# List of highest-grossing live-action comedy films

This is a list of the highest-grossing live-action comedy films.

## Highest-grossing comedy films

The following is a list of highest grossing comedy films of all time. Only Barbie and Deadpool & Wolverine sits along the highest grossing films of all time, being both 14th and 20th place, respectively. 2018 was the most frequent year, with three films. 50% of films have placed since 2000, and all had a theatrical run since 1987. Deadpool and Meet the Parents are tied for the most frequented franchises, with three films.
    Indicates films playing in theaters as of 6 October 2023
| Rank | Film | Gross | Year |
| 1 | Barbie | $1,445,636,220 | 2023 |
| 2 | Deadpool & Wolverine | $1,338,073,645 | 2024 |
| 3 | Hi, Mom | $841,674,419 | 2021 |
| 4 | Deadpool 2 | $785,046,920 | 2018 |
| 5 | Deadpool | $783,112,979 | 2016 |
| 6 | Detective Chinatown 3 | $686,257,563 | 2021 |
| 7 | Men in Black 3 | $624,026,776 | 2012 |
| 8 | Men in Black | $589,390,539 | 1997 |
| 9 | The Hangover Part II | $586,764,305 | 2011 |
| 10 | The Mermaid | $553,810,228 | 2016 |
| 11 | Ted | $549,368,315 | 2012 |
| 12 | Detective Chinatown 2 | $544,185,156 | 2018 |
| 13 | Meet the Fockers | $522,657,936 | 2004 |
| 14 | The Intouchables | $484,873,045 | 2011 |
| 15 | Bruce Almighty | $484,592,874 | 2003 |
| 16 | Home Alone | $477,063,114 | 1990 |
| 17 | The Hangover | $469,310,836 | 2009 |
| 18 | Moon Man | $460,237,662 | 2022 |
| 19 | Beetlejuice Beetlejuice | $451,100,435 | 2024 |
| 20 | Mrs. Doubtfire | $441,286,195 | 1993 |
| 21 | Sex and the City | $418,765,321 | 2008 |
| 22 | Back to the Future | $389,053,797 | 1985 |
| 23 | Hitch | $371,594,210 | 2005 |
| 24 | The Hangover Part III | $362,000,072 | 2013 |
| 25 | Home Alone 2: Lost in New York | $358,994,850 | 1992 |
| 26 | Rain Man | $354,825,435 | 1988 |
| 27 | The Mask | $351,583,407 | 1994 |
| 28 | The Flintstones | $341,631,208 | 1994 |
| 29 | Never Say Die | $334,530,869 | 2017 |
| 30 | Back to the Future Part II | $331,950,002 | 1989 |
| 31 | Free Guy | $331,526,598 | 2021 |
| 32 | 22 Jump Street | $331,333,876 | 2014 |
| 33 | Meet the Parents | $330,444,045 | 2000 |
| 34 | Green Book | $329,704,599 | 2018 |
| 35 | Crocodile Dundee | $328,203,506 | 1986 |
| 36 | Crazy Alien | $327,598,891 | 2019 |
| 37 | The Devil Wears Prada | $326,706,115 | 2006 |
| 38 | Beverly Hills Cop | $316,360,478 | 1984 |
| 39 | Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me | $312,016,928 | 1999 |
| 40 | Little Fockers | $310,650,585 | 2010 |
| 41 | The Ex-File 3: The Return of the Exes | $307,592,427 | 2017 |
| 42 | Liar Liar | $302,710,615 | 1997 |
| 43 | Beverly Hills Cop II | $299,965,036 | 1987 |
| 44 | My Best Friend's Wedding | $299,288,605 | 1997 |
| 45 | Look Who's Talking | $296,999,813 | 1989 |
| 46 | Austin Powers in Goldmember | $296,938,801 | 2002 |
| 47 | Ghostbusters | $296,578,797 | 1984 |
| 48 | Sex and the City 2 | $290,745,055 | 2010 |
| 49 | Bridesmaids | $306,442,085 | 2011 |
| 50 | Coming to America | $288,752,301 | 1988 |

## Highest-grossing comedy film by year

The following is a list of highest-grossing comedy films by year. Both Deadpool and Meet the Parents tops the list more than any other franchise, with all three films on the list.
A film has made more than $100 million every year since 1983, over $250 million every year since 2021, and over $500-$750 million every year since 2022.
2023 was the top-grossing overall film of the year.
| Year | Film | Worldwide gross | Budget | Ref. |
| 2024 | Deadpool & Wolverine | $1,338,073,382 | $200,000,000 | |
| 2023 | Barbie | $1,445,630,472 | $145,000,000 | |
| 2022 | Moon Man | $460,237,662 | $8,200,000 | |
| 2021 | Hi, Mom | $841,674,419 | $59,000,000 | |
| 2020 | Bad Boys for Life | $426,505,244 | $90,000,000 | |
| 2019 | The Upside | $125,856,180 | $37,500,000 | |
| 2018 | Deadpool 2 | $785,896,609 ($734,546,611) | $110,000,000 | |
| 2017 | Pitch Perfect 3 | $185,400,345 | $45,000,000 | |
| 2016 | Deadpool | $782,836,791 | $58,000,000 | |
| 2015 | Pitch Perfect 2 | $287,144,079 | $29,000,000 | |
| 2014 | Ride Along | $154,468,902 | $25,000,000 | |
| 2013 | Grown Ups 2 | $246,984,278 | $80,000,000 | |
| 2012 | Men in Black III | $654,213,485 | $225,000,000 | |
| 2011 | Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides | $1,045,713,802 | $250,000,000 | |
| 2010 | Meet the Parents: Little Fockers | $310,650,585 | $110,000,000 | |
| 2009 | The Hangover | $469,310,836 | $35,000,000 | |
| 2008 | Mamma Mia! | $609,841,637 | $52,000,000 | |
| 2007 | Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End | $961,691,209 | $300,000,000 | |
| 2006 | Night at the Museum | $574,481,229 | $110,000,000 | |
| 2005 | Mr. & Mrs. Smith | $487,287,646 | $110,000,000 | |
| 2004 | Meet the Fockers | $522,657,936 | $80,000,000 | |
| 2003 | Bruce Almighty | $484,592,874 | $81,000,000 | |
| 2002 | My Big Fat Greek Wedding | $368,744,044 | $5,000,000 | |
| 2001 | Ocean's Eleven | $450,728,529 | $85,000,000 | |
| 2000 | What Women Want | $374,111,707 | $70,000,000 | |
| 1999 | Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me | $313,701,294 | $33,000,000 | |
| 1998 | There's Something About Mary | $369,884,651 | $23,000,000 | |
| 1997 | As Good as It Gets | $314,178,011 | $50,000,000 | |
| 1996 | The Nutty Professor | $273,961,019 | $54,000,000 | |
| 1995 | Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls | $212,385,533 | $30,000,000 | |
| 1994 | The Mask | $351,583,407 | $23,000,000 | |
| 1993 | Mrs. Doubtfire | $441,286,195 | $25,000,000 | |
| 1992 | Home Alone 2: Lost in New York | $358,994,850 | $28,000,000 | |
| 1991 | City Slickers | $179,000,000 | $27,000,000 | |
| 1990 | Home Alone | $477,063,114 | $18,000,000 | |
| 1989 | Look Who's Talking | $296,999,813 | $7,500,000 | |
| 1988 | Coming to America | $288,752,301 | $36,000,000 | |
| 1987 | Three Men and a Baby | $240,000,000 | $11,000,000 | |
| 1986 | Crocodile Dundee | $328,203,506 | TBA | |
| 1985 | Back to the Future | $389,053,797 ($381,109,762) | $19,000,000 | |
| 1984 | Beverly Hills Cop | $316,360,478 | $13,000,000 | |
| 1983 | Trading Places | $90,404,800 | $15,000,000 | |
| 1982 | Tootsie | $241,000,000 | $21,000,000 | |
| 1981 | Arthur | $95,461,682 | $7,000,000 | |
| 1980 | 9 to 5 | $103,290,500 | $10,000,000 | |
| 1979 | The Jerk | $100,000,000 | $4,000,000 | |
| 1978 | Animal House | $141,607,219 ($120,098,342) | TBA | |
| 1977 | Smokey and the Bandit | $300,000,000 | $3,500,000 | |
| 1976 | The Pink Panther Strikes Again | $75,000,000 | TBA | |
| 1975 | The Rocky Horror Picture Show | $115,322,757 | $1,400,000 | |
| 1974 | Blazing Saddles | $119,617,265 | TBA | |
| 1973 | The Sting | $257,000,000 | $5,500,000 | |
| 1972 | What's Up, Doc? | $66,000,000 | TBA | |
| 1971 | Bedknobs and Broomsticks | $17,871,174 | $6,500,000 | |
| 1970 | M*A*S*H | $81,600,000 | $3,500,000 | |
| 1969 | The Love Bug | $51,264,022 | $5,000,000 | |
| 1968 | Funny Girl | $58,707,416 | TBA | |
| 1967 | The Graduate | $105,015,008 ($104,675,450) | TBA | |
| 1966 | The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming | $21,693,114 | $3,900,000 | |
| 1965 | Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines | $31,111,111 | TBA | |
| 1964 | My Fair Lady | $72,632,653 | $17,000,000 | |
| 1963 | It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World | $60,000,000 | $9,400,000 | |
| 1962 | That Touch of Mink | $12,923,077 | TBA | |
| 1961 | The Absent-Minded Professor | $25,300,000 | TBA | |
| 1960 | The Apartment | $24,000,000 | $3,000,000 | |
| 1959 | Some Like It Hot | $49,200,000 | $2,900,000 | |
| 1958 | Auntie Mame | $23,200,000 | $2,900,000 | |
| 1957 | Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? | $4,900,000 | $1,050,000 | |
| 1956 | The Teahouse of the August Moon | $8,925,000 | $3,926,000[ | |
| 1955 | Mister Roberts | $21,200,000 | $2,300,000 | |
| 1954 | Sabrina | $4,000,000 | TBA | |
| 1953 | How to Marry a Millionaire | $8,000,000 | $1,300,000 | [124] [125] |
| 1952 | Singin' in the Rain | $7,241,009 | $2,540,000 | |
| 1951 | An American in Paris | $7,000,000 | $2,700,000 | |
| 1950 | Father of the Bride | $6,084,000 | $1,215,000 | |
| 1949 | I Was a Male War Bride | $4,100,000 | TBA | |
| 1948 | The Paleface | $4,500,000 | $2,000,000 | |
| 1947 | Welcome Stranger | $6,100,000 | $1,961,000 | |
| 1946 | Margie | $4,100,000 | $1,680,000 | |
| 1945 | The Bells of St. Mary's | $21,300,000 | $1,300,000 | |
| 1944 | The Miracle of Morgan's Creek | $9,000,000 | $775,000 | |
| 1943 | Thousands Cheer | $5,886,000 | $1,568,000 | |
| 1942 | Road to Morocco | $3,800,000 | TBA | |
| 1941 | Ball of Fire | $2,641,000 | TBA | |
| 1940 | The Great Dictator | $5,000,000 | $2,200,000 | |
| 1939 | Mr. Smith Goes to Washington | $9,000,000 | TBA | |
| 1938 | You Can't Take It with You | $2,137,575 | $1,644,736 | |
| 1937 | The Awful Truth | $3,000,000 | TBA | |
| 1936 | Follow the Fleet | $2,727,000 | $747,000 | |
| 1935 | Top Hat | $3,200,000 | $609,000 | |
| 1934 | It Happened One Night | $3,200,000 | $325,000 | |
| 1933 | I'm No Angel | $2,250,000 | $225,000 | |
| 1932 | Movie Crazy | $1,439,000 | $675,353 | |
| 1931 | City Lights | $4,250,000 | TBA | |
| 1930 | Animal Crackers | $3,100,000 | TBA | |
| 1929 | Welcome Danger | $3,000,000 | $979,828 | |
| 1928 | The Circus | $3,800,000 | TBA | |
| 1927 | The General | $474,264 | TBA | |
| 1925 | The Gold Rush | $4,000,000 | $923,000 | |
| 1924 | The Navigator | $680,406 | $385,000 | |

## Timeline of highest-grossing comedy film

At least 10 films have held the title of highest grossing comedy film.
| Title | Established | Record-setting gross |
| Ghostbusters | 1984 | $229,242,989 |
| Beverly Hills Cop | 1985 | $316,360,478 |
| Crocodile Dundee | 1986 | $328,203,506 |
| Home Alone | 1990 | $476,684,675 |
| Bruce Almighty | 2003 | $484,592,874 |
| Meet the Fockers | 2004 | $522,657,936 |
| Night at the Museum | 2006 | $579,446,407 |
| Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End | 2007 | $961,691,209 |
| Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides | 2011 | $1,046,721,266 |
| Barbie | 2023 | $1,445,630,472 |

## Comedy films by box office admissions

The following is a list of comedy films by estimated tickets sold worldwide.
| Film | Year | Ticket sales (est.) |
| Shaolin Temple | 1982 | 304,920,000 |
| Sholay (Embers) | 1975 | 250,000,000 |
| Awaara (The Vagabond) | 1951 | 217,000,000 |
| Disco Dancer | 1982 | 135,000,000 |
| Back to the Future | 1985 | 90,184,478 |
| Ghostbusters | 1984 | 82,375,218 |
| Beverly Hills Cop | 1984 | 81,716,713 |
| Home Alone | 1990 | 81,491,808 |

## Highest-grossing comedy film series and franchises

The following is a list of highest grossing film series. Deadpool sits atop the list with $2.9 billion and has the best average with $968.7 million per film.
| Rank | Series | Total worldwide gross | No. of films | Average of films | Highest-grossing film |
| 1 | Deadpool | $2,906,582,409 |
| 1 | Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) | $1,338,073,645 |
| 2 | Deadpool 2 (2018) | $785,896,609 |
| 3 | Deadpool (2016) | $782,612,155 |
| 2 | Men in Black | $1,915,759,789 |
| 1 | Men in Black 3 (2012) | $624,026,776 |
| 2 | Men in Black (1997) | $589,390,539 |
| 3 | Men in Black II (2002) | $441,818,803 |
| 4 | International (2019) | $253,890,701 |
| 5 | Men in Black II/Spider-Man (combo) | $6,632,970 |
| 3 | Detective Chinatown | $1,474,665,654 |
| 1 | Detective Chinatown 3 (2021) | $686,257,563 |
| 2 | Detective Chinatown 2 (2018) | $544,185,156 |
| 3 | Detective Chinatown (2015) | $125,842,935 |
| 4 | Detective Chinatown 1900 (2025) | $118,380,000 |
| 4 | The Hangover | $1,416,248,289 |
| 1 | The Hangover Part II (2011) | $586,764,305 |
| 2 | The Hangover (2009) | $467,483,912 |
| 3 | The Hangover Part III (2013) | $362,000,072 |
| 5 | Meet the Parents | $1,163,752,566 |
| 1 | Meet the Fockers (2004) | $522,657,936 |
| 2 | Meet the Parents (2000) | $330,444,045 |
| 3 | Little Fockers (2010) | $310,650,585 |
| 6 | Ghostbusters | $1,127,110,415 | 5 | $225,422,083 | Ghostbusters (1984) ($295,212,467) |
| Original series $901,794,746 4 $225,448,687 Ghostbusters (1984) ($295,212,467) 1 Ghostbusters (1984) $295,212,467 2 Ghostbusters II (1989) $215,394,738 3 Frozen Empire (2024) $195,741,452 4 Afterlife (2021) $195,446,089 Answer the Call (2016) $229,147,509 ||||||
| 7 | Kingsman | $1,043,378,686 |
| 1 | The Secret Service (2015) | $414,351,546 |
| 2 | The Golden Circle (2017) | $410,902,662 |
| 3 | The King's Man (2021) | $125,897,478 |
| 4 | Argylle (2024) | $92,227,000 |
| 8 | American Pie | $989,475,386 |
| 1 | American Pie 2 (2001) | $287,553,595 |
| 2 | American Pie (1999) | $235,483,004 |
| 3 | American Reunion (2012) | $234,989,584 |
| 4 | American Wedding (2003) | $231,449,203 |
| 9 | Back to the Future | $970,381,382 |
| 1 | Back to the Future (1985) | $389,053,797 |
| 2 | Back to the Future Part II (1989) | $331,950,002 |
| 3 | Back to the Future Part III (1990) | $244,527,583 |
| 4 | Back to the Future Day (2015) | $4,850,000 |
| 10 | Home Alone | $915,140,479 |
| 1 | Home Alone (1990) | $477,063,114 |
| 2 | Lost in New York (1992) | $358,994,850 |
| 3 | Home Alone 3 (1997) | $79,082,515 |
| 11 | Scary Movie | $896,555,030 |
| 1 | Scary Movie (2000) | $278,019,771 |
| 2 | Scary Movie 3 (2003) | $220,673,217 |
| 3 | Scary Movie 4 (2006) | $178,262,620 |
| 4 | Scary Movie 2 (2001) | $141,220,678 |
| 5 | Scary Movie 5 (2013) | $78,378,744 |
| 12 | Ted | $763,103,098 | 2 | $381,551,549 | Ted ($400,062,763) |
| 1 | Ted (2012) | $549,368,315 |
| 2 | Ted 2 (2015) | $213,734,783 |
| 13 | Beverly Hills Cop | $735,534,503 |
| 1 | Beverly Hills Cop (1984) | $316,360,478 |
| 2 | Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) | $299,965,036 |
| 3 | Beverly Hills Cop III (1994) | $119,208,989 |
| 14 | Sex and the City | $709,510,376 | 2 | $354,755,188 | Sex and the City ($418,765,321) |
| 1 | Sex and the City (2008) | $418,765,321 |
| 2 | Sex and the City 2 (2010) | $290,745,055 |
| 15 | Austin Powers | $676,356,278 |
| 1 | The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999) | $312,016,858 |
| 2 | Goldmember (2002) | $296,655,431 |
| 3 | International Man of Mystery (1997) | $67,683,989 |
| 16 | Bruce Almighty | $659,033,598 | 2 | $329,516,799 | Bruce Almighty ($484,592,874) |
| 1 | Bruce Almighty (2003) | $484,592,874 |
| 2 | Evan Almighty (2007) | $174,440,724 |
| 17 | Crocodile Dundee | $607,248,390 |
| 1 | Crocodile Dundee (1986) | $328,203,506 |
| 2 | Crocodile Dundee 2 (1988) | $239,606,210 |
| 3 | Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles (2001) | $39,438,674 |
| 18 | Beetlejuice | $535,654,632 | 2 | $267,827,316 | Beetlejuice Beetlejuice ($451,100,435) |
| 1 | Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) | $451,100,435 |
| 2 | Beetlejuice (1988) | $84,554,197 |
| 19 | Jump Street | $532,919,204 | 2 | $266,459,602 | 22 Jump Street ($331,333,876) |
| 1 | 22 Jump Street (2014) | $331,333,876 |
| 2 | 21 Jump Street (2012) | $201,585,328 |
| 20 | Looney Tunes | $482,387,456 | 3 | $160,795,819 | Space Jam ($250,180,384) |
| Space Jam series $413,872,612 2 $206,936,306 Space Jam ($250,180,384) 1 Space Jam (1996) $250,180,384 2 A New Legacy (2021) $163,692,228 ||||||
| Back in Action (2003) $68,514,844 ||||||

## Biggest worldwide openings on record for comedy films

This list charts films the biggest worldwide openings for comedy films. Since films do not open on Fridays in many markets, the 'opening' is taken to be the gross between the first day of release and the first Sunday following the movie's release. Figures prior to the year 2002 are not available. Country-by-country variations in release dates are not taken into account.
| Rank | Film | Year | Opening (USD) |
| 1 | Deadpool & Wolverine | 2024 | $444,300,000 |
| 2 | Barbie | 2023 | $356,300,000 |
| 3 | Deadpool 2 | 2018 | $300,386,357 |
| 4 | Deadpool | 2016 | $264,711,361 |
| 5 | Men In Black 3 | 2012 | $189,884,945 |