The purpose of comedy movies is to bring laughter out of people, but over the years, the tendency has been for films in this genre to become a little too placid in a bid not to offend anybody. That’s not something that every movie has dealt with, though, as plenty don’t mind crossing the line to risk offending a few people in a bid to bring some hilarious moments.
The Interview
Any movie that ends up being banned in one country has likely crossed the line in some form, and that’s certainly the case with The Interview. This movie wasn’t allowed to air in North Korea due to the satirical manner in which the country’s leader was shown. The film certainly pushed the boundaries regarding political jokes, and Seth Rogen and James Franco’s personalities were crucial in making it work.
Bad Santa
When it comes to Christmas movies, the expectation is that they are family-friendly, wholesome, and filled with magical moments. But that’s not the case with Bad Santa, which is one of the reasons it’s such a popular movie with adults. It’s packed with rude jokes that cross the line for a film within this genre.
Between Two Ferns: The Movie
Few actors are better at producing jokes with such dry delivery as Zach Galifianakis, and that’s most evident in Between Two Ferns: The Movie. This interview-style movie sees him going around speaking to various actors who play exaggerated versions of themselves. The questions asked are risky and controversial, creating an awkward atmosphere that is hilarious to witness.
Jackass Number Two
Any of the Jackass movies are examples of films that crossed the line, but Jackass Number Two is filled with some of the craziest stunts possible. While this one doesn’t follow a typical narrative, the film’s various segments push the boundaries of what is acceptable to be showcased.
American Pie
American Pie is a hilarious coming-of-age movie that follows a group of friends as they prepare for prom. It features many incredible scenes, such as the famous scene involving a literal pie. Nothing is held back in this one, and that’s one of the reasons why it’s stood the test of time and is still seen as a classic today.
Bachelor Party
Tom Hanks has been involved in many movies throughout his career, many of which have been family-friendly. But Bachelor Party is anything but that, which is one of the reasons it’s so entertaining. There are plenty of risky jokes and experimental comedic moments, and that works perfectly for the story.
Sausage Party
Animated comedy movies are a rarity, but the majority of them don’t end up being adult-themed. That’s where Sausage Party is different. This movie is all about various foods from inside a store, which seems child-friendly on paper until the jokes are heard. The movie takes crude to the next level, and while many of them don’t end up being funny, the movie certainly pushes the boundaries.
Trading Places
Eddie Murphy’s rise to fame came from his role in Trading Places, which showcased what the comedic actor is capable of. The movie touched on topics of race, and the incredible one-liners and quick-witted jokes were ahead of their time and proved perfect, even if they pushed the limits of what was acceptable.
Tropic Thunder
Tropic Thunder is the type of movie that wouldn’t be allowed today due to Robert Downey Jr. doing blackface, and that’s just one example of how this film sometimes pushed the boundaries. The way the characters acted and the fact that nothing was off-topic in terms of jokes ensured this would get people talking.
This Is The End
This is a natural disaster movie with a twist, considering it’s packed with celebrity cameos, as this one has a huge ensemble cast. The movie held nothing back from start to finish, pushing the boundaries with Emma Watson even legitimately walking off-set at one point due to a scene being too far for her.
Team America: World Police
Team America: World Police pairs an anti-terrorist force with an actor as they work together to deal with various terrorist crimes. Despite the characters all being puppets, that doesn’t stop this one from being incredibly rude and filled with jokes that some people could find offensive. The plot and the dialogue are the complete opposite of how this looks, given the puppetry, but that’s one of the reasons it’s so funny.
The Nutty Professor
The Nutty Professor features Eddie Murphy in the lead role. The entire film is packed with jokes about weight, which might not be deemed acceptable now. This gives an idea of how much society has changed, making this such a controversial story upon reflection.
Saved!
Most comedy movies avoid religion due to how divisive it can be. There’s always a high chance of offending someone, but that didn’t stop Saved! from satirizing it. It’s one of the reasons many people enjoy this movie, but there’s no doubt that it crosses the line with certain jokes.
Dogma
Dogma is another movie that opts to take religion and make it the central focus of the comedy within the movie. The fact that it’s unavailable on any streaming platform shows how controversial it was at times. The plot focused on the church, which certainly offended many people.
The Dictator
Sacha Baron Cohen never has any problems being controversial, and The Dictator is an excellent example of that. The film pokes fun at various issues, such as politics and sexism, and the jokes are often potentially offensive. It’s a style of comedy that speaks to certain people and offends others, depending on people’s tastes.
50/50
50/50 focuses on a cancer patient and his friend coming to terms with the situation they find themselves in because of the diagnosis. It’s a heavy topic and something that impacts many people, and considering the profound sadness that can surround this, it’s not a surprise that many don’t find any elements of humor. But there are a lot of cancer survivors or people who’ve lost loved ones who can relate to some funnier aspects, which is why there are heartwarming aspects to the film.
South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut
Best known as a popular television show, the South Park series has never been one to shy away from controversy. This movie was no different, providing fans with exactly what they wanted regarding social commentary and sharing opinions through the characters that many think but others will be offended by.
Police Academy
A movie poking fun at the police might’ve created a running series back in the 1980s, but today it’s unlikely to be made. It’s a hilarious movie, which is why it’s so popular. But that doesn’t stop it from being full of adult humor.
Monty Python’s Life Of Brian
Many people found Monty Python’s Life Of Brian blasphemous, and the focus on religion did not go down well with many. It proved highly controversial, to the point where people protested against it because they were offended.
Four Lions
A comedy movie about four friends who want to become terrorists certainly pushes the boundaries of what is acceptable. Considering the nature of the topic, there’s no doubt that many people could be offended by this one, which is filled with satire to create some hilarious scenes.
Borat
Borat is a movie filled with controversy. Sacha Baron Cohen plays the lead role as he heads to America to film a documentary. Various scenes push the boundaries, such as the hotel fight, while the different political comments got many people talking at the time. But it gained a lot of attention, helping to make it a success.
