100 best comedy movies - contributors M-N

Discover our contributors’ favourite comedy movies, including Stephen Merchant and Jackie Mason’s top tens

100 best comedy movies – contributors M-N

As chosen by

Caroline Mabey

Caroline Mabey is a stand-up comedian and regular MC of various 99 Club gigs in London. She has taken three shows to the Edinburgh Fringe.

Caroline Mabey's top ten

  1. There's Something About Mary (Bobby and Peter Farrelly, 1998)
  2. Chuck & Buck (Miguel Arteta, 2000)
  3. The Big Lebowski (Joel and Ethan Coen, 1998)
  4. The King of Comedy (Martin Scorsese, 1982)
  5. Johnny Suede (Tom DiCillo, 1991)
  6. The Philadelphia Story (George Cukor, 1940)
  7. Bugsy Malone (Alan Parker, 1976)
  8. Happiness of the Katakuris (Takashi Miike, 2001)
  9. Four Lions (Christopher Morris, 2010)
  10. Trading Places (John Landis, 1983)
Jackie Mason

Jackie Mason © Colby Katz

Jackie Mason

Jackie Mason is a true comedy legend. In Comedy Central’s 2005 poll he was ranked the 63rd best stand-up of all time and, at age 75, is still gigging.

Jackie Mason's top ten

  1. The Jerk (Carl Reiner, 1979)
  2. Caddyshack II (Allan Arkush, 1988)
  3. His Girl Friday (Howard Hawks, 1940)
  4. Arsenic and Old Lace (Frank Capra, 1944)
  5. It Happened One Night (Frank Capra, 1934)
  6. Foul Play (Colin Higgins, 1978)
  7. The Marrying Man (Jerry Rees, 1991)
  8. The Odd Couple (Gene Saks, 1968)
  9. Avanti! (Billy Wilder, 1972)
  10. My Favourite Wife (Garson Kanin, 1940)

Steve Ullathorne

Chris Martin

Chris Martin (no, not that one), is a stand-up comedian and actor. He hosts a monthly podcast with Carl Donnelly which was recently named one of the Top 10 Comedy Podcasts by The Guardian.

Chris Martin's top ten

  1. The Hangover (Todd Phillips, 2009)
  2. White Men Can't Jump (Ron Shelton, 1992)
  3. A Fish Called Wanda (Charles Crichton, 1988)
  4. Happy Gilmore (Dennis Dugan, 1996)
  5. Shaun of the Dead (Edgar Wright, 2004)
  6. Old School (Todd Phillips, 2003)
  7. Hot Shots! Part Deux (Jim Abrahams, 1993)
  8. Dumb & Dumber (Peter Farrelly, 1994)
  9. Me Myself I (Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly, 2000)
  10. Borat (Larry Charles, 2006)

Dominic Maxwell

Dominic Maxwell is the comedy critic for The Times.

Dominic Maxwell's top ten

  1. Airplane! (Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, 1980)
  2. Anchorman (Adam McKay, 2004)
  3. Annie Hall (Woody Allen, 1977)
  4. Kind Hearts and Coronets (Robert Hamer, 1949)
  5. Monty Python's Life Of Brian (Terry Jones, 1979)
  6. Groundhog Day (Harold Ramis, 1993)
  7. Some Like It Hot (Billy Wilder, 1959)
  8. Dr Strangelove: or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (Stanley Kubrick, 1964)
  9. This Is Spinal Tap (Rob Reiner, 1984)
  10. South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (Trey Parker, 1999)
Chris McCausland

Chris McCausland

Chris McCausland

Chris McCausland is a circuit regular stand-up who has appeared on ‘Miranda Hart’s Unwrapped’ and ITV4’s ‘Stand Up Hero’. He’s the only professional comic in the UK who is blind.

Chris McCausland's top ten

  1. Planes, Trains and Automobiles (John Hughes, 1987)
  2. See No Evil, Hear No Evil (Arthur Hiller, 1989)
  3. Brewster's Millions (Walter Hill, 1985)
  4. My Cousin Vinny (Jonathan Lynn, 1992)
  5. The Hard Way (John Badham, 1991)
  6. Scrooged (Richard Donner, 1988)
  7. Frequently Asked Questions about Time Travel (Gareth Carrivik, 2009)
  8. 8 Heads in a Duffle Bag (Tom Schulman, 1997)
  9. Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (Stephen Herek, 1989)
  10. UHF (Jay Levey, 1989)

Andrew McClelland

Andrew McClelland is an Australian stand-up comedian who has performed at 12 consecutive Melbourne International Comedy Festivals and is a four-time veteran of the Edinburgh Fringe.

Andrew McClelland's top ten

  1. Monty Python's Life Of Brian (Terry Jones, 1979)
  2. The Blues Brothers (John Landis, 1980)
  3. To Be or Not to Be (Ernst Lubitsch, 1942)
  4. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (Wes Anderson, 2004)
  5. Love and Death (Woody Allen, 1975)
  6. The Castle (Rob Sitch, 1997)
  7. Anchorman (Adam McKay, 2004)
  8. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (Jay Roach, 1997)
  9. The Ladykillers (Alexander Mackendrick, 1955)
  10. Road to Morocco (David Butler, 1942)

Cal McCrystal

Cal McCrystal studied clowning with Philippe Gaulier and has appeared with Peepolykus, the Mighty Boosh, Spymonkey and Cirque du Soleil.

Cal McCrystal's top ten

  1. Galaxy Quest (Dean Parisot, 1999)
  2. Airplane! (Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, 1980)
  3. Le Dîner de Cons (Francis Veber, 1998)
  4. Tootsie (Sydney Pollack, 1982)
  5. The Party (Blake Edwards, 1968)
  6. High Anxiety (Mel Brooks, 1977)
  7. It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (Stanley Kramer, 1963)
  8. Bullets Over Broadway (Woody Allen, 1994)
  9. Borat (Larry Charles, 2006)
  10. La Cage aux Folles (Edouard Molinaro, 1978)

Erich McElroy

Originally from Seattle, Erich McElroy is now a regular on the British comedy circuit.

Erich McElroy's top ten

  1. Fargo (Joel and Ethan Coen, 1996)
  2. Office Space (Mike Judge, 1999)
  3. Serial Mom (John Waters, 1994)
  4. Airplane! (Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, 1980)
  5. Dr Strangelove: or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (Stanley Kubrick, 1964)
  6. The Hangover (Todd Phillips, 2009)
  7. Planes, Trains and Automobiles (John Hughes, 1987)
  8. Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (Carl Reiner, 1982)
  9. There's Something About Mary (Bobby and Peter Farrelly, 1998)
  10. Police Academy (Hugh Wilson, 1984)

© HMV Hammersmith Apollo

Stephen Merchant

Stephen Merchant rose to fame when he co-wrote ‘The Office’ with Ricky Gervais. He has also worked as an actor, notably in the Farrelly Brothers’ ‘Hall Pass’.

Stephen Merchant's top ten

  1. Chickens Come Home (James W. Horne, 1931)
  2. Play It Again, Sam (Woody Allen, 1972)
  3. Swingers (Doug Liman, 1996)
  4. Monkey Business (Norman Z MacLeod, 1931)
  5. Groundhog Day (Harold Ramis, 1993)
  6. Road to Utopia (Hal Walker, 1946)
  7. Team America: World Police (Trey Parker, 2004)
  8. The Thin Man (W. S. Van Dyke, 1934)
  9. The King of Comedy (Martin Scorsese, 1982)
  10. Anchorman (Adam McKay, 2004)

Misery Bear

Misery Bear is the saddest, loneliest, most suicidal teddy bear in the whole world. He’s also the star of a series of BBC short films at bbc.co.uk/comedy.

Misery Bear's top ten

  1. Caddyshack (Harold Ramis, 1980)
  2. Annie Hall (Woody Allen, 1977)
  3. Harold and Maude (Hal Ashby, 1971)
  4. Zoolander (Ben Stiller, 2001)
  5. It Happened One Night (Frank Capra, 1934)
  6. This Is Spinal Tap (Rob Reiner, 1984)
  7. Some Like It Hot (Billy Wilder, 1959)
  8. Anchorman (Adam McKay, 2004)
  9. Trading Places (John Landis, 1983)
  10. Ghostbusters (Ivan Reitman, 1984)

Diane Morgan

Diane is a stand-up comic and half of sketch duo ‘Two Episodes of MASH’ with Joe Wilkinson. They are currently recording a series for Radio 2.

Diane Morgan's top ten

  1. Nuts In May (Mike Leigh, 1976)
  2. Grey Gardens (Ellen Hovde, Albert and David Maysles, 1975)
  3. The Return of the Pink Panther (Blake Edwards, 1975)
  4. Play It Again, Sam (Woody Allen, 1972)
  5. Withnail & I (Bruce Robinson, 1987)
  6. Annie Hall (Woody Allen, 1977)
  7. Dr Strangelove: or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (Stanley Kubrick, 1964)
  8. Submarine (Richard Ayoade, 2010)
  9. The Sunshine Boys (Herbert Ross, 1975)
  10. A Town Called Panic (Stephane Aubier, Vincent Patar)

Ed Moorish

Ed Morrish has produced more than 100 entertainment shows for BBC Radio including ‘The Now Show’ and ‘The News Quiz’.

Ed Moorish's top ten

  1. Duck Soup (Leo McCarey, 1933)
  2. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (Rawson Marshall Thurber, 2004)
  3. The Naked Gun (David Zucker, 1988)
  4. Airplane! (Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, 1980)
  5. Hannah and Her Sisters (Woody Allen, 1986)
  6. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (Kevin Smith, 2001)
  7. The Man in the White Suit (Mackendrick, 1951)
  8. Idiocracy (Mike Judge, 2006)
  9. The Plank (Eric Sykes, 1967)
  10. Monty Python's Life Of Brian (Terry Jones, 1979)

James Mullinger

James Mullinger began his stand-up career in 2005 and reached the final of Jimmy Carr’s Comedy Idol competition. He has also performed at the Just For Laughs comedy festival in Montreal.

James Mullinger's top ten

  1. In the Loop (Armando Iannucci, 2009)
  2. Borat (Larry Charles, 2006)
  3. Weird Science (John Hughes, 1985)
  4. Blazing Saddles (Mel Brooks, 1974)
  5. Bachelor Party (Neal Israel, 1984)
  6. Shaun of the Dead (Edgar Wright, 2004)
  7. Groundhog Day (Harold Ramis, 1993)
  8. Superbad (Greg Mottola, 2007)
  9. Step Brothers (Adam McKay. 2008)
  10. There's Something About Mary (Bobby and Peter Farrelly, 1998)

Trevor Neal

Trevor Neal is one half of comedy duo Trevor & Simon, along with Simon Hickson. They’re best known for their contributions to ‘Going Live! throughout the ’80s and ’90s.

Trevor Neal's top ten

  1. The Jerk (Carl Reiner, 1979)
  2. Pee-Wee's Big Adventure (Tim Burton, 1985)
  3. Groundhog Day (Harold Ramis, 1993)
  4. ¡Three Amigos! (John Landis, 1986)
  5. Monty Python's Life Of Brian (Terry Jones, 1979)
  6. Elf (Jon Favreau, 2003)
  7. Kingpin (Bobby and Peter Farrelly, 1996)
  8. Anchorman (Adam McKay, 2004)
  9. The School of Rock (Richard Linklater, 2003)
  10. Liar Liar (Tom Shadyac, 1997)

Kim Noble

Kim Noble is an artist, comedian and filmmaker. Together with Stuart Silver as duo ‘Noble and Silver’, he won the Perrier Best Newcomer Award in 2000.

Kim Noble's top ten

  1. Annie Hall (Woody Allen, 1977)
  2. Withnail & I (Bruce Robinson, 1987)
  3. This Is Spinal Tap (Rob Reiner, 1984)
  4. Airplane! (Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, 1980)
  5. Duck Soup (Leo McCarey, 1933)
  6. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones, 1975)
  7. The Rebel (Robert Day, 1961)
  8. Play It Again, Sam (Woody Allen, 1972)
  9. Ghostbusters (Ivan Reitman, 1984)
  10. Brazil (Terry Gilliam, 1985)

Mickey Noonan

Mickey Noonan is a freelance comedy writer.

Mickey Noonan's top ten

  1. Monty Python's Life Of Brian (Terry Jones, 1979)
  2. Ghostbusters (Ivan Reitman, 1984)
  3. This Is Spinal Tap (Rob Reiner, 1984)
  4. Zoolander (Ben Stiller, 2001)
  5. Anchorman (Adam McKay, 2004)
  6. Airplane! (Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, 1980)
  7. The Princess Bride (Rob Reiner, 1987)
  8. Withnail & I (Bruce Robinson, 1987)
  9. Murder by Death (Robert Moore, 1976)
  10. Scrooged (Richard Donner, 1988)

Ben Norris

Ben Norris has been on the stand-up circuit since 1993 and has appeared on ‘Never Mind the Buzzcocks’, ‘They Think It’s All Over’ and ‘Mock the Week’.

Ben Norris's top ten

  1. Monty Python's Life of Brian (Terry Jones, 1979)
  2. Team America: World Police (Trey Parker, 2004)
  3. The Jerk (Carl Reiner, 1979)
  4. Withnail & I (Bruce Robinson, 1987)
  5. The Comic Strip Presents The Supergrass (Peter Richardson, 1985)
  6. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones, 1975)
  7. Blazing Saddles (Mel Brooks, 1974)
  8. The Rebel (Robert Day, 1961)
  9. Happiness (Todd Solondz, 1998)
  10. Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (Terry Jones, 1983)
Share your thoughts
  4. * mandatory fields

100 best comedy movies by section

Spotify

Subscribe to Time Out London on Spotify for daily playlists and recommendations from our Music team.

 

 

Spotify

Pinterest

We feature London's most spectacular sights and coolest locations.
Pinterest

The Time Out Blog

Your daily guide to city life, news and culture - updated seven days a week.

  • Hotwise
  • Cool brands
  • Star