There aren’t many streaming services out there that can match HBO Max in terms of the sheer quality of their film catalog. The platform is home to some of the biggest modern movies in recent memory, ranging from Sinners, Dune, and The Substance to Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, One Battle After Another, and Weapons. It’s also the place to find some true cinematic masterpieces like The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Dark Knight, and Spirited Away.

HBO Max has greatness in every major genre, covering horror projects like Hereditary and Companion, superhero fare like Superman and The Batman, international animated films like Your Name and My Neighbor Totoro, and entire franchises like Evil Dead, DC, John Wick, and Harry Potter. However, it feels like the comedy genre is one that gets overlooked by far too many, especially on HBO Max.

It’s difficult for any genre to compare to HBO Max’s catalog of fantasy and superhero movies, yet comedy manages to do so. The platform has great comedic films from decades past, raunchy projects, romantic comedies, hilarious movies that skew into the horror genre, and some that feature a handful of the top actors to ever grace the big screen.

Wedding Crashers (2005)

Wedding Crashers is one of the quintessential romantic comedies of the 2000s. It doesn’t hold anything back in terms of being raunchy, yet there’s a lot of heart at its core. The story centers on two best friends who crash weddings with elaborate made-up backstories to seduce women.

At one particular wedding, John (Owen Wilson) meets Claire (Rachel McAdams) and falls for her while his buddy Jeremy (Vince Vaughn) gets entangled with Claire’s sister Gloria (Isla Fisher). There are some side-splitting laughs along the way, boosted by the film’s extremely charismatic cast.

This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

The late Rob Reiner had a legendary and varied filmography that includes the likes of When Harry Met Sally and The Princess Bride. Even with those classics, This is Spinal Tap is in the conversation for his greatest work. It also helped popularize and revolutionize the concept of a mockumentary.

This is Spinal Tap tells the story of the titular parody rock band and does so in the form of a documentary. The screenplay satirizes the pretensions and behaviors of rock stars in a hilarious fashion. The film was ultimately selected for preservation at the Library of Congress for its cultural relevancy.

The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)

While The LEGO Movie is a modern animated classic, The LEGO Batman Movie takes what worked there and makes it even better. The animation style remains unique, yet it’s the sharp dialogue and rapid-fire jokes that make it such a treat. Will Arnett’s voice work as Batman is also incredibly funny.

The LEGO Batman Movie also works because of the way it parodies the Batman franchise while also paying homage to it. Whether it’s a nod to Batman wanting to be a loner, Robin’s tiny shorts, or Batman’s relationship with Joker, nothing is off limits in this blast of a movie.

Legally Blonde (2001)

It’s amazing how much of a cultural staple Legally Blonde has remained 25 years after its initial release. The film centers on Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) as she defies all stereotypes against blonde women to find earn a degree from Harvard Law, while never changing who she is.

Witherspoon is fantastic, earning a Golden Globe nomination for her performance, while the likes of Jennifer Coolidge and Luke Wilson lead a fun supporting cast. Legally Blonde still gets quoted often today, spawned a sequel, and now has a prequel series that debuted on Prime Video.

Lady Bird (2017)

Cinematic history is littered with great coming-of-age movies, yet not many can best Lady Bird in terms of its quality. The film sits at an astounding 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, won two Golden Globe Awards, and saw Saoirse Ronan earn an Academy Award nomination, while also being up for Best Picture.

Lady Bird follows a teen girl in the early 2000s as she wants to escape Sacramento and go to college, while dealing with an unsteady relationship with her mother, a disappointing romantic crush, and more. The screenplay is sharply written and delivers some fantastic jokes along the way.

Army Of Darkness (1992)

Evil Dead is among the best horror franchises in history. While it’s rooted in that genre, Evil Dead II leaned into silly elements and its sequel, Army of Darkness, goes full camp for a brilliant comedy. This was a genius move by Sam Raimi because it allowed Bruce Campbell to shine.

In Army of Darkness, Campbell’s Ash is sent back to the Middle Ages where he must battle the undead as he tries to find a way home. Everything about this movie is goofy from Ash’s one-liners to the fights against the undead to the cheesy visual effects. It’s one of the funniest films of the ’90s.

Singin’ In The Rain (1952)

Some movies get called a classic and you have to watch it for yourself to understand that it earns that label. Singin’ in the Rain is one of those films, as it stands as one of the greatest musicals and one of the greatest comedy movies to ever grace the big screen.

The story is a lighthearted depiction of Hollywood during the 1920s as cinema transitioned from silent films to talkies. The musical is whimsical and there’s some impressive physical comedy along the way, which are big reasons why Singin’ in the Rain is held in such high esteem.

Game Night (2018)

Game Night is a comedy that has all the ingredients of a true classic within the genre. The cast, consisting of Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Kyle Chandler, Jesse Plemons, and more, is legitimately fantastic. The premise, following a group of friends whose murder mystery game night turns into a real murder mystery, is masterfully set up.

Combine that with some truly shocking plot twists, some well-shot sequences, and a great screenplay and Game Night is an underrated gem. Critics and audiences love the movie and there are many clamoring for a sequel.

Barbie (2023)

Barbie became a way bigger hit than almost anyone could’ve predicted. When the film was first announced, many wrote it off as just another project surrounding an established IP. However, with Greta Gerwig writing and directing the movie, it turned into something special.

Barbie grossed over $1 billion and was nominated for eight Oscars, including Best Picture. While it has a ton of heart, it’s a genius comedy at its core. Ryan Gosling is downright hilarious as Ken, while the likes of Kate McKinnon’s Weird Barbie and Will Ferrell’s Mattel CEO are great additions.

Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)

Although comedies aren’t often known for their plot twists, not many films have better shocks than Crazy, Stupid, Love. The main story centers on Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) as he learns how to pick up ladies with the help of a charming womanizer named Jacob (Ryan Gosling).

There are also subplots involving a one-night stand with a teacher, a teenage crush on a babysitter, and a law student named Hannah (Emma Stone) who falls for Jacob. It’s a brilliantly written and acted comedy that culminates in a masterfully done plot twist that people still talk about today.