20 Best Funny Movies on Amazon Prime to Stream Right Now
Updated: Feb. 01, 2024
There are tons of great funny movies on Amazon Prime, and these must-watch comedies are guaranteed to give you an instant mood lift as soon as you hit "play"
Stream funny movies on Amazon Prime for a feel-good night in
Serious question: Who doesn’t love funny movies? There’s really never a wrong time to watch a comedy film, especially when you consider that a couple of hours of laughter can turn a bad day around. Whether it’s an old-fashioned family movie or a gut-busting chick flick, there are tons of hilarious comedies right at your fingertips. And we’re not talking about sophomoric films that depend on low-hanging gross-out humor for laughs. A lot of genuinely comical films sit on several lists of critically acclaimed good movies. And you’ll find plenty of these funny movies on Amazon Prime.
That’s right: One of the many Amazon Prime benefits is access to a vast library of incredible films. You might already be aware of the funniest movies on Netflix and the available funny movies on Hulu, but there are also a ton of funny movies on Amazon Prime. Since films tend to come and go on most streaming platforms, we’ve done the hard work for you by compiling the ideal list of the best funny movies you can stream if you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber.
How we chose the best comedies on Amazon Prime
We chose the best comedy movies on Amazon Prime by looking at several factors, including box office success and critic and audience reception, as well as availability. Some of these movies are screwball comedies your grandparents might have enjoyed, whereas others are modern classics beloved by 21st-century audiences. But we’ve made sure to include something for all kinds of movie watchers, so read on for our choices, and then start streaming!
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Funny Girl
Released: 1968
Rated: G
Memorable quote: “Hello, gorgeous” —Fanny Brice
Even though Funny Girl is a heavily fictionalized account of early-20th-century comedienne Fanny Brice’s life and career—that scene of Fanny belting out “Don’t Rain on My Parade” while on a tugboat in New York Harbor is just too Hollywood for words—it’s still one of the greatest comedy movies on Amazon Prime. This is because there are few people who have succeeded in embodying Fanny after Barbra Streisand originated the role on Broadway. Streisand won the Academy Award for her performance in Funny Girl‘s film adaptation, and it wasn’t only for her pitch-perfect singing talent. Her sharp comic timing, even in heartbreaking scenes with Brice’s gambler husband, Nicky Arnstein (Omar Sharif), remains the gold standard. And if you’re in the mood for more of the best movie musicals, we’ve got you covered.
Dazed and Confused
Released: 1993
Rated: R
Memorable quote: “You just gotta keep livin’, man. L-I-V-I-N.” —David Wooderson
If you’re searching for funny movies on Amazon Prime, you really can’t do much better than Dazed and Confused. On the last day of school, the rising seniors are preparing to haze the incoming freshmen, with a huge keg party to follow. But it is absolutely hilarious to watch future Oscar winners engage in the now cringe-worthy behavior that apparently was commonplace among suburban Texas teenagers in 1976. Like Ben Affleck as an overgrown bully who delights in paddling incoming freshmen. Or Matthew McConaughey as the slacker 20-something David Wooderson, who, in addition to being the king of funny movie quotes, is still a) hanging out with high schoolers and b) creeping on teenage girls.
The Big Sick
Released: 2017
Rated: R
Memorable quote: “Your driver will be ready as soon as he puts on his pants.” —Kumail
The Big Sick is loosely based on the real-life relationship between stand-up comedian and Eternals actor Kumail Nanjiani and writer Emily V. Gordon. In addition to dealing with strong cultural differences—Kumail (Nanjiani, playing an exaggerated version of himself) comes from a devout Pakistani-Muslim family and is expected to enter an arranged marriage; Emily (Zoe Kazan) is white and from the Midwest—the couple finds its relationship tested further when Emily is diagnosed with a serious lung infection.
You wouldn’t expect a movie about a young woman falling dangerously ill to end up on a list of comedy movies on Amazon Prime, but we assure you it’s both funny and has a happy ending. Let’s just say there aren’t a lot of romantic comedy movies out there that can make people laugh during a scene that includes the words “medically induced coma.”
Election
Released: 1999
Rated: R
Memorable quote: “Dear Lord Jesus, I do not often speak with you and ask for things, but now I really must insist that you help me win the election tomorrow because I deserve it and Paul Metzler doesn’t, as you well know.” —Tracy Flick
Reese Witherspoon broke the mold with her critically acclaimed performance in Election as the overachieving Tracy Flick, a high schooler determined to win the student body presidency. Although the film is a brilliant satire on high school elections, Witherspoon’s Tracy is so deliciously loathsome that it’s easy to seethe in between laughs.
Seriously, girl, it’s a high school election—tearing down other candidates’ posters during a rage-fueled breakdown is a major red flag that you might need some therapy. To be fair, the same can be said for Tracy’s equally loathsome social studies teacher, Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick): He’s a grown adult who deliberately sabotages the election to keep Tracy from winning. Still in a 1990s mood after watching Election? Then be sure to check out our list of the best ’90s movies too.
Charade
Released: 1963
Rated: N/A
Memorable quote: “Oh, I love you, Adam, Alex, Peter, Brian, whatever your name is. Oh, I love you. I hope we have a lot of boys, and we can name them all after you.” —Regina “Reggie” Lampert
They just don’t make classic movies like Charade anymore, which is all the more reason it’s on our list of funny movies on Amazon Prime. This romantic comedy/thriller features two of the most glamorous stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood: Cary Grant, as the mysterious leading man with multitudinous names, and Audrey Hepburn, as the chic, unflappable Reggie Lampert.
When Mrs. Lampert returns home to Paris from a ski holiday, she is shocked to learn she’s now a widow and her late husband’s murderous colleagues are out for her blood. The question is, can Reggie trust the charismatic Peter (Grant) and his ever-changing identity? On the surface, Charade doesn’t sound like much of a comedy, but one look at a fully clothed Grant playfully taking a shower, not to mention his witty repartee with Hepburn, and you’ll be laughing while on the edge of your seat.
Heathers
Released: 1988
Rated: R
Memorable quote: “All we want is to be treated like human beings, not to be experimented on like guinea pigs or patronized like bunny rabbits.” —Veronica Sawyer
At first glance, it feels a little weird to include a film about teenage suicide in a funny-movies list, but it’s important to remember that Heathers is, in fact, a dark comedy. The point this film is trying to make is that some teenagers—like the “Heathers” in question—are so obsessed with popularity that they’ll go to ridiculous, even deadly, lengths to maintain their Queen Bee status. Speaking of ridiculous, how can you not laugh when Christian Slater’s JD starts dancing to the radio hit (in the Heathers world, that is) “Teenage Suicide (Don’t Do It)”?
Clue
Released: 1985
Rated: PG
Memorable quote: “Husbands should be like Kleenex: soft, strong and disposable.” —Mrs. White
Upon its initial release, Clue, like many other great movies that got rotten reviews, was what Buzzfeed has called an “unambiguous flop.” This had to do with its odd premise (the film is based on the popular board game of the same name) and an even odder marketing decision: Three different endings appeared throughout the film’s theatrical run. (All three conclusions are now available and play back-to-back in the Amazon Prime version.)
Over the decades, though, this comedic murder mystery has developed a devout following, mainly thanks to its endless quotable and meme-able funny moments. Younger generations may not remember the late Madeline Kahn, but they’ll definitely recognize Mrs. White’s unmistakably razor-sharp delivery of the gut-busting “flames, on the side of my face” monologue.
His Girl Friday
Released: 1940
Rated: N/A
Memorable quote: “Walter, you’re wonderful, in a loathsome sort of way.” —Hildegard “Hildy” Johnson
“Screwball comedies” were popular rom-coms made during the 1930s and early 1940s, in which the male and female leads engaged in a battle-of-the-sexes-type conflict. His Girl Friday, starring Hollywood royalty Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell, is a screwball comedy master class. Russell plays crackerjack newspaper reporter Hildy Johnson, and Grant her seasoned editor Walter Burns. Even though the ink is barely dry on their divorce, Hildy can’t resist the siren song of a juicy story, or Walter’s irreverent charm.
His Girl Friday undoubtedly belongs in the cadre of must-watch feminist movies: Even in 1940, Walter and the all-male press pool were no match for Hildy’s reporting skills. But it’s Grant and Russell’s seemingly effortless grasp of the film’s rapid-fire dialogue—especially the scenes in which Russell simultaneously speaks into two different telephones—that makes His Girl Friday a timeless classic.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Released: 1988
Rated: PG
Memorable quote: “Not mother?” —Freddy Benson
What happens when you pair one of Britain’s most distinguished actors with one of America’s smartest comics? The answer is Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Michael Caine and Steve Martin team up as two talented con artists looking to fleece unsuspecting wealthy women out of their bank accounts. The last thing either of them expected was a far more skilled female con artist (Glenne Headly) who could beat them at their own game.
There are many reasons Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is one of the greatest funny movies on Amazon Prime, but in this case, one reason will suffice: Martin’s brief performance as the socially awkward man-child Ruprecht. Through his masterful use of his facial muscles—and nothing else, mind you—Martin manages to make a dinner-table urination one of the funniest moments ever captured on-screen. For more kid-friendly options, be sure to check out our list of classic family movies.
Late Night
Released: 2019
Rated: R
Memorable quote: “Don’t take this the wrong way, but your earnestness can be very hard to be around.” —Katherine Newbury
Mindy Kaling takes on the cutthroat world of late-night television in Late Night, one of the best comedy movies on Amazon Prime. Kaling pulls double duty as both the film’s screenwriter and co-star, portraying Molly Patel, a much-needed “diversity” hire at Tonight with Katherine Newbury. Much of the movie is based on her own experience as a comedy writer.
The long-running Tonight talk show has been suffering in the ratings due to its host’s reluctance to evolve with the times and embrace bits involving, well, “smelly dog butt videos.” (Hey, they get views! And if you’re in the mood for dog movies, we’ve got you covered.) The other issue keeping Tonight from further success is that while Katherine is a woman, her comedy writing staff is entirely composed of white males. That’s where Molly, a savvy Indian American writer, comes in. She just might have a better grasp on Katherine’s audience potential than Katherine herself.
Barbershop
Released: 2002
Rated: PG-13
Memorable quote: “There are three things that Black people need to tell the truth about. No. 1: Rodney King should’ve gotten his ass beat for being drunk in a Hyundai in a white part of Los Angeles. No. 2: O.J. did it! And No. 3: Rosa Parks didn’t do nothin’ but sit her Black ass down!” —Eddie Walker
Barbershop was such a success upon its release that it spawned two sequels, as well as a short-lived cable series. But it’s the original 2002 film that has the most heart, soul and hilarity. On the South Side of Chicago, the barbershop is the community’s centerpiece. It’s where elderly barber Eddie (Cedric the Entertainer, who was only in his late 30s when he played the role) holds court, where the locals socialize and where it’s not uncommon for patrons to be entertained by an angry woman taking a baseball bat to her lover’s car. But when the owner, Calvin (Ice Cube), decides to sell the barbershop to a shady loan shark (Keith David)—and changes his mind at the last minute—that’s when the nonstop laughs really ensue.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Released: 1982
Rated: R
Memorable quote: “What are you people, on dope?” —Mr. Hand
Teen movies wouldn’t even be a thing if it hadn’t been for Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Screenwriter Cameron Crowe set the standard for the teen-flick genre with his raw and raunchy observations of high school life, most notably in the scenes between Phoebe Cates and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Cates, as the older and more experienced Linda, speaks frankly with the virginal Stacy about sex during a time when the topic was still taboo among teenagers on-screen. And who could forget the indelible mark Sean Penn made not only on Fast Times but on movies in general? As Jeff Spicoli, Penn single-handedly created the stoned surfer dude character, a classic film staple.
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Released: 2020
Rated: R
Memorable quote: “I found a new book which only tells the truth. It’s called Facebook. I learn so many facts there.” —Tutar Sagdiyev
Sacha Baron Cohen revives his outrageous Kazakhstan TV journalist character, Borat Sagdiyev, for the sequel to the 2006 comedy Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan. As in the first film, Baron Cohen continues his commentary on the hypocritical nature of American culture by posing as the ignorant, misogynistic Borat.
This time around, however, Borat is shrewdly assisted by Tutar, his equally ignorant daughter (Maria Bakalova, who earned an Oscar nomination for the role). Borat and Tutar’s behavior—like ordering an anti-Semitic cake—may initially be shocking, but what’s even more disturbing is how the bakery employee doesn’t bat an eye at their request. Which is exactly the point Baron Cohen, who is Jewish, is trying to make.
The Big Lebowski
Released: 1998
Rated: R
Memorable quote: “Well, that’s, like, your opinion, man.” —Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski
If you’re looking for funny movies on Amazon Prime, then you need look no further than The Big Lebowski. One of the best ’90s movies, this comedic masterpiece from Joel and Ethan Cohen gave Jeff Bridges the most iconic role of his career—unemployed slacker Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski—and more unforgettable one-liners than any film deserves.
What we love about The Big Lebowski isn’t so much its overly complex narrative (if you can’t follow the mistaken identity plot involving a shady millionaire and his missing trophy wife, you’re not alone) but the movie’s sharp dialogue and bizarre standalone moments. Think: Bridges dancing with Julianne Moore in an absurdist dream sequence set to Kenny Rogers’s “I Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In),” complete with bowling imagery.
A Simple Favor
Released: 2018
Rated: R
Memorable quote: “Mommy already has a playdate with a symphony of antidepressants. Let’s go.” —Emily Nelson
Yes, A Simple Favor is technically a thriller, with all the twists and turns necessary for a good whodunit. But the film is also a black comedy in the way it pokes fun at the crime genre and gets in plenty of digs at suburban life and mommy culture. Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively are, quite literally, a scream as the martini-drinking mom pals behind the movie’s intricate mystery. As Stephanie, Kendrick is the overly perky influencer wannabe, while Lively portrays Emily, the enigmatic fashion industry powerhouse with a very dark past. When her BFF drowns in a lake, Stephanie is devastated, of course, though she can’t deny that Emily’s death gave her vlog the viral boost it so desperately needed. When it comes to figuring out who’s really the villain here, Lifetime movies have got nothing on A Simple Favor.
Bend It Like Beckham
Released: 2002
Rated: PG-13
Memorable quote: “At least I taught her full Indian dinner. The rest is up to God.” —Mrs. Bhamra
The struggle is real for Jesminder “Jess” Bhamra (Parminder Nagra), a talented British Indian football player (or, as we Yanks call it, “soccer”). Her traditional Sikh parents would prefer that she attend university, but Jess’s heart lies in the chance to play professional soccer in the United States. Throw in a forbidden romance with her Irish coach, Joe (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), and you’ve got a movie chock-full of comedic culture clashes. For example, while Jess desperately tries to keep both her daily soccer practices and her feelings a secret, her suspicious behavior leads her family to mistakenly believe she’s in a romantic relationship with her female best friend, Jules (Keira Knightley). Ah, the early aughts—feminist movies still had a way to go back then.
Licorice Pizza
Released: 2021
Rated: R
Memorable quote: “I’m cooler than you. Don’t forget it.” —Alana Kane
To watch Licorice Pizza is to enter a gauzy, dreamscape version of the San Fernando Valley in the early 1970s. Somehow, this otherworldly creation of writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson allows the audience to accept the sweetly chaste—yet still wildly inappropriate—romance between 15-year-old child actor Gary Valentine (Cooper Hoffman, son of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman) and 25-year-old Alana Kane (Alana Haim, of the band Haim).
Although Gary and Alana don’t exactly bring the laughs (this is a comedy-drama mashup), there is one person who does, and his name is Jon Peters. Bradley Cooper, in a high-octane cameo, plays the real-life movie producer as a maniacal, coked-up Hollywood type who gets his jollies from terrorizing not only Gary but also an unsuspecting dude who just happened to be at the wrong gas pump at the wrong time.
My Cousin Vinny
Released: 1992
Rated: R
Memorable quote: “Excuse me, you guys down here hear about the ongoing cholesterol problem in the country?” —Vinny Gambini
When you’re arrested for a crime you didn’t commit, and you’re headed for the electric chair, who better to come to your defense than family, right? That’s the premise of My Cousin Vinny, one of the best comedy movies on Amazon Prime. Joe Pesci is Vincent “Vinny” Gambini, a newly licensed Brooklyn attorney tasked with saving his cousin, Bill (Ralph Macchio), and Bill’s friend Stanley (Mitchell Whitfield) from the death penalty. So, no pressure.
Fortunately for Bill and Stanley, Vinny’s street smarts ultimately carry a lot more weight than formal courtroom procedure—even if Vinny’s omnipresent black leather jacket is frowned upon by the presiding judge (Fred Gwynne). What makes My Cousin Vinny one of those classic funny movies you can’t stop talking about, though, is Marisa Tomei’s Academy Award–winning performance as Mona Lisa Vito, Vinny’s fiancée. As a “general automotive knowledge” expert, Tomei’s character single-handedly saves Bill and Stanley at the 11th hour with an unforgettably colorful testimony scene we all still talk about 30 years later.
Keeping the Faith
Released: 2000
Rated: PG-13
Memorable quote: “I work harder than God. If He had hired me, He would have made the world by Thursday.” —Anna Riley
This adorable rom-com stars Ben Stiller as Rabbi Jacob “Jake” Schram and Edward Norton (also making his directorial debut) as Father Brian Finn, two longtime best friends known in their Manhattan neighborhood as “the God Squad.” But when their old childhood pal Anna Riley (Jenna Elfman) returns for a visit, sparks fly among all three adults. This is problematic on many levels, which, of course, makes for comedy that will leave everyone in stitches.
So let’s break it down: Brian is a Catholic priest who has taken a vow of chastity and thus can’t let on his feelings for Anna. Meanwhile, Anna and Jake have started dating on the sly, but since Anna isn’t Jewish, Jake knows his congregation—and his very Jewish mother (Anne Bancroft)—won’t take kindly to this love match. When the truth comes pouring out from everyone involved, it will take more than just faith to fix this fractured love triangle. For even more romance, check out these romantic movies on Netflix.
Shotgun Wedding
Released: 2022
Rated: R
Memorable quote: “At no time during our wedding did I imagine walking through the jungle holding a hand grenade!” —Tom Fowler
Sometimes you need a funny flick that promises major laughs if you don’t ask too many questions about the plot. Shotgun Wedding is that movie. Tom (Josh Duhamel) and Darcy (Jennifer Lopez) have thrown themselves a picture-perfect destination wedding on a private island in the Philippines, with all their loved ones present. But then pirates show up and take everyone hostage, demanding Darcy’s wealthy dad (Cheech Marin) pay them $45 million. And that’s not even the most ludicrous thing that happens in this movie. Did we mention that at one point the wedding guests try to distract the pirates by singing the 1997 Edwin McCain hit “I’ll Be”? Or that Jennifer Coolidge appears wielding a machine gun?
If you’re in the mood for a train wreck of a film that will still have you laughing all night long, Shotgun Wedding will not disappoint. Next up? One of these stellar Hispanic movies.
Originally Published: April 10, 2023
