While the science-fiction genre is not often known for its big laughs, these hilarious sci-fi comedies mix bold ideas and humor expertly.The best sci-fi moviesexplore the endless possibilities of the genre, offering audiences something they have never seen before. However, audiences have also seen so many sci-fi stories over the years that sometimes it is just fun to have some laughs within these mind-bending and high-concept stories.
There are a number of comedies that have taken popular sci-fi concepts,like time travel, and found funny ways to put their own spin on them. Other films present the classic space adventure story, liketheStar Warsmovies, but populate it with wacky and wisecracking characters that give it an entirely new feel. While the sci-fi elements are always important to these movies, they also serve as the background for some laugh-out-loud comedy moments.
Time loop movieshave proven to be incredibly versatile in the kind of stories that can be told, but there always seems to be a sci-fi element at the center of it all.Palm Springsdelves into that sci-fi a bit in trying to determine the nature of the loops and how to escape them, but it does so within a hugely entertaining sci-fi story. Cristin Miloti stars as a young woman at her sister’s wedding who strikes up a bond with a mysterious guest (Andy Samberg) only to be lured into the time loop he has been living in.
It is impressive that the movie found new ways to be clever with the time loop story. However,a lot of the fun just comes from the comedic pairing of Samberg and Milioti, exploring this unending day together. There is also a great supporting cast with Meredith Hagner getting big laughs as Samberg’s self-centered girlfriend, and JK Simmons as a third victim of the time loop.
Dystopian movies are a big part of the sci-fi genre, and as expected, they are often quite bleak films, likeChildren of MenandThe Hunger Gamesfranchise. However,Idiocracyfound a way to bring big laughs into such a story while also hitting on the themes of a future reflecting society’s current problems. Luke Wilson stars as an average guy who is cryogenically frozen and wakes up a century later to find America has become much dumber, making him the smartest man alive.
The fact that so much of this movie came true might ruin the comedy for a lot of people, but it is still a laugh-out-loud ride.
The movie is outlandish and silly in the best way possible, but its legacy also comes down to howIdiocracypredicted several elements of modern society, from political leaders to reality television. The fact that so much of this movie came true might ruin the comedy for a lot of people, but it is still a laugh-out-loud ride.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxyfaced the daunting task of adapting possibly the most famous sci-fi comedy novel of all time. While it is true that the movie cannot quite capture all the hilarious brilliance of Douglas Adams' writing, the film does manage to make for a clever take on the sci-fi adventure genre with a funny dissection of some of the tropes.
Right from the bureaucratic way in which the Earth is destroyed,TheHitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxyestablishes a unique tone in approaching such a story, and for those who can get onboard with the tone, it is hilarious from beginning to end. It is alsopacked with funny performances, from the likes of Martin Freeman, Sam Rockwell, and Alan Rickman as a depressed robot.
Despite it being a big hit and spawning theMen in Blackmovie series, the first installment doesn’t quite get enough credit for how influential it was on modern blockbusters.The blend of sci-fi action and crowd-pleasing humor is something big summer blockbusters have been trying to perfect ever since, and few have been as effective asMen in Black. Will Smith continued to cement himself as a true movie star, playing a cop who is recruited by Tommy Lee Jones to join a secret agency that polices alien activity on Earth.
Smith and Jones make for a surprisingly perfect comedic couple with Smith’s high energy playing wonderfully off of Jones' dry wit. There are a lot of funny moments with Smith being introduced to this new reality and playing around with his brash attitude. The laughs are only elevated as the movie delivers real sci-fi stakes.
After Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg took on the zombie genre and the buddy cop genre, the final movie inthe Cornetto trilogysaw them paying loving homage and hilarious parody to the sci-fi genre. Pegg stars as a party animal unable to escape his youth, who assembles his estranged childhood friends for an epic pub crawl in their hometown. However, they soon find that the town has been overtaken by body-snatching aliens.
The World’s Endis also hilarious, especially as these characters attempt to navigate an alien invasion while getting increasingly drunk.
The World’s Enddoes not get the same amount of love asShaun of the DeadandHot Fuzz, partially because it deals with some darker themes with Pegg’s troubled character. While those moments are part of what makes the movie so great,The World’s Endis also hilarious, especially as these characters attempt to navigate an alien invasion while getting increasingly drunk.
Given how popular theStar Warsfranchise had grown by the 1980s, it was not all that surprising thatparody master Mel Brookstargeted it for his satire.Spaceballstakes various elements of Star Wars - a roguish hero, a princess in distress, a villain in a black helmet - and jokes around with the whole idea. However,Spaceballsalso managed to become so iconic that many of its own characters have become famous in their own right.
While fansof Star Warswill get the most out ofSpaceballs, with all the references and homages,Brooks is also a great comedic mind who delivers an endless supply of jokes that will have anyone laughing. It also features one of the great comedic performances from Rick Moranis, bringing a hilarious frustration to his role as the villainous Dark Helmet.
Everything Everywhere All At Onceis a movie that mixes together so many different elements that it is hard to define it. However, there is no denying that there is an intricate sci-fi story at the center as well as some big laughs.Everything Everywhere All At Oncewas another movie to get into the multiverse trend, but ended up outdoing all of the superhero films that went down the same route.
Everything Everywhere All At Once’s concept of the “Everything Bagel"is a fantastic sci-fi idea that’s perfectly absurd enough for this movie. There are alsoridiculous moments of the universe with hotdog fingers as well as the “raccacoonie” jokes. Amazingly, even with mind-bending sci-fi ideas and laugh-out-loud moments,Everything Everywhere All At Oncealso delivers incredible emotional moments and wild action that led to its Best Picture win.
Guardians of the Galaxywas a huge surprise when it was released, as this rather obscure comic book ended up inspiring one ofthe funniest MCU moviesto date.A lot of that comes down to James Gunn bringing his irreverent sense of humorto the story of these intergalactic outcasts who come together to form an unlikely family. However, they are still a dysfunctional group, making their space adventures hilarious.
While the rest of theGuardians of the Galaxymovies are funny as well, nothing matches the freshness of the wild first movie.
Along with Gunn’s funny script, the cast is also excellent. Chris Pratt got into action hero shape, but he maintained his sitcom star humor. Dave Bautista shocked many with his terrific comedic abilities. Vin Diesel even manages to get big laughs with only a few words. While the rest of theGuardians of the Galaxymovies are funny as well, nothing matches the freshness of the wild first movie.
Long beforeTropic Thunderhad fun with throwing pampered and oblivious actors into a truly dangerous scenario, there wasGalaxy Quest. The movie follows the cast of a once-popular sci-fi series similar toStar Trek. When their show is mistaken as a real historical document, they are beamed into space by aliens to help in a real intergalactic battle.
The movie is a terrific show business satire while also poking fun at a lot of the tropes of sci-fi stories. It is also elevated by its amazing cast, led by Tim Allen as the show’s leading man, whom the rest of the actors resent. Sam Rockwell has a hilarious early role as the one-time guest star who is afraid he’ll be killed off like his character.But Alan Rickman steals the show as the serious thespian who is annoyed at being defined by his Spock-like character.
Time travel is another popular subgenre of sci-fi movies.Back to the Futuremanages tonot only be the best time travel movie of all time, but also the funniest. The characters of Marty McFly and Doc Brown have become some of the most iconic in movie history, and the comedic chemistry between Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd is a big reason why. They are an unlikely pair that works so well and ground the story with their relationship.
The time travel story is also hilarious in its own right, with the hijinks involving Marty’s parents making for one funny dilemma after another. The pacing of the movie works exceptionally well for both aspects of its tone, making the sci-fi stakes exciting while each scene provides great laughs and fun. Even more impressive, the sequels also managed to be as clever and funny.
