The best comedy movies every comedy lover should watch include Dumb and Dumber, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Zootopia, The Big Sick, Lady Bird, Paddington 2, Booksmart and Free Guy. They range from silly slapstick to warm, smart comedy. Below is the full list for 2026, with year, director and where each film streams in India.
Best comedy movies: quick list
| Film | Year | Where to watch in India |
|---|---|---|
| Dumb and Dumber | 1994 | Rent on Prime Video, Apple TV |
| The 40-Year-Old Virgin | 2005 | JioHotstar |
| Zootopia | 2016 | JioHotstar |
| The Big Sick | 2017 | Prime Video |
| Lady Bird | 2017 | MUBI |
| Paddington 2 | 2017 | Rent on Prime Video, Apple TV |
| Support the Girls | 2018 | Not confirmed |
| Once Upon a Time in Hollywood | 2019 | Prime Video, Sony LIV |
| Booksmart | 2019 | MGM+ channel on Prime Video |
| Free Guy | 2021 | JioHotstar |
| Hit Man | 2024 | Netflix |
Streaming deals change often, so check the app before you settle in. Laughter really is good medicine, and this list has something for every mood.
10 best comedy movies every comedy lover should watch
1. Dumb and Dumber (1994)
Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels play Lloyd and Harry, two good-hearted idiots who drive across America to return a briefcase to a woman Lloyd has a crush on. Directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly, it is pure slapstick, and many of its gags are still quoted three decades later.
2. The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)
Steve Carell plays Andy, a shy electronics store employee whose co-workers find out he has never been in a relationship and decide to “help.” Judd Apatow’s film is crude in places but has a kind heart, and it made Carell a film star.
3. Zootopia (2016)
In a city run by animals, a rabbit police officer, Judy Hopps, teams up with a con-artist fox, Nick Wilde, to solve a missing-animals case. The Disney film is funny for kids and adults, and quietly smart about prejudice. It won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, and its sequel, Zootopia 2, released in November 2025.
4. The Big Sick (2017)
Kumail Nanjiani plays himself in this film based on his real romance with Emily V. Gordon, who co-wrote it with him. When Emily falls into a medically induced coma, Kumail gets to know her parents in the hospital. Indian viewers will relate to his Pakistani family’s push for an arranged marriage. The script was nominated for an Oscar.
5. Lady Bird (2017)
Greta Gerwig’s solo directing debut follows Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson, played by Saoirse Ronan, in her final year at a Catholic school in Sacramento. The fights and love between her and her mother, played by Laurie Metcalf, are funny and painfully real.
6. Paddington 2 (2017)
The marmalade-loving bear is framed for theft and sent to prison, where he wins over the inmates. Hugh Grant is a scene-stealer as a vain, washed-up actor. It is one of the best-reviewed family films ever, and a third film, Paddington in Peru, followed in 2024.
7. Support the Girls (2018)
Regina Hall plays Lisa, the manager of a highway sports bar, over one very long day. Andrew Bujalski’s small film is a gentle workplace comedy about women looking out for each other. It is the least known title here and well worth finding.
8. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
Quentin Tarantino’s love letter to 1969 Los Angeles follows a fading TV actor, Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), and his stunt double, Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt). It is more of a comedy than people expect, and Pitt won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
9. Booksmart (2019)
Two top students, played by Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein, realise on the night before graduation that they skipped all the fun in high school. Olivia Wilde’s directing debut packs a whole party movie into one night.
10. Free Guy (2021)
Ryan Reynolds plays Guy, a background character in a violent video game who becomes self-aware and decides to be the hero. Directed by Shawn Levy, it is a bright, easy watch with plenty of gaming jokes.
Bonus pick: Hit Man (2024)
Richard Linklater’s Hit Man stars Glen Powell as a mild-mannered college teacher who works undercover for the police, posing as a hitman. Things get messy when he falls for a client. It is a clever, adult comedy and streams on Netflix.
How we picked these comedies
The list mixes slapstick, romcom, coming-of-age and family films so there is something for every mood. Each one has held up well with audiences and critics, and none needs you to have seen anything else first. For more lists like this, see our Hollywood section and movies page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best comedy movie of all time?
There is no single answer, but Dumb and Dumber, Paddington 2 and Zootopia are on most fan and critic lists. Paddington 2 is one of the best-reviewed comedies ever.
Which comedy movies are on JioHotstar?
From this list, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Zootopia and Free Guy stream on JioHotstar in India.
What are good comedy movies to watch with family?
Paddington 2 and Zootopia are the safest family picks. Free Guy suits teens and adults.
Is there a Zootopia 2?
Yes. Zootopia 2 released in cinemas in November 2025, with Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde back on a new case.
Sources: JustWatch India: Zootopia, JustWatch India: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, JustWatch India: The Big Sick, IMDb: Dumb and Dumber.
