With a dozen or so feel-good comedies under his belt, Texas actor Matthew McConaughey has had fans falling all over him for most of his boyishly charming career. He lights up the screen with his huge personality, as his comedy seems to come naturally through any character, making fans certain that no matter the film, his performance will be high quality.
Ranking all the McConaughey comedies may be challenging for any fan, but everyone knows some just can’t compare to others. Although his list of comedies is a mile long, I’m going to focus on the ones where he is part of the main cast, the movies that have way more McConaughey screen time than others.
So, if you want to ride down memory lane with a man who ages like fine wine, here are the top five McConaughey comedies ranked from best to worst.
1. “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” (2009)
“Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” combines the lovable “Christmas Carol” plot with a modern backdrop to round out a perfect film. McConaughey succeeds in causing nonstop laughing throughout the movie with all his wittiness. “And love? It’s magical comfort food for the weak and the uneducated,” he says, cynically, to his brother’s wedding party.
McConaughey’s role as the leading man in the romantic comedy gives fans all the more opportunity to love him. He doesn’t disappoint either.
Though he begins the film jaded about love, disparaging romance as nothing more than an illusion, by the end of the movie, he’s evolved from a cringy purveyor of awkward one-liners to a bona fide romantic, his character having discovered just how to make the ladies fall all over him.
McConaughey and Jennifer Garner make the perfect comedy pair as they play off each other’s harsh comebacks during their scenes. Because of their genuine chemistry, the twosome keeps fans coming back, as the interplay between Garner and McConaughey feels absolutely real.
By witnessing his past mistakes, McConaughey’s character is able to evolve into a more caring man, a transformation that marks the highlight of the film.
“Someone once told me that the power in all relationships lies with whoever cares less,” McConaughey says, “and he was right. But power isn’t happiness, and I think that maybe happiness comes from caring more about people rather than less.”
Even after all these years, fans still come back to “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” to enjoy McConaughey’s performance as Connor Mead and his unforgettably witty comebacks. Pull up a seat and watch the chaos unfold.
2. “Fool’s Gold” (2008)
Love is a tricky emotion and even more so for a divorced couple who are forced to pair up in search for lost treasure. However, in their quest to find the lost Spanish ship, the Aurelia, Finn (McConaughey) and Tess (Kate Hudson) end up rekindling their love for one another.
McConaughey and Hudson have seamless chemistry on screen no matter what movie they are in, whether it’s “Fool’s Gold” or “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.” Their acting complements each other’s, which makes the comedic deliveries even more hilarious.
A noticeable characteristic that McConaughey brings to his characters is his endless supply of facial expressions, a prominent quality of his that always catches many viewers’ attention.
3. “Sahara” (2005)
“Sahara” is a war movie that grabs fans’ interest from the very first minute. However, its McConaughey’s involvement that draws his number one fans into the movie as he shows off his fighting skills.
McConaughey’s acting seems effortless, and the comedy is a change of pace from his regular films since the humor is subtle. Even when he is speaking in a calm manner, McConaughey has a way of captivating viewers with his tone, making it impossible to resist admiring his smooth delivery.
The comedy also differs from others in his oeuvre in that he isn’t portraying a womanizer. In the film, he plays a more serious character named Dirk who’s searching for a missing warship called the Texas. If you want to see McConaughey kick butt while dodging machine guns in the process, look no further than this hilarious, action-packed movie.
4. “The Wedding Planner” (2001)
Destiny has a funny way of showing up, especially at the worst possible moments. Jennifer Lopez, the perfect actress for the lead role in the film, finds herself planning the wedding of the guy she ends up falling in love with.
McConaughey is yet again the hero of the story with a life-altering decision to make — which woman will he pick, his fiancée or the wedding planner? Watch this hilarious and light-hearted film to find out where destiny takes Mary (Lopez) and Steve (McConaughey) as they struggle to come to terms with their complicated relationship.
5. “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” (2003)
At the start of the movie, the scenes bounce back and forth between magazine writer Andie and smooth-talking advertiser Ben until they eventually meet. Thing is, both of them have a personal agenda: Andie is researching material for her piece on how to lose a guy in 10 days, while Ben is trying to make her fall for him in 10 days as a result of a bet.
The spark between Hudson and McConaughey’s characters is instantaneous and breathtaking. With one last question during their first evening out together, Andie asks, “True or false, all is fair in love and war?” Ben answers true as their eyes lock, which is the moment fans know that they are in for a roller-coaster ride as both characters venture into a relationship based on deceit.
Even though the chemistry is on point, it isn’t one of McConaughey’s more exceptional performances. Yes, he is lovable, charming and comical, but some of the acting is a bit off. Still, this is a very captivating film and one that will make you laugh until the very end.
Conclusion
Ranking films can be tricky, and even though some Matthew McConaughey comedies didn’t make it into the top five, all of his movies are hilarious.
A few honorable mentions from his outstanding acting career over the last two decades include “EDtv,” “Magic Mike,” “Failure to Launch” and “Dazed and Confused.” Fans can also keep the comedy gold going by watching McConaughey’s lengthy list of noteworthy comedies dating back to the early ’90s.
No matter which film fans select, they are guaranteed the wittiness and charm that only McConaughey can bring to the big screen.
