20 Best Spy Comedies
From 'Austin Powers' to 'Spies Like Us,' Moviefone counts down the 20 best spy comedies of all time.
(L-R) Kaley Cuoco as “Emma” and David Oyelowo as “Dave” in the action comedy, 'Role Play,' a Prime Video release. Photo courtesy of Prime Video.
Premiering on Lawman: Bass Reeves').
In honor of the new film, Moviefone is counting down the top 20 best spy comedies of all time.
Let's begin!
20. 'Spy Hard' (1996)
(L to R) Leslie Nielsen as Dick Steele and Nicollette Sheridan as Veronique Ukrinsky in 'Spy Hard.' Photo: Hollywood Pictures.
The evil Gen. Rancor (Nicollette Sheridan), a KGB agent whose father designed the chip. Together they try to locate the evil mastermind's headquarters, where Veronique's father and several other hostages are being held.
19. 'Agent Cody Banks' (2003)
Recruited by the U.S. government to be a special agent, nerdy teenager Cody Banks (Hilary Duff) in order to learn about an evil plan hatched by her father. But despite the agent persona, Cody struggles with teen angst.
18. 'My Spy' (2020)
A hardened CIA operative (Chloe Coleman), having been sent undercover to surveil her family.
17. 'Bad Company' (2002)
When a Harvard-educated CIA agent is killed during an operation, the secret agency recruits his twin brother (Chris Rock).
16. 'I Spy' (2002)
When the Switchblade, the most sophisticated prototype stealth fighter created yet, is stolen from the U.S. government, one of the United States' top spies, Alex Scott (Malcolm McDowell), one of the world's most successful arms dealers.
15. 'Ghosted' (2023)
(L to R) Chris Evans and Ana de Armas in 'Ghosted,' now streaming on Apple TV+.
Salt-of-the-earth Cole (Ana de Armas) — but then makes the shocking discovery that she’s a secret agent. Before they can decide on a second date, Cole and Sadie are swept away on an international adventure to save the world.
Ghosted
14. 'Spies in Disguise' (2019)
Two Jesuit priests (Andrew Garfield and Driver) travel to seventeenth century Japan which has, under the Tokugawa shogunate, banned Catholicism and almost all foreign .
13. 'Spies Like Us' (1985)
Two bumbling government employees (Dan Aykroyd) think they are U.S. spies, only to discover that they are actually decoys for nuclear war.
12. 'Spy Kids' (2001)
Carmen (Carla Gugino) were the top secret agents from their respective countries. They gave up that life to raise their children. Now, the disappearances of several of their old colleagues forces the Cortez' return from retirement. What they didn't count on was Carmen and Juni ing the "family business."
11. 'This Means War' (2012)
Two top CIA operatives (Reese Witherspoon).
10. 'Get Smart' (2008)
(L to R) Anne Hathaway as Agent 99 and Steve Carell as Maxwell Smart in 'Get Smart.' Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
When the identities of secret agents from Control are compromised, the Chief (Anne Hathaway), the only spy whose cover remains intact. Can they work together to thwart the evil plans of KAOS and its crafty operative?
9. 'Spy' (2015)
A desk-bound CIA analyst (Melissa McCarthy) volunteers to go undercover to infiltrate the world of a deadly arms dealer, and prevent diabolical global disaster.
8. 'The Spy Who Dumped Me' (2018)
A couple of thirtysomething best friends (Justin Theroux) shows up at their apartment with a team of deadly assassins on his trail.
7. 'Central Intelligence' (2016)
After he reunites with an old pal (Kevin Hart) is lured into the world of international espionage.
Central Intelligence
6. 'RED' (2010)
After surviving an assault from a squad of hit men, retired CIA black ops agent Frank Moses (Helen Mirren) to uncover a massive conspiracy that threatens their lives. Only their expert training will allow them to survive a near-impossible mission -- breaking into CIA headquarters.
5. 'Knight and Day' (2010)
(L to R) Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz in 'Knight and Day.' Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox.
A fugitive couple (Cameron Diaz) goes on a glamorous and sometimes deadly adventure where nothing and no one – even themselves – are what they seem. Amid shifting alliances and unexpected betrayals, they race across the globe, with their survival ultimately hinging on the battle of truth vs. trust.
4. 'Kingsman: The Secret Service' (2014)
The story of a super-secret spy organization that recruits an unrefined but promising street kid (Taron Egerton) into the agency's ultra-competitive training program just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.
3. 'Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery' (1997)
As a swingin' fashion photographer by day and a groovy British superagent by night, Austin Powers (Elizabeth Hurley), he just might.
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
2. 'True Lies' (1994)
A fearless, globe-trotting, terrorist-battling secret agent (Jamie Lee Curtis) might be having an affair with a used car salesman while terrorists smuggle nuclear war heads into the United States.
True Lies
1. 'The In-Laws' (1979)
(L to R) Alan Arkin as Sheldon Kornpett and Peter Falk as Vince Ricardo in 1979's 'The In-Laws.' Photo: Warner Bros.
In preparation for his daughter's wedding, dentist Sheldon Kornpett (Alan Arkin) meets Vince Ricardo (Peter Falk), the groom's father. Vince, a manic fellow who claims to be a government agent, then proceeds to drag Sheldon into a series of chases and misadventures from New York to Central America.
