Best Comedy Films of 1973
- HaHa Jokester
- Jul 21
- 10 min read
1973 was a year when comedy went global, got weirder, and doubled down on satire. The world was still reeling from war, scandal, and cultural transformation, and the best comedies didn’t shy away—they leaned in. From surrealist masterworks to anarchic political parodies, 1973’s comedy films reflected a chaotic world with bold experimentation and unapologetic humor. Slapstick lived on, but this was the year where absurdity met artistry—and where comedies earned their place as cultural critiques.
The Comedy Landscape in 1973
Surrealism on the Rise
International filmmakers like Luis Buñuel and Woody Allen (in his most experimental phase) embraced the surreal and the absurd, often blurring the line between dream and satire. Comedy became more philosophical—more about ideas than just punchlines.
Social Satire Gets Sharper
With the Watergate scandal unfolding, public trust in institutions was crumbling. Many 1973 comedies channeled this unrest into biting satire, skewering politics, religion, the bourgeoisie, and even the concept of storytelling itself.
Cult Comedies Begin to Emerge
The midnight movie scene was heating up, and films that didn’t succeed in the mainstream were finding dedicated audiences among college students, counterculture viewers, and genre fans looking for something different.
Top 10 Comedy Films of 1973
Sleeper
Runtime: 1hr 29min
Woody Allen’s sci-fi farce is both a loving parody of dystopian fiction and a slapstick throwback to silent-era comedy. Set 200 years in the future, it's packed with absurd inventions, disguises, and deadpan satire of modern life.
Sleeper, directed by and starring Woody Allen, is a wildly inventive sci-fi comedy that blends slapstick, satire, and surrealism in a futuristic romp. Allen plays Miles Monroe, a neurotic health food store owner who is cryogenically frozen in the 1970s and wakes up 200 years later in a dystopian society ruled by an oppressive regime. Mistaken for a revolutionary, Miles stumbles through a world of absurd technology, Orwellian surveillance, and robotic servants—all while trying to stay alive and make sense of the bizarre future. Along the way, he falls for Luna (Diane Keaton), an aloof poet who gradually joins him in resisting the system. With nods to silent-era comedy, political parody, and classic sci-fi, Sleeper showcases Allen’s physical comedy chops and clever dialogue, making it one of his most purely entertaining and visually imaginative films.
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie
Runtime: 1hr 42min
Luis Buñuel’s surrealist classic is a loop of upper-class dinner parties constantly interrupted by the bizarre. A brilliant, dreamlike satire of social rituals, hypocrisy, and entitlement.
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (Le Charme discret de la bourgeoisie), directed by Luis Buñuel, is a surreal, darkly comic masterpiece that satirizes the absurdities of upper-class society. The film follows a group of well-to-do friends who repeatedly attempt to have a meal together, only to be thwarted by increasingly bizarre interruptions—ranging from mistaken dates and military exercises to dream sequences and theatrical performances. As the narrative spirals further into the illogical, Buñuel uses his trademark surrealism to expose the emptiness, hypocrisy, and repression lurking beneath the surface of bourgeois respectability. With its dreamlike structure, deadpan humor, and caustic social commentary, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie is both a comedy of manners and a philosophical puzzle—an enduring, subversive classic that won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
American Graffiti
Runtime: 1hr 50min
George Lucas’s nostalgic slice-of-life comedy isn’t full of gags, but it’s rich with humor, character, and cultural commentary. A tender and funny look at teenage life in early-‘60s America, brimming with music and heart.
American Graffiti, directed by George Lucas, is a nostalgic, coming-of-age comedy-drama that captures the spirit of teenage life in early 1960s America. Set over the course of a single night in a small California town, the film follows a group of recent high school graduates—played by a young ensemble cast including Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, and Cindy Williams—as they cruise the streets, grapple with big life decisions, and savor the last moments of youthful freedom. Backed by a wall-to-wall soundtrack of rock ’n’ roll hits, American Graffiti blends humor, melancholy, and Americana into a poignant portrait of a generation on the cusp of change. With its vibrant characters, authentic atmosphere, and loose, episodic structure, the film became a surprise box office hit and helped launch the careers of its cast and director, while influencing decades of teen-focused storytelling to come.
The Holy Mountain
Runtime: 1hr 54min
Alejandro Jodorowsky’s psychedelic journey is more spiritual satire than straight comedy, but its grotesque, hallucinogenic imagery and absurdist parody of religion, politics, and capitalism make it wickedly funny in its own way.
The Holy Mountain, directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky, is a visually stunning, surrealist odyssey that defies traditional narrative and blurs the lines between satire, mysticism, and experimental cinema. The film follows a Christ-like figure—known as "The Thief"—as he embarks on a metaphysical journey guided by a mysterious alchemist (played by Jodorowsky himself). Along the way, they gather a group of wealthy and powerful individuals representing the planets of the solar system, each symbolizing a grotesque facet of modern society. Together, they seek enlightenment and immortality atop the mythical Holy Mountain. Bursting with provocative imagery, religious symbolism, and anti-establishment themes, the film challenges materialism, colonialism, and spiritual hypocrisy. The Holy Mountain is an uncompromising, hallucinatory experience—equal parts absurd, profound, and unsettling—that has become a cult classic and a landmark of avant-garde cinema.
Blume in Love
Runtime: 1hr 55min
Paul Mazursky’s bittersweet romantic comedy about a divorced man trying to win back his ex-wife is full of neurosis, awkward humor, and emotional insight—a messy but deeply human story.
Blume in Love, written and directed by Paul Mazursky, is a bittersweet romantic comedy that explores the complexities of love, regret, and personal growth. George Segal stars as Stephen Blume, a successful Los Angeles divorce lawyer who realizes too late that he’s still deeply in love with his ex-wife Nina (Susan Anspach), whom he lost due to his own infidelity. Filled with longing and self-recrimination, Blume awkwardly attempts to win her back—despite the fact that she’s moved on and begun a new relationship. Told in flashbacks and driven by introspective narration, the film balances humor with emotional honesty, offering a nuanced portrait of a man reckoning with his flaws. With its gentle tone, smart dialogue, and strong performances, Blume in Love stands as one of the more thoughtful and mature romantic comedies of the 1970s.
O Lucky Man!
Runtime: 3hr 3min
Lindsay Anderson’s surreal British epic follows a young man through a nightmarishly funny capitalist landscape. Part musical, part morality play, and 100% unique.
O Lucky Man! directed by Lindsay Anderson and starring Malcolm McDowell, is a sprawling, surreal satirical epic that charts the rise, fall, and strange odyssey of Mick Travis—a wide-eyed coffee salesman whose journey through British society becomes a darkly comic exploration of capitalism, power, and identity. Structured as a modern-day picaresque and blending absurdist humor with biting political commentary, the film follows Mick as he navigates everything from corrupt corporations to mad scientists to military conspiracies, encountering recurring characters and surreal situations along the way. McDowell, who co-developed the story based on his own experiences, gives a charismatic performance that anchors the film’s episodic structure. Featuring original music and appearances by Alan Price (formerly of The Animals), O Lucky Man! is an ambitious, genre-defying work that mixes Brechtian theatricality with a cynical, anarchic view of modern life—part morality tale, part rock opera, and entirely singular.
Charley Varrick
Runtime: 1hr 51min
A crime thriller with a dry comic edge. Walter Matthau plays a bank robber whose heist goes sideways when the money turns out to belong to the mob. Smart, ironic, and character-driven.
Charley Varrick, directed by Don Siegel, is a taut, clever crime thriller with a dry sense of humor and a sharp anti-establishment edge. Walter Matthau stars in a rare dramatic role as Charley Varrick, a savvy, small-time bank robber who unknowingly steals mob money during what was supposed to be a low-risk heist in a sleepy New Mexico town. When the Mafia and law enforcement both come after him, Charley must outwit increasingly dangerous forces using intelligence, misdirection, and sheer nerve. With its stripped-down storytelling, gritty atmosphere, and Siegel’s efficient direction, the film unfolds like a cerebral cat-and-mouse game. Matthau’s understated, deadpan performance adds unexpected layers to a character caught between survival and morality. Charley Varrick stands out as one of the smartest and most underrated crime films of the 1970s.
The Last Detail
Runtime: 1hr 44min
Hal Ashby’s melancholy comedy-drama about two Navy men escorting a young sailor to prison features unforgettable performances and sharp, salty humor about authority, masculinity, and regret.
The Last Detail, directed by Hal Ashby and written by Robert Towne, is a poignant, profanity-laced comedy-drama that explores authority, friendship, and fleeting freedom. Jack Nicholson delivers one of his most iconic performances as Billy “Badass” Buddusky, a foul-mouthed Navy lifer tasked—alongside fellow sailor Mule (Otis Young)—with escorting a young, naive seaman named Meadows (Randy Quaid) to a military prison for a petty crime. Instead of marching him straight to confinement, the two older sailors decide to show Meadows a good time on the way, introducing him to booze, women, and a taste of real life. Beneath its vulgarity and humor, the film is a deeply human story about compassion, disillusionment, and the quiet cruelty of institutional systems. With naturalistic performances and Ashby’s signature bittersweet tone, The Last Detail became a defining film of the New Hollywood era.
The Sting
Runtime: 2hr 9min
A caper with comedy in its bones. Robert Redford and Paul Newman reunite for a clever, stylish con artist story that blends charm, wit, and deception in a way that won over critics and audiences alike.
The Sting, directed by George Roy Hill, is a stylish and intricately plotted caper film that blends sharp wit, old-school charm, and masterful storytelling. Set in 1930s Chicago, the film stars Paul Newman and Robert Redford—reuniting after Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid—as two con men, Henry Gondorff and Johnny Hooker, who team up to avenge the murder of a mutual friend by orchestrating an elaborate long con against a ruthless crime boss (Robert Shaw). With its period-perfect costumes, ragtime score (including the iconic use of Scott Joplin’s "The Entertainer"), and clever twists, The Sting captures the thrill of deception while keeping the audience delightfully off-balance. Winner of seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, the film remains a beloved classic that showcases the irresistible chemistry of its stars and the timeless appeal of a well-executed con.
Paper Moon
Runtime: 1hr 42min
Peter Bogdanovich’s Depression-era road comedy follows a con man and a sharp-witted orphan (real-life father-daughter Ryan and Tatum O’Neal). It's charming, funny, and stunningly shot in black and white.
Paper Moon, directed by Peter Bogdanovich, is a charming and bittersweet Depression-era road comedy that pairs real-life father and daughter Ryan and Tatum O’Neal as an unlikely con-artist duo. The story follows slick-talking Bible salesman Moses Pray, who reluctantly takes young Addie Loggins under his wing after attending her mother’s funeral—only for Addie to quickly prove she’s just as crafty and streetwise as he is. Shot in crisp black-and-white by cinematographer László Kovács, the film captures the dusty, hardscrabble beauty of 1930s America while delivering witty, heartfelt, and often hilarious moments. Tatum O’Neal’s performance as Addie earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at just 10 years old, making her the youngest competitive Oscar winner in history. Paper Moon is a pitch-perfect blend of grift, grit, and heart, with timeless charm and a sharp emotional undercurrent.
Underrated Picks Worth Your Time
Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing
Runtime: 1hr 50min
A sweet, awkward romance about two lonely travelers in Spain. Quiet, offbeat humor with Alan Arkin and Maggie Smith.
Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing, directed by Alan J. Pakula, is a tender, offbeat romantic dramedy about two lonely misfits who find unexpected connection while traveling through Spain. Timothy Bottoms plays Walter Elbertson, a shy, awkward young man sent abroad to “find himself,” and Maggie Smith stars as Lila Fisher, an older, reclusive woman harboring emotional wounds of her own. Their chance meeting blossoms into a quirky and deeply affecting romance as they navigate cultural oddities, self-discovery, and the looming shadow of mortality. Balancing gentle humor with melancholy, the film offers a subdued, character-driven exploration of vulnerability, companionship, and the courage to embrace love in the face of impermanence. With quietly powerful performances and a lyrical atmosphere, Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing is a hidden gem of 1970s cinema.
The Hireling
Runtime: 1hr 48min
More of a drama, but laced with darkly comic tension about class and love between a chauffeur and an aristocratic widow.
The Hireling, directed by Alan Bridges and based on the novel by L.P. Hartley, is a somber, emotionally rich British drama that explores class divisions, loneliness, and unfulfilled desire in post–World War I England. The film centers on a war widow, Lady Franklin (Sarah Miles), who is recovering from a nervous breakdown, and Ledbetter (Robert Shaw), a working-class chauffeur and former soldier hired to drive her around. As they spend more time together, a complicated emotional bond forms—marked by unspoken longing, mismatched expectations, and the rigid barriers of class. Quietly powerful and deeply character-driven, The Hireling examines the personal costs of repression and the human need for connection in a society still bound by hierarchy and decorum. Anchored by excellent performances and nuanced direction, the film shared the Grand Prix at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival, yet remains one of the more understated treasures of 1970s British cinema.
State of Siege
Runtime: 2hr 10min
Costa-Gavras’ political thriller has ironic, satirical edges that sting more than they tickle.
State of Siege, directed by Costa-Gavras, is a gripping political thriller that examines U.S. foreign policy and the use of authoritarian tactics in Latin America under the guise of fighting communism. Set in an unnamed South American country—strongly implied to be Uruguay—the film dramatizes the real-life kidnapping of American official Dan Mitrione (played by Yves Montand), who is abducted by leftist guerrillas and put on a symbolic trial. As the guerrillas expose Mitrione’s alleged involvement in training local police in torture and repression techniques, the film raises urgent moral and political questions about imperialism, ethics, and violence on both sides of the ideological divide.
Comedy Highlights & Trivia
Buñuel’s Oscar Win: The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, showing that surrealist comedy could also be high art.
Jodorowsky’s Mythical Madness: The Holy Mountain became a cult sensation, blending mysticism and satire with grotesque, comic absurdity—making it one of the most bizarre "comedies" ever made.
Tatum O’Neal’s Breakout: At just 10 years old, she stole the show in Paper Moon, later becoming the youngest Oscar winner in history.
Woody Allen Gets Sci-Fi: Sleeper marked the first time Allen combined slapstick and sci-fi, showing his versatility and expanding his fanbase.
Where to Watch These Today
Sleeper – Streaming on MAX and rentable on Apple TV
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie – Available on The Criterion Channel and Blu-ray
American Graffiti – Streaming on Peacock and physical media
The Sting – Available on Prime Video and 4K UHD
Paper Moon – Streaming on Paramount+ and Criterion Blu-ray
The Holy Mountain – Available via Severin Films and cult cinema platforms
Closing Thoughts
1973 proved that comedy didn’t have to play it safe. It could be strange, experimental, and even poetic. Whether through silent-era slapstick in a futuristic world or surrealist attacks on the elite, the comedies of this year offered more than laughs—they challenged form, questioned norms, and left lasting cultural footprints. In a time of global uncertainty and artistic rebellion, humor became a weapon, a mirror, and—most importantly—a revelation.
