As one of the most acclaimed comedy shows to ever hit the small screen, NBC’s Seinfeld has maintained a lasting legacy thanks to its brilliant writing, sharp comedy and abundance of memorable characters that have continually entertained fans since the show first aired. Given the show's everlasting appeal, it should come as no surprise that many films have taken inspiration from the brilliant sitcom.
With an emphasis on witty dialogue, one-liners and out-of-the-box hijinks, Seinfeld’s comedic structure may not have been completely original, but it completely changed what fans thought was possible for the sitcom genre. Thus, it's no surprise that the definitive look and atmosphere of the show inspired many beloved comedy films.
Dreamworks’ 2007 animated comedy flick Bee Movie finds Jerry Seinfeld as a honey bee attempting to sue the human race for exploiting bees and profiting from honey production is delivered with a lot of jokes and visualized with colorful animation that works to enhance each scene.

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Bee Movie’s humor should entertain audiences of all ages and never wastes a scene to get a gag in. Whether dealing with the culture of bees or the city of New York, every funny detail that can be drawn from these aspects is utilized in the narrative and accentuates the pacing of the story for viewers to follow.

Bee Movie
- November 2, 2007
- 91 minutes
- Steve Hickner, Simon J. Smith

Judd Apatow’s 2015 romantic sex comedy feature Trainwreck puts a provocative twist on the rom-com genre while leaning on hilarious improvised jokes that not only heighten the story but also showcase the cast’s skills. Moreover, the chemistry between the two lead characters, Amy Townsend and Aaron Conners, played by Amy Schumer and Bill Hader, respectively, engages the audience and helps frame the relationship elements in the plot.
In particular, as Amy continues to mess her life up with bad decisions, the viewer learns more about her past through her family and close friends, whereas Aaron’s high-class job allows for several cameos in the film to always keep moviegoers invested in the romance.

Trainwreck
- July 17, 2015
- 125minutes

Crafted with equal amounts of laughs and dramatic weight, Billy Crystal’s 1992 comedy-drama flick Mr. Saturday Night rides the fine line between challenging audiences with an unlikeable protagonist and creating a tight script about the rise and fall of a standup comic. Played to great effect by the multitalented performer Billy Crystal, the lead character Buddy Young Jr. exudes all the complexities and self-sabotaging qualities of a comedian while also reflecting on a bygone era of show business.
As viewers witness the tragic aspects of fame and how ego can ruin the soul, Buddy's destructive behaviors are laid plain in a manner that is simultaneously hilarious and heartbreaking to watch.

Anchored by a dedicated ensemble cast and a tightly worded script, Jonathan Lynn’s 1992 comedy feature My Cousin Vinny offers up a great courtroom narrative to sink viewers’ teeth into while also fielding jokes that are a laugh riot at every turn. Additionally, the film’s combination of adult humor and dramatic undertones is always framed with sincerity and delivered by perfect performances from the likes of Joe Pesci, Ralph Macchio, Marisa Tomei, Mitchell Whitfield, Fred Gwynne and other talented actors.
The film generates timeless quality through recognizable dialogue, well-constructed gags and precise cinemtography that, in the end, results in a mature piece of entertainment that is far more critically impressive than most comedies made today.


Honing in on the culture of the working class with excellent humor, Kevin Smith’s 1994 independent comedy flick Clerks exudes a defiant attitude while documenting the lives of two store clerks going through the motions of a single day. With the two lead performances by Brian O’Halloran as Dante Hicks and Jeff Anderson as Randal Graves, the film frames a friendship between two characters who are always interesting to watch and always produce funny one-liners.

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Additionally, the number of unique characters spread throughout the film should be similarly entertaining for fans of the iconic sitcom, making Kevin Smith's cult classic hit a surprisingly good choice for Seinfeld fans.

Clerks
- September 13, 1994
- 92 minutes
Serving as a commentary on white-collar work with pointed comedy, Mike Judge’s 1999 satirical black comedy feature Office Space captures the anti-establishment mood of the 1990s and utilizes a strong cast and compact script to emphasize this notion. The film’s exploration of office work life at a typical software company and the individuals who are fed up with this meaningless job still resonates today as it did decades ago, which only speaks to the narrative’s effective satire.

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Specifically, as each character represents a different facet to the grueling or ridiculous nature of work, audiences can point to any one person and find meaning in the absurdity of this story, as well as laugh alongside the building conflicts between each character.

Office Space
- February 19, 1999
- 89 minutes

Christopher Guest’s 2000 mockumentary comedy flick Best in Show finds its humor through large amounts of improvisation and excites viewers with several hilarious personalities in the same vein as Seinfeld’s numerous absurd characters. Additionally, the plot, which revolves around a prestigious dog show and the contestants trying to win the competition, is produced with a loose structure to make the characters stand out and deliver a variety of comedic tones.
Thoroughout the moviegoers are impressed by how all the performers help showcase the individual dog owners’ idiosyncrasies, the competitive nature of a dog show competition, the quirky humor and the innately human moments that are sharply portrayed through a satirical mockumentary format.

- Christopher Guest

Nicole Holofcener’s 2013 romantic comedy-drama Enough Said isn't the most popular romcom of the 2010s by any means, but it excels behind the dual lead performances of Julia Louis-Dreyfus and James Gandolfini. These actors are mostly known for television roles, they seamlessly bring out the comedic and romantic elements within the film's narrative while never feeling cheese.
In particular, the protagonist’s misguided attempts to foster a relationship while being wary about her future have all the components to make for the an intelligent romcom that shows more than enough respect for the viewer's intelligence.

Enough Said
- Release Date
- October 11, 2013
- Runtime
- 93 Minutes
- Director
- Nicole Holofcener

Largely considered one of the best love stories in cinema, Rob Reiner’s 1989 romantic comedy flick When Harry Met Sally sets the proper tone for both its comedy and its romance, and with its talented cast, tight script and committed production team, the film weaves a narrative that is as hilarious as it is heartwarming. Specifically, the chemistry between the protagonists, Harry Burns and Sally Albright, is one of the high points of the film.

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Harry and Sally’s relationship expounds themes of gender, love and vulnerability, adding layers to the already interesting plot. When Harry Met Sally’s feel-good atmosphere has continued to charm moviegoers since the film’s initial release, whereas other romcoms often fail to express a deeper meaning beyond the surface-level analysis of two people falling in love.
Hailed for its timeless examination of relationships, Woody Allen’s 1977 satirical romantic comedy-drama feature Annie Hall set the standard for romcoms. With a clever narrative structure that follows the protagonist as he tries to piece together why his relationship failed, the film weaves its comedic and romance aspects together while, much like Seinfeld, dissecting the experience of dating with effortless satire.
The chemistry between Annie Hall's two lead stars, Woody Allen and Diane Keaton, keeps moviegoers coming back with excitement. This pairing’s hilarious and vulnerable interactions help the audience reflect on the notion of love and how self-destructive behavior can get in the way of finding true happiness.

Annie Hall
- Release Date
- April 19, 1977
- Runtime
- 93 minutes