From clever satire taking aim at politicians and journalists, to outlandish public stunts with hidden cameras, the 10 best prank movies provide both gut-busting and laughs and a lens through which to explore humanity. Mockumentaries and even the more outlandish, stunt-filled films of the genre ingeniously use humor as a way to allow the audience to mull over the best and worst of humanity. The meeting point between social commentary and absurdity is seen here in the joys and confusions of human interaction.
With the rise of creators like Sacha Baron Cohen, and on the television side, Nathan Fielder, the genre has become ever more popular, especially in the 21st century. The blurred lines they create between reality and fiction prove as surprising reflections on the intricacies of human expression, as well as adding comedy through moments of confusion. Over the last two decades, several filmmakers have found ways to make great use of pranks, often at the expense of the people included in their work.
10 I’m Still Here
In 2009, acclaimed actor Joaquin Phoenix appeared on The Late Show With David Letterman looking scruffy and confused, and claiming to have retired from acting to pursue a new career path as a rapper. In reality, his Letterman appearance (which almost got Phoenix sued) was all part of the elaborate hoax that is I’m Still Here, a documentary exploring celebrities and their relationship with the media. Both cleverly pointed and irreverently raunchy, I’m Still Here features a very committed Phoenix rapping terribly and a host of hilariously extreme events.
9 Mister America
Popular comedian Tim Heidecker created and stars in this extension of his On Cinema series as a fictionalized version of himself in which he attempts to run for a district attorney position. In the movie, the point of his entire plan is to spite the incumbent, who once had a court battle with him. Heidecker’s lack of wherewithal and manners, plus his incredibly fragile ego constantly showcase the comedian’s strength for awkward cringe comedy. Though the film also touches on political satire, the film’s main focus is on the entertainingly absurd and uncomfortable persona Heidecker has created.
8 Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
This follow-up for Sacha Baron Cohen’s ambitious and always offensive Kazakhstan journalist makes a case for the character’s return by bringing its humor into the modern day to focus on important issues. In Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, Cohen takes aim at anti-abortionists, Holocaust deniers, and conspiracy theorists, among others. The film is unpredictable and bold, keeping the audience on their toes as Cohen’s antics push him into more and more dangerous situations, as well as hitting on relevant social issues with accurate satire and showcasing Cohen’s characterization of Borat.
7 The Yes Men
Following “The Yes Men” two men who use aliases to impersonate and satirize spokespeople for dozens of corporations, as well as the World Trade Organization. Among the many targets of their hoaxes are McDonald’s, George W. Bush’s 2000 presidential campaign, and the many journalists and news organizations who unwittingly follow them. Shrewdly observant and totally subversive, The Yes Men is as much about social change as it is wildly entertaining.
6 Bad Trip
Mixing plot and character arcs with hidden camera pranks, Bad Trip is an outlandish continuation of the very singular comedian Eric André’s practical joke-filled filmography. In incorporating real people into the scripted plot, the film’s comedy is bolstered by the surprising spontaneity and unexpected open-heartedness real people bring to these scenarios. One of the best comedy movies of 2021, Bad Trip‘s gross sense of humor offers plenty of laughs, but most of the film’s value is to be found in its real interactions, which are oddly feel-good and profoundly human.
5 Chop & Steele
Chop & Steele follows two best friends and comedians who find out just how easy it is to get on the news without any credibility when the two out-of-shape men bring their clearly fake “strongmen” routine on several unsuspecting morning shows until one of the show’s media conglomerate owners sues them. The film also follows the found footage film festival they run together, which consists of bizarre forgotten tapes, like 1970s corporate training videos. It’s an endlessly entertaining story about two career pranksters who just want to bring light into the world while adding some depth by delving into their long friendship and personal fears about compromise and moving on.
4 Windy City Heat
In Windy City Heat, an 11-year prank reaches its peak when a group of actors convinces one very real man named Perry that he is starring in a Hollywood film, only to use it as an opportunity to pick at his every pet peeve. Perry being as delusional, offensive, and short-tempered as he is makes him a fascinating (and perhaps morally questionable) subject, and comedian Bobcat Goldthwait, who is behind all of it, comes up with creative, absurd new ways to push his boundaries at every turn. Cringe comedy at its peak, Windy City Heat is inventively sidesplitting and often shocking, both because of the unbelievable way in which the actors are able to trick Perry into falling for their tricks.
3 Brüno
Like his earlier hit Borat, the origin of Sacha Baron Cohen’s Brüno is also a character he invented for his show Da Ali G Show, this one a flamboyant Austrian fashion journalist. Though Brüno, much like his other journalist character, targets social issues such as homophobia, the film’s main focus is on the ridiculous lengths people will go to for celebrities. Watching Cohen embarrass the misguided with his crude public appearances is consistently funny, and his stunts are at their boldest.
2 Jackass Number Two
A celebration of the gross and extreme, those who appreciate crude humor will absolutely adore the antics of the Jackass series. Of all the Jackass crews’ stunt films, the best is without a doubt Jackass Number Two. It’s a movie where the actors, known for putting on all sorts of silly stunts and pranks, are more childishly reckless than ever.
1 Borat
An early break-out hit in the subgenre, Borat sees Cohen taking his offensive character to the “U.S. and A” to make a documentary about American culture. Cohen’s trick with Borat is to hide the ingenious satire behind his shocking character, making it both more palatable and funnier. Though Cohen has found success since Borat, the filmmaker has never topped his first mockumentary, a film that’s both outrageous and enthralling with its humor.
