Top feel-good american comedies for a saturday afternoon
Looking for something light and fun to watch this Saturday? This list compiles some of the most beloved American comedies that are perfect for an afternoon of laughter and relaxation.



American comedies are known for their humor, relatable characters, and often, their heartwarming stories. From classic coming-of-age stories to outrageous adventures, there's a subgenre for every taste. These movies often reflect American culture and values, making them both entertaining and insightful.
This selection of films spans several decades, showcasing the evolution of American comedy. You'll find classics like 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off', a timeless story about teenage rebellion and the joy of living in the moment. Then there are more recent hits like 'Free Guy,' which puts a modern twist on the classic hero's journey with a healthy dose of meta-humor. Whether you're in the mood for a nostalgic trip or a contemporary laugh riot, these comedies promise a delightful escape.
15. Sisters (2015)
Sisters is a comedy about two estranged sisters who throw one last party in their childhood home before their parents sell it. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are hilarious as Maura and Kate Ellis, the polar opposite sisters who reconnect and relive their glory days. The movie is full of funny situations, relatable family dynamics, and a celebration of female friendship. It's a fun and lighthearted movie that will appeal to fans of Fey and Poehler's previous collaborations. The movie was directed by Jason Moore, who also directed Pitch Perfect. It was a commercial success, proving that female-led comedies can be just as successful as male-led ones. The movie features several cameos from other comedians and actors, including Maya Rudolph, John Cena, and Bobby Moynihan.

14. Neighbors (2014)
Neighbors is a hilarious comedy about a young couple whose lives are turned upside down when a fraternity moves in next door. Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne star as Mac and Kelly Radner, the sleep-deprived parents who try to maintain their cool while dealing with the wild parties and antics of the fraternity led by Zac Efron's Teddy Sanders. The movie is full of over-the-top situations, crude humor, and a surprising amount of heart. It's a fun and relatable movie about the challenges of adulthood and the clash between generations. The movie was a commercial success, spawning a sequel. It was praised for its humor, the chemistry between the cast members, and its willingness to push the boundaries of comedy.

13. Superbad (2007)
Superbad is a coming-of-age comedy about two high school seniors trying to score alcohol for a party in hopes of losing their virginity. Jonah Hill and Michael Cera are hilarious as Seth and Evan, the awkward and inseparable friends who find themselves in a series of increasingly ridiculous situations. The movie is full of crude humor, raunchy jokes, and relatable moments of teenage angst and insecurity. It's a funny and honest portrayal of the challenges and anxieties of growing up. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg wrote the screenplay, which is loosely based on their own experiences in high school. The movie was a critical and commercial success, launching the careers of Hill and Cera. The character of McLovin was originally supposed to be played by a different actor, but Christopher Mintz-Plasse won the role after a memorable audition.

12. Pitch Perfect (2012)
Pitch Perfect is a fun and energetic musical comedy about a college a cappella group competing for the national championship. Anna Kendrick stars as Beca Mitchell, an aspiring DJ who joins the Barden Bellas and helps them find their unique sound. The movie is full of catchy songs, witty banter, and memorable characters, and it celebrates the power of music and friendship. It's a feel-good movie that will leave you singing along and cheering for the Bellas. The movie was inspired by the non-fiction book of the same name by Mickey Rapkin. It was a commercial success, spawning two sequels. The cast members performed most of the a cappella songs themselves, and they spent weeks rehearsing and perfecting their harmonies.

11. The Hangover (2009)
The Hangover is a raunchy and outrageous comedy about a group of friends who wake up in Las Vegas after a bachelor party with no memory of the night before and the groom missing. Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis are hilarious as the three friends who try to piece together the events of the night before and find their missing friend before the wedding. The movie is full of wild situations, crude humor, and unexpected twists. It's definitely not for the faint of heart, but it's a guaranteed laugh riot for those who enjoy over-the-top comedies. The movie was a massive commercial success, becoming one of the highest-grossing comedies of all time. It spawned two sequels, though neither of them reached the same level of critical acclaim as the original. The tiger in the movie was a real tiger, and the scenes with the actors and the tiger were carefully supervised by animal trainers.

10. Mean Girls (2004)
Mean Girls is a sharp and hilarious teen comedy that skewers the cliques and social dynamics of high school. Lindsay Lohan stars as Cady Heron, a homeschooled student who enters public school for the first time and finds herself navigating the treacherous world of the 'Plastics,' the school's most popular girls. The movie is full of quotable lines, memorable characters, and insightful observations about female relationships and social power. Tina Fey wrote the screenplay and is based in Rosalind Wiseman's 2002 non-fiction book, Queen Bees and Wannabes. The film was a critical and commercial success, praised for its humor, wit, and social commentary.

9. Easy A (2010)
Easy A is a smart and witty teen comedy that puts a modern spin on The Scarlet Letter. Emma Stone is charming and hilarious as Olive Penderghast, a high school student who pretends to be promiscuous to gain popularity. The movie is full of clever dialogue, memorable characters, and a positive message about self-acceptance and challenging social norms. It's a fun and empowering movie that will appeal to anyone who has ever felt like an outsider. The movie was a critical and commercial success, praised for Stone's performance and the witty script. It was directed by Will Gluck, who also directed Friends with Benefits.

8. Free Guy (2021)
Free Guy is a clever and action-packed comedy about a non-player character (NPC) in a video game who gains self-awareness and decides to become the hero of his own story. Ryan Reynolds is perfectly cast as Guy, the eternally optimistic and good-hearted NPC who discovers the truth about his world. The movie is full of video game references, visual gags, and surprising twists, and it explores themes of identity, free will, and the power of kindness. It's a fun and entertaining movie that will appeal to gamers and non-gamers alike. The film was directed by Shawn Levy, who also directed Night at the Museum. It was filmed in Boston, Massachusetts.

7. 21 Jump Street (2012)
21 Jump Street is a hilarious and action-packed comedy that revitalizes the classic TV series. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum are an unlikely but incredibly funny duo as undercover cops who go back to high school to bust a drug ring. The movie is full of witty dialogue, slapstick humor, and self-aware jokes that poke fun at the tropes of both cop movies and high school comedies. It's a fun and entertaining movie that will appeal to anyone who enjoys a good laugh. The film was directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, who also directed The Lego Movie. The movie was a critical and commercial success, praised for its humor, action, and performances.

6. Palm Springs (2020)
Palm Springs puts a fresh spin on the time loop trope, with a hilarious and heartwarming story about two strangers who find themselves reliving the same wedding day over and over again. Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti are fantastic as the couple stuck in this endless cycle, and their chemistry is undeniable. The movie is full of unexpected twists and turns, and it explores themes of love, acceptance, and finding meaning in life. It's a smart and funny movie that will leave you thinking long after the credits roll. The movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2020. It was a critical and commercial success, praised for its originality, humor, and performances. It won the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Comedy.

5. The Nice Guys (2016)
Set in 1970s Los Angeles, The Nice Guys is a hilarious and action-packed buddy cop movie. Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe have incredible chemistry as a mismatched pair of detectives who team up to solve a missing person case. The movie is full of witty dialogue, slapstick humor, and surprising twists. It's a stylish and entertaining film that pays homage to classic detective movies while adding its own unique comedic flair. Shane Black is the writer and director of the film, which captures the gritty and glamorous atmosphere of 1970s Los Angeles. The movie was filmed on location in Los Angeles, and it features many iconic landmarks and locations. It has an approval rating of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 293 reviews. Crowe and Gosling were praised for their comedic timing and their on-screen chemistry.

4. Game Night (2018)
Game Night is the perfect blend of comedy and suspense, a wild and unpredictable ride that will keep you laughing and guessing until the very end. When a group of friends' regular game night turns into a real-life mystery, they find themselves caught up in a series of increasingly absurd and dangerous situations. Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams are fantastic as the competitive couple at the center of the chaos, and the supporting cast is equally hilarious. The movie is full of clever twists and turns, and the humor is sharp and witty. It's a fun and entertaining movie that will appeal to anyone who enjoys a good laugh. The movie was filmed in Atlanta, Georgia. It was praised for its clever writing, direction, and performances, particularly those of Bateman and McAdams.

3. The Princess Bride (1987)
Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, true love, miracles... what more could you ask for? The Princess Bride is a fairy tale unlike any other, a hilarious and heartwarming adventure that appeals to all ages. With a perfect blend of humor, romance, and swashbuckling action, it's a movie that never gets old. The cast is incredible, with stand-out performances from Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, and Wallace Shawn. The script is packed with quotable lines and memorable moments, and the story is both clever and touching. It wasn't a box office smash when it was first released, but it has since become a beloved classic. Rob Reiner masterfully directs this unforgettable movie based on William Goldman’s novel of the same name. André the Giant, who plays Fezzik, had back problems during filming and couldn't lift Robin Wright during the scene where he carries her, so she was held up by wires. The film has an approval rating of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 75 reviews.

2. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
What could be more all-American than ditching school for an epic day of freedom? Ferris Bueller's Day Off is the ultimate celebration of youthful rebellion and seizing the moment. Matthew Broderick is pure charisma as Ferris, the master of hooky, as he leads his friends on an unforgettable adventure through Chicago. It's a non-stop joyride filled with iconic scenes and quotable lines. Director John Hughes perfectly captures the spirit of teenage life, the desire for freedom, and the importance of friendship. The movie is also a love letter to Chicago, showcasing the city's landmarks and atmosphere. Did you know that several actors auditioned for the role of Ferris, including Johnny Depp, Tom Cruise, and Matthew Broderick? The movie has an approval rating of 79% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 73 reviews. The film grossed $70.1 million against a budget of $5.8 million, becoming the tenth-highest-grossing film of 1986.

1. Groundhog Day (1993)
Imagine being stuck in a time loop, reliving the same day over and over again. That's the hilarious predicament Phil Connors, a cynical weatherman, finds himself in. Bill Murray delivers a comedic masterpiece, transforming from a grumpy jerk to a surprisingly thoughtful and improved version of himself as he explores the endless possibilities – and frustrations – of his time-bending prison. Groundhog Day is a brilliant blend of humor and heart, a feel-good movie that will leave you pondering the meaning of life while chuckling at Murray's antics. Did you know that the original script was much darker and more philosophical? Director Harold Ramis lightened the tone, focusing on the comedic aspects and Murray's performance, turning it into the beloved classic we know today. The movie wasn't a huge hit initially, but it gained popularity over time through video rentals and television airings, eventually becoming a cultural phenomenon. There is a Broadway adaptation of Groundhog Day, which premiered in 2016 and won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical.
