May 2025 is bringing a much-needed comedic refresh to the world of streaming. Whether you’re in the mood for absurd slapstick, heartfelt family moments, teen mischief, or a sharp-tongued stand-up set, there’s something new and hilarious waiting on every major platform.
From award-winning indie hits to quirky streaming exclusives, this month’s comedy lineup delivers a wide range of humor styles for every kind of viewer.
Netflix Highlights
Nonnas (May 9)
Vince Vaughn leads this sweet and silly film about a grieving Brooklyn man who decides to open a restaurant with the help of several feisty Italian grandmothers. With Susan Sarandon and Lorraine Bracco in standout roles, Nonnas is part food comedy, part intergenerational dramedy, and entirely charming.
The Biggest Fan (May 1)
Though details are sparse, this lighthearted comedy explores fan obsession in the age of celebrity culture. Expect cringe moments, exaggerated fandom tropes, and some surprisingly touching beats.
One of Them Days
Keke Palmer and SZA star as broke roommates scrambling to cover rent after a betrayal. Equal parts chaotic and heartfelt, this is a roommate comedy for the modern age.
Conan O’Brien: The Mark Twain Prize (May 4)
A celebration of Conan’s long and illustrious career, this special features heartfelt roasts and comedy tributes from famous friends. It’s a must-watch for late-night TV fans.
Plankton: The Movie
An animated musical comedy spinoff from SpongeBob SquarePants, this film puts Plankton center stage as he hatches yet another scheme—only to be outwitted by his sentient computer wife, Karen. Silly and family-friendly.
Hulu Standouts
Summer of 69 (May 9)
Directed by Jillian Bell, this raunchy teen comedy follows Abby, a high school senior who hires an exotic dancer to help her seduce her crush before graduation. Starring Chloe Fineman and Sam Morelos, it’s part coming-of-age, part shock comedy—and all laughs.
Matteo Lane: The Al Dente Special (May 16)
Known for his opera-trained voice and flair for impressions, Lane’s new stand-up special brings Italian family chaos, queer identity, and Broadway-level drama to the mic.
Prime Video Picks
Another Simple Favor (May 1)
Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick return in this dark comedy sequel. Set during a lavish wedding in Italy, the duo gets pulled into another high-society murder mystery. Think of it as Knives Out with more cocktails and couture.
David Spade: Dandelion (May 6)
David Spade riffs on parenting, pop culture, and the weirdness of growing older in this dry, self-deprecating special. Fans of his snarky 2000s humor won’t be disappointed.
Overcompensating: Season 1 (May 15)
A new comedy series focused on modern masculinity, imposter syndrome, and trying too hard. Its satirical take on ambition and identity gives off strong Silicon Valley energy.
International & Indie Gems
A Nice Indian Boy (May 6, Prime Video)
A romantic comedy that tackles cultural expectations and modern love, this film follows Naveen as he introduces his new boyfriend to his traditional Indian parents—with awkward, hilarious results.
Bob Trevino Likes It (May 6)
A quirky film about a lonely man who accidentally befriends someone with the same name on Facebook, leading to an unlikely and heartwarming friendship.
Maranamass (May 15, SonyLIV)
This Malayalam-language black comedy follows a group of passengers on a night bus… who may be riding with a serial killer. Blending horror, absurdity, and pitch-black humor, it’s not for the squeamish—but fans of Fargo-style chaos will enjoy it.
Muthayya (Streaming now, ETV Win)
A heartwarming Telugu comedy-drama about a 70-year-old man who still dreams of becoming an actor. Sweet, hopeful, and filled with humorous touches that speak to the power of persistence.
Critically Acclaimed Comedies Still Buzzing
In case you missed them, these recent releases continue to win praise and are worth adding to your watchlist:
- A Real Pain – Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin’s odd-couple tour of Poland is both hilarious and deeply emotional.
- Anora – A brash, bold love story that mixes pole dancing, marriage, and satire with award-winning performances.
- Friendship – A suburban dad’s obsession with his cool new neighbor makes for one of A24’s most biting comedies of the year.
- Saturday Night – Jason Reitman’s ensemble piece about the early days of SNL is both nostalgic and full of sharp wit.
- Hundreds of Beavers – A cult-favorite slapstick adventure that channels Looney Tunes energy with indie charm.
This month’s crop of comedies proves the genre is alive, thriving, and as diverse as ever—from heartfelt cultural stories to boundary-pushing satire. Whatever your sense of humor, May 2025 offers something worth streaming tonight. Want a personalized recommendation based on your tastes? Let me know what type of comedy you’re into!
Spotlight on 2023: A Great Year For Comedy
2023 was a fantastic year for comedy movies, with several standout films bringing laughter to audiences around the world. From blockbuster hits to critically acclaimed gems, the comedy genre showed its strength through diverse storytelling and memorable performances. Films like “Barbie” starring Margot Robbie (88% on Rotten Tomatoes), “The Holdovers” with Paul Giamatti (97%), and “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” featuring Rachel McAdams (99%) represented some of the best comedic offerings of the year.
Other notable comedies from 2023 included “Poor Things,” “The Blackening,” “Quiz Lady,” and “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.” These films demonstrated the wide range of comedy sub-genres that found success, from romantic comedies to fantasy adventure comedies with American fiction influences. The year proved that comedy could still draw audiences while also receiving critical acclaim.
The comedy landscape of 2023 showed that humor can be paired with meaningful storytelling and still resonate with viewers. Many of these films are now available on streaming platforms, making them accessible to those who missed them in theaters. This accessibility has helped extend the reach and impact of these comedic works beyond their initial theatrical runs.
Key Takeaways
- 2023 delivered highly-rated comedies spanning from mainstream hits like “Barbie” to critically acclaimed films like “The Holdovers.”
- Comedy movies successfully blended humor with meaningful storytelling across various sub-genres.
- Many 2023 comedy hits are now available on streaming platforms for viewers to enjoy at home.
Comedy films in 2023 delivered a mix of distinctive styles and stories that captured audience attention. Both Wes Anderson’s quirky ensemble piece and a groundbreaking teen comedy made significant marks on the year’s film landscape.
Overview of ‘Asteroid City’
Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City” brought his signature visual style to a retro-futuristic story set in a desert town. The film featured an impressive ensemble cast including Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, and Tom Hanks.
Set in the 1950s at a Junior Stargazer convention, the film blended science fiction elements with family drama. Anderson’s meticulous attention to symmetrical framing and pastel color palettes remained intact.
Critics praised the film’s imaginative world-building while some viewers found its nested story structure challenging. Though not Anderson’s highest-grossing film, “Asteroid City” reinforced his unique place in contemporary cinema as a director with an instantly recognizable aesthetic.
Success of ‘Bottoms’ at the Box Office
Emma Seligman’s “Bottoms” emerged as a surprise hit, defying expectations for an R-rated teen comedy. The film starred Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri as high school students who start a fight club to meet girls.
Despite a limited release pattern, “Bottoms” generated strong word-of-mouth and performed well at the box office. Critics praised its sharp writing and willingness to push boundaries in the teen comedy genre.
The film resonated particularly with younger audiences and LGBTQ+ viewers. Its success demonstrated that original comedies could still find theatrical audiences in a market dominated by franchises and reboots.
“Bottoms” joined “Barbie” as evidence that female-directed comedies could deliver both critically and commercially in 2023.
Streaming and Distribution Developments
The landscape of comedy movie distribution saw major shifts in 2023, with streaming platforms competing for exclusive content and audience attention. New distribution strategies emerged as viewers increasingly turned to home entertainment options.
Comedy Hits on Prime Video
Prime Video strengthened its comedy lineup in 2023 with several exclusive releases. The platform secured rights to highly anticipated comedies that bypassed theatrical releases entirely. These direct-to-streaming titles included both star-studded productions and smaller indie projects.
Among Prime’s most successful comedy acquisitions was “Dumb Money,” the 1 hour 45 minute financial comedy that garnered positive audience reviews. The platform also invested in original comedy content featuring established comedians.
Prime’s algorithm-driven recommendation system helped comedy fans discover titles they might have missed in theaters. This strategy proved effective as comedy viewing hours increased significantly on the platform compared to previous years.
Trends in Comedy Movie Consumption
Viewing habits for comedy films continued to evolve in 2023. Data showed audiences increasingly preferred watching comedies at home rather than in theaters. This shift prompted studios to reconsider release strategies for comedy projects.
Short-form comedy content also gained popularity. Films under 100 minutes performed particularly well on streaming platforms. “Joy Ride” (1h 35m) and “Strays” (1h 33m) exemplified this trend toward tighter comedic storytelling.
Family-friendly comedies remained strong performers across platforms. “Barbie” dominated both box office and streaming metrics with its 1h 54m runtime and broad appeal.
Distribution companies like FilmRise expanded their comedy acquisitions to meet demand. These distributors recognized the enduring appeal of the genre across demographic groups, especially during challenging economic times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Comedy films in 2023 offered plenty of laughs across various platforms. Here’s what viewers have been asking about the year’s funniest movies.
What are the top comedy movies released on Netflix in 2023?
Netflix delivered several standout comedies in 2023. “You People” starring Eddie Murphy and Jonah Hill was a hit with subscribers.
“Murder Mystery 2” reunited Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston for another comedic adventure. The platform also released “The Out-Laws” with Adam Devine and Pierce Brosnan.
“Your Place or Mine” featuring Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher provided romantic comedy fans with a fresh option on the streaming service.
Which comedy movie received the highest critical acclaim in 2023?
“Barbie” directed by Greta Gerwig emerged as both a critical and commercial success. The film starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling received praise for its smart writing and visual style.
“Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” surprised many critics with its blend of adventure and humor. “No Hard Feelings” starring Jennifer Lawrence also received positive reviews for its adult comedy approach.
Critics particularly appreciated “The Holdovers” for its subtle humor and strong performances.
What are the most anticipated Hollywood comedy films to be released in 2023?
Before their release, “Barbie” and “Asteroid City” generated significant buzz. Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City” featured his trademark style and an all-star cast.
“Dumb Money” about the GameStop stock phenomenon was highly anticipated. “Joy Ride” directed by Adele Lim also generated excitement with its female-led cast and raunchy humor.
“Anyone But You” with Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell rounded out the year’s most anticipated comedy releases.
What comedy films have been popular on streaming platforms in 2023?
“Air” starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck found success on Amazon Prime Video. “No Hard Feelings” quickly became popular after hitting streaming services.
“Joy Ride” gained momentum when it arrived on digital platforms. “Strays,” an R-rated animated comedy about dogs, found its audience through streaming after a modest theatrical run.
“Quiz Lady” with Awkwafina and Sandra Oh became a streaming favorite on Hulu.
Can you list the best Bollywood comedy movies of 2023?
“Dream Girl 2” starring Ayushmann Khurrana was among Bollywood’s comedy highlights. The film continued the success of its predecessor with more laughs and social commentary.
“Fukrey 3” brought back its beloved cast for another installment in the popular comedy franchise. “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” mixed romance with comedy and became a box office hit.
“Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan” starring Salman Khan included significant comedy elements alongside its action sequences.
Are there any comedy movie sequels scheduled for release in 2023?
Several comedy sequels hit theaters in 2023. “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” blended action with James Gunn’s signature humor.
“Murder Mystery 2” continued the adventures of Nick and Audrey Spitz on Netflix. “Magic Mike’s Last Dance” brought humor alongside its dance sequences to conclude the trilogy.
“Legally Blonde 3” was originally scheduled but faced production delays, pushing its release date further.
