His Girl Friday is a classic screwball comedy that has delighted audiences for decades. If you love the fast-paced dialogue and witty banter of this genre, you’ll want to check out these 18 films that capture the same spirit. His Girl Friday is a timeless classic that continues to inspire filmmakers and entertain viewers.
1. Bringing Up Baby
Starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant, Bringing Up Baby is a hilarious tale of a paleontologist and a scatterbrained heiress who find themselves in a series of misadventures involving a leopard named Baby. This film is a perfect example of the screwball comedy genre with its rapid-fire dialogue and absurd situations.
2. The Philadelphia Story
In The Philadelphia Story, Katharine Hepburn stars alongside Cary Grant and James Stewart in a delightful romantic comedy about a socialite whose wedding plans are complicated by the arrival of her ex-husband and a tabloid reporter. The film is known for its witty script and strong performances.
3. It Happened One Night
Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert shine in It Happened One Night, a romantic comedy about a runaway heiress and a reporter who end up on a cross-country adventure. The film’s charm and humor have made it a beloved classic.
4. The Awful Truth
Starring Irene Dunne and Cary Grant, The Awful Truth is a screwball comedy about a couple who decide to divorce but can’t seem to stay out of each other’s lives. The film is filled with hilarious misunderstandings and witty repartee.
5. My Man Godfrey
In My Man Godfrey, Carole Lombard plays a socialite who hires a homeless man, played by William Powell, as her family’s butler. The film is a sharp social satire wrapped in a screwball comedy package.
6. Arsenic and Old Lace
Cary Grant stars in Arsenic and Old Lace, a dark comedy about a man who discovers that his sweet aunts are actually serial killers. The film’s blend of macabre humor and farcical situations makes it a standout in the genre.
7. The Lady Eve
Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda star in The Lady Eve, a screwball comedy about a con artist who falls for her mark. The film is renowned for its sharp dialogue and clever plot twists.
8. His Girl Friday
In His Girl Friday, Rosalind Russell and Cary Grant deliver rapid-fire dialogue in a story about a newspaper editor who tries to win back his ex-wife, who is also his top reporter. The film is a masterclass in screwball comedy.
9. Topper
In Topper, Cary Grant and Constance Bennett play a fun-loving couple who, after dying in a car crash, come back as ghosts to liven up the life of a stuffy banker. The film’s supernatural twist adds an extra layer of humor.
10. The Thin Man
William Powell and Myrna Loy star in The Thin Man, a comedy-mystery about a retired detective and his wife who get pulled into a murder investigation. The film is known for its witty dialogue and the chemistry between its leads.
11. To Be or Not to Be
In To Be or Not to Be, Carole Lombard and Jack Benny star as actors in Nazi-occupied Poland who use their theatrical skills to outwit the enemy. The film is a brilliant blend of comedy and political satire.
12. The Palm Beach Story
Claudette Colbert and Joel McCrea star in The Palm Beach Story, a screwball comedy about a woman who divorces her husband to find a wealthy benefactor to fund his invention. The film is filled with zany characters and hilarious situations.
13. You Can’t Take It With You
Directed by Frank Capra, You Can’t Take It With You stars Jean Arthur and James Stewart in a story about a young woman from an eccentric family who falls in love with the son of a wealthy businessman. The film is a heartwarming and humorous look at family and love.
14. Ninotchka
In Ninotchka, Greta Garbo stars as a stern Russian envoy who falls for a charming Parisian, played by Melvyn Douglas. The film is a delightful romantic comedy with a political twist.
15. Holiday
Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn star in Holiday, a film about a free-spirited man who falls in love with his fiancée’s unconventional sister. The film’s themes of individuality and love make it a standout screwball comedy.
16. Ball of Fire
Starring Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck, Ball of Fire is a screwball comedy about a group of professors who take in a nightclub singer on the run from the mob. The film is known for its clever script and memorable performances.
17. The Shop Around the Corner
James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan star in The Shop Around the Corner, a romantic comedy about two co-workers who can’t stand each other in person but unknowingly fall in love through anonymous letters. The film’s charm and wit have made it a beloved classic.
18. The More the Merrier
In The More the Merrier, Jean Arthur, Joel McCrea, and Charles Coburn star in a comedy about the housing shortage in Washington, D.C. during World War II. The film’s humor and heart make it a delightful watch.
