If Your Sense of Humor Is a Little Twisted, These 16 Dark Comedies on Netflix Are Perfect For You

Some people like silly, slapstick comedies, and others like feel-good romantic comedies But for those who like grim, twisted, and morbid comedies, Netflix has a whole lot of of dark comedies available to stream, which are all kinds of messed up, but hilarious in their own way. Gallows humor isn’t for everyone, but with films about everything from occult-obsessed babysitters to Manson Family fanatics to horny nuns, there’s definitely something for everyone. Snd if anyone has ever described your sense of humor as “dark,” the darkly funny flicks on our list ahead were definitely made for you.

Related: 11 Horror-Comedy Movies Streaming on Netflix, in Case You'd Rather Laugh Than Scream

Courtesy Everett Collection

Obvious Child

What do you do when a one-night stand with a graduate student results in a pregnancy? That’s the conundrum faced by an unemployed comic (played by Jenny Slate), who must decide whether to confide in her one-night lover before having an abortion.

Watch Obvious Child on Netflix.

Everett Collection

The Babysitter

This Netflix original horror-comedy stars Samara Weaving (whom you may recognize as Claire from Netflix’s Hollywood) as Bee, a stunning teenage babysitter who happens to dabble in the occult. When her 12-year-old charge discovers what she and her friends get up to after he goes to sleep, he finds himself pursued by Bee’s fellow cult leaders, and things get pretty weird.

Watch The Babysitter on Netflix.

©IFC Films/Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection / Copyright IFC Films/Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection

The Death of Stalin

Based on the French graphic novel La Mort de Staline, this satirical black comedy follows the aftermath of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin’s 1953 death, telling the story of the resulting power struggle between members of the Central Committee. Is it historically accurate? Of course not. Is it darkly hilarious? You bet.

Watch The Death of Stalin on Netflix.

©Focus Features/Courtesy Everett Collection

A Serious Man

Set in 1967, Michael Stuhlbarg stars in this Coen brothers’ production as a Jewish physics professor who finds himself faced with a double dilemma: his wife is moving out, and his deadbeat brother is moving in. When he discovers someone is trying to sabotage his chances for tenure, the professor seeks the counsel of three different rabbis, hoping to get his life back on track.

Watch A Serious Man on Netflix.

Courtesy Everett Collection

The Lobster

In this absurdist dystopian comedy, singletons are given a mere 45 days to find a romantic partner – and if they fail, they get turned into animals. A newly single man (played by Colin Farrell) is forced to go on a desperate search for a new partner, and luckily, he encounters a woman (played by Rachel Weisz) on a similar mission.

Watch The Lobster on Netflix.

Everett Collection / Everett Collection / Copyright Everett Collection / Everett Collection

All About Nina

Mary Elizabeth Winstead stars in this underrated comedy-drama as the titular Nina, a raunchy comic with a promising career and a personal life that’s kind of a hot mess. That all changes when she meets Rafe (who’s played by Common), a new romantic interest who compels her to finally face her demons.

Watch All About Nina on Netflix.

Courtesy Everett Collection

Catfight

Starring Sandra Oh and Anne Heche, this action-packed black comedy revolves around two former college besties who reconnect years later at a cocktail party. As it turns out, both women have been holding on to some previously unvoiced hostility, and the tension between them eventually escalates into an all-out brawl.

Watch Catfight on Netflix.

Courtesy Everett Collection

The Edge of Seventeen

Hailee Steinfeld stars in this teen comedy as Nadine, a cynical high school junior who finds her life turned upside down when her BFF starts dating her brother. Left feeling totally alone, Nadine makes fumbling attempts to forge new connections, but not without some seriously awkward moments along the way.

Watch The Edge of Seventeen on Netflix.

Everett Collection / Everett Collection / Courtesy Everett Collection

The Little Hours

Set in the 14th century and loosely based on The Decameron, a collection of novellas by Giovanni Boccaccio, this medieval black comedy tells the story of three nuns who attempt to seduce a young gardener, who escaped to the convent after sleeping with his lord’s wife. It’s as absurd as it sounds, and it definitely doesn’t hurt that the cast includes Alison Brie, Dave Franco, Kate Micucci, Aubrey Plaza, John C. Reilly, and Molly Shannon.

Watch The Little Hours on Netflix.

Everett Collection / Everett Collection / Courtesy Everett Collection

Other People

Jesse Plemons stars in this dramedy as David, a gay comedy writer who returns home to take care of his mother (played by Molly Shannon), who’s in the advanced stages of leiomyosarcoma. As well as dealing with his mom’s declining health, David must contend with his conservative family who – despite the fact that he came out a decade before – has yet to accept his sexual orientation.

Watch ther People on Netflix.

Everett Collection / Everett Collection / Courtesy Everett Collection

Manson Family Vacation

In this indie comedy, two estranged brothers decide to put aside their differences in order to tour the infamous Charles Manson murder sites, as one of the brothers is eerily enthralled by the Manson Family. As bizarre as it sounds, this one is unexpectedly charming and totally LOL-worthy.

Watch Manson Family Vacation on Netflix.

©October Films/Courtesy Everett Collection

Cookie's Fortune

Set in small-town Mississippi, this crime comedy tells the story of two sisters who decide to frame their rich aunt’s suicide as murder to salvage their family’s reputation – and then later take over her incredible mansion. It may not sound funny, but Glenn Close, Julianne Moore, and Liv Tyler make for a wildly eccentric and entertaining trio.

Watch Cookie’s Fortune on Netflix.

©IFC Films/Courtesy Everett Collection

Frances Ha

Greta Gerwig stars in this black-and-white dramedy as the titular Frances, a 27-year-old aspiring dancer and New Yorker who, unfortunately, doesn’t have any money . . . or dance skills. After landing an apprenticeship with a dance company, Frances goes to great lengths to achieve her dreams, never allowing the many obstacles that stand in her way to dull her shine.

Watch Frances Ha on Netflix.

©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection

The Land of Steady Habits

Based on Ted Thompson’s novel of the same name, this comedy-drama tells the story of a wealthy financier named Anders (played by Ben Mendelsohn) who retires from his job and leaves his wife (Edie Falco) in the hope of getting a new lease on life. Instead, Anders unexpectedly befriends his son’s friend Charlie, who leads Anders down a path of reckless (and very regrettable) behavior.

Watch The Land of Steady Habits on Netflix.

©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection / Patrick Wymore

Paddleton

Starring Everybody Loves Raymond‘s Ray Romano and The League‘s Mark Duplass (who also served as writer and director), this Sundance dramedy follows two neighbors who form an unlikely bond after Duplass’s character is diagnosed with terminal cancer. It’s a buddy flick that centers around Duplass’s diagnosis and celebrates the importance of friendship – and it’s far funnier than you would ever expect.

Watch Paddleton on Netflix.

©Weinstein Company/Courtesy Everett Coll / Everett Collection / Weinstein Company/Courtesy Everett Collection

The One I Love

This clever film defies genre, telling the story of a struggling married couple (played by Mark Duplass and Elisabeth Moss) who take the advice of their therapist (played by Ted Danson) and go on a weekend retreat to a secluded estate. Things take a weird turn (to say the least) when the couple discovers doppelgängers of themselves living in the guest cottage.

Watch The One I Love on Netflix.

Recent Posts

Exit mobile version