Variety’s powerhouse critics Owen Gleiberman and Peter Debruge have shaken up Hollywood with their 100 Best Comedy Movies of All Time list, triggering debate and celebration by embracing comedy’s wild evolution, breaking boundaries between highbrow and lowbrow, and spotlighting both global icons and beloved blockbusters.
The List That’s Shaking Up Comedy—And Why It Matters Now
Comedy has always been film’s most elusive—and beloved—genre. Variety’s newest 100 Greatest Comedy Movies of All Time list, the brainchild of chief critics Owen Gleiberman and Peter Debruge [Variety], lands at a turning point for cinema. Topping the list is the madcap 1988 classic The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!—a shock to traditional awards tastes but a rallying cry for pure laughter over prestige.
This ambitious survey does more than name-drop crowd-pleasers; it asks fans and filmmakers to reconsider what makes a comedy timeless in the TikTok era. With streaming services flooding us with throwbacks and international hits, the criteria for canonizing film humor has never been more fiercely contested.
Highbrow Meets Lowbrow: The Philosophy Behind the Picks
According to Gleiberman, “you’ve really got to look at [comedy] with fresh eyes, because there are comedies that stand the test of time, and then a lot of comedy doesn’t, because comedy is always about raising the bar on what is shocking and what has an edge to it.” The list consciously erases the line between “high” and “low” comedy, placing slapstick farce beside biting satire—a direct response to critics (and fans) who often dismiss ‘lowbrow’ masterpieces.
The critics’ approach has been to select films that still make audiences laugh today, even if their humor is brash, silly, or irreverent. This inclusionist method, supported by decades of critical expertise, broadens the canon and ensures future generations see how the rules of funny are forever shifting.
International Impact: Global Giants Beside Hollywood Legends
While American comedies dominate pop culture, the selection pushes boundaries to include international gems and comedy auteurs. French icons Jacques Tati and Bertrand Blier, Spanish provocateur Pedro Almodóvar, and the anarchic British brilliance of Monty Python receive their due, reflecting comedy’s power to cross borders even as tastes differ.
Debruge notes, “Sometimes [comedy] just works differently across borders. Tati is partly because his is a silent form of comedy. Like Chaplin, he became this just beloved international figure. The one that I think really stands in for a major phenomenon is ‘The Tall Blond Man with One Black Shoe’…that movie was a huge hit with Pierre Richard in its original form.” The diverse picks serve as a reminder that what’s hilarious in one language often inspires remakes and reinterpretations worldwide [Variety].
Fan Fervor: Debates, Disagreements, and Future Canon
No film list would be complete without controversy. Fans are already dissecting the order, bemoaning absent favorites, and launching social media firestorms over what made the cut—or didn’t. The passionate pushback, however, is the point: a living canon challenges everyone to defend what made them laugh until they cried.
- Blockbuster surprises: Box office hits from the ‘80s and ‘90s earn prime positions, celebrating the era when comedies became true global events.
- Underdog inclusions: Cult classics and genre-benders like “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” finally receive high-profile validation.
- Global conversation: The international picks guarantee the debate—about taste, translation, and what makes a joke universal—remains open.
Why Lists Like This Decide What the Next Generation Finds Funny
For decades, “greatest” lists have shaped which comedies get preserved, rewatched, and remade. By prioritizing films that ignite laughter across generations and cultures, Variety’s editors are rewriting the syllabus for budding comedians, screenwriters, and ordinary fans alike. This new roadmap ensures that rediscoveries, not merely old critical favorites, stay in the conversation [AOL Entertainment].
The Long View: Comedy’s Ever-Evolving Legacy
As fresh streaming hits and viral sensations transform the way humor is consumed, this list signals that the gatekeepers are paying attention—and ready to update the canon. The next generation of comedy filmmakers will take notes, steal ideas, and challenge conventions inspired by these choices. In the end, laughter is a moving target, and Variety’s new top 100 ensures the bulls-eye keeps moving—right alongside us.
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