NEON is home to a bunch of hilarious Hollywood classics, and even a few locally made laugh-riots: Katie Parker has handpicked the best of ’em for you below.
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Am I OK? (2024)
WATCH ON NEONThis sweet story of coming of age—and coming out—late in life is funny and authentic. Starring Dakota Johnson and Sonoya Mizuno as a pair of lifelong friends whose relationship is upended when a long-buried secret is revealed, the film is as relatable as it is witty.
Anyone But You (2023)
WATCH ON NEONTaking its cues from the Shakespeare-inspired, “will they or won’t they?” romcoms of the 2000s, Will Gluck’s fun and flirty film loosely reworks Much Ado About Nothing. The story is a bonafide crowd pleaser, starring hotties Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney as sworn enemies who reluctantly join forces at a wedding to try and win back their exes.
Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret (2023)
Watch on NeonBased on Judy Blume’s classic 1970 comedy of the same name, Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret is a coming-of-age comedy so heartwarming, life affirming, and joyful it could thaw the coldest of hearts. Following a formative period in the life of 11-year-old Margaret Simon as she adapts to the changes happening both outside and within her, Kelly Fremon Craig’s 2023 film understands and celebrates girlhood with an affection and humour that’s utterly infectious.
Asteroid City (2023)
WATCH ON NEONOver his decades long career, Wes Anderson’s brand of whimsical yet affectless comedy has been carefully honed into an instantly recognisable signature style—this ensemble sci-fi comedy proving that practice makes perfect. Featuring a slew of stars, including Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johannson, Edward Norton, and so many more, it’s a wryly hilarious 1950’s period piece that’s among Anderson’s best.
Barbie (2023)
WATCH ON NEONUnless you’ve been living under a rock you’ve probably caught wind of Greta Gerwig’s 2023 mega-hit, following the adventures of Mattel’s most famous plastic lady. Surprising naysayers everywhere with its clever, irreverent, and occasionally subversive sense of humour, Barbie more than earned the hype. From Gerwig’s pitch perfect satire of patriarchal structures to Ryan Gosling’s irresistibly hilarious performance of Oscar nominated song I’m Just Ken, this modern comedy classic never misses a beat.
Beetlejuice (1988)
WATCH ON NEONIt’s been over 35 years since the Juice first got loose, and if the success of 2024’s sequel is anything to go by, people haven’t lost their appetite for his delightfully sleezy style of comedy. Funny, dark, yet surprisingly sweet for a film about ghosts and ghouls, Tim Burton’s cult classic remains infectiously fun.
Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
WATCH ON NEONReleased to critical acclaim and commercial success in 2018, Crazy Rich Asians was the highest-grossing romantic comedy of the 2010s—for good reason. Based on Kevin Kwan’s best-selling book of the same name and starring an elite ensemble cast, it’s a fun, glitzy, glamorous take on the rom-com.
Drive Away Dolls (2023)
WATCH ON NEONEthan Coen’s first narrative film without his brother Joel, this winning and bawdy caper stars Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan as a pair of women making an impromptu road trip to Tallahassee. With an all-star supporting cast including Matt Damon and Pedro Pascal, it’s a fun and feisty buddy comedy.
The Holdovers (2023)
WATCH ON NEONAlexander Payne’s beautifully bittersweet and funny film follows a curmudgeonly New England boarding school teacher tasked with staying on over Christmas, to mind the boys with nowhere to go. Memorably pairing Paul Giamatti alongside Da’Vine Joy Randolph and newcomer Dominic Sessa, it’s a modern holiday classic.
Johnny English (2003)
WATCH ON NEONThe sort of comedy that was kind of made for watching with your parents, Rowan Atkinson’s spy spoof doesn’t exactly push the cinematic boat out. But despite being decidedly tame and very silly, it never fails to have me roaring with laughter (and entirely willing to go along with Natalie Imbruglia as a love interest for Mr. Bean). Pure buoyant fun with nothing weighing it down, this film is so dumb it’s genius.
Logan Lucky (2017)
WATCH ON NEONStephen Soderberg’s star-studded heist comedy may not have set the box office alight on its release in 2017, but it’s stood the test of time as a modern comedy gem. Following a down on his luck former coal miner plotting to steal millions from a speedway, Logan Lucky is a rollockingly spirited caper that deserves your time.
Love Actually (2003)
Watch on NEONYes, it’s a Christmas movie. Yes, you’ve seen it 50,000 times. Yes, it’s often needlessly grim. But Love Actually, which in the 20 years since it came out has become all but sacred in the hearts of many, is still to this day a very funny comedy. At its best when following Bill Nighy’s washed up pop star making a last-ditch cash grab with a Christmas jingle, Love Actually perfects pithy English comedy to earn its cult status.
Mamma Mia! (2008)
WATCH ON NEONCan Pierce Brosnan sing? No. Does that make him any less charming? Absolutely not. Schlocky, campy and absolutely irresistible, Mamma Mia! could melt even the most hardened cynic. Adapted from the iconic musical (assembled entirely out of the catalogue of everyone’s favourite Swedish pop group ABBA) a winning combo of cheesy comedy and gleefully zany performances of extremely catchy songs elevate this film to cult classic levels.
Men In Black (1997)
WATCH ON NEONIf the sight of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones side by side in suits and sunnies doesn’t immediately trigger the dulcet tones of “here come the men in black” in your mind, then wait not a moment longer to correct this obvious cognitive defect. As iconic today as it was on release in 1997, this slick, smart, super well executed sci-fi comedy showcases Smith’s prowess at the height of his career.
No Hard Feelings (2023)
Watch on NEONMany of us lament the dearth of sex comedies that once dominated the early 2000s box office: a call finally answered by 2023’s No Hard Feelings. Starring Jennifer Lawrence as a struggling slacker hired by a pair of overly anxious parents to deflower their socially awkward 19-year-old son (Andrew Barth Feldman) before he heads off to college. A rude, raunchy romp with all the sweetness of a romcom, No Hard Feelings is the answer to your sex comedy prayers.
Pork Pie (2017)
WATCH ON NEONStarring Dean O’Gorman, James Rolleston and Ashleigh Cummings, Matt Murphy’s remake of the classic 1981 local comedy more than lives up to the fun and free-spirited joy of the original. Following a trio of accidental outlaws on the run across Aotearoa in a stolen yellow mini, this hilarious road trip caper perfectly captures the quintessential Kiwi sense of humour.
Renfield (2023)
Where to watchHorror-comedy can be hit and miss, but with a healthy mix of gags and gore, this film gets it right. Following Dracula’s long suffering henchman’s attempts to free himself of his narcissistic boss, this buoyant, bloody blast is anchored by stars Nicolas Cage and Nicholas Hoult, putting an irreverent twist on the traditional vampire narrative.
The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018)
WATCH ON NEONFlying mostly under the radar when it was released in 2018, this female-led spin on the spy spoof genre is an adrenaline-filled good time. Following the recent ex-girlfriend (Mila Kunis) of a CIA agent who, along with her best friend (Kate McKinnon), is pursued by assassins when he mysteriously goes missing, this wacky, silly and pretty violent flick is a fun and fast-paced action-comedy.
The Wedding Singer (1998)
WATCH ON NEONFeaturing Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore in what could easily be considered career highs for both, The Wedding Singer nails the art of the romantic comedy in quintessential 90s fashion. Pairing Sandler’s knack for zany humour with the kind of sexual tension and romantic chemistry that come along maybe once in a Hollywood lifetime, this film remains an irresistibly good time.
You Hurt My Feelings (2023)
WATCH ON NEONCarrying on her tradition of gently interrogating the absurdity inherent in the niceties of modern middle class social life, Nicole Holofcener’s comedy-drama follows long married couple Beth (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and Don (Tobias Menzies), whose happy union is marred when novelist Beth overhears Don confessing that he doesn’t enjoy her writing . Hard truths are navigated with warmth, empathy and wry humour in this pleasantly low-key comedy.
This guide is regularly updated to reflect changes in NEON’s catalogue. For a list of capsule reviews that have been removed from this page because they are no longer available on the platform, visit here.
