5 Essential Old-School Comedies That Couldn’t Be Made Today
There was a time when comedies didn’t tiptoe around feelings or try to tick every politically correct box. They were loud, ridiculous, completely unapologetic and frequently pushed gross-out boundaries which was mostly hilarious but sometimes poorly pulled off. That’s exactly why we still fondly remember them, for the most part. These five movies aren’t just funny; they’re proof that humour used to have a backbone and I so wish that we could return to those days without somebody taking offense.
1. Wedding Crashers (2005)
Back when Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn were at their peak, Wedding Crashers nailed the formula: quick-fire one-liners, slightly dodgy morals, and enough charm to get away with it. It’s a film that reminds you how great comedy can be when it’s not trying to teach a lesson. Just pure chaos, romance, and hilarious timing.
My 2 Cents: A true classic movie with a feel good factor in the end. Sorry for the spoiler but it's been twenty years. A great movie to put on for a fun evening but fair warning about the nudity if you are going to watch with your Grandmother in the room. You have been warned!
2. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)
Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn again, but this time in a gym full of misfits throwing balls at each other for glory. It’s so simple — and that’s the genius of it. A world where Average Joe’s Gym takes on Globo Gym could only have been dreamt up in the early 2000s, before everything had to be “relatable” and “sensitive.”
My 2 Cents: Another movie with Vince Vaughn at his comedy peak. He absolutely nails the “I don’t really care” character here. There are plenty of laughs along the way and that classic feel-good finish that the best comedies always seem to deliver.
3. Ali G Indahouse (2002)
Sacha Baron Cohen’s Ali G might be the most gloriously stupid character ever to hit the big screen — and I mean that as a compliment. Every scene is a reminder of how fearless comedy once was. It’s offensive, absurd, and still somehow brilliant. There’s no way a major studio would greenlight something this outrageous today, and that’s exactly why it deserves a rewatch.
My 2 Cents: A very funny movie — and this time it’s a British production rather than a Hollywood one. Sacha Baron Cohen is a genuinely gifted comic, and Ali G is a fantastic creation. Expect plenty of spit-your-drink-out laughs, major crudity, and a healthy dose of innuendo. They really don’t make them like this anymore!
4. Here Comes the Boom (2012)
This one’s a bit of a curveball — literally. Kevin James plays a high school teacher who steps into the MMA cage to save his school’s music program. It’s a proper feel-good comedy that still has bite. Not crude for the sake of it, just good old-fashioned physical humour with heart.
My 2 Cents: This is a heartwarming movie at its core, with Kevin James playing his usual character type, full of self-deprecating humour and charm. It’s one of those “good cause” films that has you rooting for the main character between laughs. A great choice for a few beers at home, and suitable for most ages too. Plenty of well-known celebrities pop up as themselves, and the ending wraps everything up perfectly. One of my go-to films every six months or so.
5. Tropic Thunder (2008)
A Hollywood satire so savage it would cause a meltdown if released now. Tropic Thunder skewers everything — actors, directors, the film industry, and celebrity culture — and somehow gets away with it all. Robert Downey Jr.’s performance alone makes it worth the watch, but the whole cast is pure gold. It’s outrageous, self-aware, and funnier every time you rewatch it.
My 2 Cents: I made the mistake of showing this one to my son when he was a bit too young, the fake blood and guts at the start didn’t go down well! Fair warning. Otherwise, it’s a brilliant comedy and an old classic at this stage. RDJ is hilarious throughout and has taken plenty of criticism over the years for his role, but honestly, he nailed it. Yes, it’s one of those films that could never be made today and that’s exactly why it’s worth watching.
The Death of Humour
Final Thoughts
Comedies like these remind us what we’ve lost, films that didn’t apologise for being bold, stupid, and real. They weren’t made in a focus group, and they didn’t need disclaimers before the opening credits. If your film crew is suppressing major guffaws while filming, you are probably on the right track. Forget the focus groups and critics. Just make funny films again.
I would love to do a list of irreverent comedies made today but I doubt I would be able to find any. Sad.
If you miss the days when laughter came first and outrage came never, start with any of these five and enjoy a proper throwback night.
Thanks for Reading,
David
More Titles for You to Read:
Hollywood Doesn’t Make Them Like This AnymoreAbout the Author
I’m David Condon, a movie enthusiast from Tralee, Co. Kerry. I’ve been collecting DVDs and Blu-rays for years, and along the way my shelves have become a mix of favourites, hidden gems, and titles I occasionally decide to resell.
I’m not a professional critic, just someone who enjoys good films, well-made discs, and the odd rant about the quirks of collecting. This blog is where I share my thoughts, opinions, reviews, and experiences as a fan.
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