Why Did Hollywood Stop Making Comedies? | Drudge Retort

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Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Why Did Hollywood Stop Making Comedies?

1984 was a golden year for Hollywood comedies, headlined by Eddie Murphy's Beverly Hills Cop, which grossed $977 million, and Bill Murray's Ghostbusters, which earned an estimated $882 million (both figures adjusted for inflation). These films featured original narratives (unrelated to existing intellectual property), anchored by rising stars whose appeal hinged on their comedic talents.

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Why Did Hollywood Stop Making Comedies? A Statistical Analysis https://entertainment.slashdot.org/story/25/08/18/2333256/why-did-hollywood-stop-making-comedies-a-statistical-analysis?utm_source=rss1.0mainlinkanon&utm_medium=feed

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-- Slashdot (@slashdot.org) Aug 18, 2025 at 9:12 PM

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... Fast-forward to today, a time when the Hollywood studio comedy is (allegedly) dead. The past decade has witnessed a parade of postmortems lamenting the demise of this once-dominant genre, including:

- - - Hollywood Is Giving Up on Comedy (The Atlantic, 2014)

- - - The Completely Serious Decline of the Hollywood Comedy (Quartz, 2022)

- - - Were Blockers and Game Night the Last Great Studio Comedies? (Variety, 2024)

While it's easy to dismiss these headlines as hyperbolic, they aren't wrong. ...

Considering the latent demand for this format and the relatively low costs of comedy production, the genre appears to be an overlooked cash cow (on paper!). So why aren't studios like Paramount and Universal churning out dozens of low-budget comedies every year?

The unfortunate reality is that mainstream comedy no longer aligns with an operating model that defines 21st-century Hollywood -- one that prioritizes Wall-Street-friendly revenues and visual spectacle over modest, reliable profits. ...

The article goes into a lot of detail, with charts and excellent explanations ...

#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-08-19 02:15 PM | Reply

I thought the Marvel movies were comedies?

They're not?

#2 | Posted by jpw at 2025-08-19 03:27 PM | Reply

Comic. Not comedy. Comic.

Entertainment generally reflects on society. Not a lot to laugh about the last 5 years.

#3 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2025-08-19 04:56 PM | Reply

Every time we get a comedy, we get a bunch of Trump Incels whining there is a woman or minority in it.

#4 | Posted by Sycophant at 2025-08-19 07:43 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 4

#4 I noticed you had no examples, what have you seen that you recommend?

#5 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-08-19 08:58 PM | Reply

Jeff is a cowardly prancing poof.

#6 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2025-08-19 09:58 PM | Reply

Comic. Not comedy. Comic.

I know. I was joking because they're so bad you have to laugh.

#7 | Posted by jpw at 2025-08-19 11:15 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

NCIS et al and other flavors of copaganda hoarding all the resources.

#8 | Posted by fresno500 at 2025-08-20 07:48 AM | Reply

Comedy, by FAR, creates more opportunities for actors to be canceled or be given negative attention on social media. So you have to use already-popular people that have a very low chance of being canceled in order to have a truly successful comedy these days. Why would someone with a stellar reputation and big, fat paychecks chance being in a comedy that offends someone?

#9 | Posted by humtake at 2025-08-20 12:03 PM | Reply

#4 I noticed you had no examples, what have you seen that you recommend?
#5 | Posted by oneironaut

You idiots freaked out over Captain Marvel and She-Hulk.

You had a melt down over the female Ghostbusters AND the new Ghostbusters because of the girl lead.

You threw tantrums about Wonder Woman and the new Star Wars.

And do we even mention Barbie?

Incels freak out over any female lead unless she is hot with big ---- and kicking ass or ditzy and cute but somehow winning. And they freak out before the movie even comes out.

If its a mainstream movie with a strong female lead, you idiots lose it and scream "Woke". It has to be a niche movie ONLY for women or you all ---- your pants and start throwing it at everyone.

And what do the studios do in response? Either not make a movie or give us some ---- like Wonder Woman 1984 hoping forced nostalgia and a skin tight costume appeases the idiots. Or worse, yet another god damn Marvel movie with the same damn plot and recycled jokes as the rest of them.

#10 | Posted by Sycophant at 2025-08-20 12:06 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

Anybody seen the Naked Gun remake yet?

I haven't - not giving them money for another f---ing remake, and while I've already pirated the telesync I haven't gotten around to watching it yet, might wait to pirate a better copy.

But it is technically a comedy, I suppose.

#11 | Posted by DarkVader at 2025-08-20 12:22 PM | Reply

When CBS cancelled Colbert because he hurt a fat orange Ass**le's feelings comedy was outlawed!
It shall be a felony to ridicule the Wannabe DicktaterTot!

#12 | Posted by danni at 2025-08-20 12:24 PM | Reply

The greatest comedy ever was Groundhog day because it was about every day being a repeat of the day before lind of like so manr remake movies....which "Fast and Furious" are we up yo now?
Actually a great new "Groundhog Day" could be made by just repeating "Groundhog Day" over and over . Like movie reality actually is today. Hey, did you see "Back to the Future 10" yet?

#13 | Posted by danni at 2025-08-20 01:50 PM | Reply

When CBS cancelled Colbert because he hurt a fat orange Ass**le's feelings comedy was outlawed!
It shall be a felony to ridicule the Wannabe DicktaterTot!

#12 | Posted by danni at 2025-08-20 12:24 PM | Reply | Flag:
(Choose)

No dumbass, his show lost $40 million a year. I can understand why you don't think that's a problem though based on your voting record.

#14 | Posted by fishpaw at 2025-08-20 03:41 PM | Reply

Mel Brooks movies were real comedies but not close to being politically correct which is the problem these days.

#15 | Posted by fishpaw at 2025-08-20 03:43 PM | Reply

No dumbass, his show lost $40 million a year. I can understand why you don't think that's a problem though based on your voting record.

POSTED BY FISHPAW

And once again you twist the facts to suit YOUR narrative and agenda and totally discount his value to the company. Which just sold for $8 billion dollars.

#16 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-08-20 03:45 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Mel Brooks movies were real comedies but not close to being politically correct which is the problem these days.

#15 | POSTED BY FISHPAW

South Park just told you MAGAts and Trumpy to GFY.

How does that make you feel?

Like shutting down South Park?

Ha ha. Too bad. You cannot.

#17 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-08-20 03:47 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

16
Do you believe that a money losing subsidiary adds value to the net worth of a company? Or does it subtract from the net worth?

#18 | Posted by homerj at 2025-08-20 04:41 PM | Reply

" Do you believe that a money losing subsidiary adds value to the net worth of a company? Or does it subtract from the net worth?"

What about the millions of dollars of fees and residuals for clips? I'd say that ADDS value... but I'm using Actual Math, so... .

#19 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-08-20 04:50 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

his show lost $40 million a year.
#14 | POSTED BY FISHPEDO

Talk about not understanding the information you received.

The Late Show is the highest rated show for its time slot and it's still losing money.

Most shows are currently losing money.

Television is dead. It's literally in its final stages.

Advertisers are leaving, putting their money in social media influencers who have million of followers. YouTube channels with millions of subscribers. Streaming services which are now full of commercials unless you're willing to pay more.

You're an idiot, so I don't expect you to understand.

#20 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-08-20 05:00 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 3

"Do you believe that a money losing subsidiary adds value to the net worth of a company? Or does it subtract from the net worth?"

You've never worked anywhere close to money, have you?

The Papa John's in my old neighborhood ran at a loss.

Corporate was happy to take the loss to build the Papa John's brand with the college students.

#21 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-08-20 05:07 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

'80's comedies are classic. I'd love to see Hollywood get back to that.

#22 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-08-20 11:53 PM | Reply

1994 was golden for comedies: Ace Ventura, The Mask, Dumb and Dumber

#23 | Posted by hamburglar at 2025-08-21 05:05 AM | Reply

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