20 underrated women-led comedy films (2024)

Lionsgate

American Pie's Natasha Lyonne starred in Jamie Babbit's first feature film as Megan, a high school cheerleader who realizes she is a lesbian when her parents subject her to conversion therapy. The film didn't do well according to critics, but it has become a cult classic and a must-watch in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Sony Pictures

Charlie's Angels, starring Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu, and Drew Barrymore, carried on the story of the TV series from 1976–1981 and even produced a sequel, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003). It was criticized for not being original, but its comedy elements made it worth the watch. Also, Destiny's Child's song "Independent Women Part 1" made the film that much better.

Universal Pictures

Rachel Leigh Cook, Rosario Dawson, and Tara Reid portrayed Josie McCoy, Valerie Brown, and Melody Valentine in the live-action film based on the Archie comics. Josie and the Pūssycatsowes its cult classic status to having a stellar soundtrack, humorous cultural commentary, and providing fans with a healthy dose of nostalgia.

Paramount Pictures

Crossroads is an underrated gem! The film was written by Shonda Rhimes and stars the Britney Spears, Zoe Saldana, and Taryn Manning. Sure, it's for Britney fans, but it's a great movie for a girls' night and is just pure fun.

Miramax

View From the Top may not be your typical Gwyneth Paltrow film, but that's okay, and although Gwyneth may disagree, the film is full of laughs. Of course, it is not a masterpiece, but hey, most comedies aren't. It's stupid and fun. Deal with it.

MGM

Another camp classic, Saved! is a hilarious satire on religion and teen films. The film received mixed reviews upon its release but has become a hit. Jena Malone, Mandy Moore, and the rest of the cast knocked it out of the park.

Paramount Pictures

Based on the William Shakespeare play Twelfth Night, She's The Man is a lovable teen rom-com starring Amanda Bynes. Though some of the actors were probably too old to play high schoolers, the performances were great and made for a super-quotable movie.

20th Century Fox

27 Dresses is a chick flick through and through. Critics slammed it for being predictable, but if the romantic comedy formula works, then who cares? It makes for a great comfort film, and Katherine Heigl really sells it.

Sony Pictures

Any film starring Anna Faris is automatically the best. Faris, along with Emma Stone, Kat Dennings, and many others, make this movie enjoyable to revisit often. The House Bunny is full of cliches but still a silly, goofy good time.

Universal Pictures

Baby Mama, starring former Saturday Night Live castmates Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, was awesome, despite what anyone may say. The cast was exceptional and provided audiences with non-stop laughs. This one will always be a personal favorite.

Sony Pictures

First of all, Cameron Diaz is a comedy queen. I have great memories of seeing Bad Teacher in the theater with my friends, and I can confirm it is in no way boring. Critics who found it unfunny clearly were not watching the same film.

20th Century Fox

The Heat is another one of my comfort movies. Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy's chemistry is undeniable, and it made for a great women-led buddy cop film. The scenes with Mullins' (McCarthy) family get me every time.

CBS Films

Although it was deemed just another raunchy comedy, The To Do List might be one of Aubrey Plaza's best performances to date. Even if it's a little dumb, the film is entertaining, has a wonderful cast, and is set in the 1990s, so we have nostalgia.

20th Century Fox

Yep, Cameron made her way onto the list once again. The Other Woman was great due to Diaz, Leslie Mann, and Kate Upton's chemistry alone. Critics attacked the story and were almost all in agreement that it was messy and an overall disappointment, but I appreciated it as far as the women banding together to take down a man.

Universal Pictures

Another Tina Fey and Amy Poehler collaboration for the win. The closeness of the two's relationship is apparent on screen, and despite its party-centered story, Sisters has a lot of heart. Sure, it could've gone many different ways, but if there's one thing they know, it's comedy.

STX Entertainment

We're here for Bad Teacher, Bad Moms , and any women who might be considered "bad." Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and especially Kathryn Hahn were so funny that they got a sequel, A Bad Moms Christmas (2017), that also wasn't half bad. The film is light-hearted fun, perfect for a girls' (or moms') night.

Sony Pictures

Hear me out: the Ghostbusters reboot got a bad rap mainly due to the editing and the fact that some people just didn't want to see women Ghostbusters. Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones, and Kate McKinnon freaking did the thing, and as a stand-alone film, it wasn't bad. Perhaps a woman director could have saved it.

Warner Bros.

Sandy B is back in the house with Ocean's Eight, continuing the Ocean's saga that is based on the 1960 film Ocean's 11 . Anne Hathaway, Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter, Sarah Paulson, Mindy Kaling, Awkwafina, and Rihanna joined Sandra Bullock in the spin-off and were a wonderful ensemble cast, in my opinion.

Netflix

As a fan of all of these ladies' work, I absolutely loved Wine Country . Those who feel the film has many flaws don't enjoy watching friends having a good time. Rachel Dratch, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Paula Pell, Ana Gasteyer, Emily Spivey, and, of course, Tina Fey all know what's funny.

Lionsgate

Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar was some kind of fever dream, and I loved every minute of it. Though the film got generally positive reviews, I feel it could've been even bigger if it weren't for the delayed release date due to the pandemic. Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo are just as hilarious as they were in Bridesmaids.