The Funniest French Comedies


   

The laughDB database is dedicated to the funniest comedy movies, stand-up comedy and TV series.

This section is for comedies from France. By default they are presented starting with the ones ranking highest on the laugh-o-meter, but you can also sort them by year, title or IMDB rating.


Funniest French Comedies sorted by Laugh-o-meter (descending) / page 4 of 9


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The Dinner Guest DVDThe Dinner Guest (L'Invité)
      2007 | France | Laughs: 5.4 (Watch Once) | imdb: 5.6
      who was involved?

A man who has been unemployed for three years is offered an exciting position, but he has to overcome one final obstacle: a dinner in his own home with the chief of personnel. The new neighbor happens to be an image consultant and graciously offers to help. The most exciting thing about this movie is the unspoken promise of reliving the highs from the amazing Dinner Game, which stars one of the same actors. The promise cannot be fulfilled, of course. Neither Thierry Lhermite nor Daniel Auteuil—both competent actors—have what it takes to carry a laugh-out-lout comedy: they are more suited playing opposite born stand-up comedians. Nevertheless, it's a good effort and the movie has enough humor to warrant watching once. (Last viewed: October 2012)

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The Visitors DVDThe Visitors (Les Visiteurs)
      1993 | France | Laughs: 5.1 (Watch Once) | imdb: 7.1
      wikipedia | dmoz | who was involved?

Through the forgetfulness of a senile wizard, a knight from the Middle Ages (Jean Reno) is sent to modern-day France. A few good laughs in the first thirty minutes. Through the rest of the film, the humor is rather thick, reflecting the propensity of French comedy makers to create caricature characters—such as their all-time favorite, the effeminate male, grating as ever in this film. Many of the jokes will be lost in translation as they rely on language confusions between old and modern French. (Last viewed: May 2010)

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French Fried Vacation DVDFrench Fried Vacation (Les Bronzés)
      1978 | France | Laughs: 5.0 (Watch Once) | imdb: 6.8
      wikipedia | who was involved?

This classic French comedy follows a batch of vacationers during their eight-day stay in a holiday village in Africa. As ever, some find it easy to hook up, some find it harder. Even with the distance of time, the situations feel very real, and they're funny to watch. The movie is also full of the pranks and entertainment you would expect on such a package vacation. It didn't make me laugh out loud, but I found it highly entertaining. The sequel (which takes place at a ski resort) is stronger in the laughter department. Not so the third installment. (Last viewed: Sep 2009 September 2012)

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La Cage Aux Folles The Birdcage posterLa Cage aux Folles
      1978 | France | Laughs: 5.0 (Watch Once) | imdb: 7.3
      wikipedia | dmoz | who was involved?

A young man whose dad runs a gay night club must introduce his "parents" to his girlfriend's ultra-conservative father in order to get married. I'm not a fan of over-acted drag queen acts as a comedic device, and there's quite a bit of that in this film. Fortunately there's also humor in other places thanks to a decent script and fine actors (such as Michel Galabru, who always makes me laugh). It turned into a pleasant watch with many chuckles and a lot of smiles. (Last viewed: July 2014)

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2 Days in New York DVD2 Days in New York
      2012 | France | Laughs: 5.0 (Light-Hearted) | imdb: 6.0
      wikipedia | who was involved?

When the family of his French girlfriend land in his apartment for a visit, a New Yorker discovers a new side of his partner. Although the original is more subtle and far funnier, this film is entirely watchable. This was my first time seeing Chris Rock in a movie. Not only was I relieved to discover that he can speak without the shrill voice he uses on stage (which is awfully hard on my ears), I really enjoyed his performance. (Last viewed: October 2012)

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Brice de Nice DVDThe Brice Man (Brice de Nice)
      2005 | France | Laughs: 5.0 (Watch Once) | imdb: 5.1
      wikipedia | who was involved?

On the Mediterranean coast, where the waves are few, a man has lived for years with the delusion that he is a champion surfer. I was curious about this movie because it features Jean Dujardin, who I first discovered in the OSS 117 series. It made me chuckle, and it is interesting in an arthouse kind of way, but I doubt it would have much interest unless you were either (i) fluent in French, (ii) a surf enthusiast or (iii) a cult movie hound. (Last viewed: November 2012)

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Hollywoo posterHollywoo
      2011 | France | Laughs: 5.0 (Don't Bother) | imdb: 5.0
      wikipedia | who was involved?

If they had dropped the first letter of Hollywood instead of the last, it would have made a better title for this movie, so strong and pervasive is the French accent. You know, Ollywood

Seeing her livelihood threatened when an American TV series' lead actress whose voice she dubs quits the show over a heartache, a French woman travels to Los Angeles to convince the actress to resume the series. If you're intimate with both cultures, you'll probably smile a lot and you may even laugh. If not, I recommend you find something else to watch. (Last viewed: June 2015)

More About Hollywoo:
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      laughDB's full page for Hollywoo


The Under-Gifted DVDThe Under-Gifted (Les Sous Doués)
      1980 | France | Laughs: 5.0 (Laugh and Smile) | imdb: 6.6
      who was involved?

The staff of a cramming school is determined to make their students pass their high-school graduation exams. The students are determined to have a good time—and that excludes studying. This movie reminds me a bit of the original Police Academy, though it's not as funny. The movie takes a good twenty minutes to get into gear, but if you make that investment, you'll be rewarded with an entertaining hour or so. (Last viewed: September 2012)

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Le Cadeau VHSThe Gift (a.k.a Bankers Also Have Souls) (Le Cadeau)
      1982 | France | Laughs: 4.9 (Watch Once) | imdb: 6.1
      wikipedia | who was involved?

For his early retirement gift, workmates of a bank employee collect money to buy him a call girl, who accosts him under false pretenses on the train to Milan. What follows is a series of lies and misunderstandings with multiple subplots. This is not the very funniest of French comedies, but it is a neglected film, as it is a pleasant watch with fine characters, pleasant locations and a sweet story overall. Warning: mild nudity and multiple languages. (Last viewed: April 2012)

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      laughDB's full page for The Gift


Mr. Hulot's Holiday DVDMr. Hulot's Holiday (Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot)
      1953 | France | Laughs: 4.5 (Broken Comedies) | imdb: 7.5
      wikipedia | who was involved?

Classic French movie that follows a single gentleman on his beach holiday. Superb black-and-white photography, interesting soundtrack (you could call this a "quasi-silent" movie as there is no real dialogue). Cute film that draws its humor from simple gags and the small things of life, but doesn't make me laugh. (Last viewed: July 2010)

More About Mr. Hulot's Holiday:
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What's in a Name? posterWhat's in a Name? (Le Prénom)
      2012 | France | Laughs: 4.5 (Chuckle) | imdb: 7.3
      wikipedia | who was involved?

During a Parisian dinner between friends, a heated discussion leads to a series of arguments. Despite the title and the official synopsis, only a small part of this movie is about a couple's supposed decision to name their unborn son after a famous dictator. Had I known this, I would have watched it a lot sooner.

The intimate atmosphere within a single setting reminded me of Un Air de Famille, that psychological masterpiece. This film is not quite as accomplished, but it is a lot funnier, although for me it never quite managed to break the laughter barrier.

For a North American audience, the volume and intensity of the discussions may come as a cultural shock. Recommended.

(Last viewed: May 2019)

More About What's in a Name?:
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      laughDB's full page for What's in a Name?


Les Sous-Doues en Vacances DVDThe Under-Gifted on Holiday (Les Sous-Doués en Vacances)
      1982 | France | Laughs: 4.5 (Watch Once) | imdb: 4.9
      wikipedia | who was involved?

The crew from the original Under-Gifted travels to the French Riviera to rescue Bebel's girlfriend from the claws of a crooner intent on seducing her. This is not one of the great French comedies, but if you're in a tolerant mood and don't expect a laugh a minute, this is entirely watchable. For starters, it's not vulgar, which places the movie well ahead of the many French comedies ridden with below-the-pants humor. (Last viewed: October 2012)

More About The Under-Gifted on Holiday:
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      laughDB's full page for The Under-Gifted on Holiday


A Nous Les Petites Anglaises DVDLet's Get Those English Girls (À Nous Les Petites Anglaises)
      1976 | France | Laughs: 4.5 (Watch Once) | imdb: 5.3
      wikipedia | who was involved?

After flunking their final high-school exam on account of English, two French boys are sent to study in England over the Summer. They show more interest (and talent) for chasing girls than for irregular verbs. The first third or so was funny and delightful as it brought back memories of a time of life long gone, and the film must have been calibrated to bring back the writer's own memories, as when it was made in 1976 there was no good reason to set it in 1959—apart from nostalgia. After the honeymoon phase, the movie loses steam: after all, what kind of dramatic interest can one expect from a true-to-life account of a study trip to a coastal English town? (Last viewed: August 2013)

More About Let's Get Those English Girls:
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      laughDB's full page for Let's Get Those English Girls


Le JumeauThe Twin (Le Jumeau)
      1984 | France | Laughs: 4.5 (Don't Bother) | imdb: 6.1
      wikipedia | who was involved?

After meeting the twin heiresses to an overseas fortune, a scam artist pretends that he too has an identical twin. A surprisingly offbeat and not overly predictable movie that ends better than it starts but can easily be skipped. (Last viewed: April 2013)

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      laughDB's full page for The Twin


La Maison du Bonheur posterThe House of Happiness (a.k.a Happy Home) (La Maison du Bonheur)
      2006 | France | Laughs: 4.2 (Watch Once) | imdb: 5.5
      wikipedia | who was involved?

A man lets a real estate agent convince him to buy a country home not far from Paris. He overpays, borrows too much, hires the wrong crew to renovate—and everything goes downhill from there. I didn't enjoy the first hour. All the bad things that kept happening to that poor guy made me cringe, so for me it felt more like horror than comedy. After he hits rock bottom, some real comedy starts to happen, and I had a couple of good laughs towards the end. (Last viewed: August 2014)

More About The House of Happiness:
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      laughDB's full page for The House of Happiness


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(This section: Funniest French Comedies)
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1-2 of 2 Threads
Andy
February 13, 2018 - 02:29
Subject: RE: The Dinner Game

Hi Roy, Thank you for that fantastic tip! I'll look for that movie. :-)
savvas – cyprus
April 29, 2014 - 03:28
Subject: French filmography

Very useful page to inform us about French filmography, keep on doing a nice job.


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