Top Grossing Comedies of the 21st Century
According to Box Office Mojo, the highest-grossing comedy of the 21st century is "The Hangover Part II" (2011), which earned approximately $586 million worldwide. The film was produced by Legendary Pictures and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, with a reported production budget of $80 million. Another high earner is "Despicable Me" (2010), which grossed over $543 million globally, produced by Illumination Entertainment and distributed by Universal Pictures. "Minions" (2015), a spin-off from the same franchise, earned more than $1.1 billion, making it one of the highest-grossing animated comedies ever. "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle" (2017) added $962 million at the global box office, produced by Columbia Pictures and Matt Tolmach Productions. These titles are frequently cited in industry rankings for comedy box office performance in the 21st century. For more box office data, see Box Office Mojo.
Warner Bros. Pictures and Universal Pictures dominate the list of top-grossing comedy distributors in the 21st century. Legendary Pictures, Illumination Entertainment, and Columbia Pictures also appear repeatedly among the production companies behind the highest-earning comedy titles. The global comedy market has been shaped by franchise films, animated features, and remakes that appeal to broad international audiences. Studios have increasingly relied on sequel strategies and established IP to drive consistent returns in the comedy genre. Data from Forbes and The Numbers shows that comedy films with ensemble casts and family-friendly premises tend to rank highest in lifetime gross.
Most Awarded Comedies of the 21st Century
Academy Award and BAFTA Recognition
Among the most awarded comedies of the 21st century, "The Grand Budapest Hotel" (2014) won four Academy Awards, including Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Original Score. The film was directed by Wes Anderson and produced by Fox Searchlight Pictures. "Birdman" (2014), classified as a comedy-drama by several industry trackers, won four Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Cinematography, distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures. "The Artist" (2011) won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor, and is frequently listed among the top silent-style comedies of the century. "Green Book" (2018) won three Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor, produced by Participant Media and DreamWorks Pictures. These titles are regularly referenced in award-season analyses and studio retrospectives.
BAFTA and Golden Globe Wins
At the BAFTA Awards, "The Grand Budapest Hotel" won five awards, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. "Bohemian Rhapsody" (2018) won four BAFTAs, including Best Film and Best Editing, and is classified as a comedy-drama by several databases. At the Golden Globes, "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm" (2020) won Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, produced by Four by Two Films and distributed by Universal Pictures. "The Wolf of Wall Street" (2013) won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and was produced by Red Granite Pictures, distributed by Paramount Pictures.