Independent Comedy Movies

Independent comedy movies are the perfect remedy if you like your humor a little on the subversive side. While most Hollywood laffers are trying to lure the entire family into the local multiplex, these indie pics are thumbing their noses at convention and dealing with such diverse topics as slackers, drag queens, and a rug that really ties the room together.

Indie Comedies

Below, I’ve put together a selection of indie comedies worth recommending to our readers. There are plenty more out there, too, so don’t think this entry is meant to be comprehensive. For additional indie comedies, be sure to check out the year-by-year rundowns elsewhere on the site.

Clerks (1994) - Shot in the same convenience store where he worked, “Clerks” marked the impressive director (and acting) debut of indie sensation Kevin Smith. Following a day in the life of two dissatisfied twenty-somethings, Dante (Brian O’Halloran) and Randal (Jeff Anderson), “Clerks” includes philosophical musings on love, death, and the supposed innocence of the Death Star construction workers in “Return of the Jedi.” A true indie film, Smith partly financed the black-and-white motion picture by selling off part of his comic book collection and maxing out numerous credit cards.
Monty Python's Life Of Brian (1979) - The lads from Monty Python were scheduled to take on organized religion, but their financial backers got cold feet and backed out when they finally got around to reading the script…just days before filming was to begin. But George Harrison of The Beatles came to the rescue, creating Handmade Films so that the lads could continue on with their tale of Brian Cohen, a young Jew who’s born a few doors down from Jesus and is later mistaken for the Messiah. An uproarious look at the mind-numbing power of religion, the film was labeled blasphemous by many and even banned in Norway (which provided more marketing fodder for the film).
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994) - Needing to get from Sydney to a gig in the town of Alice Springs, three drag queens (Terence Stamp, Guy Pearce, and Hugo Weaving) load onto a tour bus dubbed “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” and head off across the Australian Outback. And whether they’re dancing with Aborigines along the way or dodging homophobic locals, these ladies do it in style. Needless to say, this film has remained near-and-dear to the hearts of the gay community, and Sydney even gave a nod to its international success during the closing ceremonies of the 2000 Olympic Games.
Sideways (2004) - With college roommate and old pal Jack Cole (Thomas Haden Church) on the verge of getting married, struggling writer Miles Raymond (Paul Giamatti) takes him on a trip through the California wine country. Jack hooks up with one of the locals (Sandra Oh), not bothering to mention his impending wedding. Miles, meanwhile, tries to connect with a lovely waitress played by Virginia Madsen. Smart, funny, and featuring the wonderful Giamatti at his best.
The Big Lebowski (1998) - The Coen brothers turn out another quirky classic, this time about a slacker nicknamed The Dude (Jeff Bridges) who inadvertently gets caught up in a kidnapping plot. Also starring John Goodman, John Turturro, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Now regarded as a cult classic, the film has inspired the annual Lebowski Fest.
Napoleon Dynamite (2004) - Made by Mormon filmmakers Jared and Jerusha Hess (“Nacho Libre”), this charming indie comedy stars John Heder as a nerdy Idaho teen fascinated with nunchucks and tetherball. Filled with bizarre characters and minimalist dialogue, the film offers a sweet ending and a positive overall message that love (and/or friendship) can conquer all.
In the Company Of Men (1997) - Not all independent comedy films are bright and sunny, and this debut from director Neil LaBute is a perfect example. Away from their home office for six weeks, a pair of middle management types (Aaron Eckhart and Matt Malloy) decide to sooth their frustrations with the opposite gender by simultaneously dating an insecure female and then dumping her. They choose a deaf co-worker (Stacy Edwards).
Swingers (1996) - Vince Vaughn and John Favreau put their names on the Hollywood map in this tale of struggling actors in Los Angeles during the swing boom of the 1990s. Made on a budget of $250,000, the screenplay was written by Favreau in the span of two weeks.
House Party (1990) - Written and directed by Reginald Hudlin and co-produced by brother Warrington Hudlin, this hip hop comedy stars Christopher “Kid” Reid and Christopher “Play” Martin (of Kid ‘n Play fame) as a couple of teens looking to stay out of trouble long enough to attend the biggest party of the year. The supporting cast includes Robin Harris, Martin Lawrence and Tisha Campbell.
Heathers (1989) - Fed up with the antics of the “Heathers,” the three most popular girls at Westerberg High School, Veronica Sawyer (Winona Ryder) unwittingly teams up with a sinister drifter named J.D. (Christian Slater) to dispense some lethal revenge. A darkly comical look at teen angst, Brad Pitt tried out for the lead role but was viewed as being “too nice” to pull it off. It’s just as well, though, as Slater is a hoot doing his best Nicholson impersonation.
She's Gotta Have It (1986) - Spike Lee makes his feature film debut in this comedy about an independent young woman (Tracy Camilla Johns) balancing romantic relationships with three very different men (including Lee in his famous Mars Blackman persona).
Dazed and Confused (1993) - Richard Linklater directs this coming of age comedy about the last day of high school in a 1976 Texas town. The cast is filled with future stars, including Matthew McConaughey, Milla Jovovich, Ben Affleck, Adam Goldberg, Jason London and Rory Cochrane. If you’re a fan of classic rock, this one will quickly top your list of the top independent comedy movies.
Pink Flamingos (1972) - John Waters, master of the hilariously grotesque, helms this cult classic comedy about an overweight drag queen (Divine) trying to retain her title of “the filthiest person alive.” She does, too, by eating a real dog turd, killing cops (and eating them), engaging in incestuous oral sex, and executing a pair of rivals found guilty of “assholism.” Those not possessing a strong stomach should stay away, while more hardy viewers won’t be able to stop laughing.
Stranger Than Paradise (1984) - Considered one of the most influential independent films of the 1980s, this Jim Jarmusch absurdist classic follows a hipster named Willie (John Lurie) as he gets to know his Hungarian cousin (Eszter Balint), hangs out with pal Eddie (former Sonic Youth drummer Richard Edson), and bets on some dogs and horses. Breaking with many of the established conventions of filmmaking, “Stranger Than Paradise” drew a blueprint for the indie filmmakers who followed.
Living in Oblivion (1995) - Inspired by the frustration he encountered while making “Johnny Suede,” indie director Tom DiCillo turned out this dark comedy about a harried filmmaker (Steve Buscemi) trying desperately to complete shooting despite numerous problems both behind and in front of the camera.
Hollywood Shuffle (1987) - Filled with parodies of other films, Robert Townsend directed, produced, starred and co-wrote this tale of a struggling actor in Hollywood. Co-starring Keenan Ivory Wayans and Damon Wayans, the film was financed by Townsend’s credit cards and went on to make over $5 million at the box office.
The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) - Shot in two days on a budget of $30,000, this dark farce from director Roger Corman is about a floral assistant who tends to a plant that craves human blood. Jack Nicholson and Dick Miller provide the familiar faces, and the 1986 musical remake drew raves from critics.
Slacker (1991) - Richard Linklater’s independent comedy throws out the plot and focuses instead on some of the quirky characters to be found in the city of Austin, Texas. The camera moves from scene to scene like an interested observer, never staying with any group of performers for too long. A major contributor to the independent film boom of the 90s, “Slacker” has been frequently cited by Kevin Smith as his inspiration for “Clerks.”