Movies that tackle the ins and outs of espionage and high-stakes spy missions have been a staple of Hollywood filmmaking for decades, with a multitude of examples of top-notch spy films. Even outside massive franchises likeJames BondandMission: Impossible, the very concepts and conventions surrounding spy stories have made the subgenre one of the most effective and enthralling out there. However, not every spy movie has to be deeply serious and grounded, with many films finding great success with a comedy approach.
Whether it be biting satires that directly tackle the clichés of the genre or a more standard spy film experience that simply blends humor and comedy within, there are a wide variety of approaches to great spy comedies. As the standard, more action-oriented spy film has evolved and changed over the years, the spy comedy has similarly evolved alongside it, withsome of the best spy comedies standing alongside standard spy films as the best in the genre.
10’Spy' (2015)
Directed by Paul Feig
One of the most critically acclaimed and notable films by comedy directorPaul Feig, best known for his work onBridesmaidsandA Simple Favor,Spycombines the intricate world of spies with Feig’s signature style of humor. The film follows desk-bound CIA analyst Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) who finds herself directly in the action when she has to go undercover to infiltrate the world of a deadly arms dealer. Accompanied by experienced field agent Rick Ford (Jason Statham), they find themselves teaming up to put a stop to a potential global disaster.
Spyeasily features some of the best comedic work from nearly everyone involved, witheveryone bringing their A-game to create a hilarious and over-the-top approach to a high-stakes spy concept. Statham is also a pleasant surprise for one ofhis few comedy appearances, with his classic gritty exterior mixing wonderfully with the classic humor of Feig and McCarthy. When it comes to modern spy comedies that lean much more into comedy than any other genre,Spyis the go-to choice.
9’Johnny English' (2003)
Directed by Peter Howitt
While acclaimed English comedianRowan Atkinsonis most commonly remembered for his portrayal and role ofMr. Bean, one of his other most iconic comedic outings comes in the spy parody,Johnny English. The film sees Atkinson as the titular Johnny English, a lowly pencil pusher for MI7 who is suddenly promoted to super spy status after an all-star agent is assassinated and every other agent is blown up at his funeral. As now the literal only remaining operative, Johnny is tasked with solving the case surrounding a collection of valuable gems being stolen.
Taking inspiration from other wildly chaotic and absurd parody movies of the early 2000s,Johnny Englishrelentlessly tears into the clichés and dynamics of spy films while also adding a flair of chaotic fun humor. While it certainly has some aspects that are dated and relics of this era of comedy,Atkinson proves himself to be such an effective comedic force that the film perseveres despite its flaws. The character managed to be so beloved that the film would receive two sequels, with a fourth film currently in development.
Johnny English
8’From Beijing with Love' (1994)
Directed by Stephen Chow Sing-Chi and Lee Lik-Chi
A wild and chaotic Hong Kong spy comedy that directly spoofs the clichés and conventions ofJames Bondfilms,From Beijing with Loveis a wild ride that is impossible to not have a great time with. The film follows the head of the Chinese secret police assigning the case of a stolen dinosaur skull to the most incompetent reject on the force. With a wide variety of mostly useless gadgets at his disposal and accompanied by a contact who is constantly trying to kill him, this reject somehow finds a way to be a hero.
Even for those who are not as familiar withHong Kong movies,From Beijing with Loveis overflowing with so much style and comedy that it manages to be a great time for audiences around the world. The film isn’t afraid to take the most absurd and cartoonish approach to its comedy and action,with an array of great gags and standout moments that make the film a blast to watch. DirectorStephen Chow Sing-Chiwould end up implementing a similar style of wild, no-holds-barred action comedy throughout the rest of his legendary career.
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7’RED' (2010)
Directed by Robert Schwentke
Bruce Willishas always been an icon when it comes to high-octane action filmmaking, so it was only a matter of time before he would find himself in an exceptional comedy that played into his legacy and feats as a star.REDmanages to accomplish this not just with Willis, but with an array of other legendary actors with eclectic careers, including the likes ofMorgan Freeman,Helen Mirren, andJohn Malkovich.
The film sees these stars as former CIA agents who, long after retirement, find themselves marked for death as targets for the CIA, forcing them on a mission of espionage to find out who put out the hit.REDfinds an effective balance between high-octane action and effective dialogue-based humor that made itone of the standout spy film experiences of the 2010s, further amplified by the top-notch casting. Willis proves that he’s as much of a great comedic actor as he is an action star, being able to tap into both of these strengths to make the film highly entertaining on all fronts.
6’Top Secret!' (1984)
Directed by Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker, and David Zucker
One of manyexceptional comedy films from Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker,Top Secretbrings their signature style to the world of spy movies. The film follows popular American singer Nick Rivers (Val Kilmer), who finds himself recruited by an underground resistance movement when he ends up traveling to East Germany for a music festival. He ends up helping the freedom fighters in their effort to rescue Dr. Paul from the Germans, who have captured him in hopes of coercing him into building a new naval mine.
Top Secretfollows in the footsteps of the directing trio’s previous works, being a non-stop array of wild jokes creating a scenario where, even if one doesn’t laugh at every joke, there are so many that there are bound to be a few that land perfectly. Even 40 years after the release of the film, individual visual gags like the magnifying glass illusion are still brought up assome of the funniest visual gags of the 80s.
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5’OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies' (2006)
Directed by Michel Hazanavicius
A French take on a spy comedy that manages to even predateJames Bond,OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spiesbrings to life the luxurious and legendary ventures of secret agent Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath, also known as OSS 117. The film sees La Bath being sent to Cairo to investigate the disappearance of his best friend and fellow spy, Jack Jefferson. In the process, he ends up being entangled in a plot of massive proportions, as he stops the plot of the Nazis, gets acquainted with local women, and finds a way to bring peace to the Middle East.
Cairo, Nest of Spiescertainly has the look and feel of a classic Bond film, yet the film is deeply self-aware of the conventions of these classic spy films, using them for its comedic benefit.Juan Dujardin’s comedic portrayal of La Bath is what cements the film as a true hidden gem, as he taps into a combination ofSean Connery’s portrayal of Bond with a classic bumbling idiot comedy protagonist.
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4’Confessions of a Dangerous Mind' (2002)
Directed by George Clooney
The directorial debut of legendary actorGeorge Clooney,Confessions of a Dangerous Mindfollows the story of Chuck Barris (Sam Rockwell), a famous television producer who works as a CIA operative at night. The film sees how Barris got started and was recruited by the CIA during the height of his TV career to be a highly trained covert operative used to take down threats to the country. However, Barris’s life begins to fall apart around him as he attempts to find a way to back out of the dangerous, CIA part of his life.
There is an inherent charm and likability to the execution ofConfessions of a Dangerous Mindthat make it a joy to experience, balancing the lighthearted fun of daily life with the harsh reality of spy work. Rockwell is the key that brings the entire film together, giving a performance that is overwhelming with charm and likability that makes his story that much more compelling. The film is easily one ofthe most underrated spy moviesout there, delving deeper into the emotional impact of the life of a spy while also being able to laugh at itself.
Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind
3’The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' (2015)
Directed by Guy Ritchie
One of many exceptional action comedies from acclaimed directorGuy Ritchie,The Man from U.N.C.L.Euses the tension and backdrop of the Cold War to make for a fun and enthralling adventure. The film sees CIA agent Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill) and KGB agent Illya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer) forced to put aside their inherent hostilities and team up to take down a mutual threat who plans to use nuclear weapons to upset the balance of power.
The Man from U.N.C.L.Eapplies the philosophy of a classic buddy cop comedy to a spy film, finding success off of the inherent chemistry and differences between its two contrasting leads. Cavill and Hammer bring the best out of each other not just in terms of comedy, but in terms of action as well, finding a great balance between top-notch action choreography and Ritchie’s signature witty banter style. The film is so ingenious and effective in its execution that it brings into question why more spy films don’t take a buddy comedy approach.
The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
2’Kingsman: The Secret Service' (2014)
Directed by Matthew Vaughn
One of the biggest surprises and groundbreaking spy films of the 21st century,Kingsman: The Secret Servicebrought a flair and modernity to the genre to createa near-perfect spy movie. The film follows average street kid Eggsy (Taron Egerton), who finds himself being recruited by a super-secret spy organization that sees potential within him to be the next great spy. As he faces the agency’s ultra-competitive training program, a global threat emerges from the shadows with goals of world domination.
As opposed to many other spy comedies that actively made themselves out to parallel the likes ofJames Bond,Kingsman: The Secret Serviceforges its own path and creates its own distinct vision for a spy comedy. It certainly isn’t without its great action sequences, yet the inherent humor and satirical nature is what helps it stand out among its contemporaries asone of the best spy movies, comedy or otherwise, of recent memory.
Kingsman: The Secret Service
1’Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery' (1997)
Directed by Jay Roach
When it comes to exceptional spy comedies, there is no name more iconic and legendary thanAustin Powers, being a spy satire so effective that it directly impacted the entire genre as a whole. The character’s first outing,Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, is easily the best of the series, seeing the titular Austin Powers being awoken from cryosleep in the 90s after the return of his arch nemesis, Dr. Evil. However, the world has greatly changed since the 60s, so Austin finds himself constantly adjusting and learning about the various changes and new norms while on the job.
Austin Powersis an icon of spy comedy films, being the first thing that comes to mind for people when considering the combination of spy movies and comedies in such glorious fashion. A great deal of this is attributed to the exceptional strengths of the original film,being such a scathing and comical parody of classic Bond tropes that it forever changed the way people view Bond movies. While the sequels would continue to cement the character’s legacy in pop culture, it’s this debut film that truly deserves the title of the greatest spy comedy of all time.
