30 Overrated Comedy Movies Everyone Seems To Like

What people find funny is different for everyone, and a joke that lands well with one group might fall flat with another. Surprisingly, many popular and beloved comedies still succeed even though critics point out they use old, predictable formulas. This list looks at several well-known comedies that have stayed popular over the years, despite being criticized for their humor or how they’re made. These films represent a wide range of different times and styles in the comedy genre.

‘Ghostbusters’ (2016)

When a supernatural problem arises in New York City, four women team up to start a ghostbusting business. This movie is a fresh take on the beloved 1984 film, featuring a new cast and modern effects. However, it sparked controversy online before its release and received generally mixed reactions. Many viewers thought it leaned too heavily on slapstick humor and didn’t quite recapture the magic of the original movie.

’21 Jump Street’ (2012)

This comedy follows two struggling police officers who go undercover as high school students to bust the source of a new, dangerous drug. The movie playfully mocks the original TV show it’s based on, and it’s full of jokes about itself. Critics loved the connection between the two main actors and the film’s clever, self-aware style. Some viewers, however, thought it relied too much on crude jokes and typical action movie clichés, making it feel formulaic.

‘Ted’ (2012)

A man faces unexpected problems when a childhood wish brings his teddy bear to life. Now grown, the bear is rude and lazy, causing trouble in the man’s love life. The movie was a surprisingly popular success, leading to a follow-up film and a TV show. Some critics feel the comedy relies too much on the shock value of a talking bear with a potty mouth.

‘Pitch Perfect’ (2012)

This movie follows a new college student who joins an all-female a cappella group as they strive to win a national competition. Known for its creative musical numbers and portrayal of strong female bonds, the film launched a popular series and brought attention to many songs. However, some viewers find its familiar underdog story and typical supporting characters a bit cliché.

‘Bridesmaids’ (2011)

The movie follows Annie as she navigates a string of mishaps after being asked to be her best friend’s maid of honor. A central conflict revolves around the rivalry between Annie and another, more privileged bridesmaid. Critics praised the film for its strong female cast and its often-crude but funny moments. However, some viewers felt the movie was too long and included unnecessary side stories that didn’t add to the main emotional journey.

‘The Hangover’ (2009)

A group of friends celebrating a bachelor party in Las Vegas find themselves with a massive hangover and no recollection of the night before. They have to retrace their steps and figure out what happened to the groom, who has mysteriously disappeared, all before the wedding begins. The movie was a huge commercial success, earning a lot of money and leading to two follow-up films. However, many critics have noted that its humor often depends on surprising and increasingly unrealistic situations.

‘Step Brothers’ (2008)

When two men in their forties find out their parents are getting married, they unexpectedly become roommates. The movie is known for its over-the-top, improvised comedy and physical gags performed by the two main actors. Though it’s become popular online, many people find the constant jokes tiring. The story centers on how these initially hostile men become close friends, all while causing chaos for their newly combined families.

‘Pineapple Express’ (2008)

The film follows a process server and his marijuana supplier as they’re pursued by a crooked cop and a dangerous drug kingpin. It’s a unique mix of silly stoner humor and thrilling action. The movie did well in theaters and boosted the careers of its actors. However, some critics feel the excessive violence and length overshadow the comedy.

‘Tropic Thunder’ (2008)

While filming a Vietnam War movie, a self-involved cast finds themselves facing genuine peril in the jungle. The film playfully mocks the vanity often found in Hollywood and the extreme lengths actors go to for their roles. It was well-received by critics and earned an Academy Award nomination for one of the stars. However, some viewers today are critical of the film’s use of potentially offensive makeup and its depiction of people with disabilities, finding those elements outdated and problematic.

‘Superbad’ (2007)

This movie follows two high school seniors trying to get alcohol for a party, hoping to impress the people they like. It’s known for being a realistic, and often very blunt, look at teenage life. The film helped launch the careers of many now-famous comedians and writers, but some critics find its focus on teenage romance and immature conversations to be a bit predictable and repetitive.

‘Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan’ (2006)

A journalist from Kazakhstan sets out across America to film a documentary. The movie relies on candid interactions with ordinary people, creating awkward and funny moments. While it was a huge hit in theaters, it also led to several lawsuits from those who appeared in it. Some viewers now find the film’s style of fake documentary and its often shocking humor to be out of touch with today’s standards.

‘Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby’ (2006)

Okay, so this movie is about Ricky Bobby, a seriously awesome NASCAR driver who starts to doubt himself when this super flashy French driver shows up and steals some of the spotlight. It’s a really funny story about him getting his confidence back and fighting to be the best again! What I love about it is that it totally pokes fun at American sports and all those Southern stereotypes you see. Though, honestly, sometimes the actors go a little too much with the improv, and it can make the movie drag a bit, but overall it’s a hilarious ride.

‘Wedding Crashers’ (2005)

This comedy follows two divorce mediators who spend their free time crashing weddings in hopes of finding dates. Their plan gets complicated when one of them falls for the daughter of a powerful politician. The film was a huge box office success and played a big role in making R-rated ensemble comedies more popular. However, some critics feel the movie’s humor dips in the second half, giving way to predictable romantic tropes.

‘Mean Girls’ (2004)

Cady Heron, who grew up in Africa, enters the intense world of American high school and quickly becomes involved with a popular and often cruel group called the Plastics. The movie examines the complicated social dynamics and emotional battles between teenage girls. It’s become a cultural phenomenon, inspiring countless memes and yearly traditions. However, some believe the movie’s attempt at humor isn’t as clever as people remember and that it depends too much on familiar, predictable character types.

‘Napoleon Dynamite’ (2004)

This movie follows a clumsy teen in a small town who tries to get his new friend elected class president. It’s known for its dry humor and deliberately slow speed, which became typical for independent comedies. Though it gained a dedicated fanbase, some viewers find its unusual lack of a clear storyline annoying. The film stands out thanks to its odd visuals and strange, memorable characters.

‘DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story’ (2004)

A team of underdogs competes in a dodgeball tournament to prevent a greedy businessman from shutting down their beloved gym. The movie is known for its slapstick comedy, memorable characters, and funny send-ups of sports movies. While some find the humor a bit basic and the characters one-dimensional, it’s still a popular and quotable comedy.

‘Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy’ (2004)

This film follows a popular news anchor from the 1970s whose career is challenged by a driven young journalist. It’s known for its bizarre and memorable scenes, as well as catchphrases that have become part of pop culture. While some find the story feels disjointed and more like a series of comedic bits than a complete movie, it’s still considered a standout performance for the lead actor, even though its humor is very unconventional and often divides audiences.

‘Old School’ (2003)

A group of three friends in their thirties try to recapture their college years by starting a new fraternity close to their old university. The story follows their struggles to keep the fraternity going, despite pushback from the university dean. The film is considered a key influence on the comedic style seen in many movies of the early 2000s, but some viewers feel its plot relies too much on familiar themes of men facing a midlife crisis.

‘Zoolander’ (2001)

The film centers around a not-very-bright male model who is manipulated by a powerful fashion industry leader into attempting to kill the Prime Minister of Malaysia. It’s a satirical comedy that pokes fun at the world of fashion and includes appearances by several famous faces. Known for its distinctive look and quotable lines, the movie has maintained a following, though some viewers feel the storyline is weak and the humor relies too much on the main character’s foolishness.

‘Office Space’ (1999)

This movie follows three unhappy office workers who decide to take a stand against their selfish boss. It realistically portrays the boring and frustrating work life of the 1990s. Though it didn’t do well in theaters, it became very popular on VHS and TV. Some people feel the movie’s change to a heist story in the final act doesn’t quite fit with the more realistic and humorous look at office life in the first part.

‘American Pie’ (1999)

This movie follows four high school friends who challenge each other to lose their virginity before graduation. It’s famous for its outrageous and often shocking scenes, and it captures what life was like for teenagers in the late 1990s. The film helped bring teen comedies back into popularity and led to several follow-up movies and TV shows. However, many critics point out that the humor relies heavily on awkward and sometimes uncomfortable situations, and can come across as immature or unkind.

‘The Big Lebowski’ (1998)

The Dude, a laid-back and unemployed man, finds himself caught up in a kidnapping when he’s confused with a wealthy individual. The movie shows his adventures through the criminal side of Los Angeles with his bowling friends. It’s become a beloved cult classic, even inspiring fan festivals, though some critics feel the complicated story and quirky characters distract from the humor.

‘Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery’ (1997)

This movie follows a British spy from the 1960s who is frozen and then revived in the 1990s to defeat his old enemy. It’s a funny take on James Bond films, highlighting the clash between cultures from the two different decades. The film was a huge hit, spawning two follow-up movies and a lot of related products. However, some critics have pointed out that the constant use of certain phrases and the reliance on silly bathroom humor can become annoying.

‘Home Alone’ (1990)

A young boy, eight years old, is mistakenly left home by himself and has to protect his house from a pair of burglars. The movie is a beloved holiday classic, famous for its silly, over-the-top violence and feel-good conclusion. It became incredibly popular around the world and made the child actor a star. However, some people feel the over-the-top traps and predictable story don’t live up to the film’s famous reputation.

‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ (1986)

This movie follows a high school student who pretends to be ill so he can ditch school and spend the day with his girlfriend and best friend in Chicago. It’s known for capturing the spirit of teenage rebellion and the stress of growing up, and is widely considered a defining film of the 1980s, boosted by a charming lead actor. However, some viewers find the main character unlikeable and criticize the fact that he doesn’t face any real repercussions for his dishonesty.

‘The Breakfast Club’ (1985)

A group of five high school students, each from a different social group, are stuck in Saturday detention together. The film is well-known for its honest portrayal of teenage life and its exploration of common high school stereotypes. Although it has some funny parts, it’s mostly a story about growing up. Some viewers feel the characters are a bit cliché and that the way the story wraps up feels rushed or too easy.

‘This Is Spinal Tap’ (1984)

This movie is a funny, fictional look at a British heavy metal band’s terrible tour of the United States. It’s famous for being one of the first films made in a ‘mockumentary’ style – a fake documentary – and it playfully pokes fun at the wild side of rock music. Many people love its clever, understated humor and the actors’ ability to improvise. However, some viewers might find its slower speed and subtle jokes less exciting than typical comedies.

‘Airplane!’ (1980)

The movie centers around a pilot who’s ironically afraid of flying, and is forced to land a plane when the entire flight crew gets sick. It’s well-known for its quick-paced visual humor and the delivery of silly lines with a straight face. Many critics consider it a comedy classic, though some modern audiences find that its reliance on a wide range of jokes means not all of them still hit the mark.

‘Caddyshack’ (1980)

This movie centers around the lives and problems of people at a fancy golf club, including a pesky gopher. It stars a group of famous comedians who largely made up their lines as they went along. While it’s very popular with both sports fans and people who love comedy, some viewers think it’s a bit overhyped because it doesn’t have a strong, cohesive storyline and feels like a series of unrelated scenes.

‘Animal House’ (1978)

This comedy follows a wild fraternity as they try to avoid getting kicked out of a small college. It’s a hugely influential film in the raunchy comedy genre, inspiring many college movies that came after it. The movie is known for its memorable scenes and performances, though some viewers today find the characters’ actions and the story itself to be a bit questionable and disjointed.

Share your thoughts on which comedies you think are overrated in the comments.

2025-12-31 06:18