Since 2013, Netflix has been producing original content for its ever-growing platform. With the 2015 release of Beasts of No Nation, it entered the movie industry and hasn’t stopped since. The platform has ventured into different genres, not only drama but also action, Westerns, thrillers, and of course, comedies.
Films like Adam Sandler’s Murder Mystery or Will Ferrell’s Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga proved great successes for the platform in terms of viewership, but there are countless other comedies that were positively received by critics. Considered the very best the platform has to offer, these 10 films rank highly on the Metacritic website, confirming their status as quality offerings.
Work It – 58
Premiering in 2020, Work It is a jukebox dance-comedy film directed by Laura Terruso. It tells the story of Quinn Ackerman, a girl who discovers her admission to the college of her dreams depends on her performance at a dance competition. Forming a chaotic group of dancers, she must then take on the best squad in her school.
The film, which includes Alicia Keys as one of the producers, stars Sabrina Carpenter and Keiynan Lonsdale. It received mainly positive reviews, including an 85% approval rating at Rotten Tomatoes.
Small Crimes – 60
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau stars in this 2017 dark-comedy crime film about a disgraced cop recently released from prison after serving six years for attempted murder. Going back home and looking for a fresh start, he ends up getting entangled in the mess he left behind.
The film, directed by E.L. Katz, is based on Dave Zeltserman’s novel of the same name. It co-starred Robert Forster, Gary Cole, and Jacki Weaver, and was released in April 2017.
Nappily Ever After – 63
Nappily Ever After is a 2018 comedy-drama film about a woman who breaks up with her boyfriend after getting tired of him not proposing. Jealousy and conflict arise, however, when he begins dating another woman shortly after the separation.
Directed by Haifaa al-Mansour, the film is based on the novel of the same name by Trisha R. Thomas. Sanaa Lathan, Lynn Whitfield, and Ernie Hudson star, with Lathan also acting as producer.
Tallulah – 63
Elliot Page, Allison Janney, and Tammy Blanchard star in this 2016 comedy-drama film. Page plays the title character, a young woman who unexpectedly takes a child from her negligent mother, played by Blanchard, and pretends the baby is her own. Janney plays Tallulah’s ex-boyfriend’s mother who cares for the young woman and baby, believing the child to be her granddaughter.
Written and directed by Sian Heder and based on her own short film, Mother, the film received positive reviews from critics. Particular praise went to the three leading performances and screenplay.
The Polka King – 65
The Polka King is an autobiographical comedy film starring Jack Black, Jenny Slate, Jason Schwartzman, and Jacki Weaver. It tells the story of Jan Lewan (Black), a Polish-American polka band leader imprisoned in 2004 for running a Ponzi scheme.
Directed by Maya Forbes, the film premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival and was released by Netflix in January 2018. It received generally positive reviews, with critics praising the cast and the sporadic moments of hilarity.
Paddleton – 70
Starring Ray Romano and Mark Duplass, who also co-wrote the script alongside director Alex Lehmann, Paddleton tells the story of the unlikely friendship between two misfit neighbors. Things take an emotional turn when one of them is diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Paddleton had its world premiere at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, before premiering on Netflix the following month. The film received praise for its writing and the two lead performances, demonstrated by its average score of 70 in Metacritic.
Vampires Vs. The Bronx – 76
Directed and co-written by Oz Rodriguez, Vampires vs. the Bronx is a 2020 comedy horror film. It follows a group of teenagers who must protect their neighborhood against a group of invading vampires. Produced by SNL creator Lorne Michaels, the film stars newcomers Jaden Michael, Gerald W. Jones III, and Gregory Diaz IV.
Vampires vs. the Bronx was critically acclaimed, with particular praise going to the sharp writing and successful mix of horror and comedy.
Win It All – 77
New Girl star Jake Johnson co-wrote and stars in this comedy film about a small-time gambler who begins stealing funds from the cash-filled bag he agreed to stash for a prison-bound acquaintance.
Directed by micro-budget film auteur Joe Swanberg, the film also stars Aislinn Derbez and Keegan-Michael Key. After premiering at the 2017 South by Southwest festival, Win it All was released by Netflix in April. The third collaboration between Swanberg and Johnson, it received critical acclaim, with praise going to both the director and the leading man.
The Meyerowitz Stories (New And Selected) – 79
Director, producer, screenwriter, and overall critical darling Noah Baumbach wrote and directed this 2017 comedy-drama film. Starring Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, Elizabeth Marvel, Dustin Hoffman, and Emma Thompson, the film follows a trio of dysfunctional siblings who try to live under the shadow of their moderately successful father.
Selected to compete for the Palme d’Or at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, The Meyerowitz Stories received acclaim, with critics lauding Baumbach’s script and directing, and the performances, particularly Sandler’s. With a 92% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and a 79 average score on Metacritic, it ranks as one of Baumbach’s best films.
The 40-Year-Old Version – 80
Written, produced, and directed by Radha Blank in her feature directorial debut, The 40-Year-Old Version is loosely based on Blank’s own life. It tells the story of a playwright and teacher who decides to become a rapper as she nears her 40th birthday.
Premiering at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, the film received near-unanimous acclaim. Black won the festival’s Dramatic Competition Directing Award, and the film was named one of the year’s best by the National Board of Review.
