The authoritative publication Variety has published a ranking of the 100 greatest comedies in the history of cinema. As the compilers note, they reflected on what exactly makes a film a true classic. They were guided not only by cinematography but also by their own sense of humor.
The list was topped by the film “The Naked Gun” (1988) with Leslie Nielsen. Variety calls it “shamelessly free, anarchic and keenly ironic”, capable of making fun of everything: from world dictators to leftover food in the refrigerator.
In second place was the legendary comedy “Some Like It Hot” (1959) with Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis. According to critics, Billy Wilder’s film became an essential link between the early, veiled humor of Hollywood and a new, more open era, making the characters’ disguises the central romantic conflict.
Third place went to Annie Hall (1977). Variety calls it “Woody Allen’s divinely funny comedy” — a tender tribute to Diane Keaton. The film, which tells the story of neurotic comedian Alvy Singer, accurately reflects the spirit of the new romantic era with its doubts and searches.
So, the top twenty comedies according to Variety:
- The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
- Some Like It Hot
- Annie Hall
- The Great Dictator
- Waiting for Guffman
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail
- Duck Soup
- Fargo
- Young Frankenstein
- Groundhog Day
- Sherlock Jr.
- Tootsie
- Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
- Sideways
- Playtime
- His Girl Friday
- The Heartbreak Kid
- This Is Spinal Tap
- It Happened One Night
- Superbad