They’re worth a watch—no joke.
There has been ongoing speculation about the comedy genre not being taken seriously—how ironic—at award ceremonies, with dramas typically championing the Best Picture category. Not only is achieving good comedy more difficult than drama, but the lightweight, hearty feeling we get after watching a good comedy is almost irreplaceable too. However, this notion does make sense to an extent due to humour being more subjective than action or drama films. Below, we’ve rounded up a couple of recent comedy movies if you’re looking for ‘the best medicine’. Does this genre deserve more recognition from award shows? You be the judge.
Here’s a list of six recent comedy movies to watch for a good laugh:
One of Them Days (2025)
In this buddy comedy directed by Lawrence Lamont, Keke Palmer and singer SZA—making her acting debut—lead the film, playing best friends and roommates Dreux and Alyssa. When the pair find themselves on a tight deadline to pay their rent after Alyssa’s boyfriend takes their savings, they race against the clock to scrape together enough money to avoid eviction. You can expect this one to be consistently funny, especially with the ever-energetic and charismatic Keke Palmer present.
Thelma (2024)
When 93-year-old Thelma Post loses $10,000 to a con artist on the phone, she—inspired by Mission Impossible—embarks on an operation to retrieve it back, like a true grandparent refusing to accept the limits of age. In this hilariously heartwarming film, director Josh Margolin based the character largely on his grandmother. Additionally, June Squibb (who plays Thelma) stars in her first leading role at 94 while performing her own stunts.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024)
It’s been 30 years since the first of the franchise was released in theatres and still, we never tire from the series’—although cliche at times—buddy cop chemistry. This box office success, starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, follows the narrative of two Miami cops, Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, as they attempt to clear the name of their beloved late police captain after he is falsely accused of working with drug cartels.
Bottoms (2023)
Adding on to our recent comedy movie craze is Bottoms. We’re familiar with Brad Pitt’s underground Fight Club from 1999, but have you heard about one started by two unpopular teens who plan to hook up with cheerleaders? When a rumour about the best friends being badass feminists circulates the school, they seize the sliver of popularity to form a self-defence fight club. The leading cast includes comedy powerhouses Ayo Edebiri and Rachel Sennott, playing Josie and PJ, joined by Kaia Gerber, Ruby Cruz and Havana Rose Liu, with Emma Seligman as director.
Snack Shack (2024)
It’s the summer in Nebraska City, 1991, and two best friends who dream of striking it rich have just won an overpaying bid to a dilapidated snack shack by the community pool. This coming-of-age film centres on themes like friendship, first love and unhinged teenage entrepreneurship. Written and directed by Adam Reihmer, Conor Sherry and Gabriel LaBelle lead the film as AJ and Moose.
The Fall Guy (2024)
After leaving the profession for one year, due to a fall gone terribly wrong, stuntman Colt Seavers—played by Ryan Gosling—is called back to action to track down a missing movie star for whom he is to stunt double. What’s more, the film is directed by his ex-girlfriend Jody (Emily Blunt), whom he ghosted out of shame after the injury. In this action comedy—filled with dummy weapons, car chases and explosions—director David Leitch revisits his early days as a stuntman to create a fun and action-packed summer flick about the role of the unsung hero in movies.
