The Swan Princess

If you are after a comedy that actually makes you laugh out loud, The Swan Princess is available in Australia on Netflix, and in the US on Netflix right now. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. 1,036 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Jack Palance's performance alone is worth the time investment. Start it on Netflix whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, The Swan Princess earns its spot. The Swan Princess gets the fundamentals right first, then finds room to get weird with it. The beautiful princess Odette is transformed into a swan by an evil sorcerer's spell. Held captive at an enchanted lake, she befriends Jean-Bob the frog, Speed the turtle and Puffin the bird. Despite their struggle to keep the princess safe, these good-natured creatures can do nothing about the sorcerer's spell, which can only be broken by a vow of everlasting love. Jack Palance and Howard McGillin lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1994. The timing in The Swan Princess 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 The Swan Princess. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Jack Palance is funny in a way that holds up on rewatch. Put it on when you need something guaranteed to land.