Netflix has provided cinephiles with a lot of great movies since they began releasing their own titles in 2011. While the OG streaming giant made a splash with Lillyhammer as its first exclusive content, it was the soaring greatness of House of Cards, a critically acclaimed political thriller series which won many Emmys and other awards, that truly put Netflix on the map as a major player in the area of original productions.
One of the genres in which Netflix has impressed the most is comedy. While not all of their comedy films have been hits with audiences, fans must remember that comedy is the hardest genre to nail. Critics still found something to love in several of Netflix’s comedies that audiences largely panned, which could be due to the unique individuality of humor. Here are Netflix’s ten funniest original comedy movies so far.
10
‘A Family Affair’ (2024)
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Release Date
June 28, 2024
Runtime
111 Minutes
Director Richard LaGravenese’s A Family Affair is a 2024 romantic comedy starring Joey King, who has impressed in a diverse list of projects. She plays Zara, daughter to Nicole Kidman’s character, Brooke, who spurs chaos and family drama by diving into a romantic fling with her daughter’s movie star boss. Social media star turned comedy actress Liza Koshy, who is remembered for dominating the now-defunct social media app Vine, appears in the movie as Zara’s supportive best friend.
‘A Family Affair’ Is Funny for Its Absurdity
Many fans called out the strange element of a mother wanting to date a boss who is known for treating her own daughter terribly. Others considered the age difference between Efron and Kidman to be too unrealistic. The project is best enjoyed if fans don’t analyze the plot too closely, and simply enjoy the antics for the mindless entertainment that they are. Liza Koshy’s bubbly brightness is a high point of the movie.
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9
‘Vampires vs. The Bronx’ (2020)
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Release Date
October 2, 2020
Runtime
86 minutes
2020 release Vampires vs. The Bronx, directed by Osmany Rodriguez, centers on a trio of teenage pals who uncover an evil plot to destroy the neighborhood they call home. Jaden Michael, Gregory Diaz IV, and Gerald W. Jones III star as the three friends who must work together to ward off a flock of vampires. The PG-13-rated flick uses a nostalgic factor to create charm and laughs with a few scary moments thrown in.
A Campy Horror With a Meaningful Message
Fans have praised the project for creating an atmospheric vibe reminiscent of an 80s or 90s horror comedy. Although it appears to be mainly targeting an audience of kids, all audiences can sympathize with the characters and appreciate the gentrification metaphor. There is also a heartfelt coming of age element. Niche jokes and references that will probably only be caught by people from New York or the Caribbean are sprinkled throughout for another layer of humor.
8
‘Win It All’ (2017)
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Win It All
Release Date
March 11, 2017
Runtime
88 Minutes
Cast
Jake Johnson
, Aislinn Derbez
, Joe Lo Truglio
, keegan-michael key
, Nicky Excitement
, Rony Shemon
, Adrian Jasso
, José Antonio García
Win It All‘s title references its high-stakes themes, as it chronicles the story of Eddie Garrett, a small-time gambling addict who finds himself caught up in temptation when he agrees to provide safe-keeping for a cash-filled bag as a favor to a friend who is heading off to prison. Eddie is played by Jake Johnson, who also co-wrote the screenplay.
A Smart and Heartfelt Comedy
Win It All is lovable for its straightforward, easy-to-follow, very believable plot. With so many movies getting bogged down in confusing complications, keeping it sleek and simple is a good strategy for the comedy genre, which audiences usually watch in order to relax. The only complaint may be that the film is a bit sadder than viewers may have expected.
7
‘A Futile and Stupid Gesture’ (2018)
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A Futile and Stupid Gesture
Release Date
January 24, 2018
Runtime
101 minutes
Cast
Will Forte
, Domhnall Gleeson
, Martin Mull
, Neil Casey
, Jon Daly
, Nelson Franklin
, John Gemberling
, Rick Glassman
, Seth Green
, Harry Groener
, Max Greenfield
, Camille Guaty
, Ed Helms
, Thomas Lennon
, Joe Lo Truglio
, Matt Lucas
, Natasha Lyonne
, Joel McHale
, Annette O’Toole
, Emmy Rossum
, Jackie Tohn
, Matt Walsh
, Finn Wittrock
, Elvy
, Frank Gingerich
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2018’s A Futile and Stupid Gesture is a humorous drama based on the entertaining real events that took place at the offices of The National Lampoon during the 1970s. The magazine, which closed in 1998, was a comical offshoot of The Harvard Lampoon and was known for its satirical content that became a staple of American pop culture. The film focuses on writer Douglas Kenney’s work during the rise and fall of the publication.
A Relevant Comedy That Steadily Builds
Viewers say the movie gets better as it goes along, which is always a good quality to keep viewers hooked. Will Forte nails his role Kenney, and the film incorporates a uniquely inventive style of storytelling. Many fans call it a go-to “comfort movie” and praise it for capturing the chaotic scrappiness of The National Lampoon’s early days.
6
‘Little Evil’ (2017)
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Release Date
August 8, 2017
Runtime
94 minutes
Cast
Adam Scott
, Evangeline Lilly
, Owen Atlas
, Bridget Everett
, Donald Faison
, Chris D’Elia
, Kyle Bornheimer
, Clancy Brown
, Tyler Labine
, Sally Field
, Marcus Terrell Smith
, James Weir
, Chip Zien
, Rick Applegate
, Ken Bolden
, Brad Williams
, Allen Roth
, Hank Harris
, Carla Gallo
, Eli Craig
, Russ Mitchell
, Paul Slimak
, Schuyler White
, Mark Rademacher
, Cherie McClain
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Little Evil is directed by Eli Craig, who is best known for creating the niche favorite horror comedy Tucker & Dale vs. Evil. The plot features who becomes suspicious of his stepson and begins believing the boy is capable of surprisingly nefarious motivations when he notices clues connecting the youngster to two strange suicides. Evangeline Lilly and Adam Scott star as the boy’s mother and stepfather, while Owen Atlas takes on the role of the creepy tot.
Not at the Level of ‘Tucker & Dale,’ But Still Delightfully Funny
Although it is billed as a comedy, the movie reaches humorous heights that fans weren’t expecting based on the outset. The film starts off like a fairly typical supernatural horror, before jokes ramp up. Fans call it hilariously relatable as it touches on the universal topic of being nervous about fatherhood. Viewers also say they had fun keeping score of all the references to other horror movies, such as The Omen, that pop up throughout the film.
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5
‘Moxie’ (2021)
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Release Date
March 3, 2021
Runtime
111 minutes
Cast
Josephine Langford
, Alycia Pascual-Pena
, Ike Barinholtz
, Hadley Robinson
, Josie Totah
, Patrick Schwarzenegger
, Anjelika Washington
, Sabrina Haskett
, Amy Poehler
, Nico Hiraga
, Sydney Park
, Charlie Hall
, Clark Gregg
, Marcia Gay Harden
, Lauren Tsai
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Moxie is a 2021 film directed by Amy Poehler, based on the young adult novel by Jennifer Mathieu. The movie follows Vivian, a 16-year-old high school student played by Hadley Robinson, who becomes inspired by her mother’s feminist past to create a zine called “Moxie.” This zine aims to empower her female classmates and address issues like bullying, sexual harassment, and rape within their school environment.
Serious Topics Addressed With a Comedic Touch
While fans say the movie is a fairly conservative story that doesn’t take many risks, it still acknowledges some dark high school themes while incorporating teen sit-commish humor. Critics praised Hadley Robinson’s memorable lead performance and called the film a good showing for Amy Poehler’s directorial skills.
4
‘Deidra & Laney Rob a Train’ (2017)
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Deidra & Laney Rob a Train
Release Date
January 23, 2017
Runtime
92 minutes
Cast
Ashleigh Murray
, Rachel Crow
, Tim Blake Nelson
, David Sullivan
, Danielle Nicolet
, Sasheer Zamata
, Missi Pyle
, Sharon Lawrence
, Arturo Castro
, Myko Olivier
, Kinna McInroe
, Brooke Markham
, Monica Moore Smith
, Deborah Lee Douglas
, Gerry Garcia
, Mario DeAngelis
, Colby Strong
, Chad Wright
, Tua Kealoha
, Kami Christiansen
, Nick Moceri
, Ashlyn Brooke Anderson
, Lance Gray
, Griffin Childers
, Catherine Griffiths Auger
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The story unfolds in a small Idaho town where Deidra, an ambitious student on the verge of being class valedictorian, must take charge when her mother, Marigold (Danielle Nicolet), is arrested. With bills piling up and the threat of being placed in foster care looming over Deidra and her sister, Deidra devises a plan to rob trains to make ends meet and secure their mother’s bail.
Funny and Touching
As they embark on their criminal escapades, the sisters navigate various challenges, including rekindling relationships and confronting their family dynamics. Their adventures are portrayed with a mix of humor and heart, emphasizing themes of resilience and familial bonds amidst adversity.
3
‘The Fundamentals of Caring’ (2016)
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Release Date
June 24, 2016
Runtime
97 Minutes
The Fundamentals of Caring is a 2016 road comedy-drama film directed by Rob Burnett, based on the novel The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving by Jonathan Evison. The story centers around Ben (played by Paul Rudd), a retired writer who becomes a caregiver after experiencing a personal tragedy. He enrolls in a six-week course to obtain his caregiving certification and is subsequently hired to care for Trevor (Craig Roberts), an 18-year-old with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, who is confined to a wheelchair and leads a monotonous life.
A Great Post-Disney Project for Selena Gomez
Fans of Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place might be surprised to learn that the Disney darling who famously played Alex Russo sometimes struggled to get cast in her adult career. Gomez revealed that she got the part by blindly auditioning, believing she would have been passed over if casting directors had known her identity ahead of time. Fortunately, she was given a chance to read for this part, because her performance is one of this project’s most enjoyable parts.
2
‘Don’t Look Up’ (2021)
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Release Date
December 10, 2021
Runtime
145 minutes
Cast
Meryl Streep
, Tyler Perry
, Himesh Patel
, Cate Blanchett
, Timothée Chalamet
, Tomer Sisley
, Jonah Hill
, Leonardo DiCaprio
, Scott Mescudi
, Jennifer Lawrence
, Mark Rylance
, Rob Morgan
, Melanie Lynskey
, Ron Perlman
, Michael Chiklis
, Ariana Grande
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Don’t Look Up is a satirical science fiction film directed by Adam McKay that explores themes of climate change and societal indifference to existential threats. The story revolves around two astronomers, Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence) and Dr. Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio), who discover a comet on a collision course with Earth that could result in global extinction.
Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio Team for Quirky Political Satire
The star-studded picture doesn’t simply skate by on its A-list cast, but truly brings a good amount of heart and substance to the screen. It is also a smart way to get eyes on one of the important causes championed by environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio. The solid movie has received particular praise for one of its funniest threads, a recurring joke about being charged for snacks at the White House.
1
‘Dolemite Is My Name’ (2019)
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Dolemite Is My Name
Release Date
October 25, 2019
Runtime
118 minutes
Cast
T.I.
, keegan-michael key
, Tituss Burgess
, Kodi Smit-McPhee
, Eddie Murphy
, London Worthy
, Wesley Snipes
, Craig Robinson
, Mike Epps
, Chris Rock
, Chelsea Gilson
Dolemite Is My Name is a 2019 biographical comedy film directed by Craig Brewer featuring Eddie Murphy as Rudy Ray Moore, a struggling comedian and musician in 1970s Los Angeles. The film chronicles Moore’s journey to create the iconic Blaxploitation character Dolemite, highlighting themes of ambition, creativity, and resilience in the face of adversity. He adopts the persona of a homeless man and begins performing irreverent comedy shows that resonate with black audiences.
Eddie Murphy Shines in Netflix’s Biggest Comedy Win
The film was a hit with both critics and fans, scoring over 90% in both categories. Eddie Murphy shows he is just as funny as ever as he embodies the bold, brash persona of Rudy Ray Moore. The project fits in some poignant drama along with the laughs, and is filled with an elusively electrifying energy that is hard to harness, and proves magical when it is. Dolemite’s memorable zaniness and perfect timing make it the comedy Netflix should be most proud of.
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