This recent Oscar-winner is as smart as it is funny. Jeffrey Wright stars as Thelonious "Monk" Ellison, a frustrated novelist and professor who believes his serious work is ignored because it isn't "Black enough" for the publishing industry. As a joke, he writes a stereotypical, gritty "ghetto" novel under a pseudonym—and it becomes a massive hit. American Fiction is a razor-sharp satire of literary culture, racial stereotypes, and the business of art. It will make you laugh, cringe, and think.
Set against the sun-bleached, roller-skating backdrop of 1970s Los Angeles, this film is a forgotten gem. Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe form an unlikely duo: a hapless private eye and a violent enforcer-for-hire. They team up to find a missing girl and uncover a conspiracy involving the auto industry. The chemistry is electric, the dialogue is rapid-fire, and the physical comedy—especially Gosling’s performance as a screaming, falling-down fool—is worth the rental price alone.
If you believe the best comedies have heart, start here. Based on the real-life romance of comedian Kumail Nanjiani and his wife Emily V. Gordon, The Big Sick is a masterclass in balancing humor and genuine human emotion. It tells the story of a Pakistani-American comic who falls for an American grad student, only to have their relationship tested by a sudden, mysterious illness. It’s sharp, awkward, tender, and surprisingly hilarious—proving that nothing is funnier than the truth. comedy movies on prime
In the vast, sprawling library of Amazon Prime Video, finding a genuine laugh can sometimes feel like searching for a punchline in a serious documentary. But fear not. Buried beneath the thrillers and dramas is a rich vein of comedy gold. Whether you need a clever satire, a mindless slapstick, or a classic one-liner machine, Prime’s collection has something to tickle every funny bone.
Amazon Prime may not have the deepest bench of brand-new theatrical comedies, but its strength lies in variety. You can go from an emotional indie dramedy to a 1980s Eddie Murphy classic in seconds. So, grab the remote, skip the algorithm’s suggestion of another sad documentary, and cue up one of these laughs. Your evening is about to get a lot brighter. This recent Oscar-winner is as smart as it is funny
Before you settle in, remember one key advantage: . This ad-supported channel is included with your Prime membership and is a treasure trove of older comedies. You can find gems like The Map of Tiny Perfect Things (a charming time-loop romance) and Dinner for Schmucks (cringe-comedy at its best) without paying extra—just tolerate a few commercials.
Prepare for something completely unhinged. In an alternate reality of Oakland, California, a struggling telemarketer (Lakeith Stanfield) discovers the key to success is using his "white voice" (dubbed by David Cross). What begins as a workplace satire about capitalism quickly spirals into a surreal, wild-eyed sci-fi horror-comedy about unionizing, performance-enhancing drugs, and… horse-people hybrids. It’s not for everyone, but for those who get it, it’s a five-star masterpiece of weird. American Fiction is a razor-sharp satire of literary
You can always count on the classics. Eddie Murphy at his peak plays Prince Akeem, a wealthy African heir who travels to Queens, New York, to find a wife who will love him for who he is, not his money. From the iconic barbershop scenes to the soul-glo jingle, this film is a warm blanket of nostalgia. It’s silly, sweet, and still one of the best fish-out-of-water comedies ever made.