Ranker FilmList RulesVote up the most hilarious comedies about dying.
Death is a topic so serious that it is rife for comedy. The top funny movies about death feature hilarious actors grappling with dying - or even with their own demise. This is a list of the greatest funny movies about death including everything from Death Becomes Her to Weekend at Bernie's to Defending Your Life.
What films will you find on this list of the funniest death movies? Monty Python's The Meaning of Life mines topics like the Grim Reaper for comedy gold. As for the meaning of life itself, the film reveals it: "Try and be nice to people, avoid getting fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try to live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations." Beetlejuice is an absurd look at a recently deceased couple who have decided to haunt their old residence. Other good films featured on this list include Shaun of the Dead, Heathers, and Jawbreaker.
Can you pick a favorite from these comedies about death? Give your choices a thumbs up to make sure the best features end up in the top spot.
1
Beetlejuice
Alec Baldwin, Winona RyderReleased: 1988
Directed by: Tim Burton
Beetlejuice is a 1988 American fantasy-comedy-horror film directed by Tim Burton. The spirits of a deceased couple (Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis) are harassed by an unbearable family that has moved... more2
Death Becomes Her
Meryl Streep, Bruce WillisReleased: 1992
Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
This film is a 1992 American black comedy-fantasy film directed by Robert Zemeckis and scripted by David Koepp and Martin Donovan. Starring Meryl Streep, Bruce Willis, Goldie Hawn and Isabella... more- 3
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
John Cleese, Terry GilliamReleased: 1983
Directed by: Terry Gilliam
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life, also known as The Meaning of Life, is a 1983 British musical sketch comedy film written and performed by the Monty Python troupe, and directed by one of its... more - 4
Heathers
Winona Ryder, Shannen DohertyReleased: 1988
Directed by: Michael Lehmann
Heathers is a 1988 comedy, drama film written by Daniel Waters and directed by Michael Lehmann.... more - 5
Death at a Funeral
Peter Dinklage, Alan TudykReleased: 2007
Directed by: Frank Oz
This is as funny as a family funeral movie could be.
This film is a 2007 British comedy film directed by Frank Oz. The screenplay by Dean Craig focuses on a family attempting to resolve a variety of problems while attending the passing of the... more - 6
Clue
Tim Curry, Christopher LloydReleased: 1985
Directed by: Jonathan Lynn
Clue is a 1985 American ensemble mystery comedy film based on the board game of the same name. The film was directed by Jonathan Lynn, who collaborated on the script with John Landis, and stars... more - 7
In Bruges
Colin Farrell, Ralph FiennesReleased: 2008
Directed by: Martin McDonagh
In Bruges is a 2008 British-American comedy film written and directed by Martin McDonagh. The film stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as two Irish hitmen in hiding, with Ralph Fiennes as their... more - 8
Four Weddings and a Funeral
Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowellReleased: 1994
Directed by: Mike Newell
This film is a 1994 British romantic comedy film directed by Mike Newell. It was the first of several films by screenwriter Richard Curtis to feature Hugh Grant. It was made in six weeks and cost... more - 9
Jawbreaker
Rose McGowan, Julie BenzReleased: 1999
Directed by: Darren Stein
Jawbreaker is a 1999 American black comedy film written and directed by Darren Stein. The film stars Rose McGowan, Rebecca Gayheart, Julie Benz, and Judy Greer as girls in an exclusive clique in... more - 10
Death at a Funeral
Zoe Saldana, Chris RockReleased: 2010
Directed by: Neil LaBute
This film is a 2010 comedy film written by Aeysha Carr and Chris Rock and directed by Neil LaBute. ... more - 11
World's Greatest Dad
Robin Williams, Daryl SabaraReleased: 2009
Directed by: Bobcat Goldthwait
World's Greatest Dad is a 2009 American dark comedy film written and directed by Bobcat Goldthwait. A lonely high school teacher (Robin Williams) has to deal with the tragic loss of his son while... more - 12
Weekend at Bernie's
Andrew McCarthy, Jonathan SilvermanReleased: 1989
Directed by: Ted Kotcheff
Weekend at Bernie's is a dark comedy film written by Robert Klane and directed by Ted Kotcheff. The film stars Andrew McCarthy and Jonathan Silverman as young insurance corporation employees who... more - 13
I Love You to Death
Heather Graham, Keanu ReevesReleased: 1990
Directed by: Lawrence Kasdan
This film is a 1990 American dark comedy film directed by Lawrence Kasdan. It is based in 1984, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where Frances Toto repeatedly tried to end her husband, Anthony... more - 14
Wristcutters: A Love Story
Tom Waits, Leslie BibbReleased: 2006
Directed by: Goran Dukić
Wristcutters: A Love Story is a 2006 American black comedy romance road movie written and directed by Goran Dukić, starring Patrick Fugit, Shea Whigham, and Shannyn Sossamon. Its premise is set... more - 15
Death to Smoochy
Robin Williams, Edward NortonReleased: 2002
Directed by: Danny DeVito
This film is a 2002 American black comedy film directed by and starring Danny DeVito, and co-starring Robin Williams, Edward Norton, Catherine Keener and Jon Stewart. The film received mixed reviews... more - 16
Defending Your Life
Meryl Streep, Shirley MacLaineReleased: 1991
Directed by: Albert Brooks
Defending Your Life is a 1991 romantic comedy-fantasy film about a man who arrives in the afterlife only to find that he must stand trial and justify his lifelong fears in order to advance to the... more - 17
Man Bites Dog
Bernard Frédéric, Edith LemerdyReleased: 1992
Directed by: André Bonzel, Rémy Belvaux, Bernard Frédéric
Man Bites Dog is a 1992 Belgian black comedy mockumentary written, produced and directed by Rémy Belvaux, André Bonzel and Benoît Poelvoorde, who are also the film's co-editor, cinematographer and... more - 18
Very Bad Things
Cameron Diaz, Christian SlaterReleased: 1998
Directed by: Peter Berg
Very Bad Things is a 1998 black comedy film directed by Peter Berg, based on the book by Gene Brewer. It stars Cameron Diaz, Jon Favreau, Daniel Stern, Jeremy Piven, Christian Slater, Leland Orser... more - 19
Jennifer's Body
Megan Fox, Amanda SeyfriedReleased: 2009
Directed by: Karyn Kusama
Jennifer's Body is a 2009 black comedy horror film written by Diablo Cody and directed by Karyn Kusama. The film stars Megan Fox, Amanda Seyfried, Johnny Simmons, and Adam Brody. Fox portrays a... more - 20
The Devil and Max Devlin
Bill Cosby, Elliott GouldReleased: 1981
Directed by: Steven Hilliard Stern
The Devil and Max Devlin is a 1981 film produced by Walt Disney Productions, directed by Steven Hilliard Stern and starring Elliott Gould, Bill Cosby and Susan Anspach. The film was considered to be... more - 21
Sword of Trust
Marc Maron, Jon BassReleased: 2019
Directed by: Lynn Shelton
Sword of Trust is a 2019 American comedy film directed by Lynn Shelton. Cynthia (Jillian Bell) and Mary (Michaela Watkins) show up to collect Cynthia's inheritance from her deceased grandfather, but... more - 22
Ghost Town
Kristen Wiig, Ricky GervaisReleased: 2008
Directed by: David Koepp
Ghost Town is a 2008 American supernatural comedy-drama film directed by David Koepp, who also co-wrote the screenplay with John Kamps. It stars English comedian Ricky Gervais in his first leading... more - 23
Heart and Souls
Robert Downey Jr., Elisabeth ShueReleased: 1993
Directed by: Ron Underwood
Heart and Souls is a 1993 American fantasy comedy film directed by Ron Underwood and starring Robert Downey, Jr. as Thomas Riley, a businessman recruited by the souls of four deceased people - his... more - 24aabcc added
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Frances McDormand, Woody HarrelsonReleased: 2017
Directed by: Martin McDonagh
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is a 2017 American drama film directed by Martin McDonagh. A woman (Frances McDormand) takes a stand against the police, using three billboards, in her... more
