While viewers come to light comedy movies to escape the horrors of the world and enjoy a good laugh, somefilms cannot help but unexpectedly go to dark places. Whether it’s a kids’ comedy that suddenly introduces a shockingly bleak piece of information orlaugh-out-loud moviesthat turn increasingly sinister as the runtime progresses, comedy movies can sometimes be surprisingly disarming. While a certain amount of darkness has its place in every genre, the results can be unnerving when audiences don’t see it coming.
Some ofthe best light comedy moviesever have sinister subtexts that make the movie unexpectedly dark. While wacky characters may seem to be laugh-a-minute personalities at first, the existential nightmare that often makes upcomedy movie premises can’t help but feel dark as the story builds toward its grand conclusion. Although the point of a good comedy is to make viewers laugh, there’s no light without the dark, and sometimes, it’s important to balance the two in unexpected ways.
10Gremlins (1984)
Kate’s father’s accident while dressed as Santa Claus was unexpectedly dark for a PG movie
The horror comedyGremlinslooked on the surface to be a cute and cuddly movie about adorable little creatures. However, this unusual Christmas film was unexpectedly dark and was actually a major factor in the creation of the PG-13 rating (via Hollywood Reporter), which accounted for movies that were not extreme enough to be rated R but too dark to permit young children to watch. While there was plenty of surprising violence inGremlins, one character’s monologue made the film even darker than anyone could have expected.
This was when Phoebe Cates’ character Kate Beringer told the story of how her father went missing on Christmas Eve and was found dead days later in their fireplace dressed as Santa Claus. Kate told this shocking story as eerie music played in the background, and she described the post-traumatic stress she endured as her father slipped and broke his neck trying to surprise her family for Christmas.
Gremlins
Cast
When a father gives his son Billy a magical creature known as a Mogwai as a gift, the boy is given strict rules to follow regarding its care. When a lapse in judgment creates the mischievous Gremlins - creatures intent on destruction that threaten to ruin Christmas for the entire town of Kingston Falls - it’s up to Billy and his Mogwai companion Gizmo to save the town from the army of little monsters.
9The Cable Guy (1996)
Jim Carrey’s character goes from eccentrically weird to downright unhinged
The Cable Guywas one ofJim Carrey’s defining movies, as it signaled his move from over-the-top mainstream comedic roles into stranger, more psychologically intriguing characters. The mid-point between these two styles wasThe Cable Guy, a comedy that must have come as quite a shock to those who were expecting moreAce VenturaorDumb and Dumber-style antics. While Carrey’s character of Chip Douglas came across as yet another wacky personality to add to the comedian’s hilarious resume, things just progressively got darker asThe Cable Guycontinued.
With Matthew Broderick as the everyman Steven,The Cable Guyhad a simple premise about a strange cable installer who tries to befriend his customerafter giving him the movie channels for free. While Chip was pretty unusual, it all felt harmless enough until he revealed himself to be utterly obsessive and a deranged stalker to the point that Steven was fearful for his life. By the end ofThe Cable Guy, the movie was less a mainstream comedy and closer to an out-and-out horror film about the shocking consequences of rejecting a deranged man’s plea for friendship.
The Cable Guy
The Cable Guy is a dark comedy film that follows the story of Steven Kovacs, a lonely and socially awkward cable TV installer, played by Jim Carrey, who becomes obsessed with a customer, Chip Douglas, played by Matthew Broderick, and inserts himself into Chip’s life.
8Click (2006)
Michael Newman’s universal remote control started as lighthearted fun but soon fast-forwarded him through life
More so than almost any other comedian, audiences feel they know what they’ll get with an Adam Sandler comedy movie, although every couple of years, he accepts a role that truly surprises viewers. While movies likePunch-Drunk LoveorUncut Gemswere clear showcases of Sandler’s dramatic talent,Clickat first appeared like it would play out with the same kind of wacky, over-the-top energy asHappy GilmoreorThe Wedding Singer. However, this lighthearted story about a man controlling his life with a universal remote soon turned incredibly dark.
As the story of a workaholic family man named Michael Newman (Sandler) who happily accepted the opportunity to skip the boring parts of life with the click of a button,Clicksaw him fast-forwarding through life’s minor inconveniences. But this story took a sharp turn when Michael went into autopilot, and the remote started to learn his preferences. Before too long, Michael had fast-forwarded through years of life, ruined his marriage, and was forced to reckon with the dark realization that life is about the little things, and once you miss them, they’re gone forever.
Click
Click is a fantasy comedy film starring Adam Sandler as workaholic architect Michael Newman. Released in 2006, the narrative follows Michael’s discovery of a magical remote control that allows him to fast-forward through mundane aspects of his life, leading to unforeseen consequences as he navigates the demands of family and career.
7Jojo Rabbit (2019)
This lighthearted WWII satire takes a dark turn that shines a light on the horrors of the Holocaust
While the premise ofJojo Rabbitdoes not sound very lighthearted on paper, the way writer and director Taika Waititi set up this World War II satire meant it had a carefree style in the beginning. Following the story of a ten-year-old Hitler Youth member named Jojo who idolizes Hitler to the point that he’s made him his imaginary friend, it’s clear this child lacks the political awareness to understand the truly horrid realities of fascism. With plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, asWaititi portrayed a buffoonish version of Hitler,Jojo Rabbitmanaged to mask its serious side through comedy.
However, this initial comedy was simply an effective way of disarming the audience, asJojo Rabbitsoon turned dark when it was revealed Jojo’s mother (Scarlett Johansson) was hiding a Jewish girl (Thomasin McKenzie) in their attic to protect her from the horrors of the Holocaust. While Jojo had fallen victim to groupthink and radicalization, the dark reality of the society he was living in set in, and Jojo realized the Nazi regime’s inhumanity.Jojo Rabbithad a profound point to make about thinking for oneself, and the way it blended comedy and drama made it all the more effective.
Jojo Rabbit
Directed by Taika Waititi and featuring his characteristic absurdist humor, Jojo Rabbit stars Roman Griffin Davis as Johannes “Jojo” Betzler, a young German boy during WWII who is a member of the Hitler Youth. When Jojo discovers that his mother Rosie (Scarlett Johansson) is helping a Jewish girl hide from the Nazis in the attic of their home, he must begin to confront his prejudices and what he thought he knew was right head-on. Waititi also stars in the film as a fictionalized version of Hitler who is Jojo’s imaginary friend.
6The Truman Show (1998)
Truman’s life circumstances were funny at first, but the dark reality soon set in
The psychological comedyThe Truman Showwas so effective that it has a delusion named after it, where real people believe their lives are a staged reality show (viaPsych Central.) While this was rarely the case, except in genuine secret TV shows likeThe Joe Schmo ShoworJury Duty, inThe Truman Show, the life of Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey) was an elaborately constructed lie, where everyone in his life was paid actors taking part in a long-running, 24-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week reality TV show.
This unique concept was hilarious at first as audiences saw how Truman lived his life, oblivious to the fact that he was being observed by millions of viewers worldwide. However, this comedy took a dark turn whenTruman started to question the truth of existenceand, despite trying to break free from the prison he had been placed in, was continually stopped by the all-seeing TV producer known as Christof (Ed Harris.)The Truman Showstarted as a comedy, but by the end, it was a tense thriller as Truman nearly died at sea trying to discover the truth.
The Truman Show
The Truman Show is a 1998 comedy-drama directed by Peter Weir. It follows the life of Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey), a man who discovers that his entire life has been a reality TV show with an audience in the millions. Laura Linney plays Truman’s wife Hannah Gill, Noah Emmerich plays his best friend Marlon, and Ed Harris portrays the series' director, Christof.
5Groundhog Day (1993)
Phil Connors’ hilarious time loop eventually grew into an existential nightmare
Groundhog Daywas such an iconic movie that the name of the film itself has become shorthand for monotonous or repetitive life situations. As one of Bill Murray’s greatest movies, his comedic charisma and onscreen charm were enough to distract audiences from how relentlessly dark the story is and how truly terrifying the circumstances that the weatherman Phil Connors found himself in were. As a film about a man forced to live the same day on repeat with no end in sight,Groundhog Daywas very funny but also incredibly dark.
While it was hilarious to watch how Phil learned how to bend the repeated daily life of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to his own advantage, as time continued to pass, he soon started to feel there was no way out.Groundhog Daytook a truly dark turn as the existential nightmare of Phil’s time loop existence became too much to bear, and he tried to take his own life. When, even after a suicide attempt, Phil still awoke to the sound of his alarm clock playing “I Got You Babe,” it was clear that not even death would free him.
Groundhog Day
In Groundhog Day, the arrogant weatherman Phil Connors (Bill Murray) finds himself living the exact same day over and over for what feels like an eternity. To cope with his curse, he learns a variety of skills in the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, and tries to earn the heart of his colleague Rita Hanson (Andie MacDowell) while he adapts to the time loop.
4Observe and Report (2009)
The lighthearted antics of a mall cop turn dark as mental health issues bubble to the surface
While many comparisons can be made between the Kevin James moviePaul Blart: Mall Copand the Seth Rogen releaseObserve and Report, for all their similarities, they did have one striking difference. That was thatObserve and Reportturned incredibly dark and, rather than tell a lighthearted story about a lowly mall cop, leaned into its character’s severe mental instability in a truly shocking turn of events. With Rogen as the wannabe cop turned mall security officer Ronnie Barnhardt, this initially lighthearted comedy got progressively darker throughout its runtime.
Rather than play by the rules and call a real police officer, in a dark turn, Barnhardt decided to go full vigilante inObserve and Report. With delusions of grandeur, audiences watched in total shock asBarnhardt violently attacked those he deemed to have broken the rulesand was even seen actively partaking in recreational drug use.Observe and Reportwent into much darker territory than its initial premise suggested and featured plenty of laugh-out-loud moments of pure excess throughout.
Observe and Report
Observe and Report is a dark comedy film directed by Jody Hill, starring Seth Rogen as Ronnie Barnhardt, a bipolar mall security guard who takes his job very seriously. As a flasher wreaks havoc at the mall, Ronnie sees an opportunity to prove himself to the local police force. The film also features performances by Anna Faris and Ray Liotta.
3Heathers (1988)
What could have been a lighthearted high school comedy turned into a dark satire
From the John Hughes stylings ofThe Breakfast Clubto the cult classic appeal ofFast Times at Ridgemont High, the 1980s were a great time for high school comedies. One of the best of this era wasHeathers, the story of three girls with the same name who rule the school as a popular but feared clique. WhileHeathershad all the tenets of a classic lighthearted high school comedyin the beginning, this dark satire soon showcased its cynical worldview as it tackled themes of alienated youth and the horrors of high school.
As one of the greatest coming-of-age stories ever told on film, part of the appeal ofHeatherswas its willingness to turn dark as it addressed bullying, suicide, and homophobia. The clever satirical tone ofHeathersgot more extreme with the arrival of J.D. (Christian Slater), whose fascination with death sowed the seeds for the staged suicide pacts of its story. As a comedy that almost bordered on a horror movie,Heatherstook an expectedly dark turn in its narrative.
Heathers
Heathers is a dark comedy film directed by Michael Lehmann, featuring Winona Ryder as Veronica Sawyer and Christian Slater as J.D. Released in 1989, the story delves into high school social hierarchies and the consequences of rebelling against popular cliques. The film addresses themes of teen angst, peer pressure, and the impact of destructive behavior within a satirical framework.
2There’s Something About Mary (1998)
Tucker’s lies to Mary were truly manipulative
WhileThere’s Something About Maryis best remembered today for the gross but hilarious moments like the hair gel scene, this lighthearted comedy about a woman who every man seems to fall in love with had its dark side. With an ensemble cast of men all vying for the attention of Mary (Cameron Diaz), some of these male suitors were more honest than others in their attempt to win her heart. One truly manipulative character who turned a lighthearted comedy surprisingly dark was Tucker (Lee Evans.)
As a lowly pizza delivery man, Tucker became obsessed with Mary when he delivered her food one night and soon came up with a cunning plan to infiltrate her life. This stalkerish behavior felt more like something out of a thriller than a comedy, as Tucker pretended to be disabled so that Mary would pay attention to him. WhileTucker’s deceitful behavior was eventually discovered, the way he used the genuine hardships of those with disabilities to gain sympathy and bad-talk the other men in her life was truly sinister.
There’s Something About Mary
There’s Something About Mary is a 1998 romantic comedy directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly. The film stars Cameron Diaz as Mary, the object of affection for multiple men, including Ben Stiller’s character Ted. The story blends humor and romance as Ted attempts to reconnect with his high school crush, leading to a series of outlandish and comedic events. Matt Dillon also stars as a private investigator entangled in the pursuit.
What started as a horror parody soon started to offer genuine frights
Shaun of the Deadwas perhaps the definitive comedy horror movie as it paid homage to George A. Romero’sNight of the Living Deadfranchise with real reverence and a love for the cinematic history of zombies. With Simon Pegg as the titular Shaun on a mission to make it to the pub in the midst of a zombie outbreak, this lighthearted comedy was the beginning of the acclaimedThree Flavours Cornettotrilogy from director Edgar Wright. With a unique sense of humor and some serious style,Shaun of the Deadpoked light fun at the ridiculousness of zombies in its earliest scenes.
However, asShaun of the Deadprogressed, it leaned increasingly into the true horror of zombies as the full extent of its societal breakdown was on full display. With a high-stakes narrative and fully developed characters whose lives were in genuine jeopardy,Shaun of the Deadwent much further than the average parody movie in depicting the horror of its premise. With a real depth that embodied current anxieties in the wake of 9/11,Shaun of the Deadreflected the society out of which it was produced and was far more thought-provoking than it initially appeared.
Shaun of the Dead
From director Edgar Wright, Shaun of the Dead stars Simon Pegg as Shaun, an ambitionless slacker who one day finds his world overrun by zombies. From a script by Wright and Pegg, Shaun of the Dead injects comedy into a typically horror-focused subgenre as Shaun and his lazy friend Ed (Nick Frost) attempt to rescue Shaun’s estranged girlfriend and make it through the apocalypse unscathed.
