# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/101 "2013-06-14T01:54:35Z")
Stoned = Spinal Tap. Sober = Monty Python Life of Brian. So I broke the rules, sue me. ---
**Author:** ![jovan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/0ea827/32.png) [@jovan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jovan)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/102 "2013-06-14T02:05:08Z")
Since **Airplane!** has been mentioned many times, I’ll go with the lesser-known **Living in Oblivion**. I rented this with my then-roommate many years ago because it was one of the few films still available. We didn’t know what to expect but ended up having to pause the film several times because we were laughing so hard we were missing parts of it. ---
**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 14, 2013, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/103 "2013-06-14T02:18:53Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Whoa wait a second. Grizzly Man. The documentary in which the guy and his girlfriend are hideously killed and eaten by bears? > > I hope you made a mistake and meant Project Grizzly about the Canadian Guy who built a bear proof suit. Never saw it but the clips on YouTube crack me up every time. Nope, Grizzly Man. Sad ending but it’s a miracle he lasted as long as he did. Sorry, but watching someone get too close to a grizzly in the wild and then say ‘you’re a grumpy bear’ when he bluff charges is just fucking hilarious. Hello Darwin. . ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/104 "2013-06-14T02:40:26Z")
Of all the contenders, I’d have to go all the way back to a silent: Buster Keaton’s _The General._ I can’t even imagine my second-funniest. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/105 "2013-06-14T02:52:09Z")
It is 1971, at the Worldcon (the annual World Science Fiction Convention) in Boston. They have a 24-hour science fiction movie room set up. I’m still in college; going to sleep early is not an option. I wander into the room at about 1 am. For reasons that are obvious only if you understand the minds of science fiction fans, they have somehow snagged a copy of the just released first movie of a British group named Monty Python that only a handful of people in the states have heard of. _And Now for Something Completely Different_. It’s hard to laugh when your jaw is scraping the floor from utter amazement, and technically it’s hard to call it a movie. Doesn’t matter. It remains the single funniest strip of celluloid in all history. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/106 "2013-06-14T03:27:26Z")
The hardest I have ever laughed at a movie was _This Is Spinal Tap_. I mentioned this in another thread just yesterday, but I was in a preview audience gathered by the local rock station KY-102, who apparently _were not aware that it was a satire_. Which only made it that much funnier. I was in the front row and had to leave the theater and go out to the lobby to be able to resume breathing, I was laughing so hard I was in danger of passing out. I think I actually fell out of my seat into the aisle. You didn’t ask, but the hardest I have ever laughed at live theater was _Avenue Q_. ---
**Author:** ![pohjonen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pohjonen/32/423_2.png) [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/107 "2013-06-14T04:15:10Z")
Airplane. Hands down. That scene where Elaine is dancing and the guy’s trying to point to the knife in his back and she thinks it’s part of the dance is beyond hysterical. My favorite laugh of the movie. ---
**Author:** ![dada2fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ccd318/32.png) [@dada2fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dada2fish)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/108 "2013-06-14T04:18:56Z")
Lots of great contenders, but going by the rule and picking just one it would have to be " What’s Up, Doc?". This movie has a special place in my heart because I remember watching it new as a kid and while some of the humor went over my head, I recognized and appreciated great actors and a funny story. Plus, seeing it now 40-something years later, it still holds up. Such great actors too, especially Madeline Kahn. ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/109 "2013-06-14T04:24:34Z")
The OP specifically requested ONE movie. Otherwise you’re not really answering the question. Why are people just blowing this off? Why not just start another thread if you’re incapable of choosing just one? ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/110 "2013-06-14T04:25:23Z")
_The Jerk_ “First I get my name in the phone book and now I’m on your ass. You know, I’ll bet more people see that than the phone book!” ---
**Author:** ![Musky\_Moon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90db22/32.png) [@Musky\_Moon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musky_Moon)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/111 "2013-06-14T14:13:47Z")
The Adventures of Power. I’ve never laughed so much at something so absurd. ---
**Author:** ![Heropsychodreamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@Heropsychodreamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heropsychodreamer)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/112 "2013-06-14T14:31:21Z")
Animal House would have been my vote for many years until, There’s Something About Mary came out. So many great scenes and lines and the movie still has not gotten old or one bit stale. I never thought Animal House or some of the great old comedies like Blazing Saddles, Spaceballs, Vacation, Airplane would ever be topped but there are some really great comedies in the last 10 years or so that might surpass that previous generation of comedies. ---
**Author:** ![SykoSkotty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@SykoSkotty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SykoSkotty)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/113 "2013-06-14T14:35:57Z")
For an “all time” list, I’ll go by movies that have me repeating lines from them over and over, and for me, there is no other choice: **CaddyShack** ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/114 "2013-06-14T15:21:44Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > The hardest I’ve ever laughed in my whole life was while watching “Blazing Saddles.” > > (I am embarrassed to mention that it was the “campfire scene.”) +1 ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/115 "2013-06-14T15:54:58Z")
I have to admit that the one movie line I most quit is the one I say whenever someone asks me of Madame Pepperwinkle’s plans: “Mongo not know. Mongo only pawn in game of life.” ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/116 "2013-06-14T16:09:03Z")
Last night over dinner I mentioned this thread to the spousal unit and asked him the question. His immediate, uncoached response: _The Birdcage_ (which was mine in the thread). We make a good pair. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/117 "2013-06-14T16:10:22Z")
> [@White SIFL](#): > > Nope, Grizzly Man. Sad ending but it’s a miracle he lasted as long as he did. Sorry, but watching someone get too close to a grizzly in the wild and then say ‘you’re a grumpy bear’ when he bluff charges is just fucking hilarious. Hello Darwin. > . Sorry, I knew the ending going in. Seeing a guy who was later going to die while being eaten alive and screaming does not a comedy make for me. Now [Project Grizzly](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WWiPiks1sU)is comedy gold. I snorted at :23 when I first saw it. ---
**Author:** ![Pixel\_Dent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bc8723/32.png) [@Pixel\_Dent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixel_Dent)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/118 "2013-06-14T16:55:32Z")
Another vote for “The Gods Must Be Crazy” ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/119 "2013-06-14T17:17:41Z")
_Airplane!_ when I first saw it was like comedy nirvana to me. I think upon repeat viewings and age I like _Young Frankenstein_ better, but the peak comedy viewing experience for me was that first viewing of _Airplane!_. ---
**Author:** ![rock\_party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@rock\_party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rock_party)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877/120 "2013-06-14T18:29:19Z")
“Girls Will Be Girls” is the funniest, wrongest, and definatly campiest movie ever made. And it gets funnier every time you watch it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-single-funniest-movie-youve-ever-seen/660877.md?page=7)