For many, the 90s were a golden age of comedy films. With actors like Jim Carrey and Adam Sandler at their comedic best and the Farrelly brothers cranking out several hits, there was no shortage of laughers. There was also a particularly impressive range of diverse options. You had the silliness of Billy Madison and There's Something About Mary. You had some nuanced examples that even offered social commentary a la Office Space. There were some particularly creative efforts that infused action and/or sci-fi, such as Groundhog Day and Men in Black.
With such a large palette of comedies from this decade, it's easy for some hidden gems to get lost in the shuffle, though it's equally true that some 90s comedies got more hype and/or earnings than they may have deserved.
10 Underrated: Cannibal! The Musical
Even in their college days, the hilarious duo behind South Park were making audiences laugh with the similarly raunchy and weird Cannibal! The Musical. Like their comedic musical nearly two decades later, The Book Of Mormon, Matt Stone and Trey Parker break conventions and provide tons of belly laughs with this zany, tune-laden romp.
The film puts a silly, whimsical spin on the rather grim tale of Alfred Packer and his travels across western America, which led to death and cannibalism. Being an indie film made by a couple of college kids, there's a degree of crudeness and minimalism here - but that's part of Cannibal's unique, twisted charm.
9 Overrated: Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
It's hard to knock any film centered around comedy legend Jim Carrey as "overrated," and there are amusing traits to this funny take on a mystery tale. Still, a few clever and zany gags aside, much of the film's humor is derived from Carrey's typical cartoony, over-the-top delivery.
This style certainly isn't for everyone, and even those that are amused by the rapid-fire craziness by Ventura are likely to grow weary of it after some time. And while it offers plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, the blend of juvenile wackiness and subtler, adult-oriented gags tend to clash for many.
8 Underrated: Half Baked
Dave Chappelle may be most known for his short-lived sketch comedy show, but he also played a prominent role in one of the funnier stoner comedies of the 90s. While this brand of humor tended to be offputting for a number of critics, it's become something of a cult classic since its '98 release.
The film centers around four distinctly goofy pot smokers who offer plenty of weed-inspired humor and gags. They find themselves in the midst of an equally goofy plot that spirals into absurdity after one of the characters kills a diabetic police horse by feeding it junk food. Chappelle is in prime comedic form, and the supporting cast of Jim Breuer, Harland Williams - not to mention an amusing cameo by Jon Stewart as the "Enhancement Smoker" - are all good for some laughs.
7 Overrated: Tommy Boy
One would be hard-pressed to understate the comedic genius of the late-great Chris Farley, and particularly his great chemistry with David Spade. Still, as a whole, Tommy Boy doesn't ring quite as funny now without the rose-colored glasses of 90s nostalgia.
While there's nothing wrong with some good ol' fashioned slapstick, Tommy Boy tends to lean on this element to its detriment. This, coupled with some average writing often centered around fat jokes, gives Tommy Boy the vibe of a glorified - and rather juvenile - SNL sketch.
6 Underrated: Mystery Men
Unfortunately for director Kinka Usher, this '99 superhero comedy may have been ahead of its time. Indeed, revisiting this quirky romp reminds one of a modern Marvel flick or Watchmen movie, in some ways. It certainly has a cast of similarly zany antiheroes and plenty of dry, awkward humor throughout.
The heroes are a degree less intimidating though, with figures that include "The Shoveler" and a faint-inducing farter. The memorable cast, which includes Ben Stiller, William H. Macy, and Paul Reubens, play off each other quite well, each bringing their distinct brand of comedy to the movie. Despite the all-star lineup, however, Mystery Men only managed to gross $33 million against a $68 million budget.
5 Overrated: Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Looking back at this sequel to the popular spy movie spoof, Austin Powers, one can't help but wonder if much of its hype stems directly from that film. Even the gags themselves seem to draw from jokes from the first film - only this time feeling uninspiringly rehashed and borderline desperate.
Sure, there are some chuckle-worthy bouts in The Spy Who Shagged Me - like the introduction of Mini-Me and the spacecraft that resembles a giant "Johnson." Overall though, the emphasis on fourth-wall-breaking and self-awareness gets a bit cringy and diminishes some otherwise funny moments.
4 Underrated: Waiting For Guffman
When it comes to the hilarious mockumentaries involving Christopher Guest, people tend to think of the '84 classic Spinal Tap, or the Guest-directed hit from 2000, Best in Show. Lost in the shuffle, however, is this lesser-known - but no-less humorous - comedy from '96.
Waiting for Guffman chronicles the assembly of a musical to celebrate the anniversary of a rather dull town. There are many funny moments during the largely-inept show preparation - which lead to the hilarious and awkward play itself. Clever gags and satire, along with the amusing performances of greats like Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, and Guest himself, round out this overlooked laugher.
3 Overrated: The Waterboy
It's easy to look at The Waterboy more favorably when compared to some of Happy Madison's more recent films. Still, when it comes to 90s Sandler comedies, there are certainly efforts more worthy of appraisal, including the zany sports comedy Happy Gilmore and endearing rom-com The Wedding Singer.
Between the fairly annoying nature of the protagonist, on-the-nose tropes, and surface-level humor, it's hard to find many redeeming qualities in this one. Even memorable performances by Kathy Bates and Henry Winkler aren't quite enough to save it.
2 Underrated: Kingpin
Amidst the golden comedy age of the Farrelly brothers, fans tend to gravitate towards classics like Dumb and Dumber and There's Something About Mary. Lesser-known and underappreciated is their effort from '96, Kingpin, which had the misfortune of being wedged between those two juggernauts.
It's a shame, as this rags-to-riches tale is similarly endearing and hilarious, thanks to laugh-out-loud performances by Woody Harrelson, Randy Quaid, and Bill Murray. Between the gags involving Roy's hook hand, Amish-related humor, and Murray's wild hair, there's ample laughter to be had here - and a pretty fun adventure narrative to boot.
1 Overrated: Home Alone 2
In a sense, one can forgive this sequel adhering closely to its hugely popular predecessor. After all, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? Yet, for a film that managed to gross $359 million worldwide, Home Alone 2 sure plays it safe, and doesn't do much that's particularly interesting.
Even with the higher stakes and grander setting of New York City, this '92 sequel feels a bit formulaic - rehashing many of the same gags and beats from the original Home Alone. Harry and Marv - who are more buffoonish than ever - manage to somehow cross paths with Kevin again. As expected, they fall victim to more traps and hijinx so over the top that Home Alone 2 resembles a cartoon more than a live-action film.
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