10 Best Comedy Movies Of The 1960s, Ranked According To IMDb

The 1960s was a decade of cinema transformation. Due to the change in culture in general, films have become more cynical and realistic. You can mostly see this in horror movies like Psycho and westerns like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly , but the trend is also extending to comedies. The comedies of the previous decade were replaced by more subtle parodies such as Breakfast at Tiffany's and the satirical film Dr. Jones . Jones . odd love

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The 1960s also saw the rise of independent cinema, as well as challenges from foreign television and film. The result was one of the most exciting decades for the media, producing some of the classic comedies that remain popular today.

"Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1961)

IMDb: 7.6/10

Breakfast at Tiffany's is a romantic comedy film directed by Blake Edwards and based on the novel by legendary author Truman Capote . Audrey Hepburn plays Holly Golightly, a charming and eccentric socialite who is romantically involved with a struggling writer played by George Peppard .

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The script is witty and uses humor to hide some of the more serious themes. The theme song "Moon River" also became a favorite. However, the undeniable highlight is Hepburn. In a career filled with classics, Holly Golightly was her defining role. The black dress, hairstyle and large mouthpiece of her character have become one of the most iconic images in the history of cinema.

"Mary Poppins" (1964)

IMDb: 7.9/10

Mary Poppins is arguably the most beloved musical film of all time. It was not so much a movie as a cultural event. It follows a magical nanny, played by the inimitable Julie Andrews , who helps the Banks family rediscover the joy and magic of life. Dick Van Dyke plays Bert, a chimney sweep and salesman who is a close friend of Mary and the Bank children.

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The film also features catchy songs like "A Spoonful of Sugar" and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" as well as live action and animation to create a strange and charming world. Andrews' performance as the strict but loving babysitter rightfully earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress. Even after nearly 60 years , Mary Poppins continues to entertain audiences of all ages. No other adaptation by P.L. Travers is no match for her.

"One, Two, Three" (1961)

IMDb: 7.9/10

One, Two, Three is a black and white film directed by Billy Wilder . It stars James Cagney as C. R. McNamara, an ambitious and discriminating Coca-Cola executive in West Berlin during the Cold War. McNamara's life is turned upside down when he is assigned to babysit his boss's daughter, Scarlett ( Pamela Tiffin ), who has fallen in love with a young East German communist.

The film is a fast-paced satire on American capitalism, Soviet communism, and the political climate of the early 1960s. With a gripping screenplay and memorable performances by Horst Buchholz and Arlene Francis in the background, One, Two, Three is a great example of how comedy films could get bolder in the 60s.

"Cleo 5 to 7" (1962)

IMDb: 7.9/10

Cleo 5 to 7 is a masterpiece by French New Wave actress and director Agnès Varda . The story centers on a young singer, played by Corinne Marchand , who is waiting for the results of a medical examination that may reveal she has cancer. The film is set in Paris. The film follows Cleo's two-hour journey through the city as she confronts her own mortality and the transience of life.

Through its innovative use of real-time storytelling and documentary style, Cleo 5 to 7 is a thoughtful exploration of death, womanhood and the role of art in our lives. Marchand brings depth and vulnerability to the role, while the film's stunning black-and-white cinematography captures the beauty and chaos of 1960s Paris, testament to Varda's status as one of the most influential directors of his generation.

"Characters" (1963)

IMDb: 7.9/10

Thrillers were around in the 60s and The Charades was a comedy twist on the genre directed by Stanley Donen . The film is about Regina Lampert (Audrey Hepburn), a widow who discovers that her late husband has stolen a fortune from the US government and is now being chased by three dangerous men who need money. Enter Peter Joshua ( Cary Grant ), a handsome stranger who offers to help Regina navigate the dangerous world of espionage and fraud.

Sharp jokes, intriguing turns of events, and a glamorous Parisian setting make the Charade a fun game to play. Hepburn and Grant were at their peak and had great chemistry. Thanks to Henry Munsen's catchy music and Givenchy's fine costume design, Charade has more than survived to this day.

Divorce Italian Style (1961)

IMDb: 8.0/10

Italian Divorce is a satirical black comedy film directed by Pietro Germi. Marcello Mastroianni plays a Sicilian nobleman who is unhappily married and falls in love with his beautiful cousin Angela ( Stefania Sandrelli ). However, in order to divorce his unfaithful wife Rosalia ( Daniela Rocca ), he must arrest her for adultery in accordance with Italian law.

The film depicts the absurdity of the Italian legal system and social norms of the time, while at the same time showcasing Mastroianni's comedic talent. This shows why he was one of the defining Italian movie stars. Jermie's clear direction and clever script make Divorce the Italian Style an Italian classic.

Sweet Life (1960)

IMDb: 8.0/10

La Dolce Vita is a masterpiece by the legendary Italian director Federico Fellini . It follows Marcello Rubini (Mastroianni), a jaded journalist from Rome who is constantly looking for meaning and fulfillment in his life. For seven days, he explores a world of decadence, excess, and emptiness, meeting unforgettable characters along the way, including the beautiful and enigmatic Sylvia ( Anita Ekberg ).

With its iconic images, unforgettable characters, and reflections on the nature of life and happiness, La Dolce Vita is a cult work of world cinema. Mastroianni's performance as Marcello is masterfully restrained, and he conveys the character's frustration and anguish with incredible intensity. In the same way, Fellini reveals the full power of his visionary direction and unique combination of realism and surrealism.

"Graduates" (1967)

IMDb: 8.0/10

Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft and Katharine Ross star in this groundbreaking comedy directed by Mike Nichols . Benjamin Braddock (Hoffman) is a recent college graduate disillusioned with the superficial world of his parents' generation. He becomes involved in a complicated relationship with Mrs. Robinson (Bancroft), the wife of his father's business partner, which eventually leads to a tempestuous love triangle involving the beautiful and free-spirited Elaine (Ross).

With a haunting soundtrack featuring Simon and Garfunkel and a scathing critique of 1960s American society , The Graduate speaks to a generation of young adults questioning the values and conventions of their parents' world. It was also a landmark role for Hoffman that brought him to the forefront of Hollywood. The outstanding performance, however, is undoubtedly Mrs. Ann Bancroft. Robinson, who is both seductive and tragic. Not to mention, the opening scene of Braddock spinning along an airport conveyor belt is one of the most iconic movie moments of the decade, and has been shamelessly referenced and parodied ever since.

"Apartment" (1960)

IMDb: 8.3/10

Another Billy Wilder classic, The Apartment , is about C.C. Baxter ( Jack Lemmon ), a lonely office worker who rents out his apartment to his boss for their romance in hopes of a promotion. However, things get complicated when she falls in love with elevator operator Fran Kubelik ( Shirley MacLaine ), who is having an affair with one of her bosses ( Fred MacMurray ).

With razor-sharp dialogue, unpredictable plot, and poignant moments of heartbreak and redemption , The Apartment has earned its place in the pantheon of great American films. Lemmon brings a mix of humor, sadness, and vulnerability to his character, and MacLaine is just as impressive, softly conveying Fran's pain and resilience. It's a great mix of 50s and 60s comedy.

'Doctor. Strange love "(1964)

IMDb: 8.4/10

"One, Two, Three" represents a step forward for the satire of the 60s, photographing the political issues of the time. However, Stanley Kubrick took things to a whole new level with Dr. Strangelove is arguably the most daring comedy to date. Less than a year after the Cuban Missile Crisis, he took a good look at Cold War tensions, hapless politicians, and nuclear Armageddon.

Peter Sellers has three different roles including a doctor. Strangelove, a former Nazi scientist confined to a wheelchair. George S. Scott also brilliantly played General Buck Turgidson, a fanatical warlord. With his subversive comments on the political absurdity of the Cold War , Dr. Strangelove quickly became a cultural touchstone.

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