Comedy

Woman of the Year (1942) is a seminal film in Hollywood history—not only because it marked the beginning of one of cinema's most iconic on-screen pairings (Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy), but also because it straddled the line between romantic comedy and serious social commentary.

The Jerk (1979) is one of the most iconic and influential American comedies of the late 20th century, launching Steve Martin from stand-up stardom to full-blown movie superstardom. Directed by veteran comedian and filmmaker Carl Reiner, The Jerk is an unapologetically absurd, slapstick-heavy, and irreverently satirical film that revels in its own silliness.

Private Benjamin (1980) is a landmark film in American comedy, blending slapstick humour with feminist undertones in a way that helped redefine the woman-centred narrative in mainstream Hollywood. Starring Goldie Hawn in what became a career-defining performance, the film tells the story of a pampered young widow who joins the U.S. Army on a whim and finds her strength, independence, and self-worth.

Road to Morocco (1942) is the third entry in the wildly popular “Road to…” series starring Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, with Dorothy Lamour as their frequent romantic foil. Directed by David Butler, the film is often regarded as the peak of the franchise and a high point in 1940s Hollywood comedy.

Released in 1979, 10 is a landmark romantic comedy written and directed by Blake Edwards, best known for his stylish comedies (The Pink Panther, Victor/Victoria). With 10, Edwards turned his attention inward, crafting a semi-autobiographical, frank, and often absurd portrayal of middle-aged male anxiety, sexual obsession, and the quest for perfection.

Victor/Victoria (1982) is a dazzling, witty, and daring musical comedy that exemplifies the stylistic flair and satirical edge of director Blake Edwards. Set in 1930s Paris but released during the socially progressive early 1980s, the film is a seamless blend of classic Hollywood musical traditions and contemporary conversations about gender, identity, and performance.

Monkey Business (1931) is the third feature film starring the inimitable Marx Brothers and their first to be based on an original screenplay rather than an adaptation of a Broadway stage production. Directed by Norman Z. McLeod and written by S.J. Perelman and Will B. Johnstone, this anarchic comedy marks a critical transition for the brothers—from musical vaudevillians to full-fledged cinematic troublemakers.

Released in 1980, Caddyshack is a cult classic that captures the spirit of an anarchic new wave of American comedy fuelled by improv-trained comedians, rebellious writing, and a complete disregard for traditional cinematic structure. The directorial debut of Harold Ramis, and co-written with Douglas Kenney and Brian Doyle-Murray, the film is a riotous satire of class, golf, and country club elitism, held together by a parade of outrageous characters and iconic one-liners.

Mr. Deeds Goes to Town is one of the defining films of 1930s American cinema, a cornerstone of the Capra-corn ethos—a blend of idealism, humour, populist sentiment, and individual virtue. Released during the heart of the Great Depression in 1936, it struck a chord with audiences desperate for decency, optimism, and a sense that the "little guy" could stand up to the forces of corruption and cynicism.

The Awful Truth (1937) is a cornerstone of the screwball comedy genre and the film that definitively launched Cary Grant as a leading man with comic brilliance. Directed by Leo McCarey, the film is a dazzling blend of sophistication, farce, and romantic tension, built around the story of a divorcing couple who realize — perhaps too late — that they’re still in love.

Horse Feathers (1932) is the fourth Marx Brothers film and one of their purest distillations of manic energy and anti-authoritarian glee. Released during the depths of the Great Depression, the film targets the twin American institutions of higher education and collegiate football, skewering both with the brothers’ trademark blend of puns, visual gags, and surreal logic.

In the early 1970s, American cinema was undergoing a radical transformation, with auteurs focusing on gritty realism and social commentary. Against this backdrop, Peter Bogdanovich’s What’s Up, Doc? stood out like a Technicolor fever dream — a pure, unapologetic comedy that paid tribute to the rapid-fire, madcap spirit of films like Bringing Up Baby, His Girl Friday, and The Awful Truth. Rather than feeling retro or out of place, it was a huge hit with critics and audiences a

Released during the golden era of screwball comedy, Topper (1937) stands apart thanks to its inventive blending of fantasy and farce. Based on the 1937 novel by Thorne Smith, Topper is a whimsical tale of ghosts, liberation, and high-society satire that paved the way for later supernatural comedies like Blithe Spirit and Ghost and Mrs. Muir.

The Marx Brothers were the reigning kings of cinematic chaos throughout the 1930s, and A Day at the Races represents one of their last great ensemble outings. Following up on their monumental success with A Night at the Opera (1935), the trio once again paired with producer Irving Thalberg and director Sam Wood at MGM, seeking to replicate the blend of musical romance and manic comedy that made their previous film a hit.

The Lady Eve is a masterclass in sophisticated comedy and one of the finest examples of the screwball genre at its peak. Written and directed by Preston Sturges, it combines biting social satire, impeccable timing, and sparkling performances into a film that’s as agile as it is romantic.

The Seven Year Itch is one of the quintessential mid-1950s Hollywood comedies, celebrated not just for its charm and humour but for its cultural resonance. Directed and co-written by the legendary Billy Wilder, and adapted from George Axelrod's successful Broadway play, the film is a deftly constructed exploration of marital anxiety, sexual temptation, and post war neuroses — all wrapped in glossy Technicolor and buoyed by the luminous presence of Marilyn Monroe.

Cat Ballou is a genre-bending romp that mixes broad comedy, Western tropes, musical interludes, and subversive satire into a singular cinematic concoction. It was a bold departure from traditional Westerns of the era — irreverent and light-hearted, yet rooted in themes of justice, personal transformation, and frontier corruption.

My Man Godfrey is a sparkling comedy of manners wrapped around a biting social critique. Released at the height of the Great Depression, it uses the zany tropes of screwball comedy to explore class disparity, human dignity, and the fine line between wealth and madness.

Moonstruck is a romantic comedy that feels like a finely aged wine: rich, layered, and full of unexpected warmth. Directed by Norman Jewison and written by playwright John Patrick Shanley, the film is a celebration of life, love, loss, and second chances — all wrapped in the vibrant culture of an Italian-American Brooklyn family.

It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World is a monumental ensemble comedy film that brings together an all-star cast of legendary comic actors in a frenzied, over-the-top race for hidden treasure.