Best Comedy Movies Of The 90s

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

Toy Story is a 1995 animated comedy film directed by John Lasseter, produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It follows the adventures of a group of toys who come alive when people aren't around. The main characters are Woody, a cowboy doll, and Buzz Lightyear, a spaceman action figure. Along the way, they must deal with the rivalry between them and the prospect of being replaced by newer toys. The toys ultimately must work together to return home safely and protect one another from the villainous Sid. Along the journey, they learn valuable lessons about friendship and loyalty.

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

Groundhog Day is a 1993 comedy film starring Bill Murray, directed by Harold Ramis, and written by Danny Rubin and Ramis. It follows Phil Connors (Murray), an egotistical and cynical TV weatherman who is sent to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to report on the annual Groundhog Day festivities. After becoming stuck in a time loop, forcing him to relive Groundhog Day again and again, Phil gradually comes to appreciate life in a way he never had before. As he experiences the same day again and again, he learns to alter his behavior and become a kinder, more selfless person. In the end, Phil breaks free from the loop and is able to move on with his life.

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

The Big Lebowski is a 1998 crime comedy-drama film directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. The film stars Jeff Bridges as Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski, a Los Angeles slacker and avid bowler. When The Dude is mistaken for a millionaire of the same name, he is dragged into a strange and convoluted plot involving two thugs, a millionaire, a femme fatale, a missing rug, and a millionaire's trophy wife. As The Dude embarks on a journey that takes him through the seedy, oftentimes surreal, and often violent underbelly of Los Angeles, he is accompanied by his bizarre friends: Walter Sobchak (John Goodman), Donny (Steve Buscemi), and Maude Lebowski (Julianne Moore). Together, they help The Dude unravel the mystery of the missing rug, which has been stolen and replaced with a million-dollar ransom. As The Dude struggles to figure out who stole the rug and why, his journey ultimately leads to a head-on collision with a very unique cast of characters.

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

Being John Malkovich is a 1999 American fantasy-comedy film directed by Spike Jonze and written by Charlie Kaufman. The film stars John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, and Catherine Keener and follows a puppeteer who finds a portal that leads into the mind of actor John Malkovich. The portal takes the puppeteer's consciousness into Malkovich's body, allowing him to experience the actor's life for 15 minutes before being dumped into a ditch alongside the New Jersey Turnpike. The puppeteer then begins to use the portal to enter the minds of others in order to gain access to fame and money. As the portal's power grows, it attracts the attention of the mad scientist Dr. Lester, and the two men begin a bitter rivalry. Ultimately, the puppeteer and his wife are able to reclaim control of the portal, which they use to help others explore their inner selves.

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

Ed Wood is a biopic of the famously unsuccessful filmmaker of the same name, directed by Tim Burton. The film follows Ed Wood's efforts to make low-budget films in the 1950s, despite his lack of experience and financial resources. He is assisted by a motley crew of actors, producers, and directors, as well as his cross-dressing partner, Bunny Breckinridge. Along the way, Ed faces numerous obstacles, including his own insecurities and the ridicule of the Hollywood establishment. Despite his many setbacks, Ed remains determined to create his own unique vision of cinema. The film is a tribute to Ed Wood's passion and his refusal to be limited by his circumstances.

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

Home Alone is a classic Christmas comedy about an 8-year-old boy, Kevin McCallister, who is accidentally left behind when his family leaves for a holiday vacation. While his parents frantically search for him, Kevin uses his wit and determination to defend his house against two bumbling burglars, Harry and Marv. Along the way, Kevin discovers the true spirit of Christmas and learns the importance of family.

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

Office Space is a 1999 comedy film directed by Mike Judge and written by Judge, Etan Cohen, and William Goldman. The film follows Peter Gibbons (Ron Livingston), a disillusioned corporate drone working at the drab Initech office in Texas. Peter is unhappy with his job and has frequent daydreams of escaping or getting revenge on his overbearing boss, Bill Lumbergh (Gary Cole). With the help of his two friends, Michael Bolton (David Herman) and Samir Nagheenanajar (Ajay Naidu), Peter decides to carry out a plan to embezzle money from the company and get back at Lumbergh. However, the trio's scheme soon unravels, leading to hilarious and chaotic consequences.

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 comedy-drama film directed by Terry Gilliam and starring Johnny Depp as Raoul Duke, a journalist, and Benicio del Toro as his lawyer, Dr. Gonzo. The film is based on Hunter S. Thompson's novel of the same name. The story follows Duke and Dr. Gonzo as they travel to Las Vegas on a drug-filled, psychedelic road trip. While in Las Vegas, the duo encounter a variety of bizarre and out of this world characters while they attempt to score drugs and get their story published in a magazine. As they venture further down their rabbit hole, they push their experiences and the boundaries of their minds, creating a chaotic and surreal journey. Ultimately, they must face the consequences of their actions and the harshness of reality.

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

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

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

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

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

From Donald Petrie, starring Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Ann-Margret, Burgess Meredith
Rated PG-13

From Jay Roach, starring Mike Myers, Elizabeth Hurley, Michael York, Mimi Rogers
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly, starring Woody Harrelson, Randy Quaid, Bill Murray, Vanessa Angel
Rated PG-13

From Jim Abrahams, starring Charlie Sheen, Cary Elwes, Valeria Golino, Lloyd Bridges
Rated PG-13

From Tamra Davis, starring Dave Chappelle, Guillermo Diaz, Jim Breuer, Harland Williams
Rated R

From Jodie Foster, starring Holly Hunter, Anne Bancroft, Robert Downey Jr., Charles Durning
Rated PG-13

From Peter Faiman, starring Ed O'Neill, Ethan Embry, JoBeth Williams, Christopher McDonald
Rated PG-13

From Hart Bochner, starring Jeremy Piven, Chris Young, Megan Ward, Jon Favreau
Rated PG-13