Since the massive success of Christopher Nolan’s historicThe Dark Knight, the film industry has changed – for better or worse.Comic book superhero moviesare the new norm. They hit the theaters nearly every month, spanning multiple films, universes, and, sometimes, studios. While the spectacle of superhero films are afforded large budgets, shrinking what used to be a wider range of how studios spent their money, they’ve also fallen into the trap of self-seriousness. But thanks to smaller, independent comics and studios at times taking chances, some superhero films go for more of a fun tone. Like Marvel compared to DC; Marvel will often hijack the film and funnel its premise into a comedy. Comic book movies for a long time have been hilarious, wicked good times. These are the best comic book movies that strive to split your sides.
Related:These Superheroes Deserve Movie Origin Stories
9Kingsman: The Secret Service
Matthew Vaughn’s trek in the world of comic book cinema started with the darkly humorous romp that wasKick-Ass. Taking the raunchy humor and delicate balance of comic violence with brutal kills and taut hand-to-hand combat,Kingsman: The Secret Servicewas another home run for the British director. Not only poking fun at many of the Bond films for their ridiculous British spy antics, butKingsmanalso turns the dial all the way up with its gratuitous humor. Led by a star-making performance from the nowOscar-nominated Taron Egertonas Eggsy, the street-punk recruited into the world of espionage,Kingsmanwas a stellar origin story for an unlikely franchise and had one of thecraziest fight scenesin the middle of a church to date.
Ryan Reynolds' fourth wall-breaking “dream project,” perVariety, finally came to fruition. Given the ultra-success of the MCU and their domination of theaters worldwide, Marvel and 20th Century Fox decided to take a chance. The studio made an ultra-raunchy and hyper-violent movie that rightfully matched Deadpool’s devilish persona, honoring what made him a fan favorite in the comics. A perfect vessel for Reynolds’ swarm, sarcastic charm,Deadpool, and the risk of making an R-rated revenge tale, paid dividends, with a now third film in the works.
1994 was undoubtedly the yearof Jim Carrey. The zany, larger-than-life entertainer who broke out on the sketch comedy showIn Living Colorhad three vehicles of comedic mayhem all break in the same year.The Maskwas the second film in a trifecta includingAce VenturaandDumb and Dumber, which was perfect for Carrey. Based on the Dark Horse comic that debuted in 1989, Carrey embodied the eccentricities necessary to make the cartoon tangible while providing plenty of laughs. The film has a dark, sardonic edge to it by way of dirty criminals, led by the underrated Peter Greene.The Maskwas a hilariously cartoonish movie that combined the comic’s aesthetics with old-world gangster films.
6Ghost World
Director Terry Zwigoff started his career by making documentaries about the legend surrounding underground artists like Howard Armstrong in Louie Blue and Robert Crumb in Crumb. His fascination with the world of comic books and his peculiar idiosyncrasies had the perfect match to adapt the graphic novelGhost World. Starring a young Scarlett Johansson and Thora Birch as the two feel detached from the world while high school comes to a close. The film had the perfect, offbeat humor that did the original justice. With an assist from Steve Buscemi in the supporting role,Ghost Worldstill holds up as one of the funniest films adapted from the comics.
5Thor: Ragnarok
Taika Wahititi bought his brand of dry, sarcastic humor to the MCU with witty delight. The Marvel films have increasingly grown into high-budgeted studio comedies with the gloss of action-fantasy VFX. So, as withAnt-Man, Taika’s approach was similar. Using his gifts as a comedian,Thor: Ragnarokwas a hilarious venture into the realm of the Norse god, with Chris Hemsworth doing what he does best, in the role he was born to play, and the ridiculous friendship that spurns with The Hulk in his in-between stage.Thor: Ragnarokdelivered on the spectacle whilst also hitting comedic beats and bits throughout making it one of the more wholly enjoyable films to come out of the superhero industrial complex.
Related:Ranking Every Movie from Taika Waititi, the Hottest Director in Hollywood Today
4American Splendor
The underground comics of Harvey Pekar made waves in the 1970s and continued to make noise that got the underground artists a near regular spot on The Letterman Show in its early incarnations. Played with a raspy, everyman vigilance by the undefeated Paul Giamatti, the actor was the perfect casting choice for Harvey.American Splendorspliced the art of the underground comics and the documentary nature of Pekar’s comics together to pay rightful homage to his artistry. Wickedly funny with the everyman depression that comes from the complexity of creating a life, Pekar’s persona was made famous but his life, inner and outer, barely changed.
3Death of Stalin
A comic book that suited the talents of one of television and film’s great political satirists, Armando Ianucci struck gold withDeath of Stalin. His first film since the hilariously relevantIn The Loop— which chronicled the bumbling idiots that run around Washington D.C., a location he continued to eviscerate in his hit showVeep— took his humorous sights and aimed them squarely at the Soviet party during the death of Joseph Stalin. Steve Buscemi led a ridiculously stacked cast of Stalin’s innermost loyal followers to decide on what to do next. Iannucci pokes fun at the idiotic nature of the current political landscape by showing how dangerous serving a cult of personality is. The film pulled no punches when depicting the grimness of the Soviet Union and was banned in Russia.
2Men in Black
Inextricably part of Will Smith’s run to the top of the movie star food chain was the seismic hitMen In Black. Directed by longtime cinematographer Barry Sonnenfeld,Men In Blackused the buddy-cop formula to go deep into the secret arm of a government agency. Protecting civilization from extraterrestrial forces who look to cause harm, the film’s ingenious design can partially be attributed to the hilarious memory wipe gadget. A perfect way to adapt the limited six-issue run of comics put out by Marvel in 1990. Also casting Smith with the always fast-talking, charismatic Texan Tommy Lee Jones, as the two fight off an insanely gonzo performance from Vincent D’Onofrio as a nasty insect-alien, made for one hell of a comedy. The film would gross $590 million worldwide and spawn three sequels.
1Scott Pilgrim vs The World
Edgar Wright’s penchant for fast, visual comedy madeShaun of The DeadandHot Fuzzsuccessful action comedies that made Wright a cult sensation. While not achieving the blockbuster status he deserved untilBaby Driver, Wright’s visual sensibilities lent themselves to the quick, panel jumping nature ofScott Pilgrim vs. The World. As he reveled in the indie rock scene with a perfect suitor in Michael Cera as his band’s ring leader. Pilgrim battles the past boyfriends of his crush “Ramona Flowers” played with all the mid-2000s indie rock girl charm by Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Wright packed in the fantastical elements that made the comic book special while turning it into a hyperbolic action-romance that had its foot on the go.
