Chlotrudis Society Picks:
100 Funniest Films of All Time!

As has become an annual tradition, the Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film has compiled its list of the top 100 funniest films of all time. Members weighed in with their individual picks of the 20 funniest films of all time, then the lists were merged to create this list of laughs. The list is overwhelmingly American, with only fourteen of the 100 films originating without U.S. involvement. Not surprisingly, the UK had the second most representation on the list, including the list's #1 film, MONTY PYTHON & THE HOLY GRAIL!

The films skewed fairly modern, with the 1980's representing the funniest decade with a total of 28 films. The 1990's followed with 16. The new millennium fared well too, considering there have only been eight years of it so far, with 15 films on the list the same number as films from the 1970's. From there we jump to the 1930's with 8 films, 1940's with 6, the '50s and '60s each with 5, and the 20's with two Charlie Chaplin films. Interestingly enough, the Top 10 spreads things out pretty well with six decades represented, and the first film from this millennium doesn't show up until #15 with Christopher Guest's BEST IN SHOW.

Several filmmakers appear more than once on this list. A host of expected (and some not-so expected) names showed up twice: Tim Burton, Christopher Guest, Albert Brooks, John Waters, Charles Chaplin, Buster Keaton (both times uncredited and working with other men), George Cukor, Peter Bogdanovich, Nick Park (as half of an animation team), Carl Reiner, Kevin Smith, and Preston Sturges. Mel Brooks, Howard Hawks, Woody Allen, and Rob Reiner were all represented on the Top 100 three times, with the latter being the only filmmaker to score two in the Top 10! But there was one filmmaking team who managed a surprising four films in the list of Top 100 films, although considering the group making the list, it shouldn't be too shocking. Joel & Ethan Coen are the funny guys whose films show up more than anyone else's on the list. Starting with the quirky, cult-fave THE BIG LEBOWSKI at #13, they squeeze two more into the Top 25 with FARGO at #22 and O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU at #25. Finally, RAISING ARIZONA comes in at #57 giving them their total.

Sadly, but not surprisingly, there are only two women's names among the directors of these funny films. Valerie Faris, who co-directed LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE pops up at #20, and Nicole Holofcener squeezes on at #99 with her debut feature, WALKING & TALKING.

We hope you enjoy our list of the 100 Funniest Films.