Summary
The 1990s were a great time forcomedy movies, although plenty of releases have been forgotten entirely by modern viewers. While this was the heyday for stars like Jim Carrey, Adam Sandler, and Robin Williams, who led massive box office hits that people know and love to this day, many more comedy movies were produced that have been doomed to obscurity. While Mike Myers may have hit big with theAustin PowersandWayne’s Worldfilms during the 1990s, he also starred inmovies that aren’t as well remembered.
Thebest comedies of the 1990shave become true household names, as many movie lovers still rankAce VenturaandMrs. Doubtfireas among their favorite films of all time. But for every box office comedy smash, there were even more underappreciated cinematic flops just waiting to be rediscovered by new audiences. While some movies were forgotten because of their poor quality, other1990s comedies just had bad luck and deserved to be reappraised by a new generation.
15 Best Comedy Movies Of All Time, Ranked
Humor is subjective but, from Airplane! to Monty Python and the Holy Grail, there are some comedy movies that everyone agrees are hilarious.
Quick Change
Cast
Quick Change (1990) is a crime comedy film directed by Bill Murray and Howard Franklin. Starring Bill Murray, Geena Davis, and Randy Quaid, the film follows three friends who successfully rob a bank in New York City, only to face a series of comedic misadventures as they attempt to make their escape from the city. The film blends humor with a satirical take on urban life and crime.
Along with Howard Franklin, comedy legendBill Murray tried his hand at directing withQuick Change, a forgotten comedy he also starred in. As the story of three criminals struggling to make their escape after an elaborate bank robbery,Quick Changewas an enjoyable showcase of Murray’s comedic talents. However, despite good reviews and a unique sense of humor, it did not gain the same type of longstanding legacy as Murray’s most acclaimed work during the 1990s.
WhileQuick Changedoesn’t have the same enduring power as a film likeGroundhog Day, it was still highly enjoyable, full of plenty of laughs throughout.Quick Changehas mostly festered in obscurity in the decades since its release, as it was quickly forgotten by viewers after it bombed at the box office. However, in 2022, interest in the film was ignited for all the wrong reasons as co-starGeena Davis claimed she had been terrorized by Murrayon the set ofQuick Change.
Soapdish
Soapdish is a comedy film directed by Michael Hoffman, centered on Celeste Talbert, the star of a long-running soap opera. Amid declining ratings, her co-star and producer plot against her by bringing back her former lover and introducing her niece, stirring chaos behind the scenes.
Soapdishwas one ofSally Field’s best movies, although it has been mostly forgotten by modern viewers. Despite boasting a star-studded cast including Robert Downey Jr. and Carrie Fisher,Soapdish’sbehind-the-scenes exploration of the drama behind a daytime soap operahas not endured in the way other 1990s comedies have. Unfortunately, this satirical look at jealousy, double-crossing, and ruthless showbusiness tactics hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves.
With a clever script and zany performances,Soapdishwas a hilarious spoof of the sheer ridiculousness of soap operas. By soaking up the melodramatic nature of the genre it’s making fun of while imbuing it with hilarious 1990s humor,Soapdishwas a fine balancing act that achieved its goal perfectly. While many may have forgotten this movie, aSoapdishTV series was announced in 2022 (viaDeadline), which may reignite interest in this underappreciated gem.
So I Married an Axe Murderer
So I Married an Axe Murderer is a 1993 dark comedy film directed by Thomas Schlamme. Mike Myers stars as Charlie, a commitment-phobic poet who starts to suspect his new girlfriend Harriet, played by Nancy Travis, might be an axe murderer. The film features a blend of romantic and macabre humor, with Myers also portraying the role of his character’s eccentric Scottish father.
Mike Myers was a central figure in comedy movies during the 1990s as he led hit series likeAustin PowersandWayne’s World. However, Myers had several underrated movies, and one that stood out was the forgotten comedySo I Married an Axe Murderer. Sadly, this release did not fare well at the box office and received a mixed reception, yet for those in the know, it stood as a terrifically unique rom-com packed with heart, humor, and horror.
Myers brought his distinctive comedic talent toSo I Married an Axe Murderer,and the movie has built up a cult following in the more than three decades since it was released. Myers played Charlie MacKenzie, a local San Francisco beat poet who suspects that his wife may have a talent for killing off her significant others. As a film packed with great ideas and endless laugh-out-loud moments,viewers would be wise to go back and revisitSo I Married an Axe Murderer.
Serial Mom
Serial Mom, directed by John Waters, portrays Beverly, an exemplary homemaker, whose deep intrigue with serial killers unsettlingly merges with her upstanding moral principles, creating tension within her idyllic family life.
The cult director and queer icon John Waters has been responsible for some of the transgressive films of all time, although some of his films, such asSerial Mom, have been forgotten by viewers. With a fantastic performance from Kathleen Turner, this dark comedy and satirical slasher played into the campy style Waters was known for but maintained a sinister subtext of realism. A razor-sharp look at the social burdens put on overachieving mothers,Serial Momwas a subversive treat for lovers of horror comedies.
Featuring several incredible performances, including Matthew Lillard’s acting debut,Serial Momwas a clever film that peeled back the sinister layers behind supposedly polite American society. As an uproariously witty unpacking of bourgeois American values, Waters never got the credit he deserved for how ahead of his time a serial killer truly was.Serial MompredatedAmerican Psychoby several years, but it felt like it captured the same satirical spirit as that Bret Easton Ellis adaptation, but this time through a darkly feminist lens.
The Hudsucker Proxy
Norville Barnes, a fresh-faced graduate with big dreams, starts his career in the mailroom of Hudsucker Industries. The company’s president’s shocking suicide prompts the board to install Norville as a figurehead president, expecting him to drive the company into the ground and depress stock prices for their gain. Contrary to their plans, Norville invents the hula hoop, leading to an unprecedented boom in sales and a surge in the company’s success.
Despite being directed by the Coen Brothers and squashed in betweenBarton FinkandFargoamid their acclaimed filmography,The Hudsucker Proxyhas been mostly forgotten by comedy lovers. As a screwball comedy about a naive business graduate (Tim Robbins) being installed as president of a stock company as part of a stock scam, this tongue-in-cheek satire fell flat on its feet despite having all the makings of 1990s comedy classics. A box office bomb, this lackluster satire failed to reach the enjoyable highs of the Coens’ best comedic work, such asThe Big Lebowski.
WhileThe Hudsucker Proxy’simpressive style has gained more acclaim in the decades since its release, some smart visuals and inspired production design weren’t enough to revive this forgotten dud’s reputation. Although Coen Brothers completionists may enjoy this lesser-known entry in the filmmaker’s body of work,The Hudsucker Proxyholds no relevance in overall popular culture and should only be sought out by the most enthusiastic viewers. As yet another example of a comedy barely anyone remembers,The Hudsucker Proxyhas not stood the test of time.
Mighty Aphrodite
Mighty Aphrodite, directed by Woody Allen, follows the story of a sportswriter named Lenny Weinrib, who adopts a son with his wife and subsequently becomes obsessed with finding the boy’s biological mother. Mira Sorvino stars as Linda Ash, the biological mother, whose surprising life choices intrigue Lenny. The film combines elements of comedy and drama, with a unique narrative structure incorporating a Greek chorus to comment on the characters' actions and decisions.
The 1990s were not the greatest decade for director Woody Allen, as this was a time mired in controversy due to the disintegration of his relationship with Mia Farrow and associations of sexual abuse. However, this did not stop him from working, and although he released some notable films likeBullets Over Broadway,this era was full of forgotten comedies likeMighty Aphrodite. Although it boasted an Oscar-winning performance from Mira Sorvino, this comedy inspired by the story ofPygmalionrarely gets discussed outside of anything except conversations relating to Allen’s work.
With a strong script and the effective use of a Greek chorus narrating the story,Mighty Aphroditeperfectly balanced Allen’s tendency for intellectualizing with lighthearted comedy. While it certainly can’t reach the highs of the director’s best work, such asAnnie HallorManhattan,Mighty Aphroditedeserves to be more widely remembered by general audiences today. As a touching tale about damaged people where an adoptive father who sought out his son’s birth mother,Mighty Aphroditewas an enjoyable blend of humor and heart.
Multiplicity
Multiplicity is a comedy film directed by Harold Ramis, starring Michael Keaton as Doug Kinney, a man overwhelmed by the demands of his career and family life. To cope, Doug undergoes an experimental cloning procedure, creating multiple versions of himself, each with distinct traits. Andie MacDowell co-stars as Laura, Doug’s unsuspecting wife, as complications ensue from the presence of the clones.
Although director Harold Ramis’ filmography is packed with classics like Caddyshack and Groundhog Day, other movies by the acclaimed filmmaker have been forgotten entirely. One prime example of this was Multiplicity, a Michael Keaton movie about a man who multiples himself and deserves to be reappraised. As a box office bomb when it was first released,Multiplicityfeatured a hilarious performance from Keaton, who played the many different versions of himself, all working together to make the original version’s life run smoothly.
Multiplicitywas a breath of fresh air when it came to clones in movies. It was one of the few examples where the clones didn’t turn on the original for having to play second fiddle to his whims. As a light comedy that did not take itself too seriously, this film had plenty of hilarious moments and was harshly judged by critics during the 1990s. While it’s not a perfect movie by any stretch of the imagination,Multiplicitydidn’t deserve to be so utterly forgotten by modern viewers.
Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion
Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion is a 1997 comedy film directed by David Mirkin. Starring Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow, it follows two quirky best friends who reinvent their lives in a bid to impress former classmates at their high school reunion. The film explores themes of friendship and societal expectations with a humorous and light-hearted tone.
Despite being busy playing Phoebe Buffay for most of the 1990s,Friendsco-star Lisa Kudrow still found time to star in the woefully underrated comedyRomy and Michele’s High School Reunionin 1997. With Mira Sorvino as Romy White and Kudrow as Michele Weinberger, the plot resolved around two 28-year-olds deciding to make up successful lives for themselves as they attend their high school reunion. With a lot of heart and a playful sense of fun,Romy and Michele’s High School Reunionnever gained a huge audience but has become a cult favorite among those 1990s comedy lovers.
The appeal ofRomy and Michele’s High School Reunionwas that it was not afraid to embrace its goofier side, as all hell broke loose during the best friend’s ten-year reunion. With a plan to claim they have become successful by inventing Post-It notes, an absurdly unique sense of humor was apparent throughout this 92-minute comedy. Most of all,the performances of Kudrow and Sorvino made this film so enjoyable, as they committed totally to their outrageous characters.
BASEketball
BASEketball is a comedy film directed by David Zucker, featuring Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Combining basketball and baseball, the movie follows two friends who invent a new sport to combat the commercialism of professional sports. As they navigate the challenges of their newfound fame, they struggle to maintain their friendship and the integrity of their creation.
Asa starring vehicle for theSouth Parkcreators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the duo showcased their skills in live-action with the forgotten 1990s comedyBASEketball. With a unique premise about two friends who great their own hybrid sport, which becomes an overnight sensation,BASEketballwas a funny film that lacked the razor-sharp satirical bite ofSouth Park’sbest episodes. This was due to the fact that although Parker and Stone were the stars of the film, they did not writeBASEketballthemselves.
YetBASEketballwas still a film filled with heart and non-stop gags as the duo proved that in another universe, they could have carved out a career as live-action stars. While some of the jokes inBASEketballwere hit and miss, it was also a highly original film packed with great ideas. WhileBASEketballhas been mostly forgotten, one claim to fame was that it originated the slang term “derp” (viaNew York Magazine) that would gain widespread use among internet users in the decades since.
A teenage slacker’s right hand becomes possessed with murderous intent.
The1990s had some great zombie movies, and one horror comedy that’s been mostly forgotten by modern audiences wasIdle Hands. Starring Devon Sawa as a stoner teenager whose hand became possessed and went on a killing spree, this unique comedy was based on the phrase “the Devil quick work of idle hands.” With an idiosyncratic sense of humor, this cult comedy feels like an off-the-wall genre-melding movie that no longer gets made.
Idle Handswas firmly rooted in its 1990s setting, boasting an incredible punk rock soundtrack featuring The Offspring, Blink 182, and The Vandals. Devon gave a great performance as the wayward teenager Anton Tobias, while Jessica Alba excelled in a supporting role. While later satirical series like theScary Moviefranchise stoleIdle Hands’thunder when it came to horror comedies, this underrated release was well worth checking out for its perfect blend of scares and spoofs.
