Joy

If you are after a comedy that actually makes you laugh out loud, Joy is available in Australia on Disney Plus and Stan, and in the US on Starz Apple TV Channel right now. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. 4,304 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Jennifer Lawrence is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. Available now on Disney Plus — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Joy 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 Joy from the crowd. A story based on the life of a struggling Long Island single mom who became one of the country's most successful entrepreneurs. Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro lead a cast that never overplays a joke. It was released in 2015. Joy earns its laughs from character rather than situation, which is why it does not wear thin the way pure farce tends to. 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 Joy. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Jennifer Lawrence's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.