The 15 Best French Comedy Movies Ever Made, Including Amelie & Paris, Je T’aime

France has a long and proud filmmaking tradition across every genre, and the best French comedy movies showcase the unique style of hilarity funny films from the nation have become renowned for. There have been French comedy movies since the dawn of cinema, with the earliest examples coming from the silent era with the likes of 1895’s Watering the Gardener.

Even as far back as the turn of the 20th century, French comedy developed and became known for its unique style, with many traditions (such as an appreciation of combining physical comedy with acute satires) continuing into the modern day. While many films from France like 2001’s Amelie and 2006’s Paris, Je T’aime are incredibly popular internationally, the best French comedy movies include many delightful and hilarious viewing experiences that more than match them.

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15

Mon Oncle (1958)

Directed By Jaques Tati

No list of the best French comedy movies would be complete without Mon Oncle, the 1958 comedy from director Jaques Tati. It was the movie that earned the respected French filmmaker the most awards, and the first of his works to be released in color. However, this isn’t why it’s one of the funniest French comedies of all time – it earns this based entirely on its own merits, even without Tati’s name attached.

Mon Oncle stands out for several reasons. It manages to perfectly blend slapstick physical comedy with cutting social satire, and the exploration of themes like strained family relationships gives it plenty of emotional depth too. Even though it released over 7 decades ago, Mon Oncle remains a laugh-out-loud viewing experience from start to finish.

14

The Intouchables (2011)

Directed By Eric Toledano And Olivier Nakache

French comedy is known for being unafraid of dealing with complex themes, finding humor in subjects that, on the surface, don’t seem funny at all. Few titles demonstrate this quality quite as clearly as The Intouchables, the 2011 buddy-comedy from directors Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache. The Intouchables focuses on the friendship between the criminal Driss (Omar Sy) and quadriplegic Philippe (Francois Cluzet).

From the very opening scenes, The Intouchables manages to create comedic situations from the complications of Philippe’s condition and the lengths Driss must go to as his newly employed live-in carer. The film never falls into the trap of being insensitive, however, and manages to remain heartfelt and authentic to the lived experience of quadriplegic individuals like Philippe throughout. What’s more, the performances of Omar Sy and Francois Cluzet are among the strongest (and funniest) in the history fo French comedy films.

13

The Artist (2011)

Directed By Michel Hazanavicius

French cinema is known for many things, among them a strong tradition of experimental filmmaking in every genre. When it comes to comedy, one of the most boundary-redefining movies is 2011’s The Artist, from director Michel Hazanavicius. The Artist has almost no dialogue – a deliberate choice to reflect the fact that one of the two central characters is George Valentin (Jean Dujardin), a movie star from the silent era of filmmaking.

The other character, Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo), is an actress on the rise, and the plot focuses on the relationship between the two and their contrasting careers. Like many of the best French comedy movies, The Artist is as much an exploration of complex themes as it is a hilarious watch, as Michel Hazanavicius uses Peppy and George’s story to explore how the changing world impacts the lives of both characters.

12

Ruby & Quentin (2003)

Directed By Francis Veber

Ruby & Quentin is one of several great French comedy movies from director Francis Veber, and is his take on the classic set-up of a mismatched criminal couple. In this case, the couple in question is Ruby (Jean Reno) and Quentin (Gerard Depardieu), and their hapless and often fruitless illegal capers make for a laugh-a-minute viewing experience.

While the chemistry between leading cast members Reno and Depardieu is one of the greatest strengths of Ruby & Quentin, there are plenty of other elements that also ensure the 2003 film stands as one of the best French comedy movies. Veber manages to perfectly blend moments of cutting satirical dialogue with slapstick humor, and many consider Ruby & Quentin to be a perfect example of the unique tone that makes comedy films from France feel so distinct.

11

The Wing Or The Thigh (1976)

Directed By Claude Zidi

When it comes to classic French comedy movies, 1976’s The Wing or the Thigh (released in France as L’aile ou la cuisse) is always deserving of a mention. Directed by Cluade Zidi, who co-wrote the script alongside Michel Fabre, The Wing or the Thigh focuses on an incredibly important foundation of French culture – food. France is known for its gourmet cuisine, and The Wing or the Thigh delves into the world of fine dining to create a hilarious and unforgettable story.

Once again, The Wing or the Thigh is a French comedy movie that’s as concerned with dissecting complex ideas as it is with creating laughs. In this case, it’s the dawn of the fast-food industry and its impact on traditional restaurants. This aspect feels just as poignant in the 2020s as it did in 1976, making The Wing or the Thigh feel like an incredibly witty, intelligent, and timely film despite releasing almost 50 years ago.

10

The Mad Adventures of Rabbi Jacob (1973)

Directed By Gerard Oury

The Mad Adventures of Rabbi Jacob (released as Les Adventures de Rabbi Jacob in France) combines many elements French comedy movies have become known for. The outlandish setup of the plot, the memorable and bombastic characters, and blend of razor-sharp satire with slapstick physical comedy ensure the 1973 film is remembered both as one of the best works from director Gerard Oury and one the funniest French films ever.

Starring Louis de Funes and Claude Giraud, The Mad Adventures of Rabbi Jacob focuses on an odd pairing of a kidnapped revolutionary and politically incorrect businessman. After the duo become the target of assassins, they disguise themselves as rabbis to escape. This utterly bizarre premise makes for a hilarious watch, and is a key reason that The Mad Adventures of Rabbi Jacob is now considered a cult classic both in France and internationally.

9

La Grande Vadrouille (1966)

Directed By Gerard Oury

Director Gerard Oury helmed many of the best French comedy movies, and one of the highlights of his filmmaking career is 1966’s La Grande Vadrouille (which translates to The Great Stroll, though was also released as Don’t Look Now… We’re Being Shot At in some English-speaking regions). Set during the Second World War, La Grande Vadrouille focuses on a group of French civilians trying to smuggle the pilots of a downed British bomber out of Nazi-occupied France.

La Grande Vadrouille is one of the most satirical French comedies of all time, with the French, British, and German characters all being at the receiving end of the film’s many, many punchlines. It’s also a strong example of French filmmakers finding hilarity in seemingly unfunny settings, as the horrors of WW2 and life in Nazi-occupied Europe are never a hindrance to director Gerard Oury’s ability to create laugh-out-loud moments.

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8

Santa Claus Is A Stinker (1982)

Directed By Jean-Marie Poire

The holiday season is intrinsically tied to funny Christmas films no matter the language or territory of origin, and when it comes to French comedy movies, it’s 1982’s Santa Claus is a Stinker which inarguably stands out as the best. Directed by Jean-Marie Poire, Santa Claus is a Stinker (released in France as Le père Noël est une ordure) is adapted from the 1979 play of the same name, and once again is a French comedy movie that takes a dark premise and finds plenty of light within it.

Santa Claus is a Stinker focuses on two phone operators as a suicide hotline who find themselves working on Christmas Eve. Throughout the movie, multiple people show up at their office and get trapped due to a malfunctioning elevator. The humor is incredibly dark, even by the standards of French comedy movies, though this cements Santa Claus is a Stinker as an absolutely unforgettable (and hilarious) film.

7

Delusions of Grandeur (1971)

Directed By Gerard Oury

Released as Le Folie des Grandeurs in France, Delusions of Grandeur is another unforgettable French comedy movie from director Gerard Oury. Based on the Victor Hgo play Ruy Blas, Delusions of Grandeur takes place in 17th-century Spain, and stands out among the best French comedies for its particularly strong character-driven humor (though there’s still plenty of satire and physical comedy too).

The period setting also ensures that Delusions of Grandeur feels unique among funny French films, and makes for some unique contextual jokes that movies in the present day aren’t able to include. Also of note is that Delusions of Grandeur is an especially masterful comedy of errors, with many hilarious mix-ups and misunderstandings throughout, leading to some of the best moments of situational comedy in the history of French cinema.

6

Paris, Je T’aime (2006)

Directed By Multiple Filmmakers

The 2006 anthology movie Paris, Je T’aime is one of the most well-known French comedy movies internationally and was released in many English-speaking territories as Paris, I Love You. There are 18 separate stories in Paris, Je T’aime, each with a different director. It’s not only French filmmakers behind the segments either, as the likes of The Coen Brothers, Wes Craven, and Alexander Payne are also included as directors. What’s more, many U.S. actors like Steve Buscemi, Natalie Portman, and Maggie Gyllenhaal also star in the cast.

Every segment of Paris, Je T’aime focuses on romance in some way. The individual stories blend together seamlessly too, with the final shot of one leading directly into the opening shot of the next. It’s a truly unique viewing experience, both within the context of French comedy movies and more generally, and there’s no film out there quite like it.

5

Les Visiteurs (1993)

Directed By Jean-Marie Poire

While most of the best French comedy movies deal with real-life settings to take a satirical jab at societal issues this isn’t always the case. 1993’s Les Visiteurs, from director Jean-Marie Poire, shows that French films can be just as hilarious when diving into the realms of fantasy too. The plot focuses on a 12th-century knight (Jean Reno as Godefroy de Montmirail) and his squire (Christian Clavier’s Jacquouille la Fripouille) who find themselves transported to the present day.

The premise of Les Visiteurs makes for an unforgettable time-travel comedy movie, with Godefroy and Jacquoouille being utterly bemused and intimated by almost every aspect of modern living. However, the movie is also noteworthy due to its intelligent use of visual comedy and situational jokes, making it one of the best French comedies in its own right even without factoring in the unique narrative.

4

La Cage Aux Folles (1978)

Directed By Edouard Molinaro

Released as Birds of a Feather in many English-speaking territories, 1978’s La Cage aux Folles comes from director Edouard Molinaro and stands out among the best French comedy movies for more than its hilarity. Released over 5 decades ago, La Cage aux Folles delves into topics like sexuality, gender, and the role both play in self-identity and value – themes that remain relevant today, but were groundbreaking to cover in the 1970s.

La Cage aux Folles was a huge commercial success and won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film, also earning Edouard Molinaro an Oscar nod for Best Director. It’s a truly timeless story and one that feels just as relevant in the 2020s as it did in 1978, and from a filmmaking perspective is incredibly well shot, which, alongside its incredibly tight and scathing script, make it easily one of the best French movies of all time.

3

Amelie (2001)

Directed By Jean-Pierre Jeunet

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Amélie

PG-13

Comedy

Romance

Romantic Comedy

8.5/10

Release Date

April 25, 2001

Runtime

122 Minutes

Director

Jean-Pierre Jeunet

Writers

Jean-Pierre Jeunet

Cast

See All

• 

  Audrey Tautou

• 

  Mathieu Kassovitz

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Internationally speaking, 2011’s Amelie is perhaps the most renowned and celebrated French comedy movie ever made. Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Released in France as Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain (translated as The Fabulous Destiny of Amélie Poulain), Amelie is a charming and unique romantic comedy that focuses on the romantic mishaps of Audrey Tatou’s titular waitress.

The comedic style of Amelie is distinctive for how it finds humor in even the most mundane situations. Tatou is absolutely charming as Amelie too, and few leading characters in any comedy movie are quite as relatable or endearing. While the humor of Amelie certainly help cement it as one of the funniest French comedy movies, it’s also known for being visually stunning, and an incredibly achievement for director Jean-Pierre Jeunet.

2

Le Diner de Cons (1998)

Directed By Francis Veber

Known in many English-speaking territories as The Dinner Game, Les Diner de Cons comes from writer-director Francis Veber. Adapted from Veber’s play of the same name, Le Diner de Cons exemplifies the exceptional way many French filmmakers weave hilarious stories from everyday situations. The plot focuses on a social event attended by publisher Pierre Brochant (Thierry Lhermitte), his weekly “Idiots’ Dinner”, which sees businessmen in Paris bring along an unknowing guest who is (in their eyes) an “Idiot”.

This practice is obviously vulgar and incredibly toxic, but the movie doesn’t present it in any other way – and this is where the hilarity in Le Diner de Cons truly lies. Attending the “Idiots’ Dinner” backfires hilariously for Pierre when he brings along Francois Pignon (Jacques Villeret), a cheery government employee whose passion is building matchstick replicas of famous landmarks. Francois’s optimism and obliviousness forces Pierre to reassess his own life, and it’s this that ensures Le Diner de Cons isn’t only one of the funniest French movies, but one of the most heartfelt too.

1

Romantics Anonymous (2010)

Directed By Jean-Pierre Ameris

While opinions on what the funniest French movie of all time is will vary, the strongest contender for title is arguably 2010’s Romantics Anonymous (released in France as Les Emotifs anonymes). Starring Benoit Poelvoorde and Isabelle Carre, Romantics Anonymous is the perfect blend of character-driven humor, exploration of romantic themes, and scathing disassembly of modern societal normas and values.

The filmmaking skills of director Jean-Pierre Ameris are a key strength of Romantics Anonymous (as is the screenplay co-written with Philippe Blasband), though not the only reason it stands out as one of the greatest French comedy movies. The chemistry between every member of the ensemble cast is exceptional, especially Poelvoorde and Carre in the leading roles as Jean-Rene Van Den Hugde and Angelique Delange. It may not be the darkest or slapstick-heavy example, but in terms of overall quality few French comedy movies match Romantics Anonymous.

Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Entertainment