The Best Comedies of 2020, Ranked by Tomatometer

Critics Consensus: Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga contains inspired ingredients and laugh-out-loud moments, but they're outnumbered by the flat stretches in this overlong comedy.

Synopsis: Two small-town singers chase their pop star dreams at a global music competition, where scheming rivals, high stakes and onstage mishaps test their bond.

Starring: Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams, Dan Stevens, Mikael Persbrandt

Directed By: David Dobkin

Critics Consensus: If the breezily enjoyable The Lovebirds feels like a little less than the sum of its parts, it's still an enjoyable showcase for the talents of its well-matched stars.

Synopsis: Accused of murder, a desperate couple embark on a dangerous quest to solve the mystery and clear their names.

Starring: Kumail Nanjiani, Issa Rae, Paul Sparks, Anna Camp

Directed By: Michael Showalter

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Siblings Clancy and Kevin discover that their seemingly normal mom is actually a former high-end thief in the witness protection program.

Starring: Malin Akerman, Joe Manganiello, Cree Cicchino, Karla Souza

Directed By: Trish Sie

Critics Consensus: The High Note doesn't quite soar above rom-com formula, but audiences seeking some comfort viewing should find themselves solidly in harmony with this well-acted genre entry.

Synopsis: Maggie is the overworked personal assistant to Grace Davis, a superstar singer whose talent and ego have reached unbelievable heights. Stuck running errands, Maggie still... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Dakota Johnson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Ice Cube

Directed By: Nisha Ganatra

Critics Consensus: Stargirl's feel-good story hits familiar coming-of-age beats, but self-assured performances and an earnest mission worn proudly make it a tune worth listening to.

Synopsis: An unassuming high school student finds himself inexplicably drawn to the free-spirited new girl whose unconventional ways change how they see themselves and each other.

Starring: Grace VanderWaal, Graham Verchere, Giancarlo Esposito, Maximiliano Hernandez

Directed By: Julia Hart

Critics Consensus: An American Pickle lacks the tart snap viewers might expect given its creative premise, but Seth Rogen's dual performance makes this a low-key comedy to relish.

Synopsis: Preserved in pickle brine for 100 years, an Orthodox Jewish factory worker wakes up in New York City and tracks down his great-grandson.

Starring: Seth Rogen, Sarah Snook, Jorma Taccone, Sean Whalen

Directed By: Brandon Trost

Critics Consensus: The King of Staten Island's uncertain tone and indulgent length blunt this coming-of-age dramedy's ability to find itself, but Pete Davidson's soulful performance holds it together.

Synopsis: An aimless slacker dreams of becoming a tattoo artist while living with his mother and hanging out with his friends in Staten Island, N.Y.

Starring: Pete Davidson, Marisa Tomei, Bill Burr, Bel Powley

Directed By: Judd Apatow

Critics Consensus: To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You may feel like little more than an amiable postscript to its predecessor, but fans of the original should still find this a swoonworthy sequel.

Synopsis: As her relationship with Peter continues to grow, Lara Jean reunites with another recipient of one of her old love letters.

Starring: Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Jordan Fisher, Anna Cathcart

Directed By: Michael Fimognari

Critics Consensus: Eternal Beauty deals unevenly yet honorably with complicated themes, elevated by strong work from the ever-reliable Sally Hawkins and David Thewlis.

Synopsis: After Jane falls into a state of despair over her schizophrenia, she encounters new sources of love and life with surprising results.

Starring: Sally Hawkins, David Thewlis, Billie Piper, Penelope Wilton

Directed By: Craig Roberts

Critics Consensus: This late-capitalism comedy is undeniably uneven, but Zoey Deutch's effervescent performance gives Buffaloed wings.

Synopsis: A woman is desperate to escape her life in Buffalo and finds a way by becoming a debt collector.

Starring: Zoey Deutch, Judy Greer, Jai Courtney, Noah Reid

Directed By: Tanya Wexler

Critics Consensus: Uncle Frank finds writer-director Alan Ball still untangling the modern American family dynamic, aided by standout work from Paul Bettany and Sophia Lillis.

Synopsis: In 1973, teenaged Beth Bledsoe (Sophia Lillis) leaves her rural Southern hometown to study at New York University where her beloved Uncle Frank (Paul Bettany)... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Paul Bettany, Sophia Lillis, Peter Macdissi, Steve Zahn

Directed By: Alan Ball

Critics Consensus: A low-key charmer led by Adam Brody's sharp performance, The Kid Detective uncovers dark comedy in a story of unfulfilled childhood potential.

Synopsis: A once-celebrated kid detective, now 31, continues to solve the same trivial mysteries between hangovers and bouts of self-pity. But a naive client brings him... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Adam Brody, Sophie Nélisse, Sarah Sutherland, Wendy Crewson

Directed By: Evan Morgan

Critics Consensus: Led by Beanie Feldstein's charming performance, How to Build a Girl puts a disarmingly earnest spin on the familiar coming-of-age comedy formula.

Synopsis: A smart and ambitious teen reinvents herself as a music critic.

Starring: Beanie Feldstein, Alfie Allen, Paddy Considine, Sarah Solemani

Directed By: Coky Giedroyc

Critics Consensus: As wholesomely goofy as its heroes, Bill and Ted Face the Music is a rare long-belated sequel that largely recaptures the franchise's original charm.

Synopsis: The ruler of the future tells best friends Bill and Ted they must compose a new song to save life as we know it. But... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, Kristen Schaal, Samara Weaving

Directed By: Dean Parisot

Critics Consensus: A jolly good time with heartfelt performances and more than enough holiday cheer, all you'll want for Christmas is Happiest Season.

Synopsis: This romantic comedy is about longtime lesbian couple Abby (Kristen Stewart) and Harper (Mackenzie Davis), who made plans to go home to the latter's family... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Mary Steenburgen, Victor Garber

Directed By: Clea Duvall

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: An awkward 18-year-old achieves near-perfection by sheer hard work. She vows to transform her gawkiness through dance, and refine her skills until she competes at... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Keiynan Lonsdale, Liza Koshy, Briana Andrade-Gomes, Kalliane Brémault

Directed By: Laura Terruso

Critics Consensus: Elevated significantly by Gillian Jacobs' central performance, I Used to Go Here tells a familiar story with considerable charm.

Synopsis: A successful author finds herself deeply enmeshed in the lives of a group of college students after being asked to speak at her alma mater.

Starring: Gillian Jacobs, Jemaine Clement, Josh Wiggins, Forrest Goodluck

Directed By: Kris Rey

Critics Consensus: Funny, heartfelt, and brought to life by a smartly assembled ensemble, Big Time Adolescence finds fresh pleasures in the crowded coming-of-age genre.

Synopsis: A drug-dealing college dropout becomes a mentor to his best friend -- a straight-laced teen who idolizes him.

Starring: Pete Davidson, Griffin Gluck, Jon Cryer, Oona Laurence

Directed By: Jason Orley

Critics Consensus: On the Rocks isn't as potent as its top-shelf ingredients might suggest, but the end result still goes down easy -- and offers high proof of Bill Murray's finely aged charm.

Synopsis: Faced with sudden doubts about her marriage, a young New York mother teams up with her larger-than-life playboy father to tail her husband.

Starring: Bill Murray, Rashida Jones, Marlon Wayans, Jessica Henwick

Directed By: Sofia Coppola

Critics Consensus: Borat Subsequent Moviefilm proves Sacha Baron Cohen's comedic creation remains a sharp tool for exposing the most misguided -- or utterly repugnant -- corners of American culture.

Synopsis: Released from prison for bringing shame to his country, Kazakh funnyman Borat risks life and limb when he returns to America with his 15-year-old daughter.

Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Maria Bakalova, Dani Popescu, Manuel Vieru

Directed By: Jason Woliner

Critics Consensus: The rare comedy thriller that's funny as well as thrilling, Get Duked! marks writer-director Ninian Doff as a filmmaker with a bright future.

Synopsis: A camping trip in the Scottish Highlands turns into a fight for survival when four teens become the target of vicious hunters.

Starring: Suzy Eddie Izzard, Kate Dickie, Kevin Guthrie, Jonathan Aris

Directed By: Ninian Doff

Critics Consensus: The Trip to Greece sees this series subject to the laws of diminishing returns, but Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan remain reliably enjoying company.

Synopsis: Funnymen Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon travel to restaurants, hotels and ancient landmarks in Greece.

Starring: Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon, Kareem Alkabbani, Marta Barrio

Directed By: Michael Winterbottom

Critics Consensus: Other adaptations may do a better job of consistently capturing the spirit of the classic source material, but Jane Austen fans should still find a solid match in this Emma.

Synopsis: Beautiful, smart and wealthy, Emma Woodhouse navigates her way through misguided matches, romantic missteps and the challenges of growing up -- all to finally realize... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Johnny Flynn, Bill Nighy, Mia Goth

Directed By: Autumn de Wilde

Critics Consensus: Save Yourselves! doesn't do anything unexpected with its one-joke premise -- but fortunately, that one joke turns out to be consistently funny anyway.

Synopsis: A young Brooklyn couple head to an upstate cabin to unplug from their phones and reconnect with each other. Blissfully unaware of their surroundings, they... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sunita Mani, John Reynolds, Ben Sinclair, John Early

Directed By: Alex Huston Fischer, Eleanor Wilson

Critics Consensus: Unpregnant puts a compelling twist on the road trip comedy -- and treats its sensitive subject with heart.

Synopsis: A pregnant teen and her former best friend embark on a road trip from Missouri to New Mexico.

Starring: Haley Lu Richardson, Barbie Ferreira, Giancarlo Esposito, Alex MacNicoll

Directed By: Rachel Lee Goldenberg

Critics Consensus: Banana Split serves up a sweet comedic dish that serves as a delightful calling card for co-writer and star Hannah Marks.

Synopsis: After a messy break-up with her high school boyfriend, April strikes up an unexpected friendship with his new girlfriend, Clara.

Starring: Hannah Marks, Liana Liberato, Dylan Sprouse, Jacob Batalon

Directed By: Benjamin Kasulke

Critics Consensus: The Climb uses the complicated bond between two friends to dissect male friendships in engaging -- and frequently funny -- fashion.

Synopsis: Two lifelong pals test the boundaries of their friendship when a woman comes between them.

Starring: Kyle Marvin, Michael Angelo Covino, Gayle Rankin, Talia Balsam

Directed By: Michael Angelo Covino

Critics Consensus: The Personal History of David Copperfield puts a fresh, funny, and utterly charming spin on Dickens' classic, proving some stories truly are timeless.

Synopsis: The life of David Copperfield is chronicled from his youth into adulthood.

Starring: Dev Patel, Tilda Swinton, Hugh Laurie, Peter Capaldi

Directed By: Armando Iannucci

Critics Consensus: Come As You Are approaches sensitive subjects with heart and humor, taking audiences on a thoroughly entertaining road trip to a crowd-pleasing destination.

Synopsis: A traveling nurse takes three disabled men on a road trip to Montreal so they can lose their virginity at a brothel.

Starring: Grant Rosenmeyer, Hayden Szeto, Ravi Patel, Gabourey Sidibe

Directed By: Richard Wong

Critics Consensus: Natalia Dyer's charming performance -- and writer-director Karen Maine's sensitive work -- will leave audiences saying Yes, God, Yes to this coming-of-age dramedy.

Synopsis: A Catholic girl finds herself having tempting thoughts after an AOL chat turns unexpectedly racy.

Starring: Natalia Dyer, Christian Adam, Susan Blackwell, Alisha Boe

Directed By: Karen Maine

Critics Consensus: Powerfully acted and sensitively directed, Babyteeth offers audiences a coming-of-age story that's messier -- and more rewarding -- than most.

Starring: Eliza Scanlen, Toby Wallace, Essie Davis, Ben Mendelsohn

Directed By: Shannon Murphy

Critics Consensus: Anchored by an outstanding Hugh Jackman, Bad Education finds absurd laughs -- and a worthy message -- in the aftermath of a real-life scandal.

Synopsis: A Long Island school superintendent and his assistant are credited with bringing the district unprecedented prestige. Frank is a master of positive messaging, whether before... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Allison Janney, Ray Romano, Kathrine Narducci

Directed By: Cory Finley

Critics Consensus: Strong performances, assured direction, and a refreshingly original concept make Palm Springs a rom-com that's easy to fall in love with.

Synopsis: Stuck in a time loop, two wedding guests develop a budding romance while living the same day over and over again.

Starring: Andy Samberg, Cristin Milioti, J.K. Simmons, Meredith Hagner

Directed By: Max Barbakow

Critics Consensus: A disarmingly tender look at young adult ennui, this Shithouse don't stink.

Synopsis: A lonely college freshman forges a strong connection with his resident assistant during a fraternity party.

Starring: Cooper Raiff, Dylan Gelula, Amy Landecker, Logan Miller

Directed By: Cooper Raiff

Critics Consensus: For viewers in search of an uncommonly smart, tender, and funny coming-of-age story, The Half of It has everything.

Synopsis: A shy, introverted student helps the school jock woo a girl whom, secretly, they both want.

Starring: Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer, Alexxis Lemire, Enrique Murciano

Directed By: Alice Wu

Critics Consensus: A dark teen comedy with an explosive twist, Spontaneous reaffirms Katherine Langford as a rising star -- and marks debuting director Brian Duffield as a filmmaker to watch.

Synopsis: When students in their high school inexplicably start to explode, seniors Mara and Dylan struggle to survive in a world where each moment may be... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Katherine Langford, Charlie Plummer, Yvonne Orji, Hayley Law

Directed By: Brian Duffield

Critics Consensus: The Forty-Year-Old Version opens a compelling window into the ebbs and flows of the artist's life -- and announces writer-director-star Radha Blank as a major filmmaking talent with her feature debut.

Synopsis: Radha, a down-on-her-luck NY playwright, is desperate for a breakthrough before 40. But when she foils what seems like her last shot at success, she's... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Welker White, Reed Birney, Radha Blank, Peter Kim

Directed By: Radha Blank

Critics Consensus: Saint Frances approaches an array of weighty issues with empathy, humor, and grace -- and marks star and writer Kelly O'Sullivan as a tremendous talent to watch.

Synopsis: After an abortion, a deadbeat nanny finds friendship with the 6-year-old she's hired to watch.

Starring: Kelly O'Sullivan, William Drain, Laura T. Fisher, Mary Beth Fisher

Directed By: Alex Thompson