Ever since the days of Ancient Greece, comedy has been a major part of life. It’s often difficult to find humor in tragedies and we are always on the lookout for laughs that will make our day.

One way to do this is by watching dark comedies. These movies can be some great ways to watch people suffer through their problems with laughter and entertainment.

Dark comedy is a genre of humor that deals with subjects that are generally unpleasant or taboo.

Dark comedy can be found in most films and television shows, but there’s also plenty of written dark comedy out there too.

What Is Dark Comedy?

Dark comedy plays with this idea of darkness by making people laugh at things that are usually not funny.

Sometimes it’s just the contrast between being happy and then suddenly becoming sad or angry that makes us laugh.

The creators of dark humor find ways to make you feel both emotions at once which is why some people call it “black” comedy because we’re laughing but also feeling bad for the person who’s telling their story.

There are many forms of dark humor including sarcasm, irony, satire, black comedy, gallows humor and morbid jokes.

Do you find the world’s current events to be a bit overwhelming? Have you been wondering if there is any hope for humanity left? If so, may we introduce you to the dark comedy.

Dark comedy is a genre of film that blends humor and tragedy in order to make light of difficult situations. It can also refer to an individual joke or act that has tragic elements- it depends on how it’s used.

Best Dark Comedy Movies

What are the best dark comedy movies? Many people will say that some of the most popular dark comedies have been made in recent years.

Check out these great recommendations for your next Netflix binge! Other streaming platforms are available!

In Bruges (2008)

In Bruges, a movie starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, is an interesting tale of two hitmen who have been sent to Bruges to lie low. What makes this film so intriguing is that it was filmed entirely in the beautiful city of Bruges.

Sit back and enjoy as you watch these two men find their way around one of the most charming cities in Europe.

In Bruges is a movie about two hitmen who are sent to the beautiful medieval city of Bruges, Belgium.

The film was written and directed by Martin McDonagh and stars Colin Farrell as Ray, Brendan Gleeson as Ken, Ralph Feinnes as Harry Waters Jr., Frances McDormand as Margaret Fitzgerald, and Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson as Chloë Hanssen.

Death At A Funeral (2007)

Death at a Funeral is an interesting and unique movie. The tone of the film is very dark, even though it’s about a funeral.

There are many funny moments in the film that can make you laugh out loud if this is your kind of humor.

It features some well-known actors like Matthew Macfadyen, Rupert Graves and Keeley Hawes who portray their characters well with comedic timing as they play off each other to create memorable scenes together.

The film follows two days in which family members struggle to deal with their feelings and emotions for one another, while also trying to prepare for the funeral service.

While many films tend to make fun or poke fun at funerals, this one does not do so in any way.

Instead, it takes on a realistic tone and brings up real topics such as infidelity, sibling rivalry, and grief during these tough times.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a 1998 film adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson’s novel of the same name starring Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, and Gary Busey.

The film was directed by Terry Gilliam and has become a cult classic for its dark humor, animated sequences, cinematography, performances (particularly those by Johnny Depp), sound design/scores (by Christopher Young), and editing.

The movie follows journalist Raoul Duke on his search for the American Dream with his attorney Dr Gonzo as they drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas with their “motorcycle chauffeur” named Larry who can’t seem to be able to stay awake while driving the car at night.

Along the way travel to Las Vegas during the 1970s where they ingest massive amounts of drugs over a period of three days with the intent to experience what Thompson called “the whole thing.”

Office Space (1999)

In 1999, Mike Judge released a movie called Office Space. The film explores the mundane world of office life and satirizes corporate culture.

It was very well received by critics and audiences alike, grossing $12 million domestically against an estimated production budget of $10 million.

Yet despite its success in theaters, it has since been overshadowed by other comedies from the 1990s such as ‘The Big Lebowski’ or ‘There’s Something About Mary.’

Office Space is about an ordinary guy who works in a company where he feels out of place and unappreciated. The movie not only makes people laugh but also inspires them to take up new challenges and rethink their careers.

What We Do In The Shadows (2014)

The film What We Do in the Shadows takes a comedic look at life for vampires who have been living as roommates together since 1843.

The movie is directed by Taika Waititi and stars Jemaine Clement, Jonathan Brugh, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer, Stu Rutherford, Ben Fransham.

It is about four vampire friends who share a house in Wellington (in New Zealand) – Viago (Taika Waititi), Deacon (Jonathan Brugh), Vladislav (Jemaine Clement) and Petyr (Ben Fransham).

Viago is an old-school vampire with traditional values; he’s very much into wearing Victorian clothing including a top hat and cape.

This movie is a parody of vampire movies and our society’s obsession with them. It has been said that this film was a success in recreating what it’s like being an undead creature living in New Zealand during the 21st century.

Burn After Reading (2008)

Burn After Reading was released in 2008 and stars George Clooney, John Malkovich, Frances McDormand, Brad Pitt, Tilda Swinton and Richard Jenkins.

The film is a black comedy that tells the story of an intelligence analyst who has been having an affair with her boss for years.

When she finds out he’s been using her to spy on his wife by reading her emails, she decides to take revenge by re-sending some of them to his wife. It was directed by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen.

The plot concerns a group of employees at an intelligence company who try to figure out who sent them top-secret information on its way to the “Big Boss” (David Rasche) only to have it intercepted by an unknown person or organization that plans to sell it back for profit.

Sightseers (2012)

Sightseers is a 2012 British horror-comedy film directed by Ben Wheatley. The movie follows two friends who spend their holiday in the English countryside, and soon discover that their charming surroundings are not as idyllic as they seemed.

The story of Sightseers alternates between two different narratives: one following Chris (Steve Oram) and Tina (Alice Lowe), an odd couple of serial killers/sightseeing enthusiasts.

The other following Pauline (Brenda Blethyn), a woman whose husband has left her for another woman, leaving her to care for her adult disabled daughter Alice (Sharon Duncan Brewster).

Sightseers is a dark comedy that follows two tourists on their vacation in Italy. The film is directed by Ben Wheatley and stars Steve Oram and Alice Lowe.

The film begins with Tina (Alice Lowe) explaining to her husband Chris (Steve Oram) how much she loves sightseeing while they are driving through France.

They decide to take a break from their trip and stop for lunch in an Italian town called Turin, but once they arrive it becomes clear that people have been disappearing there one by one because of a serial killer who has not yet been caught.

Everyone seems to be acting strange: locals warn them away; others avoid eye contact. Sightseers are considered a dark comedy horror film.

In The Loop (2009)

A political satire, In the Loop (2009) is a British comedy film that follows a group of politicians and bureaucrats from Britain as they try to cover up an accidental war in the Middle East.

Directed by Armando Iannucci, this movie uses non-sequiturs, puns, and obscenities to make its points about how inept some public officials can be.

The plot for this film largely starts with Simon Foster (Tom Hollander), who has been promoted to head of communications for the Department of International Development after his predecessor was fired over a sex scandal.

He soon finds himself embroiled in an international crisis when he’s asked to deliver bad news to Minister Hugh Abbot about Iraq’s nuclear weapons program.

The film satirizes Anglo-American politics in the 21st century, specifically the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

It focuses on both the military and civilian sides of government bureaucracies as they interact with each other at every level.

The title derives from an expression referring to how gossip or rumors circulate among politicians and journalists in Washington D.C., implying that everything one hears (or reads) is “in the loop,” meaning that it has been vetted for accuracy before being released into mainstream media outlets such as newspapers, television networks, etc.

Four Lions (2010)

In the film Four Lions, four British citizens set out on a mission to fight and die in jihad. The film is written by Chris Morris and stars Riz Ahmed, Kayvan Novak, Nigel Lindsay, Adeel Akhtar and David Harewood.

It is directed by Christopher Morris with an estimated budget of $4 million dollars.

Four Lions is a dark comedy about four friends who decide to become terrorists and take on the country of England!

The movie follows their progress as they fight over religion and how to make bombs; all while being incompetent at what they do.

There are some serious issues that arise within the film such as terrorism and radicalization which can be discussed with this movie.

Inspired by the idea of a terrorist plot, Four Lions is an acclaimed dark comedy that follows four men from Yorkshire as they try to take down the West.

This film is not for those who don’t like a bit of ‘take the mick” British humor, but it’s sure to please anyone with an appetite for satire.

Seven Psychopaths (2012)

Written by Martin McDonagh, Seven Psychopaths is a dark comedy about seven ‘psychopaths’ who kidnap the dog of Billy Bibbit, a Hollywood producer struggling to make his next big break in life.

It stars Christopher Walken as Hans Landa, Sam Rockwell as Charlie, and Woody Harrelson as Marty.

The movie follows a struggling screenwriter, played by Colin Farrell, who becomes embroiled in the Los Angeles criminal underworld after his dog is kidnapped.

With an all-star cast including Christopher Walken, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, and Tom Waits, Seven Psychopaths delivers laughs throughout its story of murder and mayhem.

The Lobster (2015)

The Lobster (2015) is a dark comedy that is about a dystopian near future where singles are given 45 days to find a romantic partner or else be turned into the animal of their choice and released into the woods.

The Lobster is a 2015 absurdist dystopian black comedy film directed, co-written, and co-produced by Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos, co-produced by Ceci Dempsy, Ed Guiney, and Lee Magiday, and co-written by Efthimis Filippou.

In the film’s setting — a dystopian near-future — single people are given forty-five days to find a romantic partner or otherwise be turned into animals.

It stars Colin Farrell as a newly-single man trying to find someone so he can remain human, and Rachel Weisz as a woman with whom he attempts to form a relationship.

The film is co-produced by Ireland, United Kingdom, Greece, France, and the Netherlands.

Filth (2013)

Filth is a 2013 English-language film directed by Justin Kerrigan.

The movie, which takes place in the fictional city of West London, follows Bruce Robertson (played by James McAvoy), a police officer who is assigned to investigate a series of murders committed with unusual brutality.

An intriguing, harrowing and chilling drama is waiting for you in the new movie “Filth” (2013). It’s a gritty underworld adventure that exposes the seedy underbelly of Scotland.

The film is based on a novel by Irvine Welsh who also wrote “Trainspotting.” Filmed in Glasgow with an all Scottish cast, it features James McAvoy as Detective Sergeant Bruce Robertson.

He’s an antihero cop, perhaps one of the most corruptible policemen ever seen on screen. To him, life is about survival and he’ll do anything to get what he needs – even if it means crossing lines that most people wouldn’t dare to cross.

Thank You For Smoking (2005)

Thank You for Smoking is a movie about the tobacco industry, starring Aaron Eckhart and Katie Holmes. It was released in 2005 to mixed reviews.

Critics praised the film’s dark comedy but criticized its lack of focus on tobacco-related issues.

The film follows Nick Naylor (Eckhart), who is a lobbyist for Big Tobacco companies in America.

His job is to defend cigarettes from politicians, doctors, lawyers, and anyone trying to bring down cigarette sales by exposing them as dangerous or bad for society as a whole.

He also has to deal with his own family members who are against him being part of such an immoral cause.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)

Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a 2016 New Zealand comedy-drama film written and directed by Taika Waititi and co-written by Waititi and English actor-writer Julian Dennison.

The film is based on the novel Wild Pork and Watercress by Barry Crump. Tāne Mahuta (Julian Dennison), a rebellious 13-year-old foster child, goes on the run in the New Zealand bush with his foster uncle Hec (Sam Neill) after being pursued by child protection services.

The film was selected to be screened as part of the Directors’ Fortnight section at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, where it received a four-minute standing ovation.

Happiness (1998)

Happiness is a 1998 American comedy-drama film directed by Todd Solondz. The film follows the lives of people in and around the fictional town of Welland, New Jersey, tracing their uneventful but often miserable lives with both black humor and empathy.

The film portrays the lives of three sisters, their families, and those around them. The film spawned the pseudo-sequel Life During Wartime which premiered at the 2009 Venice Film Festival.

In 1999, Happiness was named the 71st greatest film of all time by The Village Voice film poll. It was also included in Time Out New York’s 100 best movies of the 1990s.

Where Did Black Comedy Come From?

Black comedy is a genre that has been around for many years. In the past, people have used it as an outlet to voice their frustrations with society.

Black comedy can be found in one form or another on television shows and movies. It is often offensive and inappropriate but this does not stop people from enjoying it all the same.

Black Comedy came about when African Americans were living under slavery in the 1800s when they could not speak out against injustices done to them so they developed black

humor as a way of expressing themselves without being punished by white slave owners who would lash slaves if they spoke out against anything wrong going on within their plantation system.

There are still some cases where black comedy has come up today such as with comedian Dave Chapp

Black comedy is a style of humor that deals with serious topics in an ironic, sometimes absurdist manner. It can be found across the world and has existed for centuries.

The origins of black comedy have often been attributed to the work of Lenny Bruce.

It was not until recently when other influential figures in the history of comedy began to be cited for laying down the groundwork for what would later become Black Comedy- including Richard Pryor, Bill Hicks, George Carlin, and Andy Kaufman.

What Is Considered A Dark Comedy?

A dark comedy is a genre of comedy that deals with serious issues and topics like death, mental illness, or social ills in a humorous way. Dark comedies typically use satire to make light of the situation.

One example of this would be The Office. The show’s humor often relies on cringe-worthy moments and awkward conversations between office employees for laughs;

however, it also uses those elements to explore the more challenging aspects of work-life in an entertaining way.

A dark comedy is a movie or play that has both hilarious and serious moments. It can be difficult to tell when you are watching one of these because the comedic scenes may occur during very sad, disturbing, or intense parts of the story.

There’s no way to predict for sure if something will be considered a dark comedy, but some signs include violence, tragedy, death, and sarcasm combined with humor.

A dark comedy is a subgenre of comedy that relies on black humor. It often deals with topics such as death, suicide, and pain. A key characteristic of a dark comedy is the use of tragedy for comedic effect.

They can be difficult to watch but are usually worth the experience because they allow us to explore the darker side of life in an entertaining way.

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