What Were the Best Comedy Movies of 2008?

10 Movies That Made Us Laugh Out Loud in 2008

A batch of familiar faces returned to make audiences laugh in 2008. Seth Rogen's responsible for a few of comedies, Will Ferrell was in his fair share, and even Jim Carrey was back in the land of laughter after a long departure into the world of dramatic roles. But which ones worked? Which actually tickled our funny bones? Here's my picks for the funniest movies of 2008 to show why it was such a great year for comedy films.

Tropic Thunder

Tropic Thunder
DreamWorks SKG

Owen Wilson had to bow out of Tropic Thunder due to personal issues, but it's not as though his exit left a gaping hole in the cast. This one's crammed with recognizable names... Even Tom Cruise drops in for a cameo appearance in Tropic Thunder.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Universal Pictures

The Judd Apatow gang was back at it with this R-rated comedy starring Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, and Russell Brand. While the film's all about the end of Segel and Bell's relationship (Bell plays Sarah Marshall), Brand totally steals the show.

Pineapple Express

Pineapple Express
Columbia Pictures

Freaks and Geeks fans will be happy to see Seth Rogen and James Franco back together again. After the huge success of Knocked Up, Rogen's one of the hottest comedy actors around. Pineapple Express has done more for Franco's career than any other film he's been a part of other than the Spider-Man franchise. Franco stayed away from comedies after Freaks and Geeks, instead opting for dramatic fare such as Tristan and Isolde, Flyboys and Annapolis. Now Pineapple Express has put Franco's comedy career back on track.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno

Zack and Miri Make a Porno
The Weinstein Company

Kevin Smith teams up with Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks for Zack and Miri Make a Porno, an R-rated comedy about a guy - Zack (Rogen) - and a girl - Miri (Banks) - who make...you guessed it...a porno. Rogen and Banks play roommates who can't figure out any other means of coming up with money for the rent and utilities other than shooting their own porn film. Parent groups and some theater owners didn't exactly embrace the title or the concept, but Smith's not aiming to please everyone. He knows his target audience will get the joke.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
Columbia Pictures

Nick and Norah are out on the town on separate adventures with friends in and Norah's Infinite Playlist. Nick's just been dumped and is having trouble getting over it. Norah's a smart young woman with great taste in music and boyfriend who's just using her. Sparks fly when Nick and Norah wind up spending the night together in search of their favorite band.

Role Models

Role Models
Universal Pictures

Two energy drink spokesmen get in trouble with the law and instead of serving time in jail, they're forced into volunteering in a youth mentor program. Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott play the guys who haven't a clue how to deal with the boys they're assigned in this R-rated comedy directed by

's David Wain.

Step Brothers

Step Brothers
Columbia Pictures

When it comes to comedy teams, Will Ferrell and John C Reilly aren't in the same league as Martin and Lewis or Hope and Crosby yet, but they could be someday. The Talladega Nights co-stars pair up again for another goofball comedy directed by Anchorman and Talladega Nights helmer Adam McKay.

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

Madagascar 2
DreamWorks Animation

Ben Stiller, Jada Pinkett-Smith, David Schwimmer and Chris Rock return to voice the four lead characters in this follow-up to the animated smash hit . Our animals heroes want to return to the Central Park Zoo but instead end up in Africa due to those crafty penguins. Sacha Baron Cohen is also back as the voice of King Julien (the lemur with an attitude). And for once, a sequel actually works better than the original.

Hamlet 2

Hamlet 2
Focus Features

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Happy Go Lucky

Happy Go Lucky
Miramax

Sally Hawkins stars as a single teacher who's carefree and, well, happy go lucky. Directed by Mike Leigh, Happy Go Lucky is full of life and laughter, and it's just plain fun to watch. Plus, Hawkins is adorably goofy in the lead role.

Edited by Christopher McKittrick