The Best Comedy Movie of Each Year in the 2010s

The 2010s delivered an incredible run of hilarious and creative films, making the choice for the best comedy movie each year a delightful challenge. This decade gifted us with everything from Oscar-winning hits to cult classics that remain endlessly quotable. Let’s take a journey back to celebrate the funniest film from each year of the 2010s.

2010: Easy A

While Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and The Other Guys delivered big laughs, the standout best comedy movie of 2010 is Easy A. This film transformed Emma Stone into a superstar. Furthermore, its clever modern twist on The Scarlet Letter provided a sharp, witty script. Stone’s performance, paired with a brilliant supporting cast including Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson, created a teen comedy with both heart and hilarious intelligence.

2011: Bridesmaids

This year was packed with strong contenders like Crazy, Stupid, Love and The Muppets. However, Bridesmaids clearly earns the title of 2011’s best comedy movie. It shattered expectations for female-led comedies, blending raunchy humor with a genuine story about friendship. From the infamous dress fitting to the airplane chaos, the film is packed with iconic, laugh-out-loud moments. Melissa McCarthy’s scene-stealing performance even scored her an Oscar nomination, cementing the film’s legendary status.

2012: 21 Jump Street

With fun films like Pitch Perfect and Ted hitting theaters, 2012 was a great year for laughs. But the best comedy movie was the brilliantly meta 21 Jump Street. The dynamic between Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum proved to be pure comedic gold. The film expertly embraced its absurd premise, delivering relentless gags and unforgettable scenes, such as Hill’s disastrous slam poetry performance. It was a reboot that surpassed the original in both humor and heart.

2013: The Wolf of Wall Street

While sequels like Anchorman 2 arrived, Martin Scorsese delivered the unexpected best comedy movie of 2013. The Wolf of Wall Street is a masterclass in dark satire. Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill are comedic forces, diving headfirst into the debauchery of Jordan Belfort’s world. The film’s set pieces, particularly the Quaaludes-induced crawl to the car, rank among the greatest physical comedy scenes ever filmed.

2014: What We Do in the Shadows

This year featured instant classics like The Grand Budapest Hotel and The LEGO Movie. Yet, the title of best comedy movie goes to the vampire mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows. Co-directed by and starring Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement, the film is brilliantly deadpan. Its clever exploration of ancient vampires navigating modern life is consistently inventive and hysterical, spawning a beloved television franchise.

2015: Spy

Spy stands out as the best comedy movie of 2015. This film brilliantly subverts the action-spy genre, allowing Melissa McCarthy to showcase her full comedic range. She plays a desk-bound CIA analyst who must go into the field, resulting in non-stop laughs. The supporting cast, including a hilariously verbose Jason Statham and Rose Byrne, is perfect. Director Paul Feig crafts thrilling action alongside the humor, making Spy a complete and endlessly rewatchable package. According to Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a stellar 95% approval rating from critics, who call it “a smart, slick, and refreshingly self-aware action-comedy.”

2016: The Nice Guys

Despite the massive success of Deadpool, the crown for 2016’s best comedy movie goes to The Nice Guys. This neo-noir buddy film pairs Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe with impeccable chemistry. Set in the 1970s, the mystery plot provides a fantastic backdrop for the duo’s bumbling investigations. Shane Black’s razor-sharp dialogue and the hilarious performance from young Angourie Rice make this a modern classic that deserves more attention.

2017: Lady Bird

Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut, Lady Bird, is undoubtedly 2017’s best comedy movie. This coming-of-age story finds humor and heart in the turbulent relationship between a mother and daughter. Saoirse Ronan delivers a stellar performance, surrounded by a talented cast including Laurie Metcalf and Timothée Chalamet. The film’s authentic and witty take on adolescence earned it a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and five Oscar nominations. For more on Gerwig’s influential work, you can explore The Criterion Collection’s essays on modern filmmakers.

2018: Crazy Rich Asians

This year offered unique comedies like The Favourite, but the best comedy movie was the groundbreaking Crazy Rich Asians. This lavish romantic comedy delivers both spectacle and huge laughs. The story of an ordinary woman confronting her boyfriend’s extravagant family is both relatable and fantastical. The ensemble cast, particularly a scene-stealing Awkwafina, is flawless. It proved the power of representation while being one of the most entertaining films of the year.

2019: Booksmart

Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut, Booksmart, is the perfect capstone to the decade as 2019’s best comedy movie. This film offers a fresh, hilarious, and heartfelt take on the high school comedy. Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein have incredible chemistry as two overachievers seeking one wild night of fun. The film is brilliantly written, beautifully shot, and features a standout supporting turn from Billie Lourd. It is an instant classic that celebrates friendship in the most comedic way possible.

From the game-changing hilarity of Bridesmaids to the sharp wit of Booksmart, the 2010s were a golden era for comedy. Each of these films not only defined its year but continues to bring joy and laughter to audiences everywhere.