Comedy

Fancy funny? You’re in for a treat – we stock tons of American, British, horror, political, late night and animation comedy films to watch. From the 1980s hit Airplane! - which is sure to raise a few belly laughs - to the more recent Zombieland: Double Tap, comedy buffs won’t be disappointed.

The History of Comedy Films

Funny films gained popularity in the early 1900s when directors realised how much people love to laugh, just as much as they enjoy a good old slushy scene or romantic flick. The earliest comedy movies were silent, where actors’ and actresses’ theatrical skills were paramount, as there were no special effects. But as technology progressed, so did the comedy genre.

One of the earliest films appeared in the early 1900s – the five-second-long ‘Fred Ott’s Sneeze’. Because the film industry was lacking in technology, early films were silent and therefore relied on visual theatre and wit, particularly the jokey style made popular by Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd and Buster Keaton.

One of the first pioneers in the talking comedy movie world were the Marx brothers, and their style of fast-speaking humour is still used widely today.

Best Comedy Movies of All Time

If you’re up for some classic comedy films, you’re in the right place. Rob Reiner's This is Spinal Tap is a genre-setting mockumentary – or, more fittingly, rockumentary –– about England’s largest-livin’, heaviest-riffin’ heavy rock combo. Another firm favourite is Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray, who takes the role as a pessimistic weatherman trapped in a time loop in the small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania - reliving the same day repeatedly.

The 1989 classic When Harry Met Sally is one of those movies that just gets better with every viewing whilst Bridesmaids from 2011 is rude, incredibly funny - and has the best diarrhoea scene! As for must-see black American comedy films, be sure to watch Coming to America, which tells the story of an incredibly pampered African prince who travels to Queens, New York City, and goes undercover to find a wife. Another brilliant flick is Cooley High, involving a bunch of school friends who live on the Near North Side of Chicago.

List of 2019 and 2020 Comedy Films

One of the best comedy films of 2019 is Shazam!, a superhero film with a twist - the real hero is a 14 year-old kid who can transform into a grown-up superhero Shazam by saying his name. And what does he do with his superpowers? What any teen would do, have fun! Other 2019 favourites include How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, Fighting with My Family and Long Shot.

At the beginning of 2020, a much-anticipated dramedy Hustlers was released on home media, and some other great titles including Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, where the comic duo returns with a new quest and a film filled with cameo appearances from a myriad of past characters. Another long-awaited dramedy is Animals, based on the novel of the same name by Emma Jane Unsworth, starring Holliday Grainger and Alia Shawkat as Laura and Tyler - two girls who like to party. But when aspiring writer Laura meets the devilishly handsome musician Jim, sparks fly.