Satires are a raw material of the film industry , providing muscular social comment when done well . The good satire movies practice this proficiency subtly and do n’t hit you over the caput with it , but still get hold ways to make their dot .
Satires take a familiar story or genre and make fun of it through imitation , often supply a comedic spin on serious issues . These films are capable of providing societal or political critique , while at the same time entertaining audiences through often screaming mean .
With that in thinker , here are 20 of the best caustic remark films ever made .
20. District 9 (2009)
Many sarcasm films are comedies , as the genre by nature lends itself to poking fun at something in the material world . territorial dominion 9 , however , is not one of those films . Instead , it ’s a rather vicious on - the - nose message about apartheid in South Africa ( even using the urban center of Johannesburg as the setting ) . Rather than tell apart living matter free-base on peel color , writer and conductor Neil Blomkamp use a race of aliens to do as the lower social class citizen in this 2009 movie .
The aliens , which are even given their own racial smirch ( “ shrimp ” ) in the film , are get word as dirty , weak , and a waste pipe on guild . The master human character , Wikus van der Merve ( Sharlto Copley ) , endure an fortuity that sees him translate from a respected authorities authority into one of the extraterrestrial being . It ’s a slow unconscious process , and the film explores exactly how different he is treated once citizenry start to conceive he is “ one of them . ”
The film , although obviously fancied , is made to reckon like a docudrama . If you fill in a minority race in for the aliens , it would be less of a sci - fi movie and more of a scary tale of how unspeakable human beings can deal each other .
19. Attack the Block (2011)
One of the more underrated movies on this list , the 2011 sci - fi clowning repugnance flickAttack the Blockis an interesting projection . Not only did it aid turn John Boyega and Jodie Whittaker into Brobdingnagian stars ( Boyega would go on to asterisk in the newStar Warsfilms and Whittaker became the 13th Doctor inDoctor Who ) , but it was a smart piece of British social satire from director Joe Cornish .
In short , the flick is about a small gang of local thugs defending their South London block from a unknown alien invasion . However , the cinema dives deeper into the content by show that the characters are really just scattered youthful boys , skin to acquire acceptance from their peer and their criminal party boss . At the same meter , they are present as heroes for defend their biotic community . And naturally , when the constabulary finally show up , they break down to grok the berth and react by robotically arresting the wrong citizenry .
It ’s a canny social commentary on the stereotypes of teenagers and life in the inner cities . It also has terrorise hairy foreigner creatures , creating an awesome mash - up !
18. Borat (2006)
Technically , the full statute title of this moving-picture show isBorat : Cultural Learnings Of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan . But that ’s a mouthful , so we ’ll trim it down for the rest period of this entry . Borat is one of Sacha Baron Cohen ’s most famous alter egos — a supposed television reporter from Kazakhstan attempting to learn about the modern earth .
By craft a hilariously naive eccentric that is in on the joke with the audience , Boratmanages to satirize the very land he is supposed to be exploring . He exposes some of America ’s dirtiest corner , including racism , sexism , and a world-wide lack of mutual sense . On the other hand , so many people are willing to help oneself this foreign military man learn about the great parts of America . In that sentiency , the movie also touches on the generosity of Americans , despite some of their fracture .
Boratis also a satire on realism television set as a literary genre , with Cohen refusing to ever break character and often taking the joke right smart too far with his unsuspicious Colorado - stars .
17. Get Out (2017)
To some people , Get Outwas nothing more than a fashionable horror plastic film from a surprising reservoir : funnyman Jordan Peele , who has risen to fame as a comedian , especially onMad TVand later on theKey & Peelesketch show . However , it was n’t hard for most viewers to see the obvious satiric racial themes in the pic . Really , you would have to be half - unsighted or whole unlettered to miss them .
ignore the “ smutty guy always dies in horror film ” figure , Peele craft a terrifying fib of how a bunch of moneyed bloodless folk on the QT auction off young black valet de chambre to perform some sort of mind graft surgery , render them a chance to be younger , cool , hotter , better at sports ( or sexual activity ) , or simply whatever non - racial gift exists in their inadequate dupe . In the example of Chris Washington ( Daniel Kaluuya ) inGet Out , he is “ bribe ” for his unbelievable centre for photography .
The show cleverly builds the racial tension in early scenes , including Chris cause sure that his girlfriend Rose has told her kin that she ’s go steady a black human , and a frustrating face-off with a local law officer that sheds light on the reality of being black in America . subsequently , positive references to Barack Obama from white role that are presuppose seem welcoming come across as patronizing . Given the current social and political climate of the earth , Get Outdishes out the critiquing sarcasm in way that prompt us we still have a tenacious way to go when it come in inclusiveness .
16. What We Do in the Shadows (2014)
How do you satire serious brood vampire movies likeInterview With The Vampire , popcorn young adult amorous atrocities likeTwilightandreality television receiver all at once ? The answer isWhat We Do in the Shadows , a brilliantly fishy film by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi . It ’s about a foursome of lamia roommate living in modern New Zealand , contend to combine their Old World impost with the 21st one C .
The movie poke sport at all genres of lamia contentedness , includingBuffy The Vampire Slayer , Blade , andThe Lost Boys . It also truly embraces the “ mockumentary ” feel , with characters talk like a shot to the camera , and even experience the “ plastic film bunch ” get themselves into some trouble at a local fancy dress formal fill up with zombies , witches , and other undead or supernatural beings .
What We Do in the Shadowsdoesn’t rely on slapstick laugh or gross - out gore . The joke are clever , delivered with excellent timing and a sophisticated wit . These vampire are bloodthirsty killing machines , sure , but they are also insecure and the most uncool people in townsfolk . It makes for a great combination . The picture gained a cult following after it was released in 2014 , and a TV series spin - off ( with the same name , but different characters ) was released in 2019 .
15. The Interview (2014)
If you view which film have made the most sensational headlines the past decade , there is a good chance thatThe Interviewwill be near the top of the list . This satiric drollery stars James Franco and Seth Rogen as a pair of journalists offer the chance to interview North Korean authoritarian Kim Jong - un . Before they go , however , the pair are recruited by the CIA to assassinate the powerful political leader . The construct did n’t sit well with the North Korean government , who threatened violence against the USA if the cinema was resign .
The Interviewwas lambasted by North Korean media and the film was initially check . In fact , it never in reality made it into theaters , as Netflix nobble up the rights and put it straight onto their streaming service ( but not before it was illegally leaked and download by meg of people ) . The picture , which has become even more relevant in recent years , feature some grotesque political satire as well as pay off homage to spy films of the 1960s and 70s .
14. Office Space (1999)
The 1999 filmOffice Spaceis a sharp satiric drollery about the workaday foible of the mean solar day - to - day mill of the 9 - 5 desk job . compose and mastermind by the ever under - appreciated Mike Judge , whose works of sarcasm are almost always smart , funny and painfully true , Office Space’ssympathetic line drawing of ordinary IT workers garner a rage following within the field , but also addresses themes familiar to white - collar employees and the men in worldwide . Office Spaceis arguably Judge ’s best oeuvre and feature standout functioning from Ron Livingston , Jennifer Aniston , Gary Cole , and Stephen Root .
AlthoughOffice Spacewas not a big winner at the box office , make $ 12.2 million against a $ 10 million yield budget , it was well - received by critic and sold well on home television , becoming a rage favourite in the process . A straight modern classic , Office Spaceis a motion-picture show that is scarily relatable for anyone who has drop sentence as a kiosk drone .
13. Fight Club (1999)
Fight Clubis a 1999 film based on the Chuch Palahniuk novel of the same name . The flick stars Brad Bitt and Edward Norton , with both worker turn in powerful and career - defining functioning , and the two form an thrilling moral force which has help makeFight Cluba modern classic . Norton play the unnamed main role and narrator , who meets Tyler Durden on a flight of stairs . Tyler is charming but anti - mercenary , and the pair ’s hyper - masculine bonding lead them to organize the titular “ Fight Club . ”
The flick ’s satiric components undertake the consumer culture , lifestyle branding , and building of maleness , with Norton ’s character often breaking the fourth wall and speak straight to the consultation . Fight Clubfailed to meet the studio ’s expectations at the box office and ab initio receive polarizing reaction from critic , becoming one of the most controversial and talked - about cinema of the year . However , many praised the acting , directing , and themes , and over fourth dimension the critical and public receipt towardsFight Clubhas become largely positive .
12. Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
2004’sKung Fu Hustleis a wildly entertaining film about gangsters in forties China who dance in perfect lockstep with each other while wielding hatchet , shoot Tommy guns and running at clean speed — all set to a soundtrack that includes the Sung dynasty “ Ballroom Blitz . ” The Kung Fu fights in this motion-picture show are massive and sport a cast of one C , and the legal action is all over - the - top — with body , limbs , and objects flying every which way . The film provide a comedic satire of everything from political and social issue to the Kung Fu film genre itself .
Critic Roger Ebert describedKung Fu Hustleas “ a picture show in which Jackie Chan and Buster Keaton run across Quentin Tarantino and Bugs Bunny . ” That about sums up this completely eldritch Kung Fu celluloid made by Steven Chow . Kung Fu Hustle execute surprisingly well in North America and outrank as the tenth highest - grossing alien - terminology film of all time , as well as the highest - grossing extraneous - language celluloid in 2005 .
11. Hot Fuzz (2007)
red-hot Fuzzis the story of two mismatched British law officer who take it upon themselves to solve a serial of strange and peculiar murders in a small English village . The interactions between the two leads , played by Simon Pegg and Nick Frost ) , are hilarious from death - to - end and the characters work extremely well off of each other . live Fuzzis a satire of the buddy cop genre that also pay homage to over - the - top activity motion-picture show made democratic by film maker like Michael Bay , complete with dull - motion explosions and lens flares .
The film ’s fantastic combination of natural process , whodunit , and comedic satire reach it a must - see , with author - director Edgar Wright ( Baby Driver ) doing a masterly business behind the camera . On the heel of Wright ’s feature of speech cinema debut , the horror - comedyShaun of the Dead , Hot Fuzzwas well get by critics and performed well at the box office . With a smart , punchy script and expertly choreographed action at law set pieces , Hot Fuzzis a film that holds up extremely well even more than a X after its initial freeing .
10. Team America: World Police (2004)
Much like the filmThe Interview , 2004’sTeam America World Policefeatures a North Korean potentate as the moving picture ’s central villain . This hilarious movie is inspired by the 1960sThunderbirdstelevision serial , in which marionettes are featured as actors in undercover agent and thriller miniskirt - play that appeal to adults and children likewise . Team Americais a caustic remark of American gild , cultivation , the nature of power and the solemnisation of flair over substance . The film also satirizes fully grown - budget action motion picture and their link up platitude and stereotype , with particular humourous vehemence on the ball-shaped implications of United States political science .
Even the film ’s title is derive from domestic and international political criticisms that the foreign insurance policy of the United States ofttimes and one-sidedly tries to “ police the world” . Team America : World Policehad temperate success in theaters and take in mostly positivist limited review from critics . The film get a 77 % approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes with the consensus stating “ Team Americawill either offend you or give you in stitches . It ’ll probably do both . ”Team America : World Policeis a wonderful piece of satire that may be even more relevant today than in its metre of release .
9. Thank You For Smoking (2005)
2005’sThank You For Smokingrevolves around Aaron Eckhart ’s Nick , a twist physician for the Academy of Tobacco Studies , an institution created by the major cigarette companies to deflect wellness business organisation of their product . With stripling smoking on the decline , the original Marlboro Man ( Sam Elliott ) dying of Crab , and a liberal senator ( William H. Macy ) political campaign to slap skull - and - crossbones stickers on cigarette publicity , the Academy will do anything potential to keep hoi polloi smoking .
The film is a satirical comedy that focuses on the ridiculousness of socio - political demeanour in the other 21st Century . Thank You For Smokingfeatures a fantastic ensemble cast with Maria Bello , Adam Brody , Sam Elliott , Katie Holmes , Rob Lowe , William H. Macy , J. K. Simmons , and Robert Duvall appearing in support roles . The film was well - receive despite earn just under $ 40 million at the box office and is a clever opus of filmmaking , featuring some of the better comedic satire released in the past few decade .
8. Idiocracy (2006)
The 2006 filmIdiocracytells the story of two the great unwashed who take part in a top - cloak-and-dagger military human hibernation experimentation , only to awaken 500 years after in a dystopian society where anti - intellectualism and commercialism have displace intellectual curiosity , social responsibleness , and coherent notion of justness and human rights . Another hidden gem from Mike Judge , Idiocracyprovides a satirical look at an overstated version of America , where everyone including lawmaker and government official are ended changeling .
Recently , the film ’s writer said the world ofIdiocracyhad become all too existent . “ I never expectedIdiocracyto become a documentary , ” said Etan Cohen , who co - pen the picture with Judge . The film features a memorable performance from actor Terry Crews , who plays President Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho . Idiocracynever received a broad theatrical release , though it ’s wangle to find a widespread cult be in the years since its discharge . Despite the film ’s deficiency of notoriety , Idiocracyis worth look for out , even if it has finish up being a surprisingly exact depiction of the futurity .
7. Tropic Thunder (2008)
Tropic Thunderstars Ben Stiller , Jack Black , Robert Downey Jr. , Jay Baruchel , and Brandon T. Jackson as a grouping of prima donna worker who are make an expensive Vietnam War film . Tugg Speedman ( Ben Stiller ) is a pampered action superstar who sets out for Southeast Asia to take part in the biggest , most - expensive state of war moving picture ever produced . Soon after filming begins , he and his co - stars , Oscar - succeeder Kirk Lazarus ( Robert Downey ) , comic Jeff Portnoy ( Jack Black ) and the rest of the bunch , must become real soldier when they ’re unexpectedly dropped in the Golden Triangle , home of a pitiless work party of diacetylmorphine - producers .
The film ’s ridiculous premise serves as a screen background for a satiric put-down of the film industry and , more specifically , the use of role by bounteous - name actors to inspire pity but as a sensitive for congratulations . The blast ofTropic Thunderon the set up methods of the motion-picture show industry is well craft and hilarious . The film receive broadly speaking positive reviews from critics with congratulations being position on the cinema ’s characters , story , simulated trailers , and the performances of Stiller , Downey , Black and Tom Cruise . However , Tropic Thunderalso saw its fair plowshare of criticism thanks to the satirical depiction of the mentally disabled and usage of blackface make-up in the film .
6. WALL-E (2008)
While Disney - Pixar’sWALL - Edoes not at once stand up out as satire , the film feature a number of composition that can be read as a comment on modern society . The film ’s primal plotline sees the satellite Earth turn into one huge garbage pile after decades of abuse and all of the humans are draw to leave on starship . The film picks up centuries after the said bionomical disaster , follow the endearing little automaton WALL - E as he work out to clean up the Earth in hopes that human beings can one day return . The humankind in this movie are picture as rotund and slothful , living in a world of mechanisation where they are free to rust , tope and watch TV all day .
While the plastic film is an hyperbole of the superfluous and waste produce by humans , it provides insight into what may be in store for future contemporaries . WALL - Ewas a massive critical and financial succeeder for Disney , gross over $ 530 million and earn several laurels nominations include right alive Picture at the Academy Awards . The film ’s satire of today ’s society and its important environmental message sum depth to this floor of an adorable robot take care for passion in a dystopian futurity .
5. Airplane! (1980)
Airplane!is a satire of the disaster movie musical style that was popular during the 1960s and LXX . TheAirportseries were pop in precede years and became true box office draws . The third and final film in the series , Airport ’ 79 , was so campy that it was marketed as a drollery and as a result , it was n’t much of a stretch to take things one stone’s throw further . ForAirplane!‘s story skeleton , they take the 1957 air danger storyZero Hour , but the picture show ’s premise had minuscule in vulgar with the early “ serious ” endeavor beyond coarse patch peak and central characters .
Written and directed by sidekick David and Jerry Zucker as well as Jim Abrahams , the photographic film stars Robert Hays and Julie Hagerty , and also features Leslie Nielsen , Robert Stack , Lloyd Bridges , Peter Graves , Kareem Abdul - Jabbar , and Lorna Patterson . Airplane!is renowned for its use of surreal sense of humour and its tight - paced slapstick comedy , including visual and verbal puns , jest and obscure humor like propellor sound effects for a jet plane . This ridiculous film will have you in stitches and its absurd humour is still funny nearly forty years later .
4. Network (1976)
Although the 1976 political satire filmNetworkwas released over four ten ago , the subject issue may be more relevant than ever considering today ’s political climate . The film stand out for its precise depiction of where the news culture medium would go in the decades that would watch the film ’s debut . Written by Paddy Chayefsky and lead by Sidney Lumet , the picture show ’s tale revolve around a fictional television net , UBS , that is contend to stay relevant and urgently require to increase their ratings .
The film features a star - studded cast of Faye Dunaway , William Holden , Peter Finch , and Robert Duvall as well as Wesley Addy , Ned Beatty , and Beatrice Straight in supporting theatrical role . The flick was well - receive by critics and in 2007 , the moving-picture show was range 64th among the 100 greatest American film as chosen by the American Film Institute . Networkis a wonderful plastic film that should n’t be drop ; unfortunately , it has been overshadow by the the like of the three films that rank above it on this list .
3. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
1964 brought us one of the greatest political sarcasm of all time in Stanley Kubrick’sDr . Strangelove or : How I larn to blockade Worrying and jazz the Bomb . The classical film is a black comedy which satirizes the fear of nuclear battle between the USA and USSR during the Cold War and stars Peter Sellers and George C. Scott , as well as an ensemble cast of Sterling Hayden , Keenan Wynn , and Slim Pickens . As with most of his part , Sellers steal the show by play three dissimilar character ; a British RAF interchange policeman , the President of the United States , and the titular character , a wheelchair - border atomic war expert and former Nazi .
The story run into an unhinged Air Force general order a nuclear tap on the Soviet Union , move the President and his advisor to urgently attempt to recall the bombers for avoid atomic warfare . The flick is study by many to be one of the greatest of all - time and is keep in the National Film Registry . Dr. Strangelove , like most films on this list , is highly quotable including the classical line , “ Gentleman , you ca n’t fight in here ! This is the War Room ! ” .
2. This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
This hilarious mockumentary follows fictional British sway band Spinal Tap , a group of outrageous instrumentalist who are apparently incognizant of how ridiculous they are , as they conduct on through more and more derisory spot , work almost every view memorable . Even hoi polloi who have never seenThis Is Spinal Tapcan probably reference the panorama where Tufnell whole - heartedly endorses an amplifier that goes up to 11 rather than 10 , or that part where the band plays a lance that involve a bunch of lilliputian people dance around a miniature replica of Stonehenge .
The film satirizes the behavior and musical pretensions of rock isthmus and the hagiographic tendencies of John Rock documentaries such asGimme Shelter(1970),The Song persist the Same(1976 ) andThe Last Waltz(1978 ) . The bulk of the film ’s dialog was improvised , leading to dozens of hour of footage . AlthoughThis Is Spinal Tapinitially debut to lukewarm reviews , once audiences picked up on the brilliant satire , it quickly became a furore pet .
1. Blazing Saddles (1974)
This 1974 satiricalwesterncomedy was write and manoeuvre by Mel Brooks and stars Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder in the lead function . The film ’s story revolves around conniving attorney full general Hedley Lamarr ( Harvey Korman ) , who desire to appoints a black railway doer ( Little ) as sheriff in parliamentary law to break a western town . Much to the humiliation of Lamarr , the new appointed sheriff Bart promptly becomes his most unnerving opponent . Blazing Saddlesis a screaming photographic film that satirize the racial discrimination obscured by myth - puddle Hollywood accounts of the American West , with the hero being a black sheriff in an all - ashen town .
This classic western comedy was well - received upon release and has become one of the most recognizable film of the twentieth century . The pic invite three Academy Award nominating speech and in 2006,Blazing Saddles wasdeemed “ culturally , historically , or aesthetically meaning ” by the Library of Congress and was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry .
