The greatest comedy movies ever, according to Roger Ebert
The work of Roger Ebert stands toe-to-toe with some of the greatest filmmakers, actors, writers and producers that Hollywood has to offer. The critic, famed for his colourful use of language and expert opinion, is as highly thought of as any of the creators behind the work he cast his critical eye over. For that reason alone, Ebert’s opinion on the best and worst movies is worth its weight in gold.
First finding fame in the 1980s show At The Movies alongside Gene Siskel, Ebert became a leading figure in the Hollywood critics’ circle. While Siskel was known for his abrasive tone and genuinely harsh opinion on almost every movie that he ever saw, Ebert operated as the good cop to Siskel’s meaner authority. The contrasting opinions and personalities offered the show a welcomed balance and brought Ebert into the public forum. It would help provide a career littered with integrity.
However, one defining aspect of Ebert’s work is that he never gave a movie a solid five-out-of-five rating when reviewing it. Later, writing a compelling piece about why rating systems are inherently useless, the critic would only ever max out his own rating system with four out of five stars. When looking at the list of movies categorised under such a banner, the four-pointed shapes can be considered one of the highest compliments.
Collated on his website and easily searchable by category, Ebert provides a list of 300 movies he considered a tick above the rest. “One of the gifts a movie lover can give another is the title of a wonderful film they have not yet discovered,” he writes. “Here are more than 300 reconsiderations and appreciations of movies from the distant past to the recent past, all of movies that I consider worthy of being called ‘great.'”
It should be noted that not all of these movies can be quickly found under the comedy section of your nearest streaming platform — Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind may have the odd joke, but it is far more harrowing than “ha ha”. However, there is also no doubt that there is, in all instances, at least the perfume of humour.
This persuasive list of essential movies includes some themes. For example, Bill Murray’s irreverent nature is not only evident in his effortlessly wonderful performance in Lost in Translation but also pleased Ebert enough to include his too-often-forgotten classic Groundhog Day.
The Coen brothers’ efforts in the pitch-black comedic turns of Fargo are also appreciated. The two filmmakers are cited once more with the inclusion of The Big Lebowski, which may well be the greatest comedy ever made. Perhaps vying for that number one spot is the consistently brilliant This Is Spinal Tap, which also has a spot on the list. Other classic capers to find their place are Steve Martin and John Candy’s side-splitting film Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and a doff of the cap to classics like The Producers and The Great Dictator — arguably one of the most essential satires in the history of cinema itself.
It should be clear by now, but this is no ordinary collection of comedies. Below is a list of, as defined by Ebert himself, comedy movies that he considered to be of the highest calibre at the time of writing. While there may be some dubious inclusions, the debate which may follow said inclusion is perhaps the main part of the fun anyhow.
Roger Ebert’s favourite comedy movies:
- Cléo from 5 to 7
- French Cancan
- La Collectionneuse
- Smiles of a Summer Night
- The Match Factory Girl
- The Circus
- Lost in Translation
- Mystery Train
- Viridiana
- The Big Lebowski
- The Hairdresser’s Husband
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
- Mon oncle d’Amerique
- Withnail and I
- Secrets and Lies
- After Hours
- Mon Oncle Antoine
- The Silence
- A Prairie Home Companion
- Adaptation
- My Man Godfrey
- The Great Dictator
- WR: Mysteries of the Organism
- Chimes at Midnight
- Top Hat
- Crimes and Misdemeanors
- Leolo
- The Terrorist
- Safety Last
- The Band Wagon
- Groundhog Day
- Playtime
- Ugetsu
- The Rules of the Game
- Amarcord
- Le Boucher
- Moonstruck
- Mon Oncle
- The Thin Man
- The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
- Kind Hearts and Coronets
- The Firemen’s Ball
- Annie Hall
- Say Anything
- A Tale of Winter
- Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia
- Juliet of the Spirits
- The Apartment
- Do the Right Thing
- Fargo
- Manhattan
- This is Spinal
- A Christmas Story
- The Bank Dick
- Beat the Devil
- Planes, Trains and Automobiles
- Network
- The Producers
- Duck Soup
- The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie
- All About Eve
- Some Like It Hot
- Dr. Strangelove
- My Dinner with Andre
- Singin’ in the Rain
- Trouble in Paradise
- Swing Time
- Day for Night
- City Lights
- The Lady Eve
- The General
- Being There
- The Exterminating Angel
- La Dolce Vita
- Mr. Hulot’s Holiday
- A Hard Day’s Night
