Underrated Comedy Movies Nobody Talks About (But Should)

There are so many funny films that slip through the cracks while bigger titles keep getting all the attention. This list rounds up comedies that flew under the radar or faded from view despite memorable casts, crafty premises, and interesting production stories. You will find studio releases and indie projects from the United States and abroad along with a range of comedy styles.

Each entry notes the key creative team, the main cast, and the nuts and bolts that help place the film in context. You will also see concise plot summaries, production notes, and distribution details where useful. Everything here focuses on concrete information so you can quickly decide what to watch next.

‘The Kid Detective’ (2020)

This Canadian feature is written and directed by Evan Morgan and stars Adam Brody and Sophie Nélisse. The story centers on a former child sleuth named Abe Applebaum who now runs a small office and takes on a serious case for a new client. Sony Pictures Classics handled distribution in the United States.

Production took place in Ontario with North Bay and nearby communities standing in for the fictional town. The film blends a private investigator framework with a mystery that escalates from small local matters to a violent crime, and it uses a grounded setting to track Abe’s methods and contacts.

‘Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping’ (2016)

Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone direct this mockumentary that stars Andy Samberg as a solo pop performer named Conner. The Lonely Island wrote original songs and appear on screen, and the supporting cast includes Sarah Silverman, Tim Meadows, and many guest cameos from musicians. Universal Pictures released the film in theaters.

The narrative follows an album cycle and a tour with cameras capturing behind the scenes planning, press events, and stage shows. The production integrates concert footage, music videos, and interview segments while the soundtrack presents fully produced tracks tied to specific story beats.

‘Dick’ (1999)

Andrew Fleming directs this Watergate era comedy starring Kirsten Dunst and Michelle Williams as two teens who cross paths with figures from the administration. Dan Hedaya plays Richard Nixon and Will Ferrell and Bruce McCulloch portray Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. Columbia Pictures distributed the film.

The plot places the leads at key moments around the break in and its aftermath with sequences that visit the White House and the Washington Post newsroom. The screenplay by Andrew Fleming and Sheryl Longin uses historical names and settings to build a chain of misunderstandings that carry the story from one institution to another.

‘Big Trouble’ (2002)

Barry Sonnenfeld directs this ensemble caper adapted from a Dave Barry novel. The cast includes Tim Allen, Rene Russo, Stanley Tucci, Tom Sizemore, Sofia Vergara, and Dennis Farina. Touchstone Pictures released the film after a rescheduled rollout.

The story tracks a mysterious suitcase as it changes hands around Miami before the action shifts to an airport. The release plan was moved due to aviation concerns at the time, which affected marketing and timing, and the production features many intersecting character threads that converge in the final act.

‘Bowfinger’ (1999)

Frank Oz directs and Steve Martin writes and stars in this film alongside Eddie Murphy in a dual performance. Brian Grazer produces through Imagine Entertainment and Universal Pictures handled distribution. Christine Baranski, Heather Graham, and Robert Downey Jr appear in supporting roles.

The plot follows a determined filmmaker who begins shooting a science fiction thriller around a famous action star without informing him. Scenes were filmed across Los Angeles with studio and street locations used to stage covert interactions between a small crew and the unaware celebrity.

‘Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story’ (2007)

Jake Kasdan directs this music industry comedy with John C Reilly in the lead role. Judd Apatow serves as a producer and the cast includes Jenna Fischer, Tim Meadows, and Kristen Wiig. Columbia Pictures released the film with an album of original songs.

Songwriters Dan Bern and Mike Viola contributed a large set of tracks that Reilly performed on screen. The production stages multiple eras in a singer’s career with changing band lineups, wardrobe, and stage design, and Reilly received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in a comedy or musical.

‘Hot Rod’ (2007)

Akiva Schaffer directs this stunt comedy starring Andy Samberg with Isla Fisher, Ian McShane, Bill Hader, Danny McBride, and Jorma Taccone in key roles. Paramount Pictures distributed the film. The project originated from a script developed for another performer and was reworked for The Lonely Island team.

The story follows an amateur daredevil who plans a major jump to raise medical funds for a family member. Production took place in Vancouver and surrounding areas with practical stunts coordinated by an experienced team and set pieces designed around neighborhood streets and a quarry.

‘The Nice Guys’ (2016)

Shane Black directs this period detective story with Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe leading the cast and Angourie Rice in a central supporting role. Warner Bros handled distribution. The screenplay is by Shane Black and Anthony Bagarozzi and the score is by John Ottman and David Buckley.

The plot pairs a private investigator with an enforcer as they look into a missing person and a death that connect to the auto industry and the adult film business in Los Angeles. Cinematographer Philippe Rousselot gives the production a distinct look with locations that cover homes in the hills, offices in the city, and party venues.

‘MacGruber’ (2010)

Jorma Taccone directs this action comedy based on the recurring sketch from Saturday Night Live. Will Forte stars with Kristen Wiig, Val Kilmer, and Ryan Phillippe. The film is produced by Lorne Michaels and John Goldwyn and Universal Pictures released it to theaters.

The story brings a retired operative back into service to stop a villain with a stolen warhead. Production shot in New Mexico with sets and exteriors standing in for multiple regions and the film uses practical explosions and prop builds for the gadget sequences.

‘The Foot Fist Way’ (2006)

Jody Hill directs and co writes this independent comedy starring Danny McBride as a martial arts instructor. Ben Best co writes and acts in the film and Mary Jane Bostic appears as a key supporting character. The project screened at festivals before broader release.

The film was shot in North Carolina with a lean crew and a focus on improvised classroom scenes. Will Ferrell and Adam McKay later supported a wider rollout through Gary Sanchez Productions which helped the movie reach additional theaters and home platforms.

‘The Brothers Bloom’ (2008)

Rian Johnson writes and directs this con artist story starring Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel Weisz, and Rinko Kikuchi. Summit Entertainment distributed the film. Composer Nathan Johnson provides the score.

The plot follows two brothers who plan an elaborate final con that centers on an eccentric heiress with a passion for inventions and travel. Production filmed on location across Eastern Europe and also used settings in New Jersey, which provided a mix of older architecture and coastal views.

‘In the Loop’ (2009)

Armando Iannucci directs this political comedy featuring Peter Capaldi, Tom Hollander, Gina McKee, Chris Addison, James Gandolfini, and Anna Chlumsky. The project is a United Kingdom and United States co production with BBC Films involvement.

The narrative tracks government advisers and officials as a series of statements and meetings push policy toward a military decision. The screenplay received an Academy Award nomination for adapted screenplay and the film uses handheld camera work and quick corridor conversations to capture the tempo of political communication.

‘The Dish’ (2000)

Rob Sitch directs this Australian comedy with Sam Neill, Kevin Harrington, Tom Long, and Patrick Warburton. Working Dog produced the film and Village Roadshow handled distribution in Australia.

The plot depicts the Parkes Observatory team that relayed television images of the Apollo 11 moonwalk to the world. Production used the real radio telescope site and nearby towns for authenticity and incorporated archival elements to connect the local effort to the global broadcast.

‘The Castle’ (1997)

Rob Sitch directs this Australian feature starring Michael Caton, Anne Tenney, Stephen Curry, and Anthony Simcoe with Eric Bana in an early screen role. The film was produced by Working Dog and became a significant local success.

The story follows the Kerrigan family as they challenge the compulsory acquisition of their home under Australian law. A later release in North America presented a shorter cut and added explanatory captions so audiences could follow local legal terms and cultural references.

‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’ (1999)

Michael Patrick Jann directs this mockumentary set around a teen beauty pageant in a Minnesota town. The cast includes Kirsten Dunst, Denise Richards, Ellen Barkin, Allison Janney, and Amy Adams in an early film role. New Line Cinema released the film.

The production presents interviews, rehearsal footage, and pageant events as if covered by a visiting camera crew. Lona Williams wrote the script and the movie uses regional accents, parade sequences, and small business sponsorships to ground the competition setting.

‘Death to Smoochy’ (2002)

Danny DeVito directs this dark comedy starring Robin Williams, Edward Norton, Catherine Keener, Danny DeVito, and Jon Stewart. Warner Bros released the film in theaters. The production design contrasts bright studio sets with city exteriors.

The plot centers on a disgraced children’s show host and a newcomer who performs in a purple costume as the character Smoochy. Filming took place in Toronto with locations dressed to represent New York City, and the story follows management and network staff as they maneuver for control of the show and its sponsorships.

‘The Grand’ (2007)

Zak Penn directs this largely improvised ensemble comedy with Woody Harrelson, Cheryl Hines, David Cross, Richard Kind, Chris Parnell, Dennis Farina, and Ray Romano. Werner Herzog appears on screen and professional poker players make cameo appearances.

The story is set around a televised poker tournament in Las Vegas with players using different tactics at the table. Production partnered with casinos for access to floors and ballrooms and the crew captured real card play and crowd reactions to build the competition atmosphere.

‘They Came Together’ (2014)

David Wain directs this parody of romantic comedy conventions starring Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler. The screenplay is by David Wain and Michael Showalter and Lionsgate released the film after a festival premiere. The cast includes Cobie Smulders, Ed Helms, and Christopher Meloni.

The plot uses a storytelling frame at a dinner where a couple recounts how they met. The main story follows a corporate candy executive and a small shop owner through familiar meet cute moments, holiday scenes, and a big city backdrop. The production filmed in New York with many recognizable street corners and storefronts.

‘The Ten’ (2007)

David Wain directs this anthology comedy with shorts inspired by the Ten Commandments. The ensemble includes Paul Rudd, Winona Ryder, Adam Brody, Jessica Alba, Gretchen Mol, Famke Janssen, Liev Schreiber, and Ken Marino. ThinkFilm handled distribution.

Segments were shot with different visual styles and recurring cast members connect the pieces with brief transitions. The project involved creators associated with the comedy troupe and the television series ‘The State’ which provided a pool of performers for quick cameos and supporting parts.

‘Real Life’ (1979)

Albert Brooks writes, directs, and stars in this early feature length mockumentary with Charles Grodin in a central role. Paramount Pictures released the film. The concept places a documentary unit inside a suburban home and observes daily routines and family events.

The production uses direct to camera monologues and reaction shots that mimic nonfiction techniques. The result is a scripted narrative that incorporates staged interviews, on set crew appearances, and scenes that test the limits of a filmed study inside a private residence.

‘Modern Romance’ (1981)

Albert Brooks writes, directs, and stars as a film editor opposite Kathryn Harrold with Bruno Kirby in support. Columbia Pictures released the film. Scenes visit an editing bay where the protagonist works on a space adventure for a movie within the movie.

The story follows a cycle of breakups and reconciliations while showing office work, phone calls, errands, and long drives in Los Angeles. The production pays close attention to sound and dialogue timing and features sequences that unpack the technical steps of picture and sound editing.

‘The Man Who Knew Too Little’ (1997)

Jon Amiel directs this mistaken identity comedy starring Bill Murray with Joanne Whalley, Peter Gallagher, and Alfred Molina. Warner Bros distributed the film. Music is by Christopher Young and the screenplay is by Howard Franklin and Robert Farrar.

The plot follows a tourist who thinks he is inside an interactive theater experience and does not realize he has entered a real espionage plot. Exterior scenes use central London streets and landmarks and the production design builds hotel rooms, safe houses, and offices that suggest a spy thriller world.

‘Mystery Team’ (2009)

Dan Eckman directs this independent feature from the Derrick Comedy group with Donald Glover, DC Pierson, and Dominic Dierkes in the lead roles. Aubrey Plaza and Ellie Kemper appear in supporting parts. The film played numerous festivals before a limited release through Roadside Attractions.

The story tracks three former kid detectives who keep their childhood club alive as they investigate a crime that is beyond their experience. The production expands sketch characters into a full narrative with classroom scenes, neighborhood stakeouts, and daytime jobs that fund their amateur efforts.

‘The Little Hours’ (2017)

Jeff Baena writes and directs this period comedy with Alison Brie, Aubrey Plaza, Kate Micucci, Dave Franco, John C Reilly, and Molly Shannon. The screenplay draws loosely from stories in Giovanni Boccaccio’s collection. The film premiered at Sundance before general release.

Set in a convent in Italy, the plot follows a young handyman who disrupts routines after he arrives under an assumed identity. Production filmed in Tuscany using a medieval fortress location and the distributor Gunpowder and Sky brought the movie to theaters and digital platforms.

‘Safety Not Guaranteed’ (2012)

Colin Trevorrow directs and Derek Connolly writes this independent comedy starring Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass, Jake Johnson, and Karan Soni. The project originated from a real classified advertisement that circulated widely and inspired the premise.

The story begins with a magazine writer and two interns who travel to interview the person behind the ad and then volunteer to train with him for a mission. Filming took place in the Pacific Northwest with coastal towns and forested areas providing locations for training montages and stakeouts.

Share your own overlooked comedy picks in the comments so everyone can discover more gems.