15 Comedies We Don’t Think Are Funny Anymore

Humor is one of the most subjective things you can have in entertainment media. Taste for it changes depending on the time period and where you are geographically. And yes, technically that applies to all genres, but we can still appreciate the attempt at horror of movies of old. The humor just makes us cringe.

This is why we’ve collected the movies that, at least to us, aren’t that funny anymore. We can remember a time we would laugh with the whole family, and now we don’t want anyone to know we’re even watching them again. Who knows, perhaps in the future, someone might appreciate them again.

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

The central plot twist of this Jim Carrey hit is now widely seen as deeply transphobic. The reveal of the villain is treated as a moment of horror, and Ace’s disgusted reaction after a kiss is played for laughs.

American Pie

This film was a phenomenon, with its brand of raunchy humor polarizing audiences even when it was released in 1999. For many adults rewatching it today, the shock has worn off, leaving behind humor that just feels immature.

Wedding Crashers

A massive critical and commercial success in 2005, the premise of two guys who lie their way into weddings to take advantage of women doesn’t sit as well with some audiences today. Being a hit then doesn’t mean it would be one today.

I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry

This buddy comedy starring Adam Sandler and Kevin James was a box office success, although it already received generally negative reviews from critics at the time. Its humor being based on faking a gay relationship feels lazy and offensive today.

The Hangover

As the tenth-highest-grossing film of 2009, this movie was a cultural reset for comedies. While it was a huge critical and commercial success, some of the jokes and chaotic energy haven’t held up for everyone over a decade later. And the less said about the sequels the better.

Old School

This frat-boy comedy for the 30-something crowd earned mixed reviews from critics upon its release. While it has its fans, many now find its humor to be dated and not quite as clever as they might have remembered.

Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo

Audiences made this movie a box office success, and of course, critics mostly panned it. This comedy received generally negative reviews for a brand of humor that many found to be more cringey than funny, even at the time.

Boat Trip

This film about two straight men who accidentally end up on a gay cruise was panned for its reliance on homophobic stereotypes. It outraged many in the gay community upon its release, having the film be perceived as stunningly offensive.

Tomcats

If you don’t remember this 2001 comedy, you’re not alone. The movie was a critical failure, released to overwhelmingly negative reviews that buried it almost immediately. It’s a prime example of a forgettable and unfunny early 2000s flick.

Norbit

Eddie Murphy plays multiple roles in this film, which was nominated for 8 Golden Raspberry Awards. Critics slammed it for its reliance on crude humor and stereotypes, finding little to laugh about in the mean-spirited script.

Grown Ups

Despite being a box office success, this Adam Sandler ensemble comedy was panned by critics. With an abundance of lazy jokes and a nearly nonexistent plot, its vacation-like vibe may have been more fun for the cast than the audience.

Jack and Jill

Often cited as one of Adam Sandler’s weakest films, this comedy has a reputation for being aggressively unfunny. Not everyone can pull off the ‘multiple characters by a single actor’ trick.

White Chicks

The Wayans brothers’ comedy was nominated for five Golden Raspberry Awards, and critics were not kind. Though it has since developed a cult following, its one-joke premise remains stretched way too thin.

Big Momma’s House

The humor in this film was criticized for commodifying and mocking Black grandmotherhood with demeaning stereotypes. Roger Ebert noted that it “ratcheted down the taste level” with lazy gags, including a particularly prolonged and gross bathroom scene.

Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd

This prequel attempted to show how the iconic duo met in high school, and it failed spectacularly. The film has a reputation for being grating and annoying, with reviews at the time calling it a brutal and laugh-free experience.