Val Kilmer Names His Top Two Comedy Films Ever

Val Kilmer’s career has spanned a wild mix of genres, from high-octane action to westerns, fantasy, sci-fi, and even biopics. While most punters remember him for roles in blockbusters like Top Gun and Heat, or his standout turn in Tombstone, comedy isn’t the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Kilmer. His filmography isn’t exactly packed with laugh-out-loud moments. Sure, his debut was the spy spoof Top Secret! from the same mob who did Airplane!, and he had a crack at the genre again with Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, but he never really made comedy his main game. There was even a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo in The Love Guru, which, let’s be honest, is a tough one to defend.

But just because he didn’t make heaps of comedies doesn’t mean he didn’t appreciate a good laugh. In a chat with Cindy Pearlman for her book, You Gotta See This: More Than 100 of Hollywood’s Best Reveal and Discuss Their Favourite Films, Kilmer revealed the two films he always goes back to when he needs cheering up.

“I really like The Full Monty and Anchorman,”

he said.

“I like those movies, and those are my answers… In fact, I did a musical last year onstage. For the first few weeks during the down times I was running around backstage doing dumb Will Ferrell jokes because he plays this great pompous dumb guy in Anchorman. No one backstage knew what I was even talking about. I like this movie so much that I got a copy of the film and ran it so my 55 cast-mates could understand it.”

Anchorman: A Modern Classic

Released in 2004, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy stars Will Ferrell as a clueless newsreader in San Diego, a city that, as the film jokes, means ‘whale’s vagina’ in German. The film takes the mickey out of macho newsroom culture and has become a cult favourite, with its one-liners now part of everyday language. If you’ve ever heard someone say something “escalated quickly”, you’ve got Anchorman to thank for that.

Ferrell’s over-the-top performance as Ron Burgundy is a big part of why the film works. Kilmer clearly rates it, not just for the laughs but for the way it pokes fun at egos and workplace bravado. It’s the sort of comedy that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s probably why it’s stuck around in pop culture for so long.

The Full Monty: More Than Just Laughs

On the other hand, The Full Monty tells the story of a bunch of blokes out of work in Sheffield who decide to put on a strip show to make ends meet. While it’s got plenty of funny moments, there’s a lot more going on under the surface. The film digs into themes of pride, friendship, and the struggle to get by when times are tough. It’s not just about the laughs – there’s a real heart to it, which might explain why it was up for Best Picture at the Oscars, a rare nod for a comedy.

At the time of the interview, Kilmer seemed a bit less attached to The Full Monty than Anchorman, but it still made his shortlist. The two films couldn’t be more different – one set in sunny California, the other in gritty Yorkshire – but both have something that keeps people coming back.

Why These Films Hit the Mark

Whether you’re after a bit of absurdity or a story with a bit more depth, Kilmer reckons these two are worth a watch. If they’re good enough for him, they’re probably good enough for anyone needing a pick-me-up. Sometimes, all you need is a classic comedy to lift your spirits, and these two have certainly done the trick for one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors.