TOP COMEDY MOVIES LIST

25. Safety Last
Harold Lloyd stood alongside Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton as forebears of physical comedy with their complicated sight gags, gymnastic dexterity and just enough of a story to sustain an hour or so of celluloid. In Safety Last, Lloyd enjoyed his most famous role - playing himself - as a young bridegroom hoping to win the heart of his hometown sweetheart after departing for the big city to earn enough money for a wedding. What ensues is nothing short of brilliant, from his manic performance as a salesman to his eventual climb up some fifteen stories- on the outside, no less - of the department store where he's employed; and while it was later revealed that he benefited from the assistance of a stunt man during some sequences, Lloyd built a fake building ledge and did as many of the physical stunts himself as possible. Ultimately, this film is probably most familiar to audiences for the shot of Lloyd hanging precariously from the guts of a broken clock; but if you're fortunate enough to get past that iconic image and see the whole film, you'll realize that the silent-film trailblazer has much more up his sleeve than just a desperate, dangling arm.

24. Annie Hall
Fans of IGN may know Annie Hall as the film that beat out Star Wars for Best Picture, but not only is it worthy of such an award, it is perhaps Woody Allen's best comedy. As usual, Allen stars alongside Diane Keaton as a neurotic, self-centered man in love. A brilliant, heartfelt story of romance that mixes in plenty of referential comedy, the film made Keaton a star, and popularized the frumpy, masculine clothing style she sports throughout.

Above all, though, Annie Hall is hilarious. Scenes involving Allen chasing a lobster with a ramekin of clarified butter and his diatribe on movie critics is classic, but his scathing take on life in LA is unrivaled in cinema. -CC

23. There's Something About Mary
The first time I saw There's Something About Mary was at a preview screening two weeks before release. There was no buzz, and honestly, I expected it to be pretty bad. What followed was one of the most memorable theatrical experiences I can ever remember. Laughing to the point of a near coughing fit with tears of joy streaming down my cheeks, Mary was slapstick comic genius, pure and true. Ben Stiller would later run his antic paranoid character into the ground, but here it was fresh. Matt Dillon unleashed a whole new side of his abilities, from hunk to sleezeball. Cameron Diaz was sexy, fun and funny. Remember, she's just f***in' with you, right? -JO

22. The PRINCES BRIDE
Rob Reiner's 1987 adaptation of William Goldman's novel The Princess Bride was only a modest success at the box office -- the film grossed a total of $30 million during its entire first run. But the lighthearted fantasy tale of adventure and romance has since developed a large cult following. The quirky yet romantic story follows a stable boy named Westley who must rescue his true love, Princess Buttercup, from the clutches of Prince Humperdinck. The superb cast includes Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Wallace Shawn, Christopher Guest, Chris Sarandon and Andre the Giant. Peter Falk and Fred Savage appear in the "reality" segments in which a grandfather reads his sick grandson the story. Billy Crystal, Carol Kane have memorable cameos along with Mel Smith and Peter Cook. -BL

21. Modern Times
Decades ahead of its time and still a relevant commentary on present society, Modern Times is one of a string of Chaplin feature-length masterpieces that includes The Gold Rush, The Circus, City Lights and The Great Dictator. Times holds the distinction of being the final time Chaplin would portray his Little Tramp character, at least officially (he plays a slightly similar character in Dictator). It's consistently daring, with stunts that rival even Keaton's most daring, funny (the automatic lunch machine is a riot) and visually breathtaking (you've likely seen the famous clockworks image even if you haven't seen the film). -JO

20. Young Frankenstein
Mel Brooks's follow-up to Blazing Saddles (both released in 1974) is at once a tribute to and a great parody of classic horror movies. From the the black and white cinematography to the original castle & lab equipment used in Frankenstein, the film looks straight out of the 1930s, which only adds to the film's satiric humor. The film balances slapstick, word play, farce and a spoof of the Frankenstein movies effortlessly, with every joke and gag still funny today. The film's best moments are infinitely rewatchable, from ridiculous situations like the doctor and monster singing "Puttin' on the Ritz," to the doctor and his hunchbacked assistant's pronunciations of their names ("Frahnk-en-steen" and "Eye-gor"), to the monster's encounter with a blind hermit (Gene Hackman, in a cameo role), perfectly parodying the scene in 1935's Bride of Frankenstein. -BZ

19. The General
Buster Keaton's best known work and one of the great comedies of all time, even if it did take a bit of prodding to convince some of the editors here at IGN that it was worthy. The General features some of Keaton's best stunt work, some of which could give any Jackie Chan feat a run for its money (It should be noted that Chan has cited Keaton as a major influence). His death-defying feats include bicycles, a handcar and, of course, a steam engine. Keaton's infamous stone-faced persona makes every laugh all the more biting, the ultimate strait man and one of the most purely physically gifted comedians the world has ever known. -JO

18. LIFE OF BRAIN

Arguably the Monty Python movie that's the strongest actual film (complete with a real plot mixed in with the nonstop gags) 1979's Life of Brian expertly parodies religious hypocrisy and zealotry. The set-up is simple: an ordinary man named Brian is born on December 25 in a run-down house not far away from the manger of Jesus Christ. Brian is then mistaken throughout his life as the Messiah, pulled and prodded by various religious and political faction groups. Instead of parodying Christianity or any other specific religion, Life of Brian takes on religious zealots who follow without thinking, best exemplified by a crowd shouting in unison "Yes, we must think for ourselves!" and a group that interprets Brian losing one of his sandals as "a sign." The film's end sequence is brilliantly hilarious, as crucified men break into an upbeat musical number, "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life." -BZ

17. Manhattan
Woody Allen's most beautiful movie, Manhattan is shot in high contrast black and white, and serves as a love letter to New York, as well as a bittersweet comedy. Another film from the Diane Keaton era, this one centers on Isaac, another iteration of Allen's egotistical protagonist. In an eerie bit of foreshadowing, the film begins with Isaac in a relationship with the 17-year old Tracy (Mariel Hemingway). When Isaac meets the intriguing Mary Wilkie, whom he originally despises, his feelings for Tracy sour, and he tries to cope with the aftermath of both relationships.

Perhaps his saddest film, it is still punctuated with great laughs and stunning imagery. In addition, Allen made the brilliant decision to score his opus with the music of George Gershwin, which adds grandeur and unmistakable personality to the proceedings. -CC

16. The Jerk
Steve Martin was at the height of his "Wild and Crazy Guy" days when this film hit in 1979. A precursor to future moronic centerpiece flicks such as Dumb and Dumber and Forrest Gump, Martin's performance cracks me up to no end. "You mean I'm gonna stay this color?" Martin's Navin R. Johnson is dumber than dirt and we all love him for it. The Jerk is a comedy classic and one of director Carl Reiner's best! -JO

15. Duck Soup
While their devotees and followers found only slapstick where there was almost impossible levels of intelligence, the Marx Brothers elevated cinematic humor - well, if not to poetry, then to a rapid-fire series of short stories. In this 1933 film, arguably the best of the Marx lot, the foursome returns with Groucho in command (yet again) as the recently-instated president of the bankrupt country Freedonia, where Chicolini (Chico) and Pinky (Harpo) attempt to infiltrate his regime and bring the country to its knees. They prove far more successful than one might expect, for all the right reasons - namely, by laying their opponents (and the audience) low with laughter; juxtaposing lightning-fast verbal repartee, dexterous physical humor and inventive storytelling, the Marx Brothers turn political intrigue into high (and when it's really good, low-) - minded satire.

Forget about the Farrelly Brothers or other modern purveyors of prurient punchlines; just one minute of the famous "mirror gag" of Rufus' legendary showdown with Chicolini in court, and you'll be swearing your allegiance to this classic candidate. -TG

14. Animal House
National Lampoon's Animal House, starring John Belushi, Tim Matheson, Karen Allen and a slew of others, is credited with starting the gross-out comedy subgenre. The film was written by Harold Ramis, Douglas Kenney and Christoper Miller, adapted from stories that had appeared in National Lampoon magazine. John Landis directed. In 2001, Animal House was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry for its cultural significance. It is, indeed, a culturally significant movie, if for no other reason than it marked the film debut of Kevin Bacon and without Kevin Bacon we couldn't play that "six degrees" game.

13. Ferris Bueller'S DAY OFFThe film that gave the parents of America an increased suspicion every time little Johnny said he felt sick and registered a temperature of 111 degrees Ferris Beuller's Day Off made the career of Matthew Broderick and further cemented director John Hughes' status as the man with his finger firmly implanted on the 1980's American youth. Film teachers will always tell you crossing the 4th wall (ie talking directly to the camera) is a mistake, but Broderick is so gosh-darned likable in his smugly endearing way that it works. -JO

12. Some Like it Hot
"Well, nobody's perfect." If you already know that classic line and its context within Billy Wilder's comedic masterpiece Some Like it Hot, you are dismissed. If you don't, get thee to the nearest video store or retro theater and watch this film. Your credibility as a film buff is in serious jeopardy until you do. Often cited as the greatest comedy ever made, one viewing and it's hard to dismiss such a broad statement's validity. It's the best thing Marilyn Monroe ever did, and Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis are a comedy pairing made in heaven. Wilder and fellow genius scribe I.A.L. Diamond craft a pin-point script and shave off all the fat. The story chugs along at a brisk pace throwing out the laughs at will. -JO

11. Airplane!
"Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue." The 1980 disaster film spoof Airplane!, with its innumerable gags, is arguably the best film of its subgenre. It's the second film from filmmakers Jim Abrahams, David Zucker and Jerry Zucker who had previously worked on The Kentucky Fried Movie. The movie stars Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, Leslie Nielsen, Robert Stack, Lloyd Bridges, Peter Graves and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the passengers and crew of an airliner that has an in-flight medical emergency caused by food poisoning... although, let's be honest, the story isn't really all that important. Airplane! is all about the gags. Note: The film's "automatic pilot" (the inflatable doll) is called "Otto"... clearly named for its striking resemblance to IGN's Jeff Otto.

10. The Blues Brothers
Featuring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd in their alternate blues-playing identities, brothers Jake and Elwood Blues, 1980's The Blues Brothers has plenty of musical goodness, not to mention one of the greatest car chase scenes in the history of movies. Directed by John Landis, the film centers around newly reunited brothers Jake and Elwood Blues who are inspired to get their band back together. It's full of Belushi and Aykroyd's trademark deadpan humor, slapstick goodness and stylized musical numbers. The Blues Brothers boasts appearances by music legends Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Cab Calloway, Gary U.S. Bonds, Ray Charles and John Lee Hooker. -BL

9. Raising horizona
not initially a box office hit, Raising Arizona, the 1987 film from eccentric filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen, has gone on to become an offbeat comedy classic. The hilariously quirky flick stars Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter as a childless couple who steal a baby with unexpected consequences. William Forsythe, John Goodman, Frances McDormand, and Randall Cobb also star. Raising Arizona is full of the cinematic stuff that have become Coen trademarks... folk music, symbolism, visual gags and odd characters.

8. Rushmore
This endearing tale of Max Fischer, a prep school student in love with his teacher, is auteur Wes Anderson's most personal and well-wrought film; an instant classic when it premiered in 1998. With a stunning and Oscar-worthy performance by Bill Murray, as his friend and rival Herman Blume, Rushmore bears repeated delightful viewings to catch all the layered jokes, details and references. The film features classic Wes Anderson moments ("Oh are they?") and a carefully chosen soundtrack (one of the best ever compiled). Bottle Rocket introduced the world to Anderson's talent, but Rushmore se

7.Monty python and the holy grail
An infinitely rewatchable comedy classic, Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a cult and pop culture touchpoint for several generations of fans since its intial 1975 theatrical release. Skewering the legend of King Arthur with nonstop jokes and ridiculous situations, Holy Grail tackles everything from the Knights of the Round Table, including "Sir Lancelot" (John Cleese) and "Sir Robin the Not Quite So Brave As Sir Lancelot" (Eric Idle), to a killer rabbit (defeated by the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch) and the Black Knight (Cleese), who refuses to give up even when all his limbs have been hacked off by Arthur (Graham Chapman). -BZ

6. Blazing Saddles
One of Mel Brooks's most successful, popular and funniest films, the Western spoof Blazing Saddles is a comedy classic. The humor's alternately raunchy, crude, offensive, sexist and racist, while at the same time making fun of sexism and racism. The simple plot, of newly-hired black sheriff Bart (Cleavon Little) teaming up with deputy Jim (a.k.a., The Waco Kid, played by Gene Wilder) to thwart the railroad-building scheme of the evil Hedley Lamarr (Harvey Korman), is really just an excuse for an endless stream of deliberately tasteless gags. Originally meant to star Richard Pryor (who co-wrote the screenplay with Brooks, Norman Steinberg, Andrew Bergman and Alan Uger, but was considered too controversial at the time to star), Blazing Saddles has a long string of hilarious moments, from Madeline Kahn as a Marlene Dietrich-like character named Lili Von Shtupp (which earned her an Academy Award nomination) to Hedley's bad-man lineup, to the infamous campfire scene involving hungry cowboys and a whole lot of baked beans. -BZ

5. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
Director Stanley Kubrick's career was one that defied easy categorization, and he further proved it with this scathing and raucous anti-war comedy. Filmed in black and white and starring the genius Peter Sellers at the height of his powers, Dr. Strangelove is black humor at its finest, killing with laughs rather than bullets. The film openly criticizes the stupidity of war (in particular nuclear war), thanks in large part to the show-stopping performance of George C. Scott as Bud Turgidson. The fact that the film was made in 1964, right in the thick of the Cold War, is a tribute to its bravery… but it still holds up today. -CC

4. This is Spinal Tap
A masterpiece of comedy, insight and musical lampoonery, This is Spinal Tap follows the exploits of the fictional UK rock band Spinal Tap as they tour the States in support of their latest (and perhaps last) album. Pitch-perfect in tone and song, this Rob Reiner mockumentary bears multiple viewings, if only because the raucous laughter it induces drowns out some of the subtler moments. Infinitely quotable, infectiously and outrageously true (which is the funniest part of all), it is one of the funniest films of the 80s and all-time. What's more, it crystallizes a vision of hair metal and features cameos by a young Dana Carvey, Letterman sidekick Paul Schaeffer and Billy Crystal.

What is extra-intiguing about the film is that the cast—Michael McKean, Harry Shearer (who now voices Simpsons characters and Christopher Guest (who went on to direct Best in Show and A Mighty Wind)—actually played their own instruments, and endured beyond the film, recording a follow-up album, Break Like the Wind. Standout hits from the film include "Big Bottom," "Sex Farm," "Rock n' Roll Creation" and "Stonhenge." Classic. -CC

3.Caddy Shack
Endlessly quotable, 1980's Caddyshack features Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight and Bill Murray at the top of their game. Chase plays brash new golf club member Ty Webb, who makes himself a pain to club member Judge Elihu Smails (Knight), along with equally annoying (but rich) Al Czervik (Dangerfield). Meanwhile, the course has a bit of a gopher problem, which is tackled by greenskeeper Carl Spackler (Murray). Dangerfield and Murray, both originally cast in small parts that got expanded during filming due to their constant hilarious ad-libbing, steal the show with such classic lines as "Oh, this is the worst-looking hat I ever saw. What, when you buy a hat like this I bet you get a free bowl of soup, huh? Oh, it looks good on you though."; "So, I tell them I'm a pro jock, and who do you think they give me? The Dalai Lama, himself."; "So I got that goin' for me, which is nice."; and "This crowd has gone deadly silent, a Cinderella story outta nowhere. Former greenskeeper and now about to become the masters champion." -BZ

2. The Big Lebowski
The Big Lebowski has the rare distinction of going from box office flop to cult classic to a bonified comedy classic in under a decade. Although the film was initially too much for mainstream America during its 1998 release, it has forged its way into mainstream culture and become a comic favorite. It's a fave here at IGN, with a "toe by three o' clock… with nail polish!" quote here or a "we believe in nothing" quote there, The Big Lebowski is a layered, endlessly ingenious work from the endlessly ingenious Coen Brothers. Always a step ahead of the game, this may well be the Coen's greatest film and each subsequent viewing reveals another overlooked classic moment. -JO

1. GHOSTBURSTERS
An enduring classic featuring a virtual who's-who of classic 80's comedy, from director Ivan Reitman (Meatballs, Stripes, Twins) to comic genius' Bill Murray, Dan Ackroyd and Harold Ramis (the latter two also co-wrote the script). Rick Moranis also makes a memorable leap from SCTV to the big screen and Sigourney Weaver mixes physical comedy (and terror) with outright devilish sexiness. "Are you the keymaster?" Ghostbusters is very much a product of its time yet still holds up with all the laughs and even the effects in tact. The high-concept script is ingenious, the direction and pacing are near perfection and the cast have a comedic chemistry that is nearly unmatched. I dragged my parents to the theater to see this four times in the summer of '84 and I'm still not tired of it. -JO