7 iconic buddy comedies to stream right now
7 iconic buddy comedies to stream right now
A night out with your best friends is still the best night ever.
I saw “One of Them Days” in theaters over the weekend and I have to recommend it. It’s a buddy comedy that follows two best friends (Keke Palmer and SZA) who are trying to make rent before they’re kicked out of their apartment. The film is funny and heartfelt – the two leads have a ton of chemistry, you believe they’ve been best friends for a decade – and the plot is wild and entertaining. Ultimately, it’s about what buddy comedies are about: a great friendship that makes each person better. It got me thinking about other awesome buddy comedies out there – so, here are my favorite top seven buddy comedy movies you can stream right now.
Top 7 buddy comedy movies you can stream right now
No. 7: ‘Rush Hour’ (1998) | Netflix
Coming in at No. 7 on the list of top buddy comedies is the action-packed classic, “Rush Hour.” This 1998 hit stars Jackie Chan as the disciplined and highly skilled Hong Kong detective Lee, who is paired with Chris Tucker’s loud-mouthed, rule-breaking LAPD officer Carter. The two couldn’t be more different, which sets up plenty of comedic clashes as they’re forced to work together to rescue the kidnapped daughter of a Chinese diplomat. What makes “Rush Hour” unforgettable is the chemistry between Chan and Tucker - their back-and-forth banter and mismatched personalities create nonstop laughs, while their growing mutual respect gives the movie heart. Packed with martial arts action, sharp humor, and a surprising amount of warmth, it’s the ultimate fish-out-of-water buddy comedy that still holds up.
Rush Hour
When Hong Kong Inspector Lee is summoned to Los Angeles to investigate a kidnapping, the FBI doesn’t want any outside help and assigns cocky LAPD Detective James Carter to distract Lee from the case. Not content to watch the action from the sidelines, Lee and Carter form an unlikely partnership and investigate the case themselves.
No. 6: ‘Booksmart’ (2019) | Rent with Prime Video
Coming in at No. 6 is “Booksmart,” a fresh and hilarious twist on the high school buddy comedy. Directed by Olivia Wilde, the film follows overachieving best friends Molly (Beanie Feldstein) and Amy (Kaitlyn Dever), who realize on the eve of graduation that they’ve spent too much time studying and not enough time having fun.
Determined to cram four years of missed partying into one unforgettable night, the duo embarks on a chaotic, laugh-out-loud adventure filled with awkward encounters, unexpected insights, and the unshakable bond of friendship. I think what makes “Booksmart” stand out is the authentic chemistry between Feldstein and Dever, who bring depth, warmth, and plenty of charm to their characters. Balancing outrageous humor with heartfelt moments, it’s a modern coming-of-age story that’s as smart as it is funny.
Booksmart
Two academic teenage superstars realize, on the eve of their high school graduation, that they should have worked less and played more. Determined to never fall short of their peers, the girls set out on a mission to cram four years of fun into one night.
No. 5: ’21 Jump Street’ (2012) | Max
This is one movie I didn’t see until a few years ago when my wife looked at me and said: “You haven’t seen “21 Jump Street”?!” And so we watched it. And I’m glad I did! The film is a reimagining of the classic ’80s TV show that follows Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum as Schmidt and Jenko, two former high school classmates turned mismatched rookie cops who are sent undercover to bust a high school drug ring.
Their mission quickly spirals into chaos as they struggle to fit in with Gen Z students, swapping roles from their own high school days - Schmidt’s now popular, and Jenko’s stuck with the nerds. The heart of the movie is the hilarious chemistry between Hill and Tatum, who nail both the comedic and surprisingly heartfelt moments. Packed with sharp humor, clever nods to the original series, and over-the-top action, “21 Jump Street” delivers on every level, making it a standout in the buddy comedy genre.
21 Jump Street
When cops Schmidt and Jenko join the secret Jump Street unit, they use their youthful appearances to go undercover as high school students. They trade in their guns and badges for backpacks, and set out to shut down a dangerous drug ring. But, as time goes on, Schmidt and Jenko discover that high school is nothing like it was just a few years earlier — and, what’s more, they must again confront the teenage terror and anxiety they thought they had left behind.
No. 4: ‘Dumb and Dumber’ (1994) | Rent with Prime Video
Coming in at No. 4 is one of my favorite movies: “Dumb and Dumber.” Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels star as Lloyd and Harry, two dim-witted but lovable best friends who head out on a cross-country road trip to return a briefcase full of cash to its rightful owner.
Along the way, they deliver some of the most iconic moments in movie history – from taping a bird’s head back on and selling it to a blind kid to skipping out on their bill with the old “he’s picking up the tab” trick, to freezing themselves to a scooter in Aspen, to killing a rare bird with a champagne cork, to the classic line… “so you’re telling me there’s a chance,” – it’s one iconic moment after another. But the real comedic genius of the film lies in Carrey and Daniels’ commitment to their over-the-top characters, whose pure-hearted friendship balances out their sheer idiocy. “Dumb and Dumber” is one buddy comedy that will never disappoint.
Dumb and Dumber
Lloyd and Harry are two men whose stupidity is really indescribable. When Mary, a beautiful woman, loses an important suitcase with money before she leaves for Aspen, the two friends (who have found the suitcase) decide to return it to her. After some “adventures” they finally get to Aspen where, using the lost money they live it up and fight for Mary’s heart.
No. 3: ‘Step Brothers’ (2008) | Peacock
Few actors have made a larger impact on the last 20 years of comedy than Will Ferrel – and he’s at his best next to John C. Reilly in the classic sibling buddy comedy, “Step Brothers,” coming in at No. 3. Ferrell and Reilly star as Brennan and Dale, two immature, unemployed adults forced to live together after their parents get married.
Their initial hatred for each other leads to ridiculous chaos, from destroying their shared bedroom during a fight to building a homemade bunk bed that collapses in spectacular fashion. But as they discover their shared interests - like their love for velociraptors and John Stamos – they quickly become best friends. The film delivers some of the most quotable lines of the 2000s, including “Did we just become best friends?!” while Ferrell and Reilly’s chemistry cements them as comedy stars for all time.
Step Brothers
Brennan Huff and Dale Doback might be grown men. But that doesn’t stop them from living at home and turning into jealous, competitive stepbrothers when their single parents marry. Brennan’s constant competition with Dale strains his mom’s marriage to Dale’s dad, leaving everyone to wonder whether they’ll ever see eye to eye.
No. 2: ‘The Hangover’ (2009) | Max
Coming in at No. 2 is “The Hangover,” a wild and endlessly quotable buddy comedy that turns a bachelor party into total chaos. The movie follows three groomsmen - Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), and Alan (Zach Galifianakis) - who wake up in a trashed Las Vegas hotel room with no memory of the previous night and no sign of the groom, Doug.
Now, I know it’s not a true buddy comedy as it follows a trio instead of two best friends, but the film captures the spirit of camaraderie and conflict the genre is known for. “The Hangover” was such a hit that it spawned a trilogy and made stars out of all three leads while proving that over-the-top humor and wild storylines could be huge hits at the box office. And it set the tone for a lot of comedies in the 2010s, inspiring a wave of movies that tried to capture its same magic – and most failing.
The Hangover
When three friends finally come to after a raucous night of bachelor-party revelry, they find a baby in the closet and a tiger in the bathroom. But they can’t seem to locate their best friend, Doug – who’s supposed to be tying the knot. Launching a frantic search for Doug, the trio perseveres through a nasty hangover to try to make it to the church on time.
No. 1: ‘Superbad’ (2007) | Rent on Prime Video
The highest form of art is that which inspires YOU (the audience) to try and make something of your own. And for me, “Superbad,” is one of those movies that inspired me to become a writer myself. Plus, it’s a comedy classic that helped redefine the coming-of-age genre while launching the careers of its stars. Directed by Greg Mottola and written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, the film is a semi-autobiographical take on the duo’s own high school friendship. Jonah Hill and Michael Cera play best friends, Seth and Evan, two socially awkward teens trying to make the most of their last few weeks of high school by scoring alcohol for a party - and hopefully winning over their crushes. Along the way, they’re joined by their eccentric friend Fogell, played by Christopher Mintz-Plasse, whose fake ID as “McLovin” becomes an iconic piece of pop culture.
I love the chemistry between Hill and Cera - I totally believe they are best friends in a way that captures the intensity of teenage friendship in high school. Their characters feel real and relatable, while the outrageous scenarios add a ton of laugh-out-loud moments (“What’s that stain on your pants??”). The film not only became a defining comedy of its era but also a breakout for its stars, establishing Hill and Cera (and Emma Stone) as leading names in Hollywood. With sharp writing, endlessly quotable lines, and a perfect mix of absurdity and authenticity, “Superbad” remains a gold standard for both buddy comedies and coming-of-age stories.
Superbad
Two co-dependent high school seniors are forced to deal with separation anxiety after their plan to stage a booze-soaked party goes awry.