The road comedy is one of Hollywood’s simplest formulas. Get a pair of contrasting personalities, trap them on a plane, train, or automobile with a strict deadline and you’ve got comedy gold. This week, The Hangover director Todd Phillips tries his hand at the genre in Due Date. Gearing up for the release, Metro has compiled a list of some of the finest road comedies ever made.
1. Planes, Trains, And Automobiles (1987)
Contrary to popular belief, John Hughes’ greatest achievement was not one of his teen movies, but this hysterical and surprisingly emotionally resonant road comedy starring Steve Martin and John Candy.
2. It Happened One Night (1934)
Frank Capra’s comedy classic with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert is one of only three movies to sweep the five main Oscar categories (actor, actress, director, screenplay, and Best Picture).
3. Lost In America (1985)
Though mostly forgotten, Albert Brooks wrote, directed, and starred in this gem about a pair of yuppies quitting their jobs for the open road.
4. The Hope/Crosby Road To Pictures (1940-1962)
No discussion of road comedies would be complete without mentioning Bob Hope and Bring Crosby’s still hilarious series of Road To movies.
5. National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)
The ’80s comedy dream team of screenwriter John Hughes, director Harold Ramis and Chevy Chase may have spawned a successful franchise with Vacation, but the original trip to Walley World remains the darkest and the best.
