Annie Live!

Annie Live! Has quietly become one of the more dependable comedies currently available. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Celina Smith leads a cast with real comic timing. Available now — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Annie Live! Is worth clearing space for. Annie Live! Does what great comedies rarely manage — it is actually funny, consistently, across the whole run. Annie, the beloved seven-time Tony Award-winning Broadway sensation, comes to life like never before in a live musical event starring Harry Connick, Jr., Nicole Scherzinger, Tituss Burgess, Megan Hilty and Taraji P. Henson, with newcomer Celina Smith in the title role of Annie. The iconic musical follows smart and spirited little orphan Annie, whose whole life changes when larger-than-life billionaire Daddy Warbucks takes her away from an orphanage run by the mean Miss Hannigan. Celina Smith and Harry Connick Jr. Lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2021. The timing in Annie Live! Is precise enough that even the throwaway lines land on a second watch. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

If you need a comedy that actually makes you laugh, Annie Live! Is a strong candidate. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Celina Smith sets the tone, but the supporting cast is where a lot of the best moments come from. A reliable pick for any night you want quality comedy without the homework.