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So you’re browsing through Netflix, looking for something to watch, but you’re in the mood for something light. Netflix’s massive library can be intimidating, especially when you’re looking for a good comedy amidst a sea of subpar entries in the genre. Not to fear, though, because we here at Collider have you covered. Below, we’ve curated a list of the very best comedies on Netflix right now. We’ve got everything from silly buddy comedies, big splashy commercial comedies, more esoteric indies, and even a couple of films that toe the line between comedy and drama. Surely you’ll find something to your liking, so scroll through our list of the best comedies on Netflix below and find that perfect pick.
Editor’s note: This article was last updated on June 24th to include The Babysitter.
Her (2013)
Director/Writer: Spike Jonze
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson, Amy Adams, Chris Pratt, Rooney Mara, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig
In what must have been one of the strangest pitches ever heard, the final product came together in artistically memorable fashion. Her plays like a somber, extended episode of Black Mirror. Spike Jonze’s brilliant drama is about Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix), a professional letter writer coming out of a divorce, and the operating system he falls in love with. What makes Her so sad also makes it rather frightening. In a world ruled more and more by technology, we’ve seen, in our own lives, the diminishing of human relationships and an increase of depression and suicide. Her imagines a not-too-distant future where those things are taken to their extremes. Community has ceased, pervasive loneliness the result. Phoenix embodies that so well, his love affair with “Samantha,” voiced by Scarlett Johansson, seems perfectly plausible. Despite its despondency at times, it’s still a sweet, funny film. In the end, if a healthy dose of self-reflection occurs, that’s a good thing. — Brendan Michael
Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)
Director: Navot Papushado
Writers: Navot Papushado, Ehud Lavski
Cast: Karen Gillan, Lena Headey, Carla Gugino, Michelle Yeoh, Angela Bassett, Paul Giamatti
Gunpowder Milkshake is John Wick for angry feminists, featuring a stellar lineup of ass-kicking women, including Karen Gillan, Lena Headey, Carla Gugino, Michelle Yeoh, and Angela Bassett as they fight back against the vengeful assassins sent by The Firm, a group who hires out killers as a fully-functioning business. When Gillan’s Sam goes against orders and saves the man she was ordered to kill, she must reunite with her estranged mother (Headey) and her former coworkers in order to save the life of her target and his young daughter, ending in a bloody and chaotic face-off that would put Keanu Reeves to shame. Gunpowder Milkshake is one of Netflix’s better action offerings, bringing a fresh perspective to the table amongst a number of CGI-heavy, male-led action flicks, and its cast brings together some of cinema’s heaviest hitters, with a script that’ll make you wonder why it took so long to get made. —Maggie Boccella
Senior Year (2022)
Director: Alex Hardcastle
Writers: Andrew Knauer, Brandon Scott Jones, and Arthur Pielli
Cast: Rebel Wilson, Justin Hartley, Angourie Rice, Mary Holland, Sam Richardson, Zoe Chao, Chris Parnell, and Alicia Silverstone
Stephanie Conway (Angourie Rice) has worked hard to get to the top of her high school by senior year. Captain of the cheerleading squad and dating the hottest boy in school, it’s a far cry from the dorky girl she was when she moved from Australia. But, with being on top comes the inevitable nemesis: Tiffany (Ana Yi Puig). When Tiffany arranges for the squad to drop Stephanie during a stunt, Stephanie falls into a coma and wakes up 20 years later. Stephanie (now played by Rebel Wilson), is ready to finish high school and win Prom Queen, and she’s not going to let a little thing like aging 20 years get in her way. But, over the time she’s been asleep, the world has changed. As Stephanie begins to understand the world she has found herself in, she learns what really matters in life and starts to put together the pieces to build a better future for herself than she had ever imagined. Senior Year is an unlikely coming-of-age film that will touch your heart and transport you right back to the late 90s/early 2000s. — Jay Snow
You’ve Got Mail (1998)
Director: Nora Ephron
Writer: Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron
Cast: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Parker Posey, Dave Chappelle, Steve Zahn, Greg Kinnear, and Jean Stapleton
In the highly underrated series Undeclared, Seth Rogen‘s character Ron states that his favorite film is You’ve Got Mail, saying, “You think you’re better than it, like ‘Ooh, this movie’s going to suck,’ but then you watch it, and it becomes a part of you.'” Ron is right, you can’t go wrong with You’ve Got Mail, a delightfully charming update on The Shop Around the Corner for the turn of the century. Tom Hanks‘ Joe Fox runs a major bookstore chain named Fox Books, while Meg Ryan‘s Kathleen Kelly owns a small bookstore that might soon be put out of business thanks to Fox Books. The two dislike each other in real life, but online, the two have struck up a friendship that could become something more. Hanks and Ryan are always winning together, and the charm is almost too much to bear in this lovely rom-com. — Ross Bonaime
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (2009)
Directors: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller
Writers: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Rob Greenberg
Cast: Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Andy Samberg, Bruce Campbell, Mr. T, and Neil Patrick Harris
Before working on such huge animated hits as The LEGO Movie and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Lord and Miller directed and co-wrote this incredibly charming tale of inventor Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader), whose latest invention causes food to fall from the skies. Of course, it starts well enough, but when giant food starts raining down, Flint’s invention threatens to ruin the world. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs has all the heart and odd humor that one comes to expect from later Lord/Miller films, and a hilarious voice cast that makes this great for all ages. A lovely and strange comedy that certainly deserves more attention, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs is a delight for everyone. — Ross Bonaime
Last Action Hero (1993)
Director: John McTiernan
Writer: Shane Black, David Arnott
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Austin O’Brien, Charles Dance, Robert Prosky
Arnold Schwarzenegger spoofing the excess and explosions of an Arnold Schwarzenegger action movie inside a story that also functions as a pretty incredible Arnold Schwarzenegger action movie? There is simply too much to love about Last Action Hero, director John McTernan‘s send-up and love letter to the over-the-top shoot-em-ups of the 1990s. When a magic ticket sends young cinephile Danny Madigan (Austin O’Brien) through the silver screen, he teams up with his favorite action icon, Jack Slater (Schwarzenegger) to stop the villainous Benedict (Charles Dance) from entering the real world. This movie is an indulgent, wild good time of a romp that includes everything from Robert Patrick cameo-ing as his T2 Terminator to Schwarzenegger playing himself to a brief appearance by Danny DeVito as the voice of a feline police detective named Whiskers. Hell yeah. —Vinnie Mancuso
The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)
Director: Mike Rianda
Writers: Mike Rianda and Jeff Rowe
Cast: Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Mike Rianda, Olivia Colman, Fred Armisen, and Beck Bennett
You’ve seen a zillion animated family comedy movies, but The Mitchells vs. the Machines is undoubtedly one of the best. Produced by Phil Lord and Chris Miller and originally made by Sony Pictures Animation – the studio behind Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – the film finds a father and daughter struggling to connect, and follows the family as the father decides they should take a road trip to send her off to college where she’s studying to be a filmmaker.Along the way, the robot apocalypse occurs, forcing them to work together to make it through. At every turn The Mitchells vs. the Machines is surprising. It puts in the work so that the emotional scenes hit hard, but it’s also wildly colorful and beautifully artistic as Mike Rianda pushes the boundaries of visual expression. On top of all that, the film is hilarious, bringing to mind the colorful comedy of Lord and Miller’s other films – most notably Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. This movie will have you cackling and crying in equal measure, and it’s one of the best films of 2021 full stop. – Adam Chitwood
Paddington (2014)
Director/Writer: Paul King
Cast: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Waters, Nicole Kidman, Jim Broadbent, and Peter Capaldi
While Paddington 2 often gets all the attention, 2014’s Paddington is a lovely introduction to the maramalade-loving bear. Voiced by Ben Whishaw, Paddington leaves his home of Darkest Peru and comes to London to find a new family. Once he is taken in by the Brown family, Paddington causes a bit of havoc, but despite this, the family eventually welcomes him in with open arms. Paddington as a franchise is warm and kind, a charming series that is as packed with heart as humanly possible. After watching Paddington, it’s simply impossible not to fall in love with this silly bear. — Ross Bonaime
Murder Mystery (2019)
Director: Kyle Newacheck
Writer: James Vanderbilt
Cast: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Luke Evans
You could generously call Adam Sandler‘s history with Netflix original films, uh, spotty, but there is one genuinely uber-charming gem on the list in the form of Murder Mystery. Re-teaming the Sandman with Jennifer Aniston after Just Go With It (also pretty good!) the film follows married NYPD officer Nick (Sandler) and hairdresser (Audrey) as they become increasingly entangled in a—you guessed it—murder mystery aboard the yacht of a billionaire they just met. Murder Mystery, like most Netflix comedies, is pretty much designed to be watched in the background with a boisterous bunch of friends, but the sheer professional movie star power of its two leads really does elevate it to that next level.
The Lovebirds (2021)
Director: Michael Showalter
Writer: Aaron Abrams, Brendan Gall
Cast: Kumail Nanjiani, Issa Rae, Paul Sparks, Anna Camp
Man, this movie is just so freaking charming. The Lovebirds stars Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae as a couple on brink of breaking up after four years together who suddenly find themselves on the run after witnessing a murder. Director David Showalter eventually settles things into a pretty standard set of action-comedy and rom-com beats, but Nanjiani and Rae are so endlessly entertaining as the film’s two leads, you’ll pretty much follow them anywhere. One of Netflix’s more unfortunately under-the-radar originals, The Lovebirds is absolutely worth hooking up with again.
Between Two Ferns: The Movie (2019)
Director/Writer: Scott Aukerman
Cast: Zach Galifianakis, Lauren Lapkus, Ryan Gaul, and Jiavani Linayao
Turning a beloved online webseries into a film is almost never a good idea, but with Zach Galifianakis and Scott Aukerman teaming up once more for Between Two Ferns: The Movie, the series expands into a hilarious road trip comedy packed with great cameos. Matthew McConaughey drowns, Galifianakis has an affair with Chrissy Teigen, and David Letterman makes one of his rare film appearances. Between Two Ferns works so well because it expands beyond the original conceit, while still delivering on the incredible interviews and weird humor that we’ve grown to love from the series. – Ross Bonaime
The Edge of Seventeen (2016)
Director/Writer: Kelly Fremon Craig
Cast: Hailee Steinfeld, Woody Harrelson, Blake Jenner, Kyra Sedgwick, Haley Lu Richardson, and Hayden Szeto
If you’re in the mood for a sweet coming-of-age comedy with a tremendous lead performance, look no further than the gem that is The Edge of Seventeen. This hilarious and heartfelt R-rated comedy stars Hailee Steinfeld as a high school junior who experiences the ups and downs of teen life in brutally honest fashion. She strikes up a close friendship with a teacher, played by Woody Harrelson, who counsels her through friend, boy, and family troubles. It’s as sweet as it is filthy, but what makes Edge of Seventeen so striking—beyond Steinfeld’s stellar performance—is how true to life it all feels. The anxiety. The self-consciousness. The importance of it all. – Adam Chitwood
She’s Gotta Have It (2017)
Director/Writer: Spike Lee
Cast: Tracy Camilla Johns, Redmond Hicks, John Canada Terrell, Raye Dowell, and Spike Lee
Right away with his debut film, Spike Lee places himself amongst the other iconic New York City directors, like Martin Scorsese and Woody Allen, borrowing from both to make his own presence known as one of the greats, a deserving addition to NYC’s Mount Rushmore of directors. His greatness can already be seen with She’s Gotta Have It, as Lee tells a complicated story of the love and independence of Nola Darling (Tracy Camilla Johns), a woman who doesn’t want to be tied down to any one man, instead seeking her own pleasure. She’s Gotta Have It shows Lee’s charisma as an actor and director, as Lee’s character Mars is hilarious on screen, and behind the camera, Lee shows flair even with a small budget, including a surprising homage to The Wizard of Oz. Right from the beginning, Lee presents in She’s Gotta Have It a strong lead character, proud of who she is, and uncompromising in her desires. Already, Lee makes himself a filmmaker unlike any other. — Ross Bonaime
Love Actually (2003)
Director/Writer: Richard Curtis
Cast: Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightley, Martine McCutcheon, Bill Nighy, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Andrew Lincoln, and Rowan Atkinson
RichardCurtis has become one of the greatest creators of romantic comedies, with films like Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, and Bridget Jones’s Diary. But Curtis might have made the ultimate rom-com with Love Actually, which combines ten separate stories of love in London—all of which intertwine with each other—and one of the most impressive casts in recent memory. But Love Actually truly has something for everyone. There’s absurd comedy, meet-cutes galore, heartbreak, romance, young love, and yes, even Rowan Atkinson being a weirdo. What more could you want from this delightfully ambitious British comedy? — Ross Bonaime
I Care a Lot (2020)
Director/Writer: J Blakeson
Cast: Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage, Eiza González, Chris Messina, and Dianne Weist
If you like your comedy dark – and I mean pitch black – you’ll probably love I Care a Lot. The Netflix original stars Rosamund Pike as a savvy, unrelenting, and unapologetic con artist who makes a living by winning guardianship over elders and using their money as her own piggy bank. But when her next target turns out to be the mother of a ruthless criminal (played by Peter Dinklage), she finds she may finally be in over her head. While this film could have gone wrong a number of ways, writer/director J Blakeson plays it perfectly, and the point of this satirical comedy comes into clear focus in the final minutes of the film. Pike is pitch perfect in the lead role, making a despicable character tremendously watchable. – Adam Chitwood
Bad Trip (2021)
Director: Kitao Sakurai
Writers: Dan Curry, Eric Andre, and Kitao Sakurai
Cast: Eric Andre, Lil Rel Howery, and Tiffany Haddish
Bad Trip is outrageously juvenile and will make you laugh incredibly hard. The film is a cross between Jackass and a traditional road trip comedy, as Eric Andre and Lil Rel Howery play a pair of friends who drive from Florida to New York so that Andre’s character can track down the girl of his dreams. Hot on their tale is Howery’s characters sister, fresh out of a prison break and played by Tiffany Haddish. But every scene in the film is shot as a prank, with unwitting strangers serving as the background and supporting characters throughout the movie. It’s silly and embarrassing, but also singles out how ridiculous some of the tropes in traditional romcoms are – like when Andre breaks out into song in the middle of a mall, surrounded by strangers with “WTF?” looks on their faces. And be warned, this is insanely R-rated. – Adam Chitwood
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
Director/Writer: Taika Waititi
Cast: Sam Neill, Julian Dennison, Rhys Darby, Rima Te Wiata, and Rachel House
If you’re in the mood for a whimsical comedy from Thor: Ragnarok writer/director Taika Waititi, you absolutely have to see Hunt for the Wilderpeople. Released in 2016, this New Zealand adventure movie follows a grumpy Sam Neill as he’s forced to team up with a foul-mouthed child when the two are the target of a manhunt throughout the New Zealand bush. It’s based on an existing book, but in tone and execution Hunt for the Wilderpeople oftentimes feels like an adaptation of a Roald Dahl book we never knew about. It’s delightful and whimsical and a little terrifying, with Waititi’s playful anarchy filling the whole thing out for good measure. This movie is guaranteed to put you in a good mood.
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)
Director: David Dobkin
Writers: Will Ferrell and Andrew Steele
Cast: Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams, Pierce Brosnan, Dan Stevens, and Demi Lovato
If you think Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is just another “dumb Will Ferrell comedy,” think again. One of 2020’s most pleasant surprises, this musical comedy is surprisingly sweet and genuinely emotional – don’t be surprised if you find yourself welling up with tears by the end. The story follows a pair of lifelong friends and musicians from Iceland who are unexpectedly thrust into the Eurovision Song Contest, which tests their talents and their relationship to one another. Ferrell is hilarious as always, but it’s Rachel McAdams who steals the show here and proves yet again she’s one of the best comedic talents working right now. Oh and the songs? They’re spectacular. – Adam Chitwood
The Babysitter
Director: McG
Writer: Brian Duffield
Cast: Judah Lewis, Samara Weaving, Robbie Amell, Bella Thorne, Hana Mae Lee, Andrew Bachelor
If you want a bit of blood, guts, and gore mixed in with your laughs, look no further than The Babysitter, director McG’s black comedy-horror from writer Brian Duffield (Spontaneous). Pre-teen misfit Cole (Judah Lewis) is looking forward to a night with his babysitter, Bee (Samara Weaving), but things take a turn for the demonic when Cole accidentally discovers that Bee and the crew of high schoolers she’s invited over—Max (Robbie Amell), Allison (Bella Thorne), Sonya (Hana Mae Lee), and John (Andrew Bachelor)—are, in fact, a devil-worshipping cult hellbent on human sacrifice. This movie is absolute mayhem in its purest form, but there’s actually a really sweet beating heart at its center, even if you have to cut through a few layers of skin to see it. — Vinnie Mancuso
Jackass: The Movie (2002)
Director: Jeff Tremaine
Writers: Jeff Tremaine, Spike Jonze, Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Steve-O, Preston Lacy, Jason “Wee Man’ Acuña, Dave England, Ryan Dunn, Ehren McGhehey, Brandon DiCamillo, Dimitry Elyashkevich, Rob “Whitey” McConnaughy, Sean Cliver, Loomis Fall, Tim Payne, Anne Zogby, Phil Clapp, and Vernon Chatman
Cast: Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn, Steve-O, Jason “Wee Man Acuña, Chris Pontius, Preston Lacy, Dave England, and Ehren McGhehey
The Jackass franchise might be one of the best comedy series of the 2000s, as these—well—jackasses come up with some of the most insane concepts and pull them off beautifully. From the incredible opening credit stunt that puts the entire cast in a giant grocery cart hurtling down a hill, to Ryan Dunn‘s brilliant car toy X-ray conclusion, Jackass: The Movie consists of some of the best stunts this crew has ever done. Ever wanted to know what would happen if you pooped in a hardware store’s display toilet, or just how many places the human body can get a paper cut? Well then Jackass The Movie is the movie for you. — Ross Bonaime
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