Funny how? Hilarious movies that aren't considered comedies (2024)

Warner Bros.

Funny how? Like a clown? Martin Scorsese's mob flick is filled with violent action, bloody spectacle and extremely dark humor. The jokes aren't jokes, per se, but you end up leaving with a huge smile on your face anyway.

Universal Pictures

Robert De Niro in another comedy? As long as it's not one of those geriatric comedies he's been churning out lately. The actor has the capability of being genuinely hilarious, as he is in this buddy flick about a detective taking a criminal to jail.

Focus Features

In Brugesis about a couple hitmen stuck in the picturesque Belgian city of (you guessed it!) Bruges. They bicker over pints, wander the city like ghosts and occasionally bond over their mutual disdain for the Kardashians.There's not much more to it, except some of the sharpest dialogue ever written.

Warner Bros.

Everyone talks about the looks of Ryan Gosling, which set off flash-flood warnings in movie theaters. I almost brought a poncho to my showing, which was packed with very amused moms. But what stood out to me most was the humor. Greta Gerwig's script had me laughing more than any other movie to hit theaters in years. Thanks to her version of Ken, this thing is indelibly funny.

Touchstone Pictures

Anything with Robin Williams is bound to have moments of hilarity. Even his worst movies are boistered by his unbelievable commitment to the part. The actor brought an honest, unwavering sympathy to his roles, and his commitment to the role of poetry professor is a fine example. He gives this film its heart, its soul and yes, its humor.

Gramercy Pictures

Alright, alright, alright. It's one of the best examples of a non-comedy being hilarious. Richard Linklater's story of the last day of high school is packed with iconic lines, many of which make us laugh out loud.

Focus Features

Wes Anderson has a style that doesn't make us bellow with laughter but does make us chuckle in amusem*nt. (The exception being Rushmore, which is one of the funniest movies ever made.) His tale of children on the run is not exactly hilarious, but it does have some silly moments.

A24

A movie that tries to cram everything everywhere all at once into a single sitting should have some comedy, right? Glad you agree. Because without the comedy, the film just wouldn't be the same. There would be no fanny-pack fights, sęx toy battles or talking rocks, all of which add to the operatic absurdity of The Daniels' epic.

Universal Pictures

It's a rom-com, silly. Of course there's going to be comedy. Well, yes. But most rom-coms don't have the same laugh ratio as many raunch fests. Notting Hill is extremely funny, perpetually piling on the jokes at Hugh Grant's expense. He's never been better and Julia Roberts — who smiles like she's posing for a toothpaste ad — has never been better as well.

Walt Disney Pictures

Disney has turned into a robotic studio of late, going through the same motions of live-action remakes. It makes you long for the days of WALL-E, when even the studio's robots were alive with heart, humor and invention. The robot left on Earth to clean up trash could very well be picking up copies of Disney's remake collection.

IFC Films

Before Greta Gerwig was a director, she was a luminous gem on the indie scene. Anytime she showed up in a movie, you wanted to see what she was going to do next. The actress' wistful energy was never more realized than in Frances Ha, a small film about a woman's midlife crisis that made a giant impact.

Paramount Pictures

Bueller? Bueller? Bueller? Anyone? It's hard to imagine Ferris Bueller's ditch day being this iconic if it weren't so funny. While it might not be a comedy, it's up there with the best of them. There aren't many films that make me laugh like this one.

Walt Disney Pictures

Family arguments, middle-class malaise and childhood confusion — all of it crammed into spandex? Disney delivered one of their funniest movies with this tale of everyday superheroes, the slapstick of banality being the humor's grounding force.

Gramercy Pictures

There aren't many characters who have made me laugh like Walter, the best friend of The Dude and the most patriotic man you've ever seen. The Coen Brothers' endlessly quotable film isn't a comedy, but Walter is funny enough to support an entire comedy on his own. If the entire film was just him yelling, it would still be an instant classic.

Paramount Pictures

Nothing says comedy like a boy staging his own death over and over again, right? The story of a suicidal boy and a senior citizen might not sound like it would be funny, but Hal Ashby's script is noose tight, delivering hilarious moments that choke you with laughter.

Golden Princess Film Production

Sometimes a movie is so ridiculous, you can't help but laugh. At the sight of an assassin holding a baby in one arm while shooting villains with the other, there's no way you don't chuckle in awe. Hard Boiled is super cool, super funny and super, super ridiculous. A masterpiece in mass execution.

Columbia Pictures

This is one of those movies that qualifies as a bunch of different genres, yet remains comedic. Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio get into all sorts of amusing situations as they try to thrive in 1960s showbiz. The final scene is one of those jaw-dropping moments you can't help but laugh at.

Golden Harvest

You thought Tom Cruise strapping himself to a plane was cool? Wait until you see what Jackie Chan does here. Hanging from a bus, hopping off a roof and dispensing of hundreds of villains, Chan delivers stunts so impressive they become hilarious.

Columbia Pictures

The Holiday is one of those films your mom likes to watch, and when you sit down to watch a little with her, you're shocked at how good it is. It helps to have the indelible talents of Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black and Jude Law, who give their relationships the life they need. And the film is actually funny! Turns out some of the movies your mom watches on a quiet afternoon are actually quite good.

MGM

Is there a funnier fairy tale out there? Inconceivable! This tale of a kidnapped princess and her true love is genuinely hilarious. It's a wonderful film with tons of laughs.