Bill Murray Reveals His Pick for the Funniest Movie Since 2000
Comedy legend Bill Murray singles out Stephen Chow’s Kung Fu Hustle as the ultimate modern comedy, calling it unmatched and sending a strong message to American filmmakers.
Few actors have shaped the world of comedy quite like Bill Murray. With a career spanning over forty years, he’s become a household name thanks to his roles in films that have stood the test of time. Yet, while his on-screen work has delighted millions, his off-screen reputation is a bit more complicated. Known for his unpredictable behavior and eccentric personality, Murray has often left colleagues divided. Still, when it comes to making people laugh, his track record is hard to dispute.
From classics like Stripes and Caddyshack to Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, and The Royal Tenenbaums, Murray’s filmography is packed with hits that audiences return to again and again. His unique sense of humor and timing have made him a legend in the industry. But when asked to name the greatest comedy of the 21st century, Murray didn’t hesitate to look beyond his own work—or even his own country.
Setting a New Standard in Comedy
According to Murray, the bar for modern comedy was set by Stephen Chow’s Kung Fu Hustle. The film, a wild mix of martial arts, slapstick, and relentless visual gags, left a lasting impression on him. He described it as
“the supreme achievement of the modern age in terms of comedy.”
The movie ’s energy and inventiveness reminded him of the golden age of physical comedy, drawing comparisons to legends like Buster Keaton and Tex Avery.
Murray was so taken with Kung Fu Hustle that he couldn’t help but compare it to his own directorial effort, Quick Change. Despite the differences in style, era, and scope, he admitted that his film paled in comparison.
“Quick Change, after it, looked like a home movie. It looked like a fucking high school film. I was like, ‘Oh man, I just saw this thing’, and ‘God, that’s just staggering, just staggering’. When I saw that, I was like: That. Just. Happened.”
A Wake-Up Call for American Comedy
For Murray, Kung Fu Hustle didn’t just raise the bar—it left American comedy in its dust. He was so impressed by Chow’s work that he issued a stark warning to his peers in the United States.
“There should have been a day of mourning for American comedy the day that movie came out,”
he declared. While his words may sound dramatic, they reflect just how deeply the film affected him.
In Murray’s eyes, Kung Fu Hustle is not just a great comedy—it’s a game-changer. Its blend of outrageous humor, fast-paced action, and visual inventiveness set a new standard that, in his view, has yet to be matched. For anyone who loves to laugh, his endorsement is a powerful invitation to experience the film’s wild ride.