When fans are looking for a good laugh, they turn to some of the great comedy movies made over the years. But there is also something special about finding one of those great laugh-of-loud moments that are completely unexpected as even the most serious movies can have a bit of humor as well.
While some movies can balance comedy and heavier subject matter in equal measure, these movies were the kind of intense, dramatic, and emotional stories only for a genuinely funny moment to come out of nowhere. And in some cases, they make for an even bigger laugh.
Joker Meets The Mob - The Dark Knight (2008)
Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight can be frightening at times, he also had moments of levity such as when he crashed a meeting of Gotham's biggest mobsters.
When one of the irritated criminals questions if Joker really thinks he can steal their money and get away with it, Joker simply responds "Yeah." Redditor Welshy94 pointed out that, though Nolan's movies are often serious "he genuinely writes some funny stuff" at times.
Stealing A Bike - Pig (2021)
The recent one Pig served as something of a comeback role for Nicolas Cage, offering one of the actor's most understated performances in years as a reclusive man searching for his stolen pig. However, there was one small moment in which fans recognized that usual wild Cage energy.
After learning who has taken the Pig, Ruben (Cage) steals a bike to get his pet back. When the bike owner attempts to confront him, Ruben yells in the man's face and bikes off. One Redditor itted the moment "definitely caught me off guard."
Wrong Ryan - Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Steven Spielberg's thanks largely to the epic battle sequences. But the seriousness of the war is broken up at one point in what Redditor Sugreev2001 referred to as the "Wrong Ryan" scene.
As Captain Miller and his men locate a Private Ryan (played by Nathan Fillion), he informs the soldier that his brothers are dead. But after an emotional moment of the man's heartbreak over the loss, they realize his brothers are back home in school and they have the wrong Private Ryan.
Surprise Shark Attack - Deep Blue Sea (1999)
Though Deep Blue Sea is not a cinematic masterpiece, it is a fun shark attack movie that follows a group of people trapped in an underwater research lab that is attacked by genetically enhanced sharks. Of course, the movie is best ed for one iconic scene.
Despite being the biggest name in the cast, Samuel L. Jackson exists the movie early in an unforgettable death scene. As one Redditor pointed out, Jackson's character "starts to lay out his actual, serious plan" for how the rest of them will survive when a shark jumps out of the water and eats him out of nowhere.
Baseball Bat Attack - Jack Reacher (2012)
Though the television show gave fans a version of Jack Reacher closer to the books, the movie version starring Tom Cruise is a pretty enjoyable action movie. And while the intense fight scenes offer the biggest thrills, one of them had fans laughing.
While investigating a small apartment of a suspect, Reacher is attacked by two thugs with baseball bats. But with the overeager nature of the thugs and the confined space, everything except Reacher gets smashed. Redditor batlock666 described the scene as "pure slapstick."
Nathan's Dance - Ex Machina (2014)
Despite the small cast and intimate setting, Ex Machina is an engrossing sci-fi story. It follows an employee at a tech company who is invited to visit the estate of his eccentric boss who unveils his new A.I. creation.
Oscar Isaac is excellent as the odd tech genius but gets one unexpected scene to show off some other skills. When confronted about his strange behavior, Isaac brushes off his employee's concerns and busts into a hilarious choreographed dance routine with his A.I. companion. Redditor 93ericvon itted they "couldn't contain it" for that particular scene.
Spotted By A Cop - The Town (2010)
Ben Affleck's crime thriller The Town is an exciting story of bank robbers operating in Boston. The movie features some intense and thrilling heist sequences that leave the audience on the edge of their seats. But in the midst of the mayhem, one terrific comedic moment emerged.
Redditor TheGreatChatsby ed the scene as the thieves are making their getaway and suddenly "see the cop right in front of them." The cop looks at the four heavily armed men for a moment then simply looks the other way, deciding not to get involved.
"Take The Cannoli" - The Godfather (1972)
As one of The Godfather has countless iconic scenes that are still looked back on as brilliant. But within this violent and epic mob story, one of the most famous lines is a rare instance of a big laugh in the movie.
The scene finds two of the Corleone family carrying out an assassination in a car. After it is done, one of the men instructs his partner to leave the gun behind but reminds him to take the cannoli that is still in the car. One Redditor remarked that the scene is even better as the "line was actually improvised."
Drug Dealer Scene - Flight (2012)
The drama Flight features yet another stunning performance from Denzel Washington as a pilot whose heroics help to make him a figure of public interest even as he desperately battles his alcoholism. It is a powerful story with a lot of very dramatic moments, but some fans found humor in one wild sequence.
After relapsing and getting drunk before a hearing on the plane crash, Washington's character is visited by his drug dealer (John Goodman) who helps perk him up and get him ready for the public. Redditor mzdoja described the scene as "so twisted, dark and hilarious."
A Confusing Foot Chase - Memento (2000)
Christopher Nolan became one of the most exciting new filmmakers to watch with his mystery thriller Memento. The story follows Leonard, a man with short-term memory loss attempting to discover who killed his wife. It makes for a very unique experience and even opens the door for some subtle yet hilarious moments.
In one scene, Leonard finds himself running and trying to why. When he sees another man running, he concludes that he is chasing him but then quickly realizes he is actually the one being chased. Redditor Assassino13 found that moments like that helped convince them that Memento is "basically a dark comedy."
