Summary
With the freedom to depict sex and violence and little restriction on using vulgar language,R-rated comedies push the boundaries of audience expectationsto produce some of the funniest movies ever made. While this often leads to crude and vulgar humor, that’s not to say that all R-rated comedies were shocking for the sake of it, and plenty were also categorized by sincerity and vulnerability as they told compelling narratives that have stood the test of time. From satirical classics of decades past to recent laugh-out-loud misadventures, R-rated comedies have left their mark on the cinematic landscape.
Some ofthe funniest movies evermade were rated R, and they used this freedom to go the extra mile and not hold back on the raunchy humor. While iconic directors like Mel Brooks were responsible for some of the best R-rated comedies, filmmakers like Judd Apatow revolutionized the genre with their own brand of humor for the 21st century. While there have been plenty of hilarious R-rated movies across different genres, such as the record-breaking box office takings of superhero films likeDeadpool,true out-and-out R-rated comedies have carved out an important legacy for themselves and deserve recognition.
5 Underrated Comedies From The 2000s
The 2000s had its fair share of successful comedies, but others deserve a second look today.
There’s Something About Mary
Cast
There’s Something About Mary is a 1998 romantic comedy directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly. The film stars Cameron Diaz as Mary, the object of affection for multiple men, including Ben Stiller’s character Ted. The story blends humor and romance as Ted attempts to reconnect with his high school crush, leading to a series of outlandish and comedic events. Matt Dillon also stars as a private investigator entangled in the pursuit.
The Farrelly brothers had viewers laughing hysterically with their PG-13 directional debut,Dumb and Dumber, but it was withThere’s Something About Marywhere they proved their talents for an R-rated audience. This excellent raunchy comedy saw Ben Stiller, Matt Dillon, Lee Evans, and Chris Elliott all vying for the attention of the beautiful Mary, played by Cameron Diaz. While it doesn’t quite reach the comedic heights of the absolute best R-rated movies,the infamous hair gel scene alone earnedThere’s Something About Marya spot here.
American Pie
American Pie is a 1999 teen comedy that follows four high school friends as they enter a pact to lose their virginity before college. The film explores their comedic and often awkward attempts to fulfill this goal, set against the backdrop of typical high school experiences and senior prom.
A quarter of a century since its release, it’s easier to underestimate just how importantAmerican Piewas to the teen sex comedy genre. Packed with classic moments and iconic characters like Jason Bigg’s naive Jim or Seann William Scott as the notorious Stifler,American Piecaptured the awkwardness of sexuality mortificationand laid the groundwork for laterJudd Apatow moviesthat managed to walk the fine line between sensitivity and obscenity. While not everything about the first installment of this long-running series has held up,American Pieis still hilarious all these years later.
21 Jump Street
An adaptation of the TV series of the same name, 21 Jump Street stars Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill as two police officers (and best friends) who are sent into a high school undercover in order to bust a drug ring. Learning that high school has changed considerably since they were teenagers, the pair are forced to adapt in order to maintain their cover, threatening their friendship in the process.
Both nostalgic and a satirical send-up of teen movie tropes, everything about21 Jump Streetjust worked.
Phil Lord and Christopher Miller jumped straight from kids' animation withCloudy with a Chance of Meatballsheadfirst into the world of R-rated comedies with the excellent21 Jump Street. As an adaptation of a 1980s police procedural series,21 Jump Streetcould have fallen flat on its feet if not forthe excellent chemistry between Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum, who played cops going undercover at a high school to absolute perfection. Both nostalgic and a satirical send-up of teen movie tropes, everything about21 Jump Streetjust worked.
Clerks
Clerks follows Dante and Randal, two clerks working at adjoining convenience and video stores. The film explores their mundane yet eventful day-to-day life as they engage with customers, play rooftop hockey, and navigate personal relationships, characterized by sharp wit and casual banter.
Kevin Smith proved filmmakers didn’t need big budgets to have a serious influence on the movie industry, as his debut,Clerks,was shot for just $27,575 after maxing out ten credit cards (viaViewaskew.) Luckily, this gamble paid off asClerkshilariously showcased a day in the life of New Jersey convenience store employeesand all the wild customers they interacted with, including the debut of the dynamic duo Jay and Silent Bob. With snappy dialogue, memorable characters, and an everyday sense of realism, this black-and-white comedy had a serious effect on indie filmmaking for decades to come.
25 Best Underrated Netflix Comedies
Netflix is home to so many comedy movies that plenty of hidden gems remain overlooked and underrated on the platform.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Forgetting Sarah Marshall follows Peter Bretter, a musician who, following a bad breakup with his girlfriend, Sarah Marshall, goes on a vacation to a Hawaiian resort only to discover that Sarah is also at the resort with her new boyfriend. Jason Segel stars as Peter, alongside Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, and Russell Brand.
Oneunconventional rom-com that shook up the genre wasForgetting Sarah Marshall, a film that shifted its focus to heartbreak as Jason Segal dealt with a devastating breakup. After being dumped by Kristen Bell, as the titular Sarah Marshall, Segal traveled to Hawaii to mend his broken heart, only to stay at the same resort as his ex and her new rockstar boyfriend, who was played by Russell Brand. With the perfect blend of heartfelt vulnerability and raunchy humor,Forgetting Sarah Marshallwas a clever, sweet, and laugh-out-loud look at heartache, recovery, and self-discovery.
Blazing Saddles
Written and directed by Mel Brooks, Blazing Saddles stars Cleavon Little as Bart, a black sheriff appointed in a small frontier town by Hedley Lamarr, a railroad man who believes Bart’s appointment will destabilize the town enough to drive everyone out and allow him to build a new railroad line through it. Instead, with the help of gunslinger Jim the Waco Kid, Bart works to thwart Lamarr’s schemes. Gene Wilder and Harvey Korman star alongside Little.
Blazing Saddleswas one of the most importantcomedy movies of the 1970s, as it blended post-modern humor and satirical comedy with a production that broke down racial boundaries. As a true cult classic,Blazing Saddlesdefied the expectations of contemporary cinema and took influence from Broadway musicals to network television sketch comedy. As a truehigh point in the career of Mel Brooks,Blazing Saddleswas a Western spoof that went the extra mile into social commentary, with the jokes coming a mile a minute for the entire runtime.
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Directed by John Hughes, Planes, Trains and Automobiles stars Steve Martin as Neal Page, a busy advertising executive who finds himself the unwilling traveling companion of salesman Del Griffith as the two attempt to return to Chicago for the Thanksgiving holiday. Beset by bad weather and a continuing comedy of errors in attempting to make travel plans, Neal and Del must work together, however unwillingly, to accomplish their shared goal. John Candy also stars alongside Martin as Del.
Steve Martin and John Candy made the perfect mismatched comedic couplein John Hughes’ beloved road trip comedyPlanes, Trains, and Automobiles. As the story of two men forced to work together to make it from New York to Chicago in time for Thanksgiving, this R-rated odyssey was a change of pace for Hughes, previously known for teen movies likeThe Breakfast Club.Planes, Trains, and Automobileswas the perfect vehicle, pun intended, for its two stars as Martin’s frustration at the endless but unintentional annoyances of Candy’s character was true comedic gold.
I Love You, Man
I Love You, Man is a 2009 comedy film directed by John Hamburg, starring Paul Rudd as Peter Klaven, a real estate agent who discovers he has no male friends to be his best man at his upcoming wedding. He embarks on a series of awkward “man-dates” to find a suitable candidate and eventually forms a close bond with Sydney Fife, played by Jason Segel, leading to a comedic exploration of male friendship.
I Love You, Manwas the quintessential bromance movie asPaul Rudd and Jason Segal gave hilarious and heartfelt performancesas a friendless real estate agent forging a friendship with an idiosyncratic oddity. The two newfound best friends bonded over their mutual love of the band Rush, and Rudd’s character appeared to have finally found someone to be the best man at his upcoming wedding. Like the best R-comedies,I Love, Manwas raunchy and over-the-top, but it was also categorized by real vulnerability as it highlighted the difficulties and excitement of making a new friend well into adulthood.
Step Brothers
Adam McKay, Will Ferrell, and John C. Reilly joined forces in 2008 to create this now iconic Comedy. The film sees two grown men that still live at home with their parents, forced to adapt to living with one another when their parents get married.
At first glance,Step Brothersseemed like it could devolve into pure ridiculousness as it told the story of two middle-aged losers acting like embittered teenagers when forced to live together. Yet through the performances of Will Ferrell and John C. Reily,the absurdity ofStep Brothersbecame part of its charmas its relentless immaturity and crude humor just worked. While Adam McKay may have since made a name for himself with clever satirical releases likeThe Big Short, his earlier movies likeStep Brothers,Anchorman, andTalladega Nightswere among the best comedies of the 2000s.
Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids is a comedy film featuring Kristen Wiig as Annie, who becomes the maid of honor for her best friend Lillian amidst personal turmoil. As she navigates the costly and eccentric demands of wedding preparations, Annie strives to prove her devotion despite numerous comedic challenges. Released in 2011, the film explores friendship and rivalry among bridesmaids.
Bridesmaidscombined compelling characters with R-rated humor to produce a comedy that connected with male and female viewers alike.
The sorrowful few who wrongfully claim that women can’t do comedy only need to watchBridesmaidsto witness their thesis be obliterated in real time. As one of the funniest comedies of the 21st century,Bridesmaidscombined compelling characters with R-rated humor to produce a comedy that connected with male and female viewers alike. With Kirsten Wiig as a hapless woman acting as her best friend’s maid of honor,Bridesmaidstook the wedding-centric comedy of movies likeWedding Crashersand gave it an R-rated female-centric spin.
