30 Overrated Comedy Movies Everyone Seems To Like

Comedy is subjective and what one audience finds hilarious another might find repetitive or dated. Many films achieve massive commercial success and cult status despite relying on tropes that critics argue have not aged well. This list explores several high profile comedies that have maintained popularity over the decades while facing scrutiny for their humor or structure. These selections reflect a variety of eras and styles within the genre.

‘Ghostbusters’ (2016)

Four women start a ghost catching business in New York City after a supernatural threat emerges. The film is a reboot of the classic 1984 franchise with a new cast and updated special effects. It faced significant online backlash before release and received mixed reviews from critics. Many viewers feel the movie relies too much on physical comedy and fails to capture the charm of the original.

’21 Jump Street’ (2012)

Two underachieving police officers go undercover at a high school to find the supplier of a new synthetic drug. The movie parodies the original television series while leaning into meta humor. It was praised for the chemistry between the leads and its self aware tone. However some viewers feel the reliance on raunchy humor and action movie tropes makes it feel like a standard studio product.

‘Ted’ (2012)

A man deals with the consequences of his childhood wish that brought his teddy bear to life. The bear grows up to be a foul mouthed slacker who interferes with the protagonists adult relationship. It was a surprise box office hit that led to a sequel and a television series. Detractors often find the humor to be overly reliant on the novelty of a crude talking animal.

‘Pitch Perfect’ (2012)

A college freshman joins an all female a cappella group that competes for a national championship. The film features stylized musical performances and a focus on female friendships. It spawned a successful franchise and popularized several cover songs. Some audiences argue that the predictable underdog sports structure and stereotypical side characters are overrated.

‘Bridesmaids’ (2011)

Annie suffers a series of misfortunes after being asked to serve as the maid of honor for her best friend. The story focuses on the competitive relationship between Annie and another wealthy bridesmaid. It received critical acclaim for its female led cast and gross out humor sequences. Detractors often suggest the film is overlong and features subplots that do not contribute to the main emotional arc.

‘The Hangover’ (2009)

A bachelor party in Las Vegas goes wrong when the groomsmen wake up with no memory of the previous night. The characters must piece together their wild evening to find the missing groom before the wedding starts. It became one of the highest grossing R rated comedies and spawned two sequels. Critics often point out that the humor relies on shock value and increasingly improbable scenarios.

‘Step Brothers’ (2008)

Two middle aged men living with their parents are forced to become roommates when their parents marry. The film relies heavily on improvisational shouting and slapstick humor between the two lead actors. While it has become a staple of internet meme culture many viewers find the repetitive nature of the gags exhausting. The plot follows the pair as they transition from enemies to best friends while disrupting their parents lives.

‘Pineapple Express’ (2008)

A process server and his marijuana dealer go on the run from a corrupt police officer and a drug lord. The movie blends the stoner comedy genre with high stakes action sequences. It was a commercial success and helped solidify the popularity of its ensemble cast. Critics often point out that the violence and long runtime distract from the comedic elements of the story.

‘Tropic Thunder’ (2008)

A group of self absorbed actors filming a Vietnam War movie are thrust into real danger in the jungle. The film satirizes Hollywood ego and the methods used by actors to prepare for roles. It received critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for one of its lead performances. Some modern audiences find the use of controversial makeup and portrayals of disability to be problematic or dated.

‘Superbad’ (2007)

Two high school seniors embark on a quest to buy alcohol for a party to impress their crushes. The movie is noted for its frank depiction of teenage life and frequent use of profanity. It launched the careers of several major comedic actors and writers. Critics of the film often mention that the obsession with sexual conquests and juvenile dialogue can feel repetitive.

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

A fictional journalist from Kazakhstan travels across the United States to make a documentary. The film uses real life interactions with unsuspecting people to create uncomfortable comedic situations. It was a massive box office success and sparked numerous legal battles regarding the participants. Some audiences feel the mockumentary style and offensive humor have become dated in a modern social context.

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

A top NASCAR driver loses his confidence after a flamboyant French driver joins the racing circuit. Ricky Bobby must find his courage again to reclaim his spot at the top of the leaderboards. The film satirizes American sports culture and Southern stereotypes. Critics often note that the repetitive improvisational style can hinder the pacing of the story.

‘Wedding Crashers’ (2005)

Two divorce mediators spend their weekends crashing weddings to meet women. Their scheme becomes complicated when one of them falls in love with the daughter of a high ranking politician. The movie was a commercial juggernaut and helped popularize R rated ensemble comedies. Reviewers sometimes point out that the second half of the film loses its comedic momentum in favor of romantic clichés.

‘Mean Girls’ (2004)

Cady Heron moves from Africa to a suburban high school and gets caught up in a popular clique known as the Plastics. The screenplay explores the social hierarchies and psychological warfare of teenage girls. It has maintained an immense cultural legacy through memes and annual celebrations. Some argue that the satire is less sharp than its reputation suggests and relies on stereotypical character archetypes.

‘Napoleon Dynamite’ (2004)

An awkward teenager in a small town tries to help his new friend win the class presidency. The film is characterized by its deadpan delivery and slow pacing which became a hallmark of independent comedy. While it earned a massive cult following many find the lack of a traditional plot frustrating. The quirky aesthetic and eccentric characters define the unique visual style of the production.

‘DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story’ (2004)

A group of misfits enters a professional dodgeball tournament to save their local gym from a corporate takeover. The film features exaggerated physical comedy and a variety of colorful supporting characters. It remains popular for its quotable lines and energetic sports parodies. Some critics argue the humor is overly simplistic and relies on caricatures rather than character development.

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

A top rated news anchor in the 1970s sees his status threatened by the arrival of an ambitious female journalist. The movie features a series of nonsensical set pieces and catchphrases that have permeated pop culture. Some viewers argue that the loose narrative structure feels more like a collection of sketches than a cohesive film. It remains a defining performance for the lead actor despite the divisive nature of its absurdity.

‘Old School’ (2003)

Three men in their thirties attempt to relive their glory days by starting a fraternity near their former college. The narrative centers on their attempts to keep the fraternity alive while facing opposition from the university dean. It helped establish the Frat Pack era of comedy films in the early 2000s. Many viewers believe the plot relies too heavily on predictable tropes about midlife crises.

‘Zoolander’ (2001)

A dimwitted male model is brainwashed by a fashion mogul to assassinate the Prime Minister of Malaysia. The movie satirizes the fashion industry and features numerous celebrity cameos. It has remained popular for its unique visual style and memorable character quotes. Some viewers find the plot to be too thin and the humor to be overly reliant on the main characters stupidity.

‘Office Space’ (1999)

Three corporate employees who hate their jobs decide to rebel against their greedy boss. The film captures the monotony and frustration of 1990s office culture. While it was a box office failure it became a massive hit on home video and television. Some viewers argue that the third act shift into a heist plot feels disconnected from the relatable office satire of the beginning.

‘American Pie’ (1999)

Four high school friends make a pact to lose their virginity by the time they graduate. The film is known for its raunchy set pieces and depiction of late 1990s youth culture. It revitalized the teen comedy genre and spawned numerous sequels and spin offs. Reviewers often note that the humor is largely based on embarrassment and can feel juvenile or mean spirited.

‘The Big Lebowski’ (1998)

An unemployed slacker known as the Dude becomes embroiled in a kidnapping plot after being mistaken for a millionaire. The film follows his journey through the Los Angeles underworld alongside his bowling teammates. It became a significant cult classic with its own dedicated fan festivals. Critics of the film sometimes argue that the convoluted plot and eccentricities overshadow the actual comedy.

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

A British secret agent from the 1960s is cryogenically frozen and thawed in the 1990s to stop his nemesis. The film parodies James Bond movies and the cultural differences between the two eras. It was a massive success that led to two sequels and significant merchandise. Critics often suggest that the repetitious nature of the catchphrases and toilet humor can be grating.

‘Home Alone’ (1990)

An eight year old boy is accidentally left home alone and must defend his house from two burglars. The film is a holiday staple known for its slapstick violence and heartwarming ending. It was a massive global phenomenon that turned its young star into a household name. Some viewers find the unrealistic nature of the traps and the repetitive plot to be less charming than its reputation suggests.

‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ (1986)

A high school student fakes being sick to spend a day in Chicago with his girlfriend and best friend. The film explores themes of teenage rebellion and the pressure to succeed. It is highly regarded as a definitive 1980s classic with a charismatic lead performance. Detractors often point out that the main character is arrogant and faces no real consequences for his actions.

‘The Breakfast Club’ (1985)

Five students from different social cliques are forced to spend a Saturday in school detention. The movie is often praised for its emotional depth and exploration of teenage stereotypes. While it contains comedic moments it is primarily a coming of age drama. Some critics argue the character archetypes are dated and the resolution of the conflicts feels unearned or simplistic.

‘This Is Spinal Tap’ (1984)

A documentary crew follows a fictional British heavy metal band during a disastrous United States tour. The film pioneered the mockumentary format and satirized the excesses of rock and roll culture. It is highly regarded for its subtle humor and improvisational performances. Some audiences find the slow pace and dry wit less engaging than more traditional scripted comedies.

‘Airplane!’ (1980)

A former pilot who is afraid to fly must take control of a passenger plane when the crew falls ill. The movie is famous for its rapid fire visual gags and deadpan delivery of absurd lines. It is frequently cited as one of the greatest comedies of all time by critics. Modern viewers sometimes feel that the scattershot approach to humor results in many jokes that no longer land.

‘Caddyshack’ (1980)

The employees and members of an exclusive golf club deal with various personal conflicts and a destructive gopher. The film features an ensemble cast of legendary comedians and relies heavily on improvisation. It has a massive following among sports fans and comedy enthusiasts alike. Some audiences feel the lack of a central narrative and reliance on disconnected sketches makes it overrated.

‘Animal House’ (1978)

A rowdy fraternity at a small college fights against the efforts of the dean to expel them. The movie is a classic of the gross out comedy genre and influenced decades of collegiate films. It features iconic performances and set pieces that remain famous today. Some modern critics argue that the behavior of the characters is problematic and the plot is largely episodic.

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