Bollywood comedy films have long been a staple of Indian cinema, and are widely regarded as "family films" that can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages. Given their broad appeal, it's no surprise that they consistently perform well at the box office, with romantic and comedy films often ranking equally in terms of popularity. While many contemporary comedy films are focused on providing escapism for viewers, many classic films from earlier eras boasted impeccable storylines and are considered the classic family comedy movies in Bollywood.
Despite the shift in focus towards pure entertainment, there are still plenty of excellent funny Bollywood movies being made today. We've compiled a list of the 20 funny Bollywood movies throughout the history of Indian cinema. Whether you're a fan of slapstick humour or witty one-liners, we guarantee that these films will have you in stitches from beginning to end. So,sit back, relax, and get ready to laugh until it hurts – these movies are sure to leave you with a serious case of the giggles.
The best comedy movies in Bollywood
1. Chupke Chupke
Director: Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Actors: Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan and Sharmila Tagore
One of the classic old Hindi comedy movies from 1975, this film follows a hubby who plays a practical joke on his woman's father, performing in a ridiculous tale filled with situational comedy. The chemistry between Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan is indelible, and showcases why Mukherjee is the king of comedy.
2. Gol Maal
Director: Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Actors: Amol Palekar, Bindiya Goswami, Deven Verma along with Shubha Khote, Buaji Kalindi, Manju Singh, Ratna Sharma, Dina Pathak
Considered one of the best comedy movies in Bollywood history, Gol Maal is a story about job stalking, fake moustaches, and a ridiculous hockey match, the film's uproarious humour is fabulous. Utpal Dutt's memorable inharmonious horselaugh and mutters add to the film's charm.
3. Andaz Apna Apna
Director: Rajkumar Santoshi
Actors: Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Paresh Rawal, Karisma Kapoor and Raveena Tandon
The film follows two sweet shirkers contending to win the heart of a descendant and eventually cover her from peril. Although it originally had an average box office performance, the movie has become a cult classic with its discourses being quoted in ultramodern discussion and culture.
4. Coolie No.1
Director: David Dhawan
Actors: Govinda, Karishma Kapoor along with Shakti Kapoor, Kader Khan
It's no secret that David Dhawan has created some of the top comedy movies in Bollywood. Coolie No. 1 is a classic Bollywood comedy about matchmaking. When a matchmaker named Shaadiram Gharjode is lowered by Hoshiyar, who wants the richest families to marry his daughters, Shaadiram decides to take vengeance. He brings in Raju, a coolie who pretends to be from a rich family, and ridiculous situations and ironies postdate.
5. Judwaa
Director: David Dhawan
Actors: Salman Khan, Karishma Kapoor along with Rambha
This Hindi comedy movie is about twins separated at birth. The film explores the reflection intelligence of twins and the preceding confusion that arises when they fall in love with different women. The movie is erected on ridiculous misconstructions and incorrect individualities.
6. Chachi 420
Director: Kamal Haasan
Actors: Kamal Hassan, Tabu, Amrish Puri and Paresh Rawal
Kamal Haasan directs and stars in this fascinating comedy about a father-in-law who falls in love with his son-in-law disguised as a lady. Inspired by Robin Williams' Mrs Doubtfire, Chachi 420 is a spiteful delightful lift.
7. Bade Miyan Chote Miyan
Director: David Dhawan
Actors: Amitabh Bachchan, Govinda, Raveena Tandon along with Ramya Krishna, Anupam Kher, Paresh Rawal, and Madhuri Dixit
Arjun, a police inspector, and Pyare, his friend, get mistaken for each other by Neha, who believes Arjun is Pyare. Meanwhile, Pyare flirts with Arjun's family, Seema, and the two lookalikes of the bobbies, nicknamed ‘Bade Miyan’ and ‘Chote Miyan’, keep causing trouble that Arjun and Pyare get indicted of. The film is filled with laugh- eschewal-loud moments and is a must-watch for suckers of Bollywood comedy.
8. Haseena Maan Jaegi
Director: David Dhawan
Actors: Sanjay Dutt, Govinda, Karishma Kapoor, and Pooja Batra
This Bollywood classic comedy movie, inspired by the film Pyar Kiye Jaa, tells the story of a father who's tired of his mischievous sons' constant capriccios and plutocrat stealing. When the sons' attempts to wring plutocrats from their father go amiss, a ridiculous cat-and-mouse game ensues. The film features Govinda's award-winning performance and romantic action.
9. Hera Pheri
Director: Priyadarshan
Actors: Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Sunil Shetty, Tabu along with Om Puri, Gulshan Grover, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Mukesh Khanna
Hera Pheri is undoubtedly the best comedy movie in Bollywood about a triad who gets involved in a dangerous case of hijacking. The film is a remake of the 1989 Malayalam film, Ramji Rao Speaking and features an ensemble cast of talented actors.
10. Munna Bhai MBBS
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Actors: Sanjay Dutt, Gracy Singh, Arshad Warsi, Boman Irani, Jimmy Shergill, Sunil Dutt along with Rohini Hattangadi, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Kurush Deboo, Yatin Karyekar, Rohitash Gaud, Neha Dubey.
Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. is a top-rated Bollywood comedy movie about a goon named Munna Bhai who lies about being a croaker to win his father's trust. When his cover is blown, Munna Bhai enrolls in the same medical council as his father's old friend, where ridiculous and heart-warming situations post-date. The film is directed by the famed Rajkumar Hirani.
11. Golmaal- Fun Unlimited
Director: Rohit Shetty
Actors: Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Sharman Joshi, and Tusshar Kapoor along with Rimi Sen and Paresh Rawal
Golmaal Fun Unlimited is a Hindi comedy movie about a group of musketeers - Gopal, Lucky, Madhav, and Laxman who get involved in a series of swindles. When Nirali enters their lives, the foursome must continue their conman-like ways while trying to keep up their pretences. The film is directed by Rohit Shetty and features an ensemble cast of talented actors and is one of the funniest Bollywood movies made in the 2000 era.
12. Bhool Bhulaiyaa
Director: Priyadarshan
Actors: Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan along with Rajpal Yadav and Ameesha Patel
Bhool Bhulaiyaa is a horror-comedy film that revolves around Vidya Balan's character returning to her ancestral home in a superstitious city with her hubby. When effects start to go awry, they call Akshay Kumar's character to take care of the problem, and a series of uproarious chaos ensues. Unlike typical Bollywood slapstick, Bhool Bhulaiyaa has a strong plot with humour scattered throughout.
13. Housefull
Directors: Sajid, Sajid Khan, Farhad Samji
Actors: Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone along with Riteish Deshmukh, Lara Dutta, Arjun Rampal and Jiah Khan
Aarush played by Akshay Kumar is the main character of this movie. He works in a bar and bad luck runs his life. He gets plutocrats as people lose games of poker. He gets rejected from getting married to Pooja, a girl he loves, and he also gets punched by her aged family. Aarush visits a friend in London. Bob lives in London with his wife, Hetal. Hetal was extremely dissatisfied with Aarush’s presence. But he proved his kind heart. Aarush is still unhappy with his life and commits self-murder. He's saved by Sandy. Sandy falls in love with him. She gets to know him and is veritably equivocal. How will this ill-fated relationship progress?
14. Vicky Donor
Director: Shoojit Sircar
Actors: Ayushmann Khurrana, Yami Gautam along with Annu Kapoor
A fertility expert is on the lookout for a fit and fine sperm patron. He crosses paths with Vicky and convinces him to come one. All’s well until Vicky gets wedded and his secret is revealed. Plus, his wife can’t conceive. Consider this one of the stylish comedy yet coming-of-age flicks made in recent times.
15. Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2
Director: Luv Ranjan
Actors: Kartik Aaryan, Divyendu Sharma, Raayos Bakhirta along with Nushrat Bharucha, Sonnalli Seygall and Ishita Raj Sharma
Three boys Rajat, Vikrant, and Nishant are musketeers. Rajat falls for Neha. Nishant falls for Charu and she uses him for paying her bills, he's too naive to indeed notice it. Vikrant loves Rhea who can’t get over her swain of five times, Varun. Three guys go crazy, they have an extremely hard time managing their lady loves. How will they save their love lives?
16. Good Newwz
Director: Raj Mehta
Actors: Kareena Kapoor, Kiara Advani along with Akshay Kumar and Diljit Dosanjh
This comedy of crimes follows two contrary couples who get caught in a blend-up during their IVF treatment, and what follows is a horselaugh hoot. Varun Batra and Deepu Batra are the hip, civic couple whereas Honey Batra and Monika Batra play the traditional, happy-to-lucky brace. The relations between them are ridiculous, and by the end also sincere. With top-notch performances and strip moments, Good Newwz promises a good time.
17. Jug Jugg Jeeyo
Director: Raj Mehta
Actors: Anil Kapoor, Varun Dhawan with Kiara Advani, Neetu Kapoor, Maniesh Paul and Prajakta Koli
With an ensemble cast, the comedy was well-spread throughout the film. A movie grounded on love, happiness, and family ties and all that comes to the face with the marriage taking place was a complete imitator. A killer playlist and ridiculous situations made this one of the finest comedy flicks to have come out of Bollywood.
18. Badhaai Do
Director: Harshavardhan Kulkarni
Actors: Rajkummar Rao and Bhumi Pednekar
With talented actors similar to Bhumi Pednekar and Rajkummar Rao taking over our defences, it does not come as a surprise that Badhaai Do is a movie you must not miss. The study of sensitively chronicling the story of lavender marriage was done nicely, coupled with gentle humour and it struck a passion with the followership just how it was supposed to.
19. Doctor G
Director: Anubhuti Kashyap
Actors: Ayushmann Khurrana with Shefali Shah and Rakul Preet Singh
Who can beat Ayushmaan Khurrana when it comes to being a protean? Doctor G in 2022 was yet another feather in the cap when he played the part of the sole manly pupil in a gynaecology department and the madness that followed was a horselaugh hoot indeed. A funny depiction invested with important assignments for society as well- entered by the followership.
20. Govinda Naam Mera
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Actors: Vicky Kaushal, Kiara Advani with Bhumi Pednekar
Marketable cinema can not go wrong, Govinda Naam Mera was one of the strip rides toward the end of the time. Vicky Kaushal who portrayed the part of Govinda Waghmare has a vituperative woman, a gal, and a court case to juggle with and sort out his life, what ensues is a lot of conniving and also murder. The dialogue delivery, ridiculous timing, and impeccable amusement made this one a fun watch.
Want to stay in and watch movies? You can also tune in to funny Punjabi movies, romantic comedies, or even international remakes in Bollywood.
Disclaimer: The details mentioned throughout this blog are sourced from publicly accessible platforms. At Zeezest, we intend to share factual and verified information. Should there be any inconsistencies or variances in the information provided, please understand that these are entirely unintentional and not meant to mislead. The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication only.