Ghost World

If you are after a comedy that actually makes you laugh out loud, Ghost World is available in the US on Amazon Prime Video and Criterion Channel, and in the UK on Amazon Prime Video and MUBI right now. The length is exactly right for the story it is telling — nothing rushed, nothing dragged out. Its 7/10 TMDB score, built from 1,590 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. Thora Birch leads a cast with real comic timing. Available now on Amazon Prime Video — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Ghost World is worth clearing space for. The jokes in Ghost World land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. Two quirky, cynical teenaged girls try to figure out what to do with their lives after high school graduation. After they play a prank on an eccentric, middle aged record collector, one of them befriends him, which causes a rift in the girls’ friendship. Thora Birch and Scarlett Johansson lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2001. The timing in Ghost World 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.

Comedy fans looking for a reliably funny watch will find it in Ghost World. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Thora Birch is funny in a way that holds up on rewatch. Put it on when you need something guaranteed to land.