# What is the single funniest movie you've ever seen? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 13, 2013, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877 "2013-06-13T04:08:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Tapiotar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@Tapiotar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapiotar)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/41 "2013-06-13T13:18:04Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Ooh - here’s one - The Tall Blonde Man With One Brown (Black?) Shoe. The French version, not the Tom Hanks remake. That’s my vote. Ooh.. good choice. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/42 "2013-06-13T13:33:51Z")
I’ve seen _The Exorcist_ about 167 times, and it keeps getting funnier, _EVERY SINGLE TIME I SEE IT_! But seriously, _Half-Baked_, with that caveat that I was very likely under the influence of a mind-altering substance at the time. Otherwise, _South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut_ was consistently hilarious all the way through, and remains so today. ---
**Author:** ![carlb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carlb/32/5930_2.png) [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/43 "2013-06-13T13:34:51Z")
The one movie that I can remember laughing until it hurt the first time I saw it was _A Fish Called Wanda_. It’s still one of my favorites, maybe even my most favorite, but like most comedies I don’t laugh quite so hard during subsequent viewings. For me it struck the perfect balance - Monty Python-esque absurdity and silliness tempered with a bit of restraint and actual well-constructed story. The acting is all excellent, but Kevin Kline is just so gloriously, ridiculously dumb that he just leapt off the screen. I was so excited to see that team reunite for _Fierce Creatures_ but, alas, it seems that _Wanda_ was one of those unreproducible happy accidents. ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/44 "2013-06-13T13:49:31Z")
Monty Python’s The Life of Brian gets my vote. I just roared with laughter from start to end. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/45 "2013-06-13T13:57:46Z")
It would have to be _Blazing Saddles_, which wins because I saw it when it was first out, and not after all the lines had been repeated by all and sundry. It was so outrageously, in-your-face funny and zany that you couldn’t help laughing. In fact, when I looked around me at one point, people had tears streaming down their faces from laughing so hard. ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/46 "2013-06-13T14:05:24Z")
The first time I saw _Animal House_ was in a movie theater during its first run. It was also the very first time that I witnessed people actually falling out of their chairs laughing. We are all jaded now and expect those kind of jokes, but as a National Lampoon fan, the whole thing was beyond hilarious at the time. I watched it a few years ago, and it wasn’t quite as funny, but I was 18 when it came out. And there were substances involved in my experience of the first screening that weren’t there when I reviewed it in my 40s. But, nevertheless, _ **Animal House** _ gets my vote. ---
**Author:** ![Chicken\_Fingers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Chicken\_Fingers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicken_Fingers)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/47 "2013-06-13T14:13:44Z")
I love a lot of the movies listed so far. It’s too hard to pick a favorite, but one of my favorite funny movies is _Fear and Trembling,_ based on a novel by Amelie Nothomb. I also laughed a lot watching _Human Behavior._ Some old favorites that still make me laugh are _Rushmore_, _The Jerk,_, and _The Party._ ---
**Author:** ![Chicken\_Fingers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Chicken\_Fingers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicken_Fingers)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/48 "2013-06-13T14:17:47Z")
Oops, not Human Behavior. \*Human NATURE. \* ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/49 "2013-06-13T14:20:55Z")
Other than the ones already mentioned, I’ll add: Grizzly Man. Unintended funny but it’s the movie I’ve laughed out loud at the most recently. From the past, [Head Office.](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091183/) Why this movie isn’t a cult classic is beyond me. If you haven’t seen it, check it out. You’ll thank me. I also thought The Adventures of Ford Fairlane was funny. ---
**Author:** ![krunen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@krunen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/krunen)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/50 "2013-06-13T14:21:59Z")
“The Gods Must Be Crazy” from South Africa. I laughed so much my throat locked up. Don’t watch it alone. ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/51 "2013-06-13T14:23:19Z")
I was going to go with _Noises Off!_ until \*\*carlb \*\*reminded me of **A Fish Called Wanda**. The first time I watched that, I laughed myself breathless. The former is still more-quoted around our house though. My husband just started a new job, and we haven’t done all the paperwork yet. So last weekend at the park, when the kids were climbing a giant rock, I said, “Try not to fall down - we may not be insured.” Also, whenever we’re trying to give directions to someone and they get all garbled we proceed with "Climb through the . . . \*Shin \*down the . . . " ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/52 "2013-06-13T14:25:15Z")
\*Airplane \*for me. ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/53 "2013-06-13T14:27:51Z")
_Airplane!_ Joey: Wait a minute. I know you. You’re Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. You play basketball for the Los Angeles Lakers. Roger Murdock: I’m sorry son, but you must have me confused with someone else. My name is Roger Murdock. I’m the co-pilot. Joey: You are Kareem. I’ve seen you play. My dad’s got season tickets. Roger Murdock: I think you should go back to your seat now Joey. Right Clarence? Captain Oveur: Nahhhhhh, he’s not bothering anyone, let him stay here. Roger Murdock: But just remember, my name is [showing his nametag] Roger Murdock: ROGER MURDOCK. I’m an airline pilot. Joey: I think you’re the greatest, but my dad says you don’t work hard enough on defense. [Kareem’s getting mad] Joey: And he says that lots of times, you don’t even run down court. And that you don’t really try… except during the playoffs. Roger Murdock: The hell I don’t. LISTEN KID. I’ve been hearing that crap ever since I was at UCLA. I’m out there busting my buns every night. Tell your old man to drag Walton and Lanier up and down the court for 48 minutes ---
**Author:** ![PoorYorick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@PoorYorick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoorYorick)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/54 "2013-06-13T14:31:29Z")
Some great comedies here, but my all time favorite is [The Muisic Box](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s4nVg_W_6Y) starring Laurel and Hardy. For some reason, the line “He kicked me in the middle of my daily duties!” never fails to make me chuckle. I guess it’s the seven-year-old in me. ---
**Author:** ![simple\_homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@simple\_homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simple_homer)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/55 "2013-06-13T14:37:00Z")
There’s Something About Mary ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/56 "2013-06-13T14:52:55Z")
Mmm, tough call. I’m going to have to go with _Ghostbusters_. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/57 "2013-06-13T15:16:44Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > The original _ **The Producers** _ with Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder. I never tire of it, and I _always_ sing along with “Springtime for Hitler.” I always imagine them pitching the idea. _“So people like me ask people like you to put up some money – and then bad acting meets bad directing, at which point it looks like a flop you wouldn’t expect to make a penny – which is why the get-rich-quick scheme only works if a lot of suckers like you buy into the con. What’s that? Why, yes, I met with another potential investor this morning; I’m meeting another one this afternoon.”_ Must have been the most awkward conversation ever. Still, the bonus absurdity points for letter-perfect delivery from a serious-minded cast means I’ve got to give **Airplane!** the win. ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/58 "2013-06-13T15:16:45Z")
> [@krunen](#): > > “The Gods Must Be Crazy” from South Africa. I laughed so much my throat locked up. Don’t watch it alone. I read this whole thread thinking “Holy Grail _was really_ funny, but did I laugh the whole movie? Hmmm, I liked _Blazing Saddles_ a lot. Enjoyed \* The Villain\*, but was it the _funniest_?” and then I hit your quote and I knew that “The Gods Must be Crazy” was my choice too, from the damn jeep/land rover in the tree to the fire-fighting rhino, I thought I would explode from laughing. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/59 "2013-06-13T15:26:50Z")
My vote goes to “Being John Malkovich”. 😛 My sides hurt the next day. I also enjoyed “Airplane”, “This Is Spinal Tap”, and plenty of others. ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/60 "2013-06-13T15:37:10Z")
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