Spy Hard

Right now you can watch Spy Hard in Australia on Disney Plus, and in the UK on Disney Plus — and it is funnier than its reputation suggests. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. 771 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Leslie Nielsen is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. Put it on tonight on Disney Plus and see for yourself.

Spy Hard 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 Spy Hard from the crowd. The evil Gen. Rancor has his sights set on world domination, and only one man can stop him: Dick Steele, also known as Agent WD-40. Rancor needs to obtain a computer circuit for the missile that he is planning to fire, so Steele teams up with Veronique Ukrinsky, a KGB agent whose father designed the chip. Leslie Nielsen and Nicollette Sheridan lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1996. Spy Hard earns its laughs from character rather than situation, which is why it does not wear thin the way pure farce tends to. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Spy Hard is the kind of thing you put on in the background and end up fully watching. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. Leslie Nielsen 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.