10 Most underrated comedy movies of all time

"Cinema is an art form that allows you to escape reality, or at least to look at it through different eyes," once said the Italian filmmaker Frederico Fellini. Even critics often see cinema as a tool to immerse themselves in fantasy and forget the daily struggles of life for some time. This idea of entertainment deeply resonated with the audiences, and the most popular Genre that best served the purpose was Comedy.

Did you know that Robert De Niro, who is known for his intense performances in critically acclaimed films like Taxi Driver, Raging Bulls, and Good Fellas, has also appeared in various comedy movies? Analyse This (1999), starring De Niro, was commercially recognised but was overshadowed by the actor’s other performances. Despite this, the film was renewed for its second part (Analyse That) in 2002.

Several other films remain underrated despite being bangers in the genre. God Bless America is another example that witnessed no massive success but is still enjoyed by a cult group audience. Let’s dive deep and explore more such films floating in the market that can drag us to our couches with popcorn for a real fun experience.

**Disclaimer: The article is entirely based on the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.

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1. Analyze This (1999)

As we have already discussed, this film features De Niro, and alongside him, it is Billy Crystal. De Niro appears as a gangster leader, Paul Vitti, while Dr. Ben Sobel (played by Billy) is the therapist he hires to deal with the depression and emotional turmoil he is going through. The intersection of the two very distinct worlds of a gangster and the ordinary life of a therapist is where the comedy happens. The film comes with brilliantly woven monologues by Vitti and Sobel.

Paul Vitti is shown as powerful enough to get things done the way he wants. When Sobel refuses to treat him, he follows him everywhere, even to his wedding. This leads to an ugly fight between the both, with Sobel accusing him of ruining his special day, Vitti poses himself as a "victim". Sobel finally gets him to call his rival and try to communicate his feelings and demands a "closure" to all of this, but Paul Vitti's self, after trying hard to do so, resorts to abusing and taking out his anger on his rival as usual and breaks the telephone. The scene ends with a hilarious dialogue by the fellow rival he was talking to, where he asks his assistant to look up the meaning of the word "closure". The film showcases a unique side of a gangster world, which is vulnerable and resorts to violence as a response to personal trauma.

2. Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)

The film follows 2 Asian American friends who, after smoking marijuana, get influenced by a White Castle ad and embark on a wild journey to satisfy their craving to eat White Castle burgers in the middle of the night. But when they reached there, they found it closed and headed towards another shop in Cherry Hill they had just learned about. One thing leads to another, weaving a series of bizarre comic moments that you can only rejoice in while watching the film.

The film is known for its unapologetic jokes and satire on race and several stereotypes. It is a satirical commentary on several socio-political situations that surround us, making it a beloved film for those who appreciate humor.

One of the funniest scenes in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle is when they pick up Neil Patrick Harris as a hitchhiker, and he turns out to be a maniac who is obsessed with women and partying. Stakes rise when he steals Harold's car, leaving them stranded. The film is a cult classic known for its sharp satire on race, stereotypes, and social issues, using humor to challenge Hollywood’s portrayal of Asian Americans.

3. God Bless America (2011)

God Bless America is a dark comedy that follows Frank, a middle-aged man disillusioned by the American modern society absorbed in violence, consumerism, and a pretentious culture. He is joined by a rebellious teenage girl, Roxy, played by Tara Lynne Barr, and together they aim for reality TV stars and other obnoxious figures.

When the character gets diagnosed with a terminal illness, he initiates a journey of combing people from the society who pose a threat or contribute to the moral decay. In one of the scenes where Frank and Roxy go for a movie, they enter a hall full of teenagers who won’t stop talking. Frank calmly stands up and shoots them. This shows the film's exaggerated satirical take on socially frustrating moments like this. The film showcases sharp social commentary and retains its cult audience who value such content.

4. Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil (2010)

Directed by Eli Craig, this film is a Horror Comedy and is shown from the perspective of the two central characters- Tucker and Dale, who head to a remote cabin for a relaxing vacation. Tucker and Dale come from a rural area and represent working-class people who live in the countryside. In this journey, they end up saving a girl from a group of students but her friends mistook them as hillbillies who have kidnapped the girl and pose a fatal threat. The film depicts how the two characters become the victims of the horrific incidents that follow. The film flips the typical "hillbilly horror" trope.

In one of the scenes where the girl's friends try to free the girl, they attack Tucker and Dale, but the incident works in the favor of the latter, and the kids somehow end up sacrificing their lives while Tucker and Dale experience the absurd action sequence taking place. They conclude that it's a suicide gang and that they are killing themselves across the woods and resort to hiding all the sharp objects immediately.

5. How to be a Serial Killer (2008)

Directed by Luke Cine, the film comes with a satirical approach towards killers. It follows Mike, who wants to be a serial killer, and meets a seasoned killer who takes him under his wing to train him to be one. They attempt murders together while Mike learns the “art” of killing. The protagonist is shown to be obsessed with being a killer for the sake of the glamour and fame it brings. The film has tried to comment on how pop culture has glorified serial killers and how the media often sensationalize crime stories.

The film got mixed reviews after its release. Some appreciated the humor and satire in the oddest of situations, while some considered it controversial for its jokes on such a sensitive subject.

6. In The Loop (2009)

This film is a political satire directed by Armando Iannucci. It’s about an invasion by America in the fictional country of the Middle East. UK and US political figures and advisors are often depicted going through intense power struggles. Against this backdrop, they have planted the central character, Malcolm Tucker, who is a foul-mouthed spin doctor who can’t tolerate incompetence.

The film navigates through media manipulation and bureaucratic control while prepping for the war. It paints the most absurd and hilarious picture of the world of international politics. One of the funniest scenes in the film is when Malcolm rants at political advisors and other officials in the meeting using strong, sharp language.

7. The Nice Guys (2016)

The Nice Guys is directed by Shane Black and is set in 1970s Los Angeles. The action comedy stars popular actors like Russel Crowe and Ryan Goslings who teams up to investigate the case of a missing girl- Amelia and a porn star goes by name- Misty Mountain. But this is not all the film is about, it also takes the audience to a larger case these two cases are connected to.

The comic part of the story is the two characters whose contrasting personalities become the reason for the fan’s laughter. One is shown as very clumsy, almost incompetent, while the other is hard-boiled and is a problem solver. However, it was not a major hit at the box office but can definitely ensure entertainment.

8. Moonwalkers (2015)

The film portrays the space race between the US and the Soviet Union. The drama peaks when the CIA embarks on a mission to fake the moon landing, fearing that the US could lose it to the Soviet Union. A CIA agent and a rock band manager assume the responsibility to help carry out the mission. The film plays with the idea of conspiracy theories, specifically the belief that the moon landing was faked.

Moonwalkers combines absurd humor with historical fiction and comments on the hilarious nature of many conspiracy theories while also showing the struggle of the people behind the curtain of the stage show. Despite its limited release and modest box office performance, the film is considered an underrated gem, especially for its offbeat comedies.

9. Death at a Funeral (2007)

Directed by Frank Oz, Death at a Funeral shows a dysfunctional family gathered for the funeral of Uncle Fred, the patriarch of the family. The uncle’s son, despite his stress, is responsible for making all the arrangements for the funeral. However, the story takes a turn when a stranger knocks at the door, claiming to know some secret about Uncle Fred. This further follows a series of mishaps like sexual revelations bringing out some embarrassing secrets of the family, and everyone forgets about the funeral amidst the cacophony of arguments and allegations.

Another hilarious moment in the comedy movie occurs when an elderly relative, Uncle Alfie, is left on the toilet by mistake. He shouts furiously while struggling to get up. While chaos erupts around him, his grumpy, no-filter commentary adds to the absurdity. Stuck on the toilet, he shouts angrily at the younger family members for neglecting him, hurling insults in frustration. The film was critically acclaimed but not recognized outside the UK; however, in 2010, an American remake of the film, also titled Death at a Funeral, was released, featuring Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence, and Tracy Morgan.

10. I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell (2009)

The film is a comedy based on the 2006 best-selling book by Tucker Max. The movie, just like the book, is largely autobiographical, based on Max's real-life experiences. The movie centers around Tucker Max, who can easily entice women with his charm. Tucker is invited to be the best man at his friend Dante's bachelor party, and here comes the twist. He ends up convincing his friend to drop his marriage and celebrate his bachelorhood, and here’s where all the comedy happens.

The epic "sh*t scene" from the comedy movie is popular among the fans which showcases Max finding a washroom in the morning. Tucker's night of heavy drinking results in an embarrassing and disastrous bathroom mishap, turning the situation into pure chaos. The film relies heavily on raunchy humor, often involving crude jokes and inappropriate situations. Shock Comedy was popular during the 2000s, and the series attempted to lean on it, with characters making wild, offensive decisions that are meant to be funny.

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For most of the films, the situation is what makes it comic while dialogues are just complimentary. This is what differentiates a comedy film from a standup comic show. Every film paints a unique world or intersections for two contrasting worlds that cook all the scenes at the perfect temperature for the fun to come naturally. Scroll through the list, pick your favorite, and add some entertainment to shake the monotony of your daily routine.