Some of the most unique, memorable movies in cinematic history are those that manage to seamlessly blend one genre of film with another. And there are few genre combinations that have captivated audiences quite like the action comedy.
Some examples of this hybrid genre are primarily action-based with added humorous elements, while others lean more towards the comedy side of the spectrum. However, they all excel at both aspects in their own distinct way. So without further ado, this list will explore five different action comedy films — some are more recent while others are modern classics, but all of them are incredibly entertaining
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Hot Fuzz
It’d practically be a crime not to kick off this list with a film directed by Edgar Wright, the man behind the likes of Shaun of the Dead and Baby Driver. However, Wright’s magnum opus is arguably his 2007 directorial effort Hot Fuzz. The film stars Simon Pegg as Nicholas Angel, a hyper-competent no-nonsense cop who gets reassigned to the tiny village of Sandford. While Angel is initially annoyed by his new surroundings, he’s soon forced to team up with his bumbling new partner Danny Butterman (Nick Frost) to unravel the mystery behind a series of serial murders.
Hot Fuzz is certainly more comedy than action, with a hilarious cast that includes the likes of Jim Broadbent, Timothy Dalton, Olivia Colman, and many more. Plus, it boasts an infinitely quotable script by Wright and Pegg that’s as clever as it is comedic. But make no mistake, what Hot Fuzz lacks in quantity of action, it more than makes up for in quality, with a blowout climax that you’ll never forget. If you haven’t seen this one yet, it’s an absolute must-watch — and even if you have seen it, it’s the kind of movie that only gets better with every viewing.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
It may be cheating to list two Edgar Wright movies in a row, but Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is just too fun to leave out. Based on the graphic novel series by Bryan Lee O’Malley, this 2010 adaptation stars Michael Cera as the titular Scott Pilgrim, a garage band bassist who finds himself embroiled in a life-or-death battle. After he hits it off with the mysterious Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Scott is targeted by the League of Evil Exes, a sinister alliance of Ramona’s jilted former lovers. However, the greatest threat to Scott and Ramona’s budding relationship isn’t any of the Evil Exes, but his own personal issues.
Like Hot Fuzz before it, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World boasts a tight script by Wright filled with a plethora of memorable jokes — plus an all-star cast featuring Chris Evans, Jason Schwartzman, Brie Larson, Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza, and many, many more. But unlike Hot Fuzz, this film has a much greater emphasis on action. It features plenty of exciting, over-the-top fight scenes with stylized, video game-inspired visuals that are unlike anything you’ll find in other action movies. Weird, wild, and truly imaginative, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a one-of-a-kind experience.
Thor: Ragnarok
From What We Do In The Shadows to Jojo Rabbit, few directors today have mastered offbeat comedy quite like Taika Waititi. And when you take Waititi’s signature style and bring it to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, you get one of the most utterly entertaining superhero movies of the past decade. At this point, there isn’t much left to say about Thor: Ragnarok that hasn’t already been said. And while its recent sequel Love and Thunder has earned a much more controversial reception, there’s a reason why Ragnarok made as big a splash as it did. With Waititi at the helm and a charismatic cast featuring Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Tessa Thompson, and Jeff Goldblum, it’s not hard to see how this one earned its reputation.
The Suicide Squad
Of course, when discussing the funniest superhero movies of recent years, it’s impossible not to bring up the work of James Gunn. While he first earned mainstream fame with the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, Gunn arguably surpassed his MCU work with last year’s The Suicide Squad. True to form, the film features the same blend of snappy, irreverent dialogue and heartfelt found family themes that made the Guardians films such major fan favorites. But between its R rating and its looser connections to a wider cinematic universe, The Suicide Squad allows Gunn to truly cut loose in a way that Marvel never has. Plus, having a cast that includes Idris Elba, Margot Robbie, John Cena, and Sylvester Stallone doesn’t hurt. When you combine a brilliant ensemble cast with Gunn’s unfiltered skill as a storyteller, you get one explosively entertaining movie.
Bullet Train
Rounding out the list is a very recent film that may have flown under the radar of some moviegoers. This year’s Bullet Train, helmed by Deadpool 2 director David Leitch, follows a nervous former assassin codenamed Ladybug (Brad Pitt) who’s tasked with retrieving a briefcase from a Tokyo bullet train. But along the way, he runs afoul of a tangled conspiracy involving rival assassins, vengeful yakuza bosses, and twisted family drama. Elaborate master plans collide one after another, and our unlucky protagonist is helplessly along for the ride.
Like Deadpool 2 before it, the film is an action-packed thrill ride one moment, gut-bustingly funny the next, and heartbreakingly dramatic the next. And of course, it features some brilliant performances from Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, and Hiroyuki Sanada. In short, Bullet Train is a bloody good time that must be seen to be believed. Even if you missed your chance to see it in theaters, it’s still well worth a watch.