Films From The 2000s That Changed The Landscape Of Funny Movies
The nineties were full of classic films. Home Alone, Space Jam, and Jurassic Park were just some of the movies that were in households across the country. When we entered the new millennium, there was a chance for excitement and new opportunities for people looking to make their mark on the big screen.
People like Judd Apatow and Will Ferrell struck comedy gold thanks to the movies they pulled off over the course of the 2000s. This list compiles the comedies that changed the landscape for funny movies.
Scary Movie
Shawn and Marlon Wayans dropped a classic horror comedy film in 2000. The plot revolves around the horror, slasher, and mystery film genres.
Movies like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer were spoofed. It was the first film of the series, but it opened the door for the career of Anna Faris.
Meet The Parents
This remake of a 1992 film follows a series of unfortunate events from Greg Focker. The good-hearted but hapless nurse is visiting his girlfriend's parents, but it's not easy.
With an over-bearing dad played by Robert De Niro and Owen Wilson playing the ex-boyfriend of Greg's girlfriend, you're in for one hot mess.
Dude, Where's My Car?
Ashton Kutcher and Sean William Scott play two dudes who find themselves forgetting where they parked their car.
Though the film was a hit-or-miss by critics, it was a box office success and it's managed to achieve a cult following status.
Shrek
This computer-animated fantasy comedy was loosely based on the 1990 fairytale picture of the same name.
The film serves as a slight parody of other films from a variety of fairy tales. In the story, Shrek finds his swamp overrun by fairytale creatures. In order to get the swamp back, Shrek makes a deal with Lord Farquadd to bring him a queen.
Zoolander
A dimwitted, narcissistic male model named Derek Zoolander is the focus of a satire on the fashion industry.
Zoolander becomes an icon within the industry until he becomes the pawn of corrupt fashion executives plotting to assassinate the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
Super Troopers
Five Vermont state troopers that are avid pranksters with a passion for screwing up try to save their jobs. They attempt this by out-doing the local police department by actually doing their jobs and solving crimes.
It's the kind of the movie that's considered to be a cult-classic, with a sequel which was released in 2018.
Old School
Will Ferrell, Luke Wilson, and Vince Vaughn star as three depressed thirty-somethings who attempt to re-live their college days. The group does this by starting their own fraternity.
Despite mixed reviews, Old School has gained a massive cult following since it's initial release. Simon Helberg and Elisha Cuthbert had minor roles but went on to have big careers.
School Of Rock
Jack Black starred as a struggling rock musician named Dewey Finn. He's kicked out of his band, so naturally, he disguises himself as a substitute teacher at a prep school.
After witnessing his student's musical talent, Dewey forms a band to win the Battle of the Bands. A stage musical adaptation opened on Broadway in 2015.
Elf
A man with a severe personality disorder claims to be an elf when he's actually a human.
Buddy goes off to New York in an effort to find his deadbeat dad, played by James Caan. Ferrell made the movie a success, and it's one of the most popular Christmas movies today.
Napoleon Dynamite
Director Jared Hess' first full-feature film revolves around Napoleon, his friend Pedro, and his bizarre family. Despite being unpopular, Napoleon helps his friend with the student election.
Jon Heder played the lead role, for which he was paid $1,000. After the film's success, Heder re-negotiated his compensation and received a cut of the profits.
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
A group of misfits enters a Las Vegas dodgeball tournament to save their local gym. Dodgeball should be considered as a successor to the goofball comedies of the eighties.
It's proudly profane and silly at the same time. The movie is also known for being quotable for lines like "If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball."
Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgandy
Adam McKay's tongue-in-cheek comedy on the culture of the seventies took aim at the new Action News format.
Ferrell's title character clashes with his new female counterpart, played by Christina Applegate. The sequel to Anchorman wouldn't be released until December 8, 2013.
Wedding Crashers
Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn star as two divorce mediators who "crash" wedding parties to meet women.
The movie was a massive commercial success, grossing $285 million on a $40 million budget. David Dobkins film is credited with helping to revive the popularity of adult-oriented R-rated comedies.
Borat
British comedian Sasha Baron Cohen plays the title character who travels through the United States.
He records real-life conversations with Americans as much of the film featured unscripted vignettes of Borat interacting with the world. Controversy surrounded the film, and after the film's release, some cast members spoke out against it.
Knocked Up
Slacker meets a newly-promoted journalist, and they end up being the face of a one-night stand.
It results in an unintended pregnancy as Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl navigate through nine grueling months of expecting a baby. This was Rogen's second full-feature film.
Superbad
Two teenagers are about to graduate high school, and before graduating, the boys want to join forces to seal the deal.
But, their plan backfires thanks to their pal "McLovin." Seth Rogen and longtime friend Evan Goldberg wrote the script, and they developed the story when they were 13 years old.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Jason Segel plays Peter Bretter, a music composer for a TV show. After his girlfriend Sarah breaks up with him, Peter chooses to go on a vacation to Hawaii in order to move forward with his life.
However, trouble ensues when he runs into his ex with her new boyfriend, played by Russell Brand.
Step Brothers
Two forty-year-olds are forced to live together as brothers. At first, Brennan and Dale don't get along, but it doesn't take much before the two are doing karate in the garage.
This has to be Ferrell's best movie to date. The immaturity of the humor was well-matched between Ferrell and John C. Reilly.
The Hangover
The first installment of the trilogy, the film focuses on a group of guys celebrating a bachelor party.
However, the group wakes up to a missing member, with no memory of the previous night's events. The film became the tenth-highest-grossing film of 2009.
