Top 10 Underrated Hollywood Comedies You Need to Watch

These films often didn’t achieve blockbuster status or widespread recognition, despite high critical praise.

For example, Walk Hard has a 74% Rotten Tomatoes score but is overshadowed by bigger comedies.

Similarly, Waiting for Guffman is a cult classic with a 91% score, yet it’s less known than mainstream hits.

Their unique styles and niche humor may have contributed to their underappreciation, making them unexpected treasures for comedy fans.

The List

Here are the top 10 underrated Hollywood comedies you need to watch:

Methodology and Sources

The selection process involved analyzing articles and lists from reputable sources like Yardbarker, Den of Geek, A Good Movie to Watch, WatchMojo, BuzzFeed, and IMDb, as well as X posts discussing underrated comedies.

Films were chosen based on frequent mentions, high Rotten Tomatoes scores (typically above 70%), and indications of low box office performance or cultural underrecognition.

The focus was on American productions, ensuring alignment with Hollywood comedies. Additionally, X posts provided public sentiment, with mentions like Bowfinger and Distinguished Gentleman reinforcing certain choices.

Detailed Analysis of Each Film

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007)

Directed by Jake Kasdan, this parody of music biopics follows Dewey Cox (John C. Reilly), a fictional rock star, through a career filled with drugs, love, and music. Features cameos from Elvis and Beatles, with a fantastic soundtrack.

With a 74% Rotten Tomatoes score, it’s critically acclaimed but didn’t achieve mainstream success, possibly due to its niche parody style. It’s often overshadowed by broader comedies.

Its humor is sharp, with memorable songs like “Take My Hand” and Reilly’s committed performance making it a must-see for music and comedy fans.

Waiting for Guffman (1996)

Christopher Guest’s mockumentary follows Blaine, Missouri, residents preparing for a community theater show, hoping to attract a New York producer. Stars Guest, Eugene Levy, and Catherine O’Hara.

Boasts a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score but remains a cult classic, less known than Guest’s later works like Best in Show. Its improvisational style may limit mainstream appeal.

The witty dialogue and quirky characters, like the dentist with dreams of Broadway, offer endless laughs and showcase ensemble comedy at its best.

L.A. Story (1991)

L.A. Story, Mick Jackson, 1991 pic.twitter.com/Z1YndmShbJ

— Filmbambino (@film_bambino) March 17, 2025

Written by and starring Steve Martin, this romantic comedy follows a weatherman navigating love in Los Angeles, with surreal gags like a talking freeway sign. Features Sarah Jessica Parker and Victoria Tennant.

With a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score, it’s critically loved but didn’t gain the cultural footprint of Martin’s other works like Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Its whimsical tone may have been ahead of its time.

It’s a love letter to L.A. with honest absurdity, offering both laughs and heart, perfect for fans of romantic comedies with a twist.

Bowfinger (1999)

Steve Martin plays a producer trying to make a movie with a big star, Kit Ramsey (Eddie Murphy, in a dual role), without his knowledge. Also stars Heather Graham and Terence Stamp.

Has an 81% Rotten Tomatoes score but is often forgotten in discussions of Martin and Murphy’s best works, possibly due to competition from bigger releases. Mentioned in WatchMojo and X posts as underrated.

Its satire of Hollywood is clever, with Murphy’s dual performance stealing scenes, making it a hilarious look at the film industry’s absurdity.

Top Secret! (1984)

@julesevisions Top Secret (1984) #topsecretmovie #valkilmer #stealth #spoofmovie #iconicscene #80smovie ♬ original sound – julesesestv

From the creators of Airplane!, this spy parody stars Val Kilmer as a rock star caught in a Cold War plot in East Germany. Features silly jokes and a singing horse.

With a 77% Rotten Tomatoes score, it’s less remembered than Airplane! or Naked Gun, possibly due to its niche spoof style.

Packed with visual gags and absurd humor, it’s a delightful throwback, showcasing Kilmer’s comedic debut and the Zucker brothers’ genius.

Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010)

A horror-comedy where two hillbillies (Alan Tudyk, Tyler Labine) are mistaken for killers by college students, leading to hilarious misunderstandings. Directed by Eli Craig.

Has an 85% Rotten Tomatoes score but didn’t gain mainstream traction, possibly due to its genre blend. It’s a cult favorite but underrecognized.

Its fresh take on comedy-horror, with charm and wit, makes it a Halloween hit and a standout in the genre.

What About Bob? (1991)

Bill Murray plays Bob, a patient who follows his psychiatrist (Richard Dreyfuss) on vacation, causing chaos. Directed by Frank Oz.

With an 84% Rotten Tomatoes score, it’s a critical success but often overshadowed by Murray’s other comedies like Groundhog Day. Mentioned in Den of Geek and WatchMojo.

Murray’s performance is hilarious and heartwarming, with the interplay between him and Dreyfuss driving the comedy, making it a classic worth revisiting.

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015)

ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL: Official HD Trailer – YouTube. Big love. https://t.co/xuteGloTq6

— Jon Bernthal (@jonnybernthal) April 8, 2015

Greg (Thomas Mann) befriends Rachel (Olivia Cooke), a classmate with cancer, while making parody films. Directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon.

Has an 81% Rotten Tomatoes score but is an indie film that didn’t get wide attention, possibly due to its emotional depth. From A Good Movie to Watch’s list.

Balances humor and heart, with Greg’s film parodies adding a unique visual style, making it a touching comedy for teens and adults alike.

Captain Fantastic (2016)

Viggo Mortensen stars as a father raising his six children off the grid, facing society’s norms. Directed by Matt Ross.

With an 83% Rotten Tomatoes score, it’s critically acclaimed but didn’t achieve blockbuster status, possibly due to its niche adventure-comedy blend. From A Good Movie to Watch.

Offers thought-provoking humor and family dynamics, with Mortensen’s performance adding depth, making it a unique comedy-drama.

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)

The Lonely Island’s mockumentary follows pop star Conner4Real (Andy Samberg) as his career falters. Features celebrity cameos like Mariah Carey.

Has a 79% Rotten Tomatoes score but didn’t gain mainstream traction, possibly due to its music comedy niche. Mentioned in BuzzFeed as hilarious but underrecognized.

Its satire of the music industry, with catchy songs and sharp humor, makes it a gem for fans of This Is Spinal Tap.

Comparative Analysis

Conclusion

These 10 underrated Hollywood comedies offer a diverse range of humor, from parody to mockumentary, each with unique qualities that make them worth watching.

Many of these films feature actors with some of the most film appearances in Hollywood history, adding a layer of familiarity and charm to the experience.

Their underrecognition, often due to niche styles or competition from bigger releases, means they’re unexpected treasures for comedy enthusiasts.

Whether you’re revisiting classics or discovering new favorites, these films promise laughs and memorable moments.