No longer was the next Judd Apatow-produced, star-driven comedy a lock. Even fan-demanded sequels like Anchorman: The Legend Continues and Zoolander 2 were met with cool receptions, which gave studios an even bigger excuse to put their money towards movies where things blow up instead of films in which two dudes talk about genitalia for five minutes. That’s not to say the 2010s were a bad decade for comedy, and the lack of consistently great traditional comedies gave way to more artful, interesting comedies from “serious” filmmakers. People like Wes Anderson, Noah Baumbach, and Greta Gerwig not only made some of the funniest movies of the 2010s, they were also some of the best. And then you had filmmakers like Taika Waititi and Phil Lord and Chris Miller who were able to work within the confines of massive studio blockbusters and still deliver hilarious, whip smart comedies. With so many hits and some hidden gems to offer, here are the best comedies of the 2010s.

25 'Kingsman: The Secret Service' (2014)

Directed by Matthew Vaughn

Kingsman: The Secret Service introduces a suave new secret organization that recruits a naive but promising kid, Eggsy (Taron Egerton), into their ultramodern training program. With the highly skilled and extremely dapper agent Harry Hart (Colin Firth) training him, Eggsy goes through a series of dangerous challenges to prove he's got what it takes. Meanwhile, the tech-savvy supervillain Richmond Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson) hatches a nefarious plan that threatens global security.

Director Matthew Vaughn's humorous spy comedy combines the classic tropes of the genre while giving audiences over-the-top satirical takes on these same formulas. Its hilarious visual gags and smooth comedic timing gave fans an exhilarating viewing experience that felt refreshing, which is also why the 2014 film would go on to spawn an uneven Kingsman franchise made up of two sequels, which weren't as well received as the original.

24 'Ready or Not' (2019)

Directed by Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin

Samara Weaving stars as Grace, a young bride turned badass survivor in Ready or Not. The horror comedy sees Grace marry into the strange and wealthy Le Domas family, known for their board game empire. On her wedding night, she is talked into participating in a family tradition: a seemingly innocent game of hide-and-seek. However, the stakes are soon revealed to be deadly as Grace discovers that her new in-laws are hunting her down with the intent to kill.

Ready or Not is an eat-the-rich movie that mocks what the elite are willing to do to keep their wealth. The 2019 film soars thanks to Weaving's incredible performance as Grace, who uses her wits and need to survive to make it out of the deadly cat-and-mouse chase through the ultrarich family's mansion. There are some genuine laugh-out-loud moments throughout the movie as the plot borders on the absurd, especially as it reaches its shocking conclusion.

23 'Deadpool' (2016)

Directed by Tim Miller

Combine the R-rated comedy raunch that was so popular in the 2000s with the most successful genre in the 2010s – the superhero movie – and you get Deadpool, one of the highest-grossing R-rated films of all time. The film’s self-referential screenplay and visual style cop to the fact that it’s a superhero movie made on a much smaller budget, but Ryan Reynolds’ pitch-perfect casting as the Merc with a Mouth goes a long way here.

Deadpool is able to take the “superhero movie” in directions others can’t simply because its lead character knows he’s in a superhero movie, giving the filmmakers the opportunity to play with the genre in interesting ways. But none of this works if the Deadpool casting isn’t right, so it’s a testament to Reynolds’ charm and quick-witted deliver that this movie is as consistently funny as it is.

22 'Easy A' (2010)

Directed by Will Gluck

Filmmaker Will Gluck has made a career out of crafting surprisingly good-to-great movies that look kind of terrible, which is certainly the case with Easy A. The film arrived in the wake of the raunchy Apatow-influenced, male-focused films of the mid-to-late 2000s and presented a teen-centric take on The Scarlet Letter (again, sounds terrible right?). But the movie consistently charms when in the wrong hands it may have induced eyerolls, and no doubt a huge part of why it works so well is Emma Stone. While the now-Oscar-winning actress had breakout roles in Superbad and Zombieland, this is the film where she got the chance to shine in the lead, and shine she does.

Stone is at once supremely confident and cripplingly self-conscious, echoing the experience of many, many teenagers. Easy A presents a story about femininity and sexuality that avoids being preachy or mean-spirited, instead traveling down more complex roads. It’s consistently funny and quick-witted, and Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson play possibly the best onscreen parents of the decade.

21 'Inherent Vice' (2014)

Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson

Coming off of The Master, many expected Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2014 Thomas Pynchon adaptation to be similarly self-serious, long, and dramatic. And that’s what some saw – a semi-serious, meandering detective story from the POV of a pothead. But those who got on Inherent Vice’s wavelength understood that this was PTA’s version of a broad comedy; a silly, definitely not self-serious detective story where the mystery ultimately doesn’t matter, and the series of misadventures that befall Larry “Doc” Sportello are really what it’s all about.

It’s The Big Lebowski by way of PTA, with Joaquin Phoenix delivering a hilariously committed performance that showcases some terrific physical comedy and a willingness to really get weird. It’s a film that works so much better when you stop trying to figure it all out, sit back, and enjoy the show.

20 'Game Night' (2018)

Directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein

It felt like Game Night – a David Fincher-inspired, cinematic, mystery-laden comedy about a group of friends whose game night goes horribly wrong – might be the film to finally bring the studio comedy back en vogue, as it was packed with thrilling, visually gorgeous set pieces. But alas, the box office was somewhat disappointing.

For those who didn’t catch this one, it’s your loss. Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams are delightful as a game-loving couple working through relationship issues as they search for Bateman’s brother, but the entire ensemble cast gets a chance to shine in this slick, keeps-you-guessing comedy. Jesse Plemons also gives a supporting performance for the ages, adding yet another reason to revisit or discover this film.

19 'Thor: Ragnarok' (2017)

Directed by Taika Waititi

The funniest Marvel Cinematic Universe movie by a long shot, Thor: Ragnarok is a film that constantly goes for the joke and scores. The movie essentially rebooted the title character, as director Taika Waititi brings Chris Hemsworth’s inherent charm to the forefront at last. This is a high concept comedy the refuses to take itself too seriously while also landing genuine emotional stakes – a tightrope walk that many have attempted and failed in the past.

Waititi’s quick-witted sense of humor permeates every frame, made all the better by his scene-stealing performance as Korg. And while the movie certainly owes a debt to James Gunn’s also funny but more dramatic Guardians of the Galaxy for paving the way, that Waititi is able to tread somewhat similar territory (space-set epic featuring a band of outsiders) while still carving his own unique path is a testament to his talent as a brilliant filmmaker.

18 'Frances Ha' (2012)

Directed by Noah Baumbach

Frances Ha marked a turning point for filmmaker Noah Baumbach. His earlier films like The Squid and the Whale and Greenberg were marked by a cynicism and anger that made them a bit prickly, but starting with Frances Ha, Baumbach lightens up a lot – and his films are all the better for it. This 2012 delight was co-written by and stars Greta Gerwig, who fans now know as the towering filmmaking talent behind Barbie and Lady Bird.

This intimate story of a twentysomething trying to find her place in the world in New York is relatable to an upsetting degree, and Baumbach and Gerwig inherently know exactly when to go for the laugh, and when to go for the heartache. At once hilarious and tremendously sad, every bone of Frances Ha is crafted with a verve for life, which seeps through onscreen. From the choice to showcase it in black-and-white to the long shot of Frances dancing down a NYC street to “Modern Love,” this is one of the most irresistibly charming comedies of the decade.

Watch on Netflix

17 'Hail, Caesar!' (2016)

Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen

The Coen Brothers are known for their brilliant, idiosyncratic comedies, and their willingness to go in the complete opposite direction audiences are expecting is part of what makes them so fascinating. After winning the Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director, they next made the espionage farce Burn After Reading, and after crafting their dramatic, extremely sad Inside Llewyn Davis, they next skewered Hollywood in the supremely silly Hail, Caesar!

This is a movie in which nothing and everything matters all at the same time. It’s a film that stops dead to present a closeted-movie-stars song and dance number featuring Channing Tatum, and a film that sidelines huge movie star George Clooney in a room with a bunch of communists for almost the entire runtime. The Coen Brothers have a wicked sense of humor, and Hail, Caesar! puts that on full display to hilarious, surprising effect.

16 'Jojo Rabbit' (2019)

Directed by Taika Waititi

Director Taika Waititi delivers another humorous hit with the darkly comedic satire, Jojo Rabbit. Set during World War II, the film follows Jojo (Roman Griffin Davis), a lonely German boy whose world view is upended when he discovers his mother, Rosie (Scarlett Johansson), is hiding a young Jewish girl, Elsa (Thomasin McKenzie), in their home. Jojo, a dedicated member of the Hitler Youth, struggles to reconcile his mom's actions with his indoctrinated beliefs, which are fueled by his imaginary friend, a buffoonish version of Adolf Hitler (played by Waititi). As Jojo forms an unlikely bond with Elsa, he begins to question the propaganda he's been taught.

Jojo Rabbit offers scathing commentary and gut-busting gags within its two-hour runtime. With humor and heart, it skewers the hatred that remains all too real and present in the modern world, exposing it through absurdity. The fact that this all happens around a tale of a young boy makes its message even more powerful, with the comedic film unafraid to go to some bleak places, too.

15 '21 Jump Street' (2012)

Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller

The brilliance of 21 Jump Street can be attributed to filmmakers Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s embrace of the unexpected. This is a wild high school movie that leads you to believe it’s going to be traveling down the same path that so many high school movies have traveled over the years, only to take a sharp left turn and instead force its protagonists – Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill – to confront a teenage generation that cares about the environment, is far more accepting of the LGBTQ community, and embraces emotional sensitivity.

Tatum and Hill play Jenko and Schmidt, two cops who go undercover as students in a local high school. Jenko is convinced he's fit to be the cool kid as usual, but the duo soon learns that high school isn't what it's like. 21 Jump Street is a superb subversion of expectations made all the more enjoyable by the cast’s eagerness to upend these particular tropes.

14 'This Is the End' (2013)

Directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg

The aptly named This Is the End not only announced Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg as talented writers/directors in their own right, but also put a surprising spin on the “Apatow Bro Comedy” that had dominated the 2000s. The film is populated with many familiar faces from that era, but they’re all playing a version of themselves on the eve of the apocalypse. It’s a brilliant yet risky hook that even the studio tried to convince Rogen and Goldberg to drop, but it works so well in the finished film that you can’t really imagine the movie without it.

Danny McBride gets two of the greatest entrances in recent movie history, the friendship between Rogen and Jay Baruchel gets a spectacular payoff, and Jonah Hill plays the most likable dick imaginable. The film starts with a celebrity party that's soon interrupted by the actual apocalypse. With such a hilarious premise, this certainly stands as one of the most purely fun comedies of the decade.

13 'Spy' (2015)

Directed by Paul Feig

Melissa McCarthy was possibly the breakout comedic actress of the decade, and her 2015 spy comedy Spy stands as her funniest entry yet. Reuniting with Bridesmaids and The Heat director Paul Feig, McCarthy puts a twist on her public image by inhabiting the role of a lowly assistant to a sexy spy (Jude Law) who is forced to step up and take on the spy role when he seemingly gets murdered.

McCarthy is fantastic in the role, but the secret weapons of Spy are Jason Statham playing up his badass persona in hilarious fashion and Rose Byrne absolutely killing it as the film’s deadly villain. Spy isn’t breaking the mold in terms of structure or visual style, but in terms of laughs-per-minute, this one succeeds wildly.

12 'The World's End' (2013)

Directed by Edgar Wright

The release of the Rogen/Apatow comedy This Is the End coincided with the release of another world-ending comedy of a very different sort: Edgar Wright’s The World’s End. The third film in the loosely connected Cornetto Trilogy served as the mature follow-up to Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, as co-writer/star Simon Pegg tackles issues of addiction, depression, and the downfalls of nostalgia in his best onscreen performance to date.

While The World’s End takes its characters seriously, the film is also packed with Wright’s signature visual gags and crackling humor, making for a watch that is equal parts hilarious and kind of heartbreaking. The sci-fi elements weave in perfectly, and Wright and Pegg’s screenplay once again features an airtight structure that is all about setup and payoff.

11 'The LEGO Movie' (2014)

Directed by Chris Miller and Phil Lord

Phil Lord and Chris Miller have made a career out of turning terrible ideas into great movies, and that’s certainly the case with The LEGO Movie. The story is centered on Emmet (voiced by Chris Pratt), an ordinary construction worker who is mistakenly identified as the prophesied "Special," destined to save the Lego world from the evil tyrant Lord Business (Will Ferrell). With the help of his friends, Emmet goes on an epic quest to thwart Lord Business's nefarious plan to freeze the Lego universe in place.

What could have been a feature-length advertisement for a toy is instead a story about creativity, and how the “chosen one” narrative is complete and utter hogwash. It’s thematically rich for a “kids movie,” but on top of that it’s also an incredibly funny, fast-moving, visually dynamic adventure film packed with jokes and visual gags galore.

10 'What We Do in the Shadows' (2014)

Directed by Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement

Before Taika Waititi became The Internet’s Boyfriend, he co-wrote, co-directed, and co-starred in a mockumentary about vampires called What We Do in the Shadows – and it remains one of his best films. The movie presents the lives of a group of vampires living together in hiding as wonderfully banal, as it’s a story where all the “little moments” make all the difference.

Also directed by Jemaine Clement, the inventive mockumentary revolves around the mundane yet bizarre lives of four vampire roommates in Wellington, New Zealand. Viago (Waititi), Vladislav (Clement), Deacon (Jonathan Brugh), and the ancient Petyr (Ben Fransham) struggle with everyday challenges like paying rent, keeping up with chores, and experiencing modern nightlife. The centuries-old characters are often put in normal yet wonderfully weird situations, which was such funny premise that the movie would spawn a successful series.

Rent on Apple TV

9 'The Nice Guys' (2016)

Directed by Shane Black

One of the most underrated comedies of the decade, Shane Black’s The Nice Guys is a magnificent detective story, a jaw-dropping physical comedy showcase for Ryan Gosling, and a hilarious buddy comedy all at once. The 1977-set film finds a private eye (Gosling) teaming up with a Yoo-hoo-drinking enforcer (Russell Crowe) to try and track down missing girl, but as noirs tend to go, they end up entangled in a much larger web of conspiracy.

The chemistry between Gosling and Crowe is incredible, and Gosling’s display of physical comedy is downright Oscar-worthy. Every beat lands, and every joke is honed to perfection. It’s a shame not many saw this one in theaters, because they missed one of the best comedy team-ups in recent memory.

8 'Lady Bird' (2017)

Directed by Greta Gerwig

Coming-of-age stories are a dime a dozen, but when Lady Bird was released in 2017, it earned its place at the top of the heap right alongside films like Sixteen Candles, Clueless, and Almost Famous. Writer/director Greta Gerwig’s 2002-set film isn’t quite just a drama, nor is it quite just a comedy, which means it’s totally eligible for this list.

The movie is genuinely funny and oftentimes hilarious, thanks to pitch-perfect deliveries from the likes of Saoirse Ronan, Beanie Feldstein, and Timothée Chalamet (“What you do is very anarchist. Very baller.”), and that comedy makes the drama all the more impactful. These people feel real and tangible. You come out of the film feeling like you know Lady Bird, and you care deeply for her. That’s the power of great filmmaking.

7 'Paddington 2' (2017)

Directed by Paul King

Paddington 2 is a miracle. The first Paddington itself was a pleasant surprise, as director Paul King crafted a supremely charming, wholesome story of a lost bear simply looking for a place to belong. But somehow the sequel is even better, as Paddington is on the hunt for the perfect gift for his Aunt Lucy. That’s it. That’s the plot.

Along the way, Paddington gets locked up in prison, shares his marmalade sandwich recipe with a hardened inmate played by Brendan Gleeson, and then at the end of the movie, Hugh Grant leads a giant musical number. That all of this not only works but also genuinely makes your heart swell with joy and makes you want to be a better person is part of the magic of Paddington 2, a movie that may or may not have the power to actually change the world.

6 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World' (2010)

Directed by Edgar Wright

Director Edgar Wright's Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a genre-busting cult classic that revolves around the titular character (played by Michael Cera), a bass guitarist and slacker who falls head-over-heels for newcomer Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). To win her heart, Scott must defeat Ramona's seven evil exes in epic, video-game-inspired battles. Oh, and find a way to finally break up with his not-girlfriend Knives Chau (Ellen Wong).

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World greatly benefits from Wrights directorial style, with the filmmaker infusing the movie with his distinct style and inventive take on the rom-com genre. The 2010 film is a love letter to the graphic novel it's based on, with many visual elements not only referencing the source material but also delivered with impeccable comedic timing. Scott's video-game-like battles with the evil exes are the highlights of the film, with these humorously choreographed matches becoming legendary among fans.