15 Best British Comedy Movies That You Should Watching Update 04/2024

Best British Comedy Movies

These underappreciated British comedies are rarely seen in the United States. Everyone believes that these movies are amusing, despite the fact that British and American humor styles differ.

“Comedy” has taken many various paths and gone out on many tangents in the last century of filmmaking. There’s a notable difference in humor styles and cultures depending on where you live. Although there are some notable distinctions, British and American comedic styles are similar enough in format to allow for a lot of crossover, which has resulted in the likes of Edgar Wright and Richard Curtis making their way to Hollywood.

It’s not uncommon for American audiences to fall in love with British comedy films as well, but there are certain gems that have slipped through the gaps or never taken on with worldwide audiences as they did in their native country.

Kristen Palamara updated this page on 17 March 2021: With so many British comedies out there, it’s impossible to keep up with all of them and see all of them in one sitting. British comedy abound, and many of them are reproduced for American audiences, but nothing compares to the brilliance of the original British productions. Fans of British comedies can watch and replay a plethora of comedies ranging from the tragic to the slapstick, in the hopes of discovering new comedies to watch.

 1. A Cock and Bull Story (2005)

A Cock and Bull Story (2005)

A Cock and Bull Story features Steve Coogan as Tristram Shandy and the mysterious protagonist of this Indie film. Shandy takes the audience on a journey through his life, while also providing commentary on his life and his views on a variety of topics.

Comedy swings between different time periods, but it is a fascinating British comedy that any fan of the genre will enjoy.

2. Keeping Mum (2005)

Actor and comedian Rowan Atkinson plays a vicar who is preoccupied with his sermon and loses sight of what is going on around him. Patrick Swayze (Patrick Swayze) is flirting with his wife Kristin Scott Thomas (Kristin Scott Thomas). His daughter is dating multiple boys and his son is being ridiculed in school.

Maggie Smith, the family’s housekeeper, has some odd suggestions for reuniting the family. It’s a terrific British comedy with some of the best actors in the business.

3. Run Fatboy Run (2007)

Run Fatboy Run (2007)

Run Fatboy Run is a British comedy starring Simon Pegg, Thandie Newton, and Dylan Moran, with cameo appearances by Hank Azaria and Dylan Moran. Pegg’s character abandons his pregnant lover (Newton) at the altar in the film’s plot.

Training for and successfully completing a marathon is a way for him to re-establish his relationship with his former fiancee. If you’re looking for a good movie to see with some well-known stars, this is a good choice.

4. The Boat That Rocked/Pirate Radio (2009)

Based on the true narrative of pirate radio stations in the 1960s, this British dramatic comedy tells the story of DJs who operated from boats outside British waters. Bill Nighy and Philip Seymour Hoffman and Nick Frost star as the boat’s captain and captain-in-chief, respectively, in the film.

A subplot revolves around a group of older DJs who wish to help Quentin, the godson of one of the DJs, lose his virginity, while the film focuses on the DJs and their lifestyles.

5. Death At A Funeral (2007)

At a funeral, a dysfunctional family tries to get together, but everything goes awry. Death at a Funeral An unexpected lover shows up for his father’s funeral, and Daniel (Matthew MacFadyen) races around trying to put out the fires caused by the unintentional use of drugs by a funeral attendee.

The same name was given to an American remake, which is also a good time, but the original British version is unquestionably superior since it’s a funny film with a lot of heart.

6. Submarine (2010)

Submarine (2010)

Writer, director, and comedian Richard Ayoade debuted with this witty and witty twist on the coming of age story. Ayoade managed to construct a minor masterpiece of the subgenre by combining a Wes Anderson-esque usage of deadpan language delivery with a heavy dose of British humour.

Oliver, the adolescent kid determined to lose his flower before his next birthday, is played to perfection by Craig Roberts. Oliver’s plans to tamper with his parents’ love lives add to the pranks.

7. Bunny And The Bull (2009)

Bunny and the Bullis is an eccentric little film that is jam-packed with absurdist humor. Many of The Mighty Boosh’s core cast members were cast in this feature-length head trip written and directed by Paul King, who was most known for his work on the BBC cult hit.

This is what happens when an agoraphobic man decides to go back in time with a strange persona named Bunny and repeat a trip they had together many years ago.

8. The Madness Of King George (1994)

Despite the fact that this period piece dramedy was well-received by American critics, it is now largely forgotten. That’s a shame, because “The Madness of King George” offers a fascinating and amusing look at a country in crisis.

His court and confidants are left to figure out how to hold the country together when George, monarch of England, begins to deteriorate in mental health. Re-evaluation of the picture, especially in light of current political turbulence, is warranted.

9. Local Hero (1983)

Local Hero (1983)

“Local Hero,” by writer/director Bill Forsyth, is a wonderful and underappreciated piece of comedy drama from 1983 about an oil executive who is sent to Scotland to prepare for the company’s newest refinery to be built. That’s where things go horribly wrong.

With an early performance from Peter Capaldi and later career Burt Lancaster, the film’s low-key writing and patient pace are the real secrets of its comedy and tragic achievements.

10. The Tall Guy (1989)

Richard Curtis’ early attempt into screenplay was this parody of the theater world, before he went on to make timeless classics likeFour Weddings and a FuneralandLove, Actually. Rowan Atkinson steals the show as an exaggerated version of himself in the supporting role alongside Jeff Goldblum and Emma Thompson.

Curtis’ conventional romantic comedy plot is delightful, but it’s the stinging critique of Broadway and West End musicals (especially Andrew L. Webber) that makes the picture a lost gem.

11. Attack The Block (2011)

This film had the potential to be a breakout hit. Because it was mostly disregarded by American audiences, it developed a strong following among the film’s fans. As Jonah, a British street boy and the head of a local gang, John Boyega made his first appearance in a sci-fi film years before he appeared in Star Wars.

An endlessly enjoyable combination of creature feature thrills and British stoner humour that works far better than it should. If you’re in the correct circles, you’ll be talking about it for decades.

12.  Waking Ned Divine (1998)

Waking Ned Divine (1998)

In the wake of the demise of one of their own, a group of elderly friends join together to mourn and celebrate in Wakening Ned Divine, a modest indie success that has since been largely forgotten. Because the deceased man recently won a lottery ticket, but did not claim it, there is an added layer of hilarity.

These one-liners and antics will follow, all of which are both clever and insightful. One of the best late-’90s comedies, this is a smart man’s comedy.

13. About A Boy (2002)

What happened to this film? About a Boy, the only film on our list to be a box office and critical success, should have been regarded as one of the decade’s best comedy. A mild-mannered Hulu series and a little footnote in the career of its star, Hugh Grant, instead.

has a lot of sharpness to it, something that raises it above the more conventional storyline elements of the story As a bonus, the picture was directed by the same team that made American Pie, while having a British feel to it. Grant’s best pictures of the previous decade were given a legacy that this film was deprived of.

14. Withnail And I (1987)

Withnail And I (1987)

Withnail and I is a genuine classic in its home United Kingdom. However, maybe because of the film’s unashamedly dry and very British tone, it is typically only a popular among film school types in the United States.

When two unemployed actors go on a “vacation by mistake” to the English countryside in Bruce Robinson’s pioneering buddy tragicomedy, it’s a masterclass in scripting and hilarious timing. Withnail, played by Richard E. Grant, is one of comedy’s most memorable leading roles. This film is a work of art in and of itself.

15. In The Loop (2010)

Since its release in 2010, Veep’s creator’s political satireIn the Loop has gained widespread critical acclaim. Even though it’s a well-known film and made a decent amount of money, the material is better suited to our contemporary times than the ones that created it.

To avoid conflict, two administrations come apart, and this satire is brutal and harsh. Our contemporary world situation is depicted in the book’s insights and characters. Unless you’ve seenIn the Loop, you’re doing yourself a disservice by not seeing it.