As a child of the 90s and early 2000s, I have to say that “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” is hands down one of my favorite comedies from this era. It’s not just because Will Ferrell is a comedy god who can make me laugh until I cry, but also because the movie perfectly captures the absurdity and eccentricities of that time.
The dawn of the new millennium was pretty solid when it came to big-budget comedy movies — so good, in fact, that winnowing this list down to just ten movies was actively difficult. Judd Apatow was making some of his best movies, including “Knocked Up,” and the group known as the “Frat Pack” — a group that included Will Ferrell, both Luke and Owen Wilson, Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, and more — were releasing bangers like “Old School” and “Wedding Crashers” around this time. “Napoleon Dynamite” came out halfway through the 2000s and became an unexpectedly enormous hit to the point where every kid at your school started wearing a “Vote for Pedro” shirt. On the other side of the spectrum, unapologetically bawdy movies like “The Hangover” became overnight box office successes. Still, how can we narrow down the list of the best comedies of the 2000s to just ten movies? (For the purpose of this list, please ignore any creatively bankrupt sequels that followed these outstanding originals; the first movies are the only ones that matter.)
We managed to pull it off – moving from a comedic fish-out-of-water story at a beauty pageant to numerous Ferrell films and some of the most memorable quotes in film history, we present the top 10 comedy movies released between 2000 and 2010, arranged not from “poor to excellent,” but rather from “least incredible” to “most amazing.” (Keep in mind that none of these films are poor, so it wouldn’t be fair to say they are ranked from “worst to best.”)
10. Miss Congeniality (2000)
In the movie, when the FBI agent Gracie Hart, portrayed by Sandra Bullock, is assigned to probe a dangerous conspiracy linked to a beauty pageant, she’s less than enthusiastic about it… and her fellow agents at the bureau chuckle upon seeing her messy appearance, finding it amusing that she might compete in a beauty pageant. (It seems absurd how much effort the movie goes to make Bullock, one of the most attractive individuals on earth, appear unattractive.) As Gracie Lou Freebush, representing New Jersey, the agent must advance to the final round of Miss United States to identify who’s planning to explode the event – and surprisingly, it turns out that the threat is coming from within the competition itself.
In the movie “Miss Congeniality,” boasting an impressive ensemble including Benjamin Bratt, Michael Caine, Candice Bergen, and William Shatner, this film is far funnier and more endearing than one might expect. The romantic subplot with Bratt’s character doesn’t overshadow Sandra Bullock’s comedic prowess and charm, as she shines brilliantly without being overly focused on a love interest. Additionally, Heather Burns’ portrayal of Miss Rhode Island, Cheryl Frasier, provides an unforgettable moment when asked about her ideal date: “I’d have to say April 25th. Because it’s not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket.
9. The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)
As a devoted fan, I could have easily perceived Judd Apatow’s 2005 comedy “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” as a potentially harsh movie in the wrong hands. However, under Apatow’s thoughtful direction and a tender script he co-wrote with star Steve Carell, this film proves surprisingly heartfelt despite its humorously repetitive dialogues like the back-and-forth between two characters questioning Andy Stitzer’s sexual orientation. With such compassion and vulnerability, Steve Carell portrays the titular virgin Andy, making it difficult for viewers to pass judgment as he shares his inexperience with friends – Seth Rogen’s Cal, Romany Malco’s Jay, and Paul Rudd’s David – or recalls his near-misses, such as accidentally breaking Carla Gallo’s nose by kicking her. When Andy encounters Trish Piedmont (Catherine Keener), an instant connection forms between them… yet, confessing his lack of intimacy experience becomes a significant obstacle in their blossoming relationship.
In “The 40-Year-Old Virgin”, actresses like Jane Lynch, Kat Dennings, Elizabeth Banks, and Leslie Mann join the cast in notable roles. Jane Lynch plays Andy’s boss who is overly familiar, Kat Dennings portrays Trish’s rebellious teenage daughter, while Elizabeth Banks and Leslie Mann are two women with whom Andy experiences disastrous romantic encounters. This film skillfully blends its more outrageous, comedic scenes with genuine emotion, largely due to the acting prowess and straightforward script. Be sure not to miss Jonah Hill’s portrayal of a puzzled customer at Trish’s store, who fails to understand that he can’t walk off with an exceptionally rare pair of shoes.
8. Zoolander (2001)
Imagine we could erase the memory of “Zoolander 2” and enjoy an alternate reality where it never happened. But alas, the original 2001 comedy “Zoolander,” still manages to be hilarious! Ben Stiller, who was on a hot streak back then (“Meet the Parents” had been released a year earlier, and he also starred in “The Royal Tenenbaums” in 2001), plays the role of the dim-witted yet endearing male model Derek Zoolander. In this film, Derek unknowingly agrees to work for fashion designer Jacobim Mugatu (Will Ferrell) on a campaign, not realizing that he’s being groomed to assassinate the Prime Minister of Malaysia. The reason behind this plot is that the Prime Minister wanted to stop sweatshop labor, which would have been detrimental to the fashion industry. After Derek gets brainwashed by Mugatu and his team, including Katinka Ingabogovinana (played by Milla Jovovich), a journalist ally Matilda Jeffries (Stiller’s real-life wife Christine Taylor) and his former rival Hansel (Owen Wilson) join forces with Derek to prevent him from carrying out the assassination during a runway appearance. The whole storyline is as absurdly amusing as it sounds!
In this movie, actors like David Duchovny, Patton Oswalt, Jennifer Coolidge, Vince Vaughn, and Justin Theroux appear at different times, joined by figures such as Lenny Kravitz and Billy Zane portraying themselves. Incredibly, David Bowie also appears in the movie playing himself. Furthermore, Alexander Skårsgard, who later won an Emmy, makes his first film appearance here as one of Derek’s modeling companions. If you haven’t watched “Zoolander” yet, these details should persuade you. Keep in mind that after watching this, you may never pronounce the word “eulogy” correctly again.
7. Superbad (2007)
Remarkably, a long-term screenwriting endeavor by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg led to one of the most hilarious teen movies ever produced, as well as one of the top comedies from the 2000s. Starring Jonah Hill as Seth and Michael Cera as Evan, director Greg Mottola guides these two buddies through an extraordinary high school graduation night filled with attempts to win over girls, using a phony ID to purchase alcohol (albeit one with the single name “McLovin'” from Hawaii), and ensuring they make it home safely… without acknowledging the elephant in the room: that these lifelong pals will be attending different colleges after graduation.
In a wildly unconventional night filled with utter absurdity, Evan and Seth navigate their hilarious misadventures. At some point, they attend a peculiar party where they fill laundry detergent bottles with alcohol, leading to an incident that leaves Seth’s shirt in a state beyond description. Meanwhile, Fogell, the possessor of a fake ID, embarks on his own journey alongside two hapless police officers, portrayed by Seth Rogen himself and Bill Hader. These officers engage in activities such as firing their guns and spinning cop cars. To add to this mix, the film marks Emma Stone’s first major role, where she plays Jules, the focus of Seth’s affections. In essence, it’s a comedy masterpiece that is not only memorable but also filled with iconic quotes like “Take off that vest, you look like Aladdin”.
6. Mean Girls (2004)
Discussing iconic films from the 2000s comedy genre, it’s impossible to overlook “Mean Girls.” During Lindsay Lohan’s heyday in acting, she starred as Cady Heron, a fresh newcomer to North Shore High after her family moved from Africa to suburban Chicago. On her first day at school, Cady encounters outcasts Janis Ian (Lizzy Caplan in disguise) and Damian Leigh (Daniel Franzese), who help her navigate the school’s complex social dynamics, particularly “the Plastics,” the popular girls led by Regina George, a cunning and ruthless queen bee portrayed brilliantly by Rachel McAdams. When Regina invites Cady to join her, Gretchen Weiners (Lacey Chabert), and Karen Smith (Amanda Seyfried) at their table, Cady teams up with Janis and Damian to dethrone the school’s ruler. However, she finds herself enjoying the power a tad too much.
“Mean Girls” boasts some of the most iconic one-liners in film history, with Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Tim Meadows delivering memorable performances as the troubled adults in the movie. The film’s immense popularity – it has led to a musical, a musical adaptation, and even a holiday – often overshadows its side-splitting humor. (However, let’s set aside the musical adaptation.)
5. Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Shaun of the Dead,” directed by Edgar Wright, paved the way for future zombie comedies by moving slowly and deliberately. This film, which is the first installment in Wright’s “Cornetto trilogy” and features Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as leads, tells the story of Shaun and Ed, two disillusioned friends living uneventful lives in London. Their monotonous existence is disrupted by a sudden zombie outbreak. Shaun, who was recently dumped by his girlfriend Liz (Kate Ashfield) and has a strained relationship with his stepfather Philip (Bill Nighy), continues his daily routine even as the zombies emerge. It’s only when two undead creatures appear in his backyard that he realizes something is amiss. Shaun and Ed then embark on a mission to rescue Philip, Liz, Shaun’s mother Barbara (Penelope Wilson), and seek refuge in their favorite pub, The Winchester, where they can at least wait out the chaos with a beer in hand.
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4. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
When a movie opens with a breakup scene where the person getting dumped is fully naked, you know it’s going to be pretty good — and that’s definitely true of Jason Segel’s 2008 comedy “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” Written by Segel himself and directed by Nicholas Stoller, the movie also stars Segel as Peter Bretter, who gets dumped by his TV star girlfriend Sarah Marshall while he’s completely nude (an incident apparently taken directly from Segel’s life). Heartbroken, Segel decides to take a trip to Hawai’i only to discover that Sarah and her odious new boyfriend, rock star Aldous Snow (Russell Brand), are also vacationing at his same resort … and, point in fact, Sarah cheated on Peter with Aldous before she officially ended things. It’s not looking good for Peter until he connects with Rachel Jansen (Mila Kunis), who works at the resort’s front desk, and starts moving on.
In terms of its authentic breakup details, original Dracula musical plot element, and standout performances from every actor, “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” resonates with anyone who’s endured a painful split while also being hailed as one of the funniest comedies ever produced. The iconic moment where Kunis yells about the Dracula musical at full volume from off-screen, even if the rest of the movie was lackluster, would still be memorable. Jason Segel’s sincere and emotional portrayal ties the whole production together, and fortunately, it never received a sequel that might have tarnished its brilliance; it remains flawless in its original form.
3. Step Brothers (2008)
The 2008 film “Step Brothers,” starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly, can hardly be described more accurately than Vulture did when ranking Ferrell’s movies: “While not the most profitable Ferrell comedy, it is undoubtedly the wackiest and most relentlessly insane. This movie is a creation of madmen, as evident in every scene that exudes unique inspiration and a touch of insanity.” Indeed, “Step Brothers” stands out as one of the dumbest, funniest, and best comedies ever made – not just from the 2000s. Ferrell and Reilly deliver outrageous performances as Brennan Duff and Dale Doback, two grown men who become each other’s worst enemies and eventually, bizarrely, best friends after their parents (played by Mary Steenburgen and Richard Jenkins) get married and force them to live together. The ensuing chaos includes the duo fighting, building bunk beds disastrously, practicing karate in the garage, and causing mayhem with Robert’s prized boat, ultimately driving Nancy and Robert apart. Unfortunately for everyone involved, their antics in the real world don’t fare much better (as evidenced by their joint job interview in matching tuxedos).
“Step Brothers” truly is one of the strangest movies ever made. It’s a movie where Kathryn Hahn seduces Reilly’s Dale in a bathroom in a manner that’s aggressive and borderline sinister and then props her leg up on a urinal to pee. It’s a movie where Adam Scott leads his unwilling family in a car sing-a-long of Guns N’ Roses’ “‘Sweet Child O’ Mine” and berates them for hitting flat notes. It’s a movie where Jenkins’ Robert ends up confessing that he harbors a lifelong dream of … being a dinosaur. (This is to say nothing of the Catalina wine mixer.) It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve seen “Step Brothers” — it’s always a truly deranged delight.
2. Legally Blonde (2001)
In 2006, Reese Witherspoon garnered an Oscar for her portrayal of June Carter Cash in the biopic “Walk the Line,” but many believe she deserved it for her exceptional performance as Elle Woods in the 2001 comedy “Legally Blonde.” Directed by Robert Luketic, written by Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith, and based on Amanda Brown’s book of the same name, “Legally Blonde” follows Elle Woods and her friends as they shop for a dress, believing that her boyfriend Warner Huntington III (Matthew Davis) will propose. However, Warner breaks up with her to pursue Harvard Law School and a more serious partner. Devastated at first, Elle decides to apply to Harvard Law herself. After being accepted through sheer determination and hard work, she surprises Warner on their first day as students. Despite initially being underprepared for law school, Elle eventually proves herself.
The charm of “Legally Blonde” lies in its conclusion, as it imparts the lesson that you can achieve success while maintaining your love for pink and expressing your femininity – if you trust and utilize your own wisdom. To add to this inspiring theme, you’ll find Jennifer Coolidge delivering her signature humor with a snap, Oz Perkins playing an endearing oddball character named David Kidney, and Linda Cardellini sporting a rather unsettling wig as the wealthy heiress Chutney Windham. In short, “Legally Blonde” is a film that can lift your spirits on gloomy days and will have you laughing non-stop throughout its duration.
1. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
Among the best comedies of the 2000s, “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,” starring Will Ferrell as San Diego anchor Ron Burgundy, stands out unrivaled. This hilarious classic showcases Ferrell at his finest, alongside Steve Carell as Brick Tamland, Paul Rudd as Brian Fantana, and David Koechner as Champ Kind, who are all integral parts of the KVWN-4 team under director Ed Harken (the late Fred Willard). When these men, including Ron, must collaborate with ambitious reporter Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), they initially resist sharing airtime with a woman. However, their resistance melts away once Veronica and Ron begin a relationship.
In a casual and engaging manner, let me express that “Anchorman” is nothing short of extraordinary and flawless. Each scene in this movie leaves an indelible impression, whether it’s the epic news team brawl, the affectionate moments with Ron’s cherished dog Baxter, or Brick’s persistent confusion about everything that transpires. The Sex Panther, a “glass case of emotion,” Paul Rudd sporting an outrageous mustache and shouting at a zoo panda, and the significant teleprompter fiasco triggered by information from Helen, a supporting character played by Kathryn Hahn – these are just a few examples that paint vivid pictures in your mind. “Anchorman” undeniably ranks among the top five comedies ever produced; it’s no surprise that it is considered the pinnacle of comedy in the 2000s.
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2024-10-05 00:00