While viewers come to light comedy movies to escape the horrors of the world and revel a good laughter , somefilms can not help but unexpectedly go to moody places . Whether it ’s a kids ’ comedy that dead enter a shockingly cutting piece of information orlaugh - out - trashy moviesthat turn progressively threatening as the runtime progresses , drollery movies can sometimes be surprisingly disarming . While a sure amount of darkness has its place in every writing style , the results can be unsettle when audiences do n’t see it get .

Some ofthe best light clowning moviesever have black subtexts that make the movie unexpectedly dark . While wacky characters may seem to be laugh - a - minute personalities at first , the experiential incubus that often makes upcomedy picture show premises ca n’t aid but feel dark as the story builds toward its princely close . 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 poise the two in unexpected way .

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 precious and cuddly film about adorable little creatures . However , this unusual Christmas moving-picture show was by chance dark and was actually a major agent in the creation of the PG-13 evaluation ( via Hollywood Reporter ) , which accounted for flick that were not extreme enough to be rated radius but too dark to permit young children to observe . While there was plenty of surprising violence inGremlins , one grapheme ’s soliloquy made the film even darker than anyone could have expected .

This was when Phoebe Cates ’ fibre Kate Beringer told the story of how her male parent move overlook on Christmas Eve and was base utter days later in their hearth enclothe as Santa Claus . Kate secernate this shocking story as eerie euphony played in the background , and she described the post - traumatic stress she hold up as her Father-God slip and break his neck stress to storm her family for Christmas .

Your Rating

Your comment has not been save

Cast

When a father give his boy Billy a charming brute known as a Mogwai as a talent , the boy is given strict rules to come after regarding its care . When a reverting in judgment create the impish gremlin - creatures intent on destruction that threaten to ruin Christmas for the full town of Kingston Falls - it ’s up to Billy and his Mogwai familiar Gizmo to make unnecessary the Ithiel Town from the US Army of lilliputian lusus naturae .

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 challenging lineament . The mid - power point between these two styles wasThe Cable Guy , a comedy that must have come as quite a shock to those who were await moreAce VenturaorDumb and Dumber - style caper . While Carrey ’s character of Chip Douglas descend across as yet another bats personality to lend to the comedian ’s hilarious resume , things just increasingly got darker asThe Cable Guycontinued .

With Matthew Broderick as the everyman Steven , The Cable Guyhad a simple premise about a unknown cable installer who seek to befriend his customerafter devote him the motion picture channels for free . While cow dung was jolly strange , it all felt harmless enough until he discover himself to be utterly obsessive and a deranged stalker to the point that Steven was fearful for his animation . By the end ofThe Cable Guy , the moving picture was less a mainstream comedy and closer to an out - and - out repulsion film about the lurid import of reject a deranged man ’s plea for friendship .

The Cable Guy is a dark comedy photographic film that follows the story of Steven Kovacs , a lonely and socially awkward cable’s length goggle box installer , play by Jim Carrey , who becomes obsessed with a client , Chip Douglas , played by Matthew Broderick , and inserts himself into potato chip ’s life .

Collage of Willow and Clash of the Titans

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 palpate they know what they ’ll get with an Adam Sandler funniness pic , although every match of years , he accepts a role that truly surprises viewer . While movies likePunch - Drunk LoveorUncut Gemswere clear showcases of Sandler ’s striking talent , Clickat first appeared like it would play out with the same kind of crackers , over - the - top energy asHappy GilmoreorThe Wedding Singer . However , this lighthearted story about a man controlling his life with a universal remote soon change state incredibly dark .

As the story of a workaholic family man identify Michael Newman ( Sandler ) who happily accepted the opportunity to vamoose the slow parts of life with the click of a release , Clicksaw him fast - forwarding through aliveness ’s minor inconvenience . But this story took a sharp turn when Michael went into autopilot , and the remote started to learn his orientation . Before too long , Michael had tight - forward through years of life , ruined his wedding , and was forced to regard with the dingy realization that life is about the footling things , and once you neglect them , they ’re gone forever .

Click is a phantasy funniness motion picture starring Adam Sandler as workaholic designer Michael Newman . unblock in 2006 , the narrative follows Michael ’s discovery of a magical remote ascendence that allow him to tight - forward through mundane aspects of his life , lead to unanticipated event as he navigates the demands of family and career .

still from They were expendable

7Jojo Rabbit (2019)

This lighthearted WWII satire takes a dark turn that shines a light on the horrors of the Holocaust

However , this initial clowning was simply an effective direction of disarming the audience , asJojo Rabbitsoon twist dark when it was discover Jojo ’s female parent ( Scarlett Johansson ) was hiding a Judaic female child ( Thomasin McKenzie ) in their dome to protect her from the repulsion of the Holocaust . While Jojo had fallen victim to groupthink and radicalization , the drab reality of the society he was subsist in set in , and Jojo realized the Nazi authorities ’s inhumanity . Jojo Rabbithad a heavy point to make about thinking for oneself , and the way of life it blended drollery and drama made it all the more effective .

Directed by Taika Waititi and featuring his characteristic absurdist humour , Jojo Rabbit stars Roman Griffin Davis as Johannes " Jojo " Betzler , a unseasoned German boy during WWII who is a fellow member of the Hitler Youth . When Jojo discovers that his mother Rosie ( Scarlett Johansson ) is facilitate a Jewish little girl obliterate from the Nazis in the attic of their home , he must begin to confront his prejudices and what he thought he knew was right promontory - on . Waititi also asterisk in the film as a fictionalized version of Hitler who is Jojo ’s fanciful 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 efficient that it has a delusion name after it , where real people believe their life are a staged reality show ( viaPsych Central . ) While this was seldom the case , except in true secret telecasting shows likeThe Joe Schmo ShoworJury Duty , inThe Truman Show , the life of Truman Burbank ( Jim Carrey ) was an intricately construct lie , where everyone in his life was pay actor carry part in a long - endure , 24 - hour - a - day , seven - days - a - week reality TV show .

This unique construct was screaming at first as audiences catch how Truman lived his living , oblivious to the fact that he was being celebrate by millions of viewers worldwide . However , this comedy take aim a non-white turn whenTruman depart to question the truth of existenceand , despite trying to give detached from the prison house he had been grade in , was continually halt by the all - seeing TV manufacturer make out as Christof ( Ed Harris.)The Truman Showstarted as a clowning , but by the death , it was a tense thriller as Truman nearly go bad at sea trying to get word the truth .

The Truman Show is a 1998 clowning - dramatic event directed by Peter Weir . It follows the life of Truman Burbank ( Jim Carrey ) , a man who discovers that his entire life history has been a reality TV show with an audience in the millions . Laura Linney plays Truman ’s married woman Hannah Gill , Noah Emmerich play his best friend Marlon , and Ed Harris portrays the serial ' director , Christof .

Robert Downey Jr. revealing himself to be Doctor Doom at SDCC

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 movie itself has become stenography for monotonous or repetitious spirit situations . As one of Bill Murray ’s greatest motion picture , his comedic charisma and onscreen charm were enough to unhinge consultation from how relentlessly dark the story is and how really terrify the fate that the weather forecaster Phil Connors found himself in were . As a motion picture about a military man ram to live the same Clarence Shepard Day Jr. on repetition with no end in sight , Groundhog Daywas very funny but also implausibly dark .

While it was uproarious to catch how Phil learned how to bend the repeated everyday living of Punxsutawney , Pennsylvania , to his own advantage , as time proceed to clear , he soon started to find there was no manner out . Groundhog Daytook a truly dark turn as the experiential incubus of Phil ’s time closed circuit universe became too much to give birth , and he tried to take his own life story . When , even after a self-destruction attack , Phil still awoke to the strait of his alarm clock playing “ I Got You Babe , ” it was decipherable that not even death would give up him .

In Groundhog Day , the chesty weatherman Phil Connors ( Bill Murray ) find himself living the accurate same mean solar day over and over for what feel like an eternity . To grapple with his curse , he learns a diverseness of science in the township of Punxsutawney , Pennsylvania , and tries to garner the heart of his colleague Rita Hanson ( Andie MacDowell ) while he adapts to the time loop .

Imagery-from-Gremlins-and-The-Cable-Guy

Custom image by Yeider Chacon.

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 dispute . That was thatObserve and Reportturned incredibly moody and , rather than say a lighthearted narrative about a lowly shopping mall cop , lean into its character ’s severe mental instability in a sincerely scandalous routine of issue . With Rogen as the wannabe bull turned mall security ship’s officer Ronnie Barnhardt , this initially lighthearted clowning got progressively darker throughout its runtime .

Rather than play by the rules and call a real constabulary officer , in a dark turn , Barnhardt decide to go full vigilante inObserve and Report . With illusion of grandeur , audiences watched in full shock asBarnhardt violently attacked those he take for to have broken the rulesand was even see actively share in amateur drug use of goods and services . Observe and Reportwent into much darker territorial dominion than its initial premise suggested and featured pile of laugh - out - loud moments of perfect excess throughout .

Observe and Report is a dark drollery film directed by Jody Hill , star Seth Rogen as Ronnie Barnhardt , a bipolar plaza security safety who takes his line very severely . As a flasher wreaks havoc at the mall , Ronnie sees an chance to prove himself to the local constabulary force . The film also sport operation by Anna Faris and Ray Liotta .

Phoebe Cates from Gremlins

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.

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 definitive appeal ofFast fourth dimension at Ridgemont High , the 1980s were a great meter for high school funniness . One of the best of this geological era wasHeathers , the story of three girls with the same name who govern the schooling as a popular but feared coterie . WhileHeathershad all the tenets of a classical lighthearted high school comedyin the beginning , this dark sarcasm soon showcased its cynical worldview as it tackled themes of estranged younker and the horrors of high school .

As one of the not bad coming - of - age stories ever recite on moving picture , part of the appeal ofHeatherswas its willingness to turn dark as it addressed bullying , suicide , and homophobia . The clever satiric shade ofHeathersgot more extreme with the arrival of J.D. ( Christian Slater ) , whose fascination with demise sowed the seeds for the staged self-destruction pacts of its story . As a comedy that almost frame on a revulsion moving-picture show , Heatherstook an expectedly dark turn in its narration .

Heathers is a sinister comedy film organise by Michael Lehmann , boast Winona Ryder as Veronica Sawyer and Christian Slater as J.D. relinquish in 1989 , the story cut into into high school day societal hierarchies and the consequence of renegade against pop clique . The motion picture address theme of teen angst , equal air pressure , and the wallop of destructive behavior within a satiric theoretical account .

Article image

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.

2There’s Something About Mary (1998)

Tucker’s lies to Mary were truly manipulative

WhileThere ’s Something About Maryis well remember today for the consummate but hilarious moments like the hair gel vista , this lighthearted comedy about a womanhood who every man seems to go down in love with had its sullen side . With an ensemble cast of man all vying for the attention of Mary ( Cameron Diaz ) , some of these manlike suitors were more honest than others in their attempt to pull ahead her affection . One truly manipulative character who flex a lighthearted comedy surprisingly dark was Tucker ( Lee Evans . )

As a lowly pizza delivery man , Tucker became obsess with Mary when he deliver her intellectual nourishment one Nox and soon came up with a guileful program to pass through her life . This stalkerish behaviour felt more like something out of a thriller than a funniness , as Tucker pretend to be disabled so that Mary would give aid to him . WhileTucker ’s fraudulent behavior was eventually fall upon , the direction he used the true hardships of those with disabilities to gain understanding and bad - talk the other men in her living was sincerely black .

There ’s Something About Mary is a 1998 amorous funniness directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly . The movie stars Cameron Diaz as Mary , the object of affection for multiple men , include Ben Stiller ’s graphic symbol Ted . The story blend in humor and romance as Ted attempt to reconnect with his eminent school crush , leading to a series of outlandish and comedic events . Matt Dillon also star as a secret investigator mire in the pursuit .

Headshot of Phoebe Cates

1Shaun of the Dead (2004)

What started as a horror parody soon started to offer genuine frights

Shaun of the Deadwas perhaps the unequivocal funniness repugnance movie as it devote court to George A. Romero’sNight of the Living Deadfranchise with existent fear and a sexual love for the cinematic history of zombies . With Simon Pegg as the nominal Shaun on a mission to make it to the pub in the midst of a zombi spirit outbreak , this blithe 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-headed fun at the absurdness of zombies in its early scenes .

However , asShaun of the Deadprogressed , it run increasingly into the true repulsion of zombies as the full extent of its societal breakdown was on full showing . With a high - stakes story and fully developed characters whose lives were in genuine hazard , Shaun of the Deadwent much further than the medium put-on movie in depicting the horror of its assumption . With a real depth that embodied current anxieties in the Wake Island of 9/11,Shaun of the Deadreflected the society out of which it was produced and was far more cerebration - provoking than it initially appeared .

From director Edgar Wright , Shaun of the idle stars Simon Pegg as Shaun , an ambitionless slacker who one day finds his world overproduction by zombies . From a script by Wright and Pegg , Shaun of the beat injects comedy into a typically revulsion - focalise subgenre as Shaun and his lazy friend Ed ( Nick Frost ) endeavour to rescue Shaun ’s estranged girl and make it through the Revelation unscathed .

Headshot Of Corey Feldman

Source : Psych Central

The Cable Guy trying to break through Steven’s door in The Cable Guy

The Cable Guy (1996) - Poster - Jim Carrey Holding An Electric Wire

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.

Headshot Of Jim Carrey In The North America Rights

Headshot Of Matthew Broderick

Adam Sandler in Click 2006

0177750_poster_w780.jpg

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.

Headshot Of Adam Sandler In The Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2024 at Barker Hangar.

Headshot Of Kate Beckinsale

Taika Waititi Wanted Top Actor To Play Hitler In Jojo Rabbit

Jojo Rabbit Movie Poster

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.

Headshot Of Stephen Merchant In The UK premiere of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Headshot Of Sam Rockwell

Jim Carrey looking and looking in the camera in The Truman Show

Article image

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.

Headshot Of Ed Harris

Headshot Of Natascha McElhone

Phil (Bill Murray) stretches his arms out as he prepares to jump off a tower in Groundhog Day.

Article image

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.

Headshot Of Bill Murray In The 65th BFI London Film Festival: ‘The French Dispatch’ premiere

Headshot Of Andie MacDowell In The L’Oreal Light On Women Award Dinner during the 76th Cannes Film Festival

A Mall Cop marches through the mall in Observe and Report

01282524_poster_w780.jpg

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.

Headshot Of Seth Rogen

Headshot Of Ray Liotta

Winona Ryder holding a gun in Heathers

Article image

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.

Headshot Of Winona Ryder In The Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

Headshot Of Christian Slater

Cameron Diaz in There’s Something About Mary

Theres Something About Mary Movie Poster

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.

Headshot Of Cameron Diaz

Cast Placeholder Image

Collage of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost looking confused in Shaun of the Dead with zombies in the background

Custom Image by Colin McCormick

Article image

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.

Headshot Of Kate Ashfield

Headshot Of Nick Frost

Movies