High Spirits

This week's easiest comedy pick in Australia on Amazon Prime Video, and in the US on Amazon Prime Video and YouTube TV is High Spirits. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. 248 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Peter O'Toole leads a cast with real comic timing. Start it on Amazon Prime Video whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

High Spirits is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate High Spirits from the crowd. When a hotelier attempts to fill the chronic vacancies at his castle by launching an advertising campaign that falsely portrays the property as haunted, two actual ghosts show up and end up falling for two guests. Peter O'Toole and Daryl Hannah lead a cast with the timing to make it work. It was released in 1988. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and High Spirits holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Comedy fans looking for a reliably funny watch will find it in High Spirits. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Peter O'Toole 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.

High Spirits was released in 1988, directed by Neil Jordan. The full 99-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.