Coronavirus: These comedies make quarantine fun

"Humor is the button that prevents our collars from bursting," said writer Joachim Ringelnatz (1883-1934). A wisdom that can be taken to heart in times of the corona crisis. Because humor can act as a medicine for almost every negative emotion: boredom, loneliness, sadness. And what helps us to laugh? The best comedies of all time: from classics to modern box office hits.

"Some Like It Hot" (1959)

The classic comedy: "Some like it hot" from 1959. The two unemployed musicians Joe (Tony Curtis, 1925-2010) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon, 1925-2001) witnessed a murder. To escape the murderers, they dress up as women and become part of a girls' band. It doesn't take long for either of them to fall in love with ukulele player Sugar (Marilyn Monroe, 1926-1962).

"The Life of Brian" (1979)

A Monty Python film should not be missing from a list of the best comedies of all time. In "The Life of Brian" the Jew Brian (Graham Chapman, 1941-1989) was born in a stable in Jerusalem and is mistaken for the Messiah. Even 30 years later, he cannot convince his disciples otherwise.

"Ghostbusters" (1984)

Fans must wait until March 2021 for "Ghostbusters: Legacy". Until then, simply enjoy the original, "Ghostbusters – Die Geisterjäger", from 1984. After the three parapsychology professors Peter (Bill Murray, 69), Ray (Dan Aykroyd, 67) and Egon (Harold Ramis, 1944-2014) were fired from their university, they founded a ghost-hunting company. With the rapid rise in paranormal activity, their services are suddenly in greater demand than ever.

"The Moving Man" (1994)

The most successful German film of the year 1994: "The moving man" by director Sönke Wortmann (60). When Axel (Til Schweiger, 56), a notorious cheater, is put in front of the door by his girlfriend, he meets the gay friends Walter (Rufus Beck, 62) and Norbert (Joachim Król, 62). The two offer him to live with him temporarily and a bizarre friendship develops.

"Clueless – What Else!" (1995)

A teen film from the 90s, which you can watch again as an adult. "Clueless – What Else!" has achieved cult status. In it, a popular high school queen in Beverly Hills takes on a wallflower. But soon the shy Tai (Brittany Murphy, 1977-2009) takes her place. A nightmare for Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone, 43). Marvel star Paul Rudd (50, "Ant-Man") can be seen in a supporting role.

"The Big Lebowski" (1998)

Jeffrey Lebowski aka "The Dude" (Jeff Bridges, 70) is one day surprised by two thugs in his apartment who think he is the millionaire of the same name Jeffrey Lebowski aka "The Big Lebowski" (David Huddleston, 1930-2016), his wife Bunny (Tara Reid, 44) owes someone money. After torturing him and urinating on his favorite carpet, the dude starts looking for the Big Lebowski – but when he finds him, his problems really start.

"High Fidelity" (2000)

The comedy "High Fidelity" is based on the book of the same name by the British author Nick Hornby (62). Record store owner Rob Gordon (John Cusack, 53) sums up his love life and realizes that only one of his ex-girlfriends really means anything to him. Laura (Iben Hjejle, 49) is now taken.

"Zoolander" (2001)

Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller, 54) is the reigning "Male Model of the Year" fighting his rival Hansel (Owen Wilson, 51), who finally wins. Zoolander's world changes from one day to the next and he increasingly loses faith in himself. Since 2016 there is a second part of "Zoolander".

"The Shoe of Manitu" (2001)

One of the most successful and popular German films of all time: the western comedy "Der Schuh des Manitu"! Apache chief Abahachi (Michael Bully Herbig, 51) and Ranger (Christian Tramitz, 64) are blood brothers and work together to ensure peace and justice. Abahachi, however, is deprived of his money by the Shoshones and eventually persecuted. Then he remembers a treasure and an adventurous search begins.

"Bridget Jones – Chocolate for Breakfast" (2001)

Long-lasting single Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger, 50) decides on New Year's Day to change her life: she wants to quit smoking, lose weight and find a man for life. But when she gets involved with her boss Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant, 59) and develops feelings for his archenemy Mark Darcy (Colin Firth, 59), the chaos is perfect. If you want to keep looking after the first part "Chocolate for Breakfast": there are the sequels "Bridget Jones – On the Edge of Madness" (2004) and "Bridget Jones' Baby" (2016).

"About a Boy or: Day of the Dead Duck" (2002)

In "About a Boy", a film adaptation of the novel of the same name by the British writer Nick Hornby, the wealthy London bachelor Will (Hugh Grant, 59) meets teenager Marcus (Nicholas Hoult, 30) and his labile mother Fiona (Toni Collette, 47) . The two "men" help each other and make friends over time.

"Hangover" (2009)

During his bachelor party in Las Vegas, Doug (Justin Bartha, 41) disappears without a trace. When his party crew, consisting of Phil (Bradley Cooper, 45), Stu (Ed Helms, 46) and Alan (Zach Galifianakis, 50), wakes up the next morning, they have no idea what happened the night before. They roam the city to reconstruct the party night from a few memories and to find the groom in good time before the yes word. In part 2 (2011) of the "Hangover" trilogy the friends travel to Thailand and in part 3 (2013) it goes back to Las Vegas.

"Bridal Alert" (2011)

The surprise hit of the year 2011: "Bridal alarm". The frustrated single woman Annie (Kristen Wiig, 46) is said to be the best man at the wedding of her best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph, 47). But nothing goes as it should: A competition breaks out between Annie and Helen (Rose Byrne 40), the wealthy wife of Lillian's boss, the hen party falls into the water and the wedding dress selection ends in fiasco. Annie's collar bursts at the bridal shower – with devastating consequences.

"Monsieur Claude and his daughters" (2014)

The public success of 2014 in France: "Monsieur Claude and his daughters". The conservative French couple Claude (Christian Clavier, 67) and Marie (Chantal Lauby, 72) Verneuil tries to cope with the fact that three of their daughters are married to a Muslim, a Jew and a Chinese and have not yet been able to witness a church wedding. Her hope rests on daughter number four – but she falls in love with an African. A second part of the French comedy has been available since 2019.