Ridham Vashishth
In an era where fast-paced thrillers and edge-of-the-seat dramas reign supreme, there’s something refreshingly timeless about a good comedy. Think about it: While special effects might age and drama tropes may evolve, a laugh remains timeless. Comedy movies, with their perfect blend of wit, charm, and heart, have a unique capability to heal, evoke hearty laughs, and sometimes even provide a reflective mirror to society.
As we navigate the streaming galaxy, Paramount+ emerges as a treasure trove of rib-tickling gems that tick all the boxes for an ideal comedic experience. From slapstick situations to clever satirical commentaries, this platform houses it all. And while humor is undeniably subjective, this list promises a laughter guarantee, serving up a range of comedic flavors for every palate. Dive in, and let the joyous world of comedy on Paramount+ carry you away!
11. All the Wrong Ingredients (2024)
‘Ratatouille’ meets ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ in Nicholas Livanos’s ‘All the Wrong Ingredients.’ When Ben Fitzgerald, a young, driven chef, is given the opportunity to become an A-lister, he teams up with his imaginary friend to cook the perfect dessert. As he loses himself in his endeavor, his life starts falling apart. Starring Joshua Trevilcock, Jonathan Bouvier, and Emily Gesi, ‘All the Wrong Ingredients’ is a rare mind-bending comedy that denies being put in a single genre and entertainingly so. You can watch it here.
10. School of Rock (2003)
This movie will, at some point, make you wonder how it would have been if you had a teacher who taught you rock and roll. We have Jack Black as Dewey Finn, a rock band guitarist who was fired from his band and made his way into the most prestigious prep school as a substitute teacher. However, instead of teaching the kids what he is supposed to do, he tries to light the fire of rock within them and surprisingly helps them realize their talents and feel better about themselves. They even form a band known as The School of Rock, turning what should have been an education into a revolution. Whacky, entertaining, and touching, this Richard Linklater directorial is a must-watch comedy drama. You can watch it here.
9. The Lost City (2022)
Starring Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, Daniel Radcliffe, and Brad Pitt, ‘The Lost City’ is an action comedy that centers on Loretta Sage (Bullock), an author/recluse whose adventure novels speak of a handsome protagonist, Dash. Dash is portrayed by Alan Caprison (Tatum) as the cover model for her novels. While the two people don’t get along well, when Loretta is kidnapped by billionaire Abigail Fairfax, Alan sets off to rescue her. Fairfax believes that Loretta based her adventures on true historical research she carried out with her late explorer husband. This is why he wants her to help him find a treasure on a remote island. Will Alan be able to rescue Loretta in time? To find out, you may watch the movie here.
8. Grown Ups (2010)
Dennis Dugan’s ‘Grown Ups’ follows a group of friends who reunite after a long time at their school basketball coach’s funeral. Together, they plan a trip to a vacation house, with the rest of the movie filled with gags, one-liners, and hilarious moments as the families enjoy time together. Starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James, David Spade, Chris Rock, and Rob Schneider as the besties, ‘Grown Ups’ is your choice of comedy when you don’t want to apply your brain but just enjoy what you are seeing. If you want to find out what going nuts means for a bunch of family men, ‘Grown Ups’ is a good choice. It can be streamed here.
7. Seven Psychopaths (2012)
‘Seven Psychopaths’ is a riveting satirical crime comedy film, the brainchild of director and writer Martin McDonagh. This film sees Colin Farrell portraying Marty, a screenwriter caught in a dilemma of crime after his friends (Christopher Walken and Sam Rockwell) make a rather audacious move by kidnapping a gangster’s Shih Tzu. The gangster in question, a role brought to life by Woody Harrelson, is not one to be trifled with.
The ensemble cast is further enhanced by the likes of Tom Waits, Abbie Cornish, Olga Kurylenko, and Željko Ivanek. ‘Seven Psychopaths’ is recommended not just for its dark humor and sharp wit but also for its meta-commentary on storytelling and the chaotic dance of violence and comedy. It explores the eccentricities that shape human behavior in extreme situations. Feel free to check out the movie here.
6. The Naked Gun (2025)
A reboot of the cult classic ‘The Naked Gun’ franchise starring Leslie Nielsen, ‘The Naked Gun’ features Liam Neeson as Lieutenant Frank Drebin Jr., son of Frank Drebin Sr. (played by Nielsen). The movie shows how he solves two cases: a bank robbery led by a guy named Sig Gustafson (Kevin Durand) and the doubtful suicide of software engineer Simon Davenport. Simon’s sister Beth (Pamela Anderson) assists Frank in the case and also becomes his love interest. Wacky humor that has been well-curated to fit the ‘Naked Gun’ vibe and Neeson’s ironic, serious acting make the movie an authentic reboot/installment in the cult classic franchise. You can watch the Akiva Schaffer directorial here.
5. Zoolander (2001)
Directed by Ben Stiller, ‘Zoolander’ stars Stiller along with Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell, and Christine Taylor. The movie tells the story of Derek Zoolander, who has won the title of VH1 Model of the Year three times. However, when Derek’s rival model, Hansel, breaks his streak, he is crushed. This is when he is approached by fashion guru Mugatu for the latter’s new fashion collection. However, unbeknownst to Derek, Mugatu intends to brainwash him and use him to assassinate the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Will the evil Mugatu’s plan be successful? To find out, you can watch ‘Zoolander’ here.
4. The Dictator (2012)
Larry Charles’ ‘The Dictator’ is an immortal black comedy drama featuring Sacha Baron Cohen as antisemitic Admiral General Haffaz Aladeen, the dictator of a fictional republic of Wadiya. Hated for his dictatorial views, something that makes him a target for the American military, Aladeen arrives in the US to make himself clear at a UN council. However, he is also the target of his uncle Tamir Mafraad, who wants to kill him and become the new dictator of Wadiya. The movie is a brilliant commentary on dictatorship and addresses the various issues of world politics head-on, thereby becoming controversial for many viewers. Nevertheless, Cohen’s performance makes ‘The Dictator’ a beloved comedy classic. It also stars Ben Kingsley, Anna Faris, Jason Mantzoukas, and Megan Fox. You can watch it here.
3. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
Directed by Adam McKay, this satirical comedy-drama stars Will Ferrell and Christina Applegate as anchorman Ron Burgundy and upstart reporter Veronica Corningstone, respectively, in a 1970s male-dominated world of broadcast news. Burgundy has been a part of the fictional KVWN Channel 4 for a long time. He gets sexually involved with Corningstone and eventually gets jealous of her success. He ends up making a grave mistake on air that costs him his job. How he redeems himself both professionally and for Corningstone is what follows in this laughter riot of a movie. Joining Ferrell and Applegate, we have Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, and David Koechner. You can stream ‘Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy’ here.
2. Men in Black (1997)
At the center of ‘Men in Black’ is the eponymous organization, AKA MIB, which takes care of all things extraterrestrial. To expand, the organization allows the good aliens to stay on Earth if they want to, gets rid of the bad ones, and protects Earth from alien issues. Former police officer James Darrell Edwards III is recruited into the MIB agency by Agent K/Kevin Brown. Together, they must prevent an alien race from destroying Earth. For this, they must find what is called the Orion’s belt, and that too quickly because the clock is ticking. The movie stars Tommy Lee Jones as Agent K and Will Smith as Agent J. With a brilliant onscreen chemistry that comprises Jones’ “professional” demeanor and Smith’s “rookie” humor, ‘Men in Black’ offers an entertaining watch for viewers of all ages. It can be enjoyed right here.
1. Tropic Thunder (2008)
One of the best satirical comedies out there, ‘Tropic Thunder’ is directed by Ben Stiller. It follows a group of actors involved in making the greatest Vietnam War film. However, after their director dies after stepping on a landmine, the group finds itself in the territory of the Flaming Dragon gang. After one of them is captured by the gang, the rest of the actors decide to put their lives on the line and rescue him by putting their method-acting skills to the test. The film’s star-studded cast includes Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Matthew McConaughey, Bill Hader, and Tom Cruise. A must-watch drama, ‘Tropic Thunder’ can be watched right here.
Read More: Best Comedy Movies on Peacock
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