Variety Reveals the 100 Best Comedies of All Time: A Timeless Laugh List
Variety ranks the 100 greatest comedies, tracing humor from silent-era parodies to modern favorites and highlighting the top titles that continue to spark laughter.
Comedy has long served as entertainment and social mirror. Variety recently revealed its ranking of the 100 best comedies of all time, highlighting titles that remain funny across generations.
The editors emphasize that laughter matters, and the best films pair clever wit with human warmth. The No. 1 pick is a masterclass in spoofing that reshaped the genre and inspired many imitators.
Why this list matters
The selections span eras, from silent-era satires to contemporary crowd-pleasers. Some entries challenge conventions with bold satire, while others rely on memorable characters and timing to land big laughs.
The list also features smaller, quirky works that prove great humor can come from surprising places and still stay widely appealing.
Top 20 on Variety's list
- The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)
- Some Like It Hot (1959)
- Annie Hall (1977)
- The Great Dictator (1940)
- Waiting for Guffman (1996)
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
- Duck Soup (1933)
- Fargo (1996)
- Young Frankenstein (1974)
- Groundhog Day (1993)
- Sherlock Jr. (1924)
- Tootsie (1982)
- Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
- Sideways (2004)
- Playtime (1967)
- His Girl Friday (1940)
- The Heartbreak Kid (1972)
- This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
- It Happened One Night (1934)
- Superbad (2007)
These selections show how humor can be sharp, silly, romantic, or absurd, yet remain popular with broad audiences. Classics like The Great Dictator addressed serious themes through satire, while modern favorites such as Superbad capture awkward moments with frank honesty.
Expert commentary
Film critic and comedy curator Alex Kim notes that lasting comedies blend sharp wit with genuine warmth, inviting new laughs with every viewing. He adds that the strongest titles reward repeated watching and social insight.
Summary
Variety's list spans nearly a century of cinema, illustrating how comedy adapts to culture while keeping audiences entertained. The top titles combine clever writing, memorable performances, and universal themes that learners can enjoy while building English skills. Whether you prefer classic slapstick or smart satire, these films offer a welcoming entry into the history of movie humor.
Key insight: Great comedies endure because they pair intelligence with warmth and cultural resonance, inviting audiences to laugh again and again.