High-Concept Comedy backdrop

High-Concept Comedy movies

A bold premise or rule twist generates the laughs, creating consistent setups, reversals, and comic payoffs.

Shallow Hal

1. Shallow Hal

Comedy Romance Fantasy Drama Romantic Comedy
6.0
20011h 54min

Overview

After taking his dying father's advice, Hal dates only the embodiments of female physical perfection. But that all changes after Hal has an unexpected run-in with self-help guru Tony Robbins. Intrigued by Hal's shallowness, Robbins hypnotizes him into seeing the beauty that exists even in the least physically appealing women. Hal soon falls for Rosemary, but he doesn't realize that his gorgeous girlfriend is actually a 300-pound-not-so-hottie.

Themes

Inner beauty vs outer image, Appearance bias through hypnosis, Deception in attraction, Body image stigma, Empathy through genuine care, Self-acceptance beyond looks

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Legally Blonde

2. Legally Blonde

Comedy Romance Romantic Comedy High-Concept Comedy
6.5
20011h 36min

Overview

Fashionable sorority queen Elle Woods has it all, but, she wants nothing more than to be Mrs. Warner Huntington III. But he dumps her before heading to Harvard Law School. Elle rallies all of her resources and gets into Harvard, determined to win him back. While there, she figures out that there is more to herself than just good looks.

Themes

Mentorship under pressure, Social climbing pressure, Female friendship networks, Professional ambition, Beauty standards vs competence, Reputation management

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

What Women Want

3. What Women Want

Comedy Romance Romantic Comedy High-Concept Comedy
6.5
20002h 7min

Overview

Advertising executive Nick Marshall is as cocky as they come, but what happens to a chauvinistic guy when he can suddenly hear what women are thinking? Nick gets passed over for a promotion, but after an accident enables him to hear women's thoughts, he puts his newfound talent to work against Darcy, his new boss, who seems to be infatuated with him.

Themes

Misogyny through telepathy, Advertising strategy and gender, Romcom expectations vs reality, Power dynamics in collaboration, Female psyche as market tool, Romantic tension in the workplace

Available on

Amazon Video
fuboTV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Bedazzled

4. Bedazzled

Fantasy Comedy Romance High-Concept Comedy Fantasy Romance
6.1
20001h 33min

Overview

Elliot Richards, a socially awkward IT worker, is given seven wishes to get the girl of his dreams when he meets a very seductive Satan. The catch: his soul. Some of his wishes include being a 7 foot basketball star, a wealthy, powerful man, and a sensitive caring guy. But, as could be expected, the Devil puts her own little twist on each of his fantasies.

Themes

Seven wishes, Pact with the devil, Love of one's life, Searching for love, Sale of soul

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Taxi 2

5. Taxi 2

Action Comedy Adventure Crime Vehicle-Driven Action
6.5
20001h 22min

Overview

A cabdriver and a cop race to Paris to rescue a love interest and the Japanese minister of defense from kidnappers.

Themes

Law enforcement pressure, Deception as tactic, Duty vs danger, Crime disruption ethics, Time pressure urgency, Policy and crime clash

Available on

Apple TV
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Happy Accidents

6. Happy Accidents

Comedy Romance Science Fiction Romantic Comedy Time Travel Sci-Fi
7.1
20001h 50min

Overview

A comedy that pays tribute to the science fiction genre -- specifically, the sub-genre of time travel. But here the alternate reality is contemporary New York City where past and future experiences of trust, commitment and denial are cleverly put to the test. Just as Ruby is beginning to relish her first-ever healthy relationship, Sam begins muttering about being a time traveler from the year 2470.

Themes

Trust under pressure, Time travel ethics, Reality versus illusion, Future obsession, Manipulation across timelines, Commitment and doubt

Available on

Amazon Video
History Vault
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Being John Malkovich

7. Being John Malkovich

Comedy Drama Fantasy High-Concept Comedy Psychological Drama
7.7
19991h 53min

Overview

One day at work, unsuccessful puppeteer Craig finds a portal into the head of actor John Malkovich. The portal soon becomes a passion for anybody who enters its mad and controlling world of overtaking another human body.

Themes

Control through embodiment, Desire and rejection, Ownership and autonomy, Identity collision, Immortality via bodies, Betrayal and manipulation

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Mrs. Doubtfire

8. Mrs. Doubtfire

Comedy Drama Family High-Concept Comedy Parent-Child Family
7.1
19932h 5min

Overview

Loving but irresponsible dad Daniel Hillard, estranged from his exasperated spouse, is crushed by a court order allowing only weekly visits with his kids. When Daniel learns his ex needs a housekeeper, he gets the job -- disguised as a British nanny. Soon he becomes not only his children's best pal but the kind of parent he should have been from the start.

Themes

Deception and disguise, Parent child relationship, Custody battle, Family responsibilities, Work life balance, Reinvention of parenting

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Sneakers

9. Sneakers

Comedy Crime Drama High-Concept Comedy Heist
7.1
19922h 5min

Overview

When shadowy U.S. intelligence agents blackmail a reformed computer hacker and his eccentric team of security experts into stealing a code-breaking 'black box' from a Soviet-funded genius, they uncover a bigger conspiracy. Now, he and his 'sneakers' must save themselves and the world economy by retrieving the box from their blackmailers.

Themes

Trust under manipulation, Impostor networks, Wealth redistribution pressures, Corporate-criminal collusion, Fugitive pursuit dynamics, Codebreaking tech ethics

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.