When it comes to movies, the dark comedy genre has always been a risk for the studios. Most people watch movies to temporarily forget their real lives, and which is why happy, feel-good stuff always works. But there are films that target people who like their humour black, people who do not shy from finding a good laugh in the darkest plots.
Here’s a list of films that you should watch if you’re trying to explore the dark comedy genre in detail.
1. In Bruges
Two Irish assassins are sent to the beautiful town of Bruges in Belgium for a sudden vacation. And then their boss tells them why.
2. Four Lions
Four British jihadis plan to launch an attack on the “western imperialist capitalistic world”. Their biggest obstacle? Their collective IQ.
3. The Little Death
An edgy sex comedy and a warm-hearted yet dark depiction of the secret lives of five suburban couples living in Sydney.
4. In The Loop
An English cabinet minister ends up in the midst of a tug-of-war situation between pro-war and anti-war political players, all because he said something stupid in an interview.
5. Trainspotting
Renton, a young Scottish lad, is deeply immersed in the drug scene, just like some of his mates. But it’s easier said than done.
6. Dr. Strangelove Or : How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
A war room full of politicians, generals and analysts frantically try to stop a nuclear holocaust triggered by a megalomaniac general.
7. American Beauty
Middle-aged Lester Burnham’s wife is having an affair. His daughter is rebellious. His job sucks. And he has a crush on his daughter’s friend. So, he finally decided to take control and be happy.
8. The Truman Show
A man slowly starts realizing that everything around him – his family, friends, work, his city – are part of a TV show where he is the main character.
9. Mithya
A small-time actor is asked by the cops to replace a gangster who looks just like him.
10. The Mexican
A man tries to get a legendary but cursed gun across the Mexican border while his girlfriend tries to make him give up his criminal ways.
11. The Baker
A hit-man decides to take a break from his profession, so he tries to start a new life as a baker in a small Welsh village, while hiding from his old boss.
12. Black Sheep
A genetic experiment turns otherwise harmless sheep into insane killing machines in a quiet New Zealand town.
13. Ex-Drummer
Flemish movie following the life of three misfits that form a band with a cynical famous writer. One is deaf, one has a paralyzed arm, the other is a white supremacist that lives on his ceiling.
14. What We Do In The Shadows
A mockumentary about three vampires from different eras living together in a flat in New Zealand.
15. Burn After Reading
Two not-so-sharp gym employees try to sell a valuable disk that contains the memoirs of a CIA agent.
16. American Psycho
A man lives dual lives – as a wealthy investment banker and a psychotic killer with deeply hedonistic fantasies.
17. Thank You For Smoking
Nick Naylor wants to be a role-model for his 12-year-old son and in many ways, he is the perfect dad. But he also works as the spokesperson for Big Tobacco.
18. Peepli [Live]
An impoverished family of farmers comes under the media and political spotlight because one of them threatened to commit suicide.
19. Cashback
A man, who starts suffering from insomnia after getting dumped, gets a night-shift job in a local supermarket, where he lets his artistic imagination take over his everyday life.
20. Snatch
Two boxing promoters land in trouble with the local bookmakers. Their only way out? Getting their hands on a precious diamond that already interests a Russian gangster, a few small-time crooks and some shady Jewish jewelers.
21. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
A botched game of poker in London triggers four friends, thugs, weed-growers, hard gangsters, loan sharks and debt collectors to collide with each other in a series of unexpected events, all for the sake of weed, cash and two expensive antique shotguns.
22. Pulp Fiction
Two mob hit men, their boss’s wife, a boxer on the run and diner-robbing couple – their lives intertwine in this darkly funny, violent story.
23. Grosse Pointe Blank
Professional hit man Martin Blank has an assignment in the town of Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Incidentally, his 10-year school reunion is at the same place at the same time.
24. God Bless America
Terminally ill Frank is tired of the messed up society he lives in. He finds an unlikely ally in 16-year-old Roxy. Time to start the body-count.
25. Kick Ass
High school student and comic book nerd, Dave Lizewski decides to become a super-hero one fine day. But he does not have any skill or superpower. Enter, Hit Girl.
26. Bernie
An affable mortician strikes a friendship with a wealthy Texan widow, but when she becomes too controlling, he decides enough is enough.
27. Drop Dead Gorgeous
A mockumentary about a small-town beauty pageant, where contestants soon realize one of them will go to any length to win the crown.
28. The Big Lebowski
Easy-going stoner, ‘The Dude’ Lebowski is mistaken for the millionaire Lebowski. He enlists the help of his bowling buddies to seek restitution for the rug (that really tied the room together) some thugs ruined.
29. O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Three escaped convicts chase an illusive treasure while a man of the law is pursuing them. On their journey, they end up recording a catchy southern classic that makes their make-shift band famous overnight. Based on Homer’s Odyssey.
30. Shaun of the Dead
A man tries to win back the love of the woman who just left him. During a zombie apocalypse.
31. Hot Fuzz
Super efficient London cop, Nicholas Angel is forcefully transferred to a quiet town in the countryside, where his new partner is a dim-witted cop. Angel soon realizes that the town is not as perfect as it looks – some residents have a deep dark secret that is more sinister than anything the cop has ever seen.
32. The Men Who Stare at Goats
A reporter meets a man who claims to be from a unit of the US Army that includes people who can perform paranormal activities.
33. Fargo
A movie full of charming characters typical of small town America. And all the violence that comes with it.
34. Barton Fink
A writer from New York tries his hand at writing for the movie business. In doing so, he discovers how crazy Hollywood can be.
35. The Guard
An FBI agent goes to a small Irish coast-town to investigate an International drug smuggling ring. But he has to partner up with a not-so-easy-to-work-with Irish cop who has his own way of handling police work.
36. Inglorious Basterds
An alternate history where the allies launch a secret plan to assassinate Hitler. What makes it even more difficult is the presence of the shrewd Nazi officer, Hans Landa, who’s the best there is when it comes to uncovering secrets.
37. Defendor
A regular, but slightly unstable man dons a superhero persona, who unleashes vigilante justice every night on the street, while looking for his ‘arch nemesis’, Captain Industry.
It’s okay to laugh. Let no one judge you for finding something funny.