Best forgotten comedy movies of the '90s and early 2000s that deserve another look

These throwback recommendations hit the spot for true comedy fiends — especially if you feel like you've watched the well-known hits a million times already. In a thread on r/movies, film fans weigh in with the lesser-known and forgotten comedies from the 1990s and early 2000s (and one gem that snuck in from the '80s!) that are still guaranteed to get laughs today.

1. Dirty Work (1998)

This revenge comedy starring the late Norm Macdonald of Saturday Night Live fame remains a goldmine for fans of dry, deadpan delivery.

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Dirty Work - a Norm Macdonald classic.

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My favorite joke in that movie is Artie Lang's character never hearing about prison rape.

2. Airheads (1994)

A quintessential '90s rock-and-roll comedy, this movie features a struggling band (played by Brendan Fraser, Steve Buscemi, and Adam Sandler) taking a radio station hostage just to get their demo played on the air.

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Airheads has no right being as good as it is.

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It’s crazy how Airheads was on Comedy Central essentially every single day and now it’s sort of forgotten. Same for Dogma, but we all know why that was kept in a vault for a long time.

3. Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)

Mel Brooks brings his signature spoof treatment to the legendary archer in this (now slept-on) hit. For some, this is the definitive, and most quotable, version of the Robin Hood tale.

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About to introduce my 10 and 13 yo to Robin Hood Men in Tights

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Unlike other Robin Hoods, I speak with an English accent.

4. Kung Fu Hustle (2004)

Blending martial arts with wild, cartoonish slapstick, this Chinese action-comedy from writer, director, and star Stephen Chow was a massive international success that has somewhat faded from mainstream conversation. The choreography alone warrants another watch.

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Kung Fu Hustle was early 2000's. Not a well known movie for mainstream but most people who do end up watching it love it

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Love everything Stephen Chow does!

5. Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy (1996)

From the revered Canadian sketch comedy troupe, this surreal 1996 film about a mood-altering drug offers a cynical but highly entertaining take on pharmaceutical culture.

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Kids in the Hall Brain Candy. Just because it's not their best doesn't make it not hilarious.

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With a surprise Brendan Fraser in it.

6. Quick Change (1990)

This heist comedy — starring a formidable trio in Bill Murray, Geena Davis, and Randy Quaid — offers a unique premise where the actual robbery goes flawlessly, but escaping New York City proves entirely impossible.

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Quick change - Bill Murray, Geena Davis and Randy Quaid in a bank robbery gone wrong. A small movie, but I love it

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Yes, this is a fantastic movie!

7. Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997)

Two carefree best friends fake success in order to impress their former classmates in this stylish, endlessly quotable buddy comedy, with Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow in top form.

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Romy and Michele's High School Reunion

All but forgot about, but def still holds up.

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Good news, a sequel is in the works. 🤞🏻 Really hoping it holds up!!

8. The Birdcage (1996)

With a potently funny ensemble cast, notably led by peak-era Robin Williams and Nathan Lane, this hilarious adaptation of a French play expertly tackles culture clashes and familial chaos.

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Not sure if you've seen it but The Birdcage is great and I almost never see it mentioned

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The Birdcage. My favorite Robin Willliams role, and Nathan Lane absolutely kills it. Hilarious!

9. Mystery Men (1999)

Ahead of its time, this quirky 1999 superhero parody (fronted by a delightfully weird Ben Stiller) follows a group of highly passionate but deeply inept vigilantes trying to save the day when the real hero goes missing.

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Mystery Men walked so The Boys could run

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Mystery men is so star-studded for 90s kids.

10. Roxanne (1987)

Technically breaking the rules and sneaking in from the late '80s, this modern retelling of the French play Cyrano de Bergerac nevertheless deserves its spot, showcasing legendary slapstick physical comedy paired with sharp, rapid-fire wit, courtesy of writer and star Steve Martin.

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it’s 1987, but i rewatched Roxanne recently and i just loved it.  it was a big hit in my family back in the day, but i hadn’t seen it since around  1990 and it hit so hard for me.

i was shocked to learn that The Great Outdoors isn’t the gargantuan classic that i’’ve always thought it was… so maybe that one, too? 

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Roxanne was great! There's a particular scene that frequently replays in my head. Steve Martin was walking down the sidewalk, pays a quarter to get a newspaper, looks at the headline, screams in horror, then pays another quarter to put the newspaper back! Whenever something pops up in news media that is awful, and that's a lot these days, I always think of that scene. I want to be able toI want to be able to put it back.

While blockbuster franchises and more serious fare tend to take up the spotlight, there is undeniable comfort in returning to the hilarious, low-stakes, slightly left-of-center comedy favorites of the 1990s and early 2000s. These films prove that a truly great joke never expires.

Which of these throwbacks are you queuing up next? Read the full recommendations in r/movies, and find more conversations like this in r/comedy, r/GenZ, and r/Millennials.