There are a million ways to make a comedy. You could do a spoof of a particular genre or subject, you could do a satire, or some "Three Stooges" type slapstick. But if you want to strap into a roller coaster ride while laughing and getting dizzy the whole way through, then these movies might be up your alley.

'Frank' (2014)

To think that Lenny Abrahamson would be nominated for Best Director, for "Room," just a year after making the indie dark comedy "Frank." Michael Fassbender goes against type (charismatic and charming characters) and plays a man who hides behind a big papier-mâché mask, like a total weirdo. Even Maggie Gyllenhaal, as a badass goth rocket, plays outside of her usual roles, and is quite aggressive about what she wants. This is a very zany 90 minutes of movie, so strap in and prepare for things to get weird at every turn.

'The Death of Stalin' (2017)

Armando Iannucci is a modern master of political satire. If there is a hierarchy, bureaucracy or democracy to make fun of, he will find the most cutting way to take it down. The target this time: the Russian government falling apart after, well... the death of Joseph Stalin in 1953. The mad dash to fill his role by a dozen character actors and comedians creates a whirlwind of hilarity, all the way up until the end when you are bludgeoned by the reality of what actually happened. This film is tremendously clever and a real gut buster, because old school slapstick will never go out of style.

'The Hudsucker Proxy' (1994)

Coen Brother films are (for the most part) either screwball comedies or dark noir-adjacent crime thrillers — or sometimes both at once — and "The Hudsucker Proxy" is among the silliest films they've ever made. Co-written by Sam Raimi, this is a mash-up of '50s culture, hoola-hoops, corporate boardroom meetings, fast talking reporters, stock scams and magical janitors. If none of that made any sense, don't worry, the movie is very keen to keep you guessing as it zips through New York skyscrapers and children hoola-hooping in the streets. The Coens wouldn't go on to work with Tim Robbins, Jennifer Jason Leigh or Paul Newman again (unlike most of their common, recurring troupes of actors) and that's a shame because they're all excellent in this.

'Beau is Afraid' (2023)

Is this a horror film? Yes. Is it simultaneously a drama and a comedy? Yes. Does it blur the lines of fiction and reality in a surrealist tragedy mixed with some Oedipus complex vibes? Yes. Is this movie basically everything all at once? Also yes.

Ari Aster's follow-up to the incredibly spooky "Hereditary" and "Midsommar" seemed like a doomed project. While it was in development and production hell, it went over budget, got delayed, went through name changes, had its story leaked and generally seemed like a mega bomb waiting to happen. But if you can stomach a depressing three-hour movie, you'll be treated to some very funny and brutal moments from Joaquin Phoenix, Nathan Lane and Amy Ryan.

'Only Lovers Left Alive' (2013)

Jim Jarmusch does whatever he wants, and doesn't care what you think. It's what makes him an extremely successful and cool writer-director. Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston expertly play two vampires who've been around forever, alongside Mia Wasikowska, Anton Yelchin, Jeffery Wright and John Hurt. You might not see another vampire movie like this, as it takes the common lore we all know in some fun directions, and very much outside the norm of the usual horror roots vampires tend to play in.

'Young Adult' (2011)

This is where nepo baby director Jason Reitman had his hot streak flame out. After back-to-back-to-back hits "Thank You for Smoking," "Juno" and "Up in the Air," Reitman collaborated with Award-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody again for this twist on a "coming of age" story. Charlize Theron, who always rocks, plays a drunk writer of young adult novels who herself has never really grown up. When an old fling (Patrick Wilson) shows up in her life again, things really go off the rails and it's a total blast to watch. And, of course, Patton Oswalt remains one of the most reliable comedians you could hire to punch up your movie.