Best Screwball

The Lady Eve is a 1941 comedy directed by Preston Sturges and starring Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda. The story centers on a couple’s evolving relationship after they meet aboard an ocean liner, based on a Monckton Hoffe screenplay. It was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Regis...

My Man Godfrey is a 1936 comedy film centered on a wealthy woman’s decision to employ a disreputable man as the butler for her household. The narrative follows this arrangement alongside an unexpected romantic connection between the two characters. It was adapted from a novel of 1935 and written by...

To Be or Not to Be is a 1942 screwball comedy directed by Ernst Lubitsch. The film utilizes wartime anxieties and social satire through witty dialogue and physical humor. It’s notable for its sharp critique of American society during the period and remains a classic example of the genre. This movie...

Ninotchka is a 1939 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer romantic comedy directed by Ernst Lubitsch, starring Greta Garbo and Melvyn Douglas. The screenplay was credited to Billy Wilder, Charles Brackett, and Walter Reisch, adapting a story by Melchior Lengyel. It represented Garbo’s first comedic role and earned he...

The Lady Eve is a 1941 Paramount comedy directed by William A. Wellman starring Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda. The film’s success stems from its clever con-artist plot and sharp dialogue, hallmarks of the screwball genre pioneered by Preston Sturges. It's notable for its sophisticated portrayal o...

Bringing Up Baby is a 1938 screwball comedy starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant. The film’s chaotic energy stems from a frantic race against time as its characters navigate an unexpected pregnancy amidst a dinosaur exhibit. Its blend of slapstick and witty dialogue makes it notable within the...

The Palm Beach Story is a 1942 Paramount film directed by Ernst Lubitsch and starring Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. This screwball comedy showcases their exceptional dance talents within a witty romantic plot set against the backdrop of Florida's social scene. It’s notable for its sophisticated hu...

My Man Godfrey is a 1936 screwball comedy starring William Powell and Carole Lombard. The film’s sharp social satire explores themes of wealth, identity, and class disparity during the Depression era. It gained recognition for its witty dialogue and performances, appealing to audiences interested in...

“The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek” is a 1944 Paramount comedy starring Ginger Rogers and James Stewart. The film's notable use of mistaken identity and its depiction of wartime anxieties make it a significant example of screwball humor. It’s particularly appealing to viewers interested in classic Holly...

Auntie Mame is a 1958 American comedy film adapting the popular stage production. Rosalind Russell stars as the eccentric socialite who navigates love and inheritance following her wealthy uncle’s death. The Technicolor movie offers a vibrant portrayal of 1950s New York society and appeals to audien...

What’s Up, Doc? is a 1972 comedy film directed by Peter Bogdanovich, featuring Barbra Streisand and Ryan O'Neal. The production drew inspiration from earlier screwball comedies and classic animated shorts like those starring Bugs Bunny. It reflects a deliberate stylistic reference to films of the 19...

Swing Time is a 1936 American screwball comedy musical starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The film showcases their exceptional dance talents within a romantic narrative set against the backdrop of jazz music and Broadway. It’s notable for its seamless integration of song and dance, demonstrati...

Hail the Conquering Hero (1944) is a Paramount film showcasing William Powell and Ginger Rogers in a witty wartime satire. The story follows an American officer's mistaken identity amidst German resistance, offering sharp social commentary through its comedic portrayal of cultural misunderstandings....

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is a 1953 musical comedy film adapting the stage and novel of the same name by Anita Loos. The production features performances by Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe alongside a supporting cast including Charles Coburn and Elliott Reid. It was directed by Howard Hawks and based...

The Awful Truth is a 1937 Columbia film starring Cary Grant and Jean Harlow. This screwball comedy explores mistaken identity and romantic complications surrounding a wealthy heiress’s impending divorce. Its sharp dialogue and performances highlight the genre's unique blend of wit and social comment...

The More the Merrier is a 1943 romantic comedy set in Washington, D.C., exploring the challenges of wartime housing shortages. Starring Jean Arthur and Joel McCrea, the film was produced by George Stevens and features a screenplay developed from *Two's a Crowd*. Robert Russell, Frank Ross, Richard F...

As Good as It Gets is a 1997 screwball comedy starring Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, and Christopher Guest. The film’s notoriety stems from its unexpected emotional depth and Hunt's Oscar-winning performance portraying a woman with obsessive-compulsive disorder. It resonates particularly with audience...

One Hour with You is a 1932 musical comedy film directed by Ernst Lubitsch, featuring Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald. The story centers on a married couple experiencing attraction to others, based on the play “Only a Dream.” It was produced with assistance from George Cukor and written by...

The 1942 “Woman of the Year” is a classic MGM screwball comedy starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant. The film’s sharp wit and dynamic performances highlight a journalist's skeptical clash with an overly enthusiastic editor. It remains notable for its intelligent dialogue and enduring charm, app...

Ball of Fire is a 1941 screwball comedy starring Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. The film showcases their exceptional chemistry as a fiercely independent telephone operator and a meticulous professor navigating a romantic entanglement. It’s notable for its sharp wit, sophisticated dialogue, and cont...

"Pat and Mike" is a 1952 American romantic comedy film directed by George Cukor, featuring the frequent screen pairing of Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. The screenplay, written by the duo Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin, centers on Pat Pemberton, a multi-talented female athlete, and Mike Conovan,...