Action comedy

Last updated

The action comedy is a genre that combines aspects of action and comedy. Films in this genre feature "fast and furious" action that is mostly lighthearted, with humor often derived from the characters rather than intense action sequences. Early examples include The General (1926) and swashbuckler films of the 1930s, while the genre became more common in the 1980s with buddy cop films and works featuring actors like Jackie Chan. In the 1990s, the genre incorporated more violent humor, and it continued to evolve in the 21st century with numerous notable films.

Contents

Action comedy has also been a recurring theme in television, with series such as The Dukes of Hazzard (1979–1985) and Peacemaker (2022).

Film

AllMovie describes action comedy films as those with "fast and furious" action yet being "mostly lighthearted", rarely having death or serious injury. [1] The Script Lab wrote, "[The genre] relies on the characters to bring out the humor, while the action scenes tend to be less intense than in the traditional action movie." [2]

Action comedies often have "fish out of water" themes; for example, using a starring actor's celebrity to contrast the setting, such as how comedian and actor Eddie Murphy's "streetwise, sarcastic persona clashes with conventional police procedures in the Beverly Hills Cop films" in the late twentieth century. [3]

Buster Keaton in 1926 film The General The General, front.jpg
Buster Keaton in 1926 film The General

The 1926 film The General starring Buster Keaton may be the first action comedy film. [4] Other early forms of action comedy films were swashbuckler films from the 1930s. Allmovie wrote that its "stars combined wit and one-liners with a thrilling plot and daring stunts". In the 1980s, the genre became commonplace, and buddy cop films emerged as an extension of action comedy films such as Midnight Run (1988) and the Lethal Weapon film series. [1] Other action comedies from the decade included The Blues Brothers (1980) and the films of actor and martial artist Jackie Chan. [5]

In the 1990s, action comedy films "became more violent, with fiery deaths and emphatic shootings increasingly used as punchlines". [1] Rotten Tomatoes wrote that Rush Hour (1998) revitalized the genre's formula and that Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) was a highlight from the decade. In the first two decades of the 21st century, the films Kung Fu Hustle (2004), Hot Fuzz (2007), Tropic Thunder (2008), 21 Jump Street (2012), and Bad Boys for Life (2020) were among numerous instances of the genre. [5]

List of action comedy films
FilmYearRef.
21 Jump Street 2012 [5]
22 Jump Street 2014 [5]
48 Hrs. 1982 [5]
American Made 2017 [5]
Ant-Man 2015 [5]
Ant-Man and the Wasp 2018 [5]
Attack the Block 2011 [6]
Bad Boys 1995 [7]
Bad Boys for Life 2020 [5]
Big Trouble in Little China 1986 [5]
Big Momma's House 2000 [7]
Beverly Hills Cop 1984 [5]
Birds of Prey 2020 [5]
Black Dynamite 2009 [5]
The Blues Brothers 1980 [5]
The Cabin in the Woods 2011 [6]
D.E.B.S. 2004 [6]
Deadpool 2016 [5]
Deadpool 2 2018 [5]
Deadpool & Wolverine 2024 [8]
Drive-Away Dolls 2024 [6]
Drunken Master II 1994 [5]
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves 2023 [6]
Everything Everywhere All at Once 2022 [6]
The Fall Guy 2024 [6]
Free Guy 2021 [5]
Galaxy Quest 1999 [6]
Game Night 2018 [5]
Get Smart 2008 [7]
The General 1926 [5]
The Gentlemen 2019 [5]
Ghostbusters 1984 [6]
Guardians of the Galaxy 2014 [5]
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 2017 [5]
The Heat 2013 [7]
Hit Man 2023 [6]
Hot Fuzz 2007 [5]
If Looks Could Kill 1991 [9]
The Interview 2014 [7]
Johnny English 2003 [7]
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 2017 [7]
Keanu 2016 [5]
Kick-Ass 2010 [5]
Kingsman: The Secret Service 2014 [5]
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang 2005 [5]
Kung Fu Hustle 2004 [5]
Lethal Weapon 1987 [5]
Lethal Weapon 2 1989 [5]
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels 1998 [5]
Logan Lucky 2007 [6]
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. 2015 [6]
The Mask 1994 [6]
Men in Black 1997 [5]
Midnight Run 1988 [5]
Miss Congeniality 2000 [6]
Mr. & Mrs. Smith 2005 [6]
The Nice Guys 2016 [5]
Now You See Me 2 2016 [6]
The Other Guys 2010 [5]
The Paper Tigers 2020 [5]
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl 2003 [6]
Polite Society 2023 [6]
The Princess Bride 1987 [6]
Red 2010 [5]
Ride Along 2014 [7]
Romancing the Stone 1984 [5]
Rumble in the Bronx 1995 [5]
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World 2010 [5]
Shanghai Noon 2000 [5]
Shaolin Soccer 2001 [5]
Shaun of the Dead 2004 [7]
Shazam! 2019 [5]
Sherlock Holmes 2009 [6]
Shotgun Wedding 2022 [6]
Something Wild 1986 [5]
Spy 2015 [5]
Spy Kids 2001 [6]
The Suicide Squad 2021 [5]
Supercop 1992 [5]
Tag 2018 [6]
Team America: World Police 2004 [5]
Thor: Ragnarok 2017 [5]
Three Kings 1999 [5]
Tropic Thunder 2008 [5]

TV series

List of action comedy TV series
TV seriesYear(s)Ref.
The A-Team 1983–1987 [10]
Burn Notice 2007–2013 [11]
Chuck 2007–2012 [12]
Doom Patrol 2020–2022 [13]
The Dukes of Hazzard 1979–1985 [14]
Future Man 2017–2020 [15]
Kidd Video 1984–1985 [14]
Lethal Weapon 2016–2019 [15]
Our Flag Means Death 2022-2023 [16]
Peacemaker 2022 [17]
Remington Steele 1982–1987 [18]
Rush Hour 2016 [19]
Teenage Bounty Hunters 2020 [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comedy film</span> Genre of film that emphasizes humour

The comedy film is a film genre that emphasizes humor. These films are designed to amuse audiences and make them laugh. Films in this genre typically have a happy ending, with dark comedy being an exception to this rule. Comedy is one of the oldest genres in film, and it is derived from classical comedy in theatre. Some of the earliest silent films were slapstick comedies, which often relied on visual depictions, such as sight gags and pratfalls, so they could be enjoyed without requiring sound. To provide drama and excitement to silent movies, live music was played in sync with the action on the screen, on pianos, organs, and other instruments. When sound films became more prevalent during the 1920s, comedy films grew in popularity, as laughter could result from both burlesque situations but also from humorous dialogue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andie MacDowell</span> American actress and model (born 1958)

Rosalie Anderson MacDowell is an American actress and former fashion model. MacDowell is known for her starring film roles in romantic comedies and dramas. She has modeled for Calvin Klein and has been a spokeswoman for L'Oréal since 1986.

<i>Annie Hall</i> 1977 film by Woody Allen

Annie Hall is a 1977 American satirical romantic comedy-drama film directed by Woody Allen from a screenplay written by Allen and Marshall Brickman, and produced by Allen's manager, Charles H. Joffe. The film stars Allen as Alvy Singer, who tries to figure out the reasons for the failure of his relationship with the eponymous female lead, played by Diane Keaton in a role written specifically for her.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diane Keaton</span> American film actress (born 1946)

Diane Keaton is an American actress. She has received various accolades throughout her career spanning over five decades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and two Golden Globe Awards, in addition to nominations for a Tony Award and two Emmy Awards. She was honored with the Film Society of Lincoln Center Gala Tribute in 2007 and an AFI Life Achievement Award in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Keaton</span> American actor (born 1951)

Michael John Douglas, known professionally as Michael Keaton, is an American actor and former stand-up comedian. He has received numerous accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards, in addition to nominations for an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award. In 2016, he was named Officer of Order of Arts and Letters in France.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ray Liotta</span> American actor (1954–2022)

Raymond Allen Liotta was an American actor. He first gained attention for his role in the film Something Wild (1986), which earned him a Golden Globe Award nomination. He was best known for his portrayals of Shoeless Joe Jackson in the film Field of Dreams (1989) and Henry Hill in the film Goodfellas (1990). Liotta appeared in numerous other films, including Unlawful Entry (1992), Cop Land (1997), Hannibal (2001), John Q.,Narc, Identity (2003), Killing Them Softly, The Place Beyond the Pines, and Marriage Story (2019).

<i>Police Story</i> (1985 film) 1985 film by Jackie Chan

Police Story is a 1985 Hong Kong action film directed by and starring Jackie Chan, who co-wrote the screenplay with Edward Tang. It is the first film in the Police Story franchise. It features Chan as Hong Kong police detective "Kevin" Chan Ka-Kui, alongside Brigitte Lin and Maggie Cheung. In the film, Ka-Kui helps arrest a drug lord, but must clear his own name after being accused of murder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superhero film</span> Film genre

Superhero films are movies centered around one or several superheroes. These characters typically possess superhuman abilities. Hero ensembles often feature many distinct character archetypes and personalities. Traditionally, the first film in a series about a superhero character focuses on the hero's origin story and introduces the hero's nemesis. Superhero films typically contain genre elements of action, adventure, fantasy, or science fiction, and often address themes of power, justice, morality, and immortality. Although America is best known for the superhero genre, Japan and other countries maintain their own traditions to these movies.

<i>The Other Guys</i> 2010 buddy cop action comedy film by Adam McKay

The Other Guys is a 2010 American buddy cop action comedy film directed by Adam McKay, who co-wrote it with Chris Henchy. It stars Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg with Eva Mendes, Michael Keaton, Steve Coogan, Ray Stevenson, Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne Johnson in supporting roles.

<i>Firewalker</i> (film) 1986 film by J. Lee Thompson

Firewalker is a 1986 American action-adventure comedy film starring Chuck Norris, Louis Gossett Jr., Will Sampson in his final feature film role, and Melody Anderson. It was directed by J. Lee Thompson and written by Norman Aladjem, Robert Gosnell and Jeffrey M. Rosenbaum.

<i>Ramy</i> (TV series) American comedy-drama TV series

Ramy is an American comedy-drama television series that premiered on April 19, 2019, on Hulu. In May 2019, Hulu renewed the series for a second season, which premiered on May 29, 2020. The series stars Ramy Youssef as the titular character. In July 2020, Hulu renewed the series for a third season, which premiered on September 30, 2022.

<i>Solar Opposites</i> American animated sitcom

Solar Opposites is an American adult animated science-fiction sitcom created by Justin Roiland and Mike McMahan for Hulu. Originally created for the Fox Broadcasting Company, the project was shelved before being bought by Hulu and given a two-season order consisting of eight episodes each with the first season premiering on May 8, 2020. In October 2022, the series was renewed for a fifth season which premiered on August 12, 2024. In July 2024, the series was renewed for a sixth season.

<i>The Binge</i> 2020 American comedy film directed by Jeremy Garelick

The Binge is a 2020 American parody film directed by Jeremy Garelick and written by Jordan VanDina. A parody of The Purge, the film stars Skyler Gisondo, Eduardo Franco, Dexter Darden, Vince Vaughn, Grace Van Dien and Zainne Saleh.

<i>Turner & Hooch</i> (TV series) 2021 American action comedy television series

Turner & Hooch is an American buddy cop action-comedy television series based on, and a continuation of, the 1989 film of the same name. The series, created and written by executive producer Matt Nix, serves as a legacy sequel and is produced in association with Flying Glass of Milk Productions, Wonderland Sound and Vision, 20th Television and Disney Branded Television, starring Josh Peck, Lyndsy Fonseca, Carra Patterson, and Vanessa Lengies. It is the third overall installment in the eponymous franchise and premiered on July 21, 2021 as a Disney+ exclusive. The series was canceled after one season.

<i>Dopesick</i> (miniseries) 2021 American drama miniseries

Dopesick is an American drama television miniseries, created by Danny Strong for Hulu. Based on the non-fiction book Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America by Beth Macy, it premiered on October 13, 2021, and concluded on November 17, 2021, after eight episodes. The series was produced by 20th Television, John Goldwyn Productions, and The Littlefield Company. It stars Michael Keaton, Peter Sarsgaard, Michael Stuhlbarg, Will Poulter, John Hoogenakker, Kaitlyn Dever, and Rosario Dawson. The series focuses on how the opioid epidemic started and the people in the U.S. who were impacted by it.

<i>Vacation Friends</i> 2021 American film

Vacation Friends is a 2021 American buddy comedy film directed by Clay Tarver, and co-written by Tom Mullen, Tim Mullen, Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley. The film stars John Cena, Lil Rel Howery, Yvonne Orji, Meredith Hagner, Robert Wisdom, Lynn Whitfield, and Andrew Bachelor.

<i>Only Murders in the Building</i> American television series (2021–present)

Only Murders in the Building is an American mystery comedy drama television series created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman. The show focuses on a trio of strangers with a shared interest in true crime podcasts, who become friends while investigating a succession of suspicious murders in the Arconia, their upscale Upper West Side apartment building, and producing their own podcast about the cases, titled Only Murders in the Building. Its four ten-episode seasons premiered on Hulu in August 2021, June 2022, August 2023, and August 2024. The series was renewed for a fifth season in September 2024.

<i>Reservation Dogs</i> American comedy-drama television series

Reservation Dogs is an American comedy-drama television series created by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi for FX Productions. It follows the lives of Indigenous teenagers in rural Oklahoma, as they try to reconcile their heritage with their desire to escape the limitations of life in their reservation community.

<i>Life & Beth</i> 2022 American comedy-drama TV show

Life & Beth is an American comedy-drama television series created by Amy Schumer, who also stars alongside Violet Young, Michael Cera, Yamaneika Saunders, Michael Rapaport, and Susannah Flood. The show premiered on Hulu on March 18, 2022. In April 2022, the series was renewed for a ten-episode second season. On February 16, 2024, the second season was released. In July 2024, Hulu cancelled the series after two seasons.

<i>Grimcutty</i> 2022 film by John Ross

Grimcutty is a 2022 monster horror film written and directed by John Ross. The film stars Sara Wolfkind, Shannyn Sossamon, Usman Ally, and Callan Farris. It was produced by 20th Digital Studio and Capture. Grimcutty was released on Hulu in United States, on Star+ in Latin America, and on Disney+ internationally. The film generally received negative reviews from critics.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Staff. "Action >> Action Comedy". allmovie.com. Allmovie. Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  2. ↑ Buffam, Noelle (March 12, 2011). "Action". The Script Lab. Archived from the original on February 8, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  3. ↑ Gallagher, Mark (2006). "Restaging Heroic Masculinity". Action Figures: Men, Action Films, and Contemporary Adventure Narratives. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 163. ISBN   978-1-4039-7723-6.
  4. ↑ St. James, Emily (December 9, 2009). "The General". The A.V. Club . Archived from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved December 2, 2022. Perhaps the first action comedy, Buster Keaton's defining 1926 classic The General makes great use of Keaton's laws-of-physics-defying body and face...
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 Vo, Alex (August 10, 2021). "The 50 Best Action-Comedy Movies, Ranked By Tomatometer". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media. Archived from the original on February 18, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Thomas, Leah Marilla (July 30, 2024). "These 35 Comedy Action Movies Add 'Ha Has' To Your 'Pew Pews'". Cosmopolitan . Archived from the original on August 14, 2024. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Calderon, Jenna (September 28, 2020). "The Best Action Comedy Movies of All Time". Men's Health . Archived from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Deadpool & Wolverine | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  9. ↑ Baldwin, Daniel (July 29, 2016). "From Grieco With Love: Remembering 'If Looks Could Kill'". Forbes . Archived from the original on December 27, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  10. ↑ Beard, Matthew (October 23, 2003). "'A-Team' is viewers' most-wanted oldie for prime-time revival". The Independent . Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  11. ↑ Staff (March 14, 2010). "Action Comedy TV: Showrunner Matt Nix". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  12. ↑ Proulx, Mike; Shepatin, Stacey (2012). Social TV: How Marketers Can Reach and Engage Audiences by Connecting Television to the Web, Social Media, and Mobile. Wiley. ISBN   978-1-118-23965-0.
  13. ↑ Butler, Karen (October 10, 2022). "Season 4 of 'Doom Patrol' to premiere on Dec. 8". upi.com. UPI. Archived from the original on October 10, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  14. 1 2 Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN   978-1-5381-0374-6.
  15. 1 2 "Action Comedy". hulu.com. Hulu . Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  16. ↑ Shachat, Sarah (March 12, 2022). "How 'Our Flag Means Death' Built a Realistic but Farcical Pirate Ship". IndieWire . Archived from the original on December 12, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  17. ↑ Truitt, Brian (January 13, 2022). "How HBO Max's 'Peacemaker' became a hair metal superhero spin on the ensemble comedy". USA Today . Archived from the original on December 11, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  18. ↑ Taylor, Larry (2018). "Nomads". John McTiernan: The Rise and Fall of an Action Movie Icon. McFarland. p. 17. ISBN   978-1-4766-3233-9.
  19. ↑ Swift, Andy (September 30, 2014). "Rush Hour TV Series In the Works for CBS from Bill Lawrence, Brett Ratner". TVLine . Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  20. ↑ Nemetz, Dave (July 30, 2020). "Teenage Bounty Hunters Trailer: High School Girls Kick Ass After Class in Netflix's Edgy Action Comedy". TVLine . Archived from the original on July 30, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2022.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.