• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
    • First Time Here?
    • Archive
    • London Blogs
  • Blog
  • Travel
    • London Theater Tickets
    • Shopping
    • Tips
    • Tours
    • Transport
    • Maps
    • Parks
    • Resources
    • Restaurants
    • Top 10 London
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Buildings
    • Food
    • London Books
    • Movies
    • Museums
    • Music
    • Pubs
  • Londonism
    • Reviews
    • Fun London
    • Iconic London
    • Life in London
    • London Realities
    • Moving to London
    • Politics
  • The Tube
  • London History
    • Great London Buildings
    • Great Londoners
  • Contact
  • Guidebooks
    • 101 London Travel Tips – Guidebook
    • 101 Free Things to do in London

Londontopia

The Website for People Who Love London

You are here: Home / Site News / Featured / London on Film: Top Ten Comedy Films Set in London – Which One is Your Favourite?

London on Film: Top Ten Comedy Films Set in London – Which One is Your Favourite?

Jun 29, 2016 By John Rabon

London is a city of laughs, and that has been on display for decades in British film.  From the poshest part of Kensington to the most Cockney neighbourhood in the East End, many humourous stories have been put to the screen.  They feature some of Britain’s greatest actors from Sir Alec Guinness to John Cleese.  As always, some films we’ve written about before may have been left on this list, but we have an excellent selection of ten great comedy movies, and you can let us know some of your favourites in the comments.

In the Loop

In_the_Loop_poster

Whitehall is at the very heart of London and Her Majesty’s government, so it’s fitting that the dodgy business of politics would be hilariously lampooned in cinema.  2009’s In the Loop is actually a spinoff of the programme The Thick of It, with nearly all of the actors playing different characters except for fan-favourite Peter Capaldi as Alastair Campbell expy Malcolm Tucker.  As with its telly counterpart, the film aims to ridicule some real events in government, this time the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Passport to Pimlico

passport-to-pimlico

As you may guess, the story takes place primarily in Pimlico.  Premiering only four years after the end of World War II, the discovery of an unexploded bomb yields a more unexpected discovery of a document from King Edward IV that makes Pimlico a part of the French territory of Burgundy.  With a descendent of the duke, the residents form their own separate government and everything goes mad from there.  Everything ends up in a standoff with the British government, which has cut off all support (including water and power) for Pimlico, though it all builds to a satisfying conclusion.

Happy-Go-Lucky

happy-go-lucky

Sally Hawkins plays Pauline “Poppy” Cross in this 2008 comedy about a London schoolteacher with a very sunny outlook on life.  A great deal of the comedy in this film comes from Poppy’s bubbly personality rubbing against more cantankerous persons, such as her driving instructor Scott (Eddie Marsan).  Nothing and no one is able to dampen Poppy’s spirits and we get quite a lot of views of London as she and Scott drive through it.  The film also won a number of awards, including a Golden Globe for Sally Hawkins and a British Independent Film Award for Eddie Marsan.

The Ladykillers

3b2dde98-edbe-4b67-893e-75d9e1fb79b6-2060x1622

While most people might still think of Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan Kenobi or Colonel Nicholson, these more dramatic turns make it easy to forget what a great comedic actor he could be.  Long before the remake with Tom Hanks, 1955’s The Ladykillers sees Guinness as Professor Marcus and his band of thieves (including Peter Sellers) use attempt to use Mrs. Wilberforce’s lodging house in their scheme to rob a security van at adjacent King’s Cross Station. Of course, things end hilariously badly for the robbers, but not so bad for Mrs. Wilberforce.

A Fish Called Wanda

A FISH CALLED WANDA, from left: John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, Michael Palin, 1988, © MGM
A FISH CALLED WANDA, from left: John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, Michael Palin, 1988, © MGM

Another London caper film, this one manages to combine great British and American talents with John Cleese, Michael Palin, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Kevin Kline all involved in a jewel heist.  Thieves Wanda, Otto, and Ken, and George end up roping George’s barrister, Archie into the plot and everything goes downhill from there.  With no honour amongst thieves, everyone ends up turning on each other, but ultimately find some form of happy ending.  Kevin Kline won an Academy Award for his role, while Cleese and Palin both earned BAFTAs from the film.

Withnail and I

withnail022

Star-defining roles for both Richard E. Grant and Paul McGann as Withnail and Marwood in this 1987 dark buddy comedy about a couple of two unemployed actors in 1960s London.  Living in a flat in Camden, they squabble often while Withnail drinks and dopes his way through their misadventures.  The film is very much a British version of a bad drug trip, but ultimately, despite the up-and-down nature of their relationship, the two rely on each other to get through it all.

Spice World

muR1BJ_35fPx

What a strange time the 90s were, my friends.  It was a time when one of the world’s most popular pop groups could have its own movie, with the Spice Girls attempting to make their own modern incarnation of the Beatles comedy films.  There’s no shortage of famous guest stars in this two-hour-long music video, including Richard E. Grant, Meat Loaf, Richard O’Brien, Hugh Laurie, Alan Cumming, Roger Moore, and dozens more besides.  While pretty dated today, the movie was a commercial success and certainly has its diehard fans.

Snatch

snatch1

Director Guy Ritchie’s second crime comedy, Snatch features a huge cast and multiple storylines that would make Richard Curtis jealous.  Most of the film revolves around the stealing of a giant diamond and a group of Irish Travellers, one of whom has some serious bareknuckle boxing skills.  The film features Ritchie favourites Jason Statham and Vinnie Jones alongside Alan Ford, Lennie James, Dennis Farina, Benicio del Toro, and Brad Pitt.  As with his previous endeavor, Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking barrels, things end on a good note for our “heroes”, but not so much anyone else.

Bridget Jones’s Diary

Bridget_Jones_Diary_thumbnail_V3-approved_640x360_366640195547

Based on Helen Fielding’s novel of the same name, Renee Zellweger takes on Fielding’s title character in this 2001 film that serves as a modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.  Joined by the quintessential Darcy in Colin Firth and the womanizing Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), Bridget attempts to transform herself into a strong, independent woman while sorting out her love life between Darcy and Cleaver as well as managing the rift between her parents in 21st Century London.

Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life

monty-pythons-the-meaning-of-life-tc

Harkening back to their sketch comedy days, the Monty Python troupe strings together a series of bits that follow the course of life from birth to death in this 1983 film.  Many parts of London feature prominently throughout, including Battersea Power Station for the “Find the Fish” sketch and Porchester Halls for the well-known “Mr. Creosote” bit.  Ultimately, the Pythons end their film series with the same madness that made them popular in the first place.

Which one is your favourite? Let us know in the comments!

John Rabon
Author: John Rabon

John is a regular writer for Anglotopia and its sister websites. He is currently engaged in finding a way to move books slightly to the left without the embarrassment of being walked in on by Eddie Izzard. For any comments, questions, or complaints, please contact the Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson's haircut.

close

Free London News

Get the latest news on London history, culture, travel, exhibitions, and more right in your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Share this:

  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • Pocket

Filed Under: Featured, Movies

Subscribe to Our Free London Updates

Free London News

Get the latest news on London history, culture, travel, exhibitions, and more right in your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

About John Rabon

John is a regular writer for Anglotopia and its sister websites. He is currently engaged in finding a way to move books slightly to the left without the embarrassment of being walked in on by Eddie Izzard. For any comments, questions, or complaints, please contact the Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson's haircut.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brad says

    Jun 29, 2016 at 11:08 am

    You left out Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually and Notting Hill, all of which I thought were wonderful, though probably a bit sweet.

  2. ceeceeroseinlondon says

    Jun 29, 2016 at 6:31 pm

    Though I love BRIDGET JONES’, The Ladykillers gets me everytime. Though, not much of a London “location” movie. For that, JONES or HAPPY-GO-LUCKY gets my vote.

    • Cindy Collins says

      Jun 30, 2016 at 1:27 pm

      The lady killers is my favourite, it was filmed in the southwest part of London where I grew up.

  3. bill white says

    Jun 29, 2016 at 7:22 pm

    how about Nuns on the Run or the Magic Christian…

  4. paul sexton says

    Jun 30, 2016 at 7:39 am

    It has to be “The Lady Killers” Old but a real classic I could watch it every single DAY!

  5. D J Austin says

    Jul 1, 2016 at 2:26 pm

    My all time favourite comedy is Reluctant Heroes starring Ronald Shiner,Brian Rix and a lot more crazies.
    This being the 1950’s and the days of National Service.
    I’d love to buy a dvd of this film but I fear it my be one of those films that didn’t survive.

  6. Dixie Farthing says

    Jul 1, 2016 at 10:11 pm

    “A Hard Day’s Night” is laugh-out-loud funny, thanks to the Beatles’ natural wit, Richard Lester’s brisk direction, and a brilliant screenplay by Liverpudlian Alun Owen.

  7. Babette Hiestand says

    Jul 5, 2016 at 1:12 pm

    Lady Killers! There is no contest.

  8. Holly says

    Jul 6, 2016 at 10:58 am

    Both The Ladykillers and A Fish Named Wanda are absolutely hilarious and ones I’ve watched many times. I think Tom Hanks did a remake of The Ladykillers and it was awful. Nobody can top Alec Guiness!

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Our Free London Updates

Free London News

Get the latest news on London history, culture, travel, exhibitions, and more right in your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Get the Anglotopia/Londontopia App

Our Advertisers

If you are a mobile gamer, you may want to take a look at UK’s new mobile casinos and slots reviewed by NewCasinoUK.

Join the London Forum

  • Mudlarking
  • MY FAVOURITE PLACE IN LONDON
  • What's Your Favorite Place in London?
  • Paddington Station

London Guide

  • Ten Cheap Things You Can Do in London on a Budget
  • Ten London Exhibitions to Look Forward to in 2023
  • London’s Non-Free Museums: Your Guide to London’s Museums That Charge Admission
  • Trip Planning: Top 10 Exhibitions To Plan Your 2018 Trips to London Around
  • London Guide: Our Favorite Restaurants in London – London Restaurant Recommendations for Americans – What’s Your Favorite?

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • RSS Feed
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Support Londontopia

Search our Extensive Archive

Top 10 London

  • Ten Unusual Exhibits to See in London
  • London Pubs: Ten Thameside Pubs for a Pint and a View
  • Top 10 London: Ten More Things to Do Along the River Thames
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Shopping Centers in London
  • Museums of London: Ten Overlooked London Museums
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Haggerston
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Haringey
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Redbridge
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Hillingdon
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to Do in Canonbury

Recent Posts

  • Poet Lemn Sissay ‘over the moon’ to receive Freedom of the City of London
  • English Heritage has unveiled six new blue plaques for London
  • National Portrait Gallery to reopen in June with two special exhibitions
  • Exploring The Cosmic House in London
  • Ten Social Media Accounts to Follow for Londonphiles
  • New Royal Academy Exhibition: Treasures from Spain and the Hispanic World
  • Pollock’s Toy Museum in London Has Closed Unexpectedly
  • The Fiver:  Five Live-Action Children’s Shows Set in London
  • In Pictures: Winter Lights festival returns to London for first time since 2020
  • Tube and London bus fares to rise by nearly 6% from March

Best Posts on Londontopia

  • 101 London Travel Tips
  • Top 100 London Attractions
  • How to Find the Cheapest Airfares to London
  • 10 Things NOT to do in London
  • Best London Guidebooks
  • 101 Free Things to do in London
  • London Lingo – A London Word Dictionary
  • Top 7 Tips for Doing London on the Cheap
  • Top 11 Myths American Believe about London
  • Guide to Eating in London
  • Best Times of Year to Travel to London
  • London Packing Tips
  • Top 11 Movies Set in London
  • Top Attractions off the Tourist Track
  • Top 5 Most Amazing London Hotels
  • Top 10 Hostels in London
  • Best Views in London Restuarants
  • London Taxi Ettiquette
  • Top 12 London Views
  • Great Fire of London
  • A Guide to Five of London’s Bridges
  • 10 Random Facts and Figures about Trafalgar Square
  • Top 100 British Slang Words

London Places to Explore

Bloomsbury Buckingham Palace Canary Wharf City of London Covent Garden Cutty Sark Greenwich Hampstead Hampton Court Palace Heathrow Houses of Parliament Hyde Park Imperial War Museum Islington Kensington Kensington Palace Leicester Square London London Eye London Transport Museum Museum of London National Gallery Notting Hill Piccadilly Circus Putney Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Regent's Street Royal Academy Selfridges Somerset House Southbank Southwark St Pancras St Paul's Cathedral Tate Britain Tate Modern The City Tower Bridge Tower of London Trafalgar Square V&A Wandsworth West End Westminster Westminster Abbey

SIGN-UP FOR FREE LONDON WEEKLY UPDATES!

Please enter a valid email address
That address is already in use
The security code entered was incorrect
Thanks for signing up

Recent Videos

Walk Around London Virtually Right Now – Watched Walker is the YouTube Channel We All Need Right Now

Jason Hawkes Shares a Beautiful Video of London From Above That We All Need Right now

London Tube: You’ve Got to Watch This Amazing Mesmerizing Animation That Shows the Real Geography of the London Underground

Video: The Basics of Crossrail – London’s New Underground Line

London History: The Place Where Old London Double Decker Buses Went to Die

London Video: A Look at the Great Smog of London

Tube and London bus fares to rise by nearly 6% from March

What is Crossrail 2 and What is Its Current Status?

London Alert: Strike by London Underground workers to go ahead after last-minute talks fail

London Mayor hails Elizabeth line as direct routes and Sunday services begin

Elizabeth line fully opens and offers more direct journeys

Tube poet encourages writers to ‘bring who they are to the field’

Footer

About Londontopia

Londontopia is simply the website for people who love London. It was founded by Jonathan & Jackie Thomas from Anglotopia.net as a place to post articles solely focused on London and its environs. Keep up with all the latest London news at Londontopia! This site is geared towards people who love to visit London and our primary audience is North American but everyone is welcome!

When We’re in London Next

We don’t currently have any travel plans to London but hope to visit at some point in 2021.

  • SEO Backlinks
  • Travel Blog

SIGN-UP FOR FREE LONDON WEEKLY UPDATES!

Please enter a valid email address
That address is already in use
The security code entered was incorrect
Thanks for signing up

Copyright © 2023 Anglotopia, LLC · Website Developed by Anglotopia, LLC · Log in