof of 1960s spy films, in which cryogenically preserved secret agent Austin Powers (Mike Myers) is revived in the present day. Once synonymous with style, Powers soon realizes that his vocabulary, fashion sense and attitude to women are hopelessly out of date. He enlists the help of a decidedly modern woman to help him adjust to the 1990s and vanquish his old adversary, Dr Evil.
The LEGO Movie (2014)
Emmet and Wyldstyle
Emmet (Chris Pratt), an ordinary LEGO figurine who always follows the rules, is mistakenly identified as the Special — an extraordinary being and the key to saving the world. He finds himself drafted into a fellowship of strangers who are on a mission to stop an evil tyrant’s (Will Ferrell) plans to conquer the world. Unfortunately for Emmet, he is hopelessly — and hilariously — unprepared for such a task, but he’ll give it his all nonetheless.
Identity Thief (2013)
Diana and Sandy
Florida resident Diana (Melissa McCarthy) has a luxurious lifestyle as the queen of retail, buying whatever strikes her fancy — and it’s all free, thanks to Sandy Patterson (Jason Bateman), a guy from Denver whose identity she stole. With just one week to track down Diana before his world implodes, the real Sandy heads south to confront the unapologetic con artist and bring her back to Denver so that he can clear his name and restore his shattered credit rating.
Game Night (2018)
Max and Annie
Max (Jason Bateman) and Annie’s (Rachel McAdams) weekly game night gets kicked up a notch when Max’s brother Brooks arranges a murder mystery party — complete with fake thugs and federal agents. So when Brooks gets kidnapped, it’s all supposed to be part of the game. As the competitors set out to solve the case, they start to learn that neither the game nor Brooks are what they seem to be. The friends soon find themselves in over their heads as each twist leads to another unexpected turn over the course of one chaotic night.
Trainwreck (2015)
Amy and Aaron
Ever since her father drilled into her head that monogamy isn’t realistic, magazine writer Amy (Amy Schumer) has made promiscuity her credo. As much as she enjoys an uninhibited life free of commitment, Amy is really in a rut. While writing a profile about charming and successful sports doctor Aaron Conners (Bill Hader), she finds herself actually falling in love for the first time — and what’s more, Aaron seems to like her too. Amy starts to wonder if it’s time to clean up her act.
Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Rachel and Nick
Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) is happy to accompany her longtime boyfriend, Nick (Henry Golding), to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore. She’s also surprised to learn that Nick’s family is extremely wealthy and he’s considered one of the country’s most eligible bachelors. Thrust into the spotlight, Rachel must now contend with jealous socialites, quirky relatives and something far, far worse — Nick’s disapproving mother.
The Lovebirds (2020)
Leilani and Jibran
On the brink of breaking up, Leilani (Issa Rae) and Jibran (Kumail Nanjiani) get unintentionally embroiled in a bizarre murder mystery. As they get closer to clearing their names and solving the case, they need to figure out how they, and their relationship, can survive the night.
Taxi (2004)
Andy and Belle
After a slew of traffic accidents, police Detective Andy Washburn (Jimmy Fallon) has his driver’s license revoked by his lieutenant (Jennifer Esposito), who also demotes him. One day on duty, Andy hears of a bank robbery and hails a taxi driven by Belle (Queen Latifah), a new cabbie. During a chase, they lose the robbers, a group of models led by Vanessa (Gisele Bündchen), and Belle’s taxi is impounded. Andy promises to get the car back for Belle if she helps him catch the thieves.
