6 Best Comedies Released Since 2000

Image via DreamWorks Pictures Published Aug 4, 2026, 7:08 AM EDT Andrea M. Ciriaco is a long-time script reader and former entertainment editor who specializes in classic movies and Hollywood history. She was a student film critic at Kent State University for three years and worked at Warner Bros Studio in Burbank and The Safran Company for several years. Based on her vast taste and range of knowledge, many consider Andrea to be a walking IMDb who knows dozens of underrated movies and is a vital assesst to any trivia night. While movies are her expertise, Andrea is also a diehard fan of iconic shows including The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire, Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone, Will & Grace and South Park. Some of her favorite filmmakers are Walt Disney,John Huston, Fritz Lang, Alfred Hitchcock, John Ford, Mel Brooks, Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese and Howard Hawks. Sign in to your Collider account Comedy is one of the oldest film genres that originally made headway during the Silent era with iconic stars such as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd, and flourished well into the 1930s with classic comedies like My Man Godfrey, It Happened One Night, and Bringing Up Baby. Since then, comedy has been remarkably diverse​​​​​, ranging from outrageous slapstick and buddy comedies to razor-sharp satires and heartfelt dramedies that have essentially redefined the genre without losing sight of its original comedic roots. Many comedies have since become cultural touchstones and landmark entries in the genre, but when it comes to the best comedies of the 21st century, there are some that effortlessly stand out for their unforgettable characters, quotable dialogue, and enduring appeal. Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement's hilarious mockumentary comedy What We Do in the Shadows to the hysterical blockbuster hit, The Hangover, starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis, these are the six best comedy movies released since 2000, ranked! 6 'What We Do in the Shadows' (2014) Image via Unison/Paladin What We Do in the Shadows is one of the most underrated comedies of the 21st century that combines an ingenious and original premise with sharp writing, understated performances, and relentless humor. The movie follows three centuries-old vampires and roommates (Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement, Jonathan Brugh) as they try to navigate the modern world while also showing a hipster-turned vampire, Nick (Cori Gonzalez-Macuer), the perks that come with being undead. What We Do in the Shadows stands out for its mockumentary format, which allows the humor to feel natural and improvisational, and the ensemble cast delivering deadpan performances makes even the most absurd situations feel believable. Unlike other comedies, What We Do in the Shadows doesn't rely on non-stop jokes and instead builds its comedy through character interactions, awkward social dynamics, and clever visual gags, which resonate with the majority of audiences on a relatable note. The movie also stands out for its inventive world-building and its seamless blending of vampire mythology with modern life while affectionately parodying both horror classics and documentary filmmaking. Its influence extended beyond the film itself, inspiring the successful television adaptation, and it remains a standout modern comedy that's celebrated for its originality and perfect balance of absurdity, wit, and heart. 5 'The Nice Guys' (2016) Image via Warner Bros. Pictures The Nice Guys is a hilarious neo-noir buddy comedy that stands out for its razor-sharp dialogue, unpredictable humor, and knockout comedic performances by Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe. Set in 1977 in Los Angeles, the movie centers around a down-on-his-luck private eye, Holland March (Gosling), who teams up with a no-nonsense enforcer, Jackson Healy (Crowe), to find Amelia (Margaret Qualley), a young porn star who suddenly disappeared, but as they dig further into the case, they eventually realize that they aren't the only ones who are looking for the missing young woman. Much of the film's success comes from the chemistry between Crowe and Gosling, whose contrasting personalities create a classic buddy-comedy dynamic that drives nearly every scene. Crowe plays the straight man with understated confidence and effortless intimidation, while Gosling delivers one of the funniest performances of his career, using expressive physical comedy, impeccable timing, and self-deprecating charm that make them an unexpectedly brilliant comedic duo. Although it was only a modest box office success, The Nice Guys has earned a devoted following and is now regarded as a modern cult classic, making it one of the strongest comedy films of the 21st century. 4 'Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy' (2004) Credit: DreamWorks Picture Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy is a hilarious throwback to classic screwball comedy that takes a traditional battle of the sexes to new and unprecedented comedic heights. Set in the 1970s, Will Ferrell stars as a beloved anchorman and local celebrity, Ron Burgundy, whose male-dominated world is turned upside down after he falls for the station's first female journalist and aspiring news anchor, Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate). Ferrell delivers one of his defining performances as Burgundy, portraying the arrogant yet oddly lovable anchorman with complete commitment, demonstrating you don't have to sacrifice style for laughs. Ferrell's chemistry with his co-stars, specifically Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, and David Koechner, creates a cast of lovable characters whose interactions will leave audiences in stitches every single time. Beyond its jokes, Anchorman cleverly satirizes 1970s television news, sexism in the workplace, and the culture of the media through exaggerated comedy rather than straightforward parody. Its now-iconic quotes ("I don't know how to put this, but I'm kind of a big deal") and surreal moments, from the newsroom rivalries to the legendary news team battle, have become some of the most recognizable scenes in modern comedy, cementing Anchorman as one of the best comedies released since 2000. 3 'Mean Girls' (2004) Lindsay Lohan stars in the 2004 comedy hit, Mean Girls, as a sheltered teenager, Cady Heron, who, after moving from Africa to Chicago, enrolls in a local high school where she's welcomed by the queen bee, Regina George (Rachel McAdams) and her clique, the Plastics. When Regina betrays Cady, the former homeschooled teenager decides to fight fire with fire, sparking a slew of sabotage and drama that eventually turns high school into a jungle of chaos. Mean Girls defined a generation, and compared to other modern comedies, it essentially succeeds because its humor is rooted in recognizable human behavior rather than exaggerated slapstick or over-the-top physical comedy alone. Mean Girls brilliantly satirizes common elements in any teenager's life, such as cliques, gossip, peer pressure, and teenage insecurity, in a way that feels both funny and surprisingly perceptive, making it a rare and timeless modern comedy. Its witty script, written by Tina Fey, unforgettable scenes, notably the Jingle Bell Rock performance, and famous one-liners have remained widely quoted for years ("She doesn't even go here!"), giving Mean Girls remarkable staying power. More than two decades after its release, Mean Girls remains a defining comedy of the 21st century, and its lasting cultural influence and universal themes have made it a comedy classic that continues to resonate with new audiences today. 2 'Old School (2003) Image via DreamWorks Pictures Old School is an essential comedy that perfectly captures the spirit of early 21st-century comedy through outrageous situations, an array of memorable characters, and a surprisingly relatable story about adulthood and nostalgia. Luke Wilson stars as an attorney, Mitch Martin, who, after discovering that his girlfriend has been cheating on him, moves into a new house that happens to be located near the local college campus. As Mitch tries to put his life back together, his friends, Frank (Will Ferrell) and Beanie (Vince Vaughn), decide to take advantage of their friend's new place and ultimately turn Mitch's new digs into an unofficial fraternity house. The chemistry between Wilson, Vaughn, and Ferrell is the film's greatest strength, with each actor bringing a distinct comedic style to the table, creating a feast of uninhibited and uncertain comedy. Wilson's understated everyman charm, Vaughn's rapid-fire wit, and Ferrell's fearless physical comedy create a trio whose interactions remain consistently entertaining and always keep audiences guessing their next and most likely outrageous move. Despite initially mixed reviews, Old School has since grown into a beloved cult classic whose influence can be seen across modern studio comedies, ultimately cementing its reputation as one of the defining comedy films of the 21st century. 1 'The Hangover' (2009) Image via Warner Bros. Pictures The Hangover was a summer blockbuster comedy that combines an ingenious premise with nonstop laughs, career-defining performances, and a puzzling mystery, ultimately giving a whole new meaning to the saying, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." The movie follows friends, Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), and Doug (Justin Bartha), who, along with Doug's odd future brother-in-law, Alan (Zach Galifianakis) travel to Las Vegas for Doug's bachelor party but what was supposed to be a low-key boys weekend unexpectedly turns into an inescapable nightmare when Phil, Stu, and Alan, wake up with no recollection of the previous night and Doug is nowhere to be found. Director Todd Phillips balances outrageous situations with grounded character reactions, allowing even the most absurd moments to feel believable within the story. The escalating chaos, from missing grooms and stolen police cars to unexpected animal encounters, never loses sight of the central mystery, giving the comedy an unusually strong narrative structure for the genre. While the entire cast is an absolute riot, Galifianakis undeniably steals the show with his breakout performance. Beyond its box office success, The Hangover had a major impact on modern studio comedies, influencing a wave of R-rated ensemble films that followed. More than a decade later, its quotable dialogue and perfect blend of mystery, friendship, and ridiculous humor make The Hangover the greatest comedy released since 2000. The Hangover Release Date June 5, 2009 Runtime 100 minutes Director Todd Phillips Writers Scott Moore, Jon Lucas Producers Daniel Goldberg, Todd Phillips, David Siegel, Jeffrey Wetzel Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Pictures, Green Hat Films, BenderSpink