The Best Comedy Movie Of Each Year In The 1990s

The 1990s were a fantastic decade for comedy films. It saw the release of many now-classic movies, ranging from fun family comedies to edgy thrillers, popular sequels, and even some really outrageous adult comedies. Many film fans consider it the peak era for the genre.

The 1990s were a golden age for comedy movies, filled with both laugh-out-loud moments and iconic films. It was a time when stars like Jim Carrey, Leslie Nielsen, Chris Tucker, and Robin Williams really shone, and actresses such as Marisa Tomei and Julia Roberts also delivered some incredibly funny performances.

1990: Home Alone

1990 saw a lot of successful comedies that mixed different styles. For example, Back to the Future Part III combined science fiction with a western setting, Pretty Woman is a beloved romantic comedy, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is packed with action, and House Party is simply a fun and entertaining movie.

Topping the charts in 1990 was Home Alone, a film people still enjoy watching year after year. It’s become a holiday tradition for many, and is often considered the quintessential Christmas movie. But beyond its festive appeal, it’s simply a very funny film.

Macaulay Culkin carries this movie brilliantly, largely on his own. From the iconic scene with Buzz’s girlfriend to a young Kieran Culkin’s soda mishap, and especially all the hilarious chaos as Kevin defends his home from burglars, Home Alone is simply a very entertaining film.

1991: The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell Of Fear

1991 was a great year for comedies! Some of the most popular films included the quirky The Addams Family, the hilarious road trip movie Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, the heartwarming Father of the Bride, the over-the-top spoof Hot Shots!, and the fun-filled Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead.

Honestly, it’s hard to beat Leslie Nielsen when it comes to comedy. He was amazing in the first Naked Gun movie, and he absolutely brought it again in The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear. It basically takes everything that made the first one so funny and just gives you more of it – tons of those classic Frank Drebin moments we all love!

This sequel isn’t quite as good as the original, but it’s still incredibly funny. Leslie Nielsen is at his comedic best, and the movie is packed with jokes in almost every scene. It’s rare to find a comedy that works so hard to keep you laughing.

1992: Army Of Darkness

Choosing the best comedy from 1992 is difficult because it was such a strong year for the genre. Several popular films came out, including My Cousin Vinny, which earned Marisa Tomei an Oscar, and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, a sequel that continued the humor of the first movie. Other notable comedies from that year include Sister Act, The Mighty Ducks, White Men Can’t Jump, Wayne’s World, and Encino Man.

Surprisingly, the funniest movie of the year comes from the horror series, Evil Dead. Sam Raimi is a well-known horror director, but Evil Dead II started adding humor. By the third film, Army of Darkness, the series had become completely over-the-top and genuinely funny.

Bruce Campbell is at his comedic best in Army of Darkness, nailing every funny line. Director Sam Raimi clearly embraced the film’s over-the-top silliness, and that’s a big reason why it’s so enjoyable. The movie is packed with memorable quotes and heavily influenced the style of the later Ash vs. Evil Dead TV series.

1993: Mrs. Doubtfire

1993 was a fantastic year for comedy! We saw truly memorable films like Sleepless in Seattle, a top-tier romantic comedy, and sports favorites such as The Sandlot and Cool Runnings. Plus, Groundhog Day and Dazed and Confused were so good, they could have easily been the highlights of any other year.

Many consider Robin Williams to be the most hilarious actor of the 1990s, and his role in Mrs. Doubtfire is a prime example of why. The movie features Williams as a father who disguises himself as a British nanny so he can continue to be a part of his children’s lives, even after a divorce limits his time with them.

Robin Williams’ energetic switching between his two characters – Daniel and Mrs. Doubtfire – in many scenes is truly hilarious. He also manages to make the character incredibly lovable, bringing a lot of warmth to the performance. While others have played similar dual roles, none have done it better than Williams.

1994: Dumb And Dumber

Many film fans consider 1994 a particularly strong year for movies, especially comedies. Standout films from that year include the black and white favorites Clerks and Ed Wood, another installment in The Naked Gun series, the critically acclaimed Eat Drink Man Woman, and the family-friendly The Little Rascals.

1994 was Jim Carrey’s year. He starred in three hugely successful comedies: Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber. Many consider Dumb and Dumber to be the best of the three, largely because of the fantastic chemistry between Carrey and Jeff Daniels.

Together, these actors create one of the most hilarious pairings ever seen on film. The movie is full of unforgettable scenes that still make audiences laugh, like the infamous “most annoying sound,” Harry getting stuck, Lloyd’s exaggerated accent, and Harry’s awkward encounter with Mary’s bathroom.

1995: Friday

In 1995, a lot of hilarious movies came out, often mixing comedy with other types of films. Animated favorites like Toy Story and A Goofy Movie were big hits, and Bad Boys delivered plenty of action. Other popular comedies that year included Tommy Boy, Heavyweights, Billy Madison, and Mallrats.

When you think back to comedy in 1995, two movies really stand out: Clueless and Friday. Both are now considered classics, but Friday gets a slight nod because of its lasting impact on Black comedy. The film’s strength lies in its straightforward and effective story.

The movie Friday follows friends Craig and Smokey as they navigate a chaotic day filled with funny and sometimes wild encounters with their neighbors. Featuring a memorable fight and appearances from stars like Bernie Mac, it’s a beloved comedy classic, largely thanks to Chris Tucker’s unforgettable performance as Smokey.

1996: Fargo

1996 was a strong year for comedies. Several independent films, including Bottle Rocket and The Daytrippers, gained attention, and Adam Sandler delivered one of his most memorable performances in Happy Gilmore. The Nutty Professor proved to be very popular, Kingpin deserves more recognition, and The Birdcage has become a beloved classic.

I truly believe Fargo is one of the most captivating and original films of the 90s. The Coen Brothers created something special with this crime comedy. It centers around a police officer investigating a really bizarre case: a car salesman who, in a misguided attempt to get money, hires some incredibly inept criminals to kidnap his wife and demand ransom from her wealthy father. It’s a wild ride!

The humor in Fargo comes from the Coen Brothers’ clever writing and the fantastic performances by the actors. Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, and the rest of the cast are genuinely funny in this film.

1997: Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery

Jim Carrey had an amazing 1994, but he continued to deliver hilarious performances. In 1997, he starred in Liar Liar, a film showcasing his signature energetic comedy. It was a standout comedy that year, alongside popular movies like My Best Friend’s Wedding, Chasing Amy, and Good Burger.

1997 also marked the beginning of a hugely popular comedy series. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery starred Mike Myers as the main character, a charming spy who playfully spoofed the James Bond films.

The success of Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery really came down to Mike Myers’ dedication to comedy. He’s incredibly funny playing both the hero, Austin Powers, and the villain, Dr. Evil. The movie cleverly spoofs James Bond films while still showing them respect – it’s a tricky combination, but the film manages it perfectly.

1998: Rush Hour

Buddy cop comedies have been a Hollywood favorite for years. Films like Lethal Weapon and The Nice Guys are consistently entertaining, and Rush Hour is a standout example. Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker make a fantastic, mismatched duo as they team up to crack a case.

Okay, let’s be real – Rush Hour has a few jokes that haven’t held up over the years, but that’s pretty common for comedies from the ’90s. What really makes this movie work, and what still shines today, is the incredible chemistry between Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan. Tucker is just brilliant as the loud, energetic partner, and Chan is absolutely perfect as the more reserved, straight man. Their dynamic is what carries the whole film.

Beyond the action-comedy Rush Hour, 1998 was a great year for funny movies. Classics like The Big Lebowski were released, Rushmore launched Wes Anderson’s career, The Wedding Singer showed off Adam Sandler’s signature style, and You’ve Got Mail became a beloved romantic comedy.

1999: 10 Things I Hate About You

1999 brought us memorable films like Being John Malkovich, a sequel to Austin Powers, Office Space, and Big Daddy. But it was also a huge year for teen comedies, with hits like American Pie, She’s All That, Election, and But I’m a Cheerleader.

Many consider 10 Things I Hate About You the funniest teen movie of the year, and possibly the best in ten years. It’s a fresh take on Shakespeare’s classic play, The Taming of the Shrew, and continues to be a fan favorite.

Featuring a fantastic cast including Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, 10 Things I Hate About You is a beloved film. While its heartwarming story and iconic soundtrack are major draws, the movie is also genuinely funny, with both clever dialogue and hilarious physical comedy – like the famous paintball scene.

2026-01-17 17:45