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With the holidays upon us and all of the inherent joy and stress that comes with it, having a solid list of comedies at the ready is as essential as pumpkin pie. Whether you're traveling by plane, train, or automobile (a film which, alas, is not on this list), our prescription is the same: watch two comedies and call us in the morning. 

Amazon Prime really delivers (get it?) the goods here, curating a collection that ranges from classic to experimental, acerbic to heartwarming, family-friendly to R-rated fare. And since the titles on this list are all available with your Prime subscription, you can save some cash for stocking stuffers. 

Here are the 25 best comedies on Amazon Prime right now.

“A Fish Called Wanda” (1988)

EW’s writer called Jamie Lee Curtis’ turn as charming scam artist Wanda "unforgettable, fun, sexy, and sneaky." And her partner in crime, a weapons expert played by Kevin Kline, ain't so bad himself. In this ultra-witty, Americans vs. Brits saga of dastardly deeds, greed, and diamond-y double-crossing, Curtis and Kline spar brilliantly with comedy legends Michael Palin and John Cleese (who also wrote the script). Fast-paced and furiously funny, A Fish Called Wanda is a tightly-wound giggle-fest that garnered Curtis her first Golden Globe nomination. 

Where to watch A Fish Called Wanda: Amazon Prime Video

Director: Charles Crichton

Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, Michael Palin, John Cleese

Related content: Kevin Kline almost didn't bother going to the Oscars the night he won Best Supporting Actor

“The Big Sick” (2017)

If you like your comedy with a side of tragedy, The Big Sick has got you covered. This is truly a unique, one-of-a-kind production: stomach-achingly hilarious, mega-touching, and… all true? Yep, written by the couple who went through it IRL (Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon) and acted by one (Nanjiani, with Gordon played by Zoe Kazan), the pair deftly turned her shocking diagnosis/near-death experience into true laughs. The best medicine? We think so. 

Where to watch The Big Sick: Amazon Prime Video

Director: Michael Showalter

Cast: Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Ray Romano, Holly Hunter

Related content: The Big Sick writers Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani remembered their first date differently

“Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” (2020)

Exposing the worst of America in a fearless, laugh-while-you-cringe style is Sacha Baron Cohen’s specialty. Disguising himself as a mustachioed, overly-confident Kazakh allowed Cohen a kind of magic access: the ability to travel into the dark corners of the U.S. as an "innocent." This ruse encouraged others to open up in ways they might not have otherwise, creating jaw-dropping moments of comedy (veering into tragedy) you can't look away from. The setup is simple — Cohen's character Borat returns to the West with his daughter, Tutar (the excellent Maria Bakalova), to win the favor of its leader, “a magnificent new Premier named McDonald Trump.” 

In a kind of bizarro buddy comedy, the two visit synagogues, debutante balls, and freedom rallies, creating moments so indelible they will go down in cinematic history. It's hard to choose just one, so we'll pick two: Rudy Giuliani, and the horrifying father-daughter OB-GYN visit. As EW’s critic writes, "his outrageous, uncountable isms — the confident screeds against women and Jews, the casual endorsements of incest or indentured servitude — are of course satirical, and entirely the point."

Where to watch Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Amazon Prime Video

EW grade: A- (read the review)

Director: Jason Woliner

Cast: Sacha Baron Cohen, Maria Bakalova

Related content: Sacha Baron Cohen won't make another Borat movie: 'Too dangerous'

“The Brady Bunch Movie” (1995)

Calling The Brady Bunch Movie a "sly and witty surprise," EW's critic also described this resurrection of the classic '70s TV staple as turning "cheese into comic gold." Plunging the decidedly square Brady clan into the grungy, cynical '90s was a brilliant idea, one which only gets funnier as the film goes on. By the end, you're truly rooting for the family with the lovely lady (and the man named Brady) to succeed.

Where to watch The Brady Bunch Movie: Amazon Prime Video

EW grade: A- (read the review)

Director: Betty Thomas

Cast: Shelley Long, Gary Cole, Christine Taylor, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Jennifer Elise Cox, Michael McKean, Jean Smart

Related content: Christine Taylor on Marcia Brady memes and 20 years of The Brady Bunch Movie

“Champions” (2023)

Directed by Bobby Farrelly and starring Woody Harrelson, Champions is a surprisingly sentimental sports comedy. But erring on the side of sweet (critics called the film  "formulaic but endearing") is what makes it a great family watch. Harrelson (no stranger to basketball flicks, see: White Men Can't Jump) plays an Iowa b-ball coach assigned to lead a team of intellectually disabled teens as penance for drunk driving. One of the strongest and most unique aspects of this movie is the casting, showcasing an array of actors with intellectual disabilities themselves. Standouts include Madison Tevlin as Cosentino (the team’s only female player) and Kevin Iannucci as Johnny. A romantic subplot with Harrelson and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's Kaitlin Olson (as Johnny's sister, natch) adds warmth and depth to a classic underdog tale.

Where to watch Champions: Amazon Prime Video

Director: Bobby Farrelly

Cast: Woody Harrelson, Kaitlin Olson, Ernie Hudson, Cheech Marin

“The Cheap Detective” (1978)

This light-as-air film noir satire showcases Peter Falk spoofing Humphrey Bogart and the classic films that made him famous. The large ensemble cast (looking a bit like a lost '70s Friars Club roast) is a major treat, featuring Ann-Margret, Sid Caesar, Stockard Channing, Dom DeLuise, and the always brilliant Madeline Kahn. And while you might think Mel Brooks is responsible, guess again; the screenplay credit goes to one Neil Simon. A quirky gem best appreciated by fans who've seen (and can quote) The Maltese Falcon and Casablanca, The Cheap Detective is a silly, enjoyable diversion the whole family can enjoy.

Where to watch The Cheap Detective: Amazon Prime Video

Director: Robert Moore

Cast: Peter Falk, Ann-Margret, Sid Caesar, Stockard Channing, Dom DeLuise, Madeline Kahn

“Clue” (1985)

Back when Barbie was just a twinkle in baby Gerwig's eye, another toy-to-film production made a splash on the big screen. What started as a humble board game turned into a fully formed tale of chicanery and murder between the walls of a cozily creepy mansion (complete with a perfectly snooty butler, Wadsworth, played by Tim Curry). We have to wonder, could anyone have predicted the movie’s influence and reach, with directors like Rian Johnson of Knives Out fame crediting it as prime inspo? Clue's got it all: classic settings (library, conservatory, billiard room, and so forth), classic weapons (revolver, lead pipe, candlestick), and classic characters, including Miss Scarlet (Lesley Ann Warren), Professor Plum (Christopher Lloyd), and Colonel Mustard (Martin Mull). 

Where to watch Clue: Amazon Prime Video

Director: Jonathan Lynn

Cast: Lesley Ann Warren, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, Martin Mull, Tim Curry

Related content: Red herrings, skateboards, and Carrie Fisher: An oral history of mystery classic Clue

“Dear White People” (2014)

Dear White People is a low-budget wonder, a crowdsourced Sundance darling that put writer/director Justin Simien on the map with praise from critics and audiences alike. The film follows the lives of four Black students at an Ivy League school as they navigate racial identity and incredibly clueless white classmates (who still think blackface is… uh… funny?) as well as the universal college theme of self-discovery. The title comes from the radio show hosted by Sam, a DJ and sharp social observer (winningly played by Tessa Thompson) who provides the voice of reason. By shining a spotlight on the microaggressions Black students have to deal with daily (in this case, at the fictional Winchester University), Dear White People has earned a devoted following and a spin-off — in 2017, Simien turned his idea into a successful Netflix series.

Where to watch Dear White People: Amazon Prime Video

Director: Justin Simien

Cast: Tessa Thompson, Tyler James Williams, Teyonah Parris

Related content: Sundance 2014: Dear White People, another feature that started small

“Dirty Work” (1998)

To a certain breed of comedy diehards, a buddy picture directed by Bob Saget and starring Norm Macdonald and Artie Lang sells itself — we'd be happy to watch them read the phone book. Luckily, this 1998 flick actually has a bit of a plot: Two pals work together to raise money for Lang's dad's heart surgery and decide to concoct a "revenge for hire" business. Dumb? Yeah. Rude? Sure. Silly and hysterically funny? Considering that humor is subjective — and considering that the Rotten Tomatoes reviews vary from FIVE STARS FUNNIEST EVER to ONE STAR THIS STINKS — the only correct answer is to watch it and decide for yourself.

Where to watch Dirty Work: Amazon Prime Video

Director: Bob Saget

Cast: Norm Macdonald, Artie Lang, Chevy Chase, Christopher McDonald

“Earth Girls Are Easy” (1988)

As the over-the-top, neon-soaked trailer proclaims: "She's a brunette from Southern California, and he's… not!" (The "he" in question is Jeff Goldblum playing a fuzzy alien.) This spacey, goofy "science-fiction musical comedy" is so ‘80s it should be put into a time capsule. Julien Temple (The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle, Juno's dad) directed this cartoony tale while living legend Nile Rodgers created the soundtrack. And we haven't even gotten to the best part: the cast. Goldblum and Geena Davis play upon their sparky real-life chemistry, meanwhile Damon Wayans and Jim Carrey star as aliens Zeebo and Wiploc, respectively.

Where to watch Earth Girls Are Easy: Amazon Prime Video

Director: Julien Temple

Cast: Julie Brown, Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis, Damon Wayans, Jim Carrey

“Four Weddings and a Funeral” (1994)

Voted the most rewatchable film of all time in the BFI's top 50 list for good reason, Four Weddings and a Funeral is filled with so much "infectious charm and sunny goodwill," according to EW’s critic, that viewing it feels like a warm fire on a snowy day. This smart escapist fare from writer Richard Curtis and director Mike Newell came out the same year as Friends, and the parallels between the two are strong: groups of 20-something friends stumbling through life's milestones with laughter (and tears).

Starring an endearingly angsty Hugh Grant as a perpetual wedding guest who falls for a luminous Andie McDowell, our critic described his performance as "slightly stuttering, desperately charming, deeply self-conscious, and therefore peculiarly English..." Pour a cuppa and grab a blanket (and a box of Kleenex), because this movie is a first-class British Airways ticket for the soul.

Where to watch Four Weddings and a Funeral: Amazon Prime Video

EW grade: A- (read the review)

Director: Mike Newell

Cast: Hugh Grant, Andie McDowell

Related content: See photos of reunited Four Weddings and a Funeral cast for Red Nose Day special

“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” (1985)

Calling all parental units of the pre-teen variety! Girls Just Want to Have Fun is here to save the day — whether it's a rainy Saturday or a restless sleepover, this little gem can turn it around. Not only is it funny, sweet, and just grown up enough, but you also won't hear "we sawwww that one already" because for some reason, this comedy, featuring ‘80s power trio Sarah Jessica Parker, Helen Hunt, and Shannen Doherty, has always flown under the radar. Which is, quite honestly, a mystery, seeing as how it pulls off so much so well. With dancing, boys, and a fast pace, this is a film that understands its audience (girls between the ages of 10 and 13) and remains a perfect PG delight with a little extra cheese.

Where to watch Girls Just Want to Have Fun: Amazon Prime Video

Director: Alan Metter

Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Helen Hunt, Shannen Doherty

“Mars Attacks” (1996)

Sure, Tim Burton's Martian soldiers look a little rough around the edges — but that's a compliment. Just like the rest of his mad creations, these dudes are both creepy and cute, bringing to mind the rest of the Burton family: Frankenweenie, Corpse Bride, heck, even Beetlejuice! With their skull faces, exposed brains, and bulging white eyes, the aliens claim to "come in peace" ("ack ack ack!") but tend to... you know... incinerate people. Why? Because it's Burton and darkness rules. Mocking films like Independence Day and their nationalistic tendencies, Mars Attacks is, in EW's critic's eyes, a "sci-fi disaster movie that’s also an impish black-comedy prank."

Where to watch Mars Attacks: Amazon Prime Video

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Director: Tim Burton

Cast: Michael J. Fox, Annette Bening, Jack Nicholson

Related content: The 40 best alien movies of all time

“Meet the Parents” (2000)

This first glimpse of the Focker family is the perfect holiday gift courtesy of America's official Stress Laureate, Ben Stiller. Stiller has always been an actor who wears his tension on his sleeve, all clenched smiles, darting eyes, and stiff posturing, which only makes his scenes alongside his frightening future father-in-law (Robert De Niro) even funnier. EW’s critic praised the Goodfella in comic mode, calling it his "best comic star turn yet," while giving the whole movie a thumbs up, writing that "it goes down like a flute of Champagne, leaving an aftertaste of giggles." And if you're craving more Focker fare, Amazon Prime has the two sequels (Meet the Fockers and Little Fockers) available as well.

Where to watch Meet The Parents: Amazon Prime Video

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Director: Jay Roach

Cast: Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Blythe Danner, Owen Wilson

Related content: Blythe Danner recalls correcting Ben Stiller on how to milk a cat during Meet the Parents reunion

“Our Idiot Brother” (2011)

Let's make one thing clear: Ned (Paul Rudd) is not actually an idiot, just a sweet, big-hearted slacker who makes one stupid mistake (selling pot to a cop). The consequences? He becomes jobless and homeless, which forces him to lean on his family for support. With three great comedic actresses playing his rather… intense sisters (Elizabeth Banks, Emily Mortimer, and Zooey Deschanel) along with strong turns from Adam Scott and T.J. Miller, the film EW’s critic called "Capraesque" is an utter delight that’s winningly charming, messy, and heartfelt. 

Where to watch Our Idiot Brother: Amazon Prime Video

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Director: Jesse Peretz

Cast: Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Emily Mortimer, Zooey Deschanel, Steve Coogan, Rashida Jones

“Sorry to Bother You” (2018)

Gloriously chaotic, wildly unpredictable, and rough around the edges describe both Sorry to Bother You AND its funky alternate-reality Oakland setting. EW’s critic praised Boots Riley's genre-defying sci-fi/art-house comedy/drama as "the most wonderfully bizarre film of 2018," and with good reason. Following telemarketer Cassius Green (LaKeith Stanfield, who’s perfection in the role) down a serious rabbit hole, the film feels like a modern riff on Alice in Wonderland, getting progressively stranger as it builds to a truly surreal conclusion. 

Not to be outdone, the amazing Tessa Thompson turns in an outrageous and wild performance as Cassius' artist girlfriend, Detroit. And lest we forget, the whole plot is touched off by one of the most unforgettable scenes in recent memory: Cassius using a “white voice” (the nerdy cool pipes of David Cross) at work, immediately elevating him to “power caller" status and bringing him, uh, up close and personal with his customers. To say any more would be to ruin the surprise.

Where to watch Sorry to Bother You: Amazon Prime Video

EW grade: A- (read the review)

Director: Boots Riley

Cast: LaKeith Stanfield, Tessa Thompson, Omari Hardwick, Terry Crews, Patton Oswalt

“Totally Killer” (2023)

Totally Killer boasts four major cinematic selling points guaranteed to make a horror fan happy: a 1980s setting, serial killers, a Halloween night theme, and time travel. Not to say Totally Killer doesn't take a fresh approach, because it totally does. Here, we meet teenage girl Jamie (Kiernan Shipka), who goes back to 1987 to save her mom's friends from being murdered (as you do). Smartly referencing the Best Movies of All Time (Back to the Future, Scream, etc.), Totally Killer joins a long line of genre movies led by kick-ass heroines.

Where to watch Totally Killer: Amazon Prime Video

Director: Nahnatchka Khan

Cast: Kiernan Shipka, Julie Bowen, Olivia Holt, Randall Park

Related content: The psycho's mask in Totally Killer was inspired by Kiefer Sutherland, Dolph Lundgren, and Rob Lowe

“UHF” (1989)

If you've never experienced the super silly, low-budget, wildly creative goof-fest that is UHF, we have just one question: What in the world are you waiting for? A box office bomb, the efforts of video rental stores and cable syndication dragged the film firmly into cult status where it belongs. Starring national treasure Weird Al Yankovic as George Newman, a slacker who ends up running a TV station (on the less-popular UHF dial, a concept you probably have to Google) where his wild ideas for shows (like "Stanley Spadowski's Clubhouse!") rocket the obscure channel to fame. While the idea of Yankovic being a puppet master of network programming remains a dream, at least we can live it here in the land of UHF.

Where to watch UHF: Amazon Prime Video

Director: Jay Levey

Cast: Weird Al Yankovic, Victoria Jackson, Kevin McCarthy

“Uncle Buck” (1989)

John Hughes, we still miss you. His ability to create warm comedies with just a touch of edge was pretty much unparalleled, and Uncle Buck is a prime example. Starring the always wonderful John Candy, plus a pre-Home Alone Macaulay Culkin and an equally baby-faced Gaby Hoffmann, Hughes presents a wacky, gentle family romp perfect for background viewing while wrapping presents. As EW’s writer put it, "this Slob Who Came to Dinner is as light as they come — and the better for it. No longer the hotshot young director, Hughes has settled into churning out surefire hits that are routine and routinely enjoyable." But hey, during these unsure, chaotic days, we'll take it.

Where to watch Uncle Buck: Amazon Prime Video

EW grade: B (read the review)

Director: John Hughes

Cast: John Candy, Macaulay Culkin, Gaby Hoffman

Related content: Mike Epps will be the next Uncle Buck

“Vibes” (1988)

Worth it for the cheese factor alone, we love everything about this late ‘80s quirk-fest, including the oddball pairing of Jeff Goldblum and Cyndi Lauper, Peter Falk in a white suit, and the senseless plot. Yes, this aggressively wacky throwback flick is a hot mess, but that's part of the fun. Billed as "the psychic comedy that's out of its mind," Goldblum and Lauper play, yes, psychics looking for treasure in a lost Incan city while falling in love (quite unconvincingly) along the way. Part adventure, part buddy movie, part romance, part caper, it does exactly none of these things very well but remains undeniably charming in its own clunky way. 

Where to watch Vibes: Amazon Prime Video

Director: Ken Kwapis

Cast: Jeff Goldblum, Cyndi Lauper, Peter Falk

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