Whatever Happened to the Comedy Blockbuster?

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Whatever Happened to the Comedy Blockbuster?

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By Ben Elliott

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There was a time when comedies ruled the box office. Starting in the ‘80s, hits like Beverly Hills Cop, Ghostbusters, The Hangover, Dumb and Dumber, Sister Act, Anchorman, and Bridesmaids weren’t just funny — they were cultural events.

But in the last decade, major studios have shifted their focus. Big-budget action and franchise films dominate theaters, while comedies have been quietly redirected to streaming. And while there’s nothing wrong with laughing on your couch, it robs these movies of the depth that comes with seeing them with a crowd. Comedy thrives on community — the shared energy, the collective release, the feeling of being in on the joke together.

Dumb and Dumber, 1993

That’s part of what made Bad Shabbos such a hit with our audiences over Memorial Day weekend. This offbeat comedy — extended for another week at The Triplex due to popular demand — follows a high-stakes Shabbat dinner that spirals into chaos when a dead body shows up.

Bad Shabbos, 2025

Bad Shabbos is sharp, specific, and very funny. It’s a wry send up of Jewish family dynamics on the Upper West Side, a reminder that Cliff “Method Man” Smith should be in way more movies, and a great example of what we lose when we stop watching comedies together.

When we laugh in the dark, side by side, we find something bigger than ourselves. We find relief. We find connection. And sometimes, we find that the things that scare us the most are easier to face with a little laughter — and a full house.

Showtimes

Showtimes Freakier Friday | 1:00PM, 3:30PM, 6:00PM, 8:30PM The Life of Chuck | 1:15PM, 4:15PM Highest 2 Lowest | 1:45PM, 4:45PM, 8:00PM The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg | 7:00PM

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