Peter Sellers as Dr Strangelove
By
Richard Craig
Published Feb 1, 2026, 8:10 PM EST
Richard Craig is Senior Author at Screen Rant, covering everything superhero related. Richard has also written extensively about horror and film soundtracks, contributing a chapter to the first major academic collection on the folk horror genre, The Routledge Companion to Folk Horror. Richard is also a performing musician and holds an MA in Music and Sound Art.
Sign in to your ScreenRant account
Add Us On
Summary
Generate a summary of this story
follow
Follow
followed
Followed
Like
Like
Thread
1
Log in
Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents:
Try something different:
Show me the facts
Explain it like I’m 5
Give me a lighthearted recap
Comedy is often dismissed as lightweight entertainment, yet the genre has produced some of cinema’s most enduring masterpieces. Over the last century, the greatest comedy films have done far more than generate laughs. They’ve shaped pop culture, influenced generations of filmmakers, and revealed uncomfortable truths about society, relationships, and human behavior.
The best comedy movies are precise machines, balancing timing, performance, and writing with near-mathematical accuracy, while also leaving room for spontaneity. From sharp satire to heartfelt character studies, these films prove comedy can be just as artistically rich as drama. Ranking them is inevitably subjective, but a handful stand above the rest for their influence, rewatchability, and sheer brilliance.
Planes, Trains, And Automobiles (1987)
Steve Martin and John Candy sitting outside in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
John Hughes’ Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is often remembered as a holiday comedy. However, its greatness lies in how seamlessly it blends emotional depth with relentless humor. Steve Martin delivers one of his sharpest performances as the tightly wound Neal Page, whose growing rage is as hilarious as it is palpable.
Meanwhile, John Candy’s Del Griffith becomes the film’s emotional core despite his hapless and infuriating behavior. Importantly, Candy’s performance balances sincerity and comic exaggeration. Together, these elevate the film far beyond a standard road-trip farce.
The escalating travel disasters are expertly structured, each setback funnier and more frustrating than the last. What truly cements the Plane, Trains and Automobiles’ legacy is its final act, which recontextualizes Del’s behavior and delivers a genuinely moving payoff. Few comedies manage to land such a heartfelt ending without sacrificing laughs.
Young Frankenstein (1974)
Frankenstein's Monster in Young Frankenstein
Young Frankenstein is undoubtedly one of the most brilliant genre parodies ever made. This is largely because Mel Brooks treats its source material with genuine affection. Shot in black and white and meticulously designed to resemble classic Universal horror films, the movie commits fully to its premise and vintage tone.
Related
10 Greatest Haunted House Movie Masterpieces Of The Last 100 Years, Ranked
From gothic mansions to suburban nightmares, these haunted house masterpieces redefined cinematic fear and left legacies that still shape horror.
Posts By Richard CraigGene Wilder’s performance as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein is controlled chaos, while Marty Feldman’s Igor steals nearly every scene with offbeat physical comedy. The jokes come fast, but they’re layered: visual gags, wordplay, and absurd performances working in harmony.
What separates Young Frankenstein from lesser spoofs is its craftsmanship. The film looks and sounds authentic, which makes the jokes land even harder. Brooks proves that parody doesn’t mean laziness; it requires precision. Decades later, Young Frankenstein remains endlessly quotable and astonishingly fresh.
Some Like It Hot (1959)
Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon dressed as women in Some Like It Hot.
Billy Wilder’s Some Like It Hot is a landmark comedy that feels daring even by modern standards. Anchored by electric performances from Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and Marilyn Monroe, the film thrives on rapid-fire dialogue and escalating absurdity. Lemmon’s turn as Jerry, in particular, is a masterclass in comedic commitment.
He fully embraces the film’s gender-bending premise without irony or hesitation. Yet, beneath the laughs, Some Like It Hot pushes boundaries. It tackles identity, desire, and societal norms with remarkable boldness. Still, the comedy never slows.
Every gag serves character and story rather than existing in isolation. Wilder’s direction keeps the pacing immaculate, building toward one of the most famous final lines in film history. Few comedies balance sophistication and silliness so effortlessly. Some Like It Hot remains a gold standard for intelligent, fearless comedy.
Withnail & I (1987)
Paul McGann as "...& I" (Marwood) and Richard E. Grant as Withnail Withnail And I
Withnail & I is a comedy masterpiece precisely because it refuses to chase easy laughs. Bruce Robinson’s cult classic follows two out-of-work actors spiraling through booze-soaked misery, using biting wit instead of broad humor. Richard E. Grant’s performance as Withnail is particularly unforgettable.
He’s flamboyant, tragic, and viciously funny all at once. The film’s dialogue is razor-sharp, packed with literary insults and existential despair that reward repeat viewings. Unlike many comedies, Withnail & I finds humor in discomfort and failure, portraying creative stagnation with brutal honesty.
Its bleakness is never cynical, however; there’s a strange warmth beneath the cruelty. The film’s influence can be felt in countless later dark comedies that prioritize character over punchlines. Withnail & I endures because it understands comedy doesn’t have to be comforting to be brilliant.
Annie Hall (1977)
Annie Hall Woody Allen Diane Keaton
Woody Allen’s Annie Hall redefined what a romantic comedy could be, shifting the genre away from tidy fantasy and toward emotional realism. Allen stars as neurotic comedian Alvy Singer, whose on-again, off-again relationship with Diane Keaton’s Annie becomes the film’s fractured backbone. Vitally, Annie Hall deploys wildly unconventional techniques.
It’s famous for breaking the fourth wall, using split screens, animation, and nonlinear storytelling. As a result, Annie Hall feels startlingly modern even decades later. Meanwhile, Keaton’s performance turned Annie into a cultural icon, influencing fashion and redefining the “quirky” romantic lead.
While undeniably funny, Annie Hall’s real power lies in its honesty about love’s impermanence and miscommunication. Allen uses humor as a way to dissect insecurity, intellectual posturing, and emotional fear. Annie Hall permanently altered how filmmakers approached romance, comedy, and autobiographical storytelling.
Groundhog Day (1993)
Bill Murray reporting the news in Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day begins as a high-concept comedy and slowly reveals itself as something far more profound. Bill Murray delivers one of the greatest performances of his career as Phil Connors, a cynical weatherman trapped reliving the same day endlessly. However, the film’s brilliance lies in its structure.
Groundhog Day uses repetition to explore ego, despair, self-destruction, and ultimately personal growth. Director Harold Ramis balances slapstick humor with philosophical depth, allowing the comedy to evolve alongside Phil’s mindset. Consequently, Murray’s gradual shift from smug detachment to genuine empathy is remarkably subtle.
The film’s influence is enormous, inspiring countless time-loop stories across genres. Few comedies reward repeat viewings as richly as Groundhog Day – a delicious irony in itself. Groundhog Day remains endlessly funny while offering a covertly profound meditation on purpose, kindness, and what it means to truly change.
This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
Spinal Tap guitarists performing in This Is Spinal Tap
This Is Spinal Tap practically invented the mockumentary format as it’s known today. Directed by Rob Reiner, the film follows fictional heavy metal band Spinal Tap on a disastrous American tour. It captures egotism, delusion, and creative incompetence with frightening accuracy.
Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer commit fully to their roles, improvising dialogue that feels painfully real. The humor comes from understatement rather than punchlines, allowing absurdity to emerge naturally. In fact, it’s the cumulative effect of non-stop subtle humor that becomes sidesplitting.
Famous jokes like amplifiers that “go to eleven” have entered everyday language, a testament to the film’s cultural impact. Amazingly, many real musicians initially thought the movie was a genuine documentary, underscoring its precision. This Is Spinal Tap remains a masterpiece of observational comedy and one of the sharpest satires ever made.
Dr. Strangelove: Or, How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb (1964)
Slim Pickens as King Kong riding a nuclear missile in Dr Strangelove
Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove is a rare example of a comedy that’s both hilarious and genuinely terrifying. Released at the height of Cold War paranoia, the film skewers military arrogance, political incompetence, and the absurd logic of nuclear deterrence. Peter Sellers delivers a legendary triple performance, embodying three wildly different characters with impeccable comic control.
Related
10 Greatest Action Movie Masterpieces Of The Last 100 Years, Ranked
From Seven Samurai to John Wick, these action masterpieces thrilled audiences and reshaped the genre, setting the standard for cinematic action.
Posts 5 By Richard CraigKubrick’s decision to play the material straight visually makes the satire even sharper, as the film never signals when to laugh. The humor emerges from horrifying inevitability rather than exaggeration. In fact, how terrifyingly real it feels is precisely what makes it so uncomfortably entertaining.
Subscribe to the newsletter for deeper comedy insights
Want richer takes? Subscribe to the newsletter for deeper explorations of comedy cinema, scene-by-scene analysis, historical context, filmmaker insights, and curated viewing picks that make classic comedies clearer and more rewarding. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.Lines and images from Dr. Strangelove remain disturbingly relevant, proving how little has changed in global power dynamics. Few comedies have wielded laughter as such a precise weapon. It stands as one of cinema’s most daring achievements, using humor to confront humanity’s capacity for self-destruction.
Monty Python's Life Of Brian (1979)
Brian carrying a cross in Life of Brian.
Monty Python’s Life of Brian is one of the boldest comedies ever released. It uses outrageous humor to dismantle blind faith, mob mentality, and ideological extremism. Importantly, rather than directly parodying Jesus, the film follows Brian, an ordinary man repeatedly mistaken for the Messiah.
This clever framing allows the Pythons to critique religious dogma without attacking belief itself. The comedy ranges from absurd wordplay to savage political satire, all delivered with fearless confidence. Upon release, Life of Brian sparked controversy and bans, which only reinforced its cultural importance.
Decades later, Life of Brian’s themes feel as relevant as ever. Beneath the jokes lies a sharp intelligence that challenges authority and unquestioned devotion. Life of Brian proves comedy can be provocative without being cruel, using laughter as a tool for critical thinking and cultural reflection.
Airplane! (1980)
Leslie Nielsen and Robert Hays with the autopilot in Airplane!
Airplane! represents pure comedic density. It packs more jokes per minute than almost any film ever made. Directed by Jim Abrahams and the Zucker brothers, the movie takes the disaster-film genre and detonates it with relentless absurdity.
Visual gags, wordplay, background jokes, and deadpan performances collide in controlled chaos. Leslie Nielsen’s dramatic seriousness became the template for his later comedy career, while the supporting cast commits completely to the nonsense. Yet what makes Airplane! endure is its precision and accessibility.
The jokes aren’t random, they’re meticulously engineered. Airplane!’s influence is enormous, shaping spoof comedies for decades, even if few matched its quality. Remarkably, it remains funny even when viewers know every punchline. Airplane! is proof that silliness, when executed with discipline and intelligence, can achieve absolute comedic perfection.
-
Your Rating
close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a ReviewYour comment has not been saved
Like Follow Followed Planes, Trains & Automobiles pg-13 Comedy 8.8/10 Release Date November 25, 1987 Runtime 93minutesCast
See All-
John Candy
-
Steve Martin
Expand
Collapse
-
-
Your Rating
close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a ReviewYour comment has not been saved
Like Follow Followed Young Frankenstein PG Comedy 8.8/10 Release Date December 15, 1974 Runtime 106 minutesCast
See All-
Gene Wilder
Frederick Frankenstein
-
Peter Boyle
Frankenstein's Monster
Expand
Collapse
-
-
Your Rating
close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a ReviewYour comment has not been saved
Like Follow Followed Some Like It Hot Passed Comedy Music Romance
10/10
13
8.8/10
Release Date
March 15, 1959
Runtime
121 Minutes
Cast
See All-
Marilyn Monroe
-
Tony Curtis
Expand
Collapse
-
-
Your Rating
close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a ReviewYour comment has not been saved
Like Follow Followed Withnail and I R Comedy Drama Release Date June 19, 1987 Runtime 107 MinutesCast
See All-
Richard E. Grant
Withnail
-
Paul McGann
...& I
-
Richard Griffiths
Monty
-
Ralph Brown
Danny
Expand
Collapse
-
-
Your Rating
close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a ReviewYour comment has not been saved
Like Follow Followed Annie Hall PG Comedy Documentary Romance 10/10 Release Date April 19, 1977 Runtime 93 minutesCast
See All-
Woody Allen
-
Diane Keaton
Expand
Collapse
-
-
Your Rating
close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a ReviewYour comment has not been saved
Like Follow Followed Groundhog Day PG Romance Fantasy Drama Comedy
9/10
17
9.0/10
Release Date
February 11, 1993
Runtime
101 minutes
Cast
See All-
Bill Murray
Phil Connors
-
Andie MacDowell
Rita Hanson
Expand
Collapse
-
-
Your Rating
close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a ReviewYour comment has not been saved
Like Follow Followed This is Spinal Tap R Comedy Music
8/10
9.0/10
Release Date
March 2, 1984
Runtime
82 minutes
Cast
See All-
Christopher Guest
Nigel Tufnel
-
Michael McKean
David St. Hubbins
Expand
Collapse
-
-
Your Rating
close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a ReviewYour comment has not been saved
Like Follow Followed Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb PG Comedy
10/10
19
9.5/10
Release Date
January 29, 1964
Runtime
95 minutes
Cast
See All-
George C. Scott
-
Slim Pickens
Expand
Collapse
-
-
Your Rating
close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a ReviewYour comment has not been saved
Like Follow Followed Monty Python's Life of Brian R Comedy 9.0/10 Release Date August 17, 1979 Runtime 94 MinutesCast
See All-
Graham Chapman
-
John Cleese
Expand
Collapse
-
-
Your Rating
close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a ReviewYour comment has not been saved
Like Follow Followed Airplane! PG Comedy 8.9/10 Release Date July 2, 1980 Runtime 88 minutesCast
See All-
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
-
Lloyd Bridges
Expand
Collapse
-
-
Movies
-
Planes Trains and Automobiles
15 Funniest Dilbert Comics Every Office Worker Can Relate To
12 Classic Disney Movies That Prove the Studio Peaked Decades Ago
20 Best Rated X/NC-17 Movies Ever Made
