15+ best comedies on Disney+ for when you need a laugh

The well-written teenagers have electric chemistry and a whole lot of heart. Why wouldn’t you want to revisit a movie that’s funny, sweet, and nostalgic all at the same time?

2. The Emperor’s New Groove

The Emperor’s New Groove has the self-centered Incan emperor Kuzco (David Spade) attempting to become human again with the help of village leader Pacha (John Goodman) after he’s turned into a llama by his evil ex-advisor Yzma. And, yes, it’s as ridiculous as it sounds.

Disney’s memorable 2000s buddy comedy is a laugh-every-line sort of movie. It’s fast-paced, snappy, and clever in a way few other animations are. Bonus: Yzma (Eartha Kitt) and her sidekick Kronk (Patrick Warburton) will forever be one of the best villainous duos out there.

3. Sister Act

She may be best-known for her role on the daytime talk gabfest The View these days, but Whoopi Goldberg’s wonderfully rich history as a performer and creator — she’s one of Hollywood’s very few EGOT-winning celebs — gave us some of the greatest hits of the ’80s and ’90s. There’s nothing that compares, however, with her standout starring role in the wholesome singing nuns comedy Sister Act.

Goldberg plays Deloris Wilson, a lounge singer who is sent off to hide out in a convent as a protected witness after she sees her crook boyfriend murder a cop. The struggling convent that takes her in is in a rough part of San Francisco, but Wilson’s unwanted living situation suddenly flips when she puts her natural talents as a singer and performer to work on bringing in new congregants.

Filled with catchy song and dance numbers, good-natured laughs, and a cast that also features Maggie Smith, Harvey Keitel, and Kathy Najimy, Sister Act is as special now as it was when it released in 1992.

4. The Princess Bride

As you wish, The Princess Bride can be watched over and over and over again thanks to the magic of streaming. And why wouldn’t you want to see Westley embark upon a massively quotable journey to rescue Princess Buttercup? The cult classic is the perfect comfort watch when you need a little romance, a big adventure, and a lot of laughter.

5. Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

It’s not exactly revolutionary to see live-action performers mixing it up with animated creations on film in our 21st-century world. But it was downright stunning to see in 1988 when director Robert Zemeckis delivered this more adult-oriented story about a fictional 1940s Los Angeles in which Toontown is a real neighborhood where all our favorite cartoon “actors” live. It’s a movie that speaks in the gloomy language of film noir even as it splashes a brilliant array of bright colors across every frame.

Why is Roger Rabbit great? For one, it did the metaverse thing before it was cool, mashing Disney and Looney Tunes together in one movie. It’s also wildly funny, with a standout performance from star Bob Hoskins and charming characterizations from Charles Fleischer, Lou Hirsch, and Kathleen Turner, who voiced Roger, Baby Herman, and Jessica Rabbit, respectively.

Then there’s Christopher Lloyd, who deserves special mention for his performance as the villainous Judge Doom. He’s unforgettable in the role, which sits right next to Lloyd’s work in Clue, two Addams Family movies, three Back to the Future movies, and the TV series Taxi as some of the most iconic characters in Hollywood history.

6. Lilo & Stitch

Mix together aliens, Elvis, and Hawaii, and you’ll get Lilo & Stitch, a 2000s animation that’s just as wacky as it sounds. The sci-fi story catches up with the struggling-to-fit in Lilo after she adopts Stitch, a science-experiment-gone-wrong whom she mistakes for a dog. Lilo’s sarcastic sense of humor in combination with Stitch’s chaotic antics makes for a lot of fun.

Plus, there’s Lilo’s realistic relationship with her sister, which is affected by the loss of their parents and her struggle to fit in, giving the film a deeply human feel.

7. Thor: Ragnarok

If you’re going to watch a single Thor movie, it should be this one.

The third installment in the franchise has the god of thunder racing back to Asgard to battle his revenge-driven sister. But first, he must escape the strange alien planet he’s crash-landed on.

With Taika Waititi serving as director, Ragnarok turns out to be a delightful, colorful, and witty superhero comedy. What isn’t enjoyable about seeing Thor battle Hulk in a tournament, Jeff Goldblum play an eccentric Grandmaster, and Loki get caught in a series of new shenanigans? This film’s snarky script is fully satisfying.

8. Cool Runnings

Cool Runnings is one of the movies fans of John Candy point to as a reminder of what we lost when the Saturday Night Live and SCTV comic left us in 1994 at the far-too-young age of 43. He stars here as Coach Irv Blitzer, a washed-up Olympic bobsledder who coaches an unlikely team of Jamaican sledders into the 1988 Winter Olympics.

The story is inspired by real events, with Candy’s Blitzer amounting to a reimagining of the real-life Olympian-turned-first Jamaican bobsled team coach Howard Siler. Cool Runnings takes a number of liberties with Candy’s character, re-writing Siler’s past around some notable struggles to better shape the contours of Blitzer’s emotional journey. But the movie itself remains a laugh riot, thanks entirely to Candy’s innate charisma and the dynamite performances and chemistry from the four starring sledders: Derice Bannock (Leon Robinson), Sanka Coffie (Doug E. Doug), Junior Bevil (Rawle D. Lewis), and Yul Brenner (Malik Yoba). 

9. Home Alone

Yes, you read that right. You can watch Home Alone on Disney+ even when it’s not Christmas time. And why wouldn’t you?

The ‘90s classic is sentimental and funny, with mischievous 8-year-old Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) wreaking havoc on the thieves who try to break into his house over the holidays. Let’s not forget that Schitt’s Creek’s Catherine O’Hara plays Kevin’s mother, who is just trying to get things under control, darn it!.

10. The Great Muppet Caper

The Great Muppet Caper truly has it all. Kermit and Fozzie Bear playing twin brothers in the most delightful running gag. A rollicking song and dance number from Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem. Cameos from Peter Falk, Peter Ustinov, and John Cleese. And best of all, a heist-centric story featuring Charles Grodin as the villain.

There are no truly bad Muppet movies. Even the shaky ones are joyously sweet and wholesome. But The Great Muppet Caper is an all-timer among all-timers.

11. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

Rick Moranis is all the reason you need to indulge in this miniaturized comedy adventure. The Ghostbusters fave stars Wayne Szalinski, a scientist and inventor whose tinkering at home results in the creation of a real, working shrink ray. Shenanigans and hilarity ensue when Wayne’s two kids, along with their neighbors’ two kids, are caught in the device’s beam.

When the four miniaturized adolescents end up getting tossed out with the trash and stranded in the Szalinski family’s less-than-well-kept yard, everyday objects and harmless insects become major obstacles and deadly threats to overcome. It’s a sweet and breezy movie at just over 90 minutes, and one that’s guaranteed to keep a smile plastered on your face the whole time.

12. The Simpsons Movie

No one ever thought it would actually happen. It’s hard to imagine it ever happening again. But in 2007, The Simpsons Movie became a reality. And hey, it’s pretty good.

While most Simpsons diehards will tell you that the hit Fox series’ best days came and went during the ’90s, this feature-length take on the Simpson family’s antics makes the case that it still had plenty of laughs in the tank for 21st-century audiences. The plot is classic Simpsons: When one of Homer’s schemes leaves Lake Springfield dangerously polluted, the U.S. government embraces an unusual solution of encasing the entire town within a giant, unbreakable dome.

The situation snowballs wildly from there in completely unexpected directions — another Simpsons signature — before the town is finally saved. It’s hard to shake the feeling that this feature-length movie is just three episodes strung together, but it’s also hard to care too much when you’ve got the beloved TV cast joined by the likes of Albert Brooks, Joe Mantegna, all three members of Green Day, and Tom Hanks.

13. Toy Story 2

Disney+ is home to all four Toy Story films and a bunch of accompanying shorts. But while it’s hard to pick a favorite, Toy Story 2 is a strong — and hilarious — contender for the best. The 1999 sequel sends Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and his friends on a journey to rescue Woody (Tom Hanks) after he is stolen by a toy collector.

While it gives a spotlight to all the personality-filled characters of the original, it also introduces cowgirl Jessie, Woody’s horse pal Bullseye, and the devious Utility Belt Buzz Lightyear. Though it features strong voice work and lots of spirit, its top-notch storytelling is what makes it stand out.

14. Guardians of the Galaxy

If you like the idea of a group of misfit space criminals getting together to hopefully save the universe, Guardians of the Galaxy is probably your thing. You’ve got the thrill of a galactic superhero quest and the kind of zany humor that’s bred when you force a bunch of big, competing personalities to work together.

Like most Marvel movies, Guardians shows off a talented ensemble cast that includes Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, and Bradley Cooper. Uniquely, there’s the awesome bonus of a rocking soundtrack loaded with ‘60s and ’70s hits.

15. Monsters, Inc.

Get Billy Crystal and John Goodman together for a movie about monsters that run into a little human trouble at an energy factory, and you get this.

Monsters, Inc. remains one of Pixar’s greatest, with Goodman playing the kind, hardworking Sulley and Crystal taking on Mike, his goofier, anxiety-ridden assistant. Together, they churn out an agreeable tale that’s full of humor and heart.

16. The Incredibles

The Incredibles is a superhero story, family drama, and action comedy all in one — and boy, does it make the most of its genres. The film’s made entertaining by Mr. Incredible, who heads off to complete a secret mission on an island in hopes or reliving his glory days as a hero; Mrs. Incredible, who chases after him in hopes of saving their marriage; and their kids Violet and Dash, who sneak along for the adventure.

An immersive story with relatable characters, talented voice work, retrofuturistic style, and a swingin’ soundtrack? Sure seems like it’ll save the day.

17. Enchanted

If you’ve ever snorted at Disney’s penchant for love at first sight or too-perfect princesses, Enchanted is the movie for you.

Giselle (Amy Adams) lives in a perfect animated fairy tale until her beloved prince’s evil stepmother banishes her to present-day New York City. The ensuing adventure is a brilliant deconstruction of Disney tropes full of wit, charm, and excellent musical numbers. Seriously, good luck getting “That’s How You Know” out of your head once you’ve heard it. Adams in particular knocks it out of the park as Giselle, perfectly embodying a Disney Princess through a combination of earnestness and wide-eyed enthusiasm.

18. Three Men and a Baby

Three Men and a Baby isn’t just an adorably wholesome comedy about a trio of New York City-dwelling bachelor boys who suddenly find themselves caring for an infant. It’s also awash with fun facts.

For example, did you know this movie was directed by Leonard Nimoy, one of only a handful helmed by the Star Trek star? It was a massive hit, too, grossing more at the box office than any other U.S. release in 1987, the year the movie came out. Three Men and a Baby also marks only the second feature film role for Dave Foley, the Canadian actor and comic who co-founded The Kids in the Hall.

The story is so sweet, too. Ted Danson, Tom Selleck, and Steve Guttenberg(!!) are the starring bachelors who end up being saddled with an unlikely infant when she shows up at their door along with a note which names Danson’s Jack Holden as the father. It’s a classic fish-out-of-water story with the wholesome twist of three (relatively tame, admittedly) single dudes learning to tap into their sensitive sides and embrace positive male behaviors.

It’s undeniably a product of its time, but Three Men and a Baby remains a lovely laugh machine driven by three Hollywood stars at the top of their game.