We’re gonna miss these funny movies from their original platforms. The good news is, you can click on the titles below to find each film’s new streaming home!
The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)
Making a comedy star of Steve Carrell in the same year the US version of The Office premiered, Judd Apatow’s directorial debut is among his most likeable films, with so much heart that the even the most adolescent moments are imbued with a sweetness and charm that can be hard to come by in the sex comedy. The story of a man’s bid to lose his V-card late in life, The 40 Year Old Virgin is nearly 20 years old and as fun and adorable as ever.
About Time (2013)
A charming, if not quite mind-blowing rom-com from Richard Curtis, starring Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, and Bill Nighy (although we could have done with more Bill Nighy, as ever). Following a man with the power to redo past moments in his life, About Time is the filmic equivalent of a hot chocolate or a packet soup; sure it’s not gourmet, but it’s sweet, warm, and easy. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need. Review by Amelia Berry
American Pie (1999)
In today’s oddly chaste age it’s hard to explain the chokehold this tale of teen boys trying to lose their virginity had on the adolescents of yesteryear. Yet, not so long ago, the lewd misadventures of Jason Biggs, Sean William Scott, Chris Klein et al. had an entire generation at its knees. Though these characters would be met by a very different reception today, it’s still hard to resist the charms of the quintessential 90s sex comedy. Review by Katie Parker
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
The man, the myth, the legend. Has anyone ever come close to what Mike Myers did with Austin Powers? A parody of James Bond that had no right to be as good as it was, the first film in what would become the world’s funniest trilogy remains a masterpiece of modern satire. Packed full of sight gags, innuendo, and undeniably genius setpieces, the world has never been the same since.
Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)
Haters who think that this is the worst Austin Powers movie, I see you—and even kind of agree with you. Yet while it lacks some of the heart possessed by its predecessors (partly due to a total lack of chemistry between Myers and love interest Beyonce), there is still so much comic genius at play in 2002’s Goldmember that any misgivings are eclipsed by a profound sense of gratitude that we got three of these movies in our lifetime.
Best In Show (2000)
Christopher Guest’s 2000 mockumentary following the behind the scenes drama of the prestigious Mayflower Dog Show is easily one of the greatest comedies of our time, a cult classic and a favourite of pop star Ariana Grande who dressed as Jennifer Coolidge’s character for Halloween in 2022. With the kind of ensemble comedy cast dreams are made of and a relentlessly hilarious script, Best In Show is comedy royalty.
Black Sheep (2007)
Featuring a bevy of Aotearoa’s best talent and demonstrating our affinity for pitch-black humour, Jonathan King’s quintessentially Kiwi tale of a man (Nathan Meister) whose fear of sheep turns out to be justified is New Zealand horror comedy at its best. Employing B-movie madness and some truly revolting moments of grotesque violence, Black Sheep’s take on the zombie movie is both hilarious and genuinely freaky.
Blades Of Glory (2007)
Inexplicably immortalised by the sample of Will Ferrel’s pep talk to Jon Heder featured in a certain infamous song by Jay Z and Kanye West, Blades of Glory is far more than a mere bizarre pop culture reference. Released in Ferrel’s golden era this send-up of of the world of figure skating sees him at his best while milking the comedic potential of its plot for all its worth.
Blockers (2018)
With a more progressive attitude and diverse cast than the sex comedies of yesteryear, 2018’s Blockers still captures all of the crude charm of its predecessors with its story of a group of parents attempting to stop their daughters losing their virginity on prom night. Starring John Cena, Leslie Mann, and Ike Barinholtz alongside an excellent young supporting cast, Kay Cannon’s film takes an intelligent approach to the subject matter without sacrificing laughs.
Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)
A razor sharp send up of Gen Z culture, Halina Reijn’s 2022 comedy-horror follows a group of 20-somethings whose hurricane party goes badly wrong when members of their group start dying horrible deaths one by one. Starring Amandla Stenberg, Rachel Sennott, Lee Pace, and Pete Davidson, Bodies Bodies Bodies is the blackest of black comedies, and features one of the best (and funniest) twists in recent movie history.
Boy (2010)
These days Taika Waititi seems to be better known for directing goofy Marvel movies, but his sophomore feature from way back in 2010 is still probably his best work. Shot in Waititi’s hometown of Waihau Bay, Boy is an intimate and funny film, speaking to something essential about New Zealand life that isn’t often depicted on screen. Review by Katie Parker
The Breaker Upperers (2018)
Standing staunchly in that very New Zealand comedy tradition of wide-eyed, dead-pan ridiculousness, The Breaker Upperers is about two friends who run an agency that helps people break up. Written, directed by and starring Madeleine Sami and Jackie van Beek, this ia a big-hearted comedy about the power of friendship. Review by Amelia Berry
Bridesmaids (2011)
Considered a breakthrough for female-led comedy, Paul Feig’s 2011 film following a disillusioned woman’s (Kristin Wiig) misadventures while preparing to serve as maid of honour in her best friend’s wedding was a critical and commercial hit—and over a decade later, it still holds up. On the surface a crass, gross out comedy befitting producer Judd Apatow’s signature style, Bridesmaids also succeeds as a wry deconstruction of female friendship. Review by Katie Parker
Buffalo ’66 (1998)
For all his flaws (and there are quite a few), Vincent Gallo’s contributions to cinema are not to be underestimated—and Buffalo ‘66, his 1998 indie comedy is good enough to instantly erase all memory of his edge lord antics. Following an ex-convict (Gallo) who kidnaps a tap dancer (Christina Ricci) and forces her to pretend to be his wife in a plot to impress his parents, this strangely sweet little comedy is a cult classic for a reason.
But I’m a Cheerleader (1999)
Following an all-American teen cheerleader sent to a conversion therapy camp when her straight-laced parents suspect her of being a lesbian, Jamie Babbit’s wry 1999 satire was lightyears ahead of its time. Starring Natasha Lyonne and Clea DuVall alongside New Zealand’s own Melanie Lynskey, But I’m A Cheerleader’s combination of edgy humour and heartfelt romance polarised critics on release—and make it more than worthy of its cult status today. Review by Katie Parker
Chicken Run (2000)
From Aardman Animations, the studio behind beloved claymation sensations Wallace and Gromit, at just 84 minutes long Chicken Run is a masterclass in tightly-timed comic brilliance. The story of a flock of chickens who plan an escape from a prisoner-of-war style egg farm, the 2000 film paired charm, wit and actually very effective action sequences with a surprisingly sophisticated political subtext, to become one of modern cinema’s best animated comedies.
Clueless (1995)
Nearly 20 years on from its release, the legacy of teen comedy Clueless only continues to grow, and for good reason. An update of Jane Austen’s classic Emma with the action relocated to upscale Beverly Hills, this movie has it all: incredible outfits, a makeover montage, quotable catchphrases, and a star-making performance from 90s angel Brittany Murphy. Fun, funny and insanely influential, it’s always the right time to watch Clueless.
Come To Daddy (2019)
From Kiwi director Ant Timpson, this gleefully gory, entirely unpredictable horror-comedy follows a reunion between an estranged father and son (Martin Donovan and Elijah Wood) is balls-to-the-wall insane and the perfect hidden gem for comedy lovers looking for something off the beaten track. Shocking, sharp and a lot of fun, this darkly comic flick is a guaranteed good time for anyone who likes their humour on the bizarro side.
Crazy Stupid, Love (2011)
A sweet, good natured romcom with a big heart and a top tier cast, 2011’s Crazy, Stupid, Love sees long married man Cal (Steve Carell) turn to young playboy Jacob (Ryan Gosling) for advice—and a makeover—when his marriage hits the skids. Costarring Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Marisa Tomei and Kevin Bacon, this feel-good crowd-pleaser is smarter and sharper than it would have you think—and actually features a pretty good twist.
Dazed And Confused (1993)
When Parker Posey uttered the lines “What are you looking at? Wipe that face off your head, bitch”, the world changed forever. The same could be said for Matthew McConaughey’s “I get older, they stay the same age”. But while a few key quotes from Richard Linklater’s 1993 teen comedy carry forth the film’s cult legacy, its enduring appeal is down to its funny and affectionate take on the rites and rituals of adolescence.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)
Vanquish all thoughts of 2011’s ill-advised gender-swapped remake from your mind—Frank Oz’s 1988 conman comedy is as clever and charming as ever. Starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine as two con men competing to swindle an heiress (Glenne Headly) out of $50,000 in the South of France, this delightfully adroit feat of comic timing is the kind of harmless fun that we need now more than ever.
Dual (2022)
Set in the not so distant future, this pitch black science fiction satire follows a woman (Karen Gillan) who, after unexpectedly recovering from a terminal illness, must face a fight to the death with the clone who was created to replace her. Employing a Yorgos Lanthimos-esque stylisation and taking an incredibly original approach to some very complex ideas, Dual further establishes director Riley Stearns as one to watch.
Eagle Vs Shark (2007)
Before he was known best for taking Marvel’s Thor movies to zany new places (and marrying Rita Ora) Taika Waititi was your go-to-guy for cringey Kiwi indie comedy. Eagle vs Shark, his feature length directorial debut, proves that he had star power long before being hijacked by Hollywood. Starring Jemaine Clement and Loren Horsley as the most awkward potential lovers cinema has ever seen, this whimsical romantic comedy is full of quirky humour.
Easy A (2010)
Establishing Emma Stone’s prowess as a comedienne (a muscle she doesn’t stretch often enough if you ask me) Easy A was one of the last great teen comedies of the 2000s. Inspired by The Scarlet Letter and following a high schooler whose lie about losing her virginity spirals wildly out of control, Stone and co-star Amanda Bynes are pitch perfect in this incredibly fun satire.
Eighth Grade (2018)
It’s almost shocking that Bo Burnham wrote and directed Eighth Grade. Of course, Burnham’s other work has proven he can do clever and funny, and his lockdown Netflix special Inside has made him a near household name, but Eighth Grade’s tender and poignant portrayal of a girl finding her place in the world proves that Burnham has real insight and talent as a film-maker. The essential coming-of-age film of the 2010s.
Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)
Taking the 2023 Academy Awards by storm, action-adventure-comedy Everything Everywhere All At Once made history as A24’s highest-grossing film, garnering widespread critical acclaim and commercial success with its story of multiverse madness. Following a woman (Michelle Yeoh) who finds herself and her family embroiled in a battle across parallel universes whilst in middle of an audit with the IRS, this irreverent, ambitious and very funny film is a must-see.
Falling For Figaro (2021)
Very much the kind of movie you watch with your auntie, Falling For Figaro stars Dumplin’s Danielle Macdonald as a fund manager who wants to give up her high-powered business lifestyle and become an opera singer in Scotland (philosophy of the world etc.). What really makes it worth watching though is its supporting cast. Joanna Lumley as a faded ex-opera star! Hugh Skinner from Fleabag! Shazad Latif a.k.a Clem Fandango from Toast of London! Low-key fun. Review by Amelia Berry
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Created with the kind of stop-motion animation that is as creepy as it is charming, Wes Anderson’s 2009 adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s book turns its source material into a surprisingly adult heist comedy that is brimming with Anderson’s signature dry wit. Following former career criminal Mr. Fox (George Clooney) as he attempts one last big caper, the film is quirky, cute, and one-of-a-kind.
Fargo (1996)
Joel and Ethan Coen’s blackly comic 1996 crime film may have inspired an entire anthology TV series—but there has still never been anything quite like this entirely original absurdist masterpiece. Starring Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare, and William H. Macy, this deceptively simple, deliciously deadpan tale of monstrous greed and humanistic goodness is a cult classic for a reason.
Free Guy (2021)
Starring Ryan Reynolds as a videogame NPC who becomes self-aware, Free Guy feels like a throwback to the kind of effects-heavy high concept action comedies that were everywhere before the superhero boom. With a great turn from Taika Waititi as a villainous tech CEO, this is easy, fast-paced fun. Review by Amelia Berry
The French Dispatch (2021)
This very, very Wes Anderson comedy is a series of vignettes set in mid-century France, which feels like the result of an exclusive diet of old Pathé films and Salinger short stories. Of course, this is all set off by a fantastic ensemble cast including Timothée Chalamet, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, and too many more to list here. Review by Amelia Berry
Friends With Benefits (2011)
Starring Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake as the titular friends, Friends With Benefits is one of those crowd-pleasers that you probably know exists but has blended into the haze of early 2010s lightly raunchy romantic comedies. Shockingly, it’s actually pretty great, with the leads both more than proving their comedy chops, and great cameos from the likes of Woody Harrelson, Jason Segal, Emma Stone, and Andy Samberg. Review by Amelia Berry
The Girl Next Door (2004)
Watch on NetflixYet another comedy that underperformed in its time only to go on to cult classic status, 2004 film The Girl Next Door’s story of a former porn star’s burgeoning romance with a nerdy high schooler was far sharper than initially assessed. Starring Emile Hirsch and Elisha Cuthbert, the titillating premise belies a surprising amount of heart embedded in the film’s humour—and for all its horny teen boy energy, even succeeds in evading stereotypes about sex workers. Review by Katie Parker
Girls Trip (2017)
One of the biggest comedy box office hits in recent years, Malcolm D. Lee’s 2017 comedy Girls Trip saw Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Tiffany Haddish, and Jada Pinkett Smith as four best friends go on vacay to New Orleans, with delightfully raunchy results. Packed with brilliantly brazen, hysterics-inducing set pieces, Girls Trip is the kind of joyfully R-rated romp the world needs more of right now.
Hitch (2005)
Sure, Hitch is a movie about a relationship coach struggling to let love into his own life, but really it’s a movie about watching Will Smith do what Will Smith does best; be charismatic and charming. With a surprisingly grounded performance from Kevin James, and Eva Mendes at her cinematic peak, really the only thing letting down Hitch is that it doesn’t include the Will Smith song Switch (obviously written as the theme tune). Review by Amelia Berry
Hot Fuzz (2007)
Making a film as comedically brilliant as Shaun Of The Dead is something most filmmakers might hope for once in a lifetime, but when Wright reunited with Pegg and Frost again in 2007, lightning struck twice. Hot Fuzz sees a hotshot London cop (Pegg) transferred to the picturesque but mundane rural village of Sandford, where he investigates a series of unexplained and hilariously gruesome deaths. Invoking everything from Point Break to The Wicker Man, Hot Fuzz is cinematic satire at its best.
The Inbetweeners (2011)
Created to cap off the conclusion of the hilarious, beloved British comedy series of the same name, The Inbetweeners movie is every bit as crudely funny as fans would expect. Following Will, Simon, Jay and Neil as they embark on a lads holiday to Malia to celebrate leaving school, shenanigans inevitably ensue as the boys come of age in the Crete sunshine.
Jackass Forever (2021)
A symphony of stupidity. Johnny Knoxville and co return to the world of getting hit in the nuts and setting themselves on fire twelve years on from the last film in the Jackass series. Weirdly, while Jackass used to seem edgy and nihilistic, with the way the world’s gone there’s something almost wholesome about the simple joy of getting bitten on the dick by a snapping turtle. – Amelia Berry
Reunited after more than a decade, the fourth instalment of the Jackass film series sees the crew older but definitely not wiser, and still up for all the juvenile antics we know and love them for. Imbued with a strangely moving nostalgia, Jackass Forever is an infectiously exuberant last hurrah for the recklessness and absurdity of a time long ago. – Katie Parker
Joyride (2021)
Looking for something a little more risqué? Adele Lim’s feature directorial debut, which follows a group of American-Chinese friends who travel to China for a business trip, quickly descends into a romp that fans of gross-out gags will adore. Crude, crass and featuring some incredibly funny set pieces, this raunchy comedy is also full of heart—and proves that female directors are more than capable of getting down and dirty with the best of them.
Knocked Up (2007)
The slacker comedy that started it all (for writer-director Judd Apatow at least), Knocked Up launched Seth Rogen as the world’s favourite lay-about stoner in this comedy following the unexpected pregnancy that follows a one-night stand. Signalling the start of an era of films keen to capitalize on this contemporary incarnation of the everyman, the film’s story of a man-child coming-of-age as he faces fatherhood remains the gold standard for the genre.
La La Land (2016)
Damien Chazelle’s follow-up to the acclaimed Whiplash, La La Land is a weird and ambitious movie. A tribute to the golden age of Hollywood musicals, it feels like it wants to pull in a dozen directions all at once, it’s just that excited about The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. Thankfully, it’s anchored by strong and starry-eyed central performances by Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. Worth finding out what all the fuss was about. Review by Amelia Berry
Licorice Pizza (2022)
Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza is a gorgeous love-letter to California in the 1970s and a wistful meditation on the weird purgatory of adolescence. Starring Alana Haim (yes, from the band) and Cooper Hoffman (yes, the son of Philip Seymour Hoffman), this bitter-sweet coming of age story is a must watch. Be warned though, it is a PT Anderson film so expect some odd ambiguity and nagging discomfort amongst the San Fernando sunshine.
Little Nicky (2000)
The names ‘Adam Sandler’ and ‘Netflix’, when used together, have not in recent years been signifiers of quality. But while the likes of Murder Mystery 2 and The Ridiculous 6 are best avoided, the glow of his glory days cannot be extinguished. Little Nicky, the story of the devil’s son sent on a mission to earth to retrieve his bad boy brothers, harks back to Sandler’s unappreciated golden era, when fabulously lowbrow humour reigned supreme.
Love Actually (2003)
Yes, 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. Review by Katie Parker
Mars Attacks! (1996)
With an insanely stacked all-star cast including Jack Nicholson, Danny Devito, Annette Bening, Sarah Jessica Parker, Pierce Brosnan, Jack Black, Glenn Close, Tom Jones and a very young Natalie Portman, Tim Burton’s 1996 sci-fi satire is an under-appreciated gem. Following an invasion carried out by a race of bizarrely big headed aliens and the hilariously inept attempts of humanity to stop them, Mars Attacks! is a dark, gleefully chaotic cult classic.
Meet The Parents (2000)
“I have nipples, Greg. Can you milk me?” If you were not among the lucky members of society to hear these words come out of Robert De Niro’s mouth before they were parodied ad nauseam for the decade that followed Meet The Parents’ 2000 release, then all I can say is: I’m sorry. An instant hit, the tale of one man’s (Ben Stiller) stay with his in-laws launched two sequels, a sitcom and a reality series—and remains a classic today.
Millie Lies Low (2021)
Starring up and coming Kiwi star Ana Scotney, this local comedy gem sees a lie spiral out of control when a neurotic young social media obsessive misses her plane from Wellington to New York. Unable to accept the shame of fumbling the bag, she uses her online profile to pretend that the trip went ahead and that she’s living out her dreams in the big apple—but finds faking it is harder than it seems.
Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Wes Anderson at his sweetest and most sentimental, this is a retro coming-of-age story about two 12-year-olds falling in love and running away from the world. Choc full of Peter Pan collars, boy scouts, and with a truly memorable Françoise Hardy needledrop, Moonrise Kingdom taps into childhood wonder or at least a larger-than-life twee pastel imaginary of it. Review by Amelia Berry
My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)
Starring 90s rom-com queen Julia Roberts at the peak of her glory days, My Best Friend’s Wedding may be one of the best ever entries to the genre. It follows a woman attempting to sabotage the nuptials of her lifelong friend and secret crush (Dermot Mulroney) in the hopes of having him for herself, up against the sheer cheeriness of Cameron Diaz’s fiance character.
Nobody (2020)
After failing to stop a home invasion, the seemingly boring and ordinary Hutch Mansell (Bob Odenkirk) is drawn back into the seedy and violent world of crime he thought that he’d left behind. Yes, Nobody is pretty much John Wick, but with Bob Odenkirk instead of Keanu Reeves. But, you know, why not? John Wick is great. Bob Odenkirk is brilliant. And the result is bloody, brutal, and slyly funny. Review by Amelia Berry
Notting Hill (1999)
You can’t go wrong with a bit of Richard Curtis, can you? At least, you couldn’t in the late 90’s. Coming just between Four Weddings and Bridget Jones (if you don’t count Bean, which we won’t), this isn’t just peak UK rom-com, it’s also a great showcase for stars Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. A sort of Roman Holiday for Generation X, Notting Hill absolutely deserves its iconic status.
Pineapple Express (2008)
A stoner-action-comedy may sound oxymoronic, but 2008’s Pineapple Express not only proved its existence—it perfected it. Starring Seth Rogen as an underachieving pothead who, along with his airheaded dealer (James Franco), becomes embroiled in a case of police corruption after accidentally witnessing a murder. Featuring Rogen at his adorably unwitting best, Pineapple Express is a highlight of producer Judd Apatow’s golden era.
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)
From Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone and Andy Samberg—better known as musical parody trio The Lonely Island—Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping follows pop-rap superstar Conner4real (Samberg) as he reckons with dwindling fame. Weaving together a slew of the kind of ingeniously witty, genuinely enjoyable pop parody songs for which Schaffer, Taccone and Samberg are famous, with a hilariously charming story told mockumentary style, Popstar is a foolproof crowd pleaser.
The Princess Bride (1987)
Haven’t seen The Princess Bride? Inconceivable! Widely considered a cult classic and a career best for director Rob Reiner, over 35 years since its release The Princess Bride remains one of the most quotable—and rewatchable—comedies of all time. Starring Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, and Wallace Shawn, this twist on the traditional fairytale combines action, romance and post-modern comedy to create one of modern cinema’s most beloved tales.
Sharp Stick (2022)
With Gen Z now discovering the wonders of Lena Dunham’s seminal early-2000s TV series Girls, the polarising former wunderkind is finally receiving the appreciation she deserves—and her sex comedy Sharp Stick proves she still has plenty more shockingly frank comedy up her sleeve. Exploring a young woman’s sexual awakening with her signature unapologetic realism, Dunham’s ability to find humour in all of life’s most awkward moments remains unmatched.
Shrek (2000)
Perhaps the greatest comedy, nay, piece of cinema of our time, more than 20 years on from its release, Shrek’s inspired musical choices, iconic voice performances, and witty, incredibly quotable one-liners remain as side-splitting today as ever. Set within a fairy tale world and following a grumpy ogre’s quest to reclaim his swampland, this classic of early CGI directed by Kiwi filmmaker Andrew Adamson is a bonafide modern masterpiece.
A Simple Favour (2018)
On the surface yet another melodramatic domestic thriller, Paul Feig’s gleefully silly 2018 black comedy turns the usually somber genre on its head. Following a widowed mummy-blogger (Anna Kendrick) who becomes obsessed with the mysterious disappearance of a glamorous new friend (Blake Lively), the increasingly bonkers twists come thick and fast in this deliciously twisted and delightfully campy flick.
Snatch (2000)
Guy Ritchie’s sophomore feature is cast in a very similar mould to his debut Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Stylishly shot, packed with big, fast-talking characters, and with a twisty tangly plot, it’s hard to hold the similarity against it so many years later. You might even wind up wishing we’d gotten a few more of these out of Richie (just maybe without Brad Pitt’s Irish accent).
Step Brothers (2008)
Perhaps the only film that is guaranteed to make me cry with laughter, Adam McKay’s Step Brothers is so insane, so crude and so relentlessly, gleefully silly, it is without comparison. The story of two spoiled adult men (Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly) who never left the nest and find themselves living together when their parents marry, Stepbrothers is a comedy classic that only gets better with repeated viewings. Review by Katie Parker
Suddenly 30 (2004)
Pitched as something of a gender-swapped version of Big, Gary Winick’s 2004 romantic comedy follows Jenna, a teen who makes a birthday wish to be 30 years old—which, with the help of some magic dust, comes true. Hilarity ensues as Jenna acts out her adolescent fantasy of adulthood, the highlight of which involves an impromptu line dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”. Starring a pitch-perfect Jennifer Garner, Suddenly 30 is one of the cutest romcoms of the 2000s.
Superbad (2007)
With its blend of sweetly awkward characters and wild gross-out situations, Superbad is not only a defining movie of the late 2000s, but one that’s set the pace for every subsequent teen buddy movie. Boasting a creative team that includes Seth Rogen and Judd Apatow, and brilliant central performances from Jonah Hill and Michael Cera, Superbad might make you cringe, it might make you wince, but it’ll definitely make you laugh.
The Sweetest Thing (2002)
Like all great art, Roger Kumble’s 2002 film starring Cameron Diaz, Selma Blair and Christina Applegate was misunderstood in its time, widely (and unforgivably) panned by critics. In today’s enlightened age, however, we can thankfully appreciate one of the few female-led sex comedies to be produced during the genre’s golden age. The sweetest thing of all? Netflix’s version appears to be the unrated version, meaning it features Blair, Diaz and Applegate’s infamous performance of “The Penis Song”.
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
Something of a spiritual sequel to Anchorman, Talladega Nights is really Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s collaboration in its purest form. It’s goofy, it’s puerile, it has the uncanny ability to lodge itself in the brains of impressionable fourteen year old boys, and if a Will Ferrell movie about NASCAR sounds like your cup of tea, then you’re going to bloody love it. Review by Amelia Berry
Together Together (2021)
You’d think that getting Ed Helms and Patti Harrison together would be a recipe for something pretty obscene. Instead, Together Together is an understated and touching comedy-drama about a lonely middle-aged man and his strained friendship with the surrogate carrying his child. Sad, poignant and funny. Review by Amelia Berry
Unpregnant (2020)
A road trip buddy comedy about two teenagers crossing state lines to seek an abortion, this film could easily have been preachy, pompous, or grim. Instead, it manages to strike a great balance between giddy hi-jinx and genuinely heartfelt character moments, driven largely by the chemistry between its leads: Haley Lu Richardson and Barbie Ferreira. A little bit Booksmart, a little bit Little Miss Sunshine. Review by Amelia Berry
The Witches of Eastwick (1987)
Worth watching for the cast alone, The Witches of Eastwick stars Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer as three frustrated single women in small-town Rhode Island, led astray by the devilish Daryl Van Horne (Jack Nicholson). A glossy and glorious classic of late 80’s comedy, if you haven’t seen this one already then you owe it to yourself to watch it right now. Review by Amelia Berry
The World’s End (2013)
The final instalment in Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg’s Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, The World’s End is a fittingly apocalyptic follow-up to Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead. With all the wit and charm of its predecessors (and a bit more action to boot) it explores friendship, ageing, and feeling alienated from your past, with a literal alien invasion and an extremely good Madchester soundtrack. Review by Amelia Berry
The Worst Person In The World (2021)
A coming-of-age comedy and tearjerker in one, Norwegian film The Worst Person In The World was among the most revered films of 2021 for good reason. Starring Renate Reinsve as Julie, a young torn between the forks in the world that appear in her personal and professional life, Joachim Trier’s melancholy yet masterful take on the hot mess trope is funny, sweet and exquisitely sad.
You’ve Got Mail (1998)
This quintessential cutesy 90s romcom represents the pinnacle of both Nora Ephron and Meg Ryan’s careers (and, arguably, Tom Hanks’ too) and crystallised that magical early internet, pre-9/11 era. With it’s story of an independent bookstore owner unwittingly falling in love with the guy putting her out of business over email, You’ve Got Mail is as enjoyable now for its out of date technology and ominous message about the destruction of small businesses, as it is Hanks’ and Ryan’s adorable foibles.
