Films that fall into the comedy genre are meant to elicit laughter from an audience. When things are heavy, and people are feeling down in the dumps, they turn to funny movies to cheer themselves up. After all, laughter is the best medicine. Iconic comedies tend to be light-hearted and all-out crowd-pleasers that get funnier and funnier with each viewing. Thankfully, comedies are one of Hollywood’s best genres, and there is an endless supply of them available for our viewing pleasure. These movies are likely to tickle almost anyone’s funny bone and could have them rolling on the floor laughing, literally! So, here are some of the most iconic comedies in film history.

In the 2007 raunchy comedy Superbad, Jonah Hill and Michael Cera play Seth and Evan, two inseparable best friends about to attend their last high school party before going to college. Along with their friend Fogell, who later becomes known as McLovin, the trio spends the day trying to prepare for the rager.  But, nothing goes as planned, and they face multiple obstacles. Two terrible cops, played by Seth Rogan and SNL’s Bill Hader, take McLovin on a joy ride. This coming-of-age comedy was crowned the funniest movie of all time. With its hilarious cast and realistic but humorous portrait of young friendship, Superbad is hysterical, and we’re McLovin it!

A parody of George A. Romero’s horror Dawn of the Dead, Edgar Wright’s Shaun of the Dead puts a comedic spin on cult classic zombie apocalypse movies.  The film features Simon Pegg as the main character, Shaun, Nick Frost as his best friend Ed, and Kate Ashfield as his girlfriend Liz. The three go about their whereabouts until a zombie apocalypse overwhelms their town.  Both Shaun and Ed wait out the end of the world in a pub instead of fighting the zombies. That is until Shaun has to step up and defend both his girlfriend and his mother. It makes for an exciting twist, to say the least. Shaun of the Dead is indeed one of the best spoof horror films ever made. It’s so good it’s scary!

The 1995 teen comedy-drama Clueless follows Alicia Silverstone’s character Cher, a Beverly Hills socialite who can talk anyone into doing just about anything. For instance, she coaxes two teachers at her school into dating and gives a girl named Tai, played by Brittany Murphy, a makeover to find her a boyfriend.  Not only that, Cher realizes there is more to life than material items and popularity. As a result, she wants a boyfriend for herself and falls in love with her ex-step brother Josh played by Paul Rudd. Clueless launched Alicia Silverstone, Brittany Murphy, and Paul Rudd’s acting careers. Such a haul of talent in such a hilarious movie!

The best comedy movies are those that feature comedians. After all, who knows the genre better than the most talented professionals in the business! For example, the 1987 film Planes, Trains and Automobiles star famous comedians Steve Martin and John Candy as the film’s main characters, Neal Page and Del Griffith.  The two men travel together and end up becoming friends along their journey. Planes, Trains and Automobiles puts a modern twist on the Odd Couple theme and is most known for showcasing director John Huges’ ability to work with stories beyond teen comedies.

Everybody knows that family gatherings often make for great comedy. That’s where Home for the Holidays comes in. When her teenage daughter opts out of Thanksgiving dinner, single mother Claudia Larson, played by Holly Hunter, returns to her childhood home for the holiday.  As a result, she has to spend the holiday putting up with her crazy family and their antics. The fact that the characters are so genuine and resemble a real dysfunctional family is what makes this film so funny. Between the drama and the laughs, the 1995 comedy would make anyone howl with laughter.

If you’re looking for a raunchy, laugh-out-loud comedy, the 2011 film Bridesmaids is the one for you. Bridesmaids tell the tale of Annie, played by Kristen Wiig, and her struggles as Maya Rudolph’s character Lillian’s maid of honor.  Though Annie’s life is a mess, she somehow leads Lillian and a quirky group of bridesmaids, including Melissa McCarthy and Ellie Kemper, on a wild ride full of misfortune. Both Wiig and Rudolph have been members of SNL, and Judd Apatow produced the film, so that's how you know that the movie is downright hilarious.

Directed by Jared Hess, the classic comedy Napoleon Dynamite follows a socially awkward teenager named Napoleon, played by Jon Heder from Preston, Idaho. He doesn’t care about fitting in with the cool kids. He lives with his grandmother and his older brother Kip Dynamite.  Napoleon tries to help his new friend Pedro run for class president but is faced with obstacles, including his uncle moving into his house after his grandmother is hospitalized. Sure, the movie’s humor might not be everyone’s cup of tea. However, for those who get it, this movie is one of the funniest in existence for those who get it.

Trading Places stars Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy, who play the lead roles of an upper-crust businessman, Louis Wintrope III, and a hustler, Billy Ray Valentine. The duo finds themselves thrown together in a mess, discovering how the other half lives.  Winthrope is an employee of the Duke Brothers, played by Don Ameche and Ralph Bellamy. They frame him for a crime he didn't commit. As a result, they strip Wintrope of his riches and give them to Valentine. This comedy follows each character and their adjustments to their new lives. It focuses on their quirks, and the detailed storyline makes this film a must-see.

Before Trading Places was released in 1983, Dan Aykroyd showed off his comedic genius in The Blue Brothers. The 1980 film follows the “Blues Brothers” Jake and Elwood, played by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, on their journey to save an orphanage.  The two believe they can earn money to avoid the orphanage’s closure by getting their old band back together. Of course, the brothers face daunting odds to make money, but nonetheless, their adventures along the way are ridiculously hilarious.

If you are a baseball fanatic, or sports fan, in general, looking for a good laugh, the film Major League will tickle your fancy. Major League deals with the new owner of the Cleveland Indians, Rachel Phelps, played by Margaret Whitton, and her desire to move the baseball team to Miami, Florida. But, to break the lease in Cleveland, ticket sales need to plummet.  So, she hires the worst players on the market, including pitcher Rick Vaughn, played by Charlie Sheen, and injury-prone catcher Jake Taylor, portrayed by Tom Berenger. To Phelp’s dismay, the team is turned into potential winners. How ironic! 

There is no denying that Seth Rogen is a comedic genius and that the blockbuster film Pineapple Express is some of his best work. The movie stars Rogen and his friends and fellow comedians James Franco and Danny McBride.  It follows the story of a man and his drug supplier who get caught up in a fatal situation and learn not always to put themselves first. The movie is filled with startling moments that are both funny and playful. After all, what brings people closer together than a scary but hilarious run for their lives?

Out of all kinds of comedies out there, dark comedies are some of the most superior. Though it has become dominant in today’s society, it is not for everyone. Regardless, one of the best dark comedies of its day is the satirical film, Dr. Strangelove.  Stanley Kubrick's film satirized the Cold War and the nuclear conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union to give some historical context. Essentially, the movie is about what happens if the wrong person pushes the wrong button. Though war isn’t a funny subject, this film is full of jokes and makes light of what could be a terrifying situation.

Tim Burton is known for mixing themes such as horror and fantasy together to make cinematic masterpieces. But, in his blockbuster film Beetlejuice he adds a splash of comedy which makes all the difference.  The film follows a deceased couple, Adam and Barbara, played by Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder, haunting their former home and the obnoxious family that now lives there. The comedy in this film is obvious, featuring straightforward gags and funny voices, and wordplay. Looking back on this film, we wouldn’t want it to have been done any other way.

Though most of the iconic comedies on this list were instant hits, Duck Soup was different. While the film didn’t do well after it was released, it became a classic in due time for obvious reasons. One of the Marx Brothers’ best comedic endeavors, Duck Soup, shows the country of Freedonia amid a financial crisis.  The plot follows two inept spies and their indecision about whose side they are on in. Full of puns and political satire, the film contains passing moments of hilarity surrounding a severe topic. The film received mixed reviews, especially early on for making a joke out of a significant issue such as war, but it redeemed itself when people accepted this sort of humor over time.

Without knowing what the movie Dumb and Dumber is about, audiences can assume it is a comedy based on the title, which would be a correct assumption. The screwball comedy follows two best friends, Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne, played by Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels.  The pair stumbles across a suitcase full of money left behind in Harry’s car by a woman on her way to the airport. As a result, the two try to return the money and end up in a situation connected to a kidnapping. Not only are the characters so relatable, but the movie is so quotable that viewers get endless laughs from the film’s priceless content.

Before Horrible Bosses took box offices, there was Office Space. Mike Judge’s Office Space follows the dreary life of Ron Livingston’s character Pete Gibbons. After being placed in a blissful state during therapy, his attitude changes. He learns that the co-workers are about to be downsized, so they hatch a revenge plot against their bosses.  Things are going swimmingly until a grave mistake is made, and the trio needs to perform a reversal to avoid going to prison. Between the movie’s sharp dialogue and sporadic humor, Office Space turns cubical culture into comedy. So many people hate their bosses and seek revenge, but Office Space takes it to a new level.

Sometimes people find themselves in grave situations that they do not want to be a part of. That is what happened in the 1998 film The Big Lebowski. The main character of this film, Jeff ‘The Dude’ Lebowski, portrayed by Jeffrey Bridges, is mistaken for millionaire Jeffrey Lebowski, also known as The Big Lebowski.  The Dude, seeking revenge, tracks down his namesake after his rug is soiled. The Big Lebowski offers him a job, and the situation escalates from there. The Big Lebowski is quotable, containing deep jokes and eliciting laughs. If any movie will have you rolling on the floor laughing, it is this one.

There is no correct way to handle heartbreak. Some people find new hobbies. Some immerse themselves in their work. But, in the movie Old School the main character Mitch Martin, played by Luke Wilson, decides to move near a college campus and try to get his life back on track.  Despite Martin and his friends not being in college anymore, they decide to open a frat house.  Two of his best friends, Frank, played by Will Ferrel, and Vince Vaughn’s character Beanie join him in this hysterical adventure. This movie’s premise is hilarious, not to mention it stars some of the funniest actors out there. What could be funnier?

Rob Reiner’s musical comedy This Is Spinal Tap follows a legendary fictional metal band and their struggles to get back on the charts. They go through ups and downs, including name changes and concert dates. Not only that, they deal with groupies, promoters, and the works. This film is considered a ‘mockumentary,’ taking jabs at other documentaries. But, like Documentary Now, it pokes fun at what musicians experience on tour and their antics. Said to be the funniest movie ever made about rock and roll. If this mockumentary doesn’t cause you to crack up, who knows what will.

Based on the classic novel by Mary Shelly, Young Frankenstein is a horror comedy. The 1974 movie follows a respected medical lecturer Dr. Fredrick Frankenstein, portrayed by Gene Wilder, who inherits his infamous grandfather’s original Frankenstein’s estate in Transylvania.  Once he arrives, he recreates his grandfather’s creations and even creates his own monster, and gets involved in other mischiefs. This film is considered a parody of the classic horror genre and combines mysterious characters with funny gags. This brand of comedy isn’t the most popular today, but it is still amusing in its own right.

The John Hughes and Harold Ramis dream team chronicles the story of a family that goes on a cross-country ski trip in the motion picture National Lampoon’s Vacation. Similar to other family-oriented comedy movies, there are hilarious shenanigans along the way that show the family’s true colors.  Clark and Ellen Griswold, played by Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo, are set on taking their two children on a trip to Wally World. They face misfortune along the way but somehow, it is still humorous. This trip that was supposed to be the best vacation ever ends up being a journey they will never forget.

The 1974 western flick Blazing Saddles is another Gene Wilder project. It pokes fun at the country-western genre and is one of the most successful satire films ever made. The movie follows a railroad worker Bart, played by Cleavon Little, and his experience as the sheriff of the town of Rock Ridge.  While Little was put in charge by a corrupt politician to run people out of the town, he wins them over, and they stay and make a stand. The spoofy comedy is full of well-known quotes and funny scenes from which comedy lovers everywhere can get a good laugh.

Best in Show is another well-done film in the ‘mockumentary’ genre. It stars Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara as Herry and Cookie Fleck. The middle-class couple is anything but ordinary, and they take their beloved terrier to compete in the Mayflower Dog Show.  The canine contestants and their owners featured in the film are as diverse as they come, making for a hysterical cast. The greater part of the film was improvised with actors who made the entire flick that much funnier. Who knew dog shows were so competitive and funny? Wow!

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy chronicles a hotshot television reporter Ron Burgundy, played by Will Ferell, and his feud with new reporter Veronica Corningstone, played by Christina Applegate. He gives the female reporter a warm welcome but gets jealous when she starts to outshine him, and the two begin to feud.  He comments on live television that could arguably end his career, but  Burgundy is given a chance to redeem himself by the end of the film. Will Ferrell’s character Burgundy is one of the funniest in the business, and the movie is full of silly, goofy comedy. What's not to love?

Jim Abrahams and David and Jerry Zucker’s 1980 film Airplane! It is full of witty humor and gags. The film chronicles an ex-Navy pilot Ted Striker who is afraid of flying after a botched mission in World War II.   The movie also displays his experience of having to land a plane safely in Chicago after the pilot falls ill. In addition, it spoofs several disaster films released during the same time period. In addition, the film has a cameo from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Indeed, this parody proves that humor does not age.

 Scary Movie is a franchise of movies that is world-renowned for successfully parodying almost every horror movie ever made. The first of them, 2000’s Scary Movie, just like the rest, takes spoofing to the next level and never fails to give audiences a good laugh or two.  This movie parodies horror, slasher and mystery films all at once. Though the movie relies on crude humor and gore for laughs, people love them. After all, why else would more and more Scary Movies keep getting released?

The 1993 comedy-drama Mrs. Doubtfire takes the cake for funny family-esque movies. The motion picture stars Robin Williams plays a divorced man named Daniel who is willing to go to desperate measures to see his children. So, he comes up with an elaborate scheme.  He dresses up as an older British woman and convinces his ex-wife to hire him as a nanny named Mrs. Doubtfire. Things go as planned until Daniel and the nanny persona are expected at different parties at the same restaurants. This movie conveys a quirky sense of comedy and brings emotion to humor, making the movie that much better.

Who would’ve thought that a fairytale would be one of the most iconic comedy movies? Well, here we have The Princess Bride. This frame-stories fairytale parody has a layered plot. It might get confusing and hard to comprehend at first, but the jokes are easier to get.  Since the dialogue is where the comedy lies, one can find the movie funny without effectively following the plot. There are so many witty jokes and family-friendly ones at that. With that being said, this spoof fairytale is perfect for getting people of all ages cracking up.

The 1999 coming-of-age comedy American Pie is so hysterical that it should be a part of any iconic comedies list. The movie chronicles a friend group of four teenage boys who make an interesting pact before graduating high school.  While the film has received negative reviews for being overly raunchy and rowdy, that is part of what makes the movie so funny. Not only that, the characters themselves are comical, and everyone has their awkward teenage days, and the fact that the film is so relatable makes it all that much more humorous.

There are many great occupations out there, and one of the lesser-known ones is pet detective. In the comical film Ace Venture: Pet Detective, Jim Carey plays Ace Venture, a real-life pet detective who deals with the case of the missing mascot of the Miami Dolphins. He behaves like a criminal animal and ponders who would want to steal a dolphin and why. Carey shines through in this movie and pulls out all stops with his overdramatic humor and quotes. After all, as the film says. “He’s the best there is! (Actually, he’s the only one there is.).”

In Tim Burton’s 1985 comedy Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, an eccentric man-child character who some cannot believe is real named Pee-wee Herman is portrayed by Paul Reubens. After his shiny new red bicycle gets stolen in broad daylight by his biggest enemy, Herman sets off on a nationwide journey to get it back.  While on his trip, he meets many new people, realizes his bike is being used in a movie, and does his best to recover it. This film is a weird delight with jokes appropriate for audiences of all ages, sure to get all viewers to laugh aloud.

Zoolander is arguably one of the best fashion industry spoofs ever made outside of the more serious film Devil Wears Prada. In the 2001 spy-comedy Zoolander, a male model, Derek Zoolander, played by Ben Stiller, thinks he has the win Male Model of the Year in the bag.  However, he is unpleasantly surprised to see that his rival, Hansel McDonald, played by Owen Wilson, won the title. Zoolander is crushed and gets involved with a fashion designer, portrayed by Will Ferrell, who stars in his fashion show but gets brainwashed. Not only does this film have hilarious characters, but it is suitable for an abundance of laughs and is a great time passer.

Dennis Dugan’s sports comedy Happy Gilmore is one of Adam Sandler’s best. If you’re a golf fan or a sports fan in general, this film is the one for you. Happy Gilmore chronicles Happy Gilmore, played by Adam Sandler, who desires to be a hockey player.  But, everything changes when he finds out he has a knack for golf. When his grandmother finds out, she might lose her home. So, he joins a golf tournament to win enough money to buy her house for her. This fish-out-of-water story is full of ridiculous moments and silliness to entertain any audience.

Starring a young Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure is a film that will knock your socks off! The 1989 science fiction comedy follows two high school best friends starting a band and their quest to pass history class.  The duo travels to various historical points through time-traveling, which helps them complete their final history presentation. Yes, this premise is one of the strangest on this list, but it is also one of the funniest. This film’s outlandish quotes and gags make it a top-notch comedy.

If you like feel-good comedies, School of Rock is the film for you. Jack Black portrays the main character Dewey Finn. Finn is a guitarist who poses as a substitute music teacher at a private elementary school. He exposes his students to hard rock, and he turns the class into a rock band that competes in a local competition. School of Rock is full of catchy tunes and scenes with hilarious quotes. Not only that, Jack Black is one of the most hilarious actors out there, and if anyone is going to make you laugh, it's him.