17+ Best 2000s Comedy Movies (List)

The 2000s were a golden era for comedy movies, with a plethora of hilarious and memorable films that continue to entertain audiences to this day.

From laugh-out-loud comedies to heartwarming romantic comedies, the 2000s had something for everyone.

Best 2000s Comedy Movies

The 2000s brought a diverse array of comedy films, ranging from romantic comedies to absurd satires.

Here are some of the best comedy movies from the 2000s:

“Best in Show” (2000)

Director: Christopher Guest

A mockumentary about the eccentric participants of a prestigious dog show.

“O Brother, Where Art Thou?” (2000)

Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

A crime comedy film that is a modern satirical adaptation of Homer’s “The Odyssey.”

“Meet the Parents” (2000)

Director: Jay Roach

A comedy about a man who meets his girlfriend’s parents for the first time, leading to a series of comedic mishaps.

“Zoolander” (2001)

Director: Ben Stiller

A fashion industry satire about a dimwitted male model who gets involved in an assassination plot.

“Amélie” (2001)

Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet

A romantic comedy about a shy waitress who decides to change the lives of those around her for the better.

“My Big Fat Greek Wedding” (2002)

Director: Joel Zwick

A romantic comedy about a Greek woman who falls in love with a non-Greek man, causing a stir within her traditional Greek family.

“School of Rock” (2003)

Director: Richard Linklater

A comedy about a failed musician who pretends to be a substitute teacher and turns his class into a rock band.

“Elf” (2003)

Director: Jon Favreau

A holiday comedy about a man raised as an elf at the North Pole who travels to New York City to find his real father.

“Napoleon Dynamite” (2004)

Director: Jared Hess

A quirky comedy about an awkward teenager navigating high school life in a small town.

“The 40-Year-Old Virgin” (2005)

Director: Judd Apatow

A romantic comedy about a middle-aged man’s quest to lose his virginity.

“Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan” (2006)

Director: Larry Charles

A mockumentary comedy about a fictional Kazakh journalist who travels through the United States.

“Juno” (2007)

Director: Jason Reitman

A comedy-drama about a teenage girl dealing with an unexpected pregnancy.

“Superbad” (2007)

Director: Greg Mottola

A teen comedy about high school friends trying to make the most of their last days before graduation.

“Tropic Thunder” (2008)

Director: Ben Stiller

An action comedy about a group of actors who are forced to become their on-screen characters to survive in the jungle.

“The Hangover” (2009)

Director: Todd Phillips

A comedy about a bachelor party gone wrong in Las Vegas.

“Up in the Air” (2009)

Director: Jason Reitman

A comedy-drama about a corporate downsizer who spends his life traveling.

“(500) Days of Summer” (2009)

Director: Marc Webb

A romantic comedy-drama that deconstructs the romantic comedy structure.

Each of these films from the 2000s is celebrated for its humor, originality, and contribution to the comedy genre, making them some of the best comedies of the decade.

Below we look at some of the best comedy movies from the 2000s, highlighting their unique qualities and why they have stood the test of time.

Table of Contents

1. The Hangover (2009)

One of the most iconic comedy movies of the 2000s, “The Hangover” follows a group of friends who wake up after a wild bachelor party in Las Vegas with no memory of the previous night and a missing groom.

Directed by Todd Phillips, this film became an instant hit due to its outrageous humor and unforgettable characters.

The success of “The Hangover” can be attributed to its clever writing and the chemistry between the cast members, including Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis.

The film’s unpredictable plot twists and hilarious situations kept audiences engaged and laughing throughout.

2. Superbad (2007)

“Superbad” is a coming-of-age comedy that follows two high school friends, played by Jonah Hill and Michael Cera, as they navigate their way through a series of misadventures in an attempt to secure alcohol for a party.

Directed by Greg Mottola and written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, this film perfectly captures the awkwardness and humor of teenage life.

The film’s witty dialogue and relatable characters struck a chord with audiences, making it a cult classic.

“Superbad” also launched the careers of Jonah Hill and Emma Stone, who delivered standout performances in their respective roles.

3. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

Directed by Adam McKay and starring Will Ferrell, “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” is a satirical comedy that takes a hilarious look at the world of broadcast journalism in the 1970s.

Ferrell’s portrayal of the clueless and egotistical news anchor Ron Burgundy became an instant classic.

The film’s absurd humor and quotable one-liners, such as “I’m kind of a big deal” and “60% of the time, it works every time,” have become ingrained in popular culture.

“Anchorman” showcased Will Ferrell’s comedic talents and solidified his status as one of the funniest actors of the 2000s.

4. Mean Girls (2004)

“Mean Girls” is a teen comedy written by Tina Fey and directed by Mark Waters.

The film follows Cady Heron, played by Lindsay Lohan, as she navigates the treacherous world of high school cliques.

With its sharp writing and memorable characters, “Mean Girls” became an instant hit and remains a beloved comedy to this day.

The film’s satirical take on teenage social dynamics struck a chord with audiences, highlighting the absurdity of popularity contests and the importance of staying true to oneself.

“Mean Girls” also showcased Tina Fey’s talent for writing witty and relatable dialogue.

5. Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)

“Borat” is a mockumentary comedy film directed by Larry Charles and starring Sacha Baron Cohen as the fictional character Borat Sagdiyev, a journalist from Kazakhstan.

The film follows Borat as he travels across the United States, interacting with real people and exposing their prejudices and ignorance.

“Borat” pushed the boundaries of comedy and satire, using humor to shed light on societal issues.

Sacha Baron Cohen’s fearless and outrageous performance as Borat earned him critical acclaim and solidified his reputation as a comedic genius.

6. Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

“Napoleon Dynamite” is a quirky indie comedy directed by Jared Hess.

The film follows the socially awkward teenager Napoleon Dynamite, played by Jon Heder, as he navigates high school life in a small town.

With its offbeat humor and memorable characters, “Napoleon Dynamite” became a surprise hit and gained a cult following.

The film’s deadpan humor and unique style set it apart from other comedies of the 2000s.

“Napoleon Dynamite” resonated with audiences due to its relatable portrayal of adolescence and its celebration of individuality.

7. Wedding Crashers (2005)

“Wedding Crashers” is a romantic comedy directed by David Dobkin and starring Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn as two friends who crash weddings to meet women.

The film combines hilarious antics with heartfelt moments, making it a crowd-pleaser.

The chemistry between Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn, along with their comedic timing, elevated the film and made it a standout comedy of the 2000s.

“Wedding Crashers” also featured memorable performances from Rachel McAdams and Isla Fisher.

8. Shaun of the Dead (2004)

“Shaun of the Dead” is a horror comedy directed by Edgar Wright and starring Simon Pegg as Shaun, a man who finds himself caught in the middle of a zombie apocalypse.

The film cleverly blends humor and horror, creating a unique and entertaining experience.

“Shaun of the Dead” is known for its sharp writing, witty dialogue, and clever visual gags.

The film’s ability to balance comedy and horror elements made it a critical and commercial success, earning it a dedicated fan base.

9. Zoolander (2001)

“Zoolander” is a comedy film directed by Ben Stiller, who also stars as the titular character, Derek Zoolander, a dim-witted male model.

The film satirizes the fashion industry and follows Derek as he becomes embroiled in a plot to assassinate the Prime Minister of Malaysia.

“Zoolander” is known for its absurd humor and memorable characters, including Mugatu, played by Will Ferrell.

The film’s over-the-top portrayal of the fashion world and its quotable lines, such as “Blue Steel” and “Magnum,” have made it a cult favorite.

10. Old School (2003)

“Old School” is a comedy film directed by Todd Phillips and starring Luke Wilson, Will Ferrell, and Vince Vaughn as three friends who start a fraternity on their old college campus.

The film combines raunchy humor with heartfelt moments, resonating with audiences.

“Old School” is known for its memorable characters and hilarious situations.

Will Ferrell’s performance as Frank “The Tank” became an instant classic, showcasing his ability to deliver outrageous and physical comedy.

FAQs – Best 2000s Comedy Movies

1. What are some other notable comedy movies from the 2000s?

Some other notable comedy movies from the 2000s include “Tropic Thunder” (2008), “Step Brothers” (2008), “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” (2005), “Knocked Up” (2007), and “Bridesmaids” (2011).

2. Are there any animated comedy movies from the 2000s worth mentioning?

Yes, there are several animated comedy movies from the 2000s that are worth mentioning, such as “Shrek” (2001), “Finding Nemo” (2003), “Monsters, Inc.” (2001), and “The Incredibles” (2004).

3. Which comedy movie from the 2000s had the highest box office success?

The comedy movie from the 2000s with the highest box office success is “Meet the Fockers” (2004), which grossed over $516 million worldwide.

4. Are there any comedy movies from the 2000s that received critical acclaim?

Yes, several comedy movies from the 2000s received critical acclaim, including “Sideways” (2004), “Little Miss Sunshine” (2006), and “Juno” (2007).

These films were praised for their writing, performances, and ability to tackle serious themes with humor.

5. Did any comedy movies from the 2000s win major awards?

Yes, “Little Miss Sunshine” won two Academy Awards in 2007 for Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor (Alan Arkin). Additionally, “Juno” won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 2008.

6. Are there any comedy movies from the 2000s that have become cult classics?

Yes, several comedy movies from the 2000s have gained a cult following, including “Office Space” (1999), “Wet Hot American Summer” (2001), and “Hot Rod” (2007).

These films may not have been box office hits initially but have since gained a dedicated fan base.

7. Did any comedy movie franchises start in the 2000s?

Yes, the “Austin Powers” franchise started in the 2000s with the release of “Austin Powers in Goldmember” (2002).

The franchise, starring Mike Myers as the titular character, became a cultural phenomenon and spawned two successful sequels.

8. Are there any international comedy movies from the 2000s worth watching?

Yes, there are several international comedy movies from the 2000s worth watching, such as “Amélie” (2001) from France, “Shaolin Soccer” (2001) from Hong Kong, and “The Intouchables” (2011) from France.

9. Did any comedy movies from the 2000s launch the careers of notable actors?

Yes, several comedy movies from the 2000s launched the careers of notable actors.

For example, “Superbad” helped propel the careers of Jonah Hill and Emma Stone, while “The Hangover” brought Bradley Cooper into the spotlight.

10. Are there any underrated comedy movies from the 2000s that deserve more recognition?

Yes, there are several underrated comedy movies from the 2000s that deserve more recognition, such as “Hot Fuzz” (2007), “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” (2005), and “In Bruges” (2008).

These films may not have achieved mainstream success but have garnered a strong following among comedy enthusiasts.

Summary – Best 2000s Comedy Movies

The 2000s were a decade filled with comedy movies that continue to entertain audiences today.

From the outrageous humor of “The Hangover” to the satirical brilliance of “Anchorman,” these films have left a lasting impact on the genre.

Whether it’s the relatable coming-of-age story of “Superbad” or the clever blend of comedy and horror in “Shaun of the Dead,” the best comedy movies of the 2000s offer something for everyone.

These films not only provided laughter but also tackled important themes and societal issues, making them more than just mindless entertainment.

With their memorable characters, quotable lines, and timeless humor, the best comedy movies of the 2000s have earned their place in cinematic history.

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