The crime and comedy genres are already great on their own. However, when these two popular categories are combined, the results are nothing short of incredible since the comedic elements add an intriguing contrast to the serious themes of violence, gore, and corruption that the crime genre is known for, making for a truly captivating viewing experience.
This distinctive blend ultimately produces absorbing movies for audiences who enjoy both immersing themselves. Throughout the years, as the sub-genre has grown in popularity, plenty of crime comedy movies have captured the attention of global moviegoers, with some of them even becoming cult classics, as is the case of the Coen Brothers' fan-favorite The Big Lebowski. From A Fish Called Wanda to The Long Goodbye, these are the best crime comedy films.
10 'A Fish Called Wanda' (1988)
Director: Charles Crichton, John Cleese
This Charles Crichton and John Cleese film depicts the planning of a jewelry heist, led by four very different people (TomGeorgeson, MichaelPalin, JamieLeeCurtis, and KevinKline), as they then attempt to double-cross each other for the loot. When their plan goes badly, Wanda tries to seduce George's British gangster Thomas's lawyer, Archie (John Cleese) in order to find out where George hid the diamonds.
A Fish Called Wanda is mandatory viewing for crime comedy enthusiasts. This British screwball comedy is nothing short of hilarious, with its second part standing out a bit more than the first. Kline and Palin's comedic performances, in particular, are really funny, and the narrative is clever, witty, and intriguingly examines betrayal and loyalty. Furthermore, the bonds between its characters are three-dimensional. With all this being said, A Fish Called Wanda is easily one of the funniest crime comedies of the 1980s.
A Fish Called Wanda
RComedyCrime- Release Date
- July 15, 1988
- Cast
- John Cleese , jamie lee curtis , Kevin Kline , Michael Palin , Maria Aitken , Tom Georgeson
- Runtime
- 108 minutes
9 'Arsenic and Old Lace' (1994)
Director: Frank Capra
Based on JosephKesselring's 1941 play of the same name, Frank Capra's fantastic screwball mystery black comedy film stars the iconic Cary Grant (in a role originally intended for BobHope) opposite PriscillaLane and tells the story of a Brooklyn author who risks his reputation after he decides to get married. In the meantime, circumstances are complicated when he learns that his maiden aunts (JosephineHull, JeanAdair) are murderers, his uncle is disturbed (John Alexander) and his brother is homicidal (JohnAlexander).
Set in Brooklyn, New York, Arsenic and Old Lace is wicked fun, with two strong performances at its center, resulting in the perfect crime comedy watch for old Hollywood aficionados. It's not difficult to understand why Capra's crime comedy was so beloved when it was released (and a box office hit at the time), considering how funny it was and endures, standing the test of time even today.
8 'Knives Out' (2019)
Director: Rian Johnson
Rian Johnson's Knives Out is a brilliant addition to contemporary cinema and a love letter to Agatha Christie's whodunit murder mystery novels, from which Johnson drew inspiration. Starring Daniel Craig in one of his most memorable roles, this 2019 film sees a detective investigate the death of the patriarch (ChristopherPlummer) — for whom Anda de Armas' Marta Cabrera used to work as a caretaker — of an eccentric, wealthy family.
Knives Out's talented ensemble cast is not its only valuable asset. On top of the narrative being incredibly entertaining (likely to have audiences on the edge of their seats with its nail-biting mystery and laughing out loud with its comedic bits) and memorable characters (Benoit's Hercule Poirot type of character stands out),Johnson's crime comedyis visually pleasing and unpredictable, keeping audiences guessing throughout.
Knives Out
PG-13MysteryThriller- Release Date
- November 27, 2019
- Cast
- Toni Collette , Ana De Armas , Chris Evans , Katherine Langford , Jaeden Martell , Edi Patterson , Daniel Craig
- Runtime
- 130 minutes
7 'Hot Fuzz' (2007)
Director: Edgar Wright
Next up is Edgar Wright's Hot Fuzz, a cult classic that clearly deserves a spot on this list. The Edgar Wright story centers around Simong Pegg's ambitious London police sergeant, illustrating his struggles to adapt to his new job after being transferred to a small village where a string of murders strikes, and the easygoing officers object to his fervor for regulation.
The second installment in the Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy (which also includes Shaun of the Dead and The World's End) is, to some, the best film out of the three. Not only does the crime comedy brilliantly satirize American action cop movies, but it also provides a sharp parody of English country life. All in all, Hot Fuzz is an immensely fun time in front of the screen mostly thanks to its perfect blend of comedy, crime, and action.
Hot Fuzz
RActionComedyCrime- Release Date
- February 20, 2007
- Cast
- Simon Pegg , Martin Freeman , Bill Nighy , Robert Popper , Joe Cornish , Chris Waitt
- Runtime
- 121 minutes
6 'The Sting' (1973)
Director: George Roy Hill
Set in 1930s Chicago, this high-grossing, critically acclaimed American caper film by George Roy Hill sees Robert Redford and Paul Newman team up to come up with a scheme to pull off an ultimate con. The characters and storyline are inspired by real-life cons perpetrated by brothers Fred and Charley Gondorff documented by DavidMaurer in his book The Big Con: The Story of the Confidence Man.
The Sting was nominated for ten Oscars and took home seven, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Editing, and Best Original Screenplay. As such, it is not surprising that Roy Hill's movie is highly regarded and considered one of the best crime comedies of all time. With such talented actors at its center and a thoroughly absorbing, clever, and well-written screenplay, The Sting stands the test of time as one of the best in its genre.
The Sting
PGComedyCrimeDocumentaryDrama- Release Date
- December 25, 1973
- Cast
- Paul Newman , Robert Redford , Robert Shaw , Charles Durning , Ray Walston , Eileen Brennan
- Runtime
- 129
5 'The Wolf of Wall Street' (2013)
Director: Martin Scorsese
The renowned filmmaker Martin Scorsese has directed several popular projects, but The Wolf of Wall Street stands out as one of his most talked-about movies. The crime comedy, released in 2013, has gained a surprising cult following over time, with many "film bros" considering it the best movie ever made. The plot is based on the true story of JordanBelfort, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, depicting his journey from a wealthy stockbroker to his downfall involving corruption and crime.
DiCaprio delivers one of his finest tours de force in Scorsese's five-time Oscar-nominated epic, elevating the genre to new heights with his astounding performance. Margot Robbie is exceptionally good at playing Jordan's wife, Naomi, in it, too (her breakout role). The lavish and visually immersive The Wolf of Wall Street is ambitious, bold, and surely not to everyone's taste, nor fit for audiences of all ages. However, those who like it probably love it.
The Wolf of Wall Street
RCrimeBiographyComedy- Release Date
- December 25, 2013
- Cast
- Leonardo DiCaprio , Matthew McConaughey , Margot Robbie , Jonah Hill , Cristin Milioti , Jon Bernthal
- Runtime
- 179 minutes
4 'My Cousin Vinny' (1992)
Director: Jonathan Lynn
In JonathanLynn's 1992 crime comedy filmMy Cousin Vinny, which was inspired by a real-life encounter, two New Yorkers played by JoePesci and MarisaTomei, are accused of murder in rural Alabama while on their way back to college. They call upon the help of one of their cousins (Karate Kid's RalphMacchio), a loudmouth lawyer with no trial experience, to defend them.
It's not for no reason that My Cousin Vinny is considered one of the best crime comedies of its time — it is funny and thoroughly amusing throughout, with the jokes and comedic bits delivered to perfection and with the right timing. What's more, the unconventional courtroom drama is said to be a very accurate illustration of courtroom procedure and trial strategy, painting a close-to-reality picture even in its details.
My Cousin Vinny
RComedyCrimeDocumentary- Release Date
- March 13, 1992
- Cast
- Joe Pesci , Ralph Macchio , Marisa Tomei , Mitchell Whitfield , Fred Gwynne , Lane Smith
- Runtime
- 120
3 'Fargo' (1996)
Director: Joel Coen
Joel Coen's Fargo illustrates the poorly executed crime of Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) and his henchmen surrounding the kidnapping of his wife for ransom to be paid by her wealthy father. Eventually, his plan falls apart while a pregnant police officer, played to perfection by Frances McDormand in an Oscar-winning role, persistently investigates it.
With solid central performances from all those involved and hilarious comedic moments serving as a counterbalance to the violence depicted in the film (as expected in a feature of the crime genre), Coen's crime comedy Fargo is nothing short of unforgettable, earning a spot among the best films of the 1990s thanks to its memorable screenplay. At the Cannes Film Festival, Coen won the Prix De La Mise En Scène (Best Director Award).
Fargo
RCrimeDocumentaryDramaThriller- Release Date
- April 5, 1996
- Cast
- William H. Macy , Steve Buscemi , Frances McDormand , Peter Stormare , Kristin Rudrüd , Harve Presnell
- Runtime
- 98
2 'The Big Lebowski' (1998)
Director: The Coen Brothers
After his astounding work in Fargo, Joel Coen delivered another cult classic in 1998 alongside his brother Ethan Coen. The Big Lebowskifeatures Jeff Bridges in a career-defining performance as a Los Angeles slacker and enthusiastic bowler. The story sees "The Dude" being mistaken for a millionaire also named Lebowski (David Huddleston). When his precious rug is ruined, he enlists his bowling buddies to help get it.
Despite being released to mixed reviews, this independent crime comedy movie became one of the most beloved in the category, with millions of film enthusiasts now finding it a remarkable cult classic. There are many reasons why The Big Lebowski is so good, and its off-beat characters, hilarious storyline, and overall flawless execution are at the top of the list. It's also a great pick for fans of surrealist films.
The Big Lebowski
RComedyCrime- Release Date
- March 6, 1998
- Cast
- Jeff Bridges , John Goodman , Julianne Moore , Steve Buscemi , David Huddleston , Philip Seymour Hoffman , Tara Reid , Peter Stormare
- Runtime
- 117 minutes
1 'The Long Goodbye' (1973)
Director: Robert Altman
At the forefront is Robert Altman's The Long Goodbye, a 1973 film starring Elliott Gould as a private detective who is requested by his old friend Terry Lennox (JimBouton) to give him a ride to Mexico. While he agrees to the request, he is questioned by the police about the death of Terry's wife upon returning to Los Angeles. Eventually, it's reported that Terry has committed suicide in Mexico. While Marlowe doesn't buy it at first, things change when he takes a new case from a beautiful blonde (NinavanPallandt), who has a past with Terry.
Standing among the best films of the 1970s, Altman's crime comedy is a clever satirical critique of Hollywood, mockingly exposing everything from fascism to the industry's pretentiousness, even providing audiences with a comical take on the film noir and the detective genres. Whether one enjoys it or not, it is undeniable that The Long Goodbye is a satirical, genre-bending feature that defies the conventions of its category, with utterly intriguing results.
The Long Goodbye
RDramaComedyCrime- Release Date
- March 8, 1973
- Cast
- Elliott Gould , Sterling Hayden , Mark Rydell , David Arkin
- Runtime
- 112 minutes
