Best Comedy Films of 1991
- The Finest Reviewer
- Jun 14
- 7 min read
Updated: Jun 20
1991 was a year of transition and surprise in comedy. The big slapstick energy of the ’80s gave way to sharper scripts, smarter setups, and unexpected emotional depth. Romantic comedies flourished, ensemble casts shined, and quirky indies gained traction. This was the year comedy diversified—leaning into heart, weirdness, and character-driven humor.
The Comedy Landscape in 1991
The Rise of Warm-Hearted Comedy
While absurdist humor remained popular, 1991 saw a boom in comedies with emotional cores—films that mixed laughs with genuine sentiment.
Rom-Coms Hit Their Stride
Romantic comedies weren’t just box office draws—they were cultural events. From opposites-attract formulas to class-clash charmers, the genre thrived.
Stars Reinvent Themselves
Comedic veterans like Steve Martin and Billy Crystal took on roles that blended humor with reflection, while younger talents like Macaulay Culkin and Christina Applegate broke through.
Top 10 Comedy Films of 1991
City Slickers
Runtime: 1hr 52min
A group of middle-aged men embark on a cattle drive to confront midlife crises and rediscover purpose.
In City Slickers, Mitch Robbins (Billy Crystal) and his two friends escape their unfulfilling urban lives by joining a two-week cattle drive across the Southwest. What begins as a comic fish-out-of-water adventure evolves into a heartfelt exploration of manhood, mortality, and personal fulfillment. Anchored by Crystal’s sharp humor and Jack Palance’s Oscar-winning performance as the grizzled trail boss Curly, the film strikes a perfect balance between broad laughs and midlife introspection.
Father of the Bride
Runtime: 1hr 45min
A loving but overprotective father spirals into comic panic as his daughter prepares for her extravagant wedding.
Steve Martin stars as George Banks, a devoted father who can’t quite accept that his little girl is getting married. As wedding costs soar and chaos builds, George finds himself overwhelmed by planners, in-laws, and his own emotional resistance to change. Father of the Bride delivers a warm, funny look at familial love, anxiety, and the bittersweet joy of letting go—elevated by Martin’s impeccable comic timing and heart.
What About Bob?
Runtime: 1hr 39min
A neurotic patient drives his pompous psychiatrist to the brink of madness during an uninvited vacation.
In What About Bob?, Bill Murray plays the lovable, phobia-ridden Bob Wiley, who follows his uptight therapist Dr. Leo Marvin (Richard Dreyfuss) to his family’s lakeside retreat. As Bob charms everyone but the doctor, Marvin’s frustration boils into hilarious exasperation. This odd-couple comedy thrives on Murray’s disarming eccentricity and Dreyfuss’s slow-burn unraveling, creating a farcical portrait of professional boundaries gone wildly awry.
The Addams Family
Runtime: 1hr 39min
The delightfully macabre Addams clan faces a greedy schemer impersonating long-lost Uncle Fester.
The Addams Family brings the iconic gothic family from TV to the big screen with Tim Burton-esque flair and deadpan wit. Gomez (Raul Julia) and Morticia (Anjelica Huston) are confronted by a lawyer and con artists trying to steal their fortune using an impostor Fester (Christopher Lloyd). With its ghoulish charm, witty one-liners, and stylish production design, the film became a cult favorite and redefined the characters for a new generation.
Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead
Runtime: 1hr 42min
A teenager takes charge of her siblings after their babysitter dies, faking adulthood to keep their independence.
When the strict babysitter suddenly dies, 17-year-old Sue Ellen (Christina Applegate) must secretly care for her younger siblings and land a job to keep their household afloat. Posing as an adult, she lands a corporate position and unexpectedly thrives, all while juggling responsibility, romance, and family chaos. Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead blends teen comedy with empowering coming-of-age themes, becoming a quotable cult classic.
Defending Your Life
Runtime: 1hr 52min
A recently deceased man must defend his life choices in a cosmic court to determine his eternal fate.
In Albert Brooks’ Defending Your Life, Daniel Miller dies in a car accident and finds himself in Judgment City, where his actions on Earth are reviewed to decide if he's ready for the next phase of existence. As his insecurities are scrutinized, he meets Julia (Meryl Streep), a confident soul whose life choices seem flawless. Thought-provoking, gently romantic, and deeply funny, the film turns metaphysical questions into accessible, smartly written comedy.
Soapdish
Runtime: 1hr 37min The behind-the-scenes chaos of a soap opera erupts in melodrama and backstabbing that rivals its onscreen plotlines.
Soapdish is a sharp satire of daytime television where the egos and scandals behind a popular soap opera threaten to implode the entire production. Sally Field, Kevin Kline, and Whoopi Goldberg headline a star-studded ensemble navigating affairs, identity crises, and dramatic showdowns both real and scripted. Over-the-top and delightfully campy, the film skewers celebrity culture with biting wit and rapid-fire absurdity.
The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear
Runtime: 1hr 25min
Clueless detective Frank Drebin stumbles into another ridiculous conspiracy, involving renewable energy and romantic chaos.
In this sequel to the original slapstick hit, Leslie Nielsen returns as Lt. Frank Drebin, who must stop corrupt energy interests from sabotaging a scientific breakthrough—while hopelessly bungling everything along the way. Packed with puns, physical gags, and deadpan absurdity, The Naked Gun 2½ continues the franchise’s commitment to zany, rapid-fire humor. It’s a chaotic parody that delights in nonsense, anchored by Nielsen’s iconic straight-faced idiocy.
L.A. Story
Runtime: 1hr 38min A weatherman navigates love and identity in a surreal Los Angeles guided by a mystical freeway sign.
Steve Martin stars in L.A. Story as Harris K. Telemacher, a quirky weather presenter who embarks on a journey of personal growth and romantic rediscovery, aided by a cryptic, talking traffic sign. Equal parts romantic comedy and satirical love letter to Los Angeles, the film is filled with surreal flourishes and biting observations about image-obsessed culture. It’s whimsical, philosophical, and ultimately optimistic—a rare blend of sharp comedy and genuine heart.
Career Opportunities
Runtime: 1hr 23min A slacker and a wealthy runaway are locked inside a Target overnight, leading to unexpected connection and danger.
John Hughes wrote Career Opportunities, a quirky comedy about Jim (Frank Whaley), a fast-talking dreamer stuck in a dead-end job, and Josie (Jennifer Connelly), the town’s most glamorous misfit, who hides in a store to avoid her life. Over one night trapped inside a Target, the two bond, flirt, and fend off bumbling burglars. It’s a low-stakes romance wrapped in a retail fantasy, best remembered for its Gen-X charm and Connelly’s magnetic presence.
Underrated Picks Worth Your Time
The Super
Runtime: 1hr 38min
In The Super (1991), a greedy New York slumlord is sentenced by the court to live in one of his own decrepit buildings, forcing him to confront the tenants and conditions he's long ignored.
The Super stars Joe Pesci as Louie Kritski, a selfish, arrogant landlord whose run-down tenement buildings are the target of legal action due to their dangerous conditions. When a judge sentences him to live in one of his worst properties until it's brought up to code, Louie is forced into direct contact with the struggling tenants he’s neglected for years. What begins as a punishment slowly becomes a journey of personal growth, as Louie starts to recognize the humanity of his residents and reevaluate his values. Blending slapstick humor with a dose of social commentary, the film is a surprisingly heartfelt redemption story wrapped in broad comedy.
King Ralph
Runtime: 1hr 37min
King Ralph (1991) follows a bumbling American lounge singer who becomes the unexpected heir to the British throne after a freak accident wipes out the royal family.
In King Ralph, John Goodman plays Ralph Jones, a down-on-his-luck Vegas performer whose life takes a bizarre turn when he’s identified as the last surviving relative of the British royal family. Thrust into the role of king, Ralph must navigate a world of aristocratic etiquette, political intrigue, and relentless tradition—all while staying true to his brash, blue-collar American roots. As Ralph clashes with stuffy nobles and awkwardly adjusts to his new role, he slowly wins over hearts with sincerity and charm. While played mostly for laughs, the film also offers a warm message about identity, class, and authenticity beneath its goofy premise.
Drop Dead Fred
Runtime: 1hr 43min
A chaotic, polarizing cult comedy that blends childhood trauma, surrealism, and outrageous slapstick into something utterly unique.
Drop Dead Fred follows Elizabeth (Phoebe Cates), a meek and recently dumped woman whose chaotic childhood imaginary friend, Fred (Rik Mayall), suddenly reappears in her adult life to wreak havoc and "help" her reclaim her sense of self. As Fred drags her into absurd, destructive antics, Elizabeth is forced to confront her toxic relationships, overbearing mother, and lost identity. Blending slapstick humor, surreal fantasy, and surprising emotional depth, Drop Dead Fred is a cult comedy that balances manic energy with a darkly whimsical exploration of trauma, healing, and self-empowerment.
Comedy Highlights & Trivia
The Addams Make a Comeback
The Addams Family turned a cult TV favorite into a box office hit, blending gothic design with dark humor and setting the tone for '90s family comedies.
Comedy with Depth
City Slickers and Defending Your Life proved that comedies could tackle existential questions and still land big laughs.
Strong Female Leads
Applegate (Babysitter’s Dead), Sally Field (Soapdish), and Diane Keaton (Father of the Bride) headlined hits that balanced humor with substance.
Where to Watch These Today
City Slickers – Prime Video, Apple TV
The Addams Family – Netflix, Pluto TV
What About Bob? – Apple TV
Father of the Bride – Disney+, tbs
Soapdish – Pluto
Defending Your Life – Max
Drop Dead Fred – Freebie TV
Closing Thoughts
1991 was a year when comedy grew up—without losing its edge. While the decade would soon explode with raunchier fare and slapstick franchises, this moment was about nuance, creativity, and emotional resonance. The best comedies of 1991 made you laugh, sure—but many also made you think, feel, and remember. It's a year worth revisiting—not just for the jokes, but for the joy behind them.
