What’s not to love about a goofy spy comedy movie that interweaves action and espionage satire? Spy comedy films as a subgenre are fun to watch any day of the week in order to unwind with some good laughs, while also filling the need for some action and fight scenes. Some famous spies were groovy, goofy, or inept, but almost all of them are certifiably deadly (even if a good deal only manage to complete their mission through slapstick mishaps). Some parody spies like Austin Powers and Johnny English are almost as famous as the James Bonds and Jason Bournes they lambast, too.
A good spy comedy isn’t hard to come by. There are plenty that ticks off all necessary criteria. The satirical and outlandish comedy, the needed action sequences, and some foolish plot elements. But not all spy comedies are tagged with high rankings. Spy comedy films come in an array of genres from being utterly unrealistic, like Austin Powers, to being a bit more grounded in reality, like Red. All in all, there’s nothing better than getting a few laughs while still being enthralled by gunfire and espionage.
15 The Man Who Knew Too Little (1997)
Bill Murray has had many famous roles over the years from Ghostbusters to Groundhog Day. In 1997, he graced the big screen in a spy comedy movie titled The Man Who Knew Too Little. This spy comedy movie’s title is a parody of Hitchcock’s 1994 movie and the remake, and is based on Robert Farrar’s novel Watch That Man. The plot is a bit of a doozy but a fun roller coaster. Wallace Ritchie (Bill Murray) makes a surprise visit to see his brother for his birthday. But his brother already has plans and instead sets him up with an improv theater group only to get caught up in a real conspiracy that he believes is part of the improv. Murray is the ideal comedic star to sell the zany premise of a man just going along with the ride.
14 Spies In Disguise (2019)
There are some who think Tom Holland would make a good James Bond, but this animated spy comedy already brought him into the spy genre. Spies in Disguise sees Will Smith voicing the charming secret agent, Lance Sterling. After an almost failed field mission, Sterling fires his scientist Walter (Holland). But Sterling accidentally ingests a concoction transforming him into a pigeon, needing Walter must find the cure while also helping Sterling save the world. The movie is a rare spy movie that is fun for the whole family with some fun action and charming humor that make it a solid piece of entertainment for the whole family.
13 Get Smart (2008)
The action spy comedy movie Get Smart had an array of Hollywood actors, with Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, and Dwayne Johnson included in the cast. Get Smart is based on the beloved television series of the same name created by Mel Brooks. When a spy organization is attacked by terrorists, almost all the field agents are compromised. This only leaves Smart (Carell) and Agent 99 (Hathaway) to stop an oncoming terrorist attack. The movie certainly doesn’t live up to the original show and earned only mixed reactions from critics. However, it keeps the gags of the show, satirizing spy movies, alive well enough to be a fun time for fans of the genre.
12 Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)
Mr. & Mrs. Smith gained recognition for its main characters as well as for the actors who played them. Everyone would come to remember the huge Hollywood story behind Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt during the film. Regardless, the movie received some good praise for its on-screen chemistry. The movie also had its witty and comical lines that broke tension throughout the movie. A bored upper-middle-class couple runs into the drawl of a boring life. In reality, neither of them knew that they are both trained assassins of rival agencies. That information would spice up any marriage. There is some solid action set pieces mixed with the fun domestic elements of the story. It remains to be seen how the upcoming Mr. and Mrs. Smith TV series will compare.
11 Red (2010)
The spy comedy movie Red stars some of Hollywood’s most recognizable names. Bruce Willis plays Frank Moses, a retired black-ops CIA agent who is bored who finds himself suddenly targeted by his old company. He then goes on a mission to warn his old colleagues that they may be in danger and discover who’s at the bottom of this attack. Along with Willis, the movie features Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, and a scene-stealing role from John Malkovich as a former agent who may have lost touch with reality. The humor about these former agents being past their prime is quite fun and there is also a lot of great action, including a standout fight scene between Willis and Karl Urban as the young agent tracking him down.
10 Johnny English (2003)
If anyone wondered what Mr. Bean would be like as a spy, the 2003 spy comedy movie Johnny English answers that question. Rowan Atkinson became well-known for his comedic role as Mr.Bean. In 2003, the actor decided to try something different. Johnny English became his new character and was the main star in Johnny English. Not all spies are on top of the pyramid, like the acclaimed James Bond. When a villain intends to steal the Crown Jewels kills the country’s top agents, it’s up to Johnny English. English in MI7 desk jockey who dreams of being in the field. He finally gets his opportunity only because he’s the only agent left. Atkinson’s brilliance as a physical comedian lends itself well to this admittedly silly yet charming spy comedy that was popular enough to earn a trilogy.
9 Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)
Austin Powers (Mike Meyers) is the International Man of Mystery and for good reason. Much in the way James Bond defined the cinematic spy in the typical sense, Powers is the most iconic of comedic movie spies. The first sequel in the franchise nearly matched the original with Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me revolving around Dr. Evil’s plans to go back to the 1960s and steal Austin’s mojo. Without his sex appeal, Austin feels powerless but must stop his nemesis from destroying the Earth with a laser. The movie continued the absurd humor and hilarious cameos from the first movie while also introducing some great new aspects like Dr. Evil’s henchman Mini Me.
8 Spy (2015)
The 2015 movie, Spy is not your conventional film, even for a spy comedy movie, but it does show how agents who work behind the scenes and are just as important as the agents on the front lines. Susan Cooper (McCarthy) is a 40-year-old CIA agent who assists her partner Bradley Fine (Jude Law) on missions from the comfort of her desk. When Bradley is in danger, she reluctantly goes into the field. The jokes fly so fast in this R-rated comedy that audiences will have to watch it more than once. McCarthy is surprisingly effective in the action hero role, but the biggest surprise is that Jason Statham gives the movie’s funniest performance as a cocky yet dim-witted fellow spy. The character plays perfectly on Statham’s action movie roles and delivers the biggest laughs.
7 Top Secret! (1984): 7.2
The main character for Top Secret! isn’t necessarily a spy but it makes the rankings. Nick Rivers (Val Kilmer) is a musician who is sent to perform at a cultural festival in East Germany. The festival is a cover for East Germany to reunite Germany under their rule. Nick becomes entwined in their plot when he discovers a secret prison lab with a device that can destroy an entire submarine fleet. He is forced to perform by East Germany in order to avoid suspicion. From the filmmaking team behind Naked Gun, the movie delivers the same hilarious and bizarre gags with a straight face that makes it all the funnier. Kilmer is exceptional in the lead role and proves he should have done more comedies.
6 The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015)
The popular 1964 television show, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. got a film reboot in 2015 starring Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer in the lead roles. Both are trained agents but for rival agencies, Napolean Solo (Cavill) is a thief turned CIA agent while Illya Kuryakin (Hammer) is a KGB operative. They are forced to partner up when a Nazi sympathizer couple plan to create their own nuclear weapon. One of the best of Guy Ritchie’s movies, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. is a stylish and cool throwback spy adventure. While the humor is grounded and authentic, it helps bring a spark to the story. Though the movie bombed at the box office, it has gained a strong following on streaming services.
5 True Lies (1994)
In True Lies, Harry Tasker (Arnold Schwarzenegger) keeps up his ruse of living a mundane middle-class life as a computer salesman. In reality, he is the top-secret agent for the United States counter-terrorism agency. His worlds collide when his wife gets involved in his secret mission to foil the plans of a terrorist group. Though not the most famous of Schwarzenegger’s collaborations with James Cameron, True Lies is certainly the most underrated. It is a hilarious movie featuring terrific performances from Schwarzenegger and Curtis who was nominated for a Golden Globe for her role. Of course, as a James Cameron movie, it is also a thrilling action adventure with amazing set pieces.
4 Despicable Me (2010)
The popular animated movie, Despicable Me takes second place despite the movie focusing more on the villains than the spies. For a change, the film focuses on the evil villain. Gru (Steve Carell) is a formidable villain and obvious Blofeld parody who wishes to prove his worth by stealing the moon. In order to do so, he needs the shrink ray that is in the hands of another villain. He concocts a plan to adopt three girls who will pose as cookie sellers so he can infiltrate his home. Developing fatherly feelings for the three young girls wasn’t part of the plan. He is a ruthless villain with a heart of stone, isn’t he? The animated movie was a massive hit, earning over $500 million worldwide.It launched a Despicable Me movie franchise that is five movies and counting.
3 Burn After Reading (2008)
The Coen Brothers assembled an A-list group of actors for their own take on a paranoid spy thriller filled with the dumbest characters imaginable. Burn After Reading focuses on a CIA analyst whose classified documents fall into the hands of a pair of oblivious gym employees who then attempt to blackmail him. The likes of John Malkovich, George Clooney, and Brad Pitt star in the movie and seem to be having a great time making fools of themselves. It is a clever, hilarious, and surprisingly violent movie that takes a look at what these kinds of intense spy thrillers might look like if none of the characters had a clue.
2 Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery (1997)
There’s no question that Austin Powers (Mike Myers) could top any trained agent in the field. In this spy comedy film, Austin Powers is the world’s top secret agent and is desired by many women. In 1967, Dr. Evil escapes and cryogenically freezes himself. Powers volunteers to do the same. In 1997, Powers is unfrozen as Dr. Evil, also unfrozen, and his henchman plan to drill a nuclear warhead into the Earth’s core. It’s up to Powers and his partner, Vanessa Kensington (Elizabeth Hurley) to save the day. This film once again features the iconic velvet suit and black-rimmed glasses associated with Powers. Myers brings his goofy humor and a fondness for 60s British culture which makes the movie one of the funniest of the 90s.
1 Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)
The action spy comedy Kingsman: The Secret Service is based on a comic book series of the same name. Full of non-stop action, state-of-the-art gadgets, a ruthless villain, and comical one-liners it makes for a good spy film. Gary “Eggsy” Unwin (Taron Egerton) is a typical lower-class British youth. He is recruited by Harry Hart (Colin Firth), a member of the Kingsman secret intelligence service. The movie is a perfect mix of throwback to old Bond-esque spy movies and a modern action adventure. The cast is exceptional with Egerton giving a star-making performance, Firth proving a surprising action hero, and Samuel L. Jackson having a lot of fun as the eccentric villain. Kingsman also takes full advantage of its R-rating with the iconic church scene — all of which helps it easily secure the top spot as the best spy comedy movie.
