The Best Stand-Up Comedy Movies, Definitively Ranked

Mike Birbiglia co-writes, co-directs and stars in what’s probably the most little-seen film on this list, an independent comedy well worth seeking out. Sleepwalk with Me is Birbiglia’s cinematic, semi-autobiographical translation of a story he’d previously told at an off-Broadway show and then in a book. In the film, he’s Matt, a stand-up struggling with his long-term relationship, his comedy, and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, which causes Matt to sleepwalk.

In one of his first acting roles, Birbiglia holds the film together, transferring his likable, regular guy persona from the stage to the screen. The cast also features solid work from Lauren Ambrose, James Rebhorn, Cristin Milioti, and Carol Kane, and fun appearances from Birbiglia’s comedy pals Kristen Schaal, Wyatt Cenac, David Wain, and Marc Maron.

9. Funny People

Former roommates Adam Sandler and Judd Apatow started out together on the stand-up scene, so once Apatow broke out as the writer and director of The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Upit felt right that the duo reunited to explore the life of a famous comedian. Sandler plays George Simmons, whose trajectory from stand-up to acting mirrors Sandler’s rise, as does his fictional filmography (George starring in a movie where he body-switches with a baby is so Sandler-coded). But Funny People is heavier than a typical Apatow film; George only begins to reflect on his life after being diagnosed with a terminal illness.

While this is no Uncut Gems or Punch Drunk Loveit was further proof that of the depth the Sandman can bring to a performance when the material’s there. And surrounding him was a new generation of comedy stars that Apatow caught at the perfect time, including Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Aziz Ansari, and Aubrey Plaza. So how is Funny People not higher on this list? Well, the first half of the film could make an argument for a top 3 spot, but the back end—which finds George trying to steal Leslie Mann from Eric Bana—doesn’t keep the momentum going, and the result is an excessive runtime of almost 150 minutes.

8. Top Five

Paramount/Everett Collection