Should I Be Laughing? The 25 Best Dark Comedies, Ranked

• Directed by: Spike Jonze
• IMDB Rating: 8.0/10

Spike Jonze is a master of the dark comedy, and earned his first Oscar for the Sci-Fi nightmare that gives us a glimpse into what dating in the world of AI might look like. We also get Joaquin Phoenix playing the shy and introverted Theodore Twombly, and he more than delivers on that role. Also cut Teddy some slack, if my AI sounded like Scarlett Johansson I might catch feelings too.

• Directed by: Damien Chazelle
• IMDB Rating: 8.5/10

Damien Chazelle truly burst onto the scene with his 2014 masterpiece Whiplash. Now, Whiplash isn't a mainline dark comedy, but there are so many comedic undertones in this movie that are incredible to revisit. Every J.K. Simmons monologue will either leave you laughing hysterically or clutching the remote in fear.

• Directed by: Evan Goldberg / Seth Rogen
• IMDB Rating: 6.6/10

When 'This Is The End' was first announced in 2012 fans went nuclear. The idea of some of the biggest comedy actors and writers getting together to play an embellished version of themselves in a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles is everything. That premise delivered and then some with one of the funniest movie's maybe ever made. Every time I revisit this movie it somehow gets funnier.

• Directed by: Spike Jonze
• IMDB Rating: 7.7/10

I'm not even going to attempt to describe what this movie is about or what happens in it because it's just that confusing. This movie put's you right in the brain of Charlie Kaufman, one of the highest-touted writers in Hollywood. This movie has so many twist and turns and will leave you laughing hysterically the whole way through.

• Directed by: Taika Waititi
• IMDB Rating: 7.9/10

Taika Waititi has had an incredible run as a director and actor since 2014 with classics like What We Do In The Shadows, Thor Ragnarok, Free Guy, and the critically acclaimed Jojo Rabbit. Waititi plays a charcuterie version of Adolf Hitler, living in the mind of a young boy who's grappling with the struggles of World War II. This is movie is not only hilarious, but impactful and poignant.

• Directed by: Martin McDonagh
• IMDB Rating: 7.1/10

Martin McDonagh has distances himself not only as an incredible dark comedy director, but one of the best directors period. His 2012 dark comedy Seven Psychopaths gives us maybe his most high-profile cast, and it delivers. Starring Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson, and Christopher Walken, the film follows a group of criminals who steal dogs and return them for cash rewards. I highly recommend giving this movie a shot because it will leave you laughing hysterically.

• Directed by: Ti West
• IMDB Rating: 6.6/10

The 2022 cult-classic 'X' is Texas Chainsaw Massacre meets Boogie Nights. X stands in the middle of the Ti West universe, with the prequel Pearl released in late 2022 and the final installment XXX set to hit theatre's in 2023. This movie is dark, gory, and borderline gross at certain moments but a lot of this movie will leave you laughing and grateful you chose a different industry to pursue.

• Directed by: Bryan Singer
• IMDB Rating: 8.5/10

The Usual Suspects is not only hilarious, but also will leave you scratching your head throughout the movie trying to figure out the answer. Literally from the second this movie opens you will be sucked in, as this delivers with line after line of memorable dialogue.

• Directed by: Rian Johnson
• IMDB Rating: 7.2/10

Rian Johnson has made it clear he is a master of the who-dunnit film. His Knives Out universe is a smash-hit, with the sequel Glass Onion met with great fan and critical reception. Benoit Blanc played by Daniel Craig is the worlds best detective who is always two steps ahead of the bad-guy. Glass Onion definitely leans more into the comedy aspect but it's still a great fleshed out plot with a number of twist and turns.

• Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
• IMDB Rating: 7.6/10

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood answers the age old question: What if a lethal stunt man was at the scene of the Manson murders in 1969. Oh... you've never asked yourself that? Well, Quentin Tarantino has! Tarantino delivers another classic with Once Upon A Time and it is equally hilarious. Watching the dynamic between Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt's character grow throughout the movie is pure cinema.

• Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
• IMDB Rating: 8.3/10

Stanley Kubrick tried his hand in almost every genre of film and exceeded beyond belief each time. His 1987 "Full Metal Jacket" is a harrowing and shocking retelling of what it was like for soldiers training and deploying for the Vietnam War. Without a doubt the most hilarious aspect of the movie is the verbal whipping that comes from their drill instructor, which was apparently all improvised.

• Directed by: Jason Reitman
• IMDB Rating: 7.5/10

Thank You For Smoking is a 2005 dark comedy that in my opinion never got the credit it deserved. The movie follows Nick Naylor, (played by Aaron Eckhart) who is a spokesman for big tobacco and lobbies on behalf of cigarette companies. This film is a poignant look at how some of the deadliest industries in America have become so prominent and seem like staples that will never be replaced.

• Directed by: Martin McDonagh
• IMDB Rating: 7.9/10

If there is one movie you have to watch after reading this list, it's In Bruges. This 2008 dark comedy follows two hitmen who are posted in Bruges, Belgium as they await their next assignment. Little by little the stories of these characters begin to unravel and we get to see who they truly are. The last 20-30 minutes of this movie will leave you with you jaw on the ground. It is undoubtedly one of the best 20 minutes in all of cinema.

• Directed by: Boots Riley
• IMDB Rating: 6.9/10

Sorry To Bother You is a 2018 satirical dark comedy that is so out of pocket I'm not sure where to begin. The film follows Cassius Green (played by LaKeith Stanfield) who rises the ranks of a telemarketer company only to find the top is filled with unethical and immoral decisions. Green must make the choice between materialism or doing the right thing.

• Directed by: Spike Lee
• IMDB Rating: 7.5/10

BlacKkKlansman is a 2018 film directed by Spike Lee that chronicles the true story of Ron Stallworth, the first and presumably only African American to ever join the KKK. Stallworth was able to infiltrate the Klan by posing as a white man over the phone, before ultimately showing up to take a picture shaking the president of the KKK's hand in person. There are so many great moments throughout this movie and it's a poignant reminder of how far we've come and still have to come as a society.

• Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
• IMDB Rating: 8.3/10

This movie quite literally has everything you can ever want. It's hilarious yet thrilling throughout, which is emphasized by it's incredible cast. From Christoph Waltz to Melanie Laurent there is a number of star-studded performances that more than deliver. If you love Tarantino's revisionist history and you somehow haven't seen this movie... what are you doing?!?!

• Directed by: Mark Mylod
• IMDB Rating: 7.2/10

Having Anna Taylor-Joy and Ralph Fiennes as the co-leads in this dark comedy should be more than enough to convince you to check it out. The Menu follows a number of dinner guests on a private island for a night of eating at the top rated culinary experience in the world. The head chef and staff of the restaurant have other plans however, and what ensues is pure dark comedy gold.

• Directed by: Edgar Wright
• IMDB Rating: 7.9/10

Shaun of the Dead gives us a hilarious parody of the horror classic Dawn of the Dead, which sees its protagonist combat a zombie outbreak by hunkering down in a mall. In the 2004 parody our main character decides to head to the pub instead of the mall during the zombie outbreak. Edgar Wright has distanced himself as one of the best comedy directors in the game and Shaun of the Dead is just one of many examples.

• Directed by: Mary Harron
• IMDB Rating: 7.6/10

American Psycho is the film adaptation of the 1991 novel written by Bret Ellis and follows Patrick Bateman who falls deeper and deeper into insanity as he attempts to reign in life as an investment banker. This film does an incredible job at satirizing consumerism and wealth inequality that still plagues the country today.

• Directed by: Zach Cregger
• IMDB Rating: 7.0/10

If there was any movie in 2022 that surprised me the most it was Barbarian. I challenge you not to look up anything about this movie or even watch a trailer before watching it, go in cold turkey. This film will leave you laughing and also gasping for air with the most outlandish and out of pocket twists you've ever seen.

• Directed by: Wes Craven
• IMDB Rating: 7.4/10

Wes Craven changed horror forever with his 1996 cult-classic Scream. Where most horror movies attempted to make their picture as frightening as possible, Craven would dig into these genre troupes with almost meta-like commentary. The movie also claimed it was "starring Drew Barrymore" only to have her killed off in the first 10 minutes and then throw a cast of somewhat n0-names at the time in front of us. Wes Craven was truly a pioneer.

• Directed by: Martin Scorcese
• IMDB Rating: 8.2/10

Oh boy, the cultural reset that Martin Scorceses 2013 classic Wolf of Wall Street had was indescribable. It was a smash-hit and even though the point of the movie seemed to fly over most peoples heads, the film still stands as a poignant reminder of how dangerous chasing money can be. There are so many hilarious breaks throughout this movie that you can't help but laugh hysterically the whole way through.

• Directed by: Martin McDonagh
• IMDB Rating: 7.8/10

The Banshees of Inisherin is a simple tale of an Irishman simply not wanting to be friends anymore with his longtime acquaintance. Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson deliver gut-wrenchingly good performances that will leave you crying and laughing. I highly recommend checking this movie out before this years Oscars, as it's nominated for a number of awards.

• Directed by: Coen Brothers
• IMDB Rating: 8.1/10

There are few characters in cinema history as cool as 'The Dude'. Starring Jeff Bridges, The Big Lebowski follows an amateur bowler who is looped into a crazy kidnapping-ransom between a millionaire and his estranged wife. This has one of the best ensemble cast's in movie history and delivers every time I rewatch.

• Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
• IMDB Rating: 8.4/10

Dr. Strangelove is the best dark comedy every crafted and there are a number of reasons. First, the realism of the stakes in this movie are harrowing. You're dealing with the threat of total nuclear fallout all because of a simply misunderstanding, which was a very real possibility in the '60s. Second, you have Peter Sellers playing three different characters with perfect timing and tone. Third, it's directed by Stanley Kubrick for god's sake. I mean if you aren't already loading this movie up to watch it right now I don't know what else to tell you.