Bravo’s 100 Funniest Movies of All Time

-
The Bravo television network has compiled a list of what they think are the 100 funniest movies of all time. Take a look at their top 25 and see how they stack up against your personal favorites. -Nicole Cammorata and James Duffy, Boston.com correspondents
-
25. ‘Meet the Fockers’ (2004)
Dustin Hoffman, Barbara Streisand, Blythe Danner, Robert DeNiro, Ben Stiller. What is this, the Hollywood walk of fame? The all-star cast in “Meet the Fockers’’ makes this sequel rate higher than the original, “Meet the Parents,’’ which Bravo lists at 52.
-
24. ‘Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure’ (1989)
“Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure’’ is so ridiculous and awful that it’s actually pretty amazing. Who could forget the royal ugly dudes and Napoleon at the water park? A cult classic.
-
23. ‘Big’ (1988)
This film about a boy who makes a wish and wakes up as an adult is definitely a comedic classic. In this memorable scene, Josh (Tom Hanks) and MacMillan (Robert Loggia) play Chopsticks and Heart and Soul on the giant foot-operated piano at FAO Schwartz.
-
22. ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ (1984)
Eddie Murphy, believe it or not, was untouchable in the ‘80s and his swan song, his “Sgt. Pepper’s,’’ was “Beverly Hills Cop.’’ The box office smash showcased Murphy’s comedic sensibilities around the buddy cop plot about evil druglords and the differences between Detroit and Beverly Hills. Plus, the film had Judge Reinhold. That’s right, the Judge Reinhold.
-
21. ‘Shampoo’ (1975)
Back when male hairstylists could be considered sexy, Warren Beatty starred with Goldie Hawn in this comedy about sex and follicle care. Still, the funniest part of this movie, though, is the fact that not only does Warren Beatty have women flopping all over him, but also that being a stylist is somehow a turn-on.
-
20. ‘The Jerk’ (1979)
Steve Martin has let us down recently — “Cheaper By the Dozen’’ and “The Pink Panther’’ left something more to be desired from a comedic mind that was bulletproof in the ‘70s. When he was at his goofiest and most irreverent, Martin made “The Jerk,’’ a rags to riches story about a confused white boy, raised poor and black, who gains incredible wealth and then loses it as quickly. Arguably, this is his greatest film.
-
19. ‘Wedding Crashers’ (2005)
They gave us quote fodder for at least a couple years. Deep down, best friends John Beckwith (Owen Wilson) and Jeremy Grey (Vince Vaughn) were just two guys who loved weddings. The smash hit was just one of the many comedic gems from this newly-minted “frat pack’’ of actors such as Luke Wilson, Ben Stiller, Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn, and Owen Wilson.
-
18. ‘Stripes’ (1981)
Can Bill Murray ever do wrong? Probably not. As the quintessential everyman, Murray takes the lazy man’s approach to war and finds success, and a woman, for himself. Who would have ever thought that the Russian border was so easy to intrude, and that the Russian soldiers were so goofy?
-
17. ‘M*A*S*H’ (1970)
Wait, is it possible for war to be funny? Apparently. Starring, among other stars, Donald Sutherland and Robert Duvall, “M*A*S*H’’ follows a medical unit during the Korean War that uses laughter and humor to help deal with the atrocities that surround them. The flick also spun off the highly successful TV show starring Alan Alda.
-
16. ‘Old School’ (2003)
Will Ferrell makes an appearance in three other movies on Bravo’s list (’’Wedding Crashers,’’ “Zoolander,’’ and “Anchorman’’) coming in at number 16 for “Old School,’’ the zany comedy about three friends who start a fraternity so they can relive college.
-
15. ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’ (1982)
Before American Pie, there was “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.’’ It’s hard to believe that’s Sean Penn who plays burned-out surfer dude Jeff Spicoli in this racy high school comedy. Another familiar face – Nicolas Cage has a small role in the film and is credited as Nicolas Coppola for the first and only time in his career.
-
14. ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ (2004)
You either love it or you hate it. And most likely, you love it. Napoleon Dynamite has become an icon since the film debuted at Sundance in 2004. He’s the poster child for geek chic and yet another quote generator, producing gems such as, “Idiot!’’ and “My lips hurt real bad.’’
-
13. ‘Naked Gun’ (series)
The Zucker brothers, staying true to the “take-nothing-seriously’’ formula that gained them and Jim Abrahams notoriety through films like “Top Secret!’’ and “Airplane!’’, took irreverence to new heights in “The Naked Gun.’’ The film also completely turned Leslie Nielsen from a serious actor to one of cinema’s more recognizable goofs.
-
12. ‘The Producers’ (1968)
“Springtime for Hitler’’? Who doesn’t chuckle at the idea about a movie that decides to ironically make an up-beat musical about Hitler’s life? In this Mel Brooks film, Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel are two con artists who intend to make the worst piece of theatre ever to cheat their investors out of their money, but, instead, create a hit that causes their plans to fail.
-
11. ‘Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure’ (1985)
This wacky film about a man (or is it boy) and his bike gave us the “tequila song dance,’’ and bands such as Au Revoir Simone, Amazing Larry, and Large Marge pay homage to the film with their names. Directed by Tim Burton, the film features Pee-Wee Herman, from the bizarre ‘80s children’s show “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse.’’
-
10. ‘Arthur’ (1981)
Proving that alcoholism can be funny, Dudley Moore portrays “Arthur,’’ a rich heir without ambition or drive who’s forced into the awkward situation of marrying to receive his fortune or, instead, choosing love. What’s a wealthy English drunk to do?
-
9. ‘Ace Ventura: Pet Detective’ (1994)
Jim Carrey as a character with an exaggerated personality? His wacky portrayal as pet detective Ace Ventura was definitely a hint as to what was in store for this jokester.
-
8. ‘Blazing Saddles’ (1974)
Madelin Kahn plays Lili Von Shtupp in the Mel Brooks kneeslapper “Blazing Saddles,’’ a goofy parody of the western film genre that serves a higher purpose as a satire about racism.
-
7. ‘The Wedding Singer’ (1998)
Adam Sandler is funny. But Adam Sandler with a mullet? Now that’s hilarious. Sandler and Barrymore make finding “the one’’ look easy in this romantic comedy set in the 1980s. The pair rejoined in 2004 for (get this) another romantic comedy, “50 First Dates.’’
-
6. ‘Airplane’ (1980)
This screwball spoof on the disaster movie drama has so many rapid fire jokes and gags, it’s impossible to keep from laughing. A personal favorite? Barbara Billingsley speaking jive.
-
5. ‘South Park: Bigger, Longer, Uncut’ (1997)
The strange thing about “Bigger, Longer, and Uncut’’ was that it was a fantastic musical. Was it gross at times? Perhaps. Was there a reference to a sexual act with a horse? Sure. Was there a full-frontal shot of “Big Gay Al’’? Absolutely. But in the end, Matt and Trey stayed true to their comedic sensibilities, creating a brilliant film full of social criticism.
A great flick, but is it worthy of being #5?
-
4. ‘There’s Something About Mary’ (1998)
It was the gross-out comedy that started them all. This 1998 Farrelly brothers film showcased still new on the scene actors Cameron Diaz and Ben Stiller, launching them into the limelight.
-
3. ‘Shrek’ (2001)
Shrek is one of those great movies that’s simple enough that the kids love it but clever enough so their parents do, too. Mike Myers is the voice of Shrek to Cameron Diaz’ Fiona in this fairy tale parody about the power of true love.
-
2. ‘Caddyshack’ (1980)
What do you get when you combine Bill Murray and a tenacious gopher? Comedic gold. Murray could quite possibly be at his best as the looney groundskeeper in the 1980 film “Caddyshack.’’
-
1. ‘Animal House’ (1978)
Perhaps the film that all other screw-ball, gross-out, teen-driven comedies aspire to be, “Animal House’’ set quite the precedent for over-the-top comedy in the form of the late, great John Belushi and his wild antics at a college fraternity house.
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com