The 15 All-Time Best French Comedy Movies for a Good Laugh

French comedies have long captivated audiences the world over with their unique charm, subtle humor, and memorable characters. Rooted in the rich tradition of French cinema, these films offer a diverse range of stories, from hilarious farces to witty romantic comedies.

I made a list of several French movies in the comedy category. Those movies are kind of feel-good and you might be smiling at the end of those French comedy movies. I went from the oldest to the newest movie. Except for the first one, I added the trailer with English subtitles for all the French movies on the list.

Here is the list of the best French comedies. Finally, you can find the trailer of each movie.

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List of Old French Comedy Movies 

Let’s start with a selection of cult French comedy movies.

1. The Great Stroll (1966)

French title: La Grande Vadrouille

This is an iconic French movie, and the numbers prove it! It is the 5th most-watched movie of all time in France, with 17 million tickets sold in the French movie theaters. You’ll find a mythical double act with Louis de Funès and Bourvil, two French actors who left their mark on French cinema.

The synopsis: In 1942, over Paris, a Royal Air Force plane was shot down by the Germans. The three crew members manage to parachute out and land in various parts of the capital. Two French civilians, an orchestra conductor, and a house painter, help them by guiding them to the free zone. Unwittingly, they find themselves involved in the Resistance.

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2. The Visitors (1993)

French title: Les Visiteurs

Another big classic of French cinema, a film featuring a host of talented actors with Jean Reno playing a count Christian Clavier playing a crazy squire, and also the excellent Valérie Lemercier playing a bourgeoise or Marie-Anne Chazel playing a hobo. This film is the meeting of several worlds, social and temporal.

The synopsis: In the year 1123, the Count of Montmirail and his loyal squire, Jacquouille la Fripouille, find themselves thrown back in time to 1992 after consuming a magic potion made by the enchanter Eusaebius. The potion was supposed to free them from a terrible spell.

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3. You shouldn’t worry! (1997)

French title: La vérité si je men’s

The first French comedy movie of the Trilogy “La vérité si je mens”, the movie takes place in Paris in the Jewish community. Here is a famous scene in the second movie (in French).

The synopsis: Edouard Vuibert played by Richard Anconina has financial difficulties. Victor Benzakem played by Richard Bohringer, a successful entrepreneur in the Sentier District takes him under his wing when after a fight against two crooks of card games. Taking him for a Jewish, he decides to hire him as a warehouseman.

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4. Didier (1997)

Probably the only movie ever made where the mind of a dog goes into the body of a man (there were many movies where the spirit of a man goes into the body of a dog or animal). Alain Chabat is probably giving the best performance acting as a dog and it is hilarious. He plays in this movie with the grumpy French actor Jean-Pierre Bacri. 

The synopis: Jean-Pierre, agent sportif, se retrouve dans une situation délicate en acceptant de garder le labrador d’une amie pendant une semaine, alors qu’il est déjà pris dans des affaires complexes. Pourtant, cette tâche anodine le catapulte dans une aventure des plus extraordinaires, où ce qui semblait être son pire cauchemar pourrait bien se révéler être la chance de sa vie.

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5. The Dinner (1998)

French title: Le Dîner de cons 

In my opinion, this is probably the best French movie ever made. The acting, dialogue and script are perfect. And finally, the moral of the film is excellent (no spoilers). By the way, there was an American adaptation.. please do not watch it. If you like this type of movie I recommend you watch the French movie “Yannik”.

The synopsis: Every Wednesday, Pierre Brochant and his friends organize a dinner party where everyone has to invite an eccentric individual. Whoever unearths the most remarkable idiot wins. That evening, Brochant was euphoric, convinced he’d discovered a real gem: François Pignon, an accountant at the Ministry of Finance with a passion for scale models.

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6. Don’t Dire Too Hard! (2001)

French title: La Tour Montparnass infernal

The first movie that made me cry out laughing in the theater. The iconic comedy duo of Éric Judor and Ramzy Bedia create an excellent parody of the American film Die Hard. I saw Die Hard years later, and every scene made me laugh, reminding me of scenes from this French comedy.

The synopsis: One evening, perched on the 52nd floor of the Tour Montparnasse, Eric, and Ramzy, two window cleaners, fall behind in their work. Meanwhile, Stéphanie, an attractive young woman, is impatiently awaiting her uncle, the influential CEO of Groupe Lanceval, and his sons, the main shareholders, for a night-time board meeting that promises to be a turbulent one.

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7. Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra (2002)

French title: Astérix et Obélix : Mission Cléopâtre

France has produced many Astérix and Obélix movies. This one is the second one and probably the funniest! This good comedy movie is full of references to other movies like Star Wars, for example. There are many five-star actors from the humorist Jamel Debbouze to the actors Christian Clavier and Gérard Depardieu.

The synopsis: Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt, decides to defy the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar, to build a sumptuous palace in the desert in three months. If she succeeds, he must publicly concede that the Egyptian people are the greatest of all peoples. She will be helped by the two Gallic friends Astérix and Obélix to reach her goal.

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List of New French Comedy Movies

 Here is a selection of recent French comedy movies.

8. Those Happy Days (2006)

French title: Nos jours heureux

Probably one of my favorite French comedy movies! This French movie will be loved by people who have been to summer camp as a kid or as a camp counselor. I went to summer camp as a kid and work as a camp counselor and, from my point of view, this movie fits perfectly the reality of summer camp.

In France, summer camps are popular and kids go for a week or even a month there. The actor Omar Sy (and many other good actors) played in this movie and he was not the big star as today.

The synopsis: Vincent Rousseau (played by Jean-Paul Rouve) leads for the first time a summer camp and finds himself plunged for three weeks into the universe of the summer camp with little stories and big problems!

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9. I Do (2006)

French title: Prête-moi ta main

Excellent French comedy movie with Alain Chabat (he is also in Astérix and Obélix).

The synopsis: Life is beautiful for Luis, 43 years old, single happy, fulfilled in his job, loved, and pampered by his mother and five sisters. It could have lasted a lifetime but no. One day, tired of mothering, his family decided that it is time for him to get married as soon as possible! Surrounded by his family who only thinks about it, he develops a strategy: find the perfect woman who will pretend to be his fiancée and who will cowardly abandon her on the wedding day. After that, no one will dare to pronounce the word wedding in front of him.

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10. Welcome to the Sticks (2008)

French title: Bienvenu chez les Ch’tis

This French comedy movie written, produced, and played by Dany Boon belongs to the French culture. It is the second most-viewed movie in France, with around twenty million viewers. The movie is just after the American movie “Titanic” (21,7 million entrances). You will need, at least, basic French knowledge to understand the jokes in this French movie, it is all about mispronunciations.

The synopsis: Philippe Abrams is the director of the post office of Salon-de-Provence. He is married to Julie a depressive character that makes his life impossible. To make her happy, Philippe tries to fraud to obtain a transfer down south on the Côte d’Azur, but he is unmasked. Instead, he will be transferred to Bergues, a small town in the North. To understand why it is bad news for him to go to the north read the article: The Curse of Being Named Kevin in France.

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11. Heartbreaker (2010)

French title: Arnacoeur

French romantic comedy movie that will make you laugh and probably cry. The movie is composed of excellent actors such as Romain Duris, Vanessa Paradis, and François Damien.

Synopsis: Your daughter is dating a bad guy? Your best friend got stuck in a toxic relationship? Today, there is a radical solution and his name is Alex. His job: professional heartbreaker, he uses seduction to break couples.

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12. Babysitting (2014)

This French comedy movie will take you on a crazy adventure that might remind you of the American movie, Hangover. Do you want to be entertained and laugh? I recommend you watch this movie if you want to have a good time.

Synopsis: Marc Schaudel does not have a babysitter for the weekend. Frank, his employee will have the responsibility to take care of his son Rémy. Unfortunately, Franck is turning 30 years old this weekend. Also, Rémy is a capricious kid.

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13. Sink or Swim (2018)

French title: La Grand Bain

The movie director of this French comedy movie is the famous French actor Gilles Lellouche. He succeeds in reuniting in his movie many prestigious actors such as Guillaume Canet, Benoît Poelvoorde, and Marina Fois.

Synopsis: In their municipal swimming pool that Bertrand, Marcus, Simon, Laurent, Thierry, and the others are trained under the strict Delphine. Together, they feel free and helpful. They will put all their energy into a discipline previously owned by women: synchronized swimming. It might be a weird idea, but this challenge will allow them to find meaning in their lives.

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14. I Feel Good (2018)

This is a French comedy movie with the international actor Jean Dujardin and Yolande Moreau.

Synopsis: Monique runs a charity community near the city of Pau, down South. After several years of absence, his brother, Jacques, come back. He has an obsession and finds the idea that will make him rich. More than a family reunion, two visions of the world are meeting.

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15. Our Happy Holiday (2019)

French title: Première vacances

Here is a French comedy movie that steps apart from the classic scenario of a romantic movie. You will enjoy watching Jonathan Cohen, the rising French actor of the moment, and Camille Chamoux.

Synopsis: Marion and Ben, are in their 30s, and met on Tinder. That’s about all they have in common. The fact that they are different, makes them feel closer. They decided after the first date to go together on vacation despite the opposite advice of their friends and family.

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That’s it for this list of the best French comedies. I recommend you read my article on the French spy movies, OSS 117: The Funniest French spy.

Did you know those French comedy movies? Did you enjoy watching them? Let me know in the comments section!