There was a time when mid-budget films spanning all genres dominated movie theaters. Indeed, films with a relatively modest production budget got people talking, proving that you don’t always need lots of money to deliver an original, top-notch movie to audiences. Many of these films even managed to make their mark in the industry, winning several major awards and securing their places as some of the most beloved movies ever made. Among all of these productions,comediesstood out the most, with many of them still ranking among the finest of their kind to this day.
However, the movie business has changed progressively over the years. With the advent and proliferation of streaming, priority is increasingly given to bigHollywood studio blockbustersthat are bound to succeed in terms of box office revenue, thus neglecting comedies with smaller budgets that, in execs' eyes, don’t do as well.
Year after year, as a result, there have been fewer mid-budget comedies released, and most of the ones that made it to the audience did so via different streaming platforms. It seems unlikely that mid-budget comedies will make a comeback anytime soon, yet one can safely say that audiences certainly miss them. Here’s our ranking of the 10 best mid-budget comedies of all time.
10Pineapple Express (2008)
Pineapple Express
A year after cementing themselves as screenwriters with the immensely popular 2007 filmSuperbad, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg teamed up again onPineapple Express, directed by David Gordon Green and starring Rogen alongside James Franco. The film follows a stoner and his dealer as they attempt to escape from a drug lord after witnessing a murder. It grossed $102 million worldwide on a budget of $26 million.
What Makes It Great
The most interesting thing in this comedy is probably the chemistry between its main actors, strong enough to go beyond the screen. Although it was not as successful asSuperbad,Pineapple Express’s witty humor and the cast’s performances won over audiences, who are still waiting for a sequel to this day.Stream on Paramount+
9Dumb & Dumber (1994)
Dumb and Dumber
1994 was quite a yearfor Jim Carrey, with premieres that became milestones in his career. Among them, one that stands out isDumb & Dumber, a Peter Farrelly film that Carrey starred in alongside Jeff Daniels that grossed over $247 million worldwide on a $17 million budget. In it, they play Lloyd and Harry, two likable yet foolish friends who embark on an unreasonably lengthy journey to return a suitcase full of money, unaware that the loot is connected to a kidnapping.
Dumb & Dumberis an excellent film to revisit Carrey’s beginnings as a comedic actor; it is as absurd as it is entertaining, and keeps you glued to the screen until the very end. This film, regarded by many as one of the best of the 1990s, not only served to catapult Carrey’s career, but also showcased Daniels in a different light, considering he was, until that point, only regarded as a dramatic actor.Rent on AppleTV
8Coming to America (1988)
Coming to America
Coming to Americais one of the first major hits in the career of actor and comedian Eddie Murphy. In this comedy, directed by John Landis, he plays an African prince, Akeem Joffer, who travels to the United States to find a woman able to love him notwithstanding his noble roots. Naturally, it’s an adventure that will not be quite what he expects. The film became a hit with audiences, grossing over $300 million on a $36 million budget, and spurred the development of a sequel that was released 33 years later.
This 1988 film was the first one to feature Murphyplaying multiple characters, something that would later become a frequent feature in his movies. In addition to his hilarious performance,Coming to Americadraws on the talent of the rest of its cast, most notably Arsenio Hall (who also plays multiple roles), James Earl Jones and John Amos.Rent on AppleTV
7The Hangover (2009)
The Hangover
Back in 2009,The Hangoverkicked off one of the most popular trilogies in movie history, with Todd Phillips serving as director and Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis leading the cast. This comedy features a group of friends whotravel to Las Vegasto celebrate Doug’s (Justin Bartha) bachelor party, though after a wild night with too many drinks, the group wakes up with no recollection of what happened and, even worse, the news that the groom-to-be is missing.
The Hangoverbecame a box-office hit, grossing over $467 million worldwide on a budget of just $35 million, and much of that stemmed from the cast’s performances and its entertaining script. The film delivers an adventure packed with twists and turns, with a messy structure that captures the audience until the very end.Rent on AppleTV
Related:50 Best Comedy Movies of All Time
6Mean Girls (2004)
Mean Girls
2004’sMean Girlsis a terrific teen comedy, written by Tina Fey and directed by Mark Waters, that is still relevant to this day. This movie, considered among the most popular of Lindsay Lohan’s career, follows Cady, a home-schooled teenager who enrolls in a typical American high school for the first time after spending years abroad in Africa. At school, she finds herself confronted with social hierarchies that she doesn’t fully understand. The movie’s initial budget was $17 million, and it grossed over $130 million worldwide.
AlthoughMean Girlsis a teen movie, its witty script, relevant social commentary, and strong cast performances make it entertaining for all audiences. Satirizing school stereotypes and social pressures, this comedy has left a mark on popular culture, with iconic catchphrases that are still widely used today. Since its release,Mean Girlshas turned into a major franchise, spawning a sequel, a stage musical, and an upcoming movie adaptation of the stage musical (also calledMean Girls).Stream on Paramount+
5The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)
With a budget of $26 million,The 40-Year-Old Virginhit theaters to become one of the best comedies ever, effectively positioning Steve Carell as a charismatic leading man. Judd Apatow’s feature directorial debut, this film follows Andy, a friendly yet awkward 40-year-old who has never had sex. Upon finding this out, his friends and co-workers prompt him to meet someone to lose his virginity, a task that proves to be quite complicated.
The 40-Year-Old Virginbecame an absolute box-office hit, and much of this can be attributed to theperformances of both Carelland his fellow cast members, as well as Apatow’s direction. But what really makes this movie great is its well-balanced combination of hilarious scenes and heartwarming moments, which turned it into a highly beloved feature.Rent on AppleTV
Related:Is the Mid-Budget Thriller Making a Comeback?
Superbadhit the silver screen in 2007 to establish Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg as major screenwriters, and it jump-started the careers of its lead stars, Jonah Hill and Michael Cera. This $20 million budget comedy, inspired by Rogen and Goldberg’s teenage years, follows two unpopular teenagers about to graduate from high school, who set out to get drunk and hook up with girls at a graduation party — an endeavor that will prove to be even tougher than they think.
There are many reasons whySuperbadhas become the comedy classic that is still worshiped to this day, though it arguably boils down to its witty lines and Hill and Cera’s performances, which are superbly supported by the rest of the cast. This hilarious portrayal of universally awkward teenage years endeared itself to audiences and won over critics, becoming one of the best mid-budget comedies ever made.Rent on AppleTV
3Groundhog Day (1993)
Groundhog Day
Groundhog Dayis a Harold Ramis film released in 1993 that not only became one of the highest-grossing movies of the year, but also one of the best in Bill Murray’s career. It follows Phil, a TV weatherman who, while on a trip to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to cover the Groundhog Day event, gets caught in a time loop that forces him to relive the same day over and over again. The film had an initial budget of $14 million and grossed over $105 million worldwide.
Groundhog Daymarked Murray’s transition to comedic roles with dramatic undertones, earning him both critical and audience acclaim. One of the most interesting elements of this comedy is its story, which features many humorous moments, but also tackles serious themes that allow us to reflect on life. Its cultural impact was so significant that its title became a term that is still in use today.Stream on Fubo
2Bridesmaids (2011)
Bridesmaids
Kristen Wiig stars inBridesmaidsas Annie, a woman on a bad streak who, upon being asked to serve as her best friend’s maid of honor, sets out to fulfill her role as best she can, even if it triggers a series of unfortunate yet hilarious events. This 2011 comedy, directed by Paul Feig and written by Wiig and Annie Mumolo, emerged as one of the best comedies in history, earning over $306 million worldwide on a $22 million budget.
Bridesmaidswas a watershed in terms offemale representation in comedy, featuring a cast of talented women whose performances became instantly iconic. This, coupled with Wiig and Mumolo’s slick script, earned the film numerous nominations and awards, including multiple Oscar nominations, as well as worldwide acclaim.Rent on AppleTV
1Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Rounding out this list isPlanes, Trains and Automobiles, a 1987 comedy that most people considerthe ultimate Thanksgiving film. This John Hughes film stars Steve Martin and John Candy as Neal and Del, an advertising executive and a shower curtain ring salesman at odds with one another, who are forced to share a multi-day, harrowing trip in order to get home by Thanksgiving after a storm alters the course of their flight.
Planes, Trains and Automobilesgrossed nearly $50 million on a $15 million budget, and earned rave reviews for Hughes for venturing into something different from the teen comedies he was making back then. The highlight of the film is certainly its cast, led by two outstanding comedians who complemented each other perfectly. A testament to its quality, the film has since become a timeless holiday classic.Stream on Paramount+
