Best Comedy Films of the Last Decade in a Low Period for the Genre

The past decade has not been a golden era for big-screen comedies. Hollywood studios largely abandoned the genre, with horror taking its place as the dominant crowd-pleaser. Yet, quality comedies have persisted, albeit requiring more effort to discover. This month marks the 10th anniversary of Shane Black's 2016 crime caper "The Nice Guys," starring Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe. While not as monumental as the 50th anniversary of "Jaws," it is a milestone worth noting in an era where comedies have become cult items—often overlooked at release but rediscovered on streaming platforms. "The Nice Guys" underperformed at the box office but enjoys a robust afterlife. Here are our picks for the best comedies of the last decade, post-"The Nice Guys," excluding darker satires like "Parasite," acerbic dramas such as "The Holdovers," and sequels in a league of their own like "Paddington 2."

10. "Palm Springs" (2020)

Much like "Groundhog Day" defined the time-loop comedy, Max Barbakow's inventive spin on the concept finds fresh humor in an endlessly repeated day. Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti are so charming that you want them to remain stuck in Palm Springs indefinitely. J.K. Simmons, who added dry wit to "Burn After Reading," also enhances the fun.

9. "One of Them Days" (2025)

This film echoes the vibe of "Friday," with a similar hangout, day-in-the-life-of-Los-Angeles feel, but with added energy. Keke Palmer carries the movie with her dynamic presence.

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8. "Game Night" (2018)

Few films in the last decade have been so thoroughly stolen by a single performer as "Game Night" is by Jesse Plemons. His portrayal, along with the questionable profitability for Frito-Lay, elevates this into a modern classic. The ensemble, including Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, and Sharon Horgan, is uniformly hilarious.

7. "The Edge of Seventeen" (2016)

Writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig and producer James L. Brooks made a brilliant choice casting Hailee Steinfeld in this coming-of-age comedy. Despite her acclaimed recent roles in "Sinners" and beyond, Steinfeld's performance as a teenager here remains her finest, especially alongside Woody Harrelson as an unconventional teacher.

6. "Confess, Fletch" (2022)

Greg Mottola's revival of the Fletch character, with Jon Hamm, was unjustly overlooked. It suffered from pandemic-related issues and other factors, but it may be the ideal vehicle for Hamm. While the original Chevy Chase films are iconic, "Confess, Fletch" is well worth discovering.

5. "The Death of Stalin" (2017)

Armando Iannucci is famed for his Washington farce "Veep" and British political comedy "The Thick of It," but he proves equally adept at satirizing Stalinist Russia. It is remarkable that he managed to produce a satire about the political turmoil following Joseph Stalin's death in 1953. Either the prospect of Steve Buscemi as Nikita Khrushchev appeals to you, or it does not.

4. "Lady Bird" (2017)

High school has long been fertile ground for comedies, and Greta Gerwig's semi-autobiographical film set in Sacramento is the decade's best and most insightful. While Timothée Chalamet and Lucas Hedges deliver strong performances, the standout moments involve Lady Bird (Saoirse Ronan) with her parents, played by Laurie Metcalf and Tracy Letts.

3. "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery" (2022)

"Halle Berry!" All the "Knives Out" films are humorous, but Rian Johnson's second whodunit is the most uproarious. Daniel Craig pushes Benoit Blanc to cartoonish extremes, and Edward Norton's tech bro with his word-salad dialogue serves as the detective's most comic adversary.

2. "Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar" (2021)

Those who dismissed Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo's follow-up to "Bridesmaids" as a disappointment are mistaken. This film is less a story about two Midwestern women vacationing in Florida than a delirious fever dream of that journey.

1. "Barbie" (2023)

With over $1 billion at the box office and numerous Oscar nominations, "Barbie" might still be underrated. It has made it impossible to discuss "The Godfather" with my daughters without laughter, but that is a small price for one of the most joyous comedies of the century. I only wish Hollywood saw it not just as a successful IP adaptation but as a testament to the potential of poignant, imaginative humor.