Generally, we all prefer to mark the beginning of a New Year on a high and happy note. Therefore, in the case of films, there is no genre better than comedy to help cheer one up and make one laugh and smile and uplift their mood. Furthermore, the comedy genre is also perfect for a communal experience and for viewing and watching with friends and family, which further increases the fun factor. As many films are not accessible and will be so a few months into 2023, this list will be unranked. The list includes films that are some of the finest in terms of their comic elements and their lol factor. For those in the market for standard comedy films, this year was a pretty decent one, but there were also a few inventive genre blenders and meta films that managed to shake things up. So here is a list of some of the funniest films from 2022 that definitely need a watch:
An Action Hero (2022) (Dir. Anirudh Iyer)
This Hindi-language film, directed by debutant Anirudh Iyer, was the most pleasant surprise in 2022 from Indian Cinema. Unlike other comedies that, even after trying hard, fail to make one laugh, here the effect is achieved in a very effortless manner, it goes fully meta with its approach, and boasts of various hilarious moments that take a dig at the current scenario of Indian politics, mainly the mainstream media. “An Action Hero” (2022) also has some of the finest on-screen chemistry between the pair of Ayushmann Khurrana and Jaideep Ahlawat, who kind of championed the act of portraying deadpan humor through a very rough and no-nonsense Haryanvi politician. Furthermore, the film also has one of the best and most hilarious cameos seen in recent Indian Cinema, by one of the most well-known stars of the country. Other than the comic aspects, the film also showcases technical prowess, from its editing and cinematography to its sound design, as well as the design and choreography of impressive action sequences.
Everything, Everywhere, All At Once (2022) (Dir. Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert)
Other than being a great action film itself, “Everything, Everywhere, All At Once” (2022) is also a brilliant comedy, having some of the funniest sequences from any film of 2022 and which will make one laugh out loud. The director duo of Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert perfectly blends various genres into this madcap entertainer that is fun from the get-go and also showcases a mother-daughter relationship as a major fulcrum of the film that evokes various emotions and can make the viewers both laugh and cry. The hilarity of the film comes out mostly through the inventive and weird approach toward the action set-pieces, which work brilliantly in catering to both the comic and the action aspects. Therefore, it is a must-watch from 2022 and one which will give the viewers a pleasant breath of fresh air with a very unique take on the gimmicky nature of the concept of multiverse and forced humor in some so-called innovative big-budget franchise films.
Good Luck To You, Leo Grande (2022)
Throughout the years, the genre of adult comedy has been filled with an unending list of films where only a few stand out, and if the recent past is concerned, “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande” (2022) manages to make its mark as an impressive film belonging to that genre. Through its core narrative revolving around a retired teacher and young male sex worker, the film presents a very refreshing take, along with being genuinely hilarious at times, and does not shy away from talking openly about sex and the complexities attached to it. The film never judges its characters and their professions; they are displayed through a very warm and affectionate lens. Yet, at the same time, the film is quite humorous, and this is further etched out by the acting performances of the leads, especially Emma Thompson.
Triangle Of Sadness (2022) (Dir. Ruben Östlund)
This film won the Palme D’Or in 2022 at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, making Swedish filmmaker Ruben Östlund a two-time winner, having previously won for “The Square” (2017). If one has previously seen any films by Östlund, then one may have an idea about what to expect. Or else they’ll know they are in for a massively mad ride of a film through a plot set against a backdrop of ultra-rich people boarding a luxury cruise. “Triangle of Sadness” (2022) contains probably the most hilarious and outrageous sequences to have graced the big screen in 2022, and that alone is enough for one to have a go at this film. Other than that, the film is a delicious takedown of capitalistic wealth inequality and showcases very politically charged themes that garb themselves in satirical humor. The film also sees great acting performances from its ensemble cast of actors, including the late Charlbi Dean Kriek, Harris Dickinson, Dolly De Leon, and especially Woody Harrelson, whose short screen time perfectly marks his presence. The film is perfect in its critique of the elite class, while also taking a dig at the hypocritical nature of the left, while at the same time wearing Marxist values on its sleeves and trying to put a lens on the very opportunistic and exploitative nature of human beings.
Darlings (2022) (Dir. Jasmeet K. Reen)
This Netflix Originals film marks the collaboration of major popular names, including Alia Bhatt, who takes on the roles of both an actor and debutant producer, Shah Rukh Khan, whose production house backed the film, and also the composer-lyricist duo of Vishal Bharadwaj and literary legend Gulzar. Furthermore, “Darlings” (2022) is a fine and refreshing film that also marks the debut of filmmaker Jasmeet Reen, who manages to effectively pull off dark humor with a film that revolves around the serious topic of domestic abuse. Other than its black humor aspect, the film majorly gets its footing right due to some well-written characters, which are etched out on the screen in a pitch-perfect manner by its tremendous ensemble cast of Alia Bhatt, Shefali Shah, Roshan Mathews, and the scene stealer, Vijay Varma. Although the film has its choppy moments, it can still be a pretty enjoyable watch with some really amusingly horrific moments.
The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent (2022) (Dir. Tom Gormican)
Another meta-action-comedy flick in this list, and this one has the added benefit of starring Nicholas Cage, portraying himself in one the whackiest and most fun-filled entertaining films of 2022. The plot revolves around a financially unstable Nic Cage accepting an invitation to be a guest at a birthday party for a fat paycheck, and now he’s trapped between a CIA agent and a Pablo Escobar-like drug dealer. This whimsical and quirky narrative is perfectly fleshed out by the equally satisfying and hilarious performance by Cage, and it is a pure thrill to watch him play himself with various cameos from some of his iconic characters. Furthermore, “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” (2022) also explores a sweet spot through the father-daughter relationship, and it perfectly balances out the wackiness of the comedy and the action with a subtle dose of emotions.
The Banshees Of Inisherin (2022) (Dir. Martin McDonagh)
“The Banshees of Inisherin” (2022) is not the typical and generic comedy film that one may expect, but it has its own flavor, which is quite common with films by writer-director Martin McDonagh, who previously directed brilliant films like “In Bruges” (2008) and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” (2017). The film delves into the tragicomedy zone, and even though it has some really funny bits, it possesses a unique meditative quality and very deep and layered writing, especially in how McDonagh fleshes out each and every character, which also makes “The Banshees of Inisherin” (2022) stand out easily as one of the best films of 2022. Set in 1923, at the time of The Irish Civil War, the narrative revolves around two lifelong best friends, where one abruptly ends their relationship with the other. This whimsical narrative is perfectly etched out through the brilliant performance of Brendan Gleeson, and especially with a career-best acting masterclass by Colin Farrell, who is also among the frontrunners for the Best Actor race at this year’s Oscars.
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2022) (Dir. Eric Appel)
“Weird: The Al Yankovic Story” (2022) is a refreshingly original and fun take on the sometimes tedious and formulaic biography films that tend to take a very cliched approach. The film, even though it is a biopic, takes a dig at itself, and is a parody of biopics. This perfectly reflects the titular real-life figure of Al Yankovich, an accordionist who is known for his parody lyrics and songs. Interestingly, one of the film’s writers is Yankovic himself, and his portrayal on screen is done in an outrageously hilarious way by the “Harry Potter” famed actor Daniel Radcliffe in a never-before-seen role. The film is very interesting and engaging to watch, with some maddening scenes and is one that never takes itself pretty seriously, and that happens to be the best thing about this spoof of a biopic.
This list tries to bring forward the films that possess some kind of hilarity that can be perfect for one’s search for laughter and enjoyment in an already tired and tedious time, ranging from both highly acclaimed award-winning films to some that are quite enjoyable, with minor hiccups here and there. These above-mentioned films can be the perfect detour towards the road of escapism and some sense of amusement while at the same time having some kind of artistic brilliance associated with them. Other than these films, here are the special mentions that one may also give watch: “Badhaai Do” (2022), “Jackass Forever” (2022), “Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey” (2022), “Funny Pages” (2022), “Cha Cha Real Smooth” (2022), “On the Count of Three” (2022), and “The Bob’s Burgers Movie” (2022).
See more: Best Action Films Of 2022 That You Should Not Miss
