Here are Cinephile Corner’s 10 recommendations for movies like Joy Ride:
Babes
Babes is the sort of down-the-line comedy that feels like a relic of the past. Nowadays, studio comedies are often hampered by another genre – superheroes, horror, action, etc. – so the occasional one that feels comfortable in its own skin and actually makes you laugh feels like a breath of fresh air. And this time, that breath comes from Ilana Glazer and Michelle Buteau‘s Babes, a comedy about motherhood and friendships as you grow older. It’s uncomplicatedly funny, with a surprisingly earnest and dramatic side to match.
No Hard Feelings
No Hard Feelings feels like a shot in the arm for studio comedies – a subgenre in desperate need of *something* to revive it. Jennifer Lawrence and Andrew Barth Feldman both star, and carry with them completely different perspectives of maturing emotionally.
One of Them Days
Keke Palmer is undeniably magnetic, and One of Them Days serves as another showcase for her effortless charm and comedic timing. Directed by Lawrence Lamont, the film largely exists to let Palmer shine, and she doesn’t disappoint, carrying the movie’s 97-minute runtime with infectious energy.
Sacramento
Sacramento is a good-not-great entry into the buddy road trip genre. It won’t blow you away, but if you’re a fan of its cast—Michael Cera, Michael Angarano, and Kristen Stewart included—there’s enough charm here to make it worth the ride.
Zola
Zola is an A24 film that fully embraces the chaotic, anything-goes energy of its source material—a viral Twitter thread detailing a Florida road trip gone terribly wrong. Directed by Janicza Bravo, the film blends Scorsese-like brashness with Sean Baker-style realism, offering a flashy, unfiltered look at the underground world of sex work. At times, it’s as glamorous as it is grimy, a fever dream that refuses to look away from its characters’ choices, even when things spiral out of control.
Y2K
The best way to approach Y2K is to go in completely blind. Seriously, avoid trailers and marketing if you can. The film’s absurd twists and genuinely hilarious moments are what make it so enjoyable, and knowing too much beforehand could spoil the fun. Kyle Mooney makes his directorial debut here, and he nails it. Throughout the brisk 91-minute runtime, he keeps the pace sharp and entertaining. The movie is often exhilarating, always self-deprecating, and has just enough 1999 nostalgia to hit the right notes without feeling overdone or cheesy.
Polite Society
Polite Society delivers on the usual charm that comes with modest action comedy movies, but I felt the tone was too quirky and self-aware for its own good. Some jokes land, some certainly do not. An admirable debut film from director Nida Manzoor, but hopefully there’s a steep upward trajectory from here.
They Cloned Tyrone
They Cloned Tyrone has many elements that I like to see in movies from first time directors, as well as movies heading straight for streaming services. Juel Taylor directs a movie stylized to the nines, backed by grainy throwback camerawork and zany performances by a star-studded cast.
You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah
My skepticism was high for Adam Sandler’s new teen comedy on Netflix, You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah, but the movie is genuinely funny and surprisingly endearing. Sandler enlists his whole family for this take on adolescence and the Jewish community.
Read our full review of You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah
Nonnas
Nonnas is a reminder that charm, good casting, and a touch of sincerity can elevate a standard script into something enjoyable, if not exactly essential. It’s not destined for rewatchability or critical acclaim, but for a streaming comedy in 2025, that’s probably enough.
READ MORE: Joy Ride (2023)
