Judd Apatow's 17 Funniest Movies, Ranked From 'Anchorman' to 'Bridesmaids'

Judd Apatow has been one of the biggest names in the comedy world for the past two decades. And it's little wonder why. Apatow's movies are some of the most uproariously funny you'll find on the big screen these days. Here are his funniest movies, including those Apatow has either directed or produced.

17. 'Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues' (2013)

We had to wait far too long for an "Anchorman" sequel, and the wait was not entirely worth it in this bloated misfire. But the cast is scary-talented and funny.

'Murder Mystery'

Release Date: n/a Adam Sandler (pictured here in "Funny People") hasn't exactly had a great run when it comes to Netflix original movies. We're hoping that he'll find more success teaming with director Kyle Newacheck. This comedy stars Sandler and Jennifer Aniston as a couple who accidentally become prime suspects in the murder of a European billionaire.

15. 'This Is 40' (2012)

This belated spinoff to "Knocked Up" doesn't pack quite the comedic punch of its predecessor. It's a more subdued and occasionally meandering comedy. But it also offers a very honest, unflinching look at the pressures of middle age. It probably helps that Apatow was directing his own wife and daughters here.

14. 'The Cable Guy' (1996)

Audiences really didn't respond well to this Jim Carrey comedy at the time. It's far from the goofy crowd-pleaser movies like "Ace Ventura" are. But that's also part of this movie's charm. Its dark, subversive sense of humor gives it a unique spot in the careers of both Carrey and Apatow.

13. 'Pineapple Express' (2008)

Apatow joined forces with director David Gordon Green and familiar faces like Seth Rogen and James Franco for this amusing action movie parody. The stoner humor is great, though "Pineapple Express" gets a bit caught up in hyper-violent excess in its latter half.

12. 'Walk Hrad: The Dewy Cox Story' (2007)

The musical biopic may well be the most formulaic genre around. "Walk Hard" manages to give that genre the epic spoof it needed while simultaneously serving as one of the strongest examples of a biopic in recent memory. Fictional or not, Dewey Cox is the hero we all need right now.

11. 'Talladega Nights: the Ballad of Ricky Bobby' (2006)

While not the best comedic team-up between Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly, "Talladega Nights" still manages to deliver plenty of laughs built on the strength of its memorable cast. It's also a surprisingly effective racing movie, on top of everything else.

10. 'Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping' (2016)

It's a shame this rock mockumentary didn't make a bigger splash at the time, because it's basically the best example of that particular genre since "This is Spinal Tap." The blend of slapstick and deadpan humor is great, and the songs alone are worth the price of admission.

9. 'Step Brothers' (2008)

This is a comedy about two grown adult behaving like unruly preteens. We're not sure that formula would have worked nearly as well without Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly working their particular brand of magic.

8. 'Trainwreck' (2015)

Apatow stepped back into the director's chair for this hilarious 2015 comedy, one that downplayed the usual Apatow crowd in favor of rising stars like Amy Schumer and Bill Hader. Often, though, it's professional athletes like John Cena and Lebron James (playing himself) who deliver the biggest laughs here.

7. 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' (2008)

After stealing the show during his brief role in "Knocked Up," we were thrilled to see Jason Segel take center stage in Apatow's next comedic effort. "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" is a hilarious romantic comedy that even offers a dose of vampire puppet musical theater for good measure.

6. 'Superbad' (2007)

Raunchy high school comedies don't get much funnier than this. Michael Cera and Jonah Hill are both at the top of their game in this story about two geeky friends hellbent on losing their virginity before the end of high school. It's a hilarious romp, but also one that focuses a great deal on that strained friendship.

5. 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin' (2005)

This film marked Apatow's feature directorial debut and paved the way for his particular brand of raunchy comedy. And after all these years, it still remains one of Apatow's best. Steve Carrell really solidified his appeal as a comedy leading man here.

4. 'The Big Sick' (2018)

This Apatow-produced comedy is both of of the funniest and most heartfelt films of 2018. Star/co-writer Kumail Nanjiani draws from his own personal life as he paints a compelling portrait of a struggling standup comic whose girlfriend falls victim to a mysterious illness.

3. 'Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy' (2004)

Bring together producer Judd Apatow, director Adam McKay and star Will Ferrell and you have all the ingredients you need for a hilarious comedy. Ferrell gave us what might be his greatest character ever in the form of Ron Burgundy -- beloved newscaster, ladies man and mustache enthusiast. This is definitely the most quotable comedy of the last 20 years, among its many other strengths.

2. 'Bridesmaids' (2011)

"Bridesmaids" proved to the world that raunchy comedies don't have to be the purview of male comedians alone. This female-driven comedy features the funniest and most engaging cast of any Apatow movie to date. Between Kristen Wiig's amusing bu tragically dysfunctional heroine and Melissa McCarthy's uproariously funny character, there's never a dull moment in this comedy.

1. 'Knocked Up' (2007)

Apatow really seemed to perfect his raunchy comedy formula in "Knocked Up," where he pulled triple duty as writer, director and producer. This film features an all-star lineup of Apatow faves and a satisfying story of unlikely romance between Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl's characters. And as with so many Apatow comedies, the characters are allowed to grow and evolve even as they behave like total stoner goofballs.