The 2000s were a brilliant time for comedy movies. With stars such as Will Ferrell, Judd Apatow, and Ben Stiller cranking out hilarious hit after hit, the decade is responsible for some of the funniest, most quotable comedies of all time. This list was created through an analysis of these films based on their humor, quotability, and, most importantly, my personal opinion. Here is my ranking of the top ten comedy movies of the 2000s.

10. Step Brothers

2008’s Step Brothers is the ultimate man-child comedy movie. Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly star as Brennan and Dale, two unemployed, immature grown men who are stuck in arrested development. When Brennan’s mother and Dale’s father marry, they are forced to live together as brothers. While they do not initially get along, they quickly become best friends and finally learn how to grow up… kinda. Step Brothers features endearing performances from Ferrell and Reilly, who have undeniable comedic chemistry, and gave us some iconic moments such as “Boats N Hoes” and the climactic Catalina Wine Mixer.  

9. The Producers

This musical remake of 1967’s The Producers, directed by Mel Brooks, is an adaptation of the 2001 Broadway musical. Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick reprise their roles from the Broadway show in this laugh-out-loud musical comedy as two Broadway producers who attempt to fraudulently enrich themselves by producing the worst show ever made, Springtime For Hitler, with the help of ex-Nazi turned playwright Franz Liepkind (played by Will Ferrell). 2005’s The Producers is a must-watch for any fan of Mel Brooks and musical comedies.

8. The 40-Year-Old Virgin

The 40-Year-Old Virgin is important in the history of comedy movies, as it marks the directorial debut of Judd Apatow, who has directed some of the funniest movies of the 21st century, and Steve Carell’s first starring film role. The 40-Year-Old Virgin marks a turning point for the “sex comedy” genre that had become prevalent in the late 90s/early 2000s, bringing us comedies such as There’s Something About Mary, American Pie, and Van Wilder. As these movies were starting to fade in popularity, The 40-Year-Old Virgin stood out for its earnestness and genuine romantic-comedy elements, mixed with the “gross out” humor prevalent at the time, such as the waxing scene. Along with Apatow and Carell, it launched the comedy film careers of Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen and features an early appearance by Jonah Hill. The 40-Year-Old Virgin is the first of Apatow’s “bromantic comedies,” which defined comedy in the late 2000s.

7. Legally Blonde

Released in 2001, Legally Blonde follows Elle Woods (played by Reese Witherspoon), a sorority president who gets dumped by her boyfriend, an aspiring lawyer, and enrolls herself in Harvard Law School to try to prove that she can be taken seriously and win her ex back. Woods is a fish out of water who successfully overcomes the preconceived notions about her and becomes a high-achieving student on her own merit. Co-starring alongside Witherspoon is Luke Wilson, who plays Elle’s classmate and romantic interest Emmett, as well as Jennifer Coolidge, who delivers some of the funniest lines of the film. Legally Blonde was a critical and commercial success that has remained popular with comedy fans and, surprisingly, with real-life law students, who apparently find its portrayal of law school highly accurate. 

6. The Hangover

Released in 2009, The Hangover became an unexpected box office smash. From Todd Phillips, who previously directed such comedies as Old School and Starsky and Hutch, The Hangover follows a group of friends who lose the groom-to-be after a wild bachelor party in Las Vegas and must spend the day before the wedding searching for him. The Hangover is jam-packed with laughs from start to finish. Featuring hilarious performances from Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, a cameo appearance from Mike Tyson (playing himself), and Ken Jeong as the now iconic Mr. Chow, The Hangover quickly became a cultural sensation, grossing over $400 million at the box office, a massive achievement in comedy, and spawned two sequels.

5. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

Directed by Adam McKay, this brilliantly funny and quotable 2004 comedy sees Will Ferrell in the career-defining role of news anchor Ron Burgundy, whose life is turned upside down when America’s first-ever female co-anchor Veronica Corningstone (played by Christina Applegate) joins the news team. Featuring Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, and David Koechner in supporting roles, as well as cameos from Vince Vaughn, Jack Black, Luke Wilson, and Ben Stiller (most of whom appear in the fight scene), Anchorman became an immediate comedy classic and a cultural phenomenon, serving as a satire of masculinity, misogyny, and 1970s America.

4. Mean Girls

2004’s Mean Girls is a classic teen comedy written by Tina Fey that satirizes high school and the hierarchy of popularity that anyone who was ever a teenager can relate to. Mean Girls is sharp and witty, with memorable moments (such as the “Jingle Bell Rock” scene), and features great early performances from Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Amanda Seyfried, Lacey Chabert, and Lizzy Caplan. Produced by Lorne Michaels, it also features hilarious performances from Saturday Night Live alumni Ana Gasteyer, Amy Poehler, Tim Meadows, and Tina Fey. Mean Girls has continued to grow in popularity since its release, spawning a made-for-TV sequel, a musical adaptation, a film adaptation of the musical adaptation, and even has its own day (October 3rd). 

3. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story

Vince Vaughn stars in this sports comedy as the owner of the failing and run-down “Average Joe’s Gym.” Threatened with bankruptcy and closure, Vaughn, with the help of some of the gym’s most loyal clients, competes in a dodgeball tournament for a cash prize to save their beloved gym. Ben Stiller also stars as White Goodman, one of the greatest comedy villains of all time, who has also entered his gym in the tournament, hoping to defeat Average Joe’s so he can buy the gym for himself. This 2004 comedy is an uplifting underdog story that taught us that if you “can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.” With an upcoming sequel rumored to be in development, Dodgeball is as funny as it is inspiring.

2. Hot Rod

This goofy 2007 comedy follows aspiring stuntman Rod Kimble (played by Andy Samberg) as he attempts to raise enough money to pay for an expensive procedure that will save his stepfather’s life… so that he can beat him up and finally earn his respect. Hot Rod is an inspiring, emotional story filled with sacrifice, redemption, and punch dancing. Although it was not a financial success at the time of its release, Hot Rod has since gained a massive cult following and helped launch the filmmaking careers of Samberg’s comedy trio, The Lonely Island (featuring Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, and Jorma Taccone). It also features performances from co-stars Isla Fisher, Bill Hader, Danny McBride, and Will Arnett. Hot Rod is a goofy and silly comedy that was definitely ahead of its time. 

And in the number 1 Spot, drumroll please:

1. The Love Guru 

(Just kidding)

1. Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

Maybe an unexpected choice for some, but this highly underrated 2007 mock-biopic follows the fictional singer-songwriter Dewey Cox (played by John C. Reilly) as we see his inspiring story, from a poor farm boy to one of the most legendary artists in American history (who never once paid for drugs). A parody of musical biopics of the 2000s, such as Walk the Line and Ray, Walk Hard has only become more relevant since its release, as the music biopic genre has continued to grow more formulaic. Walk Hard also serves as a satire, as we see Dewey Cox reacting to American history and culture throughout the decades. The film features an all-star cast including Kristen Wiig and Jenna Fischer as Dewey’s first and second wives, Tim Meadows, Chris Parnell, and Matt Besser as Dewey’s band, and Harold Ramis as his agent. Walk Hard also features cameos from talented comedians and musicians such as Craig Robinson, Jane Lynch, White Stripes frontman Jack White as Elvis Presley, and in one hilarious scene, Paul Rudd, Jack Black, Justin Long, and Jason Schwartzman as The Beatles. Walk Hard is so good, it makes you wish Dewey Cox was a real person.