Here’s a list of some of the most hilarious comedy movies where people embrace different personas, ranked from the absolute funniest to the slightly less hilarious based on user opinions. These films come in all sorts of genres, from sports-centric stories to thrilling undercover missions. Prepare for a laughter-filled adventure with these incredibly talented comedians!
First up, we have the timeless classic “Coming to America.” Eddie Murphy delivers an uproarious performance as a royal prince who embarks on a quest to find an unsuspecting bride in the United States. Directed by the brilliant John Landis and released in 1988, this movie also features the comedic genius of Arsenio Hall. Prepare for non-stop laughter!
Next on the list is the side-splitting comedy “Mrs. Doubtfire.” This film follows the hilarious journey of someone who dives headfirst into the world of pretending to be someone else. Get ready to laugh until your sides hurt as this comedy masterpiece unfolds!
In “Tootsie,” Dustin Hoffman takes on the role of a lifetime as an actor who adopts a whole new identity as a woman. Join him on this uproarious adventure as he discovers that sometimes, the best way to get ahead in the acting world is by becoming someone completely different. Get ready for some seriously funny moments!
If you’re looking for more gut-busting films about assumed identities, you won’t be disappointed with “Sister Act,” “Big Momma’s House,” and “Date Night.” These movies are guaranteed to have you rolling on the floor with laughter. And if you have a favorite comedy that revolves around assumed identities, don’t forget to give it a big thumbs up! We’d love to hear your recommendations too, so feel free to suggest any other gems we might have missed.
Note: One film on this list, “¡Three Amigos!,” has proven to be quite divisive among audiences.
1. Coming to America
In the comedy film “Coming to America,” we meet pampered African Prince Akeem (played by Eddie Murphy) who boldly defies an arranged marriage. To find true love, he embarks on an adventure to Queens, New York City, disguised as a foreign student. Accompanied by his loyal servant Semmi (played by Arsenio Hall), who adds a touch of comedy to their culture-shocked journey. The film, directed by John Landis, was released in 1988 and became a hit with audiences due to Murphy and Hall’s ability to portray multiple characters, showcasing their incredible versatility. It even received two Oscar nominations and has remained a beloved favorite for its humor and heartfelt moments. Throughout his quest for love, Akeem encounters unexpected twists and turns, ultimately leading to a satisfying conclusion that emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself.
Released: 1988
Directed by: John Landis
Actors: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, John Amos
2. Mrs. Doubtfire
In the heartwarming comedy-drama Mrs. Doubtfire, we meet Daniel Hillard, played by the beloved Robin Williams. Daniel is a fun-loving father who unfortunately becomes distanced from his children after a bitter divorce. But don’t worry, he comes up with an unconventional solution to this problem! He transforms himself into the affable Scottish nanny, Mrs. Doubtfire, and boy, does Robin Williams deliver an incredible performance in this role.
Directed by Chris Columbus, the film takes us on a journey that explores important themes of family and identity. Alongside Williams, we have the talented Sally Field as Miranda Hillard, Daniel’s ex-wife. And let’s not forget about Pierce Brosnan, who plays Miranda’s suitor, Stu. The chemistry between the cast members is fantastic, making the engaging narrative even more enjoyable.
This delightful film even managed to win an Academy Award for Best Makeup, and it’s not hard to see why. The transformation of Robin Williams into Mrs. Doubtfire is truly remarkable. So if you’re looking for a heartwarming and funny movie that tackles important themes, Mrs. Doubtfire is definitely worth a watch.
Released: 1993
Directed by: Chris Columbus
Actors: Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan
3. Miss Congeniality
In the movie Miss Congeniality, Sandra Bullock plays the role of Gracie Hart, an FBI agent who is not your typical glamorous agent. She prefers sweatpants over stilettos and is a bit rough around the edges. However, when a beauty pageant becomes a target for terrorists, Gracie is unexpectedly chosen to go undercover and prevent a disaster from happening.
To prepare for her undercover mission, Gracie undergoes a major transformation with the help of Victor Melling, a beauty consultant who has fallen from grace. With his guidance, she manages to infiltrate the glamorous world of tiaras and sashes. Balancing her new image with her duty as an agent, Gracie faces challenges like walking in high heels and participating in the swimsuit round, all while trying to prevent a catastrophe.
Miss Congeniality is a comedic crime-drama that takes us on a unique journey in the world of law enforcement. Sandra Bullock’s performance in this film was highly praised, earning her a Golden Globe nomination.
Released: 2000
Directed by: Donald Petrie
Actors: Sandra Bullock, Michael Caine, Benjamin Bratt
4. Aladdin
Aladdin, released in 1992, takes viewers on a magical adventure filled with cleverness and heartwarming moments. The film tells the story of Aladdin, a quick-witted commoner voiced by Scott Weinger, who dreams of a life beyond the limitations of his desert town. Along comes Princess Jasmine, voiced by Linda Larkin, who also desires to break free from her royal responsibilities. The plot takes an exciting turn when Aladdin discovers a magical lamp containing a powerful Genie voiced by the incredible Robin Williams. As Aladdin navigates through palace politics, love, and his own insecurities, he must learn to wield this newfound power responsibly. Notably, this Disney classic received two Academy Awards, recognizing its unforgettable music.
Released: 1992
Directed by: Ron Clements, John Musker
Actors: Scott Weinger, Robin Williams, Linda Larkin
5. The Parent Trap
The Parent Trap is a delightful family comedy that tells the story of Hallie Parker and Annie James, both played by Lindsay Lohan. These identical twin sisters were unfortunately separated shortly after birth due to their divorced parents. However, fate brings them together at a summer camp where they discover their uncanny resemblance. With a stroke of luck, they come up with a plan to switch places in the hopes of reuniting their estranged parents, Elizabeth James (Natasha Richardson) and Nick Parker (Dennis Quaid). As the movie unfolds, we are treated to a light-hearted caper filled with heartwarming moments and hilarious hijinks.
Released: 1998
Directed by: Nancy Meyers
Actors: Lindsay Lohan, Dennis Quaid, Natasha Richardson
6. Mulan
In the animated movie Mulan, we see Fa Mulan, voiced by Ming-Na Wen, stepping into the spotlight and defying societal expectations. This captivating tale of courage and resilience takes place in ancient China, where the invasion of the Huns prompts Mulan’s frail father, played by Soon-Tek Oh, to be called to war. Determined to protect her father, Mulan bravely disguises herself as a man and takes his place. Assisted by her mischievous guardian dragon, Mushu, voiced by Eddie Murphy, Mulan embarks on a remarkable journey, defying the odds and becoming an unexpected hero. Through her actions, she brings honor to her family and teaches us that greatness can be found in anyone. The film’s exceptional technical artistry and compelling storytelling are evident in the numerous Annie awards it has received.
Released: 1998
Directed by: Barry Cook, Tony Bancroft
Actors: Ming-Na, Eddie Murphy, BD Wong
7. Some Like It Hot
In the iconic comedy film Some Like It Hot, Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon), two musicians, are forced to flee from dangerous mobsters in Chicago. However, their escape plan is quite unconventional – they decide to disguise themselves as women and join an all-female band traveling to sunny Florida. As they navigate through this daring scheme, Joe finds himself falling for the alluring Sugar Kane (Marilyn Monroe), while Jerry faces the persistent pursuit of a wealthy admirer. This hilarious film, directed by Billy Wilder in 1959, is renowned for its impeccable comedic timing and clever dialogue. It even won an Academy Award for Best Costume Design.
Released: 1959
Directed by: Billy Wilder
Actors: Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, Marilyn Monroe
8. She’s the Man
In the comedy film She’s the Man, things get pretty crazy for Viola (played by Amanda Bynes). Her soccer team gets the boot, so she decides to take matters into her own hands. How? By pretending to be her twin brother Sebastian (played by James Kirk), and taking his spot at a rival school to join their boys’ team. Talk about gutsy!
Little does Viola know, her unsuspecting roommate Duke (played by Channing Tatum) ends up becoming her unexpected partner in crime. He’s totally clueless about her true identity, and unwittingly becomes her ally in this daring charade. It’s all about survival in this testosterone-driven world, and you can bet that some seriously hilarious chaos is about to go down!
What makes this movie even cooler is that it draws inspiration from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Yeah, you heard that right! It puts a modern twist on the classic tale of mistaken identities and unexpected romance. So get ready for a wild ride filled with laughs, love, and a whole lot of surprises. Viola is about to shake things up in ways you won’t see coming!
Released: 2006
Directed by: Andy Fickman
Actors: Amanda Bynes, James Kirk, Channing Tatum
9. 21 Jump Street
In 21 Jump Street, we follow the hilarious journey of Schmidt (played by Jonah Hill) and Jenko (played by Channing Tatum), two not-so-successful police officers who find themselves going back to high school undercover. Their mission? To take down a notorious synthetic drug ring masterminded by none other than the popular kid, Eric (portrayed by Dave Franco).
As they navigate the treacherous waters of teenage drama and confront old high school rivalries, our dynamic duo must tread carefully to avoid blowing their cover. This action-comedy, skillfully directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, even earned itself the prestigious Golden Trailer award for Best Comedy Poster.
With its unique blend of crime drama and comedic elements, 21 Jump Street offers a refreshing twist to the genre, sprinkled with a generous dose of nostalgic high school reminiscence.
Released: 2012
Directed by: Phil Lord, Chris Miller
Actors: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Brie Larson
10. Galaxy Quest
In the movie Galaxy Quest, a bunch of has-been TV actors, led by Jason Nesmith (played by Tim Allen), find themselves caught up in a major interstellar predicament. These actors were once famous for their roles in a sci-fi show that used to be a big hit. But now, they become mistaken for actual space explorers by a group of aliens who are desperate for assistance. Unbeknownst to them, this leads the crew, which includes Gwen DeMarco (played by Sigourney Weaver) and Alexander Dane (played by Alan Rickman), on a real space adventure. This film brilliantly mocks the clichés and conventions of the sci-fi genre, injecting a hilarious twist into the traditional space opera storyline. Galaxy Quest was highly praised by critics and even won the prestigious Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation.
Released: 1999
Directed by: Dean Parisot
Actors: Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman
11. A Bug’s Life
In the animated spectacle A Bug’s Life, we follow the courageous ant named Flik, voiced by Dave Foley, as he takes on a daring mission to protect his colony from a menacing gang of grasshoppers. This ruthless group is led by none other than Hopper, voiced by Kevin Spacey. In this adventure produced by Pixar, Flik gathers a rather unusual group of bugs, who happen to be a rather inept circus troupe. Together, they navigate through a world where bugs eat bugs and discover unexpected sources of courage and friendship. The film received high praise for its breathtaking animation and heartwarming storytelling.
Released: 1998
Directed by: John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton
Actors: Dave Foley, Kevin Spacey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus