The Best Satire Movies Ever Made

Ranker Film
Updated August 15, 2023 6.0K votes 936 voters 234.2K views
Over 900 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Satire Movies Ever Made
Voting Rules
Vote for your personal favorite satire films, regardless of how popular or successful they were at the box office.
Latest additions: Quasi
Most divisive: Night of the Living Dead

With over 900 votes from movie fans, this list of the best satirical movies is a must-see for anyone who loves to laugh and think at the same time. Satire films are some of the most beloved comedies ever, thanks to their witty social commentary and sly sense of humor. These films often tackle complex issues with wit and grace, leaving viewers laughing while still reflecting on what they've just seen.

From classic farces like Monty Python's Life Of Brian to more recent hits like Idiocracy, these films have earned a devoted fan base around the world. Viewers love how these movies use dark comedy to shine a light on our flaws as human beings and entertainingly examine timely topics. Whether it's tackling politics or poking fun at religious beliefs, satirists never shy away from pushing boundaries - which is why we love them so much.

So if you're looking for something that will make you giggle but also get you thinking about important issues in society today, then this list is sure to hit all the right notes. Take a look at these great satire flicks below – vote up your favorites – and prepare yourself for hours of laughter and contemplation.

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  • Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
    1

    Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

    Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Keenan Wynn
    210 votes
    • Released: 1964
    • Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
    In the satirical masterpiece Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, director Stanley Kubrick delves into the absurdity of nuclear warfare. U.S. Air Force General Jack D. Ripper (Sterling Hayden) initiates a nuclear attack on the Soviet Union, sending his bomber wing, including Major T.J. King Kong (Slim Pickens), towards their targets. Meanwhile, President Merkin Muffley (Peter Sellers) grapples with the impending crisis in the War Room alongside his advisors, including an eccentric ex-Nazi scientist, Dr. Strangelove (also Peter Sellers). This film, a potent mix of comedy and political commentary, won multiple awards for its unique take on a serious subject matter.

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  • Idiocracy
    2

    Idiocracy

    Luke Wilson, Maya Rudolph, Dax Shepard
    177 votes
    • Released: 2006
    • Directed by: Mike Judge
    In Idiocracy, Joe Bauers (Luke Wilson), an average American, is selected by the Pentagon for a top-secret hibernation program. He is forgotten and wakes up 500 years later, finding society so dumbed down that he's now the smartest person alive. Frito (Dax Shepard) becomes his guide in this new world ruled by stupidity. Rita (Maya Rudolph), a woman from his time, also wakes up and together they try to survive. The satirical comedy lampoons societal trends, predicting a future where idiocy reigns supreme. Directed by Mike Judge, it's a humorous critique of modern culture's potential downfall.

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  • Modern Times
    3

    Modern Times

    Charlie Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Henry Bergman
    100 votes
    • Released: 1936
    • Directed by: Charlie Chaplin
    This comedic masterpiece finds the iconic Little Tramp (Charlie Chaplin) employed at a state-of-the-art factory where the inescapable machinery completely overwhelms him, and where various mishaps keep getting him sent to prison. In between his various jail stints, he meets and befriends an orphan girl (Paulette Goddard). Both together and apart, they try to contend with the difficulties of modern life, with the Tramp working as a waiter and eventually a performer.

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  • Network
    4

    Network

    Faye Dunaway, Peter Finch, William Holden
    126 votes
    • Released: 1976
    • Directed by: Sidney Lumet
    Network, a satirical drama, unwraps the world of television news. It's a story about Howard Beale (Peter Finch), an aging TV anchor, who after learning about his imminent dismissal, announces he'll commit suicide on live broadcast. His outburst becomes an unexpected ratings hit and the network exploits his madness for profit. Faye Dunaway plays Diana Christensen, a ruthless programming executive, who orchestrates this spectacle. Directed by Sidney Lumet and written by Paddy Chayefsky, Network won four Academy Awards in 1977 including Best Actor (Finch) and Best Actress (Dunaway). This movie poses poignant questions about media ethics and audience voyeurism.

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  • Hot Fuzz
    5

    Hot Fuzz

    Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Jim Broadbent
    134 votes
    • Released: 2007
    • Directed by: Edgar Wright
    Hot Fuzz is a clever blend of comedy and action, directed by Edgar Wright. The plot centers around Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg), an overachieving London policeman transferred to the sleepy village of Sandford. He teams up with bumbling partner Danny Butterman (Nick Frost) and together they unravel a series of mysterious deaths that rock this seemingly peaceful community. As they dig deeper, a sinister secret surfaces, turning their quaint country life into a high-octane nightmare. Hot Fuzz skilfully balances humor with thrills, delivering a genre-blending spectacle that earned it an Empire Award for Best British Film in 2007.

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  • Fight Club
    6

    Fight Club

    Brad Pitt, Ed Norton, Helena Bonham Carter
    237 votes
    • Released: 1999
    • Directed by: David Fincher
    In the gritty urban drama Fight Club, Edward Norton (the unnamed protagonist) finds himself spiraling into the underbelly of his own psyche. Stuck in a monotonous job, he meets Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), a soap salesman with an unconventional philosophy. Together, they form an underground fight club as a radical form of psychotherapy. As their nocturnal activities escalate, so does their bond. But when Marla Singer (Helena Bonham Carter), a fellow support group crasher, enters their lives, things start to unravel. Directed by David Fincher, Fight Club is a jarring exploration of masculinity and identity that won't soon be forgotten.

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