While 2021 was a heavy and emotionally draining year for many people, comedic films offered audiences an escape from reality and the opportunity to enjoy some much-needed laughs. The year provided viewers with some truly great comedies whose humor, heart, and characters instantly made them rewatchable.
These films run the gamut of style and humor, from big blockbusters to smaller heartfelt comedies, to over-the-top gutbusters that pushed the envelope with their ridiculous antics. These 2021 films only get funnier and more entertaining with each viewing.
Bad Trip
The hidden camera comedy Bad Trip follows Chris and his friend Bud as they go on a road trip to New York City in pursuit of the woman he loves while being chased by Bud’s angry sister. The film is a combination of scripted comedy mixed with unscripted hidden camera pranks.
With a funny and fully committed lead performance from Eric André, the film manages to incorporate the hilarious hidden camera pranks without ever being mean-spirited as André is typically the victim of the pranks with the cameras capturing the genuine reactions of the people around him. Because of its effective jokes and surprising heart, the film is worth watching over and over again.
Barb And Star Go To Vista Del Mar
Starring Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo in the title roles, Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar follows two middle-aged best friends as they leave their small hometown in Nebraska for the first time in order to vacation in Florida, where they unwittingly get caught up in an evil genius’ plot to unleash lethal mosquitos on Vista Del Mar.
The film is easily one of the most absurd movies of the year but the quirky tone, charming characters, and genuinely hilarious moments make it an odd but thoroughly enjoyable movie. It is a pleasant and silly experience that is worth resisting over and over again.
8-Bit Christmas
Playing off of nostalgia for holiday films like A Christmas Story, 8-Bit Christmas is about a father’s retelling of his childhood in the 1980s as he and his friends went to extreme lengths to try to get their hands on a Nintendo Entertainment System.
Earnest and funny, the movie effectively balances humor with a touching message about family. With a nostalgic story, relatable characters, and a surprisingly emotional third act, 8-Bit Christmas is a charming and wholesome family comedy that deserves a spot in the yearly holiday movie rotation.
Vacation Friends
Vacation Friends revolves around Marcus and Emily, a couple that meets another couple on a vacation trip to Mexico. However, when they return home the other couple attempts to maintain their friendship and their carefree attitude and vacation mentality start to wear on Marcus and Emily.
The main selling points of the film are the characters’ over-the-top antics and a wild performance from John Cena. Vacation Friends is an easy-to-watch film that features a great cast and has enough laughs to warrant repeat viewings.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife
As a soft reboot of the beloved supernatural comedy, Ghostbusters: Afterlife preserves the spirit of the original, following a new generation of characters as they discover the legacy of the Ghostbusters and take up the fight against Gozer the Gozerian.
The film is filled with funny characters including Paul Rudd’s hilarious performance as Gary Grooberson and Mckenna Grace’s dry delivery as Phoebe Spengler. Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a fitting sequel that honors the past while taking the franchise in a new direction. The comedy, likable characters, and moving tribute to the original Ghostbusters make the film immensely rewatchable.
Werewolves Within
Based on the video game of the same name, Werewolves Within follows new forest ranger Finn Wheeler as he moves to a small town that is divided over a pipeline. The townspeople begin to grow suspicious of one another as strange, and potentially supernatural, activity starts to occur.
The film features a great cast of underrated comedians like Sam Richardson and Milana Vayntrub. Funny and compelling, the movie’s twists and resolution to the central mystery make a rewatch just as entertaining and satisfying as the first viewing.
Mixtape
Set in 1999, Mixtape is about a young girl who finds a damaged mixtape left behind by her late parents and begins finding a connection to them through the music. As she hunts down the individual tracks on the mixtape, she forms new friendships and gets a glimpse into the life her parents lived.
Mixtape is an underrated gem that is filled with likable characters, nostalgic music, and a heartwarming story. Gemma Brooke Allen gives an endearing leading performance that is equally funny and believably innocent. It is a sweet and joyful movie that audiences can enjoy over and over again.
Red Notice
Starring Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot, Red Notice is an action-comedy that sees an FBI agent team up with an art thief to track down Cleopatras’ three bejeweled eggs before a mysterious international criminal can locate them and sell them on the black market.
Johnson and Reynolds prove to be a great duo with tons of chemistry, keeping pace with one another during both the comedic and action scenes. While the story may be fairly generic, the hilarious interactions between the main trio make the film rewatchable.
CODA
The coming-of-age dramatic comedy CODA follows Ruby, the only hearing member of a deaf family as she is torn between serving as the translator for her family’s fishing business and pursuing her growing passion for music. As she nears graduation, she must choose between leaving for college and staying with her family.
The film features some great performances led by Emilia Jones, Troy Kotsur, and Marlee Matlin. CODA effectively blends its humor with a touching message about family and identity. It is one of the best films of the year and only gets better with each viewing.
Free Guy
Set in the world of gaming and game development, Free Guy follows an NPC in a multiplayer online game that suddenly begins to develop player-like behavior. When he starts drawing attention, one of the game developers realizes that this may be linked to a bigger conspiracy.
With a clever script and Ryan Reynolds delivering a funny and endearing performance, it’s an incredibly fun movie to watch. The film is packed with cameos and easter eggs that require multiple viewings to fully appreciate.
