Quentin Tarantino Reveals His Pick for Funniest Film in Decades

Quentin Tarantino, known for his sharp dialogue and stylised on-screen mayhem, has always had a soft spot for films that don’t take themselves too seriously. While his own work is often packed with violence and dark humour, he’s just as keen on a good laugh as the next bloke, especially when it comes to comedies that push the envelope.

Lately, Tarantino’s been making headlines, though not for any fresh news about his much-hyped tenth and supposedly final film. Even with the long-awaited director’s cut of Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair finally seeing the light of day, it’s his recent appearance on Bret Easton Ellis’ podcast that’s got everyone talking. The director’s blunt takes on various actors, including a less-than-flattering remark about Paul Dano, have sparked plenty of chatter online. While the negative comments have done the rounds, it’s worth noting that most of the podcast was actually spent on a positive note, with Tarantino running through his top 20 films of the 21st century.

Mixing It Up: Tarantino’s Top Picks

As you’d expect from Tarantino, his list was a mixed bag. There were the usual suspects—films that have become modern classics, a few that split the critics, and some obscure gems that most punters wouldn’t recognise. Sitting at the top was Ridley Scott’s gritty war epic Black Hawk Down, a film often cited for its unflinching brutality. Rounding out his top three were Pixar’s much-loved sequel Toy Story 3 and Sofia Coppola’s heartfelt Lost in Translation.

It’s no shock that Tarantino gave a nod to big-name directors like David Fincher with Zodiac and Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris. But what really caught everyone off guard was his inclusion of Jackass: The Movie. According to Tarantino, nothing in recent memory has made him laugh quite as hard.

Why Jackass Stands Out

“This was the movie I laughed at the most in these last 20 years,” Tarantino said. “I don’t remember laughing from beginning to end like this since Richard Pryor. As I was making Kill Bill, I thought this movie was so fucking funny I had to show it to the crew. So we found a print, watched the movie, and just died.”

Jackass: The Movie picked up right where the infamous MTV show left off, throwing Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Chris Pontius, Steve-O, and Dave England back into a whirlwind of wild, often ridiculous pranks. Critics at the time weren’t quite sure what to make of it, but for a generation raised on the show’s chaos, it hit the mark. The film’s success led to three sequels, each one somehow winning over more critics than the last.

Independent Spirit and Unlikely Inspiration

Tarantino’s never been one to follow the crowd, so it’s not a huge surprise he appreciated what the Jackass crew were up to. The idea of a bunch of mates pooling their efforts to create something they’re passionate about echoes the same independent streak that made Reservoir Dogs such a revelation back in 1992. That film inspired heaps of young Aussies and others around the world to grab a camera and have a crack at filmmaking themselves.

His list also featured other comedies like Shaun of the Dead and The School of Rock, but nothing seemed to tickle his funny bone quite like Jackass: The Movie.