Best French movies for fans of second degree humor

This contemporary French comedy kicks off a popular film series about a working-class family from a small village who suddenly become millionaires and move to Monaco. The humor comes from their struggle to adapt to their new wealthy lifestyle while retaining their eccentric habits and down-to-earth (or perhaps, crude) nature. It's a broad comedy that plays on class differences and the fish-out-of-water trope, finding laughs in the family's outlandish reactions to high society. Box Office Success: Despite mixed critical reviews, the 'Tuche' films have been huge commercial hits in France, demonstrating their widespread appeal as feel-good, escapist comedies.

Part of the beloved 'Les Bronzés' series, this film follows a group of quirky French tourists on a disastrous ski holiday in the Alps. The humor stems from the exaggerated personalities of the characters, their awkward romantic entanglements, and the general absurdity of their vacation mishaps. It's a film rooted in character-driven comedy and relatable (or perhaps, unrelatable!) holiday frustrations. Cult Status: The 'Les Bronzés' films, originating from a theatre troupe's sketches, are considered pillars of French popular comedy, with lines and scenes that are still widely quoted today.

A wildly popular cult classic that blends historical fantasy with broad comedy! A medieval knight and his squire are accidentally transported to the late 20th century by a botched magic spell. Their attempts to understand and navigate modern life, combined with their medieval mannerisms and reactions, create non-stop comedic mayhem. The film relies on physical comedy, cultural clashes, and the fish-out-of-water premise for its humor. Legacy: The film's success led to a sequel and an American remake, cementing its place as a significant French comedy hit of the 90s.

Another delightful pairing of Louis de Funès and Bourvil, this time centered around a car journey that goes spectacularly wrong. Bourvil plays a simple man whose new car is destroyed just as he's about to go on vacation. He's then tasked by a seemingly generous businessman (De Funès, playing a crook) with driving a Cadillac loaded with contraband across Italy. The comedy comes from the innocent man's obliviousness to the criminal plot and the increasingly absurd situations they encounter. Behind the scenes: The iconic white Cadillac Eldorado Convertible featured prominently in the film became almost a character itself and is instantly recognizable to French film fans.

A classic French comedy teaming up two legends, Louis de Funès and Bourvil! Set during World War II, it follows a French painter and a conductor who help Allied airmen shot down over Paris escape to the Free Zone. Their chaotic journey across occupied France, disguised and pursued by the Germans, leads to a series of hilarious misunderstandings and close calls. The dynamic between the high-strung De Funès and the calm, simple Bourvil is the heart of the film's enduring appeal. Historical note: This film was the most successful French film in France for over 40 years, holding the box office record from 1966 until it was surpassed by 'Titanic' in 1997.

Based on the beloved comic book series, this adaptation is a visually lavish and genuinely funny historical parody. Asterix and Obelix travel to Egypt to help architect Numerobis build a palace for Caesar in record time, facing sabotage from rivals and Roman opposition along the way. The film is filled with puns, slapstick, and satirical jabs at modern life through ancient settings. It features a fantastic cast, including Jamel Debbouze as Numerobis and Monica Bellucci as Cleopatra, adding star power to the comedic chaos. A fun fact: The film's dialogue was written by Alain Chabat, who also directed and starred as Caesar, infusing it with his signature comedic style and numerous quotable lines that entered French pop culture.

This comedy tackles sensitive topics with a light, satirical touch! It centers on a Catholic French couple from the upper bourgeoisie who face comedic turmoil as their four daughters each marry men of different ethnic and religious backgrounds (Jewish, Muslim, Chinese, and Ivorian). The humor arises from the parents' ingrained prejudices and their awkward attempts to be accepting, as well as the cultural clashes among the sons-in-law. It's a film that uses comedy to explore themes of tolerance, integration, and family dynamics in contemporary France. Did you know? The film was a massive box office hit in France and spawned several successful sequels, continuing the comedic adventures of the Verneuil family.

This film was a cultural phenomenon in France! It tells the story of a post office manager from a charming northern French town who is mistakenly transferred to Bergues, a town in the far north, often depicted in stereotypes as cold and populated by unsophisticated people. His initial dread turns into affection as he discovers the warmth and unique culture of the locals. The humor expertly plays on regional stereotypes with affection and intelligence, showing how prejudice often stems from ignorance. An interesting tidbit: The Ch'ti dialect spoken in the film is real, and the movie's success significantly boosted tourism to Bergues and the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region.

A true masterpiece of French sharp wit and situational comedy! Based on Francis Veber's play 'Le Dîner de Cons', this film revolves around a group of Parisian businessmen who host a weekly dinner where each must bring an unsuspecting 'idiot' for the others to mock. Things go spectacularly wrong for one host when he invites François Pignon, a simple, well-meaning man who inadvertently turns his life upside down. The brilliance lies in the escalating chaos caused by Pignon's innocence and the host's increasing desperation. Did you know? The character of François Pignon is a recurring figure in Francis Veber's films, often played by different actors, but always embodying a certain kind of lovable, disruptive naivety.

Get ready for peak French second-degree humor! This film is a brilliant parody of classic spy movies, starring Jean Dujardin as Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath, a French secret agent who is utterly clueless, politically incorrect, and hilariously arrogant. The humor comes from his outdated views clashing with the 1950s setting and his complete lack of self-awareness. It's packed with witty dialogue, visual gags, and pitch-perfect satire of both the spy genre and French colonial attitudes. Fun fact: The film is a pastiche of the original OSS 117 books and films from the 60s, but completely flips the character for comedic effect. It launched Jean Dujardin into a new level of stardom before his Oscar win for 'The Artist'.