Only a few British comedy movies manage to make an impact on the international stage, so there are plenty of hidden gems for fans of British humor to uncover. Although someBritish comedy moviesare famous all over the world, like the Monty Python movies, Richard Curtis' romcoms or Edgar Wright’s Cornetto trilogy, the vast majority aren’t seen by many people in other countries.
British humor tends to be quite dry and relatively dark, and this means that it doesn’t necessarily appeal to everyone. However, those who do enjoy British comedies can often find themselves starved for good options if they live in a different country. The last decade has produced just as many hilarious British comedies as ever, but not many of them have broken through and become globally famous.
10 Underrated British Sitcoms You Need To See
British sitcoms don’t always get the global audiences they deserve, so there are plenty of hidden gems waiting to be discovered by comedy fans.
10Mindhorn (2016)
A TV Actor Is Forced To Become A Real-Life Detective
Julian Barratt is most famous for making up one half ofThe Mighty BooshalongsideThe Great British Baking Show’s Noel Fielding, but he has had plenty of other great comedy roles in British movies and TV shows. After more hits such asNathan Barley,Barratt turned his attention to writing and starring in his own movie.Mindhornfollows a washed-up actor famous for playing a TV detective who gets dragged into a real-life murder mystery.
Mindhornmixes in some fun adventure and an interesting conspiracy plot, making it a must-watch for fans ofHot Fuzz.
Mindhornis a great send-up of the pompous nature of show business, as the main character is still carrying around his inflated ego from a hit TV show that has long been forgotten about. Barratt is in fine form as the self-serious actor, whose facade quickly slips once he finds himself in some real, unscripted danger.Mindhornmixes in some fun adventure and an interesting conspiracy plot, making it a must-watch for fans ofHot Fuzz.
Brian and Charlesis amovie about friendly artificial intelligence, which is a refreshing change of pace from the sci-fi standard of killer robots seen in movies likeThe Terminatorand2001: A Space Odyssey.David Earl, who can be recognized from his collaborations with Ricky Gervais, plays a socially awkward inventor who creates a robot using spare parts and an old washing machine.
The movie’s mockumentary style and its dry humor are great to watch, and it’s impressive how much chemistry Earl can conjure with a washing machine.
Brian and Charlesgradually morphs into an allegory for parenthood, with Brian having to look after his creation, even as it becomes increasingly rebellious and independent. Ultimately, although Charles decides to go out and explore the world on his own, Brian sees the whole experience as worthwhile. The movie’s mockumentary style and its dry humor are great to watch, and it’s impressive how much chemistry Earl can conjure with a washing machine.
Rye Laneunfolds over the course of one day as two newly single young adults bond over their failed relationships. It has been favorably compared toBefore Sunrise,butRye Lanehas the style, the slang and the swagger of South London.Rye Lane’s castfeatures young, local talent. Vivian Oparah and David Jonsson are a delightful pair to spend some time with, and they could have long and successful careers ahead of them if the reaction toRye Laneis anything to go by.
It has been favorably compared toBefore Sunrise,butRye Lanehas the style, the slang and the swagger of South London.
Rye Lane’s script is taut and economical, and this means that the movie never loses any of its vitality, even when there are long stretches which rely on the dialogue alone. First-time director Raine Allen-Miller has plenty of visual tricks to keep things interesting, but there is more than enough intrigue and comedic conflict in the repartee between Dom and Yas as they move through the city and get to know one another.
Aardman Animations is known as the studio behindWallace and GromitandChicken Run, but they have made a few other movies which have received less fanfare.Early Manis a sports comedy set during prehistory, featuring a group of Stone Age underdogs who take on their emerging Bronze Age neighbors in a game of soccer.Early Man’s marriage of sports and anthropology is an odd mix, but director Nick Park always finds the right angle.
Early Man’s marriage of sports and anthropology is an odd mix, but director Nick Park always finds the right angle.
Like anymovie from Aardman Animations,Early Manis replete with generous touches, as the animation style brings some lovable characters to life and sets the stage for some brilliant slapstick comedy. Young sports fans will find a lot to love about the ragtag group of misfits who come up against the overwhelming favorites, andEarly Manhas some fun subplots to keep things lively between games.
See How They Runis one of Sam Rockwell’s best movies. He plays a British inspector tasked with solving a murder behind the scenes of an Agatha Christie play in London’s West End, with Saoirse Ronan as his overzealous partner.See How They Runborrows more than just its setting from Christie, as it creates a compelling whodunnit with a cast of lively characters, each with a secret to hide.
In many ways, it parodies the rigid confines of a murder mystery, but it also has enough love for the genre to provide a satisfying puzzle.
See How They Runis a hilarious take on the buddy cop genre, with two mismatched investigators fumbling their way through the mystery.See How They Run’s clever scriptprovides the perfect balance of humor and intrigue. In many ways, it parodies the rigid confines of the mystery genre, and the endless imitators of Agatha Christie, but it also has enough love for the genre to provide a satisfying puzzle.
Armando Iannucci, one of Britain’s premier satirists, took on a somewhat different project withThe Personal History of David Copperfield.The creator ofThe Thick of ItandVeepadapted a Charles Dickens novel, but he made it his own.The Personal History of David Copperfieldwas released in North America during the height of COVID lockdowns, so it didn’t get a chance to reach the audience it deserves.
Despite its poor box office performance, Iannucci’s Dickensian talereceived positive reviews from critics.
Despite its poor box office performance, Iannucci’s Dickensian talereceived positive reviews from critics. The director assembles a fantasticcast forThe Personal History of David Copperfield, and his script updates the comedy and the drama for a modern audience. Iannucci is clever enough to keep certain quotes untouched, andhe also leaves the story in the 19th century, which gives the movie a gorgeous atmosphere.
The Dukeis based on the unbelievable true story of a British pensioner who stole a valuable Goya painting from the National Gallery to protest the government’s TV license fee. It’s a uniquely British story, brought to life inThe Dukeby Jim Broadbent with his charm operating at maximum levels. Broadbent is easy to believe as both a man of the people and a trailblazing oddball.
It’s a uniquely British story, brought to life by Jim Broadbent with his charm operating at maximum levels.
The Dukeisn’t a typical heist movie.Rather than having a team of slick professionals, Kempton Bunton simply loosens a screw in a bathroom window and awkwardly heaves himself into the gallery undetected. This comically simple approach typifies the way thatThe Dukeshows the contrast between the vaunted halls of the National Gallery with the reality that working people face in Britain. Kempton’s crime and subsequent trial are packed with great gags, but there’s also an interesting debate about the ideas of public ownership and democracy.
Laurel and Hardy were two of the earliest movie stars, and their pioneering comedic exploits have gone down in history.Stan and Ollieshows a more personal side to the duo, catching up with them after their final movie as they embark on a tour of the UK.Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly are perfectly castas the timid Brit Laurel and the bullish American Hardy. It’s a dynamic that still works over 100 years after Laurel and Hardy first teamed up.
Stan and Ollieis a surprisingly poignant drama when it wants to be, and a hilarious comedy the rest of the time.
Stan and Olliehas all the quick banter and creative slapstick that any self-respecting Laurel and Hardy biopic needs, but it also digs deeper into the relationship between the two men. Laurel and Hardy were tied together throughout their careers and their lives, and this didn’t come without a fair amount of friction.Stan and Ollieis a surprisingly poignant drama when it wants to be, and a hilarious comedy the rest of the time.
Benedict Cumberbatch ratchets up the energy inThe Electrical Life of Louis Wain,in which he plays the eccentric artist most famous for his illustrations of cats. His performance is reminiscent ofSherlock’s liveliest comedic moments, or even his role in the radio comedy seriesCabin Pressure.However, for all Cumberbatch’s verve and some cracking lines in the script,The Electrical Life of Louis Wainalso delves into deep, heart-rending tragedy at times.
Benedict Cumberbatch and Will Sharpe combine to create an ambitious, life-affirming comedy-drama.
The Electrical Life of Louis Wainwas directed and co-written byFlowerscreator Will Sharpe, who can be seen in the American remake ofGhosts.His work has always struck the perfect balance between humor and pathos, and he needs every ounce of his magic to liftThe Electrical Life of Louis Wainfrom the dark places it burrows into. The agony only makes the ecstasy more rewarding, however, as Cumberbatch and Sharpe combine to create an ambitious, life-affirming comedy-drama.
Seeing as he was one of the writers ofPaddington 2, it comes as no surprise thatSimon Farnaby’s script forThePhantom of the Openis hilarious from beginning to end. The sports comedy tells the true story of Maurice Flitcroft, an absolute amateur golfer who conned his way into playing in front of large crowds at the British Open in the 1970s, causing a scandal in the sport.
Mark Rylance’s decision to portray Maurice with a straight face provides the touch of brilliance which makesThe Phantom of the Opensing.
Mark Rylance’s decision to portray Maurice with a straight face provides the touch of brilliance which makesThe Phantom of the Opensing. There may be a media circus and the risk of public embarrassment on the national stage, but Maurice is focused solely on trying to do the best he can. There’s a lot that can be learned from the man who has been dubbed"the world’s worst golfer,“andThe Phantom of the Opencelebrates Maurice as a true original, while providing plenty of crowd-pleasing humor.
