Music has been used as a comedic device in the world of cinema for almost as long as the movie medium has been in existence. Whether entertaining audiences through witty wordplay and catchy melodies or encouraging them to get out of their seats and participate in choreographed dance routines, movies have long been using music to inject humor into their narratives.

Examples range from the classic song-and-dance numbers in iconic movies like Mary Poppins to more recent comedies such as Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny and Team America: World Police, which hilariously strive to push the boundaries of good taste. Elsewhere, studios like Disney have been continuing to introduce younger viewers to the comedic potential of music in their more recent animated musicals like Moana. Below are some of the funniest songs of all time that have been used in movies to elicit big smiles and barrels of laughter.

10 “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” – Mary Poppins (1964)

One of history’s most iconic movie musical songs, the song and its made-up title are enthusiastically performed by the eccentric nanny Mary Poppins and her cockney chimney cleaning companion Bert (played by Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, respectively). Set to the backdrop of a wonderfully whimsical animated dance sequence, its celebration of language and positivity perfectly align itself with the movie’s message of finding joy and magic in the mundanity of life.

A Charming and Nonsensical Word

The nonsensical word, in itself, is enough to make you chuckle, and when being repeated over a catchy melody with unwavering gusto by the fantastic Mary Poppins, Bert, and a weird and wacky band of animated characters, it becomes utterly hilarious in the most adorable way. Its charm and timeless appeal have led it to become one of the most recognizable movie songs in history. Written by the legendary Sherman Brothers, the song is one of Mary Poppins‘ standout moments and helped it nab the Academy Award for Best Music Score. Stream on Disney+.

9 “Big Bottom” – This is Spinal Tap (1984)

Big Bottom is one of the songs performed by fictional British heavy metal band Spinal Tap from the 1984 mockumentaryThis is Spinal Tap. The movie follows the band as they embark on a disastrous tour of America and, like the movie itself, “Big Bottom” serves as a satirical commentary on the clichés of rock and roll excess and the seedy world of show business.

Catchy and Ridiculous

“Big Bottom” is a tongue-in-cheek celebration of, well, big bottoms. Featuring an absurdly catchy riff, ridiculous lyrics, and an outrageous performance to accompany it, its genius lies in its absurdity. Holding a mirror to the excesses of the ’80s rock scene and the irony of bands taking themselves so seriously but being so utterly silly at the same time, it’s hard not to crack a smile whilst witnessing the po-faced singer of the band belting out such delightful lyrics as “The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushing”. Stream on AMC+.

8 “You’re Welcome” – Moana (2016)

“You’re Welcome” showcases Dwayne Johnson’s singing chops as Maui in the hit Disney film Moana. The movie follows Moana, a young, free-spirited Polynesian girl, as she takes to the high seas on a quest to save her island. “You’re Welcome” is the presumptuous, braggadocious song delivered by Moana’s demigod sidekick as he humorously boasts about his legendary exploits.

An Academy Award-Winning Hit

One of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s finest moments, the song is an infectious toe tapper brought to life by Johnson’s dynamic performance, which exceeds all expectations. The boastful tune injects the movie with a dose of humor and swagger that highlights Maui’s (and Johnson’s) charisma. The song was a huge hit with viewers and critics and received an Academy Award for Best Original Song, adding to Miranda’s impressive musical legacy. Stream on Disney+.

7 “Time Warp” – The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

“Time Warp” is the most recognizable song from the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show about a stranded couple who happen upon the residence of the outrageous transvestite (possibly vampiric?) scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter and his cohort of eccentric house guests.

A Halloween Staple

“It’s just a jump to the left / And then a step to the right” – with is catchy lyrics and easy to learn dance moves, “Time Warp” has become a staple of Halloween parties and midnight screenings the world over. Celebrated for its infectious energy, the song itself is a fine example of the hilariously over the top glam rock style found elsewhere in the movie but made all the more funny by its sheer ridiculousness. Rent on Apple TV.

6 “America, F**k Yeah!” – Team America: World Police (2004)

From the creative minds of Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Team America is a Thunderbirds-style puppet-based action comedy that manages to parody the action film genre, satirize American politics and shock and offend just about everyone in the process. “America, F**k Yeah!” is a recurring motif throughout the film and serves as the anthemic theme tune to eponymous Team America.

As catchy as it is controversial, it brilliantly parodies American patriotism and interventionist foreign policy over a hard-rocking beat. Full of loud guitars, aggressively pro-American lyrics and profanities-a-plenty, the song is the perfect, tongue-in-cheek celebration of American stereotypes. At the time of its release, the song became somewhat of a cultural phenomenon thanks to its simplicity and clever wit and laugh-out-loud social commentary. Rent on Apple TV.

5 “Man or Muppet” – The Muppets (2011)

“Man or Muppet” is featured in the 2011 musical comedy film The Muppets and is composed by Bret McKenzie and performed by Jason Segel (as his character Gary) and the Muppet character Walter (voiced by Peter Linz). Slowing things down a bit amidst the usual manic Muppet mayhem, the song explores themes of self-discovery and identity as the pair grapple with their sense of belonging within the whimsical world of the Muppets.

A Great Blend of Seriousness and Comedy

A beautifully composed power ballad, it somehow manages to succeed in being both a poignant, tear-inducing sentimental song and an utterly hilarious, almost surreal juxtaposition of opposing realities. Reflecting on the song’s success, McKenzie stated that he “really wanted it to be hilarious and beautiful” and “sincere but ridiculous”. The song was a huge hit with critics and audiences alike and won numerous accolades, including the prestigious Academy Award for Best Original song. Stream on Disney+.

4 “Kickapoo” – Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (2006)

In Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny, Jack Black and Kyle Gass star as fictional versions of themselves (JB and KG), the ultimate rockstar wannabes on a quest to make their rock band, Tenacious D, the biggest and best on the planet. The song “Kickapoo” features early on in the movie, setting the stage for the storyline and introducing the character of Young JB, played by Troy Gentile.

It tells the story of how Young JB, through the power of rock ‘n’ roll, rebels against his ultra-conservative and religious parents to pursue his dreams of superstardom. To make things even more epic the song features guest appearances from rock legends Ronnie James Dio and Meat Loaf!

A Storytelling Song

It’s near impossible not to laugh as listeners bear witness to its over-the-top characters, absurd plot twists, and profanity-laced dialogue. This gloriously theatrical hard rock opera excels in its epic storytelling and powerhouse vocals. Heavy metal icons Meat Loaf and Dio elevate the song to legendary status by injecting their unmistakable voices into the number.

Meat Loaf goes all out acting as the child’s overbearing father while Dio hilariously comes to life from inside the child’s poster. “Kickapoo” has become a fan favorite and a signature song for Tenacious D, showcasing their inimitable blend of superb songwriting and comedic prowess. Rent on Apple TV.

3 “Blame Canada” – South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999)

This outrageous tongue-in-cheek exploration of societal scapegoating and moral panic is performed gloriously by the residents of South Park in its feature film. It’s in response to the children of the town sneaking into a Canadian R-rated Terrance and Phillip movie and becoming obsessed with its crude humor and use of profanities.

A Poignant and Hilarious Song

Celebrated for its sharp wit, irreverent humor, and catchy melody, the song perfectly skewers societal hypocrisy, and the notion of shared moral panic. The song was a huge hit with fans and critics alike and is a hilarious musical standout in an all-around funny movie that earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. Stream on Paramount+.

2 “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” – Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979)

Composed by ‘python’ member Eric Idle, “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” appears in the movie Monty Python’s Life of Brian. The movie tells the story of Brian Cohen, a young Jewish man who just so happened to be born on the same day as and next door to Jesus Christ. The song in question appears during a particularly dramatic mass crucifixion scene where the victims sing about maintaining a positive outlook on life despite their dire circumstances.

Monty Python’s Catchiest Tune

Perfectly epitomizing the movie’s absurd irreverent humor and philosophical satire, it’s the juxtaposition of the grim on-screen scenario and the happy-go-lucky upbeat nature of the song which makes it so hilarious. This is a rare example, though, of where a song has overshadowed the original movie.

Thanks to its catchy melody and easy to learn lyrics, it has become a staple in the world of popular culture and has been frequently covered and used in various media. The song’s enduring popularity is evidenced by its ranking as one of the greatest film songs of all time by the American Film Institute. Stream on Netflix.

1 “Springtime for Hitler” – The Producers (1968)

“Springtime for Hitler” is just as audacious and outrageous as its title suggests, satirizing both fascism and show business in one uproarious musical masterpiece. The showstopping number in Mel Brooks’ The Producers is a deliberately tasteless song, written by a pair of down-on-their-luck characters, to be incorporated into their controversial Broadway show. The ridiculousness is not lost on the pair who were fully expecting it to be a huge flop, allowing them to pocket the investors’ money.

The song is not only a clever blend of biting satire and social commentary, but is also a fine show song in its own right with soaring melodies and a theatrical orchestral arrangement. Seeing as, in the movie, the song was made to deliberately put people off and cause the production to fail, the aim was to be as offensive as possible.

And offensive it is with lyrics like “Deutschland is happy and gay, we’re marching to a faster pace, look out, here comes the master race”. Its humor and creativity were well received though, with the song earning a place in the Grammy Hall of Fame and contributing to the movie winning the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Rent on Apple TV.