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    Make ’em giggle: The 15 finest comedies on Amazon Prime Video

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    Reese Witherspoon as Tracy Flick in 'Election'; Robin Williams as Armand Goldman in 'The Birdcage'; Kumail Nanjiani as himself in 'The Big Sick' Reese Witherspoon as Tracy Flick in 'Election'; Robin Williams as Armand Goldman in 'The Birdcage'; Kumail Nanjiani as himself in 'The Big Sick'
    Reese Witherspoon as Tracy Flick in 'Election'; Robin Williams as Armand Goldman in 'The Birdcage'; Kumail Nanjiani as himself in 'The Large Sick'. Credit score:

    Bob Akester/Paramount Photos; Frank Trapper/Corbis through Getty; Nicole Rivelli/Lionsgate

    One of many many nice facets of comedy is that not every little thing will make you giggle the identical approach — and that's okay. Comedy is a extremely subjective artwork type, and it may take many shapes, from goofy farces like The Birdcage (1995), to charming confections like Moonstruck (1987), to darkish satires like Heathers (1989).

    Amazon Prime Video has quite a few comedy choices free to look at with a subscription, together with the aforementioned classics and newer genre-bending comedies like Purple, White & Royal Blue (2023), Completely Killer (2023), and My Outdated Ass (2024). No matter type of comedy you're within the temper for, Amazon probably has one thing for you.

    Listed below are our picks for the 15 finest comedies on Amazon Prime Video.

    01 of 15

    Afternoon Delight (2013)

    Juno Temple as McKenna and Kathryn Hahn as Rachel in 'Afternoon Delight'
    Juno Temple as McKenna and Kathryn Hahn as Rachel in 'Afternoon Delight'.

    Jim Frohna/Movie Arcade

    Kathryn Hahn is considered one of our best actresses who makes a speciality of tales of modern-day girls going by way of deep inner struggles, and this quirky indie dramedy isn’t any exception. Hahn performs Rachel, a stay-at-home mother rising more and more pissed off by the monotony of her life. In an effort to spice issues up, she goes together with her husband to a strip membership the place she meets McKenna (Juno Temple), a dancer to whom she's drawn. She quickly befriends McKenna, although Rachel's insecurities quickly come out, resulting in stress of their relationship. —Kevin Jacobsen

    The place to look at Afternoon Delight: Amazon Prime Video

    Director: Joey Soloway

    Forged: Kathryn Hahn, Juno Temple, Josh Radnor, Jane Lynch

    02 of 15

    Bernie (2012)

    Jack Black as Bernie Tiede in 'Bernie'
    Jack Black as Bernie Tiede in 'Bernie'. Deana Newcomb/Millennium

    This engrossing black comedy, based mostly on a wild true story, incorporates considered one of Jack Black's finest performances. The actor stars as Bernie Tiede, a mortician's assistant who’s treasured by his neighborhood due to his caring nature towards aged widows. After befriending the irritable Marjorie Nugent (Shirley MacLaine), she persuades him to work for her full-time, the place her demanding nature results in Bernie finally taking pictures her. —Ok.J.

    The place to look at Bernie: Amazon Prime Video

    Director: Richard Linklater

    Forged: Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, Matthew McConaughey

    03 of 15

    The Birdcage (1996)

    Nathan Lane as Albert Goldman and Robin Williams as Armand Goldman in 'The Birdcage'
    Nathan Lane as Albert Goldman and Robin Williams as Armand Goldman in 'The Birdcage'.

    United Artists/Courtesy Everett Assortment

    These birds have gotten fairly a pedigree. Primarily based on the 1978 movie La Cage aux Folles (and, by proxy, the unique 1973 French play), this adaptation was created by one of many best comedy groups of all time: director Mike Nichols and author Elaine Could. The story of a son returning to the roost together with his fiancée and asking his homosexual dad (and stepdad) to fake to be straight might sound a bit dated, however hear us out. Led by the superlative duo of Robin Williams and Nathan Lane, EW's critic factors out that the thought of "a grown man asking his dad and mom — a long-term, dedicated homosexual couple — to take part in such a self-loathing ruse borders on the fiendish. However that's to not say the couple in query aren't hilarious." —Debby Wolfinsohn

    The place to look at The Birdcage: Amazon Prime Video

    EW grade: A–

    Director: Mike Nichols

    Forged: Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman, Dianne Wiest

    04 of 15

    The Large Sick (2017)

    Kumail Nanjiani as Kumail and Zoe Kazan as Emily Gardner in 'The Big Sick'
    Kumail Nanjiani as Kumail and Zoe Kazan as Emily Gardner in 'The Large Sick'.

    Sarah Shatz/Lionsgate

    If you happen to like your comedy with a aspect of tragedy, The Large Sick has received you coated. That is really a singular, one-of-a-kind manufacturing: stomach-achingly hilarious, mega-touching, and…all true? Yep, written by the couple who went by way of it IRL (Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon) and acted by one (Nanjiani, with Gordon performed by Zoe Kazan), the pair deftly turned her surprising prognosis/near-death expertise into true laughs. The most effective medication? We expect so. —D.W.

    The place to look at The Large Sick: Amazon Prime Video

    Director: Michael Showalter

    Forged: Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Ray Romano, Holly Hunter

    05 of 15

    Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020)

    Sascha Baron Cohen as Borat Sagdiyev in 'Borat Subsequent Moviefilm'
    Sascha Baron Cohen as Borat Sagdiyev in 'Borat Subsequent Moviefilm'.

    Amazon Studios

    Exposing the worst of America in a fearless, laugh-while-you-cringe model is Sacha Baron Cohen’s specialty. Disguising himself as a mustachioed, overly-confident Kazakh allowed Cohen a type of magic entry: the power to journey into the darkish corners of the U.S. as an "harmless." This ruse inspired others to open up in methods they may not have in any other case, creating jaw-dropping moments of comedy (veering into tragedy) you may't look away from.

    The setup is easy — Cohen's character Borat returns to the West together with his daughter, Tutar (the superb Maria Bakalova), to win the favor of its chief, "a powerful new Premier named McDonald Trump." In a type of bizarro buddy comedy, the 2 go to synagogues, debutante balls, and freedom rallies, creating moments so indelible they may go down in cinematic historical past. It's arduous to decide on only one, so we'll decide two: Rudy Giuliani, and the horrifying father-daughter OB-GYN go to. As EW’s critic writes, "his outrageous, uncountable isms — the assured screeds in opposition to girls and Jew[ish people], the informal endorsements of incest or indentured servitude — are after all satirical, and completely the purpose." —D.W.

    The place to look at Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Amazon Prime Video

    EW grade: A–

    Director: Jason Woliner

    Forged: Sacha Baron Cohen, Maria Bakalova

    06 of 15

    Brittany Runs a Marathon (2019)

    Jillian Bell as Brittany Forgler in 'Brittany Runs a Marathon'
    Jillian Bell as Brittany Forgler in 'Brittany Runs a Marathon'.

    Amazon Studios

    Jillian Bell stars as Brittany, a New York get together lady who decides to alter her life the old school approach: jogging! EW's critic says Bell brings a "actual, messy humanity to Brittany that comedies rarely enable a lead character — not to mention a non-impossibly-bodied feminine — to have." Stored afloat by her operating buddies — Michaela Watkins' divorcée with points and Micah Inventory’s sardonic homosexual dad — the film avoids a easy pleased ending however does present a satisfying, uplifting one. It’s excellent for watching on the treadmill or stationary bike (or mendacity in mattress consuming ice cream). —D.W.

    The place to look at Brittany Runs a Marathon: Amazon Prime Video

    EW grade: A–

    Director: Paul Downs Colaizzo

    Forged: Jillian Bell, Michaela Watkins, Utkarsh Ambudkar

    07 of 15

    Election (1999)

    Reese Witherspoon as Tracy Flick and Matthew Broderick as Jim McAllister in 'Election'
    Reese Witherspoon as Tracy Flick and Matthew Broderick as Jim McAllister in 'Election'.

    Paramount/Courtesy Everett Assortment

    The ruthless nature of highschool is as contentious and nasty as real-world politics, as this satirical comedy proves. The movie follows a historical past instructor (Matthew Broderick) who tries to sabotage extremely formidable scholar Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon) — whom he dislikes for numerous causes — from profitable the upcoming scholar authorities presidential election. EW's critic calls Election a "scathing tragicomedy" and that "Witherspoon is terrifically steely because the infernally perky candidate." —Ok.J.

    The place to look at Election: Amazon Prime Video

    Director: Alexander Payne

    Forged: Reese Witherspoon, Matthew Broderick, Chris Klein, Jessica Campbell, Mark Harelik

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    Heathers (1989)

    Christian Slater as Jason 'J.D.' Dean and Winona Ryder as Veronica Sawyer in 'Heathers'
    Christian Slater as Jason 'J.D.' Dean and Winona Ryder as Veronica Sawyer in 'Heathers'.

    New World Photos/Courtesy Everett Assortment

    Veronica (Winona Ryder) is a teen who will get concerned with the favored mean-girl clique at her highschool, often called the Heathers. She additionally befriends the mysterious new scholar, J.D. (Christian Slater), a loner whose thought of revenge entails homicide staged as a suicide and orchestrating a disturbing plan to get again on the Heathers for his or her cruelty. On paper, a plot description for this seminal cult traditional sounds removed from humorous. However the movie's heightened tone and memorable one-liners ("Expensive diary, my teen angst bulls— has a physique rely") make for a darkly entertaining reply to the formulaic '80s teen comedies that got here earlier than it, whereas nonetheless holding up at present. —Ok.J.

    The place to look at Heathers: Amazon Prime Video

    Director: Michael Lehmann

    Forged: Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, Shannen Doherty

    09 of 15

    Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

    (From left to right): Graham Chapman as King Arthur, Eric Idle as Sir Robin, Terry Gilliam as Sir Bors, Michael Palin as Sir Galahad, Terry Jones as Sir Bedevere, and John Cleese as Sir Lancelot in a cast photo for 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail'
    (From left to proper): Graham Chapman as King Arthur, Eric Idle as Sir Robin, Terry Gilliam as Sir Bors, Michael Palin as Sir Galahad, Terry Jones as Sir Bedevere, and John Cleese as Sir Lancelot in a solid photograph for 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail'.

    EMI Movies/Getty

    Amazon Prime has fairly a couple of Monty Python initiatives to select from, however Holy Grail is, properly, the holy grail of the comedy troupe's inventive output. This send-up of Arthurian legend finds King Arthur (Graham Chapman) traversing England within the hope of recruiting knights to his Spherical Desk. After assembling his males, God instructions him to search out the Holy Grail, resulting in a deadly journey with a lot a memorable sequence (shout out to these pesky knights who say "Ni.") —Ok.J.

    The place to look at Monty Python and the Holy Grail: Amazon Prime Video

    Administrators: Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones

    Forged: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones

    10 of 15

    Moonstruck (1987)

    Cher as Loretta Castorini and Nicolas Cage as Ronny Cammareri in 'Moonstruck'
    Cher as Loretta Castorini and Nicolas Cage as Ronny Cammareri in 'Moonstruck'.

    Sundown Boulevard/Corbis through Getty

    Practically 40 years later, the thought of Cher and Nicolas Cage starring in a rom-com collectively could appear wild, however anybody who's truly seen Moonstruck will acknowledge what an oddly excellent pairing they’re. Cher stars as Loretta, a widow who develops an surprising romantic relationship together with her new fiancé's brother, Ronny (Cage). Surrounding them is a solid of clutch supporting gamers, from Vincent Gardenia and Olympia Dukakis as Loretta's hilariously cussed dad and mom to Danny Aiello as her unfortunate fiancé. —Ok.J.

    The place to look at Moonstruck: Amazon Prime Video

    Director: Norman Jewison

    Forged: Cher, Nicolas Cage, Vincent Gardenia, Olympia Dukakis, Danny Aiello

    11 of 15

    My Outdated Ass (2024)

    Maisy Stella as Elliott LaBrant in 'My Old Ass'
    Maisy Stella as Elliott LaBrant in 'My Outdated Ass'.

    Marni Grossman/Amazon Content material Providers LLC

    A teenage lady (Maisy Stella) goes on a mushroom journey and sees a imaginative and prescient of her older self (Aubrey Plaza), who tells her all about her future. The premise (and title) of My Outdated Ass might make it appear to be a disposable broad comedy, however writer-director Megan Park imbues her movie with shocking depth. It is a coming-of-age story, one with helpful classes to impart about our relationship to ourselves and the worth of residing within the current. "The pitch-perfect script and spectacular appearing made for a hilarious, charming, and surprisingly devastating cautionary story about life, love, and loss," writes EW's critic. —Ok.J.

    The place to look at My Outdated Ass: Amazon Prime Video

    Director: Megan Park

    Forged: Maisy Stella, Aubrey Plaza, Percy Hynes White, Maddie Ziegler, Kerrice Brooks

    12 of 15

    The Individuals We Hate on the Wedding ceremony (2022)

    Ben Platt as Paul Stevenson and Kristen Bell as Alice Stevenson in 'The People We Hate at the Wedding'
    Ben Platt as Paul Stevenson and Kristen Bell as Alice Stevenson in 'The Individuals We Hate on the Wedding ceremony'.

    Amazon Prime Video

    Query: How are marriage ceremony comedies like marriage ceremony desserts? Reply: The dysfunction's baked proper in! Primarily based on the 2016 Grant Ginder novel and directed by Claire Scanlon (of Netflix's Set It Up), the movie follows relatably flawed, baggage-laden siblings Ben Platt and Kristen Bell to England, the place they have to be a part of their mom (the all the time stellar Allison Janney) on the marriage ceremony of their rich half-sister (Cynthia Addai-Robinson). The comedic antics circulate like champagne on this bride-com with an edge. —D.W.

    The place to look at The Individuals We Hate on the Wedding ceremony: Amazon Prime Video

    Director: Claire Scanlon

    Forged: Ben Platt, Allison Janney, Kristen Bell

    13 of 15

    Purple, White & Royal Blue (2023)

    Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Henry and Taylor Zakhar Perez as Alex Claremont-Diaz in 'Red, White & Royal Blue'
    Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Henry and Taylor Zakhar Perez as Alex Claremont-Diaz in 'Purple, White & Royal Blue'. Jonathan Prime/Prime Video

    Primarily based on Casey McQuiston's best-selling novel of the identical identify, Purple, White & Royal Blue is a captivating romantic comedy that charts the unlikely romance between a British prince and the son of the president of america. In a traditional story of enemies-to-lovers, American Alex (Taylor Zakhar Perez) has a feud with Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine), which escalates to a slightly unlucky cake accident (pictured above). Following the next tabloid scandal, the pair finally make amends and are available to comprehend their emotions for one another, which blossoms into an affair.

    It's a frothy good time with two star-making performances at its middle; it additionally occurs to characteristic Uma Thurman in what could also be her campiest efficiency since 1997's Batman & Robin. (Some excellent news: We’re getting a sequel!) —Ok.J.

    The place to look at Purple, White & Royal Blue: Amazon Prime Video

    Director: Matthew López

    Forged: Taylor Zakhar Perez, Nicholas Galitzine, Sarah Shahi, Stephen Fry, Uma Thurman

    14 of 15

    Some Like It Sizzling (1959)

    Tony Curtis as Joe/Josephine, Marilyn Monroe as Sugar Kane Kowalczyk, and Jack Lemmon as Jerry/Daphne in 'Some Like It Hot'
    Tony Curtis as Joe/Josephine, Marilyn Monroe as Sugar Kane Kowalczyk, and Jack Lemmon as Jerry/Daphne in 'Some Like It Sizzling'.

    Silver Display screen Assortment/Getty

    Regarded by the American Movie Institute as the perfect comedy of all time, Some Like It Sizzling has change into such a lauded movie that it may fall sufferer to overhype for contemporary audiences. And but, if you watch this Billy Wilder farce, its genius immediately reveals itself because it tells the story of two males who witness a mob homicide and proceed to disguise themselves as girls and flee on a bus to Miami. Alongside the way in which, they meet the glamorous Sugar (Marilyn Monroe), who believes them to be girls, and a sequence of misunderstandings and problems ensue from there. All of it results in probably the greatest punchline endings in movie historical past. —Ok.J.

    The place to look at Some Prefer it Sizzling: Amazon Prime Video

    Director: Billy Wilder

    Forged: Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, George Raft, Joe E. Brown

    15 of 15

    Completely Killer (2023)

    Kiernan Shipka as Jamie Hughes in 'Totally Killer'
    Kiernan Shipka as Jamie Hughes in 'Completely Killer'.

    James Dittiger/Courtesy of Prime Video

    Completely Killer boasts 4 main cinematic promoting factors assured to make a horror fan pleased: a Nineteen Eighties setting, serial killers, a Halloween night time theme, and time journey. To not say Completely Killer doesn't take a contemporary strategy, as a result of it completely does.Right here, we meet teenage lady Jamie (Kiernan Shipka), who goes again to 1987 to save lots of her mother's pals from being murdered (as you do). Neatly referencing the Finest Films of All Time (Again to the Future, Scream, and many others.), Completely Killer joins an extended line of style flicks led by kick-ass heroines. —D.W.

    The place to look at Completely Killer: Amazon Prime Video

    Director: Nahnatchka Khan

    Forged: Kiernan Shipka, Julie Bowen, Olivia Holt, Randall Park

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