The best Netflix comedies: movies that will make you laugh

Need some laughs? These comedy movies on Netflix have your back

The best netflix comedies movies
The best movie comedies on Netflix

With its massive library of comedy movies, Netflix has been the go-to streaming service for many who want to take a break from the daily hassles of the real world and decompress with humor. However, browsing through the streamer’s extensive lineup can be very time-consuming, especially if you’re looking for great comedies amid a number of subpar entries in the genre. So to help you skip the endless scrolling and save your precious time, we’ve made a curated list of the best movie comedies on Netflix that are available to stream right now.

Mr. Roosevelt

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Mr. Roosevelt is an indie comedy about a 25-year-old struggling comedienne who returns to her college town of Austin, Texas and must come to terms with her past while staying with her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend. While the movie might not blow you away, its relatable characters and the unique situations they’re placed in set the film apart from others like it.

Written, directed by, and starring Noël Wells, the film has been praised for its authentic portrait of a rapidly gentrifying city. Critics also love its irreverent, whimsical, and existential insights, as well as Wells’ self-deprecating humor.

Lady Bird

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Written and directed by Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird is set in Sacramento, California, between the fall of 2002 and the summer of 2003. It is a coming-of-age dramedy that tells the story of an artistically inclined 17-year-old girl (Saoirse Ronan) and her strained relationship with her mother (Laurie Metcalf).

The laughs come hard and come often, as Gerwig boldly puts its characters in unflattering yet genuine situations throughout the movie. Though generally heartwarming, the movie delivers fresh insights about the turmoil of adolescence with tough honesty.

Considered by many critics as one of the best films of 2017 and one of the best films of the 2010s, Lady Bird received critical acclaim for Gerwig’s screenplay and direction, and for Ronan and Metcalf’s performances. At the 90th Academy Awards, the film earned five nominations: Best Picture, Best Actress (for Ronan), Best Supporting Actress (for Metcalf), Best Original Screenplay, and Best Director.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

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Monty Python and the Holy Grail may be one of the oldest comedies on Netflix, but it has lost none of its extremely silly charm. Written and performed by the Monty Python comedy group (Chapman, John Marwood Cleese, Terrence Vance Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terence Graham Parry Jones, and Michael Edward Palin), and directed by Gilliam and Jones, the 1975 cult classic parodies the legend of King Arthur’s quest for the Holy Grail.

Wonderfully ridiculous, the British film was named as the second-best comedy of all time in the ABC special Best in Film: The Greatest Movies of Our Time. Readers of the U.K.-based Total Film magazine, meanwhile, ranked it the fifth-greatest comedy flick of all time in 2000.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople

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Based on the book Wild Pork and Watercress by Barry Crump, Hunt for the Wilderpeople stars Sam Neil as Hector Faulkner and Julian Dennison as the latter’s rebellious foster child Ricky Baker. The adventure dramedy centers on the duo who become the targets of a manhunt after fleeing into the New Zealand. bush.

Written and directed by Taika Waititi, the movie has been widely commended for Neill and Dennison’s top-notch performances and undeniable chemistry. An incredible fusion of action, comedy, and drama, the film delivers grand chases, dark humor, and poignantly truthful moments.

Dolemite Is My Name

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A Golden Globe-nominated biographical comedy, Dolomite Is My Name stars Eddie Murphy as actor-filmmaker Rudy Ray Moore. Moore is best known for playing the character of Dolemite in both his stand-up routine and a series of blaxploitation films that started with 1975’s Dolemite, which was followed by 1976’s The Human Tornado and 2002’s The Dolemite Explosion.

Murphy’s performance as the irreverent and foul-mouthed blaxploitation filmmaker was irresistibly funny and even earned him a Best Actor Golden Globe nomination. Aside from Murphy, critics have also applauded the scene-stealing acting of Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Lady Reed.

The Half of It

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A modern loose retelling of Edmond Rostand’s 1897 play Cyrano de Bergerac, The Half of It is a coming-of-age dramedy that centers on Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis), a smart but cash-strapped teen who agrees to write a love letter for a jock (Daniel Diemer) and ends up falling for his crush (Alexxis Lemire).

Written and directed by Alice Wu, The Half of It has the sweet charm of a traditional rom-com, but the movie is way more than that. It honestly tackles a lot of different topics beyond romance, including self-love, self-acceptance, growing up, friendship, and more.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

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Based on Jenny Han’s 2014 novel of the same name, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before stars Lana Condor as Lara Jean, a teenage girl whose life gets turned upside down when her secret love letters are exposed to the world. Though the movie plays by the typical rom-com rules, its relatable characters and charming cast members more than make up for its lack of surprises.

The Susan Johnson-directed film, which also stars Noah Centineo, Janel Parrish, and Anna Cathcart, was simple yet engaging. Though the movie was filled with familiar coming-of-age tropes, those elements were presented through new and fresh narrative ideas.

The Muppets

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The Muppets is one of the few Disney comedies on Netflix. It is the seventh theatrical film featuring the titular puppet characters created by Jim Henson. In the movie, devoted Muppet fan Walter, his human brother Gary (Jason Segel), and Gary’s girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams) help Kermit the Frog reunite the disbanded Muppets, as they must raise $10 million to save the Muppet Theater from Tex Richman (Chris Cooper), a businessman who plans to demolish the studio to drill for oil.

Directed by James Bobin and written by Segel and Nicholas Stoller, The Muppets works as a nostalgic piece, as it was released 12 years after the last Muppets film. The Muppets also serves as the perfect comeback for the franchise, as the movie proves that the titular puppets are still as endearing and entertaining as before.

The Death of Stalin

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Based on the 2010 and 2012 French graphic novel La Mort de Staline, The Death of Stalin is a black comedy film that depicts the power struggle following the death of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in 1953. A bold reimagining of history, the frightening yet funny political satire features strong comic performances by the ensemble cast that includes Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, Paddy Considine, Rupert Friend, Jason Isaacs, Michael Palin, Andrea Riseborough, Paul Whitehouse, and Jeffrey Tambor.

Though the brutal legacy of Stalin’s regime is hardly the stuff of comedy, the movie’s script ― which was co-written by Armando Iannucci, David Schneider, and Ian Martin ― successfully strikes a balance between jet-black comedy and horrific political drama. Directed by Iannucci, the BAFTA-nominated film also boasts a jam-packed narrative that keeps viewers entertained from start to finish.

Yes, God, Yes

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Based on Karen Maine’s 2017 short film of the same name, Yes, God, Yes stars Natalia Dyer as Alice, a Catholic teenager struggles to suppress her new urges in the face of eternal damnation after discovering masturbation during a racy AOL chat.

More serious than you initially expect, Yes, God, Yes is a smart and honest teen sex comedy that avoids Hollywood tropes and favors truthful character development. Though the movie doesn’t have any big moments, it is filled with scenes that are sweet, non-judgmental, and inspiring.

Set It Up

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Directed by Claire Scanlon and written by Katie Silberman, Set It Up centers on two overworked assistants (Zoey Deutch, Glen Powell) who try to set up their demanding bosses (Taye Diggs, Lucy Liu) on dates in New York City.

Though the movie follows the traditional outline of a typical rom-com, its feel-good story and great performances by the cast prove that familiar formulas can still bring substantial pleasure when done right. Though many critics find Set It Up a tribute to the rom-coms of yesteryear, the movie is actually filled with modern twists. It, however, remains simple and sweet enough for a wide audience to enjoy.

The Disaster Artist

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Based on Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell’s 2013 non-fiction book of the same name, The Disaster Artist tells the unlikely friendship between budding actors Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sestero that leads into the production of The Room, one of the worst films ever made. The biographical comedy stars brothers James and Dave Franco as Wiseau and Sestero, respectively, alongside a supporting cast that includes Alison Brie, Ari Graynor, Josh Hutcherson, Jacki Weaver, and Seth Rogen.

Though The Disaster Artist features spot-on re-enactments of some of The Room’s most notoriously awful scenes, the James Franco-directed movie is not so much about the making of the 2003 indie film, as it’s more about following your passions and accepting where that path leads you. Though The Disaster Artist is a non-stop laughter ride, it also has few serious moments. The film’s biggest surprise and probably its most touching component is the decidedly odd, bromantic friendship between the two main characters.

Safety Not Guaranteed

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Inspired by a joke classified ad that ran in Backwoods Home Magazine in 1997, Safety Not Guaranteed follows three magazine employees (Jake Johnson, Aubrey Plaza, Karan Soni) who head out on an assignment to interview a guy (Mark Duplass) who placed a classified advertisement seeking a companion for time travel.

Directed by Colin Trevorrow and written by Derek Connolly, Safety Not Guaranteed is a sci-fi romantic comedy film that tells an uncommon yet heartfelt story about love, time travel, and the significance of looking beyond the obvious. The unusual story is complemented by eccentric characters that are excellently portrayed by the main cast.

Kung Fu Hustle

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One of the few foreign-language comedies on Netflix, Kung Fu Hustle tells the story of a wannabe gangster (Stephen Chow) who aspires to join a notorious neighborhood gang in 1940s Shanghai.

Directed and co-written by Chow, the 2004 movie is a terrific piece of cinematic entertainment thanks to its perfectly choreographed martial arts sequences, hilarious comedy moments, and surreal visual effects.

Always Be My Maybe

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Always Be My Maybe stars Ali Wong and Randall Park as Sasha and Marcus who have not been in touch since a brief teenage fling ended badly. Sixteen years later, the two reconnect when celebrity chef Sasha returns to San Francisco to open a restaurant. While their romantic feelings for each other remain, Marcus’ fears and Sasha’s fame and demanding career challenge their potential new relationship.

Co-written by Wong, Park, and Michael Golamco, the Nahnatchka Khan-directed movie has been praised by critics for its whip-smart writing and undeniable chemistry between the two leads. Though Always Be My Maybe takes familiar rom-com beats, it cunningly layers in social commentary about the Asian-American movement in Hollywood, setting it apart from other modern rom-com flicks.

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

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Directed by brothers Joel and Ethan Coen, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is a Western black comedy anthology film featuring six tales of life and violence in the Old West, following a singing gunslinger, a bank robber, a traveling impresario, an elderly prospector, a wagon train, and a perverse pair of bounty hunters. It stars James Franco, Brendan Gleeson, Zoe Kazan, Liam Neeson, Tim Blake Nelson, Tom Waits, Tyne Daly, Bill Heck, Grainger Hines, Harry Melling, Jonjo O’Neill, Chelcie Ross, and Saul Rubinek, among many others.

While the six stories can stand on their own, the Coen brothers expertly tied them together with their trademark comedic violence and tense drama. Whether or not you’re a fan of the Western genre, there’s a story in this anthology film to be appreciated and enjoyed if you’re looking for something that is simply unusual and great.

Based on the books All Gold Canyon by Jack London and The Girl Who Got Rattled by Stewart Edward White, the film earned three nominations at the 91st Academy Awards: Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Costume Design, and Best Original Song for When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings.

Superbad

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Loosely based on Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s real-life experience in Grade 12 at Point Grey Secondary School in Vancouver during the 1990s, Superbad stars Jonah Hill and Michael Cera as teenage Seth and Evan who want to party and lose their virginity before graduating.

On the surface, the Greg Mottola-directed movie seems to be all about partying, getting wasted, and getting the girl. But beneath all those are authentic stories about friendship, finding oneself, and the end of teenage innocence. Though the movie is filled with vulgar and outrageous dialogues, it still manages to deliver a number of poignant and heartfelt moments thanks to the genuine performances by Hill and Cera.

The Naked Gun

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A continuation of the ABC comedy series Police Squad!, The Naked Gun stars Leslie Nielsen as the bumbling police lieutenant Frank Drebin who must foil an attempt to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II.

Directed by David Zucker, the film features fast-paced slapstick comedy, including several visual gags and verbal puns. The dialogue is practically perfect in its silliness, and even though the action scenes aren’t as consistently funny or surprising as those in the TV series, there’s a lot of laughter to be found between merely crude moments.

Rango

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Rango is the first of the only two animated movies that made it to our list of best comedies on Netflix. Directed by Gore Verbinski, the film centers on an ordinary chameleon named Rango, who accidentally winds up in the town of Dirt, a lawless outpost in the Wild West in desperate need of a new sheriff.

Co-written by Verbinski, John Logan, and James Ward Byrkit, the Paramount Pictures-produced film features unique supporting characters and an offbeat anti-hero that is colorfully voiced by Johnny Depp. Aside from a superbly written story, Rango also boasts a beautifully designed and highly detailed animation that helped it win the Best Animated Feature Film at the 2012 Academy Awards.

The Incredible Jessica James

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Written and directed by James C. Strouse, The Incredible Jessica James centers on the fiercely independent titular character (Jessica Williams) trying to get over a recent break-up. Jessica’s best friend Tasha (Noël Wells) sets her up on a blind date with Boone (Chris O’Dowd), who happens to be recovering from a recent divorce. The two hit it off unintentionally, and together, they figure out a way to make it in a “post-relationship” world.

While the movie has familiar rom-com beats, Williams’ big and unapologetically non-demure performance make the plot feel innovative and fresh. Aside from delivering hilarious laughs, the film also offers a poignant sense of open-endedness that rings true to life.

Chef

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Chef stars Jon Favreau as Carl Casper, a head chef at a popular Los Angeles restaurant who quits his job after a public altercation with a food critic. But in an effort to reclaim his creative promise, he buys and begins to operate a food truck while piecing back his estranged family together.

Also written and directed by Favreau, Chef is a wonderfully acted film with a sharp and funny script about pursuing one’s passion. Though the story develops in a predictable way, it ends with a satisfying and heartwarming conclusion. It co-stars Sofía Vergara, John Leguizamo, Scarlett Johansson, Oliver Platt, Bobby Cannavale, and Dustin Hoffman, along with Robert Downey Jr. in a cameo role.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

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Loosely based on the 1978 children’s book of the same name by Judi and Ron Barrett, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs tells the story of aspiring inventor Flint Lockwood (voiced by Bill Hader) who develops a machine that can convert water into food following a series of failed experiments. But after the machine gains sentience and begins to develop food storms, Flint must destroy the machine in order to save the world.

Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the 2009 Golden Globe-nominated animated movie is both visually and narratively pleasing. It is a fast-paced flick packed with humor that is often anarchic, wicked, random, and funny. While it’s definitely a laugh-fest, it also offers some delightful suspense towards the end.

Hail, Caesar!

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Set in the early 1950s, Hail, Caesar! follows Hollywood fixer Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin) who is tasked to solve all the problems of the actors and filmmakers at Capitol Pictures. His latest assignments involve a disgruntled director, a singing cowboy, a beautiful swimmer, and a handsome dancer. But he faces his biggest challenge yet when Baird Whitlock (George Clooney) gets kidnapped while in costume for the swords-and-sandals epic film Hail, Caesar! If the studio doesn’t pay $100,000, it’s the end of the line for the movie star.

Written and directed by brothers Joel and Ethan Coen, the 2016 period comedy delivers laughs from literal slapstick, insane imagery, and witty banter between its perfectly cast characters. Packed with intricate period detail, the movie received nominations at the Academy Awards and British Academy Film Awards for production design.

Results

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A 2015 indie rom-com flick, Results follows two mismatched personal trainers (Guy Pearce, Cobie Smulders) who are charged with whipping a newly wealthy and highly unmotivated slob (Kevin Corrigan) into shape.

Written and directed by Andrew Bujalski, Results is a funny and touching grown-up take on the endlessly re-hashed rom-com formula. Though it’s dialogue-heavy and takes its time to develop the story, it offers rich rewards for patient viewers.

The Land of Steady Habits

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Based on the novel of the same name by Ted Thompson, The Land of Steady Habits follows a family man named Anders Harris (Ben Mendelsohn) who retires from his job in finance and leaves his wife in the hopes that it will renew his lust for life. After befriending a drug-addicted teen and sending him down a path of reckless and shameful behavior, Anders starts to question who he is as a father and, ultimately, who he is as a person.

Written, directed and co-produced by Nicole Holofcener, this carefully constructed comedy-drama is a realistic mid-life crisis story elevated by finely layered performances. While it’s darker than most dramedies, it is packed with humor that those who are familiar with Holofcener’s works would truly enjoy.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

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Based on the graphic novel series Scott Pilgrim by Bryan Lee O’Malley, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is set in magically realistic version of Toronto where a slacker musician named Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) must win a competition to get a record deal, and battle the seven evil exes of his newest girlfriend Ramona Flowers (Elizabeth Winstead) one by one in order to win her heart.

Directed by Edgar Wright, this romantic action-comedy film features eye-popping visuals, an inventive narrative with lots of hilarious moments, and flawed characters that are relatively compelling. Though a box-office bomb when it was released in 2010, it eventually garnered a cult following and has been widely regarded as one of the wildest and most original comedies of all time.

The Lovers

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The Lovers stars Debra Winger and Tracy Letts as a long-married, dispassionate couple, each embroiled in an extramarital affair. But on the brink of calling it quits, a spark between them suddenly reignites, leading them into an impulsive romance.

Written and directed by Azazel Jacobs, The Lovers is a rare cinematic piece that perfectly balances comedy and drama. It offers a clever and unexpected view inside a marriage that will likely hit home with anyone who has been married. The movie ingeniously uses familiar relationships and situations between married couples to point out things that viewers may never have noticed about human behavior and the way people love each other.

Eddie Murphy Raw

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There are lots of stand-up comedies on Netflix, but only Eddie Murphy Raw made it to our list. Recorded in front of a live audience at the Felt Forum ― a venue in the Madison Square Garden complex in New York City, this 90-minute show features the titular actor performing a scathing comedy routine, talking about his fellow black comedians, marriage, racial and ethnic stereotypes, and his favorite subjects: sex and women.

As its title suggests, Eddie Murphy Raw is particularly renowned for Murphy’s liberal and unrepentant use of expletives. Though Eddie Murphy Raw is not as classic as the comic’s first comedy stand-up film Eddie Murphy Delirious, Murphy remains on fire in the former, proving himself once again as an unfailing humorist with astounding energy.

Crazy Stupid Love

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Crazy Stupid Love centers on Cal Weaver (Steve Carell), a middle-aged husband with children whose life changes dramatically when his wife (Julianne Moore) asks him for a divorce. Over 40 and suddenly single, Cal seeks to rediscover his manhood with the help of a newfound friend, Jacob (Ryan Gosling), a self-styled player who takes him under his wing and teaches him how to be a hit with the ladies.

Directed by Glen Ficara and John Requa from a script by Dan Fogelman, Crazy Stupid Love is a fun and entertaining rom-com with lots of twists and turns executed by a talented cast. Though the movie is full of genre cliches and its plot gets ludicrous at times, Carell and Gosling keep the film going with their special brand of chemistry.

Julie & Julia

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A biographical comedy-drama film, Julie & Julia tells the story of Julie Powell (Amy Adams), a New Yorker who embarks on a daring project: prepare all 524 recipes in Julia Childs’ landmark cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Intertwined with Julie’s story is the tale of how Julia Child (Meryl Streep) herself conquered French cuisine with passion and fearlessness.

Based on Powell’s memoir Julie & Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen and Child’s autobiography My Life in France, the Nora Ephron-directed movie entertains and mostly satisfies thanks to its perfect balance of comedy, drama, and cooking. Streep’s on-point impersonation of Child earned her a Best Actress nomination at the 2010 Academy Awards.

Mystic Pizza

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One of the best coming-of-age comedies on Netflix, Mystic Pizza follows the lives and loves of three teenage girls (Julia Roberts, Annabeth Gish, and Lili Taylor) who work at a pizza parlor in the Connecticut town of Mystic. As they sling pizzas and wait tables at the restaurant, the trio share their hopes, dreams, and plans of escaping their small town.

Directed by Donald Petrie, Mystic Pizza is a genuine and moving film that doesn’t resort to violence, sex or schmaltz to pack an emotional punch. Though the film flirts with melodrama, the wonderful performances of the three leads keep the film grounded in reality.

My Best Friend’s Wedding

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My Best Friend’s Wedding tells the story of childhood friends Julianne Potter (Julia Roberts) and Michael O’Neal (Dermot Mulroney) who had a deal to marry each other if they were still single by age 28. But four days before her 28th birthday, O’Neil reveals that he’s tying the knot with a 20-year-old girl named Kimberly (Cameron Diaz). Suddenly realizing that she’s actually in love with Michael, Julianne vows to stop the wedding at all costs. However, things get more complicated when Kimberly appointed Julianne as her maid of honor.

A subversive spin on the rom-com genre, the P.J. Hogan-directed movie is a refreshingly entertaining romantic comedy that is made more special by a witty script and strong central performances. It received generally positive reviews from critics and was a global box-office hit, grossing $299 million worldwide against a budget of just $38 million.

Our Idiot Brother

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Starring Paul Rudd as the titular character, Our Idiot Brother centers on Ned Rochlin, a dimwitted yet well-meaning slacker who makes the biggest mistake of his life when he sells some pot to a cop. Homeless and jobless upon his release from jail, he must prevail upon his three sisters (Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, Emily Mortimer) for help, throwing their carefully ordered lives into chaos.

Directed by Jesse Peretz, Our Idiot Brother is a completely enjoyable comedy thanks to its strong supporting cast and an endearing central performance from Rudd. Though it may not be laugh-out-loud funny, it’s still full of wit and goes down in a good way, with an infectious positivity.

About Time

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Written and directed by Richard Curtis, About Time centers on Tim Lake (Domhnall Gleeson), who, at the age of 21, discovers that he can travel in time and change what happens and has happened in his own life. Although he can’t change history, Tim resolves to improve his life by getting a girlfriend. He meets Mary (Rachel McAdams) and ultimately wins her heart via time travel. However, as his unusual life progresses, Tim finds that his special ability doesn’t exempt him and those he loves from the problems of ordinary life.

About Time is an unabashedly sincere sci-fi romantic comedy without the usual clutter of science-fiction elements. The movie features genuine relationships, witty banter, and an ending that is sure to pull on the viewers’ heartstrings. The film, however, actually feels more of a family drama than a rom-com, as it only comes to its own when Curtis finally allows the familial ties in the story to shine.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

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Based on the short story Christmas ‘59 by John Hughes, Christmas Vacation is the third installment in National Lampoon magazine’s Vacation film series. It centers on Clark Griswold Jr. (Chevy Chase) and his family whose plans for a perfect Christmas turn into a big disaster after their relatives show up unplanned and Clark’s employers renege on the holiday bonus he needs.

Compared to its predecessors, Christmas Vacation is just as inane as the first two National Lampoon movies. Though crude and some of its jokes don’t work, the film still has a heartwarming story at its core.

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