The best comedies on Prime Video for when you need a good laugh

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Overwhelmed by the state of the world? Trying to find something fun to watch on your friendly neighborhood international multibillion-dollar corporation's streaming service? It's OK to ignore the ever-growing pile of worthy but harrowing dramas and acclaimed documentaries on your watchlist for another hour or two. Treat yourself by hitting play on some of the finest comedies in the Amazon Prime Video library.

From old faves to cult comedies and sweet hidden gems, whether you're after a highbrow chuckle, crumb-spraying sputters, or screeching, hysterical, hang-on-hang-on-just-pause-for-a-moment cackling, Prime Video has got something to split your sides.

So here we go: the best comedy movies now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

1. Walk Hard

Jenna Fischer and John C. Reilly star in "Walk Hard." Credit: Gemma La Mana / Columbia / Kobal / Shutterstock

If you've never seen this underappreciated, star-studded work of genius, it's time to fix that. The story of the rise, fall, and rise again of country-rock legend Dewey Cox (John C. Reilly) is a pitch-perfect parody of all the Oscar-bait music biopics you know and love, from Walk the Line and Ray to the documentary Bob Dylan: Don't Look Back. In its own right, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story is an epic tale, which Reilly's commitment makes surprisingly affecting for a film where someone gets accidentally cut in half with a machete (which people constantly keep bringing up). The songs are genuinely great. It's as endlessly quotable in your daily life as golden-era Simpsons. Plus, the cast is uniformly great — from The Office's Jenna Fischer and character actress Margo Martindale to a raft of cameos too good to spoil here. — Caitlin Welsh, Australia Editor

How to watch: Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story is available to rent or buy on Prime Video.

2. Bottoms

In Emma Seligman's follow-up to Shiva Baby, Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri co-star as PJ and Josie, a pair of unpopular lesbians ignored or reviled by everyone at their high school. Faced with the prospect of another year of virginhood, the BFFs come up with a plan. They’re going to start a fight club! They’ll teach cheerleaders self-defense, and maybe somehow along the way, they’ll also get to sleep with said cheerleaders. The plan has a lot of holes — PJ and Josie don’t know anything about self-defense, for starters — but don’t worry about it, OK? They’ll figure it out! Just keep those nosy boyfriends out of the gym.

Bottoms is a ridiculous teen comedy that pays homage to high school movie tropes while blazing a new irreverent trail of its own. With a laugh-out-loud script co-written by Sennott and Seligman, an unforgettable performance from Nicholas Galitzine as an idiotic football player, Marshawn Lynch stealing scenes as a supportive teacher, and tons of fake blood, Bottoms is an instant teen movie classic. — Kristina Grosspietsch, Freelance Contributor

How to watch: Bottoms is now streaming on Prime Video.

3. Napoleon Dynamite

The movie that launched a thousand VOTE FOR PEDRO T-shirts retains the oddball spirit that made it a hit in the first place. As Napoleon (Jon Heder) navigates high school in small-town Idaho — from class president elections to asking his crush to the dance — he must also deal with his awkward family members and their schemes — and take care of Tina the llama, who won't eat her darn food. For every joke and quote that's been memed into the ground, there's another slyly hilarious one you've forgotten about. — C.W.

How to watch: Napoleon Dynamite is available to rent or buy on Prime Video.

4. Spaceballs

Don't miss Mel Brooks' 1987 parody of "Star Wars." Credit: Moviestore / Shutterstock

The legendary Mel Brooks' 1987 parody of Star Wars (and Star Trek, and Alien...) is both a snapshot of its time and an ageless comedy classic. For the uninitiated: Rick Moranis plays villain Dark Helmet, a goofy megalomanic in a giant not-Darth-Vader helmet whose ship goes to speeds including Ludicrous and Plaid. Meanwhile, mercenary and scoundrel Lone Starr (Bill Pullman) leads a ragtag bunch of misfits against Dark Helmet, including sassy Princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga), her robot maid Dot Matrix (the late, great Joan Rivers), and Starr's half-man-half-dog, ever-loyal companion Barf (John Candy). — C.W.

How to watch: Spaceballs is available to rent or buy on Prime Video.

5. American Fiction

Thelonious "Monk" Ellison (Jeffrey Wright) is an author without an audience. His novels receive critical praise but no one actually reads them. After his latest manuscript is rejected by his publisher for not being "Black enough," Monk writes a fake, satirical book mocking Black literary stereotypes. And… it’s a hit.

Written and directed by Cord Jefferson, American Fiction is a razor-sharp comedy-drama for the modern era. The cast — which includes Tracee Ellis Ross, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Issa Rae, and Sterling K. Brown — is sublime, the message is piercing, and the writing is air-tight. American Fiction was nominated for a slew of Oscars, and brought home Best Adapted Screenplay — K.G.

How to watch: American Fiction is now streaming on Prime Video.

6. Paddington

Do you like your comedy cozy? 2014’s Paddington is the sweet and silly watch of your dreams. Written and directed by Paul King (whom comedy nerds might know from The Mighty Boosh), Paddington tells the story of an anthropomorphic bear (voiced by Ben Whishaw) who journeys from darkest Peru to London in search of a new life. The Brown family takes him in, and he explores his new world with curiosity and kindness, blithely unaware that he’s about to become an evil taxidermist's next big target. Will the Browns help to save Paddington? And will Paddington save them along the way? Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!

This absolutely delightful movie is full of British acting greats at their zaniest and visibly having the time of their lives: Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi, and more. Yes, Paddington is a family film, but its joys will win over audiences of any age. (Same goes for the equally fantastic Paddington 2!). — K.G.

How to watch: Paddington is now streaming on Prime Video.

7. UHF

Weird Al Yankovic gets pinched in "UHF." Credit: Moviestore / Shutterstock

'Weird Al' Yankovic co-wrote and stars in this cult classic about a dreamer with a wild imagination who suddenly finds himself running a local TV station. Then, he finds sudden success by letting his goofy janitor (Seinfeld's Michael Richards) host a chaotic kids' show. Inspired by that chaos, they program an ever-weirder lineup of absolutely wild shows, taking on the suits at the big networks in a classic underdog arc. Weird Al plays the straight man here, imbuing his earnest hero with a can-do spirit you want to root for. Plus, a pre-The Nanny Fran Drescher sails in to show why she ended up a star. — C.W.

How to watch: UHF is available to rent or buy on Prime Video.

8. The Nice Guys

Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling lead a stacked cast in this buddy cop neo-noir mashup. Gosling is Holland March, a low-level private investigator in 1970s Los Angeles looking into the strange death of porn star Misty Mountains. Unfortunately, gruff enforcer Jackson Healy (Crowe) has also been hired — to scare March off the scent. As the two butt heads, the mystery of Misty’s murder begins to unfold, and they form an unlikely and tenuous alliance.

Co-written and directed by Shane Black (Lethal Weapon, Last Action Hero, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Iron Man 3, and more), The Nice Guys is a magnetic, fast-paced action comedy with a smart script, a multifaceted mystery, and a strong sense of style. — K.G.

How to watch: The Nice Guys is now available to rent or buy on Prime Video.

9. Catherine Called Birdy

Bella Ramsey is vibrant and charming as Catherine (aka Birdy), a headstrong 14-year-old medieval lady whose father (Andrew Scott) has decided to marry her off to secure wealth for the family. Birdy has other plans for her future. Chief among them? Not being married to a 50-year-old slob. But even more importantly, Birdy yearns for freedom. She will stop at nothing to deter her would-be suitors, much to her family’s chagrin. Written and directed by Lena Dunham (and adapted from Karen Cushman's beloved 1994 novel), Catherine Called Birdy is a clever and spirited coming-of-age comedy with a whole lot of heart. — K.G.

How to watch: Catherine Called Birdy is now streaming on Prime Video.

10. I Want You Back

Jenny Slate and Charlie Day star in this delightful rom-com. Credit: Amazon Studios

A rom-com starring Charlie Day and Jenny Slate, I Want You Back enchanted Mashable's Nicole Gallucci with its willingness to skip over some of the most played-out tropes of the genre. "Every successful rom-com has a source of authentic chemistry, and Slate and Day's natural rapport delivers," she wrote in her review. "The two shine as heartbroken hot messes who desperately want their search for soulmates to be over, and their shared sense of humor proves to be ceaselessly charming." — C.W.

How to watch: I Want You Back is now streaming on Prime Video.

11. The Big Sick

Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani's Oscar-nominated screenplay fictionalizes a rocky period from early in their real-life relationship, when Gordon was seriously ill. While it does get emotionally intense in parts, it's also hysterically funny — from a scene where Emily (Zoe Kazan) freaks out over the prospect of pooping when Kumail (Nanjiani, playing a version of himself) is in the apartment, to what might be the single best and darkest 9/11 joke made on film to date. — C.W.

How to watch: The Big Sick is now streaming on Prime Video.

12. Bridesmaids

If you haven't seen Bridesmaids, written by Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, we're so sorry that you've obviously been trapped in a siren’s cave for the last 11 years — because there is simply no other excuse. Bridesmaids was an era-defining film. In 2011, there were still prominent male comedians claiming women couldn’t be funny! Bridesmaids put an end to the debate.

Wiig stars as Annie, a wayward thirtysomething who feels out of step with her best friend Lillian (a perfect Maya Rudolph) when she meets the other women in Lillian's bridal party. What follows is both romantic comedy and buddy flick, stuffed to the brim with punchlines, physical gags, and a repulsive and unforgettable gross-out scene. The entire cast here is flawless: Rose Byrne is delightfully haughty. Jon Hamm is perfect as a hot idiot. Chris O'Dowd is a swoon-worthy love interest, and Melissa McCarthy was nominated for a dang Oscar for her scene-stealing performance as another misfit bridesmaid. Please escape the siren’s cave and see this legendary comedy — for your own good!* — K.G.

How to watch: Bridesmaids is now available to rent or buy on Prime Video.

13. The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou

Bill Murray leads Wes Anderson's crew in "The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou." Credit: Moviestore / Shutterstock

This one's another comedy that gets you right in the feels on a regular basis, but this time with the quintessential Wes Anderson charm. Inspired by, paying homage to, and gently parodying the legendary ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, Steve Zissou (Bill Murray, arguably never better) leads a somewhat disgruntled crew played by a slate of stars (Owen Wilson, Anjelica Huston, Cate Blanchett, Willem Dafoe, and more) on a mission to capture the rare shark that killed the cranky Captain's partner. Soundtracked by a gorgeous array of David Bowie covers — performed in Portuguese by cast member Seu Jorge — The Life Aquatic is what to put on when you feel like being taken on an adventure. — C.W.

How to watch: The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou is available to rent or buy on Prime Video.

14. Borat Subsequent Moviefilm

The sequel to Sacha Baron Cohen's mockumentary Borat was a bright spot in an otherwise grim 2020. It scored Oscar nominations and critical acclaim, especially for Bulgarian actor Maria Bakalova, who stole the spotlight as Borat's awkward daughter, Tutar.

Both films follow Baron Cohen, disguised as boorish, backward journalist Borat Sagdiyev, as he endeavors to understand American culture through a series of improvisation set-ups at the expense of unsuspecting real people. Not only is it as viciously funny as the original, but also, this sequel caught in its net then-President Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani in a notorious hotel room scene. It's one of the strangest and most oddly affecting products of cinema's — and the world's — weirdest years ever. — C.W.

How to watch: Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is now streaming on Prime Video.

15. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves 

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is the definition of a crowd-pleaser. Thrilling action sequences, ridiculous side characters, beloved actors playing gleefully against type, plenty of Easter eggs for the hardcore DnD fans — this is one adventure you don’t want to miss.

Chris Pine is Edgin Darvis, a bard and peacekeeper who turned to a life of thievery to support his daughter following the death of his wife — and was thrown in jail for it. After escaping with his friend Holga (Michelle Rodriguez), Edgin will stop at nothing to reunite with his daughter.* — K.G.

How to watch: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is now streaming on Prime Video.

16. The Sapphires

Jessica Mauboy, Miranda Tapsell, Deborah Mailman, and Shari Sebbens are "The Sapphires." Credit: Goalpost / Kobal / Shutterstock

A little bit Dreamgirls, a little bit That Thing You Do!, and a whole lot of stellar soul covers: That's the Australian period musical-comedy The Sapphires. The film follows four young singers from a remote Indigenous community (Jessica Mauboy, Miranda Tapsell, Deborah Mailman, and Shari Sebbens) in the 1960s, who are discovered by an aimless manager (Chris O'Dowd), who turns them into a perfectly choreographed girl group bound for Vietnam to perform for the troops. Totally charming, this is one to watch with your parents. — C.W.

How to watch: The Sapphires is available to rent or buy on Prime Video.

17. Barbie

Frankly, the promotional journey for Barbie was so full of pink, so joyful, so fun, that would have been Kenough. The movie could have been a silly trifle, and we'd likely have been pleased. But writer/director Greta Gerwig brought us the universally heralded coming-of-age comedy Ladybird and then the rapturous re-imagining of Little Women. Her Barbie wasn't going to stop at playful. Instead, it parodied the patriarchy with horses, Stallone-inspired fashion, and a rousing dream ballet fueled by an actual banger, "I'm Just Ken."

Margot Robbie was picture-perfect as a Barbie who realizes the world is much bigger than the dreamhouse-dotted Barbie Land. Ryan Gosling was nominated for a rare comedy Oscar for his delightfully deranged take on the insecure man doll who couldn't cope, and so turned to conquering. (Napoleon relates!) While detractors have argued the film's girl-power messaging is simplistic, it's hard to deny that Gerwig did more with this IP than we could have dreamed. Sure, Barbie is a glossy toy commercial. But it's a glossy toy commercial that not only has something to say, but does so through spectacular filmmaking that folds in eye-popping practical effects, enthralling details, discontinued dolls, and jokes that were way outside the box. From Weird Barbie to that on-point Pride and Prejudice mini-series namedrop, Barbie had us so giddy that we felt like kids again.* — Kristy Puchko, Film Editor

How to watch: Barbie is now available to rent or buy on Prime Video.

18. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Steve Martin and Michael Caine have excellent chemistry as con men with opposite styles. Caine’s Lawrence is elegant and debonair, while Martin’s Freddy is brusque and fairly obvious. Predictably, when the two grifters meet in the south of France, they want the other to vacate their territory. The only way to settle the dispute? A contest of con-artistry! Whoever can hustle $50,000 from the "United States Soap Queen," Janet Colgate (Glenne Headly), wins. 1988’s Dirty Rotten Scoundrels — which is itself a remake of 1964's Bedtime Story — is a slapstick, buoyant, and smartly crafted comedy that has since been adapted into a Broadway musical and a 2019 remake (The Hustle starring Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson). But ignore all of those. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is the best and brightest of the bunch. — K.G.

How to watch: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is now streaming on Prime Video.

19. Heathers

Winona Ryder out-means the mean girls. Credit: Cinemarque-New World / Kobal / Shutterstock

What's your damage? Long before Mean Girls was hitting popular bitches with buses, this 1989 pitch-black comedy bridged the gap between the John Hughes era and the more cynical teen cinema that would emerge in the '90s. Winona Ryder and Christian Slater star as Veronica and J.D., a discontented popular girl and outcast newcomer, respectively, who take revenge on a cruel clique of rich girls named Heather. The film takes the viciousness of high school to a darkly hilarious extreme, with its own snarky vernacular and vision of '80s excess (croquet! in blazers!). — C.W.

How to watch: Heathers is now streaming on Prime Video.

20. Thelma

When 93-year-old Thelma receives a phone call from her grandson claiming he’s been arrested and needs money, she wires $10,000 immediately. The only problem? Her grandson is fine. He’s not in jail. Thelma has been scammed! And when faced with disinterest from the police, Thelma takes it upon herself to track down these con artists herself and get her money back. June Squibb is superb as the nonagenarian on a mission, recruiting help from other seniors to achieve her goal — and she gets to ride a sick scooter! — K.G.

How to watch: Thelma is now available to rent or buy on Prime Video.

21. Dr. Strangelove

A bruising Cold War satire, Stanley Kubrick’s paradigm-shifting Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb makes a mockery of nuclear war strategy. The reaction upon its release in 1964 was ecstatic. Few movies before had dared to so boldly deride seemingly prestigious institutions like the Pentagon and the Presidency — or to cheerfully lampoon nuclear armageddon.

When an Air Force bomber receives the order to drop the bomb on the USSR, the U.S. government scrambles to discover who gave the order, who is actually in charge, and how they can avoid doomsday. Strangelove stars a peerless Peter Sellers in multiple roles, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, and more — as well as James Earl Jones in his film debut! — K.G.

How to watch: Dr. Strangelove is now streaming on Prime Video.

22. His Girl Friday

Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell, yes please. Credit: Columbia / Kobal / Shutterstock

This classic screwball rom-com, adapted from the play The Front Page, sees star reporter Hildy Johnson take on one last assignment with her editor ex-husband before she gets out of the game for good to remarry and retire to a quiet life of motherhood. If you're a little burned out on contemporary comedy, there's nothing better for the soul than watching a dame with moxie stalk around in gorgeous skirt suits tossing out rapid-fire banter in a Mid-Atlantic accent. As Hildy Johnson, Rosalind Russell does it better than just about anyone. Throw in Cary Grant as the former boss who's still in love with her — and still gives as good as he gets — and this 1940 film still crackles with energy and wit. — C.W.

How to watch: His Girl Friday is available for rent on Prime Video or via Amazon Freevee.

23. Galaxy Quest

Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Sam Rockwell, and Daryl Mitchell are the fictional crew of a cult TV sci-fi series, Galaxy Quest. Years after the show’s been off the air, they float from convention to convention, signing autographs and wishing their careers had gone in a different direction. Until one day, they’re kidnapped by aliens who saw their TV broadcast from across the galaxy and thought it was real! Uh oh! Now the aliens hope Tim Allen and crew can defend their planet against an invading force, while the hapless band of actors just hopes they can keep up the ruse long enough to find a way home. Galaxy Quest is a deeply silly movie that packs a sneaky emotional punch. An absolute winner, through and through.* — K.G.

How to watch: Galaxy Quest is now available to rent or buy on Prime Video.

24. 21 Jump Street

21 Jump Street is an energetic and self-aware buddy comedy that premiered in 2012… and it feels very 2012, in that breezy, fun, bro-movie sort of way. Just like in the original '80s TV show, Jump Street features young cops going undercover in a high school — but there’s a twist. While Channing Tatum’s Greg was a popular kid in his glory days, modern Gen Z students look down on his "school sux" attitude. On the other hand, his partner Morton (Jonah Hill), who was always nerdy Greg’s sidekick, suddenly fits in, and this undercover gig becomes a chance to rewrite his disastrously uncool youth. 21 Jump Street is a gas, and it’s smarter and funnier than you’d expect for a nostalgic reboot, thanks to Phil Lord and Christopher Miller at the helm (Clone High, The Lego Movie), a sharp script by Michael Bacall, and an excellent ensemble cast that includes Brie Larson, Rob Riggle, Ellie Kemper, and Ice Cube. — K.G.

How to watch: 21 Jump Street is now streaming on Prime Video.

25. Late Night

Reid Scott and Mindy Kaling star in "Late Night." Credit: Amazon / Moviestore / Shutterstock

Mindy Kaling and a wonderful Emma Thompson spark off each other in this spiky, smart comedy set in the world of late-night TV. Kaling's script follows Molly, an aspiring comedy writer who lands in the male, pale, and stale writer's room ruled with an iron fist by Thompson's legendary host, Katherine Newbury. (Oh, for a world where a woman was allowed to become a legendary late-night host.) While there's a sweet romance side plot with one of the many hey-it's-that-guy faces in the writing staff, the real focus is the relationship between Molly and Katherine, and their quest to work out what's really funny, and why. It's hilarious and heartfelt. — C.W.

How to watch: Late Night is now streaming on Prime Video.

UPDATE: Sep. 3, 2024, 2:21 p.m. EDT This article was originally published on February 25, 2022 and has been updated to reflect the current streaming options.