Make It Quick: 6 Feel-Good Comedies That Don’t Last Over 100 Minutes
No busy day can keep you from watching these gems. Perfect for weekdays and times when you don't want to spend 3 hours on a movie.
Nothing is more frustrating than wanting to watch a movie, but just being short on time. We've all been there. Our schedules can be absolutely crazy, but we still want to spend some time on our favorite hobby. Yet, after a long day of work or studying, the last thing you want is to commit to a lengthy film that'll keep you up past midnight (though we are all guilty of that).
But there's a great solution that might help you to squeeze that comedy into your busy day. 90-minute (or so) movies can be just as immersive as 3-hour ones.
These are 6 comedies that you won't need to sacrifice your entire evening for to get that much-needed escape.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016): New Zealand's Hidden Treasure
Taika Waititi created one the most wholesome buddy comedies out there.
This charming adventure follows Ricky Baker, a rebellious kid who finds himself in the New Zealand forest with his grumpy foster uncle Hec. When circumstances force them to go on the run together, an unlikely friendship story begins.
The film clocks in at a neat 101 minutes and packs more heart and laughs than some movies twice its length.
What makes it special? The unique Kiwi humor, stunning landscapes and the chemistry between Sam Neill and Julian Dennison.
You can watch Hunt for the Wilderpeople completely free of charge on Kanopy and Plex. This is a great family-get together excuse as well.
Airplane! (1980): A True Classic of All Dark Comedies
If you're looking for a movie that'll make you laugh every single minute, this is it.
Airplane! follows a former pilot with a fear of flying who must land a plane when the crew gets food poisoning. I can see this premise done through some high stakes action genre. And it could be, but I'm so glad it isn't. The movie takes every disaster movie cliche and turns it into the greatest satire ever.
The movie is great for its incredible deadpan performances and the fact that you'll catch new jokes even on your tenth rewatch.
You can catch Airplane! on Hoopla for free. This 87-minute masterpiece is perfect for those nights when you don't have much time and need a guaranteed laugh.
What We Do in the Shadows (2014): Vampire Roommates, Need We Say More?
Another Taika Waititi special, this time collaborating with Jemaine Clement, created some comedy gold by showing the mundane side of immortal life.
The film follows four vampires sharing a house and dealing with typical roommate stuff. It's absolutely packed with deadpan humor and clever takes on vampire mythology. And I would advise you to watch What We Do in the Shadows only for the accents alone. But beyond that, this is a clever, extremely funny and absolutely absurd film.
Coming in at just 85 minutes, this comedy is perfect for when you want something a bit different. The movie is available on Fandango at Home, Amazon Video and Apple TV+.
When Game Night (2018) Goes Hilariously Wrong
If you're into comedies that keep you guessing, Game Night is for you.
Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams play a competitive couple whose regular game night spirals into a real-life mystery. The movie is smart, fast-paced and has some seriously impressive camera work for a comedy.
It also holds the perfect balance between comedy and suspense.
You can catch this 100-minute flick on Plex, Spectrum, Fandango at Home or Apple TV+. It's ideal for a date night or hanging out with friends.
The Way, Way Back (2013): Summer Nostalgia
This coming-of-age story has everything: nostalgia, awkward teenage moments and genuinely heartwarming scenes within just 103 minutes (okay, we did lie a little bit in that headline).
We follow Duncan, a painfully shy 14-year-old forced to spend summer vacation with his family. When he finds refuge working at a local water park, he meets Owen (Sam Rockwell being charismatic as always), who becomes the mentor figure he desperately needed.
Why watch it? It has a pretty stellar cast (including Steve Carell playing against type), the spot-on representation of that weird teenage summer and some seriously quotable dialogue.
You can find The Way, Way Back on Fandango at Home, Amazon Video and Apple TV+.
Palm Springs (2020): Groundhog Day in 21st Century
If you're into quirky rom-coms with a sci-fi twist, this one's got you covered.
Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti star as two wedding guests stuck in a time loop, reliving the same day over and over again. But no, the movie is no Groundhog Day copycat. It's fresh, funny and surprisingly deep without getting too heavy.
At just 90 minutes, Palm Springs manages to explore existential questions while keeping things light and entertaining. You can watch it right now on Hulu.
