The 15 Funniest Jokes Ever Shown On Screen, Our Picks

Some jokes are just a cut above the rest, somehow getting better even after you’ve watched the same scene twenty times and know exactly what’s coming. A perfectly timed reaction, a ridiculous misunderstanding, or one completely unexpected line can turn a few seconds of screen time into something people quote for decades. Movies and television have given us plenty of those moments, often involving characters who take themselves far too seriously. Picking just 15 is practically an invitation to argue, but that’s part of the fun. These are our picks for 15 of the funniest jokes ever delivered on screen.

Don’t Call Me Shirley

In Airplane! (1980), Leslie Nielsen’s Dr. Rumack responds to a perfectly reasonable question with one of cinema’s most spectacularly unnecessary corrections, delivered without the slightest hint of a smile.

The Fire Drill Nobody Survived Gracefully

Dwight’s fake fire drill in The Office sends everyone into a panic, but Angela throwing her cat toward Oscar in the ceiling is the moment that completely steals the scene.

The Marine Biologist’s Big Reveal

George’s dramatic whale rescue story in Seinfeld ends with him producing a golf ball, which Kramer recognizes as his own spectacularly misplaced shot.

The Backstreet Boys Lineup

Jake turns a police lineup into an enthusiastic performance of “I Want It That Way” in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, temporarily forgetting he’s supposed to be identifying a killer.

The Dead Dove Warning

Michael finds a paper bag labeled “Dead Dove, Do Not Eat!” in the refrigerator on Arrested Development, opens it anyway, and immediately regrets checking.

Skinner’s Steamed Hams

Principal Skinner serves Superintendent Chalmers fast-food burgers in The Simpsons, invents an elaborate regional explanation, and somehow ends up defending a kitchen fire.

The Two Yutes Problem

In My Cousin Vinny (1992), Joe Pesci’s Brooklyn accent completely derails a courtroom discussion when the judge demands an explanation of what exactly a “yute” is.

Ross and His Paste Pants

Ross gets stuck in his leather pants on Friends, mixes lotion with powder, and calls Joey for help, only to receive the brilliant suggestion of making pants out of the resulting paste.

Nandor Discovers Creepy Paper

Nandor goes shopping for party decorations in What We Do in the Shadows and becomes delighted by “creepy paper,” despite Guillermo repeatedly explaining that it’s actually crepe paper.

Straight to Jail

Fred Armisen’s visiting official in Parks and Recreation enthusiastically lists offenses deserving jail time, including undercooking fish, overcooking chicken, and missing a dentist appointment.

The Dean’s Peanut Bar Rap

Dean Pelton enters Community dressed as a giant candy bar to announce delayed paychecks, then launches into an increasingly frantic rap that leaves even him visibly shaken.

So You’re Telling Me There’s a Chance

Lloyd asks Mary about his romantic chances in Dumb and Dumber (1994), hears that they’re roughly one in a million, and somehow takes that as wonderful news.

It’s Just the One Swan

In Hot Fuzz (2007), Nicholas Angel investigates an escaped swan while Danny politely corrects someone who asks whether they’ve had any luck catching multiple swans.

Inconceivable, Apparently

Vizzini keeps shouting “Inconceivable!” in The Princess Bride (1987), until Inigo Montoya finally points out that he probably doesn’t understand his favorite word.

She Doesn’t Even Go Here

During the emotional school assembly in Mean Girls (2004), Damian abruptly points out that the girl delivering a heartfelt speech doesn’t actually attend their school.