The first half of 2023 has been a little underwhelming when it comes to comedy films, with the likes of Jonah Hill starrer You People and Adam Sandler’s Murder Mystery 2, both of which had poor plots that failed to impress viewers. But it wasn’t all bad. Here’s a list of six hilarious ready-to-stream comedy movies that’ll help you recover from the big box office disasters.

From an absurd jackfruit mystery to a cheesy rom-com set in Vietnam, here are six comedy movies of 2023 that you absolutely must put on your watchlist (and actually watch them.)

KATHAL

Imagine filing an FIR for a missing fruit from your tree. Yes, it happened. Yashowardhan Mishra’s “jackfruit mystery” is an absurdist satirical comedy about a local politician’s exotic jackfruits that go missing, and the tomfoolery that occurs in the ensuing police investigation. One can argue though that the film is much more than just a fruity whodunnit, as it sheds light on significant social issues that are often neglected. The ensemble cast of comedy stalwarts like Rajpal Yadav, Vijay Raaz, and Raghubir Yadav ensures that Kathal is always a fun watch.

Available on Netflix.

CHANG CAN DUNK

Schoolkids competing among themselves (to mainly impress their crush) is a trope common to almost all high-school comedies. In Chang Can Dunk though, the main character—a 16-year-old Chinese-American marching band geek named Chang—raises the stakes. His conflict with Matt—the school’s basketball ace—bubbles and builds until he bets the latter that he can learn how to dunk by the time it’s homecoming. It’s a tall task for a not-so-tall man (he’s only 5’8!) but Chang has no other option but to win or be an outcast for the rest of his school tenure. Not to forget the small matter of impressing his crush Kristy. Bloom Li’s exemplary performance adds to the feel-good charm of this underdog coming of age story (with some critique of the social media fame game thrown in for good measure.)

Available on Hotstar.

A TOURIST’S GUIDE TO LOVE

Set during the new year in the mesmerising lanes and artsy tourist destinations of Vietnam, A Tourist’s Guide to Love follows Amanda (Rachael Leigh Cook) eat-pray-love her way through an undercover work trip to Vietnam after going through a breakup. She soon starts to fall for her tour guide Sinh (Scott Ly), who walks her through the streets of Vietnam like a classic romantic. Not the most unpredictable plot-line out there, but as Amanda learns to find comfort in spontaneity and adventure, it’s Sinh’s love and excitement about his homeland that really shines through. And the breathtaking shots of Vietnam’s sights and sounds certainly don’t hurt.

Available on Netflix.

THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE

Mario (voiced by Chris Pratt) and Donkey Kong (Seth Rogan) have a blast in this adaptation of the classic Nintendo game series. Billed as the origin story for the world’s most famous Italian plumbers, the movie is chock-full of fan-service, a homage to one of the most successful and beloved game franchises of all time. The spectacular vibrant animation, true-to-the-game witty writing, and stellar voice-acting make it unmissable, especially for gamers.

Available on Zee5.

POLITE SOCIETY

We Are Lady Parts writer-director Nida Manzoor makes her feature film debut with this action-comedy that follows two British-Pakistani sisters: wannabe stunt performer Ria, and art school dropout Lena. There’s also Lena’s to-be husband, Salim, who arouses the suspicion of the anti-marriage radical Ria. She enlists her fellow martial arts enthusiasts in a plan to sabotage sister’s relationship and inevitable hijinks ensue. But there’s a sci-fi twist just lurking around the corner. Absurd, emotion and incredibly fun, this movie is a rollicking ride.

Available on Zee5.

PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH

The third film in the Shrek-offshoot franchise, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is a charmingly animated film with a purrfect blend of adventure, wit, a good story-line, and even better action sequences. Unlike the slightly disappointing first sequel, which came out in 2011, this Antonio Banderas starrer gets its humour just right, The script is packed with hilarious one-liners and perfectly timed banter, making it a good watch for both kids and adults. Whether you’re a fan of the Shrek franchise or just looking for a good time, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is an absolute must-watch. P.S. It can be watched as a stand-alone film too but we recommend watching the previous two parts for a better experience.

Available on JioCinema.