From ingenious action parodies to laugh-out-loud caper films, here are some of our absolute favorite British comedies, ranked in order from worst to best.
More so than most other nationalities, the United Kingdom has a very particular sense of humor that can be described as … well … British. Evoking a drier comedic style characterized by a deadpan delivery, crisp satirical dialogue, and absurdist plot lines, the UK’s illustrious output of comedy films speaks for itself. To this day, most international audience members can fondly recall some of the best films to originate from the European country, including such classic films as A Fish Called Wanda, Shaun of the Dead, or any one of Monty Python’s celebrated anthology films.
From ingenious action parodies to laugh-out-loud caper films, here are some of our absolute favorite British comedies, ranked in order from worst to best.
Hot Fuzz (2007)
The second installment in Edgar Wright’s utterly smashing Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy, Hot Fuzz makes for a more than satisfying follow-up to the series’ previous entry, Shaun of the Dead. Whereas Wright and Simon Pegg had looked to vintage zombie films as the inspiration for their breakthrough film, Hot Fuzz turns its attention towards stylized police procedural action flicks like Dirty Harry, Point Break, and Lethal Weapon for their underlying narrative premise. The results give way to a film as unforgettably funny as Shaun of the Dead before it or The World’s End after it, ensuring another prestigious entry in Wright’s increasingly superb career.
The Death of Stalin (2017)
Without a doubt among the greatest British comedies of the past 20 years, The Death of Stalin offers a sardonic look at the 1950s Soviet Union in the days following Joseph Stalin’s demise. Dramatizing the death of the titular historical dictator, The Death of Stalin specifically shows off the chaotic scramble for power attempted by Stalin’s various inner circle members. From Steve Buscemi’s opportunistic Khrushchev to Simon Russell Beale’s scheming Beria, every moment of The Death of Stalin is pure anarchic political comedy at its finest.
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
Over the past several decades, Wallace & Gromit have become something of a beloved staple among worldwide audiences, achieving the same level of avid popularity as Monty Python or Mr. Bean before them. With 2005’s The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, Aardman Studios found a way to expand the animated short series into a feature-length mystery film. With careful homages paid to classic Hammer Horror films, The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is that rare comedy capable of delighting a universal audience, regardless of their age or respective demographic.
A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
Like every member of Monty Python, John Cleese went on to enjoy a long and accolade-filled career in the entertainment industry, starring in various hit films throughout the next several decades. As many wonderful movies as Cleese appeared in, the most notable among the actor’s projects has to be his 1988 comedy caper, A Fish Called Wanda. Humorously subverting the various tropes around the hard-boiled heist genre, Cleese provided one of the most refreshing takes on the comedy crime film with his work here, earning consistent acclaim from audiences across the globe.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Few comedy troupes have shaped the larger comedic landscape to the same extent as Monty Python. Just as they’d managed to dazzle viewers with their sensational Flying Circus TV series, the Pythons made a similarly larger-than-life splash with their debut film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Satirizing Arthurian legend and presenting King Arthur’s quest to find the fabled chalice, Holy Grail comes packed with the Pythons’ signature surreal humor, including such inventive tropes as man-eating rabbits, salacious maidens, homicidal knights, and hilariously condescending French invaders.
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
The fact that Shaun of the Dead played a massive role in reigniting fans’ interest in the waning zombie genre should tell viewers all they need to know about this 2004 comedy. Co-written and directed by the always fantastic Edgar Wright, Shaun of the Dead provides a tongue-in-cheek look at the stereotypical zombie vehicle, complete with meticulous nods to George A. Romero’s lauded Living Dead series. Striking a fine balance between infectious humor and light-hearted scares, Shaun of the Dead is a comedy horror masterpiece done right, influencing countless movies, video games, and TV series in the process.
Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979)
While Monty Python and the Holy Grail is rightfully considered a hallmark of British cinema, there’s something special about the Pythons’ immediate 1979 follow-up, Life of Brian. Swapping the Dark Ages for the Ancient Middle East, the Python troupe effectively lampoons the conventions of organized religion and political conformity, outfitting their narrative with thought-provoking nuance and sobering dark comedy. Incorporating absurdist humor, poignant satire, and bittersweet musical numbers, it’s a film guaranteed to leave an impression on audience members for literal decades to come.
