Summary War comedies use a variety of comedic styles to cater to diverse audiences, offering laughs and social commentary even in the darkest of circumstances.
Films like Stripes, Jojo Rabbit, and Tropic Thunder skillfully balance humor and profound moments, creating unique perspectives on war.
The top ten war comedies, including Catch-22 and Dr. Strangelove, showcase the power of humor to help individuals cope with and challenge the absurdities of conflict.
The multitude of war comedies within the realm of cinema highlights the essential human need to discover humor in the most somber of circumstances. These films, employing a myriad of comedic styles such as clever satire, irreverent humor, and slapstick antics, cater to a diverse array of comedy enthusiasts, ensuring there’s something for everyone. War comedies serve as a poignant reminder of the necessity for humor as a coping mechanism, even in the face of the gravest adversities.
From witty satires that skillfully critique the complex and often absurd nature of conflict to inane humor that pokes fun at authority figures, the war comedy takes aim at a range of grievances. The best war comedies stand as an embodiment of this duality, deftly balancing astute social commentary on the nature of war with uproarious, side-splitting moments and hearty laughter.
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10 Stripes
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Bill Murray takes the spotlight in Stripes as a hapless, immature taxi driver whose life takes a wild turn when facing unemployment and a breakup, he impulsively enlists in the army. Stripes revels in wackiness and absurdity, and Murray’s performance is a tour de force, displaying his unique comedic talents. Alongside him, Harold Ramis contributes peak physical comedy as his best friend, perfectly complementing Murray’s antics. Stripes is delightful and inane, delivering endless laughs, hijinks, and memorable moments.
9 Jojo Rabbit
2019
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Jojo Rabbit introduces audiences to a ten-year-old German boy whose imaginary friend is Adolf Hitler. His world and highly-influenced beliefs unravel when he stumbles upon the astonishing secret that his mother is sheltering a young Jewish girl in their attic. This film masterfully blends the vibrant bonkers premise with the stark darkness of its backdrop, crafting a tone that oscillates between hilarious and profoundly moving. Directed by the inimitable Taika Waititi, Jojo Rabbit is a brilliant film, unearthing satire in a setting rarely explored before, and offering a unique perspective on a turbulent period in history.
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8 Hot Shots!
1991
Directed and co-written by Jim Abrahams, best known for his work on Airplane!, this uproarious movie sets its aim on parodying specifically Top Gun, but other films of the genre as well, and does so with unabashed silliness. With brilliant slapstick, the film follows the story of an incompetent crew on a top-secret Air Force mission. A cascade of gags and endless visual and verbal puns make Hot Shots! a superb entry in the war comedy genre.
7 Tropic Thunder
2008
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This riotous send-up of the film industry follows a group of actors who inadvertently find themselves in a real war zone while filming a Vietnam War-era movie. A whirlwind of mishaps and misunderstandings adds to the fast-paced insanity as the privileged and completely out-of-their-depth actors attempt to survive the suddenly very real dangers. It’s a film that hilariously skewers Hollywood egos and filmmaking, has some great movie references, and features some of the best comic actors of their time, including Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and an Oscar-nominated turn from Robert Downey Jr. in roles that cleverly play on their own public personas.
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6 Catch-22
1970
A no-holds-barred anti-war mockery that ruthlessly exposes the pointlessness of conflict.
Directed by the talented Mike Nichols and adapted from Joseph Heller’s novel of the same name, Catch-22 follows the chaotic and concocted world of a bombardier who schemes to evade his duty. Infused with a dark and biting sense of humor, the film is a no-holds-barred anti-war mockery that ruthlessly a sense of emptiness in conflict. It also stands as a testament to the remarkable ability of humor to help individuals, like the ones in the film, endure the most trying of circumstances. Catch-22 is a cinematic gem brimming with laugh-out-loud moments interspersed with poignant, human connections, painting an unforgettable portrait of the paradoxes of wartime survival.
5 Good Morning, Vietnam
1987
The iconic Robin Williams, celebrated for his boundless comedic talents, garnered an Oscar nomination and clinched a Golden Globe win for his uproarious and largely improvised performance in Good Morning, Vietnam. The film follows a goofy radio DJ for the Armed Forces Radio Service during the turbulent Vietnam War. His irreverent humor earns him a fervent following among the troops and boosts their morale, yet simultaneously drives his superiors to the brink of exasperation. Good Morning, Vietnam masterfully encapsulates the profound impact of humor amidst the backdrop of a war-ravaged landscape and showcases another winning performance from Williams.
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4 Biloxi Blues
1998
Based on the Neil Simon play of the same name, Biloxi Blues follows Eugene, a young army recruit in basic training in Biloxi, Mississippi, where he battles with poor conditions and a ruthless drill sergeant. Matthew Broderick and Christopher Walken headline, and their larger-than-life performances infuse the film with humor and heart. Clever both in its tone and its wry main character’s knowing narrations, the film balances charming adolescent insolence against the demands of military life.
3 Three Kings
1999
This darkly humorous and action-packed film stars George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Ice Cube. It follows four American soldiers just after the end of the Gulf War who decide to steal Saddam Hussein’s hidden gold. The film is distinctive for its combination of ridiculous political satire with its deep depiction of camaraderie, not to mention its witty dialogue and the characters’ comical misadventures.
2 M*A*S*H
1970
Before inspiring the enormously popular TV show of the same name, this film not only secured an Oscar but also achieved remarkable box office success. Set during the Korean War, it delves into the lives of an eccentric crew of characters in a medical unit who revel in chaos and uproarious practical jokes amidst the blood and chaos behind them. The humor in MASH emerges from the characters’ unwavering irreverence, their bizarre hijinks, and their unapologetic defiance of authority. The tone is acerbic as it highlights the peculiar ways in which individuals cope with the madness around them.
1 Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
1964
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Stanley Kubrick’s brilliant and often celebrated war comedy follows a deranged U.S. Air Force general who initiates a nuclear attack on the Soviet Union, and triggers a global crisis. The film follows hilariously chaotic efforts to prevent nuclear annihilation, while featuring unforgettable characters. A masterpiece of dark humor, the film provides scathing commentary on politics and unchecked power. Considered one of the greatest political satires of all time, it’s widely celebrated for its sharp wit, impeccable performances, and its timeless relevance, offering a humorous yet thought-provoking exploration of human folly in the face of potential global catastrophe.