Comedy is the heartbeat of American cinema, serving as both a mirror to our culture and an escape from it. In the United States, the last decade has seen a shift from broad slapstick to sharp, genre-bending narratives that explore identity, family dynamics, and the absurdity of modern life. From the sun-soaked streets of California to the historic prep schools of Massachusetts, the best comedies are deeply rooted in their American settings.
As of late 2025, the definition of a “comedy” has evolved. Audiences are flocking to films that blend humor with heart, mystery, and social commentary. Top 10 America has analyzed box office receipts, critical scores, and lasting cultural impact to curate this definitive list. We aren’t just looking for cheap laughs; we are looking for films that define the American experience through humor.
Our team has selected these top ten films based on their wit, re-watchability, and how well they utilize their specific US locations to enhance the storytelling. Whether it’s a wild girls’ trip to New Orleans or a time loop in the California desert, these movies represent the gold standard of American humor over the last ten years.
Overview: Top 10 Funniest American Comedy Movies (2016–2025)
| Rank | Movie Title | Director(s) | Key US Location/Setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barbie | Greta Gerwig | Venice Beach, California |
| 2 | Everything Everywhere All At Once | The Daniels | Simi Valley, California |
| 3 | Knives Out | Rian Johnson | Boston Area, Massachusetts |
| 4 | The Nice Guys | Shane Black | Los Angeles, California |
| 5 | Lady Bird | Greta Gerwig | Sacramento, California |
| 6 | The Holdovers | Alexander Payne | New England, Massachusetts |
| 7 | Girls Trip | Malcolm D. Lee | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| 8 | Palm Springs | Max Barbakow | Palm Springs, California |
| 9 | Game Night | Daley & Goldstein | Marietta, Georgia (Suburbs) |
| 10 | Booksmart | Olivia Wilde | Los Angeles, California |
Top 10. Booksmart (2019)
Kicking off our list is Booksmart, a whip-smart evolution of the high school buddy comedy. Set and filmed in the vibrant neighborhoods of Los Angeles, California, specifically the San Fernando Valley and Van Nuys, the film captures the high-pressure environment of modern American high schools. It follows two overachieving best friends who realize on the eve of graduation that they studied too much and partied too little, resolving to cram four years of fun into one chaotic night.
In Top 10 America’s view, this film stands out because it subverts the “gross-out” teen tropes of the early 2000s in favor of rapid-fire wit and genuine female friendship. We suggest this movie for anyone who wants to see the diversity of California youth culture portrayed with empathy rather than mockery. Critics praised the chemistry between leads Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever, noting that the humor feels grounded in the reality of Gen Z anxiety.
A fun insider detail is that the film utilized the distinct architecture of Los Angeles to tell its story, from the gritty charm of a Van Nuys pizza shop to the mid-century modern homes in the hills. It is a love letter to the sprawling nature of LA, proving that the smartest kids in the room can also be the funniest.
Key Highlights
- Director: Olivia Wilde (Directorial Debut).
- US Setting: San Fernando Valley, California.
- Accolade: Won Best First Feature at the Independent Spirit Awards.
- Box Office: Grossed over $25 million despite being an indie release.
Top 9. Game Night (2018)
Game Night takes the concept of a quiet evening in the American suburbs and turns it into a high-stakes action-comedy. While the story is set in a nondescript suburban landscape, the production was filmed extensively in Marietta and Atlanta, Georgia. The film brilliantly satirizes the competitive nature of upper-middle-class American couples, using the sprawling homes and manicured lawns of the South as a backdrop for kidnapping, fight clubs, and absurdity.
We recommend this film as a masterclass in ensemble chemistry. The script is tight, turning a simple premise—a murder mystery party that becomes real—into a roller coaster of dark humor. Top 10 America believes the standout performance comes from Jesse Plemons, whose portrayal of a lonely, creepy neighbor is widely considered one of the funniest supporting roles of the decade. It perfectly captures the awkward social dynamics often found in close-knit suburban neighborhoods.
Reflecting on its success, Game Night proved that studio comedies could still be visually stunning. The directors used “tilt-shift” photography to make the Georgia neighborhoods look like literal game boards with miniature pieces, a creative visual metaphor that elevates the humor above standard genre fare.
Key Highlights
- Release Year: 2018.
- Filming Hub: Atlanta Metro Area, Georgia.
- Star Power: Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams.
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: Certified Fresh at 85%.
Top 8. Palm Springs (2020)
Located in the scorched deserts of Southern California, Palm Springs reinvented the “time loop” genre made famous by Groundhog Day. The film is explicitly set in the resort city of Palm Springs, California, utilizing the stark, arid landscape to emphasize the characters’ feeling of being trapped in an infinite present. It follows two wedding guests who get stuck reliving the same day over and over in the desert heat.
Our team loves this film for its nihilistic yet hopeful approach to romance. In our perspective, it is the perfect comedy for the modern era, balancing existential dread with laugh-out-loud physical comedy. The isolation of the California desert serves as a perfect metaphor for the characters’ emotional stagnation, making their eventual growth feel earned and triumphant.
A fascinating detail is how the film uses the geography of the American West. The endless caves and dusty horizons of the Coachella Valley aren’t just scenery; they are integral to the plot. It became a streaming sensation, breaking records on Hulu and proving that indie comedies could dominate the cultural conversation even without a massive theatrical release.
Key Highlights
- Setting: Coachella Valley, California.
- Record: Broke the opening weekend record for Hulu at the time.
- Genre: Sci-Fi / Rom-Com.
- Stars: Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti.
Top 7. Girls Trip (2017)
Few films capture the vibrancy of American festival culture better than Girls Trip. Set against the backdrop of the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana, this R-rated blockbuster follows four lifelong friends reconnecting for a wild weekend in the Big Easy. From the erratic energy of Bourbon Street to the humidity of the bayou, the city of New Orleans is essentially the fifth main character of the movie.
Top 10 America suggests this movie as the definitive “buddy comedy” of the decade. It launched Tiffany Haddish into superstardom and proved that comedies led by Black women could dominate the global box office. The humor is raunchy and fearless, but it is anchored by a genuine portrayal of sisterhood and the specific cultural significance of the Essence Fest to the African American community.
One memorable reflection is the film’s authenticity. Unlike movies that use generic sets, Girls Trip filmed on location during the actual festival in Louisiana. The crowds, the music, and the atmosphere are real, adding an electric layer of energy that cannot be faked on a soundstage.
Key Highlights
- Location: New Orleans, Louisiana.
- Box Office: First comedy of 2017 to cross $100 million domestically.
- Breakout Role: Tiffany Haddish won Best Supporting Actress from NYFCC.
- Cultural Event: Filmed live at Essence Fest.
Top 6. The Holdovers (2023)
Transporting audiences to the snowy, quiet isolation of 1970s New England, The Holdovers is a masterpiece of mood and wit. Filmed across historic locations in Massachusetts, including real prep schools like Groton and Deerfield Academy, the movie tells the story of a curmudgeonly teacher forced to supervise students left behind during Christmas break. It is a visual time capsule of the American Northeast.
We classify this as a “dramedy” that delivers some of the sharpest dialogue of the decade. In Top 10 America’s view, the humor comes from the friction between Paul Giamatti’s intellectual snobbery and the raw, unfiltered grief of the other characters. It captures the specific, cold, intellectual atmosphere of Massachusetts academic life, warming it with a deeply human story of connection.
Insider reports confirm that the filmmakers went to great lengths to achieve the 1970s aesthetic, not just in costumes, but in the film grain itself. It feels like a lost classic from a bygone era of American cinema, reminding us that sometimes the funniest moments come from deep sadness and awkward vulnerability.
Key Highlights
- Region: Massachusetts (Greater Boston & Western MA).
- Awards: Da’Vine Joy Randolph won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
- Vibe: 1970s Holiday Classic.
- Score: 97% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Top 5. Lady Bird (2017)
Lady Bird is a love letter to Sacramento, California, a city often overshadowed by its glamorous neighbors, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Written and directed by Greta Gerwig, the film explores the turbulent bond between a mother and her teenage daughter during the early 2000s. It showcases the suburban reality of the “City of Trees,” featuring local landmarks like the Fabulous Forties neighborhood and the Tower Bridge.
We suggest this film not just for its humor, which is dry and observational, but for its honesty. It captures the specific American experience of wanting to leave your hometown, only to realize how much it defined you once you are gone. The dialogue is rapid and overlapping, reflecting the chaotic nature of family life in the American middle class.
A poignant reflection is the film’s title character’s desire to go to the East Coast, creating a “coast vs. coast” cultural tension that resonates with many Americans. Lady Bird proves that a specific story about a girl in California can feel universal to anyone who has ever struggled to find their place in the world.
Key Highlights
- Hometown: Sacramento, California.
- Director: Greta Gerwig (Solo Directorial Debut).
- Acclaim: Nominated for 5 Academy Awards.
- Theme: Mother-Daughter dynamics and Economic anxiety.
Top 4. The Nice Guys (2016)
Set in the smog-choked, neon-lit sprawl of 1977 Los Angeles, California, The Nice Guys is a noir-comedy that has gained a massive cult following. Starring Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe, the film navigates the seedier side of the Hollywood Hills and the American auto industry. It utilizes the iconic geography of LA—from the Sunset Strip to the winding canyon roads—to tell a story of conspiracy and incompetence.
In our analysis, this is perhaps the most “laugh-out-loud” film on the list. The physical comedy provided by Ryan Gosling is unmatched. Top 10 America appreciates how the film satirizes 1970s American corruption while delivering a genuinely gripping mystery. It plays with the history of California, specifically the pollution and the excess of the disco era.
Despite being a modest box office performer initially, its reputation has skyrocketed. It is often cited by critics as the best “buddy cop” movie since the 90s. The film captures a very specific moment in US history where the glamour of Hollywood collided with the grime of reality, making for a perfect comedic backdrop.
Key Highlights
- Setting: 1977 Los Angeles.
- Stars: Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe.
- Status: Certified Cult Classic.
- Director: Shane Black (Creator of Lethal Weapon).
Top 3. Knives Out (2019)
Knives Out revitalized the murder mystery genre with a distinctly American twist. While it pays homage to British tropes, the film is deeply set in the crisp, autumnal atmosphere of Massachusetts. The Thrombey estate, a Gothic Revival mansion, becomes a pressure cooker for a wealthy, dysfunctional American family fighting over an inheritance. The setting emphasizes the “old money” aesthetic unique to the New England region.
We recommend this film for its sharp social commentary disguised as a whodunit. Director Rian Johnson uses the family’s bickering to explore modern American political divides, classism, and immigration, all while keeping the tone light and fun. The character of Benoit Blanc, a gentleman sleuth with a thick Southern drawl, creates a hilarious contrast to the uptight Boston family.
A fun fact for viewers is that the “house” in the movie is actually a composite of two different historic mansions in Massachusetts just outside of Boston. The film’s success was so massive that it spawned a franchise, but the original remains the funniest and most tightly constructed of the series.
Key Highlights
- Filming Location: Boston/Natick/Wellesley, Massachusetts.
- Box Office: $312 million worldwide.
- Genre: Modern Whodunit.
- Screenplay: Nominated for Best Original Screenplay Oscar.
Top 2. Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)
Exploding out of Simi Valley, California, Everything Everywhere All At Once is a genre-defying phenomenon. While it traverses the multiverse, the story is grounded in a laundromat owned by a Chinese-American immigrant family in the San Fernando Valley. The mundane setting of an IRS office building (filmed in a repurposed bank in Simi Valley) becomes the battleground for the fate of existence.
Top 10 America views this as the most creative comedy of the century so far. It uses absurdist humor—hot dog fingers, talking rocks, and raccoon chefs—to tackle profound themes of generational trauma and kindness. It is a uniquely American story about the immigrant experience, blending martial arts, sci-fi, and slapstick into something entirely new.
This film made history by sweeping the Academy Awards, proving that a weird, chaotic comedy could be taken seriously as art. The “Rock Scene,” which features no dialogue and just two rocks sitting in a California desert canyon, is frequently cited as one of the funniest and most moving scenes in recent film history.
Key Highlights
- Primary Setting: Simi Valley / San Fernando Valley, California.
- Major Win: Won 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
- Style: Maximalist Absurdism.
- Star: Michelle Yeoh (First Asian Best Actress winner).
Top 1. Barbie (2023)
Taking the top spot is the cultural juggernaut, Barbie. While much of the film takes place in the fantastical “Barbie Land,” the crucial narrative arc occurs in the “Real World,” specifically Venice Beach and Century City, California. The contrast between the plastic perfection of Barbie’s world and the gritty, sunny reality of the Los Angeles boardwalk drives the film’s sharpest satire.
In Top 10 America’s perspective, Barbie is the funniest movie of the decade because it managed to be everything at once: a toy commercial, a feminist manifesto, and a hilarious road trip comedy. Director Greta Gerwig (her second entry on this list) utilized the iconography of California beach culture to ground the doll’s existential crisis. Ryan Gosling’s performance as Ken is widely regarded as a comedic tour de force.
The “Barbenheimer” phenomenon of 2023 proved that American cinema is alive and well. The film didn’t just tell jokes; it created a shared cultural language. Whether rollerblading down the Venice boardwalk or storming the Mattel offices in a high-rise, Barbie captured the imagination of the US and the world, making it our number one pick.
Key Highlights
- Real World Setting: Venice Beach, California.
- Box Office: Highest-grossing film of 2023 ($1.4 Billion).
- Director: Greta Gerwig (First solo female director to hit $1B).
- Impact: Global cultural phenomenon.
Conclusion
From the indie charm of Lady Bird in Sacramento to the billion-dollar spectacle of Barbie in Venice Beach, the last decade of American comedy has been defined by variety and vision. These films prove that humor is most effective when it has a sense of place. Whether exploring the suburbs of Georgia or the prep schools of New England, these directors have used the American landscape to tell stories that are as poignant as they are hilarious.
Top 10 America hopes this list inspires your next movie night. Which of these modern classics captures your sense of humor best?
