From ingenious action parodies to laugh-out-loud caper films, here are some of our absolute favorite British comedies, ranked.
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Updated 5 months ago,November 15, 2024
More so than most other nationalities, the United Kingdom has a very particular sense of humor that can be described as … well … British.
Evoking a drier comedic style characterized by a deadpan delivery, crisp satirical dialogue, and absurdist plot lines, the UKs illustrious output of comedy films speaks for itself.
United International
To this day, most international audience members can fondly recall some of the best films to originate from the European country, including such classic films asA Fish Called Wanda, Shaun of the Dead, or any one of Monty Pythons celebrated anthology films.
From ingenious action parodies to laugh-out-loud caper films, here are some of our absolute favorite British comedies, ranked in order from worst to best.
Hot Fuzz (2007)
The second installment in Edgar Wrights utterly smashingThree Flavours CornettoTrilogy,Hot Fuzzmakes for a more than satisfying follow-up to the series previous entry,Shaun of the Dead.Whereas Wright and Simon Pegg had looked to vintage zombie films as the inspiration for their breakthrough film,Hot Fuzzturns its attention towards stylized police procedural action flicks likeDirty Harry, Point Break, andLethal Weaponfor their underlying narrative premise.
The results give way to a film as unforgettably funny asShaun of the Deadbefore it orThe Worlds Endafter it, ensuring another prestigious entry in Wrights increasingly superb career.
The Death of Stalin (2017)
Without a doubt among the greatest British comedies of the past 20 years,The Death of Stalinoffers a sardonic look at the 1950s Soviet Union in the days following Joseph Stalins demise.
Dramatizing the death of the titular historical dictator,The Death of Stalinspecifically shows off the chaotic scramble for power attempted by Stalins various inner circle members.
Universal Pictures
From Steve Buscemis opportunistic Khrushchev to Simon Russell Beales scheming Beria, every moment ofThe Death of Stalinis pure anarchic political comedy at its finest.
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
Over the past several decades,Wallace & Gromithave become something of a beloved staple among worldwide audiences, achieving the same level of avid popularity as Monty Python or Mr. Bean before them.
With 2005s The Curse of the Were-Rabbit,Aardman Studios found a way to expand the animated short series into a feature-length mystery film.
Entertainment One
With careful homages paid to classic Hammer Horror films,The Curse of the Were-Rabbitis that rare comedy capable of delighting a universal audience, regardless of their age or respective demographic.
A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
Like every member of Monty Python, John Cleese went on to enjoy a long and accolade-filled career in the entertainment industry, starring in various hit films throughout the next several decades.
As many wonderful movies as Cleese appeared in, the most notable among the actors projects has to be his 1988 comedy caper,A Fish Called Wanda.
United International
Humorously subverting the various tropes around the hard-boiled heist genre, Cleese provided one of the most refreshing takes on the comedy crime film with his work here, earning consistent acclaim from audiences across the globe.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Few comedy troupes have shaped the larger comedic landscape to the same extent as Monty Python.
Just as theyd managed to dazzle viewers with their sensationalFlying CircusTV series, the Pythons made a similarly larger-than-life splash with their debut film,Monty Python and the Holy Grail.Satirizing Arthurian legend and presenting King Arthurs quest to find the fabled chalice,Holy Grailcomes packed with the Pythons signature surreal humor, including such inventive tropes as man-eating rabbits, salacious maidens, homicidal knights, and hilariously condescending French invaders.
United International
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
The fact thatShaun of the Deadplayed a massive role in reigniting fans interest in the waning zombie genre should tell viewers all they need to know about this 2004 comedy.
Co-written and directed by the always fantastic Edgar Wright,Shaun of the Deadprovides a tongue-in-cheek look at the stereotypical zombie vehicle, complete with meticulous nods to George A. Romeros laudedLiving Deadseries.
Striking a fine balance between infectious humor and light-hearted scares,Shaun of the Deadis a comedy horror masterpiece done right, influencing countless movies, video games, and TV series in the process.
EMI Films
Monty Pythons Life of Brian (1979)
WhileMonty Python and the Holy Grailis rightfully considered a hallmark of British cinema, theres something special about the Pythons immediate 1979 follow-up,Life of Brian.Swapping the Dark Ages for the Ancient Middle East, the Python troupe effectively lampoons the conventions of organized religion and political conformity, outfitting their narrative with thought-provoking nuance and sobering dark comedy.
Incorporating absurdist humor, poignant satire, and bittersweet musical numbers, its a film guaranteed to leave an impression on audience members for literal decades to come.
Universal Pictures
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