The ’90s was a fruitful period in the film industry, whether it was the wide range of vigilante cop movies,romantic comedy movies, or straight-up comedy movies. Indeed, when it comes to comedy, actors such as Jim Carrey, Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams, and Martin Lawrence have become so signature of the genre, certainly due totheir ’90s classicslikeGhost,The Truman Show,Flubber,Blue Stream, and many more.
Although some of the movies that we have considered for this list would certainlynot work if released today— due in large part to their clichéd, over-the-top humor or, in some cases, the outdated views on the world — there’s no denying these comedy movies deserve to be given the title of iconic classics that have shaped the industry during their time. As such, here are the nine best comedy movies of the ’90s.
Updated on August 14th, 2023, bySoniya Hinduja:This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
15Wayne’s World (1992)
Mike Myers and Dana Carvey are absolutely hilarious as the charming metalheads, who run a public-access TV show from their basement. Their ambitious venture lends them in the big leagues but soon, they realize that the very essence of their show is being compromised.Wayne’s Worldis not only a hilarious cult classic but it is also the highest-sellingmovie based on an SNL sketch. Wayne and Garth have absurd humor, they throw around catchphrases, and they headbang to almost anything, which captures the spirit of the ‘90s slacker culture.
The pitch-perfect comedic timing and infectious glee also make the movie extremely enjoyable. From the legendary “party time” sequence to Wayne’s romantic tension with the show’s new producer, the film creates laughs with a silly yet sincere attitude. Sloppy and soaked in beer, the movie is an ode to heavy metal, friendship, and small-town dreams.
14My Cousin Vinny (1992)
InMy Cousin Vinny, two hapless New Yorkers, Billy and his friend Stan, get stranded in rural Alabama and are wrongly accused of murdering a convenience store owner. Worried, they seek help from Billy’s cousin, Vinny, a bumbling Brooklyn lawyer who has never actually tried a case but must prepare himself to defend the two in a Southern Court with the help of his fiancée Mona Lisa Vito. What follows is a series of hysterical scenarios as the sharp-tongued Vinny butts head with country folk while stumbling his way through legal proceedings he himself doesn’t understand.
While Joe Pesci brings a fiery authenticity to Vinny, it isMarisa Tomei who steals the showas the warm and witty Mona Lisa Vita. The role was a breakout moment for the actress as it earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Smart, sophisticated, and sneaky, this unsung gem from Jonathan Lynn is a definitive comedy of the ’90s.
13Friday (1995)
F. Gary Gray’s directorial debut, the buddy stoner comedyFriday, is wildly inventive and equally comedy as it portrays life in the ‘hood. Friday follows Craig, a young unemployed man just trying to make it to the weekend without any incident in his rough South Central Los Angeles neighborhood while hanging out with his friend Smokey. But the pair owes money to a gangster and will stop at nothing until they secure the amount and run for their lives.Co-written by Ice Cube, the characters are truly vivid and the scenarios outrageous.
The narration paints a riotous, uncomfortably realistic, portrait of life for African Americans in the inner city. From drug dealing and gang violence to police brutality and sexual frustration, there isn’t one theme that the movie fails to tackle. But what makesFridaystand out is the way it expresses its love for the hustlers and slackers who are just trying to get by.
12Clerks (1994)
Shot in black and white for under $30K, this crude yet strangely endearing indie comedy launched Kevin Smith’s View Askewniverse and encapsulatedthe slacker culture of the ‘90s. The movie centers around Dante and Randal, two convenience store workers complaining about their miserable lives and dull routines as they deal with eccentric customers and several odd characters. Despite being utterly simple in its premise, the observations and conversations in the film feel so effortless, improvised, and authentic.
Like, we’ve all known guys like this. Moreover, the lo-fi aesthetic does a fantastic job of showcasing the monotony and tiny humiliations of working a dead-end job. Jeff Anderson and Brian O’Halloran are perfectly cast as the protagonists who might be vulgar in their humor but are also surprisingly philosophical. Overall,Clerkswas a game-changer for the indie landscape.
11The Big Lebowski (1998)
Back in the ‘90s, the Coen brothers delivered one of the most beloved, underrated, and quotable comedies in the form of this stoner cult classic. Starring Jeff Bridges as “The Dude,” a Los Angeles pothead and classic goof-off, the movie follows him as he gets pulled into a hilarious and complicated kidnapping plot that isn’t of his making.The Big Lebowskidid not receive the praise it deserved upon its release, but looking back on realizes that the brilliance of the film lies in its memorable characters.
From John Goodman’s grizzled Vietnam veteran to Steve Buscemi’s underpants-wearing bowler, every character elevates the insanity and pace of the ridiculous plot. The story may not make a whole lot of sense, but you won’t really care because you will be too busy laughing at the mishaps that keep piling up. Anchored by Bridges’ laid-back Zen magic, the little aspects of this absurd movie come together and create a spectacular and unique result.
Related:10 Old Comedy Movies That Deserve a Remake
10Office Space (1999)
In just 90 minutes, Mike Judge’s wickedly funny workplace comedy becomes a classic. The reason? It satirizes cubicle culture, corporate boredom, and useless middle management. Now, who wouldn’t enjoy that? Peter Gibbons, played phenomenally well by Ron Livingston, is the ultimate cubicle drone. Mostly, he’s seen sleepwalking through the mind-numbing job until one day, a blissful encounter with hypnotherapy flips a switch inside him.
He turns him into a carefree revolutionary and he devises a plan to infuse the company’s system with a virus.Office Spaceis great at portraying the sheer mundanity and the inane micro-aggressions of office life while delivering jokes that hit that sweet spot. Judge also makes sure to fill up the film with details that ring true for anyone who has ever endured a pointless, soul-sucking 9-to-5. Lastly, the film’s intelligence and humor are what make it so perfect.
Bad Boyscreated a strong cult following after the release of the first movie in the trilogy back in 1995. This buddy-cop action comedy movie stars Martin Lawrence and Will Smith as two narcotics detectives as they investigate a case of stolen heroin from the evidence storage room.
After the movie’s commercial success, a sequel calledBad Boys IIwas produced, and with even bigger demand, the two actors came back for a third movieBad Boys For Life, after almost 17 years. The production ofBad Boys 4was reportedly pauseddue to Smith’s Oscars incident. Nonetheless, the franchise is a perfect combination of comedy and action. The chemistry between Lawrence and Smith is so strong that even after all those years, it still hasn’t faded away.
8Sister Act (1992)
Sister Actwas one of the most successful comedies of the 90s, grossing over $231 million worldwide.Whoopi Goldberg actsas a lounge singer who was forced to join a convent as part of a witness protection program. Due to its commercial success, the movie received a sequelSister Act 2: Back in the Habit, and there’s even a remake in the works as we speak.
Producer Tyler Perry is currently developingSister Act 3, and Goldberg is, of course, on board. Many of us grew up watching the beautiful sisterhood between the women in the convent. The franchise definitely has re-watchable comedic qualities that easily get under your skin.
7Rush Hour (1998)
Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker star in this buddy action comedy movie as two mismatched cops, who go on a mission to rescue a Chinese diplomat’s daughter.Rush Hour’s box office success — it grossed $244 million worldwide — led to two more sequels.
To some, the trope of a male detective being good at what he does because of his ambiguous neurodivergence may seem overused, but James Carter (Tucker) will steal your heart.Rush Houralso gave audiences a chance to see Chan show off his comedic timing, in addition to his mastery of martial arts.
6The Addams Family (1991)
The Addams Familyis a dark comedy with supernatural elements about an aristocratic bizarre family, who welcomes a long-lost relative into their household, only to find out he’s a scammer trying to rip them off of their money.
Anjelica Huston was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance as Morticia Addams. Many say that Morticia and Gomez are indeed couple-goals and there are many iconic moments to prove their point, such as their slow-dancing to a piece of gentle gothic music or their romantic speeches for each other. The integration of romance and comedy is completely fantastic.
Related:The Addams Family Director Reflects on Casting Raul Julia & Anjelica Huston 30 Years Later
