The Funniest Film Of The 2020s Is An Unsung Gem On Disney+

If you’re looking for a new TV show to watch this weekend, there’s an awful lot to be said for Netflix’s “unnoticed” Asura, a family drama with a perfect 100% score on review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes.

And for those seeking a deep belly laugh, you can’t go wrong with 2023’s Theatre Camp, which is now streaming on Disney+.

The film, which has earned an impressive 90% from Rotten Tomatoes’ audience-generated Popcornmeter, stars Molly Gordon (The Bear, Booksmart), Ayo Edebiri (The Bear, Bottoms), Ben Platt (Pitch Perfect), and Noah Galvin (Booksmart).

On paper, Theatre Camp sounds pretty conventional. A documentary crew follows counsellors Rebecca-Diane (Gordon) and Amos Klobuchar (Platt) as they oversee the kids’ end-of-camp musical. The business has suffered the tragic loss of a beloved leader and must also battle buyouts and money woes.

Troy Rubinsky (Jimmy Tatro), the son of the camp’s absent owner Joan (Amy Sedaris), is tasked with wading out of this mess. But it’s hard to believe the selfie-obsessed, non-theatre-going influencer will truly “vibe” with his new home’s cut-throat earnestness.

None of this, however, can prepare you for just how funny the joke-riddled script is. There’s an unspeakably hilarious seance. A child who uses a tear stick is confronted like a budding addict – “she’s using,” a suspicious Rebecca-Diane mutters to her co-leader before rolling on the stage, Action Man-style.

A nose-related incident later in the movie might be one of the funniest I’ve seen.

If you don’t believe me, the critics have my back. The Guardian called Theatre Camp “hilarious” and “zippy,” while Empire said, “barely 20 seconds ever go by without you laughing”. Both gave the movie four stars.

I also dare you not to get the endlessly catchy Camp Isn’t Home song stuck in your head all week.

Despite its warm critical reception, it’s hard not to feel the side-splitting comedy has remained a little under-sung in the UK. It made around $400,900 (£298,484) at the international box office, which I’m pretty sure mostly came from me (I saw it in the cinema six times).

Safe to say you know my verdict by now: I think Theatre Camp is the funniest film of this decade. And luckily for all of us, it’s available to stream on Disney+ now.