1990s Comedy Movies

From John Lasseter, starring Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney
Rated G

Toy Story is a 1995 computer animated comedy film directed by John Lasseter and produced by Pixar Animation Studios. The film follows the story of a cowboy doll named Woody and a space ranger action figure named Buzz Lightyear as they become adversaries vying for the affections of their owner, Andy. After a series of misadventures, the two eventually become best friends and embark on a mission to get back to Andy before he moves to a new house. Along the way, they meet a variety of colorful characters including a lost toy, a toy dinosaur, a toy soldier, and a puppet. After a series of thrilling adventures, Woody and Buzz ultimately succeed in their mission, as Andy takes them both with him to his new home. Toy Story is the first feature length film to be completely created using computer animation, and it received overwhelmingly positive reviews upon its release. The film was a massive success and spawned two highly successful sequels, as well as a spin-off film titled Toy Story That Time Forgot.

From Harold Ramis, starring Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott, Stephen Tobolowsky
Rated PG

Groundhog Day is a 1993 comedy film directed by Harold Ramis. It stars Bill Murray as Phil Connors, a cynical weatherman covering the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. He finds himself living the same day over and over again, repeating the same activities and conversations. After an initial attempt to take advantage of the situation, he eventually comes to appreciate the people around him and to make meaningful changes in his life. The film has become a cult classic, praised for its humor and its exploration of themes such as the human capacity for change and the importance of embracing life's opportunities.

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring William H. Macy, Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare
Rated R

Fargo is a 1996 dark comedy crime film written, directed, and produced by Joel and Ethan Coen. It stars Frances McDormand as a pregnant police chief investigating a series of homicides, William H. Macy as a car dealer who hires two criminals to kidnap his wife, and Steve Buscemi as a shady car salesman. The story takes place in the cold, snowy landscape of Minnesota and North Dakota. The film follows Marge Gunderson, a pregnant police chief, as she investigates a series of homicides involving a car dealer and two criminals he has hired to kidnap his wife. She eventually discovers that the car dealer is behind the whole enterprise, and brings him to justice. In her investigation, she faces off against a mysterious figure known as "the Stranger", played by Steve Buscemi. Fargo received numerous awards and nominations, including seven Academy Award nominations and two wins, for Best Actress and Best Original Screenplay. It was also praised for its dark humor and unique blend of crime thriller and comedy genres. Fargo remains one of the Coen brothers' most iconic and beloved films.

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi
Rated R

The Big Lebowski is a 1998 American neo-noir black comedy crime film written, produced, and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. It stars Jeff Bridges as Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski, a Los Angeles slacker and avid bowler, who is mistaken for another Jeffrey Lebowski, whom he calls the "Big" Lebowski. The Big Lebowski's wife is then kidnapped, and The Dude is enlisted to deliver the ransom for her release. Along the way, he is pulled into an ever-widening spiral of confusion and complications, involving a stranger cast of characters, including the Big Lebowski's wealthy former business partner, a nihilist bowling team, a pornographer and his albino henchman, and the mysterious "Jesus Quintana". The film is loosely inspired by the work of Raymond Chandler.

From Directors: John Lasseter, Ash Brannon, Lee Unkrich, starring Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer
Rated G

Toy Story 2 is a 1999 American computer-animated comedy film directed by John Lasseter, Ash Brannon, and Lee Unkrich. The sequel to the 1995 film Toy Story, it features the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, and Annie Potts reprising their roles from the first film. The film follows the toys, led by Woody, as they attempt to rescue their friend, the cowboy doll, Woody, from a toy collector. The film's plot significantly expands on the conflict between Woody and the toy collector, while introducing several new characters, including Jessie, a cowgirl; Bullseye, Woody's horse; and Stinky Pete, an outlaw prospector. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Original Song for "When She Loved Me". It was also a box office success, grossing over $497 million worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing film of 1999. It was the fourth-highest-grossing animated film at the time, behind the original Toy Story, The Lion King, and Aladdin. A third film in the franchise,

From Tim Burton, starring Johnny Depp, Martin Landau, Sarah Jessica Parker, Patricia Arquette
Rated R

Ed Wood follows the life of Edward D. Wood Jr., a passionate filmmaker in 1950s Hollywood who is widely considered to be the worst director of all time. Despite his lack of technical skill, Ed's enthusiasm and deep love of cinema inspire him to make low-budget cult classics like "Plan 9 from Outer Space" and "Glen or Glenda?". The film follows Ed as he attempts to make it in the film industry despite the lack of support from his peers. With the help of his close circle of friends, Ed makes the most of his unconventional talents and puts together a series of strange and entertaining movies. Despite the critical panning of his work, Ed continues to believe in himself and the power of cinema.

From Spike Jonze, starring John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, John Malkovich
Rated R

Being John Malkovich is a 1999 comedy-drama film directed by Spike Jonze and written by Charlie Kaufman. It stars John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener and John Malkovich. The film follows an unemployed puppeteer, Craig Schwartz, who finds a door in his office that leads into John Malkovich's mind. Craig and his wife, Lotte, take turns giving each other 15-minute turns in the head of the actor, using it as a form of escapism. Craig eventually discovers that Maxine, a co-worker he is attracted to, is also using the portal and he starts to sell tickets for other people to take turns in Malkovich's mind. As the secret of the portal spreads, many people become interested and Craig and Maxine soon find themselves caught in the middle of a bidding war for the rights to control Malkovich's brain. The film explores themes of identity and human connection, and was praised for its originality and visual style. It was nominated for three Academy Awards and won the Best Director award at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival.

From Chris Columbus, starring Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard
Rated PG

Home Alone is a 1990 Christmas classic starring Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old boy who is accidentally left behind by his family when they go on vacation. With his parents and siblings out of the house, Kevin must defend himself against two bumbling burglars, Harry and Marv, who are trying to break in and steal his family’s valuables. With the help of some clever traps, Kevin is able to outwit the burglars and protect his home. At the same time, Kevin learns important lessons about responsibility and family as he deals with the burglars, his missing parents, and his newfound independence. The film was a major success, grossing over $476 million worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing film of 1990. It was followed by two sequels, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) and Home Alone 3 (1997).

From Kevin Smith, starring Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Marilyn Ghigliotti, Lisa Spoonauer
Rated R

Clerks is a 1994 American independent black-and-white comedy film written and directed by Kevin Smith. It follows a day in the lives of two convenience store clerks, Dante Hicks and Randal Graves, as they work a shift at a store on the day of their high school reunion. Throughout the day, they encounter various customers and acquaintances, including Jay and Silent Bob, two stoners who hang around the store. The film depicts their conversations about issues such as sex, relationships, and their dead-end jobs. Clerks also explores the idea of existentialism, as the two protagonists ponder the meaning of their lives and the decisions they have made. With its minimal budget and raw dialogue, Clerks was a critical success and helped launch the career of Smith. It has become a cult classic.

From Mike Judge, starring Ron Livingston, Jennifer Aniston, David Herman, Ajay Naidu
Rated R

Office Space is a 1999 American comedy film by director Mike Judge. The film follows Peter Gibbons (Ron Livingston), an unhappy and disgruntled programmer who works for Initech, a large corporate software company. After attending a hypnotism session, Peter decides to follow his newfound ambitions and begins to neglect his work. When Peter's friends, Michael Bolton (David Herman) and Samir Nagheenanajar (Ajay Naidu), are threatened with downsizing, they decide to rebel against the unfairness of their work environment. With help from a consultant, they devise a plan to embezzle money from Initech. In the meantime, Peter becomes involved with his diner waitress Joanna (Jennifer Aniston) and begins to enjoy life outside of work. The film follows their journey as they try to balance their newfound relationships, while struggling against their oppressive boss, Bill Lumbergh (Gary Cole). In the end, Peter and his friends emerge victorious and successfully escape the confines of their corporate prison.

From Wes Anderson, starring Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Olivia Williams, Seymour Cassel
Rated R

Rushmore is a 1998 comedy-drama film directed by Wes Anderson and co-written by Anderson and Owen Wilson. The film follows the story of Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman), an eccentric 15-year-old whose passion for extracurricular activities (and his own creative endeavors) leads him to neglect his studies and lands him in trouble at his prestigious private school, Rushmore Academy. Along the way, he meets a wealthy industrialist named Herman Blume (Bill Murray), and over time, the two develop an unlikely friendship. As Max navigates the highs and lows of teenage life, he learns valuable lessons about friendship, love, and ambition. Rushmore received critical acclaim, with many praising its unique visual style, quirky characters, and witty dialogue. It won several awards, including Best Screenplay at the 1999 Independent Spirit Awards and Best Original Screenplay at the 1999 BAFTA Awards. It was also nominated for two Academy Awards, including Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Bill Murray.

From Terry Gilliam, starring Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, Tobey Maguire, Michael Lee Gogin
Rated R

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a 1998 dark comedy film directed by Terry Gilliam and starring Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro. The film follows the misadventures of Raoul Duke (Depp) and his attorney Dr. Gonzo (Del Toro) as they descend into Las Vegas to cover a drug-fueled road trip across the Mojave Desert. Along the way, the two men encounter a series of bizarre and often dangerous situations, encountering drug dealers, racist cops, and other colorful characters. Despite their misadventures, Duke and Gonzo lose themselves to the insanity of the Vegas strip, eventually coming to terms with the realities of their lives. The film is a cult classic and is regarded as one of the greatest films of the 1990s.

From Christopher Guest, starring Christopher Guest, Fred Willard, Catherine O'Hara, Parker Posey
Rated R

From Woody Allen, starring Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Jerry Adler, Lynn Cohen
Rated PG

From Directors: Peter Farrelly, Bobby Farrelly, starring Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Lauren Holly, Mike Starr
Rated PG-13

From George Armitage, starring John Cusack, Minnie Driver, Dan Aykroyd, Joan Cusack
Rated R

From Albert Brooks, starring Albert Brooks, Meryl Streep, Rip Torn, Michael Durrell
Rated PG

From F. Gary Gray, starring Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, Nia Long, Tom Lister Jr.
Rated R

From Doug Liman, starring Vince Vaughn, Heather Graham, Jon Favreau, Ron Livingston
Rated R

From Kevin Smith, starring Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, Ethan Suplee, Scott Mosier
Rated R

From Doug Liman, starring Sarah Polley, Jay Mohr, Scott Wolf, Taye Diggs
Rated R

From Peter Segal, starring Chris Farley, David Spade, Brian Dennehy, Bo Derek
Rated PG-13

From Barry Levinson, starring Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro, Anne Heche, Woody Harrelson
Rated R

From Directors: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly, starring Cameron Diaz, Matt Dillon, Ben Stiller, Lee Evans
Rated R

From David O. Russell, starring George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, Spike Jonze
Rated R