After rounding up our favorite military movies, we decided to lighten the mood and create a list of the 10 best military comedies. While the topic may be serious, sometimes getting a bunch of raucous young people together results in unexpected hijinks.
1. Dr. Strangelove
Our top pick, fully titled Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, is a dark political comedy that satirizes the Cold War and the fears that arose of nuclear conflict between the Soviet Union and the United States. Stanley Kubrick directed, produced and co-wrote the movie which follows the U.S. President and his Joint Chiefs of Staff as they try to recall an unhinged Air Force general and his bombers who are on the brink of causing a nuclear apocalypse.
2. Catch 22
3. Good Morning Vietnam
4. Biloxi Blues
5. Stripes
To top off our list taking the number one spot is crowd favorites Stripes starring Bill Murray. After struggling through life as a cabbie and being dumped by his girlfriend, John Winger (played by Murray) enlists in the U.S. Army. Following a stumble through basic training, winger leads a group of Army misfits and threatens international affairs.
6. M*A*S*H*
This offbeat comedy follows a medical unit in the Korean war who wreak havoc by gallivanting as the war rages on around them. The movie is based on Richard Hooker’s satire novel, MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors. M*A*S*H* went on two receive five Academy Award nominations including Best Picture and even won for Best Adapted Screenplay. It also inspired the television series of the same name
7. Forrest Gump
While not entirely a comedy and not completely military-centric, this list wouldn’t be complete without the classic movie Forrest Gump. The film follows Forrest, played by Tom Hanks, as he grows up highlighting key cultural events of the 20th century. Not only was it the top-grossing film in 1994, it won the Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and three additional Academy Awards.
8. Major Payne
The protagonist of this silly comedy, Major Payne, is obsessed with all things military and war-related. Following his honorable discharge from the Marines, Payne struggles to acclimate to civilian life so he begins teaching at a preparatory school leading a group of Junior ROTC students. Neither the kids nor Major Payne have any idea of the hilarity that will ensue at their expense.
9. Hot Shots!
Hot Shots! spoofs the famous Tom Cruise movie Top Gun. Starring Charlie Sheen, the story follows talented Navy pilot Topper Harley as he battles some internal demons and some real villains trying to sabotage his mission.
10. Tropic Thunder
Tropic Thunder begins with the shooting of a war film who tries to liven the action up by dropping the film’s stars into a real jungle. He claims he has hidden cameras set up to capture the raw performance. This motley crew attempts to survive as they stumble into a real war zone. Hilarity ensues.
If you notice your favorite military comedy is missing from our list, write us on Facebook.
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