23 Best Comedy Movies of 2024 (So Far)
Comedy in cinema often faces the double-edged sword of being underestimated while underappreciated. Yet, crafting a truly great comedy is nothing short of an art form, requiring pitch-perfect timing, standout performances, sharp storytelling, and a script that keeps the laughter rolling. A successful comedy not only tickles the funny bone but has the power to transcend cultural and linguistic boundaries, solidifying its place as a universal crowd-pleaser.
In 2024, while the year may not go down as a comedic golden age, it has delivered a mix of hilarity and heart. From the witty charm of Hit Man and The Fall Guy to the delightful absurdity of Hundreds of Beavers and the blockbuster antics of Deadpool & Wolverine, these films have kept the laughs coming. Whether you’re seeking uplifting feel-good moments or full-on chaos, these are the 15 best comedy movies of 2024 so far.
Hit Man
Black comedy film produced and directed by Richard Linklater, who co-wrote the screenplay with Glen Powell. The film stars Powell, Adria Arjona, Austin Amelio, Retta, and Sanjay Rao.
It follows an undercover New Orleans police contractor who poses as a reliable hitman as he tries to save a woman in need. The basic premise was based on the true story of a college professor who worked for the Houston police in the late 1980s and 1990s as a fake hitman, as described in a 2001 magazine article by Skip Hollandsworth.
Where to watch: Netflix
Hundreds of Beavers
It was inspired by the slapstick comedy of 1920s and 1930s artists. The film is directed by Mike Cheslik and written by Cheslik and Ryland Brickson Cole Tews.It stars Tews as an applejack maker in a conflict with beavers, trying to win the hand of a merchant’s daughter.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Deadpool & Wolverine
Based on Marvel Comics featuring the characters Deadpool and Wolverine, it is the 34th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the sequel to Deadpool (2016) and Deadpool 2 (2018). The film was directed by Shawn Levy from a screenplay he wrote with Ryan Reynolds, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, and Zeb Wells. Reynolds and Hugh Jackman respectively star as Wade Wilson / Deadpool and Logan / Wolverine, alongside Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Aaron Stanford, and Matthew Macfadyen.
The Merc with a mouth returns to action and is set upon upsetting, offending, or killing anyone in his vicinity. Deadpool is a genetically modified, ultimately sarcastic, human-weapon with regenerative healing powers and a sharp sense of humor. Gruesomely scarred all over his body from the experimental treatment, Wade Wilson is a gun-toting, maroon suit-donning rogue with no rules. Known for breaking the fourth wall, Deadpool has finally broken through entirely and now sits within the sandbox of other Marvel superheroes and villains. Can he play nice or will this R-rated adventure see him rudely awaken every PG-13 hero just trying to do a job?
Where to watch: Disney+
The Fall Guy
It is one of the best action comedy movies of 2024, directed by David Leitch and written by Drew Pearce, loosely based on the 1980s TV series.
The plot follows a stuntman (Ryan Gosling) working on his ex-girlfriend’s (Emily Blunt) directorial debut action film, only to find himself involved in a conspiracy surrounding the film’s lead actor (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). The cast also features Hannah Waddingham, Teresa Palmer, Stephanie Hsu, and Winston Duke.
Where to watch: Peacock
[Related Content: 31 Best Action Movies of 2024 You Can’t Miss]
Mean Girls
Teen musical comedy film directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr. from a screenplay written by Tina Fey. It is based on the stage musical of the same name, which in turn was inspired by the 2004 film of the same name, both also written by Fey, and based on the 2002 book Queen Bees and Wannabes by Rosalind Wiseman.
It stars Angourie Rice, Reneé Rapp, Auliʻi Cravalho, and Christopher Briney. Fey and Tim Meadows reprise their roles from the original film. Cady is not like other girls. Having grown up on the African continent with her busy, working parents, naive Cady sees the world completely different from most other American teenage girls. So when the family moves back to the U.S. and enrolls Cady in a regular high school she’s completely unprepared. Through run-ins with the teenage A-lister clique, The Plastics, Cady has learns the fickle rules of high school.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Paramount+
The People’s Joker
Superhero parody film directed by Vera Drew, and written by Vera Drew and Bri LeRose. The film unofficially parodies characters from the Batman comics, and the main character is a transgender woman based on the Joker, played by Drew. The film also features Scott Aukerman, Tim Heidecker, Maria Bamford, David Liebe Hart, Robert Wuhl (who also starred in 1989’s Batman), and Bob Odenkirk in supporting roles.
The film premiered at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, but planned screenings of the film were canceled due to copyright issues. However, the film is available on streaming platforms.
Where to watch: MUBI, Buy/Rent – AppleTV, Amazon, Vudu, Vimeo, and Google Play/YouTube
Drive-Away Dolls
Set in 1999, the film stars Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan as two lesbian best friends on a road trip who become involved in a criminal scheme. It co-stars Beanie Feldstein, Colman Domingo, Pedro Pascal, Bill Camp and Matt Damon. It received mixed reviews from critics.
Directed by Ethan Coen from a screenplay he co-wrote with his wife Tricia Cooke, who was also the film’s editor; the two also produced the film with Robert Graf and Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner; it is Coen’s first narrative film without his brother Joel, and his second sole directorial work after the documentary Jerry Lee Lewis: Trouble in Mind (2022). The film is followed by a continuation film Honey Don’t!
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Thelma
Comedy-drama film written, directed, and edited by Josh Margolin. The film stars June Squibb as a woman who falls victim to a phone scam, and sets out to find the perpetrators with the help of her grandson (Fred Hechinger) and friend (Richard Roundtree, in his final role). Clark Gregg, Parker Posey, and Malcolm McDowell also star.
Where to watch: Hulu
The Idea of You
The Idea of You is one of the best romantic comedy movies of 2024, directed by Michael Showalter from a screenplay he co-wrote with Jennifer Westfeldt, based on the novel of the same name by Robinne Lee.
Starring Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine, it chronicles the love affair between a single mother and the lead singer of a popular boy band.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
[Also Read: 35 Best Romantic Movies of 2024 (So Far)]
Kung Fu Panda 4
DreamWorks Animation never disappoint us and in 2024 it produced several movies and Kung Fu Panda 4 is one of them. It is the fourth installment in the Kung Fu Panda franchise and the sequel to Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016). The film was directed by Mike Mitchell, co-directed by Stephanie Ma Stine (in her feature directorial debut), written by Darren Lemke and the writing team of Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, and produced by Rebecca Huntley.
It features Jack Black, Ian McShane, Dustin Hoffman, James Hong, and Bryan Cranston reprising their roles from the previous films, with Awkwafina, Ke Huy Quan, Ronny Chieng, Lori Tan Chinn, and Viola Davis joining the cast as new characters. In the film, Po (Black), who must find and train his successor as the new Dragon Warrior, teams up with fox bandit Zhen (Awkwafina) to defeat evil sorceress The Chameleon (Davis), before she steals the kung-fu abilities of all masters in China.
Where to watch: Netflix
Problemista
Written, directed, and co-produced by Julio Torres in his feature directorial debut. The film stars Tilda Swinton, Torres, RZA, Greta Lee, Catalina Saavedra, James Scully, and Isabella Rossellini.
Its plot follows a struggling aspiring toy designer from El Salvador who starts working for an erratic art-world outcast in New York City, hoping to stay in the country and realize his dream before his work visa expires.
Where to watch: Max
Kinds of Kindness
It is a black comedy-drama anthology film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos from a screenplay he co-wrote with Efthimis Filippou. It stars Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, Hong Chau, Joe Alwyn, Mamoudou Athie, and Hunter Schafer.
It follows a man without choice who tries to take control of his own life; a policeman who is alarmed that his wife who was missing-at-sea has returned and seems a different person; and a woman determined to find a specific someone with a special ability, who is destined to become a prodigious spiritual leader.
Where to watch: Hulu
Babes
Follows inseparable childhood best friends Eden (Ilana Glazer) and Dawn (Michelle Buteau), who grew up together in New York City and are now firmly in different phases of adulthood. When carefree and single Eden decides to have a baby on her own after a one-night stand, their friendship faces its greatest challenge. “Babes” delves into the complexities of female friendship with a blend of laughter, tears, and labor pains.
The film is directed by Pamela Adlon feature directorial debut, written by Ilana Glazer and Josh Rabinowitz.
Where to watch: Hulu
Lisa Frankenstein
A coming of RAGE love story about a teenager and her crush, who happens to be a corpse. After a set of horrific circumstances bring him back to life, the two embark on a journey to find love, happiness – and a few missing body parts.
Directed by Zelda Williams, in her feature-length directorial debut, and written by Diablo Cody. Cody stated that Lisa Frankenstein is set in the same fictional universe as Jennifer’s Body (2009). The film stars Kathryn Newton, Cole Sprouse, Liza Soberano, Henry Eikenberry, Joe Chrest, and Carla Gugino.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Wicked Little Letters
It’s a black comedy mystery film directed by Thea Sharrock, written by Jonny Sweet and starring Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Anjana Vasan, Joanna Scanlan, Gemma Jones, Malachi Kirby, Lolly Adefope, Eileen Atkins and Timothy Spall.
Based on the real-life Littlehampton libels, it follows an investigation into the anonymous author of numerous crudely insulting letters sent to the residents of the seaside town of Littlehampton.
Where to watch: Netflix
Saturday Night
Biographical comedy-drama film directed by Jason Reitman, about the night of the 1975 premiere of NBC’s Saturday Night, later known as Saturday Night Live. The film stars an ensemble cast portraying the various Saturday Night cast and crew, led by Gabriel LaBelle as the show’s creator and producer, Lorne Michaels. Rachel Sennott, Cory Michael Smith, Ella Hunt, Dylan O’Brien, Emily Fairn, Matt Wood, Lamorne Morris, Kim Matula, Finn Wolfhard, Nicholas Braun, Cooper Hoffman, Andrew Barth Feldman, Kaia Gerber, Tommy Dewey, Willem Dafoe, Matthew Rhys, and J. K. Simmons also star.
Where to watch: Amazon Video, Apple TV
Anora
It follows the beleaguered marriage between Anora (Mikey Madison), a young sex worker, and Vanya Zakharov (Mark Eydelshteyn), the son of a Russian oligarch. The supporting cast includes Yura Borisov, Karren Karagulian, Vache Tovmasyan, and Aleksei Serebryakov.
Written, directed, and edited by Sean Baker. It was named one of the top 10 films of 2024 by the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute, and received five nominations at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical, Best Actress and Best Director.
Where to watch: Amazon Video, Apple TV
[Related Content: 27 Best Romantic Comedy Movies of 2024: Must-Watch Movies That Will Steal Your Heart]
The Book of Clarence
It follows a struggling down-on-his-luck man named Clarence living in A.D. 33 Jerusalem who looks to capitalize on the rise of Jesus Christ, by claiming to be a new Messiah sent by God, in an attempt to free himself of debt and start a life of glory for himself.
Written and directed by Jeymes Samuel, and produced by Samuel, Jay-Z, James Lassiter, and Tendo Nagenda. The film stars LaKeith Stanfield, Omar Sy, RJ Cyler, Anna Diop, David Oyelowo, Micheal Ward, Alfre Woodard, Teyana Taylor, Caleb McLaughlin, Eric Kofi-Abrefa, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, James McAvoy, and Benedict Cumberbatch.
Where to watch: Netflix
Dìdi (弟弟)
A 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy named Chris as he navigates the summer before high school. He grapples with his cultural identity, experiences the joys and awkwardness of first love, and strengthens his bonds with friends while navigating the complexities of his relationship with his hardworking, single mother. Through skateboarding, online interactions, and everyday experiences, Chris begins to understand himself and his place in the world better. This coming-of-age story explores themes of family, identity, and self-discovery.
It is written, directed, and produced by Sean Wang in his directorial debut. The film stars Izaac Wang and Joan Chen. Carlos López Estrada, Josh Peters and Chris Columbus.
Where to watch: Peacock
My Old Ass
My Old Ass is a coming-of-age comedy drama film, written and directed by Megan Park. It stars Maisy Stella in her film debut, Percy Hynes White, Maddie Ziegler, Kerrice Brooks, and Aubrey Plaza.
The plot follows, a mushroom trip brings free-spirited Elliott face-to-face with her 39-year-old self. But when Elliott’s “old ass” delivers warnings to her younger self, Elliott realizes she has to rethink everything about her family, life and love.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Space Cadet
Written and directed by Liz W. Garcia. It stars Emma Roberts, Tom Hopper, Poppy Liu, and Gabrielle Union.
Rex, a Floridian with little more than a high school diploma, manages to almost complete the NASA space training program before her falsified resumé is exposed, but later redeems herself by becoming the only hope for the crew using her smarts, heart, and moxie.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Y2K
it’s a disaster comedy horror film directed by Kyle Mooney in his directorial debut, written by Mooney and Evan Winter. It stars Jaeden Martell, Rachel Zegler, Julian Dennison, Fred Durst, and Alicia Silverstone.
It follows a group of high school students who attempt to survive when the year 2000 problem causes all technology worldwide to come to life and turn against humanity.
Where to watch: Amazon Video, Apple TV
Fitting In
Coming-of-age comedy drama film written and directed by Molly McGlynn. It stars Maddie Ziegler, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Djouliet Amara, and Emily Hampshire.
A teenage girl gets diagnosed with a reproductive condition that upends her plans to have sex and propels her into exploring unusual methods to have a sex life, challenging her relationships with everyone in her life, but most importantly, herself.
Where to watch: Amazon Video, Apple TV
List of Best Comedy Movies of 2024 (So Far)
Here are the best comedy movies of 2024, find out where to watch them.
- Hit Man
- Hundreds of Beavers
- Deadpool & Wolverine
- The Fall Guy
- Mean Girls
- The People’s Joker
- Drive-Away Dolls
- Wicked Little Letters
- Kinds of Kindness
- Lisa Frankenstein
- Saturday Night
- Problemista
- Thelma
- The Idea of You
- Babes
- Challengers
- Anora
- Argylle
- Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
- A Real Pain
- Dìdi
- The Book of Clarence
- Fitting In
- Space Cadet
- My Old Ass
- Inside Out 2
- Despicable Me 4
- Bad Boys: Ride or Die
- Jackpot!
- Red One
- Lift
- IF
- I Used to Be Funny
- Self Reliance
- Ricky Stanicky
- Scrambled
- The Nature of Love
- Y2K
- American Fiction
- Brothers
- Destroy All Neighbors
